Epilogue

And it's a great day to be alive

I know the sun's still shining

When I close my eyes

There's some hard times in the neighborhood

But why can't every day be just this good

- It's A Great Day To Be Alive, Travis Tritt

The steam from the train filled the platform so that Ron could barely see Rose and Hugo two feet ahead of him. They were each pushing their trolleys containing their trunks and animals, weaving in and out of the crowd in order to find their favourite carriage on the train.

Ron trailed with Hermione behind them, his arm slightly around her waist as they struggled to keep up with their children.

"Getting too old for this," Ron said as Rose and Hugo finally stopped, unloading their trunks to a train conductor.

Hermione scoffed, but said nothing. He did notice a smile playing at her lips, though, and he smiled too. Complaining that he was getting old was a favourite complaint of his — one that she amusedly ignored most of the time.

From somewhere ahead of them, Harry and Ginny appeared from within the steam.

"Thought you weren't going to make it for a bit," Harry said. "Al and Lily were worried that they'd get some annoying first years in their carriage instead."

"Ha!" Ron said. "And that's probably why neither of our kids were awarded the Prefect badge for this year, huh? Rosie's far too much trouble, so I've learnt this summer, and Al doesn't care about looking after the small first years."

Harry smiled as Rose and Hugo hurried back over to where their parents and aunt and uncle stood. Hermione, always the one more openly sad to see them off each year, engulfed the pair in a big hug.

Hugo, who had enjoyed a perfectly pleasant relationship with his parents over his time off, pushed her away, appearing with a very red face. He glanced around as if worried that one of his friends might have seen. But if any of his friends were on the platform, then they were also being hugged by their parents.

But Rose let Hermione hug her, even giving her a very tight and long hug back.

"See you, mate," Ron said, drawing Hugo towards him, offering a quick hug — as long as his son would allow. "Enjoy your third year. I'll expect you will have finished the Charms NEWT levels by the end of the year."

"That's a lot of pressure," Harry said.

"Not for Hu," Ron assured Harry, grinning at Hugo.

Hugo beamed back.

"Have fun, Hu," Ron said as Hugo ran onto the train in search of his cousins and friends.

Rose was just letting go of Hermione when he looked back at them, Hermione wiping away a few tears from her eyes. It had been years since Rose had been comfortable around Hermione — long before this summer had occurred. But it seemed that Rose had gone an extra step and was now also making an attempt with her mother as well as with Ron.

Hermione looked thoroughly delighted by the prospect.

Grinning, Ron held out his arms for Rose to hug him. She was almost as tall as he was now, her long red hair left out and falling down to her waist. She rarely had it out these days because of its length, but for some reason had decided that she wanted it that way today. Ron wondered if Scorpius Malfoy had made a comment about liking it.

She fell into his arms and wrapped her own around his neck, now what she could reach them.

"Be good this year, Rosie," he said, holding her tightly.

"Love you, Dad," Rose said, her face pressed against him.

"I love you, too, Rosie," he said as she pulled away. He smiled at her. "But you know that."

She smiled back and after another quick hug, she, too, vanished onto the train.

"Sickening," Harry said with a grin.

"Don't care," Ron said. "I'm just glad to have her back."

"I'm glad you've got her back," Harry said.

The train whistle blew and more steam surrounded them.

"Anyway," Harry said as the train began to depart the platform. There was no point in waving, because their kids were now far too old to wave to them from the train. A hug was more than enough. "I've been wondering. Do you think you're ready to come back to work?"

Ron gave a short nod. "Any closer to finding who's behind the Dementors?" he asked.

"Yes, actually," Harry said. "And we could really use your help."

Eyes still on the train, hoping that maybe he'd see at least one of his children before they completely vanished for another whole year, Ron said, "Who?"

"Can't talk about it here, but if you come in on Monday we can brief you."

The train picked up speed, chugging along until it disappeared around the bend, and Ron sighed, finally looking at Harry. "I think I'm all good to come back," he said. "Especially with the kids gone — one less thing to worry about. I'll be there on Monday."

Harry grinned. "Excellent. We've missed you."

"I'm sure you've managed perfectly alright," Ron said.

"You'd be surprised at how incompetent many others are," Harry said. "Besides, it's not just that. I miss working with my best mate."

"Can't say I've missed waking up early every morning," Ron said. "But it'll be boring at home without the kids, Hermione working…"

"You ready?" Hermione asked, coming over to stand beside Ron.

"Yep," he said. "By the way, I'm going back to work on Monday. Helping to finish off these blasted Dementors."

Hermione smiled. "I'm pleased. And, I'm sure you'll get them. You've been taking some of them out, haven't you?" She looked at Harry who nodded his confirmation.

"Still not all of them, and more are still appearing, but we're getting there."

"Well, with Ron back, you'll get there faster," Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"The pair of you keep talking as if I make all the difference," Ron said. "Trust me, I don't."

"You fended off ten Dementors on your own," Harry reminded him.

"Not for long."

"You still managed it."

"Can we go?" Ron asked, the sudden praise from Harry and Hermione making him uncomfortable.

They began making their way back to the wall.

"Usual place?" Harry asked.

"Please," Ron said. After the kids had gone, the four of them usually stopped by the Leaky Cauldron for a catch up, child-free. "And no more talk about the Dementors. Or me. Let's talk about something different."

"I wonder how many broom cupboards Neville will find Rose and Scorpius in this year," Harry said, and Ron gave him a hard hit around the head, to which Ginny informed Harry that he deserved it.

They walked the rest of the way from the platform talking about the weather.

And that is done! A massive thank you to everyone who read this and left lovely comments. I was pleasantly surprised by how much attention this got, considering I don't think Ron&Rose is all that big in fanfiction. But I really appreciate it, and yay! I finished something!

If you're looking for something else to read, I am publishing weekly a (much longer than this) Romione story called When I Have You. That is my big project at the moment, and I hope you find that just as interesting.

I shall see you all around!