Epilogue
Ten years later
Harry drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he hummed to the music. He smiled as he remembered Ron yelling at him for denting the front of the car three years ago. It was a good car. He had shared it with Ron for six years. As well as the apartment he still lived in. He had to admit, it felt rather empty after his friend had moved out but he was moving out soon as well. He had found a beautiful house and was moving in soon. Not to mention a beautiful wife.
"Careful Harry! Honestly! You are such a reckless driver!" Ginny exclaimed as they swerved to miss a feral cat. Harry just laughed.
"You're brother uses the word 'fearless.'"
"Don't tell me about Ron! He's worse than you!" She said.
"I haven't seen Hermione and Ron for a whole month." He said, not taking his eyes off the road.
"How big was Hermione last time?" Ginny asked.
"Dunno . But Ron said she looked like a Hippo on Steroids."
"Oh? And what did you say to Ron about me?" Ginny said, holding her huge belly. Harry smiled.
"Nothing." He said as they pulled into the driveway of the burrow.
"You can never tell with you husbands." Ginny said slyly. She and Harry got out of the old red ford and walked towards the house.
"Ron, that'll be Ginny and Harry. They said they'll be late." Hermione said, springing up from her chair. Ron race to the door and pulled Harry in, ignoring his mother who was ordering him to get some drinks. Ron dumped Harry into a chair and sat down on the couch beside Hermione.
"Well?" Harry asked, leaning forward.
"You can see him when he's awake." Ron said, putting an arm around Hermione. Mrs Weasley bustled in the room and sat down next to Ginny.
"Have you checked yet?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes." Ginny blushed and looked at Harry.
"It's a girl." Harry said proudly. Ron laughed.
"OH! Grandson and a Grand daughter!" She said, fanning her face. "And let's not forget Percy's twin boys." A loud cry erupted from upstairs.
"Sit down Ron, I'll get him." Hermione stood up and was followed by Ginny and Mrs Weasley.
"Harry, your nose is looking a lot better. Not so crooked, if I may." Toby POTTER sauntered into the room with Fred and George. Harry smiled. After graduating from Hogwarts, Toby had changed his name to Potter. After all, James Potter had treated him like a son, and Harry treated him as a brother.
"Yeah, it still hurts though." Harry rubbed his nose, smiling as Ron shifted guiltily in his chair.
"Don't worry Harry. It's a souvenir." Fred chuckled.
"A souvenir of the day you asked for Ginny's hand in marriage." George slapped Harry on the back, laughing his head off. Harry grinned, remembering that happy, yet, painful day.
-MEMORIES-
Harry pulled nervously at the collar of his sweater. Ginny squeezed his hand encouragingly and nodded towards the Weasley family. Mr and Mrs Weasley sat on the sofa, Ron stood behind them and Fred and George shared the coffee table. Percy and his wife stood quietly in the doorway while Bill and Charlie each brought a chair from the dining room. They all stared up at Ginny and Harry, wondering what the important news was.
"I-I want to ." Harry blushed. Ginny, sensing that Harry wasn't up to it, took over.
"We've talked it over for a long time."
"Andwewannagetmarry." Harry finished quickly. Bill, Charlie, Percy, the twins and Mr Weasley had no reaction. Mrs Weasley fainted and Ron came up to Harry and punched him squarely on the face. Harry fainted.
The next thing he knew, water was being splashed on his face and his nose was bleeding. Fred and George pulled him up to his feet. Mrs Weasley fussed over Harry, yelling at her youngest son for making the whole situation so awkward. After a few minutes, Mr Weasley came up to Harry and shook his hand, saying that he could marry Ginny. Ginny squealed with happiness and to Harry's embarrassment, kissed him right in front of Ron. Apart from the awkward silences with he and Ron, the day was the happiest of his life.
