Summary:
We finally reach the end of this epic tale. AKA - the dreaded EPILOGUE.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text The extended Potter-Snape family, Harry, Severus, the twins, Tom Riddle, and the Dumbledore brothers, were sitting in a circle, relaxing after a picnic lunch at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Nearby, a group of Centaurs, led by Magoran and Firenze, as well as two Veelacorns, Thaddeus Marcus Evans IV (Mrs. Evan's maiden name was also Evans, 'cause JKR didn't specify her maiden name, so this writer's improvising) and Sylvester Ignatius Prince were putting the finishing touches on the newest addition to Hogwarts, Pegasus House - more on that later.
Where was I - ah yes, the Snape-Potter family were sitting in a circle, with Harry telling a story and the children listening with rapt attention. "And that, kids, is the true story of how I met your Grandpa", Harry stated as he finished his shaggy dog story to his ten and a half year old twins, Minerva Eileen and James Albus Potter-Snape.
"Oh, no it's not", shouted Little James, simultaneously rolling his eyes and rising from the grassy meadow, stomping his right front hoof in exasperation. "You only mentioned Grandpa Albus before jumping right to the end. He was still in prison and you and Papa were still in the magical horse village when you just stopped the story" added Minnie, who arose and started trotting in circles around her Grandpa Albus.
Albus casted his patented twinkling gaze upon Harry, and Harry, who could not resist that gaze, broke out laughing. "Listen, Gramps, there is no way I am going to tell these young children the story about how Kingsley and Aberforth rescued you, and then, led by Tom, how you all descended upon the Magical Equine compound, storming the honeymoon stable, during a private moment", Harry sputtered, while blushing like a schoolgirl.
"In our defense, it did sound like someone was being thoroughly pounded -". Albus did not get to complete his explanation, for two very precocious Veelacorns started giggling madly. "Grandpa and Granduncle Dumbledore caught Daddy and Papa kissing", shouted the twins.
"Making babies is more like it", Severus whispered in Harry's ear, just loud enough for Tom and the Dumbledores to hear. Harry blushed a darker shade of crimson, Tom chuckled, Albus twinkled, and Aberforth commented "I had the goats milking overtime keeping Harry stocked with cheddar after that!"
"Harry, I can't help but wonder why you chose to end the story with the mention of Aberforth's award winning cheddar", Severus shrewdly commented.
"Tell the truth, Harry, what's got you ending your epic tale before revealing the how of Albus's rescue? Why stop with cheddar? What aren't you telling us?" Tom queried, rapid fire, as Harry suddenly adopted an endearing (to Severus) deer in the headlights look.
Aberforth, always a shrewd observer of human nature, mumbled "looks like I'm gonna have to breed the goats early if I'm gonna keep up with Harry 'the Boy Who Craves Premium Goat Cheddar While Knocked Up' Potter".
Severus arose, took Harry's right hand in his, and helped him to a stand. Pulling him into a tender hug, he asked Harry, "Are you with foal, Harry? We are in human form, how can that be?"
"We weren't during our second honeymoon at the compound", Harry whispered. "I am with child, twins, actually, due on September first. Poppy will be delivering alone this time, no need for Professor Grubbly-Plank."
"We go to Hogwarts September first, Papa, Daddy can't have a baby then", sulked Minnie.
"We will just have to go to Hogwarts together, as a family, this August, so Daddy will be near Madame Pomfrey, should the babies arrive early", Severus stated to his shocked foals, who finally realized twins meant two babies, not one.
"Don't worry, Minnie and Jimmy, come September first, Tom, Aberforth and I will take you to the station, so you can board the Hogwarts Express. Several Centaur foals, as well as two Zebracorn foals, will be going to Hogwarts this year, so there are magically expanded coaches for the all of you, which your schoolmates are free to visit. Professor Firenze will be in the first of the specially made boats that you will board to cross the lake, with your other classmates ", Albus, the true Headmaster of Hogwarts, informed the young Potter-Snapes , who were listening attentively.
With two new Potter-Snape's gestating, this writer has reached the end of this epic tail. I would be remiss if I didn't wrap up a few loose ends.
Lily and James Potter chose to release their souls to the Veil in the Hall of Mysteries. After spending a year getting to know their children, there was a soul release ceremony there, attended by close family and friends. They were commemorated as heroes.
