Epilogue part 1
The stale air whipping through Diagon Alley was dry and harsh, conveying a feeling of death and dread as the street stood empty and cold.. Dust and age showed everywhere, weeds were pushing up between the cobblestones and half the storefronts had broken panes of glass. The other half looked closed. Even the once boisterous storefront of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was still and faded.
The street wasn't completely empty though. There were still some shoppers, though they looked furtive and moved with a purpose. The riot of colors that were once seen in Diagon Alley were absent, replaced with drab blacks and browns. Few children were ever seen, and fewer still young adults. The age trended towards the elder folks, fifty or more years old, set in their ways.
Harry and Hermione looked out over the Alley from the branch manager's office of Gringotts and shook their heads in sadness. The bright white building was the only one still in near pristine condition, its edifice still the sign of power it once was.
"It's sad really, how far pride pushes people," Hermione said, hugging their son to her side. His brown hair stuck every which way, while his emerald eyes took in the scene below.
"Indeed it is," Ragnar, the manager, agreed. "Fortunately, the main branch is up and running wonderfully."
"I still find it hard to believe that this is no longer the main branch," Harry bounced their daughter on his hip. Her dark curls bounced with her and she giggled and tried to grab his nose.
"Yes, well, when the majority of commerce is on the other end of the island, it makes sense to move the primary bank closer," the goblin chuckled. "It also has helped the mundanes in that we finally created enough contacts in the mundane world to open an annex in Inverness. The Hogwarts rail line was also altered to add stops in Inverness, Glasgow, and Manchester. This has helped their visitation weekends. The parents go to one of those cities on Friday, catch the train, then use it to go back on Sunday."
"Makes sense. What else has changed?" Harry handed Olivia to Hermione and sat, pulling Drake into his lap. "Well, about a year after the Judgement, the Ministry tried to push through a bunch of laws basically requiring violation of Zir's directions. Including the legalization of harvesting the magic from newblood children to boost a pureblood's reserves. It failed but McGonagall saw the writing on the wall."
"What do you mean?" Hermione settled into the sofa next to her husband and son.
"I mean there are two magical governments in Britain. The old stodgy purebloods who ignore everyone else and blame them for their current predicaments and the United Kingdom Magical Government. McGonagall split Hogwarts and the Sanctuary from the Ministry, using an old yet still valid law to succeed from Magical Britain. Within months, most of the rest followed her. They banded together and formed a new government, one representative of the people and petitioned the ICW for recognition. It took seven years, and a couple of appeals, but eventually they were recognized as the legitimate magical government of Britain. They allow the purebloods their own little pettiness, but they don't have the power to actually do anything that violates Kingdom Law. The old magic detection grid is used to identify and protect newbloods now, so even if their so-called pureblood restoration initiative could be used, the Kingdom police show up before they reach the front door. Regardless, the Kingdom is the true power in the magical side, it is even in open communication with the Crown."
"Bet the old purebloods love that."
"Those still in the sway of the Ministry have filed seventeen injunctions for breach of the Statute of Secrecy and other sillyness. They were laughed out of court. Eighty-two percent of magical governments currently in the ICW are in active communication with some part of the muggle government. In fact," Ragnar looked around, careful even here. "Rumor is that the United Kingdom Magical Government is considering forwarding a proposition in conjunction with the Crown to the ICW to begin a planned emergence from hiding."
"With all the muggle technology these days, it is getting extremely hard to hide anymore," Hermione agreed. "A controlled release of the information is far superior to an accidental breach where things can get blown far out of proportion before it stops."
"That is essentially the point they are making."
"How do you know this?" Harry asked.
"My brother is the Minister."
"Wait, a goblin is the head of the government?" Hermione sat up, her eyes wide.
"Yes my Lady, the United Kingdom Magical Government is a unified government. Goblins, house-elves, centaurs, humans, all are equal in the Kingdom. The speaker of the Gathering, basically their equivalent of the Wizengamot, is a house-elf. I believe they quote you as the basis for that."
"Me? Hermione looked shocked.
"Yes, they quote you as saying 'Magic is magic, regardless of who wields it.' I don't know if you ever actually said that, but it makes sense to us," Ragnar sat back, a self satisfied look on his face.
