A/N: I cannot believe that this is the end of this story, and the end of this series. I've been writing this on-and-off for around 10 years now. I can't remember exactly when I started it, but I have a very strong memory of sitting in my freshman dorm room at college writing some of the earliest stuff, and that was 10 years ago. (And now I feel old ha.)

I am going to mark this story as Complete, but as I said back in chapter 1, I am posting two more "chapters": the first will be a a Post-War Timeline, which outlines everything that happens between the end of the war and the Epilogue; the second is an Epilogue Outtake.

Anyway, here's the Epilogue! Because, of course, I had to do a 19 Years Later.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine.

Epilogue – 19 Years Later

It was a bright, sunny morning; a perfect day to be leaving for Hogwarts. The nostalgia always hit Lucy Whitlock the hardest when she was walking her children into the train station. This year, she also felt an underlying sadness she'd never had before: all of her children were going to Hogwarts this year; she and her husband would be alone in their house for the next nine months.

As if sensing his wife's distress, Jeremy Whitlock slid an arm across Lucy's shoulders. He hugged her close for a moment and pressed a quick kiss against her temple.

The truth was, Lucy's nerves weren't just because they were becoming pseudo-empty nesters, and Jeremy was aware of that. Lucy worked in the Department of Magical Education at the Ministry, and her second big reform program would be put to the test at the end of the school year. The reform had swapped Muggle Studies in for Astronomy—making Muggle Studies a required class for the first five years of the students' education, and demoting Astronomy to one of the elective classes that could be chosen for third year. The reform had started five years previously with the incoming first-year class, and it would be tested at the end of the year when the now fifth-years took their O.W.L.s.

But that wasn't Lucy's main concern for the time being; instead, she was concentrating on getting her kids onto the Hogwarts Express without bursting into tears.

The Whitlocks—with Lucy's godson Teddy Lupin in tow—had arrived at the station with plenty of time to spare. The eldest—Adam—was leading the way, pushing his trolley ahead eagerly. His younger sister Gemma followed, with her twin sister Emilia struggling to keep up. Their youngest was more hesitant, choosing to stick close to his parents.

Cassian was the fourth and final Whitlock to attended Hogwarts, and he was very nervous about starting his first year. He had confided his feelings to his mother, saying, "It's too much pressure. I have three older siblings to live up to, not to mention you and Dad. And Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny and Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione—"

Lucy had replied soothingly, "Sweetheart, you are going to go to Hogwarts and be a wonderful student. You're not just going to be my son or Harry's nephew or Adam's brother. You are going to be Cassian Whitlock, the one and only."

Cassian had felt a bit better after she'd said that, but now that they had reached the station, Lucy could tell that his anxiety was making a comeback. She knew that he would get over it once he got into the swing of things at Hogwarts, though.

The family had reached the barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters but were stopped when they heard a shout from behind them, calling, "Lucy!"

Lucy turned around to see Noelle Watson—one of Lucy's old childhood friends from America—hurrying towards her, with her little family surrounding her.

Lucy and Noelle had reconnected after the war, and Lucy ended up inviting Noelle to come visit for a summer. While visiting, Noelle had met George Weasley, and it had been love at first sight—well, according to them, at least. Noelle hadn't wasted much time in moving to England to be with George. They got married soon after, and had two children: first a boy, whom they had aptly named Fred; and then a little girl they'd called Julia.

Noelle also got a job in the Department of Magical Education with Lucy, which really helped solidify their friendship. In fact, Noelle had helped Lucy with the current reform that they were testing.

"Good morning, Weasleys and Watsons," Lucy said with a grin.

Her oldest son Adam let out a whoop at seeing one of his best friends—Fred. They were in the same year at Hogwarts, and they had both been sorted into Gryffindor.

"Good morning," George said pleasantly. He looked down at Cassian—his godson—who was refusing to step away from his father's side. "Ready to start at Hogwarts, Cassian?"

Cassian fidgeted for a moment before whispering, "No."

Lucy patted him on the shoulder and explained, "He's just feeling a little nervous."

"I felt the same way before I started at Hogwarts," George said. "I had three older brothers who went before me, so I know all about what it's like to feel like you're going to be in someone's shadow. But don't worry, Cassian; you'll have a great time once you get there."