Cassiopeia Ebony Potter met and fell head over golden hooves for Sylvester Prince, and was influential, in her role as a Wizarding lawyer, in ushering a new partnership with the Magical Equine Hominids, resulting in Hogwarts' first class of Centaurs, Zebracorns, and Veelacorns. She and her husband are also expecting twins, thus assuring the growth of the Veelacorn gene pool. Those Veelacorns are a fertile bunch!
Harry, Severus, Thaddeus and Sylvester met with the Sorting Hat, and it was decided that the Magical Equine Hominid students would be placed in Pegasus House, thus prompting a change in the Hogwarts crest. With three winged beasts on the crest, it has a tendency to fly off the Hogwarts acceptance letters as they are opened. Albus has not intervened, finding it a nifty little side effect of magic that has helped increase both enrollment and donations to the school.
The Weasleys, with the help of Tom Riddle and his amazing filmmaking skill, become richer than the Malfoys, after being given their own reality series, "Life in the Burrow". Arthur's fascination with all things Muggle has made the series a smash hit.
Tom Riddle is once again inhabiting Quirrell's body, with Quirrell's full consent. Madame Pomfrey magicked them a new trouser snake, just because. In return for use of his body, Quirrell requested that one day a week, Quirrell be allowed to be in control of the body, riding, as the lead mounted wizard, in a thestral gang, herding rogue trolls into the new troll preserve, deep in the Forbidden Forest. Tom is the foremost Wizarding filmmaker, and collaborates with Muggle filmmakers when the project interests him.
Bellatrix Black is now married to the Muggle Minister for Sport and is an avid football (soccer) fan. She met him through Kingsley Shacklebolt and the Muggle Prime Minister, at a Ministry Ball. She is now very pro Muggle. She drives a minivan, and has two young sons, both wizards.
The girls who were kidnapped by Grindelwald are all now using their true birth names, although they maintain close ties to all the parents involved. All have married and are happy with their families and careers.
Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley married soon after Hogwarts. Draco became, of all things, a Jarvey breeder, developing a breed of Jarvey with a sleek silver coat and possessing an impeccable, family friendly vocabulary. He is now breeding for onyx and chestnut colored coats. This has made him rich, quite independent of his family fortune.
Ginny Weasley played professional Quidditch before joining Draco in his business venture. She also has birthed two little Malfoys, who delight in playing with the magical otter and mink relatives.
Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbot, along with Luna Lovegood and Rolf Scamander, purchased The Leaky Cauldron. How they conduct their relationships is private, this writer will not speculate, much. Hannah is the cook and hostess, while Neville teaches Herbology at Hogwarts. When Luna and Rolf are not on expeditions, tracking all manner of magical beasties, they call the Leaky Cauldron home. They have twin sons, whose names this writer cannot recall. One looks suspiciously like Neville. Neville and Hannah also have children, no doubt future herbologists, but without wi-fi, this writer can't fact check on the internet and is just speculating.
Albus Dumbledore remained as Headmaster of Hogwarts until he passed on in his sleep, at the ripe old age of 201.
Aberforth Dumbledore became a world-renowned cheese maker, with both Wizarding and Muggle distributors. He passed his knowledge of artisanal cheese making to Harry Potter and his foals, who continued the tradition to future generations.
Harry and Severus were happily bonded until they both died, together, holding hands, on Severus' 220th Birthday (Harry was 200).
Ronald Weasley. What happened to him, you ask? Well, he went back to the Dam trolls, this time as an employee. He designed Dam troll toys for Wizarding folk, and he met and married a beautiful Danish witch, who bore him many beautiful strawberry-blond children, not a dunce in the bunch.
And what of Nagini, Cecil the Basilisk, and Cornflower the Australian Bouncing Budgie? They were relocated to Grimmauld Place, to join the Magical Menagerie cared for by Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and when not out exploring magical fauna, Luna and Rolf Scamander. Nagini was celebrated as the familiar who helped save the Wizarding World, by befriending Harry and helping heal Tom Riddle. Cornflower was credited for her role in thwarting Grindelwald. Cecil was finally recognized as an endangered species, and his life was made infinitely less lonely when Severus Snape discovered a potion to neutralize his death gaze. He became very docile and craved human affection.
Notes:
Thank you to everyone who read this tail, those who left comments, and those who read it and didn't, thinking WTF DID I JUST READ? I am grateful to you all, you helped me realize that I can write more than just column length material. Thank you also for making me laugh with your feedback, I really appreciate it. And elvirakitties, thanks again for the prompt, and Alisanne, lovetoseverus and Sheankelor, you ladies rock!