-BACK TO THE PRESENT-
Harry's reflections were interrupted by the happy squeals of a baby. He shoot out of his chair and ran to the little blue bundle in Hermione's arms. A little baby boy with bright blue eyes and red hair gurgled happily, sucking on his fat fingers. Harry lifted him slowly from Hermione's hands, as if afraid to hurt the tiny child. He rocked him in his arms and tickled his chin, grinning broadly.
"His name is Andy." Ron said, throwing out his chest in a proud manner.
"He likes him more than you." Hermione laughed as Harry danced the baby around the room. Ron wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"I wouldn't say that." Ron smiled down at Hermione, remembering.
-MEMORIES-
"Here it is." Ron opened the door of the little apartment that was their home. Hermione was about to walk in when Ron grabbed her round the waist and hauled her over his left shoulder.
"RON! PUT ME DOWN!" She yelled, flailing her arms. "What on earth are you doing?!"
"Carrying you over the threshold." Ron answered simply.
"That's not the right way!" Hermione said, blowing her veil out of her face.
"I can't do it the other way."
"Put me down you primitive beast! THIS IS UNDIGNIFIED!" Hermione commanded. Ron plonked her onto the bed and sat down next to her. She sighed.
"It was meant to be romantic, Ronald. We just had our wedding." Ron ignored her and pulled back her veil. Hermione blushed, remembering that she was on her honeymoon.
"I can be Romantic when I want to be." Ron edged closer to his wife.
"Oh really?" Hermione folded her arms. Ron grinned mischievously.
"Really." With that, he seized her.
-BACK TO THE PRESENT-
"Ron?" Hermione asked, now holding the baby. Ginny giggled as Harry cooed over Hermione's shoulder.
"Uncle Harry. I like that." Harry beamed. He sauntered over to Ginny and placed his hand over her womb. He felt a tiny kick and smiled.
"Of course, I'd like 'Daddy' even better." Harry said. Toby watched with interest. He would soon be an uncle too.
"When is she due?" Toby asked his sister in law.
"In a week." Ginny clicked her tongue in an annoyed manner and removed Harry's hand, which was still placed on her belly. Ron went red around the ears but said nothing. Toby sipped his wine thought fully. There he was, at the Weasley family reunion. It was hard to believe that just ten years ago, he had tried to murder Harry. He gave a Harry a smile. Harry smiled back.
-MEMORIES (HARRY'S)-
"Wha-?" Harry looked around the hospital wing, squinting. Hermione clutched Ron's hand and then flung herself on Harry, tears streaming down her cheeks. Harry blushed slightly and patted her pack awkwardly. Hermione kissed his cheek and pulled away.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered, holding her best friend's hand. He smiled weakly.
"It wasn't your fault." He said, standing up. She stood up and wiped her tears away. Ron held out his hand. Harry shook it, still feeling rather awkward. Ron smiled.
"C'mere you!" Ron pulled Harry in and hugged him, so happy that he was alive that he nearly squeezed the life out of him. Harry pulled away and held out his hand.
"I think I'll need those." Ron laughed and gave Harry his round rimmed glasses that he had been holding for three days. Harry put them on and suddenly the world was once again clear. Dumbledore smiled and gave Harry a knowing wink. Avolorm was in the room too, with Professor Snape talking to him.
"We already explained everything." Hermione said.
"Welcome back." Ron smiled and slung his arm over Hermione's shoulders. Harry couldn't help wondering what had happened between the two of them in the time he was- Harry gasped.
"I-I was dead ..." Harry shivered, realising that he wasn't just asleep.
"You should thank two people." Ron grinned. Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Me and Professor Snape." Malfoy entered the room. Harry noticed with shock that he had changed. His cold grey eyes were now light blue. He wore a smile, not a smirk. He seemed happy. He strode over to Harry and patted him on the back.
"Come on. We have a lot to explain." Hermione reached for Harry's hand and slid her other one into Ron's.
"And you have a lot to explain." Snape said coldly, dragging Avolorm down towards the dungeons.
