19 Years later…


September 1st, 2017

"Poppy!" Rose yells, half in a panic, "Mind your sister!"

Poppy Wilhemina Hooper, a strong-minded Ravenclaw fourth year pushes her cart through King's Cross station, not wanting to have to watch over her little sister, Harriet Luna Hooper, who was just as dreamy as her middlename-sake. "Come along, Harry," Poppy sighs, giving in to her mother.

Poppy, to her parent's surprise, was born with light blond hair, as her namesake once had. She was stubborn as an ox, or so her parents thought, which only made her name more fitting. It felt only right to name her first born after her best friend, Poppy's spirit somehow lives on through her daughter. Harriet, on the other hand, existed with her head in the clouds, but inherited her father's many artistic abilities. Still, Harry as they called her, wasn't all her father, Harriet had inherited her mother's blindingly red hair. Every time she had dinner with the Weasley's, they hardly knew whose kids were whose. They'd always laughed about that.

After the war ended Rose went on to become an auror, alongside Harry Potter and many others she had once fought alongside. Before even completing her training, she helped newly appointed Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, clean out the ministry and root out the last remnants of evil. It took them a few years, but they were able to get the Ministry back on track. Rose enjoyed her job very much, as keeping the wizarding world safe was extremely worthwhile to her.

Charlie, on the other hand, took at job at the newly-overhauled Daily Prophet. After the war, the likes of Rita Skeeter were sacked, and the paper became reputable once again. After Seamus suggested it, the Sunday prophet include animated cartoons, drawn by Charlie, taking inspiration from many muggle newspapers. Charlie was able to work from home, at their sizable home in Inverness, commuting to Diagon Alley twice weekly.

As all of the major wizarding institutions began to undergo changes, Hogwarts was no exception. They salvaged as much as they could after the Battle of Hogwarts, saving a lot of history in the process. Hogwarts reopened in September of the year 2000. A special ceremony was held to equal parts celebrate the reopening and honor the past. As the entrance hall was rebuilt, the names of the fallen during the Battle of Hogwarts were honored in a large marble memorial. She's glad the likes of Poppy, Fred, Lupin, Tonks, and the others would be remembered for their sacrifice for a long time. After all, there'd be no Hogwarts anymore if not for them.

The seventh floor corridor was badly damaged in the battle, but the Room of Requirement managed to survive. The room was crafty, it would not be destroyed so easily. Upon rebuilding the corridor, those of Dumbledore's Army carved their initials into the stone arch at the head of the hallway. Neville Longbottom was especially proud to do so, as he always had a strong connection to the room.

The D.A. and Order members were also honored in the ceremony and presented a special award for their services to the school. Rose beamed down from the marble steps as she received her award, overjoyed to see the school restored to its former glory. The medals, trophies, and other awards were certainly appreciated but to see the school reopened was worth more to Rose than any prize.

Professor McGonagall had officially become Headmistress as the school reopened, taking over Dumbledore's old office. Rose and several of the others visited upon occasion, acting as a liaison to the History of Magic course. At long last ghostly Professor Binns retired, and Dean Thomas, history buff, took his place. He devoted a quarter of the year to the wizarding wars of the 20th century, Rose twice acted as guest speaker. She often wondered if she should write a memoir, but she thought it too soon. How could one so young possibly do so? She had many years left of life to live, or so she thought, and the war would be but a chapter in the full story of her life.

After the rebuilding work was done, there were still many disagreements as to how to proceed. There was much dissent, at first, as to whether or not Slytherin house should be retained at the new school. Many argued that they should be excluded from the school to prevent future students ending up like Voldemort. In the end it was Harry who reminded them that the sorting hat wished to place him, Harry Potter of all people, in Slytherin house, and that students needed to be subject to kindness and understanding, opposed to exclusion. Rose agreed, for the Voldemorts of the world will always find a way to be Voldemorts. And thus, Slytherins were welcomed once again to Hogwarts School.

"We're going to be late," Rose glances at her watch, frowning.

"I can't miss the train on my first day," Harriet groans.

"You won't, I promise," Rose sighs.

"Even Harry Potter missed the train once, in his second year. He flew his father's car straight into the Whomping Willow," Charlie calls back to his daughters, grinning, "Have I ever told you that one?"

Poppy rolls her eyes and says, "Yes, Dad, I know. We all know that you knew Harry Potter. You don't have to remind us every five minutes."

"Poppy," Rose scolds her, "Be nice to your father."

Rose thought it interesting that her daughter thought of Harry in this way, annoyed at his very mention. There was once a time when Rose herself was infatuated with Harry, but she'd long since lost her feelings for him. As she thought about what Harry went through throughout the years, she could hardly find the reason she loved him at all. Not to say that he wasn't handsome or exceedingly kind, but he was wrought with danger, sorrow, turmoil. How could she have ignored such things so blindly? She loved the idea of Harry Potter, as many had, but the dangers that followed him would not have been easy to deal with. Rose feels fortunate that she's found her true love in Charlie, the reality plucked from the fantasy.