"Really?" Cassian asked, evidently still full of doubt.

"Of course," George said firmly.

Lucy grinned at him, glad that she'd asked him and Noelle to be Cassian's godparents when he was born, before saying, "We should probably get onto the platform. We're supposed to be meeting up with everyone in just a few minutes."

They all stepped up to the barrier and took turns passing through. Teddy walked briskly through first, after informing his godmother that he was going to go looking for his girlfriend. Adam and Fred went running through next, followed by Jeremy. George went next, followed by Julia, Gemma, Emilia, and Noelle.

Lucy put her hand on the handle of Cassian's trolley. "Ready?" she asked him.

"Ready," Cassian said. He and his mother strode forward briskly, and he flinched as they reached the barrier. They passed through with no problems, joining up with the rest of their family on the other side.

"So, Teddy's already gone, then?" Lucy asked her husband with a smirk.

"He had disappeared before I even made it through," Jeremy reported, chuckling. Then he switched subjects, saying, "I think I saw Daphne and Jake just over there."

So, the two families made their way down the train and met up with Daphne Greengrass and Jake Fletcher, who were standing with four of their six children. Their two youngest weren't old enough to go to Hogwarts yet; Lucy assumed that they were home with their Grandma Fletcher. Their daughter Olive was starting her first year at school, just like Cassian.

After exchanging greetings, Daphne surveyed all the children surrounding them and said, "Can you believe that we were all once this small?"

"Part of me misses going to school," Lucy commented, looking wistfully at the train. "I think it's just the part of me that doesn't want to be a responsible adult."

Some of her friends chuckled at that. Their children looked around impatiently, not paying attention to the conversation going on between their parents.

Soon enough, they were joined by Sally-Anne and Oliver Rivers. With them was their daughter Theresa; their other two younger children had been left at home. Theresa quickly joined Gemma and Emilia—they were all the same age, and although none of them had been sorted into the same house, they were still very good friends—while Sally-Anne and Oliver greeted the adults.

"Lucy!"

Lucy turned to see Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley pushing through the crowd with their children Rose and Hugo. Rose was going to be a first-year at Hogwarts that year, and she looked very excited. She already had her robes on, reminding Lucy of a young Hermione.

Grinning down at the girl, Lucy asked, "Are you ready to get to Hogwarts, Rose?"

"Yes," Rose said, beaming. "I can't wait to get there!"

Looking up, Lucy noticed that Hermione's eyes had grown misty. Lucy couldn't help the small smile that grew on her face; she remembered what it was like when she had to watch Adam go off to school for the first time.

Then Lucy checked her watch; it was almost time for the train to leave the station.

Jeremy noticed the time, as well, and he said, "I suppose we'd better get you all onto the train. Lead the way, Adam."

The various families split up as their children ran towards the train. Lucy and Jeremy helped lift all four of their children's trunks onto the train, and Ron and Hermione lifted Rose's up behind them.

"Have you seen Harry or Ginny?" Lucy asked once all the trunks had been hoisted into the train.

"Not yet," Ron answered.

"I hope we'll see them soon," Hermione said. "Ginny was telling me that Albus was worried sick about what house he was going to be sorted into."

"Yeah, Cassian has been feeling a bit anxious all morning, as well," Lucy said with a frown. "He was telling me that he was scared that he wouldn't live up to the expectations. He thinks he'll just be known as Harry's nephew or my son or Adam's brother."

"Rose mentioned something similar to me last night," Hermione confessed.

Their conversation was interrupted by Harry and Ginny appearing. Their son Albus, who was starting at Hogwarts that year, and daughter Lily were with them. Their eldest son was nowhere to be found.

"Where's James?" Lucy asked immediately with a knowing smirk.

"Went ahead, of course," Ginny replied as Harry greeted Ron and Hermione. "He really was well-named."

"Parked all right, then?" Ron asked Harry. "I did. Hermione didn't believe I could pass a Muggle driving test, did you? She thought I'd have to Confund the examiner."

"No, I didn't," Hermione replied indignantly. "I had complete faith in you." Harry and Ron moved away to get Albus's trunk onto the train, and Hermione muttered to Lucy and Ginny, "You know, I'm pretty sure he did Confund the examiner."