Harry never really understood why Snape had gone to so much trouble to revive Harry. After a while, he guessed it must have been because his father had once saved Snape and now, more than sixteen years later, Snape had paid James Potter back. By saving his son's life.
-BACK TO THE PRESENT-
"Dinner every body!" Mrs Weasley called from the dining room.
Hermione laughed as Ron tried to feed Andy some carrots.
"Ronald, He can't eat that yet!" She pushed up from the table and took the baby out of her husband's arms.
"He need's Mummy's food." She walked towards the lounge room, with Ron stumbling after her.
"There's no need to watch Ron!" George yelled from the table. His twin laughed.
"You would have seen THAT enough already!"
"FRED!" Mrs Weasley gave her sons a stern look. Although they were twenty- seven, they still cringed like little boys caught making trouble.
Once in the lounge room, away from the rest of the family, Hermione lifted up her shirt and feed the baby. Ron turned away, feeling embarrassed. After a few minutes, Hermione patted the child's back, laughing when he burped. She sniffed Andy warily.
"He needs a change Ron." She said, holding him out to the father.
"Why me?"
"I did one job. It's your turn to do the next." Hermione said firmly.
"How come you get the easy one?" Ron grumbled.
"If it's so easy, how come you can't do it?" She teased.
"Very funny." Ron took his son in his arms and stared at Hermione.
-MEMORIES-
"I'm so sorry." Hermione said, tugging at her hair in a guilty manner. Ron said nothing. It was two a.m. and the Common Room was empty. She sat down on one of the empty red sofas and held her head in her hands. Ron sighed as her shoulders started to shake. He got up and sat down next to her.
"Mione." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to ignore the clicking of the clock which was breaking his eardrums. He patted her back awkwardly.
"It's all my fault. Don't you understand? Harry's dead!" She looked up at Ron, the tears streaming down her cheeks. Ron put his arm around her and handed her a tissue. She wiped her eyes and lay back, her head resting on his chest. Ron wondered if she could hear his heart pounding. He could hardly breathe. What happened next still made his heart race ten years later. Hermione put her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. That was how it all began. They had declared their love for one another with out the use of words. Just a single kiss had bonded them for life.
-BACK TO THE PRESENT-
"Ronald?" Hermione asked, she raised an eyebrow. He blushed now aware of the baby screaming his lungs out. Hermione smiled wryly, stood up and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'll put Andy down for a rest." She picked up the baby and then the door flew open.
"QUICK! GINNY'S IN LABOUR!" Fred stood in the doorway, breathless.
The Weasley family sat nervously in the waiting room. Harry paced the floor, banging his head. Ron sat mortified on a chair with Hermione patting his arm reassuringly. They could hear Ginny screaming a few rooms away. When the screams became louder, Ron could stand it no longer and bashed Harry squarely on the face. Harry staggered back a few steps, holding his nose.
"My ode bess fwend is trying to gill me!" Harry grabbed a tissue and held his nose. He soon forgot about his bleeding nose as a nurse walked past him.
"My wife is id laboua!" He yelled, running towards her.
"I haf to be wif her!" She raised and eyebrow but allowed him in the operating room.
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Harry stood by Ginny's bed, feeling sick. Her hair was damp with sweat and she was squeezing his hand so hard that he was sure his blood circulation had been cut off.
"I HATE YOU, YOU BARSTARD!!! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" She yelled, wincing. Harry looked at the Doctor. He laughed and gave Harry a wink.
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Ginny had a newborn baby suckling quietly at her breast. Harry sat by her bed, smiling. She smiled and gave Harry a kiss. He stroked his daughter's fine black hair. The baby opened her electric blue eyes and stared at her father wistfully.
"Her name is Jennifer." Ginny said, stroking her hair lovingly.
Harry sat back in his chair, contented. His life was truly tied together with love. Love for his wife and child, love for his best friends and just ten years ago, he had proved, that there was in fact, such a thing as brotherly-love. What more could her ask for?