The family finally reaches platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station. Harriet looks up at the bricks in awe, not at the bricks themselves, but at what awaited her behind them. "Now, Harriet, just push your cart between the 9 and the 10, and you'll come out on the other side."

"I'm not worried, Mum," Harriet smiles, breaking into a run towards the platform.

Poppy follows her, as do her parents. The train whistle blasts, signaling that they'd have only a few minutes before the train left. Poppy helps her sister load her things onto the train at Rose's request but resists every minute of it. As she'd entered her teenage years, she'd become quite the handful. "I remember what it was like at that age," Charlie smiles.

"So do I," Rose laughs, "I was sneaking around, dating you. Kissing boys in tents at the world cup. Getting caught making out at the Yule Ball by Snape."

"Why?" Charlie's brow furrows with worry and terror, "You think she's got a boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend, girlfriend, who knows," Rose shakes her head, "In any case, it makes me feel old."

"Nah," Charlie grabs her waist, "You're still that fourteen year old gorgeous redhead I fell in love with. And you always will be."

"Gross," Poppy frowns as she notices her parents kiss.

"Come to say goodbye, have you?" Rose says, "Or are you too good for your old mum and dad?"

"Of course I'm coming to say goodbye," Poppy says, throwing her arms around her parents, "Look, I know how I am but I promise I'll look after my sister, alright? I know you're worried about her."

"I would expect nothing less," Rose says, "Now hurry, or you'll miss the train!"

Poppy waves goodbye, sliding into a compartment with her friends. Rose was elated that she had become friends with Mei Fraser, Cho Chang's daughter. They were in the same year, both Ravenclaws; their mothers couldn't have been more proud. It felt right to have a Chang and a MacGuffin in Ravenclaw tower again.

Rose wonders silently for a moment what house Harriet will be sorted into. She has a running bet with her husband that she'll land up in Ravenclaw. He disagrees, thinking she'd end up in Hufflepuff. Wherever Harriet would go, she'd be alright. She's a kindhearted girl with a lot of love to give.

Rose glances around the platform and spies Harry Potter and his family, helping his eldest son load his trunk onto the train. From what Harry had told her at work, his oldest son was just like his namesake, Harry's father James. James, as Rose is told, is fond of mischief. She smiles, remembering the antics of Fred and George. She was glad to hear that the halls would be filled with laughter again.

Rose spins around, eyeing the crowded platform, and sees Draco Malfoy standing with his wife and son, Scorpius, a dark coat buttoned up to his throat. His hair was receding somewhat, which emphasized the pointed chin. To Rose, he still looked like a weasel, albeit a wrinkled weasel now.

"Scorpius, though?" Charlie whispers lowly to Rose, wrinkling his nose at the name, "I thought Albus Severus was generous at best. But what the bloody hell is Scorpius?"

Rose laughs and jabs him lightly in the ribs, "It's a constellation, you numpty!" Rose admonishes him, "If you'd have paid more attention in Astronomy, you'd have known."

"I never really did look through any of those telescopes," Charlie shakes his head, "I was too busy staring at you."

Despite the time that had past, the children, the...receding hairlines...it somehow felt like Rose should be stepping on-board the Hogwarts Express, like that would be completely normal. She half wishes she could go back. Someday, perhaps, when her children are grown and gone, she'd apply to be a Professor, leave the dangers of the auror office. But not yet. Someday.

Rose smiles as Harriet skips back to them. "All set?" Rose bends down and asks.

Harriet answers her with a nod. Rose notices her mixed expression. "What's wrong, love?"

Harriet shrugs, looks at the ground and shuffles her feet. "Hogwarts is going to be great!" her mother assures her, "You're going to make all sorts of new friends and learn a lot about magic. You'll love it, I promise. And there's always Uncle Neville that will be there."

"Professor Neville, I mean," Rose corrects herself.

Neville had taken over as Herbology Professor after Professor Sprout's retirement five years ago. The MacGuffins has Neville over for dinner several times a year, including their famous Christmas Eve parties.

"I know, I'm just going to miss you is all," Harriet says, her voice quavering but not crying.

"I'll write you as much as you want. Everyday if you'd like," Rose says, "And before you know it… it will be the Christmas holidays and your father and I will be right here to pick you up. Okay?"

"Okay," she concedes.

"Can we have a hug?" Rose asks.

Harriet hugs her parents tightly, as though she does not want to go. She waves goodbye and backs towards the train, not wanting to take her eyes of her parents. "Ah!" she says, slamming into someone behind her, "Sorry."

"It's alright," a young boy says, holding out his hand, "I'm Albus."

"Harry," she says.

"That's my dad's name," he smiles.

"That's nice," Harriet says, not knowing what else to say.

In truth, she had been named after Harry Potter but she could hardly tell his son that. This is the first time they had officially met, as the last several times they saw each other they were too young to remember. The train whistle blows and the two hastily board the train. They hang out the windows, waving to their parents. Rose and Charlie followed the train until it rounded the corner, turning out of sight.

"Albus Severus, though?" Charlie says again.

Rose jabs him in the ribs a little harder, "C'mon, you."

The two walk back, arms slung around each-other, nodding to Harry Potter and his wife as they turn on the spot and apparate back home. All was well.