"That would not surprise me," Ginny said with a roll of her eyes.

Meanwhile, Lily and Hugo had begun a discussion about which house they would be sorted into when they went to Hogwarts. They were the same age but wouldn't be starting at Hogwarts for another two years. Cassian, Albus, and Rose remained quiet, all looking anxious, while Adam, Gemma, and Emilia looked a little bored.

Harry and Ron returned from the train a moment later, and when they heard what Lily and Hugo were talking about, Ron told Rose, "If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you—but no pressure."

"Ron!" Lucy and Hermione snapped at him at the same time.

Lily, Hugo, Adam, Gemma, and Emilia all laughed. The new first-years, however, exchanged horrified glances.

"He doesn't mean it," Hermione and Ginny said together.

"Look who it is," Ron said, looking at someone a bit further away.

Lucy craned her head to see Draco Malfoy standing next to a woman whom Lucy knew had to be his wife Astoria—Daphne's younger sister. There was a small boy standing between them. Draco glanced up towards them to see them all looking at him. He gave them a sharp nod before looking away again.

"So, that's little Scorpius," Ron murmured. "Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie. Thank Merlin you inherited your mother's brains."

"Ron, for heaven's sake," Hermione groaned. "Don't try to turn them against each other before they've even started school!"

"You're right—sorry," Ron said. Then, after a second, he continued, "Don't get too friendly with him, though, Rosie. Granddad Weasley would never forgive you if you married a pureblood."

"Hey!" The group turned to see James joining them, looking excited about something. "Teddy's back there," he went on, gesturing behind him. "Just seen him! And guess what he's doing? Snogging Victoire!"

Victoire Weasley was the eldest daughter of Bill and Fleur Weasley. She had been born two years after the Battle of Hogwarts, and she was beginning her final year of Hogwarts. Teddy had been dating her for the past few years. Victoire had a younger sister Dominique, who was also at Hogwarts, and a younger brother Louis.

James grinned widely, waiting for their reactions, but nobody gave him the one he was looking for. "Our Teddy!" he said again. "Teddy Lupin! Snogging our Victoire! Our cousin! And I asked Teddy what he was doing—"

"You interrupted them?" Ginny cut in. "You are so like Ron—"

"—and he said he'd come to see her off!" James continued. "And then he told me to go away. He's snogging her!"

"Well, when you get old enough to snog someone, maybe you'll understand why he told you to go away," Lucy said with a shake of her head.

"Oh, it would be lovely if they got married!" Lily said, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. She reminded Lucy of a young Ginny. "Teddy would really be part of the family then!"

"He already comes 'round for dinner about four times a week," Harry said. "Why don't we just invite him to live with us and have done with it?"

"Yeah!" James said. "I don't mind sharing with Al—Teddy could have my room!"

"No," Harry said swiftly. "You and Al will share a room only when I want the house demolished."

"Then you could build a new one," Lucy said, winking at Ginny. Harry made a face at his twin sister, and she admitted, "We've actually been thinking the same thing, especially now that all of our kids are going to be out of the house—inviting Teddy to come live with us, I mean."

"I suppose you do have more room in your house," Ginny said thoughtfully.

James started, "But—!"

"It's not like you'll even be home to see him," Ginny interrupted before he could finish whining.

"I think Teddy is quite comfortable with his grandmother," Lucy added. "He's been with her his whole life, and he'll leave when he's ready to."

Jeremy checked his watch and announced to the children, "It's nearly eleven; you'd better get on board."

Lucy gathered her children around herself and Jeremy. "Now, you behave yourselves this year," she began, looking pointedly at Adam. "I know you and Fred like to live up to his namesake, but please—I want as few owls as possible about you, okay? And make sure you look after your little brother, all of you—especially if he's sorted into your house."

"What if he's sorted into Hufflepuff?" Gemma asked. "One in each house—that'd be interesting, wouldn't it?"

The anxious look returned to Cassian's face.

"It doesn't matter which house Cassian gets sorted into," Jeremy said firmly. "He'll be great, no matter where he ends up—right, Cass?"

Cassian nodded slowly.

"Don't forget to say hello to Neville for us if you see him, and make sure you look after little Alice, too," Lucy went on.