Ten years later
Harry drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he hummed to the music. He smiled as he remembered Ron yelling at him for denting the front of the car three years ago. It was a good car. He had shared it with Ron for six years. As well as the apartment he still lived in. He had to admit, it felt rather empty after his friend had moved out but he was moving out soon as well. He had found a beautiful house and was moving in soon. Not to mention a beautiful wife.
"Careful Harry! Honestly! You are such a reckless driver!" Ginny exclaimed as they swerved to miss a feral cat. Harry just laughed.
"You're brother uses the word 'fearless.'"
"Don't tell me about Ron! He's worse than you!" She said.
"I haven't seen Hermione and Ron for a whole month." He said, not taking his eyes off the road.
"How big was Hermione last time?" Ginny asked.
"Dunno . But Ron said she looked like a Hippo on Steroids."
"Oh? And what did you say to Ron about me?" Ginny said, holding her huge belly. Harry smiled.
"Nothing." He said as they pulled into the driveway of the burrow.
"You can never tell with you husbands." Ginny said slyly. She and Harry got out of the old red ford and walked towards the house.
"Ron, that'll be Ginny and Harry. They said they'll be late." Hermione said, springing up from her chair. Ron race to the door and pulled Harry in, ignoring his mother who was ordering him to get some drinks. Ron dumped Harry into a chair and sat down on the couch beside Hermione.
"Well?" Harry asked, leaning forward.
"You can see him when he's awake." Ron said, putting an arm around Hermione. Mrs Weasley bustled in the room and sat down next to Ginny.
"Have you checked yet?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes." Ginny blushed and looked at Harry.
"It's a girl." Harry said proudly. Ron laughed.
"OH! Grandson and a Grand daughter!" She said, fanning her face. "And let's not forget Percy's twin boys." A loud cry erupted from upstairs.
"Sit down Ron, I'll get him." Hermione stood up and was followed by Ginny and Mrs Weasley.
"Harry, your nose is looking a lot better. Not so crooked, if I may." Toby POTTER sauntered into the room with Fred and George. Harry smiled. After graduating from Hogwarts, Toby had changed his name to Potter. After all, James Potter had treated him like a son, and Harry treated him as a brother.
"Yeah, it still hurts though." Harry rubbed his nose, smiling as Ron shifted guiltily in his chair.
"Don't worry Harry. It's a souvenir." Fred chuckled.
"A souvenir of the day you asked for Ginny's hand in marriage." George slapped Harry on the back, laughing his head off. Harry grinned, remembering that happy, yet, painful day.
-MEMORIES-
Harry pulled nervously at the collar of his sweater. Ginny squeezed his hand encouragingly and nodded towards the Weasley family. Mr and Mrs Weasley sat on the sofa, Ron stood behind them and Fred and George shared the coffee table. Percy and his wife stood quietly in the doorway while Bill and Charlie each brought a chair from the dining room. They all stared up at Ginny and Harry, wondering what the important news was.
"I-I want to ." Harry blushed. Ginny, sensing that Harry wasn't up to it, took over.
"We've talked it over for a long time."
"Andwewannagetmarry." Harry finished quickly. Bill, Charlie, Percy, the twins and Mr Weasley had no reaction. Mrs Weasley fainted and Ron came up to Harry and punched him squarely on the face. Harry fainted.
The next thing he knew, water was being splashed on his face and his nose was bleeding. Fred and George pulled him up to his feet. Mrs Weasley fussed over Harry, yelling at her youngest son for making the whole situation so awkward. After a few minutes, Mr Weasley came up to Harry and shook his hand, saying that he could marry Ginny. Ginny squealed with happiness and to Harry's embarrassment, kissed him right in front of Ron. Apart from the awkward silences with he and Ron, the day was the happiest of his life.
