A/N: I don't have much to say this time I didn't get in the main chapter, so I'll shut up and let you go to finish-
Epilogue: An Arbitrary Number of Years Later (It's not 19)
"Merlin's pants, Lance! Get back here right now, before your father notices you climbing underneath the train!"
She knew her husband had long-since spotted their oldest child, but that he was too busy loading the middle children- twins- onto the train, luggage and all.
"Dudley, are you sure Sammy has everything?"
Lavender smiled as she turned to greet the giant Muggle father and tiny Squib mother of her favorite niece, "Hey, sweetie! Are you excited?"
The blonde girl nodded so rapidly that her pigtails flew out to the sides, bringing to mind an old image of Hannah Abbot at the age of eleven, just before they both had boarded the train their first time. With a hug and a grin, Lavender stood, called back, "Lancelot Potter, if you get run over by that train, I'm not taking you to St. Mungos, do you hear me?" before turning to Harry's cousin and his wife, "Sorry, Dudley, Suzanne, he's been a terror all morning. Are you excited?"
Dudley seemed unsure, but his wife was all smiles, "Oh, I'm so pleased, and you know it, Lavender! I mean, it was a surprise, but after hearing about Duddy's Aunt, Harry's mother's side of the family, it all made so much more sense. Now she's going to learn to be a great witch, like her great-aunt Lily and Aunt Lavender! What's not to be thrilled about?"
She risked a glance at Dudley, and looked away with the impression that, while resigned, and whatever he and Harry's relationship (cordial, if not actually friendly), he would still have rather his oldest daughter had not been born a witch. Oh well- guess it's just proof that Vernon and Petunia's drivel about magic being hogwash and worthless isn't true, is it, Dud? How could anyone as sweet as Sammy be worthless, anyway?
"Oh, there you are, Big D," Harry called from behind Lavender, having finally gotten Lily Luna and Ginny Molly- twins, a surprise on both their parts when they'd found out- onto the train with their large trunks. "How's your mum and dad?"
The large father shrugged, "Mum's all right, enjoying Costa Rica. Dad's been working on his second coronary, of course. Complains about sweating every time he calls, but still claims to want to 'sweat it off' or something."
"Ouch. Well... I hope he doesn't have another soon, Dud. I know he means a lot to you."
The larger cousin grinned, "That's really saying something, coming from you, Potter. I'll let him know you care!"
Harry snorted, "Don't press your luck, Diddy Dinkydums! I still know where you live," he finished with a laugh just as the train whistle blew.
After it had begun to pull away carrying it's priceless cargo, Harry turned to Lavender, kissed her deeply just as he had the year before when Lance had first boarded the train (ignoring the catcalls from their younger son, Neville) and the eye rolls from Dudley, the wizard took a look around the still-crowded platform. His eyes met several old friends. Ron and Hermione, the latter teary-eyed at saying goodbye to her oldest even as she smothered the youngest with kisses, George and Angelina, quite pregnant with a daughter she'd already named Roxanne, Draco Malfoy and Astoria (neƩ Greengrass), and several others who he'd once- twice- given his life in trade for a new lease on their own, and he was glad.
While he would never count the Wealseys as his family- or at least closest family- again, they had eventually been able to grow close once more, the long history of affection and brotherhood overwhelming Harry's hatred for their own mistrust of Lavender.
Neville and Hannah, he knew, would have been there as well if Neville had not been given the responsibility of guiding the first years on the traditional voyage across the Black Lake upon Hagrid's retirement the year before.
The teaching position had been filled by Luna's husband, Rolph Scamander, and the pair spent nearly every summer in the exotic places of the world, hunting for strange new species. Their first conquest had been the return of a living Crumple-Horned Snorkack, which she had taken great delight in introducing to Hermione, who had mostly fumed because of the loss of a hundred-Galleon bet to George over it.
With a grin as large as the world, Harry said his goodbyes to his cousin and Suzanne, a nod to all his other friends and acquaintances, before hitching Neville Jr. onto his shoulders, bent low to kiss Lavender again, and began to move toward the entrance to King's Cross Station.
Just that morning as he'd risen before dawn, Lavender had followed him into the bath, and with a light caress across his chest, mentioned, "Your scar's almost gone, and still fading."
He had nodded, "And yours. You healed mine, Lav."
She had grinned, kissed him (which lead to a very long shower and nearly missing the train), and said, "It's not my doing, love, it's ours."
A/N2: Well, that's it, the end of the end. Yeah, that was a (very subtle) dig at the canon epilogue's name. I've got nothing against it, mind, I just think it's amusing. For those curious or that didn't get it, their kids are, in order, Lancelot James Potter (Gryf), Lilly Luna P. (same as canon, Rvnclw) and Ginny Molly P. (that went a long way to healing the Weasley/Potter rift, too, Gryff), and there's a fourth- another boy- I never introduced, being sat by Andromeda since Harry and Lavender escorted Teddy to the train. His name's Sirius Lupin Potter, but he's only three, so...
Anyway, the last thing I'd like to leave you with is the inspiration for this fic (or at least, the trigger that caused said inspiration) for me- I happened to come across, totally by accident, the meaning behind Lavender's name. I have lost the website, but it IS "MLW" or something similar. If you know of a commonly-accessed site that provides information like this, let me know so I can credit where it's due, please.
Name associations by MLW
"lavender" = from Latin "lavare" to wash (because the plant lavender is used to perfume things by being washed with them).
In flower symbolism lavender symbolizes affection; cleansing; or concealment (something packed away can be said to be 'in lavender'). Lavender's herbal properties include the promotion of sleep and sound rest, another reason why sheets and linens were scented with it.
It is also the color associated with clothing made for elderly ladies.
In other words, she is cleansing Harry's soul and allowing him to rest, something he desperately needs in his life. The old lady's clothing bit doesn't mean much to me (not being an old lady), but I suppose if you were looking for a deeper meaning, it could imply that they'll still be happy when they're older... if you look at it squint-eyed. lol
Anyway, once again, I'd like to thank all the readers and reviewers. The fic would have been written without you, but it would have meant a lot less. While most writers write for themselves (I know I do), being able to bring a bit of happiness to the readers makes the effort well worth it all over again, even above and beyond the need to get the words out of your brain. So, if you've read and enjoyed, or even if you just read, drop me a line and let me know. It prompts me to write faster, and we all know that's a good thing. :)