"I… That is amazing," Harry agreed, a smile plastered on his face. "What else has changed?"
"Well, Hogsmeade is no longer purely magical residents only, but everyone knows about magic. Several mundanes moved there with their children, bringing a lot of new perspectives to the mix. House-elves are no longer bound, but contracted with very strict abuse clauses. Goblin written contracts." The pair shuddered, everyone knew you never violated a goblin contract. "There's a new reserve in the Hebrides, with the centaurs running most of it. There are still called magical creatures, but the laws about them are more for protection and care thereof, rather than regulation and control."
"That's good, I can understand some issues will crop up, but it sounds like they are doing well."
"They are, and many are looking forward to your return."
"I hope they aren't planning on a parade or anything," Harry groaned.
"No, I don't think so anyway. My brother has issued a open invitation to speak with him, and Headmistress McGonagall passed word that you would suffer her wrath if you fail to appear at the castle and see her, but for the most part it is hailed as a omen of good times to come. Your return to your homeland is a sign the world is healing, and magic is returning to more and more that it was stripped from as time goes on."
"I'm glad," Hermione leaned against Harry. "I know the punishment was needed, but lord it hurt seeing all those people in pain. They brought it on themselves, but having it return shows they have learned and are better for it."
"True." Ragnar pulled a file from the stack on his desk. "I've forwarded your vaults to the Sanctuary branch, vault number 1 in fact, and the builders finished the house a week ago. It is far enough from everyone else to give you your privacy, yet not seem like hermits. Drake's enrollment has been confirmed. Oh, by the way, I don't know if you saw but for students who live in the Sanctuary or Hogsmeade, parents have the option of enrolling their children as day students."
"We did see that, but we thought it was better to keep him as a boarder. We may let him come home on weekends now and then, but the experience of being away from home is something we both cherished and think he should experience."
"And the train," added Drake, awe filling his eyes.
"We'll see, dear," Hermione said in a patient tone known the world over. "We will probably take the train from here to Hogsmeade tomorrow anyway."
"Yay!"
The difference between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley was startling.
They had caught the weekend train from platform 9 ¾ to Hogsmeade station, enjoying a nostalgic ride through the British countryside. The new stops were refreshing, seeing new magical train stations and the associated vendors who had stands on the platforms. Manchester was the first, snuggled into a bustling little underground rail station. The platform would have been stuffy if not for the enchanted ceiling someone had spelled to look like the sky above. They stepped off to grab some food from the vendors on the pad, and even saw other vendors selling everything from keychains to quidditch jerseys. The Glasgow platform was very similar to Kings Cross, with an older feel to it, like it too had been designed in the fifties. Inverness was a much smaller stop, located on an abandoned open air platform much like Hogsmeade station. The couple could see a protected car park off to the side, and it seemed like the folks boarding here were a mix of parents and shoppers heading to the magical shops of Hogsmeade.
It was less than half an hour after they left Inverness that they felt the shift in magic as they crossed into the protections of Hogwarts valley. There was a cleansing feel to them, and the magic washed over them like fresh rain. They felt the repelling wards, as well as the restrictions for the creatures in the forbidden forest. There were intent wards and ones that tagged inbound students that were inactive at the moment. The monitors for outbound students were there though, and with constant trips to and from, both felt this was a good thing. They even felt the ward that pinged at finding them aboard and sent a notification off.
It was no surprise then that waiting on the platform was a regal elder witch in black robes and a familiar tartan sash. McGonagall looked just as she had the last time they had seen her, still elegant and unyielding. Next to her was an obviously official greeting party and Hagrid of all people. Hagrid looked a bit older, with touches of grey starting to shade his beard. The official party consisted of a goblin in a business suit along with an obvious aide, a centaur, two witches, and a house-elf.
They waited for the normal crowd to exit before stepping off the train themselves. It took less than three seconds before both were enveloped into a bear hug as Hagrid blubbered his greeting to them. They could both hear Drake giggling, but didn't care as they embraced the half giant in return.