-BACK TO THE PRESENT-
Harry's reflections were interrupted by the happy squeals of a baby. He shoot out of his chair and ran to the little blue bundle in Hermione's arms. A little baby boy with bright blue eyes and red hair gurgled happily, sucking on his fat fingers. Harry lifted him slowly from Hermione's hands, as if afraid to hurt the tiny child. He rocked him in his arms and tickled his chin, grinning broadly.
"His name is Andy." Ron said, throwing out his chest in a proud manner.
"He likes him more than you." Hermione laughed as Harry danced the baby around the room. Ron wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"I wouldn't say that." Ron smiled down at Hermione, remembering.
-MEMORIES-
"Here it is." Ron opened the door of the little apartment that was their home. Hermione was about to walk in when Ron grabbed her round the waist and hauled her over his left shoulder.
"RON! PUT ME DOWN!" She yelled, flailing her arms. "What on earth are you doing?!"
"Carrying you over the threshold." Ron answered simply.
"That's not the right way!" Hermione said, blowing her veil out of her face.
"I can't do it the other way."
"Put me down you primitive beast! THIS IS UNDIGNIFIED!" Hermione commanded. Ron plonked her onto the bed and sat down next to her. She sighed.
"It was meant to be romantic, Ronald. We just had our wedding." Ron ignored her and pulled back her veil. Hermione blushed, remembering that she was on her honeymoon.
"I can be Romantic when I want to be." Ron edged closer to his wife.
"Oh really?" Hermione folded her arms. Ron grinned mischievously.
"Really." With that, he seized her.
-BACK TO THE PRESENT-
"Ron?" Hermione asked, now holding the baby. Ginny giggled as Harry cooed over Hermione's shoulder.
"Uncle Harry. I like that." Harry beamed. He sauntered over to Ginny and placed his hand over her womb. He felt a tiny kick and smiled.
"Of course, I'd like 'Daddy' even better." Harry said. Toby watched with interest. He would soon be an uncle too.
"When is she due?" Toby asked his sister in law.
"In a week." Ginny clicked her tongue in an annoyed manner and removed Harry's hand, which was still placed on her belly. Ron went red around the ears but said nothing. Toby sipped his wine thought fully. There he was, at the Weasley family reunion. It was hard to believe that just ten years ago, he had tried to murder Harry. He gave a Harry a smile. Harry smiled back.
-MEMORIES (HARRY'S)-
"Wha-?" Harry looked around the hospital wing, squinting. Hermione clutched Ron's hand and then flung herself on Harry, tears streaming down her cheeks. Harry blushed slightly and patted her pack awkwardly. Hermione kissed his cheek and pulled away.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered, holding her best friend's hand. He smiled weakly.
"It wasn't your fault." He said, standing up. She stood up and wiped her tears away. Ron held out his hand. Harry shook it, still feeling rather awkward. Ron smiled.
"C'mere you!" Ron pulled Harry in and hugged him, so happy that he was alive that he nearly squeezed the life out of him. Harry pulled away and held out his hand.
"I think I'll need those." Ron laughed and gave Harry his round rimmed glasses that he had been holding for three days. Harry put them on and suddenly the world was once again clear. Dumbledore smiled and gave Harry a knowing wink. Avolorm was in the room too, with Professor Snape talking to him.
"We already explained everything." Hermione said.
"Welcome back." Ron smiled and slung his arm over Hermione's shoulders. Harry couldn't help wondering what had happened between the two of them in the time he was- Harry gasped.
"I-I was dead ..." Harry shivered, realising that he wasn't just asleep.
"You should thank two people." Ron grinned. Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Me and Professor Snape." Malfoy entered the room. Harry noticed with shock that he had changed. His cold grey eyes were now light blue. He wore a smile, not a smirk. He seemed happy. He strode over to Harry and patted him on the back.
"Come on. We have a lot to explain." Hermione reached for Harry's hand and slid her other one into Ron's.
"And you have a lot to explain." Snape said coldly, dragging Avolorm down towards the dungeons.
