Chapter 33

Epilogue

It was no surprise to Harry that it only took two years for Tom to gain influence in the Ministry of Magic. Their friends were in different sections of the Ministry, and Harry personally recognized many older officials from Professor Slughorn's parties. The Knights kept meeting, of course. Every Sunday they would come to Riddle manor for lunch and talk about their jobs, both official and their assignments Tom gave them. They all worked towards one goal: breaking down the barrier between muggles and magic. It was rather simplistic on how they have done so. Everyone talked with the muggleborns who worked in the Ministry. Talking about their experience transitioning from muggle to magic life, and the difficulties they faced during so. Then, they would invite their new muggleborn friends to Tom and Harry's home where they would again talk, not in moving speeches, but casual small talk over some tea or food. Harry learned quickly how to be a good host. While he had no official job in the Ministry, or really properly employed, both he and Tom agreed that it would be best to have one of them in the Ministry while the other was free to move around unseen. There were, of course, rumors of two bachelors sharing a home, however, they endured it. Harry knew in his heart that one day, he and Tom would be able to marry and show their love openly.

But until then, they just smiled and played the gracious hosts as they heard all about their guests' problems. Then, on September 25th, 1947, Harry and Tom attended a most historic Wizengamot meeting.

Both men were dressed in their cleanest robes, showing a united powerful front as they entered the courtroom. All of their friends were in the stands, and the many muggleborns they talked with were sitting behind tables to the left as a small group of wizards sat to the right. The Minister of Magic stood up and looked around at the packed courtroom, every single seat filled with reporters or curious witches and wizards. "Thank you all for being here today," the Minister said. "We are gathered here to debate a secret that we have all lived with for all of our lives. The secret of our existence, a secret that keeps us all safe. The secret that separates us from Muggles! There are some radicals here who wish to destroy this secret, to have us thrown into danger and—"

"Minister, if I may," Tom said, standing tall as he interrupted the Minister. "You are taking a biased stance in this trial. We are not radicals, but progressives, and we are not trying to throw us into danger but make the world a better, more united place to live." He moved around the table and continued. "Though I am a half-blood, I grew up in a muggle orphanage. Discovering that I am a wizard when I was eleven was an extraordinary thing, however before then I had to suffer through isolation, suffer through dark thoughts of thinking that I was wrong, a sin, a monster different from everyone. Getting my Hogwarts letter gave me explanations and a name to my difference, magic, however, it does not erase the pain that I suffered through, the worry and bullying that I had to endure because of who I am. And my story is not unique. Every single muggleborn experienced what I experienced to some degree. Some are taken to doctors for examinations or worse a mental hospital. These are children we are talking about. Young, confused children who have nothing wrong with them. They are experimented on, given experimental drugs, and shunned from everyone around them. Why is this? Why do we allow these children to suffer for eleven years? To keep us safe? Safe from what, exactly? However, their suffering does not end with that magical letter. For now, we are thrust into a world of magic, a world of wonderment beyond our understanding and are judged for not knowing about it. Judged for being confused at what others see as common day. Our fears of branching out, of making peace and saving these children from their shame and confusion, from pain and the people they love shunning them!

"These young innocent children are being neglected, being abused by everyone they know for being 'different' and we are here, sitting high and mighty thinking it is a gift! A gift for these children that they are witches and wizards! A gift that they are brought into a world they know nothing about! That a magic wand and second-hand robes and books are enough to wave away their troubles. Their neglect and pain! Even still their families reject them, their friends break away and they find themselves even more alone and isolated than ever before! So no, Minister, we are not talking about radicalism. We are not here to destroy your position or even take away any prestige or clout you hold. We are here to protect children, young witches and wizards, who are being bullied, neglected, and sometimes even killed and committed to this day! Right now! I have with me several individuals with stories of their own, as well as testimony after testimony from hundreds more, some even sitting in this very courtroom! We shall hear their stories, hear their pain both before and after that magical letter, and then you will see the true crimes we have committed by separating our worlds."