"Hagrid, that is quite enough, you can crush their ribs after the Minister has taken care of the official business," Minerva's crisp tone was just as they remembered, though the smile was something they had rarely seen.
"Right ma'm, sorry Minister," Hagrid quickly dropped them and back away, bowing to the goblin.
"It is perfectly understandable, Mr Hagrid,'' the suited goblin responded with a smile before turning back to the family. "Mr and Mrs Potter, welcome. I know you dislike spectacles, so this will be brief. Welcome to Sanctuary and the United Kingdom Magical Community. We've passed the word that you wish to be treated just as another couple, but I make no guarantees. That being said, if you find anything that me or my office may help you with, my door is always open to you."
"Thank you, Minister," Hermione smiled. "I hope we don't ever find the need to abuse that offer."
"Fair enough. I would like to discuss a few items with you when you are settled however. Nothing important, mostly what you want your roles to be in the community and such. Until then, have a wonderful rest of your day."
They watched the goblin lead his aide, the centaur, and the house-elf away, leaving only the three witches and Hagrid remaining.
"Mr and Mrs Potter, I am Abigail Hearns," the brunette witch introduced herself. "I am the headmistress of Kingdom Magical Elementary School and this little rascal must be our newest student."
"I'm Drake Potter," Drake held out his hand and Abigail squatted down to shake it.
"Pleased to meet you. If your mum and dad are okay with it, I'd like to add your signature to our wards now, that way when you're ready to start you can get in." She looked up at the elder Potters, then at their nod and his, she drew her wand. She muttered and incantation, and a small crystal slowly formed in front of Drake. The icy blue cube swirled with magic as tendrils swept from Drake to it and he giggled.
"That tickles."
"Sorry, it needs to get a sense of you to avoid mistakes. It'll be over in a sec." True to her word, seconds later the tendrils withdrew into the cube and it slowly lowered into her palm. She clasped it tightly and stood. "All done. I know you'll be settling in but whenever he is ready to start, let me know."
"Of course, Headmistress," Harry smiled as the witch left, leaving just the Hogwarts professors and one more. "Luna, we told you you already have an exclusive for any story we decide to tell."
"Oh I know, I was just delegated to tell you if you four aren't there Friday night for dinner, Neville will do unspeakable things to you," the blonde smiled confidently.
"Unspeakable things, huh?" Hermione furrowed an eyebrow at their friend.
"Yup, he can't speak them because he doesn't know about it yet, but he'll do them," she grinned evilly for a few seconds before she broke into laughter. The Potters joined in and all three hugged happily.
"Who else will be there?" Harry asked, pulling Luna in for another hug.
"Well, Neville and the kids of course, and he's bringing Remus and Tonks. She just got promoted to Senior Detective in the Kingdom police force by the way. And you two are invited as well of course," Luna looked at the two professors, who eagerly nodded their acceptance of the invite. "We didn't think you'd really want anyone else there, at least not yet. Especially considering everything that happened."
"You mean the Weasleys, don't you?" Hermione's even tone was obviously forced.
"You never said what really happened, you know," Luna looked cautiously between them. "You don't have to, but you should know the story they tell is very unflattering."
"And caused a split in the family," Minerva supplied. "Bill, Ginevra, and the twins are full members of the Kingdom, as is Charlie though he still runs his dragon reserve," Minerva added. "Percy and the senior Weasleys are still hanging on to the old Ministry. Word from the twins is that Arthur wishes to move over, but Molly is dragging her heels."
"What is their story?"
"Basically, you betrayed their family, even refusing to let her see 'her' grandbabies," Luna nodded to Drake and Olivia. "That you stabbed them in the back despite everything they did to raise you."
"I stayed with them for a few weeks after first and third years," Harry growled in exasperation. "And they aren't our family. As for our children, they were born in Australia with their actual grandparents. It was honestly a miracle they let us move back here even now."
"I can publish that, if you want," Luna offered, moving closer to Hermione to coo over Olivia.
"Or we let it be and just live our lives without interference," Harry offered. "It really isn't anyone's business but our own."
"Sounds like a plan," Hermione agreed as Luna took Olivia and the group began to walk away from the station. "Come on, let's go home."