Harry never really understood why Snape had gone to so much trouble to revive Harry. After a while, he guessed it must have been because his father had once saved Snape and now, more than sixteen years later, Snape had paid James Potter back. By saving his son's life.
-BACK TO THE PRESENT-
"Dinner every body!" Mrs Weasley called from the dining room.
Hermione laughed as Ron tried to feed Andy some carrots.
"Ronald, He can't eat that yet!" She pushed up from the table and took the baby out of her husband's arms.
"He need's Mummy's food." She walked towards the lounge room, with Ron stumbling after her.
"There's no need to watch Ron!" George yelled from the table. His twin laughed.
"You would have seen THAT enough already!"
"FRED!" Mrs Weasley gave her sons a stern look. Although they were twenty- seven, they still cringed like little boys caught making trouble.
Once in the lounge room, away from the rest of the family, Hermione lifted up her shirt and feed the baby. Ron turned away, feeling embarrassed. After a few minutes, Hermione patted the child's back, laughing when he burped. She sniffed Andy warily.
"He needs a change Ron." She said, holding him out to the father.
"Why me?"
"I did one job. It's your turn to do the next." Hermione said firmly.
"How come you get the easy one?" Ron grumbled.
"If it's so easy, how come you can't do it?" She teased.
"Very funny." Ron took his son in his arms and stared at Hermione.
-MEMORIES-
"I'm so sorry." Hermione said, tugging at her hair in a guilty manner. Ron said nothing. It was two a.m. and the Common Room was empty. She sat down on one of the empty red sofas and held her head in her hands. Ron sighed as her shoulders started to shake. He got up and sat down next to her.
"Mione." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to ignore the clicking of the clock which was breaking his eardrums. He patted her back awkwardly.
"It's all my fault. Don't you understand? Harry's dead!" She looked up at Ron, the tears streaming down her cheeks. Ron put his arm around her and handed her a tissue. She wiped her eyes and lay back, her head resting on his chest. Ron wondered if she could hear his heart pounding. He could hardly breathe. What happened next still made his heart race ten years later. Hermione put her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. That was how it all began. They had declared their love for one another with out the use of words. Just a single kiss had bonded them for life.
-BACK TO THE PRESENT-
"Ronald?" Hermione asked, she raised an eyebrow. He blushed now aware of the baby screaming his lungs out. Hermione smiled wryly, stood up and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'll put Andy down for a rest." She picked up the baby and then the door flew open.
"QUICK! GINNY'S IN LABOUR!" Fred stood in the doorway, breathless.
The Weasley family sat nervously in the waiting room. Harry paced the floor, banging his head. Ron sat mortified on a chair with Hermione patting his arm reassuringly. They could hear Ginny screaming a few rooms away. When the screams became louder, Ron could stand it no longer and bashed Harry squarely on the face. Harry staggered back a few steps, holding his nose.
"My ode bess fwend is trying to gill me!" Harry grabbed a tissue and held his nose. He soon forgot about his bleeding nose as a nurse walked past him.
"My wife is id laboua!" He yelled, running towards her.
"I haf to be wif her!" She raised and eyebrow but allowed him in the operating room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Harry stood by Ginny's bed, feeling sick. Her hair was damp with sweat and she was squeezing his hand so hard that he was sure his blood circulation had been cut off.
"I HATE YOU, YOU BARSTARD!!! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" She yelled, wincing. Harry looked at the Doctor. He laughed and gave Harry a wink.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Ginny had a newborn baby suckling quietly at her breast. Harry sat by her bed, smiling. She smiled and gave Harry a kiss. He stroked his daughter's fine black hair. The baby opened her electric blue eyes and stared at her father wistfully.
"Her name is Jennifer." Ginny said, stroking her hair lovingly.
Harry sat back in his chair, contented. His life was truly tied together with love. Love for his wife and child, love for his best friends and just ten years ago, he had proved, that there was in fact, such a thing as brotherly-love. What more could her ask for?