Tom breathed and went to his seat as the testimonies began. One by one, muggleborns stepped up and spoke about their trauma, about the heartache and trials they had to endure during their lives, even now up to this day. They heard about broken families, visits to doctors and asylums, attempted exorcisms, and even an attempted drowning. Several broke down talking about how they hated themselves, how they would cut their hair, cut their arms, only for their hair to regrow, and their wounds to heal overnight. When they were done, it was Harry's turn. He took a deep breath and stood up, looking around. He looked towards the audience and found his friends, watching him encouragingly.

"My name is Harry Peverell," Harry began. "I'm not a muggleborn, obviously, however, I am a half-blood, and I know the pains these people go through. However, instead of another tale of woe, I have a solution. Break down the barrier between muggles and magic, and we will have a desperate need for education, of proper preparation for the young witches and wizards before Hogwarts. This is a program that all children, muggleborn, half-blood, and even purebloods, can benefit from."

"And what program is this, Mr. Peverell?" the Minister demanded, looking frustrated and angry at everyone. "Are you saying that we are not enough? That Hogwarts does a mediocre job?"

"Never, I would never insult Hogwarts like that, however, yes, Minister, you barely do enough. My proposal, which I have already talked with Headmaster Dippet about and have his support, is a school, an education before their main education at Hogwarts or whatever wizarding school their parents choose for them," Harry said. "This is a school that starts from age six till they enter Hogwarts and focuses on teaching them everything about the wizarding world, how magic came to be and everything they need to know to prepare them to enter Hogwarts on equal footing."

"And where will the funds come from? Who will teach this and how will they teach?" the Minister demanded, looking smug.

Harry just smiled, "Why, the Ministry of course," he said. "Several families have already pledged to give donations to this project. Specifically, the Potter Family, Malfoy, Avery, Parkinson, Warbeck, Weasley, Rosier, Nott, Mulciber, Diggory, and, of course, the Peverell Family have all pledged to financially support the school."

The Minister looked around wildly, gasping.

"We also have several more families whose donations are still being counted. I have a list if you would like them all," Harry said. He tapped his wand and a rather thick scroll floated from his table, unrolling to reveal a list more than six feet long. "As for who will teach it, I would naturally. I'm already in talks with Headmaster Dippet and the teaching staff in Hogwarts to create a curriculum that will properly prepare the young children for entering our world and Hogwarts."

"No! There will be too much backlash," the Minister said, he looked at the other table with the small group, "Tell them."

"You are right, Minister," an old man said, standing, "the muggles will fear us and try to fight against us. This group is nothing more than another Grindelwald who will bring disaster to us all."

"Baseless conjecture!" Harry said. "This is the will of our people. They want this change. You would rather let the children suffer?"

"Yes I would, it is better than the wizarding world being destroyed!" the old man yelled. "You are destroying our tradition! Dirtying our blood—"

Harry laughed. "Prejudice," he said. "Minister, you only have prejudice and hatred defending you. How will the mass react when they see that their beloved Minister thinks less of them?"

"My beliefs are not up for debate, Mr. Peverell, your anarchy is."

"Anarchy that will bring the world to a better place, allow us all to live freely and let muggleborn parents know that nothing is wrong with their children. They are just born with a gift."

"And when they still reject them? Destroy the barrier and you will see the true nature of muggles," the Minister said.

"And what nature is that, sir?" a Wizengamot member asked. "My parents were muggles and they both loved and cherished me and my sister."

There was a general grumble around the room and Harry couldn't help but smile. He looked at Tom, who nodded. The closing statement was supposed to be Tom's, however, Harry felt that he could do it justice.

"Closing remarks. There will be a transition period, and it will be tough on all of us, however, we will stand tall. All of us, magicked folks and muggles will get through this, and together we will build a new world, a better world! A world where we can live in peace and unity. We already see this. Hogwarts, famous for its rivalries, has been plagued by its rivalries. Violent rivalries between Slytherin and Gryffindor. However, now the four houses live equally, everyone befriending others and bullying and violence at an all-time low. That was us, that was Tom and his vision for the future. Hogwarts is our future; it shows that it can be done. However, we need to stand tall, united and be the ones to offer the olive branch. To do this, we need a strong leader, a fearless leader, who will take charge during the transition."

"I will do no such thing! I will deny any proposal this case—"

"Minister I am not done; we are not done here until there is a vote! Or are you saying your word is stronger than everyone's here?" Harry asked. The Minister glared at him.

