Title: It Started With a Crush

Rating: M (to be safe)

Pairing(s): Harry/Austin (OMC), Other miner pairings (mentioned)

Warnings: slash, AU, EWE

Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.

Summary: Harry meets Austin Carlson, a friend/co-worker of Bill's, during fifth year. Sparks fly. This is the story of how they became a family. Will be a series of vignettes (in a way).

Notes: For the Fan-Made Potter Family Challenge at the HPFC forum. I was given the pairing Harry/OMC, and I chose the option to 'Write a multi-chapter with the Potter family and how Harry finally settled down.'

I'm sorry it took so long to get the epilogue out. It had been planned for awhile. I knew it was going to follow the book's epilogue slightly. I just didn't want to see the story end. I've written a few ocs as main characters in the HP fandom, but I truly love Austin, and I'm sad to say goodbye to him.

Feedback: Yes

4 years later

Harry gripped Sam's hand as they arrived at King's Cross to see Anna, Dillon, and Kylie off to Hogwarts. Although Anna and Dillon were entering their fourth year, it would be Kylie's first year.

The commuters stared curiously at the owls as the family wove its way toward the barrier between platforms nine and ten.

Harry, Austin, and their children entered Platform Nine and Three Quarters, where they met Ron and Hermione's family. Ron and Harry unfortunately weren't as close as they used to be – with Harry living in Egypt – and it was common knowledge that Ron never completely accepted his marriage to Austin. The silence was awkward as they both focused on their respective families while Hermione chatted easily with Austin.

Anna and Dillon ran off right away to see their friends.

Michelle, who was holding Austin's hand, moaned – reminiscent of Ginny – about being unable to go. "It's not fair," she pouted.

Sam looked as if he was close to tears. While Harry held one hand, Sam gripped Kylie's hand with his free hand. Harry knew Sam would have trouble adjusting to Kylie's departure, but he didn't think about how hard it would be.

"It will be okay," Harry said soothingly.

It didn't seem to make Sam feel any better.

"Sam, Kylie will write a letter every week and she will come home for the holidays."

"So what? It won't be the same!" Sam sniffled.

"I know. I'm going to miss her too, but both of us have to be strong. She needs to leave so she can get an education, so we have to let her go. Can you be strong for Kylie, Sammy?"

Sam nodded even while he continued to sniff.

Harry wished he could help more, but there was nothing else that could do right then. They had to get the kids onto the train.

In passing, Harry saw Draco Malfoy and his wife with their son, Scorpius. Malfoy acknowledged Harry with a curt nod, which Harry turned. They would never be friends, but they could now be in the same vicinity without throwing hexes. That was definite progress.

Dillon came running back to them, grinning widely. Anna followed closely behind. She giggled before saying, "Teddy was kissing Victoire. It was so sweet."

"It was gross," Dillon muttered.

"No. It was sweet," Anna rebuked.

"Papa?"

Harry turned his eyes away from the twins, who entered a squabble, to look at Kylie. "What's wrong, Ky?"

She let go of Sam's hand to grab Harry's shirt and she pulled. Understanding what she wanted, Harry knelt in front of her. Her small hands rested on his shoulder. "What if..."

"What if...what?" Harry asked patiently.

"What if I'm not sorted because I'm muggle-born? I might not have enough magic for Hogwarts. Maybe he really did get rid of it."

Harry knew the 'he' she referred to was Dudley and she feared he really did beat it out of her.

Harry pulled Kylie into a strong hug. He pulled back and answered, "Don't you worry, Ky. Every witch and wizard is sorted, no matter whether they're a pure-blood, half-blood, or muggle-born. There are many muggle-borns in the wizarding world, just like Aunt Hermione, and they all get sorted just fine."

"Aunt Hermione was strong, right? Even though she was a muggle-born, she was strong, right?" Kylie sounded as if she really needed to be sure.

Harry nodded. "She was one of the strongest witches that I knew. Blood doesn't mean anything when it comes to strength."

"That's right," Hermione echoed.

Harry smiled over at Hermione as Kylie seemed to relax.

Suddenly, the warning whistle blew, and the family watched as all of their children got on the train.

Harry followed the train and waved goodbye. He was happy to finally be leading the life he had always dreamed of, but he couldn't help the slight clench of his heart.

Austin must have read the emotions in his eyes. He held Harry from behind while simultaneously watching Sam and Michelle. "They'll be fine. No matter what house Kylie ends up in, Anna and Dillon will both keep an eye on her."

"I know," Harry said.

"And remember, we still have two more children in the nest."

Harry smiled at the familiar muggle saying. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do when they leave. I won't know what to do with myself.

Austin squeezed Harry closer to his body, if that was even possible. "It's too early to start thinking about that. There are still two more years before all of our children are at Hogwarts."

As Harry took Michelle's hand and Austin took Sam's hand, they left the platform through the barrier. As they made their way to the Apparation point, Harry thought about everything they had gone through to get to that point. All of the ups and downs. All of the celebrations and disappointments.

And to top it all, the scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well.