Neville Longbottom was still one of Lucy's best friends. After the battle, Neville had started dating Hannah Abbott. Eventually, they got married. Hannah had confided in Lucy that they'd tried starting a family before getting married, but it had been very difficult for them. But finally, Hannah had gotten pregnant and gave birth to a little girl that they named Alice Franklin—in honor of both of Neville's parents and Hannah's mother, whose maiden name had been Franklin. Alice was starting at Hogwarts that year, as well.

"Now, come here and give your mother a hug," Lucy instructed.

One by one, her children let her hug them tightly and kiss their heads. They exchanged farewells with their father, as well, before getting onto the train. Adam, Gemma, and Emilia waved out the windows to their parents before setting off to find their friends. Cassian remained behind with Rose. Albus was the only one missing. Lucy looked around to see Harry crouched in front of his son, having a private conversation.

A minute later, Albus hopped up onto the train, which was getting ready to leave. Albus, Rose, and Cassian stuck their heads out the windows, looking curiously at all the glances that Harry was now drawing.

"Why are they all staring?" Albus asked.

"Don't let it worry you," Ron said immediately. "It's me. I'm extremely famous."

"You wish you were extremely famous," Lucy quipped.

The children all laughed as the clock in the station struck eleven.

Then the train lurched forward and slowly began to pull away from the station. The adults waved towards the children, who waved back. Harry walked along the train for a few steps, stopping a few feet away when the train had picked up speed.

They all seemed to gravitate toward each other as they watched the train leave: Lucy and Jeremy; Ginny and Harry; Hermione and Ron; Noelle and George; Sally-Anne and Oliver; Daphne and Jake; Fleur and Bill; and even Percy and his wife Audrey, who had been seeing off their daughters Molly and Grace.

Lucy took a deep breath; it had finally hit her that all four of her children were heading off to school. They were growing up so quickly. It had seemed like only yesterday that she was the one boarding the train and going off to Hogwarts.

"You all right?" Jeremy asked, wrapping an arm around her waist.

Lucy leaned against him. "Yes," she replied. She watched as the train disappeared from view, a faint smile on her lips. "Time for them to have some adventures."

The End

A/N: I'm not sure how much I want to talk about some of the stuff in the Epilogue, since I'm not sure how much of it people will really be interested in it. Plus, some of it is in the Timeline I'm posting next.

First, here's some information about Lucy's children:

Adam Remus Whitlock is the eldest. He's sorted into Gryffindor house and is starting his fourth year. He's named after Remus Lupin. Neville and Hannah Longbottom are his godparents.

Gemma Mary Whitlock and Emilia Nymphadora Whitlock are twins. Gemma is in Slytherin, and Emilia is in Ravenclaw. They are both starting their second years. Gemma is named after Jeremy's friend Mary Poole, who died in the Battle of Hogwarts, and Emilia is named after Nymphadora Tonks. Sally-Anne and Oliver Rivers are their godparents.

Cassian Sirius Whitlock is the youngest. He is beginning his first year, and he is sorted into Hufflepuff. He is named for Sirius Black. Noelle Watson and George Weasley are his godparents.

I never liked the idea that George ends up with Angelina. In this series, Angelina was Fred's girlfriend. I'm sure you could argue that George and Angelina helped each other through the grief, but I just can't picture that happening. It just makes it feel like Angelina's trying to replace Fred with George instead of moving on properly, and I'm sure that George would always wonder in the back of his head if she was only with him because he looked like Fred. SO to avoid all that, I decided that George needed to be with someone who never met Fred but was able to emotionally support him through the hard times. Enter Noelle!

I also gave Neville and Hannah a daughter. I couldn't help myself. Besides, if I decided to do some kind of sequel from the kids' point of view, I think she'd be a good character to have.

Percy's daughters' names are supposed to be Molly and Lucy. I originally thought that their daughter Lucy would have been named by her mother, maybe after someone she knew or she'd just always liked the name. In the end, I just didn't like it, so I changed Percy's second daughter's name to Grace instead.

Done. This story is officially done, especially if you're not interested in the Post-War Timeline or the Epilogue Outtake. But if you are interested in those, stay tuned!