"You will not mock me!" He screamed.

"Peverell, continue," a member of the Wizengamot said. "We will vote when you are done."

"I'm almost done," Harry said. "I only want to say this: Tom Riddle should be the man in charge. Not as Minister, of course, but he should be in charge of the process of opening us up, of getting rid of the barrier, and working with the muggle governments to intertwine our communities once again. That is all."

He moved to sit down and looked at everyone around them. The Minister glared at them and said, "Pah. Fine. Those against this ridiculous and dangerous suggestion?" he asked raising his hand. He was the only hand raised. He looked around and Harry smirked as he saw the old man's heart fall in his eyes. "Those—those for?" he asked, every member of the Wizengamot raising their hands.

The Minister muttered defeatedly and just banged his gavel. Harry and Tom stood up and hugged before moving to shake hands with everyone around them. Journalists and reporters surrounded the two and Harry allowed Tom to take control, answering any question he deemed appropriate with Harry speaking in every now and again. The next day, the Daily Prophet had a picture of the two smiling brightly, article after article about the case trial.

Harry and Tom spent the entire day celebrating in their bedroom before the real work began. Tom spent two months planning the transition phase before approaching the muggle Minister. Harry was with him, and to his amazement, the Minister agreed, and the boarders slowly lowered.

The Muggles were obviously surprised, some fearful, but most mystified at the witches and wizards and their magic. There were speeches and demonstrations, and at the center was always a Knights member, answering any and all questions just as Tom taught them. Harry's school opened soon after and he welcomed any and everyone who came in with questions. There was a tension, obviously, but just like with Hogwarts, over time the tension eased, and by Nineteen Fifty-Three, magic became commonplace, and Harry's school become so popular that he hired three more teachers.

The years went on and still, Tom and Harry worked for progression. At this time, Tom has become very influential in that even the new Minister of Magic sought his advice on almost everything. With a subtle word here and there, Tom made it so that gay couples could marry, with him and Harry being the first couple to do so obviously.

At the beginning of Nineteen-Fifty Nine, Harry and Tom got excellent news. Vasil has completed the Fertility potion. The couple, now official husbands, paid Vasil royally and allowed him to sell the potion after getting four doses. One for them, one for Castor and Jasper, who were ironically enough the second same-sex couple to marry, and lastly one for Mulciber as a reward for years of faithful service, and as a reminder that his Lord is always merciful. Needless to say, Harry and Tom spent the entire day and night of that day making love, which bore fruit. Reporters once again flocked the couple, keeping tabs on Harry's pregnancy as nine months slowly and agonizingly went by.

On his due date, the Knights of Walpurgis came in full to St. Mungo's, both to celebrate their leader's children, and give them their deserved privacy from reporters. Vasil was in the delivery room with the Healers and Tom and watch, amazed, as a temporary birth canal developed on Harry's perineum. Several agonizing hours passed that left Harry screaming in a pain that he never felt before. He felt that he was going to faint numerous times, squeezing Tom's hand as hard as he could before, on March 25th, 1960 at precisely six fifty-three in the early evening, a loud baby's cry filled the room, followed by another's ten minutes later.

"Congratulations Mr. Riddle," a healer said. "Twins, a healthy boy, and girl."

Exhausted, Harry gave a tired smile as he cried, the birth canal disappearing almost painlessly. Their children were washed and swaddled before given to Harry to lay on his chest. "Tom, look," Harry whispered. "Our children."

"They are beautiful," Tom said, kissing Harry. "As beautiful as their father." Harry smiled, not caring about his tears as he stared at the two tiny lives that laid on him. "Hello my beauties," he whispered.

Vasil left; his curiosity satisfied. Left alone, the two husbands smiled at watched their children for a while before a healer cleared her throat. "Sirs, do you have names for them?" she asked, holding a clipboard.

"Of course," Tom said. He looked at their children, thankful that they were swaddled in a blue and pink blanket for their faces looked too similar to tell the difference. "Our son is named Ambrose Thomas Riddle," Tom said, and the healer wrote it down.

"Your daughter?"

"Julia Lily Riddle," Harry answered. The nurse wrote that down as well and asked, "Now, will you be breastfeeding or using formula," before stopping short and realizing what she said.

Tom chuckled, "Formula," he said. "There is no potion to allow men to lactate yet unless the fertility potion has an after effect we did not know about."

"Yes, of course," the healer said shortly. "I will be back with formula before leaving you two alone." They watched her leave and Harry hummed, "I like her," he joked. Tom just chuckled and looked down at their two children. "Ambrose and Julia," he whispered. "I promise I'll make your world a paradise. "

"Are you saying that it isn't now?" Harry asked.

"No, my love, I have my paradise right here, my loving husband and our children," Tom said. "However, as much as I hate it, we still have much work to do."

Harry gave a yawn and a tired grin, "You sound so old," he said.

"Old? My love, you wound me; we are only Thirty-four. We have an entire century together, still," Tom declared. Harry just nodded, his mind going out.

"Do you think he'll love it? The world we're making?" he asked.

"I am sure he will," Tom said, "however we still have twenty years to go before he is even born, my love."

"Twenty years," Harry repeated. "God, our children will be adults by then! Hey! They get to go to Hogwarts with my parents. God that's a weird thought," Harry frowned. Tom chuckled and kissed him.

"Then sleep. Sleep instead of thinking, you need it," Tom said. Harry hummed and looked down at his children. He held them securely, letting them rest against his bare chest as he finally allowed his exhaustion to take him as he slept.

Finally, their life was complete. Muggles and magic intertwined and soon became the norm, trading secrets, and stories as everything seemed to enter Tom's paradise. The Riddle patriarch stayed with the Ministry of Magic, working as a bridge between them and muggles and holding a great deal of power over both. However, as the years went by, people soon learned that it was not Tom Riddle's anger and disappointment they need to be afraid of, but his husband's wrath. When their twins were five, for example, older kids bullied them, and their parents threw slurs at Harry when he went to talk with them. So, in response, the younger father invited the parents into a closed dining room for dinner. Tom and their children were not allowed to even go in, and no sound came from the room for an hour until the door opened and the parents walked out looking severely startled, begging Tom for his forgiveness. When asked later by their children what Daddy did to get them to apologize, Harry just smiled as he tucked them in and winked at them, "That's Daddy's special secret," he said before reading them a story good-night.

The year after that, Harry has gotten his mother and father as students, along with Sirius and Remus and his two children. It was very awkward for the older man, especially because when he first saw the young Lily Evans, he cried as everything inside him screamed to hug the child. But instead, he fought against it and introduced himself to Lily's parents before talking with Lily herself. The five years they were together were tough, but it would be worth it for Harry was able to watch the Marauders form, with his son surprisingly becoming the fourth member.

Before Harry knew it, he was sending his kids off to Hogwarts, Ambrose and Julia growing up to be wonderfully beautiful children who both made their fathers proud by being sorted into Slytherin and Gryffindor, respectively. Harry and Tom got to experience many anxieties that Harry thought Mrs. Weasley must have felt whenever they went to Hogwarts. From the consistent missing and only communicating by letters to the constant worrying about if they are eating enough or gorging themselves on sweets. On Yule of the first year, Harry hugged his two children so tightly that Tom had to get Malfoy, Jasper, Nott, Rosier, as well as James Potter and Sirius Black to pull him off.

Harry, of course, yelled at them all before hugging his two children once more, lighter this time, and allowed Tom to carry Julia while Ambrose was still trapped in his arms, thoroughly embarrassing the two children as they brought them home, but Harry didn't care. He missed them that much.

It was a long happy life, and Ambrose and Julia both grew into fine young people, Ambrose marrying a muggle girl he met one time on their vacation to France while Julia just bringing her girlfriend home last month to meet her fathers.

The date currently was now September first Nineteen-Eighty-Six and Harry found himself nervous. His new class roster was set. His friends from a lifetime ago were now his students and the only one missing was the person he was most nervous and excited to meet. He heard voices and turned to see James and Lily Potter walking in, looking around. "Look Lilly, old Riddle still has those posters up! I swear they're almost as ancient as he is."

"Ancient? Now Mr. Potter is that any way to talk about me?" Harry asked chuckling at their shocked looks. "I'll have you know that I am only Fifty-Nine! I say I'm rather still in my youthful middle age, James Potter."

"Mr. Riddle! You know I was only joking," James Potter said, looking as though he has been caught sneaking snacks.

"Believe me, James, I know well enough what your joking is," Harry said. "Or shall I tell Lily the story about how you and Ambrose let loose three warring clans of pixies into my home?"

Lily laughed while James blushed, "We were thirteen!" he said, "How can you remember that?"

"A parent never forgets," Harry chuckled. He smiled at Lily, "Thank you so much for the letters, by the way, Tom and I really enjoy reading them."

"Of course," Lily smiled, "Did Tom like the book I sent him with Ambrose?"

"He's still in the middle of it, but I think he is enjoying it," Harry said. "I had to yell at him to even get his attention when he's reading."

"Could just use a hexing charm—ow!" James winced as Lily swatted his shoulder. "Lily!"

"Honestly, James," Lily said, sighing.

"Mummy?"

A small voice got their attention and Harry looked down to see a small child, barely reaching his mother's back, peaking out behind her legs. He had raven-black hair and looked like a spitting image of his father, except for his eyes, he had his mother's eyes. Harry smiled and got to his knees to greet the small child. "Hello there," he said, "my name is Harry Riddle, what's yours?"

"Go on Har, you have nothing to be afraid of with Mr. Riddle," James said, "he's the nice one."

"James!" Lily whispered.

Harry just smiled at the two and looked back at the small child who stared at him. Harry held out his hand and waited for the kid to step out behind his parents and hold it. "My name is Harry, too," he said. "I'm Harry James Potter."

"Well, hello Harry James Potter," Harry said, his heart filled with an indescribable emotion as his eyes started to get watery. "How are you feeling?"

"A little scared," the small Harry Potter said. "Dudley says that this school is scary."

Harry smiled at that and shook his head. "Well, do you want to know a secret?" he asked. Harry Potter nodded. "You have nothing to fear in here Harry James Potter," Harry said, pulling the young boy a little closer. "In fact, I have a feeling that you will not only be okay here, but you will be absolutely wonderfully brilliant!" He grinned as Harry gave a giggle. "The kids are having an hour's playtime now," Harry continued. "So why don't you go join them?"

Harry Potter looked up at his parents, who nodded encouragingly. "Okay!" He said, giving Harry the biggest smile and running off. Harry stood up and smiled as he watched his younger version interact with the kids. He couldn't help but give a short laugh as Harry immediately went to play with a young Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, before introducing himself to Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini.

"Not even two minutes and he has four friends," James said, "See, I told you there's nothing to worry about, Lily."

Lily rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Don't listen to my husband, Mr. Riddle, he was the one who was babbling for an hour before we left."

"I was not babbling! Please don't tell Ambrose I was babbling, Mr. Riddle, I'll never hear the end of it! Or Julia! You know your daughter and her girlfriend can be very mean at times with their teasing."

"It's nothing less than you earned," Lily laughed. She kissed James' cheek and said, "But if it makes you feel better I'll wave my wand and defend you from the big scary Riddles out there." She took out her wand and waved it around. Harry laughed and grinned at the two.

"Either way, both Ambrose and Julia will be expecting you two home for dinner next weekend," he said. "Remus and Sirius will be there, and you James will be especially in trouble if you are not there."

James shuddered and nodded. "Good," Harry said. "Now, get out. We don't want any adults here messing up our fun!" He smiled and tapped his finger to his nose as he walked the Potters out and turned to watch his young students.

Young Harry seemed to be opening up immediately, chatting up a storm, having his four new friends' attention. Harry smiled contently and gave a happy sigh as he dapped his eyes clean with a tissue. He clapped his hands three times and said loudly, "Welcome to school, my young witches and wizards! I know that many weird and wonderful things have happened to each of you, and during our time here, we'll learn about everything there is to learn to prepare you guys for Hogwarts! That said, I just want to say that already I know that everyone here will become absolutely brilliant! You guys have everything ahead of you! And I'll always be here cheering you on. Be whoever it is you want to be, there is nothing that will hold you guys back! So explore! Question the world! Ask questions and search for answers! For at the end of the day, I know that everyone here will do great things in the future!"

THE END