*****Epilogue: Five years later*****
A scrawny man with light brown hair sat in the waiting room of Lennox Community Hospital, his face hidden by a newspaper. Surrounding him were happy chatting relatives, all there to support the new arrival to their family. The man with the newspaper was the only one who did not belong. He sat in the corner, trying to be as invisible as possible.
Just a couple months before he had been in a very similar situation, in another hospital not too far away. He sighed and shifted in his seat as he remembered that day. Memories now filled his mind, memories of sitting in the waiting room with two other men, and growing impatient as the hours passed. He flashed back to that day, when a doctor finally came in and admitted the men to the maternity ward to see their friends and the new addition to the family.
The trio had walked into the room, and observed the redhead on the bed holding small bundle and the tall man with messy hair and glasses standing over her. The one with dark, wild eyes-Sirius Black-was thrilled, patting his buddy on the back and asking how long before he could give the new baby motorcycle lessons. The short, chubby man-Peter Pettigrew-seemed to be a combination of nervous and upset, with a hint of anger. His eyes darted around the room and he constantly shifted his weight. The third man, the one with light hair, walked right over to the hospital bed. The woman offered him the baby and he took it. "What's his name?" he asked, knowing full well the answer.
The redhead gave a smile that was happy, yet held a hint of sadness. "We wanted to name our baby after her, because there's not a day that goes by that we don't think of her, and we owe everything to her." The room fell silent as every eye filled with tears. They all knew who she was referring to, for they were all haunted by her memory. Lily took a breath and continued. "We wanted to somehow commemorate her, but we couldn't go naming our male son Hera now, could we? So we had to alter her name a bit to fit."
James walked over to the light haired man, gently touched his son's cheek, and said in an emotion-filled voice: "Meet Harry Potter."
*****
The sound of exclamations abruptly interrupted the memories of the silent man holding the paper as the doors from the delivery room burst open. Out came Derek Granger-scrubs and all-announcing his new position as proud parent.
"It's a girl!" he cried, "Hermione Granger!" The relatives all jumped to their feet, rushing Derek, trying to get more information, and attempting to shove past him to get a glimpse of the new baby.
Remus Lupin put down his paper, and observed the beaming man. A heavy sigh escaped his lips. Little did Derek Granger know. Little did any of them know. Looking down at the newborn baby girl wrapped in her mother's arms, how could they know? How could they ever guess that this tiny child was a witch? How could they know that she would go to a school far away, and become friends with the most famous boy in the world and an impetuous red head? Could they ever guess that she would rise to top of her class, help save the school more than once, and free a convicted murderer? Did Derek Granger have any idea that his sweet little girl would travel back in time, fall in love with her best friend's father, and ultimately sacrifice her life for the future? Remus sighed again, failing miserably at his attempt to hold back tears. No, Derek had no idea; neither did the rest of the family. He was the only one who did.
He stood, and started to walk out the door, knowing full well that in a matter of thirteen short years he would meet Hermione again, this time as her professor. It would be hard to not show her favoritism or extra affection, but from what "Hera" had told him about the future, he would succeed in doing so. It looked like that everything would turn out just fine.
Yet Remus grieved. Walking down the street, he freely shed tears for his noble friend. He cried for love lost, for potential thrown away, for the bold sacrifice by the bravest girl he had ever known. He cried for little Harry, who would never know how much Hermione had given up for his sake, and for James, who didn't know that the love of his life had just been born only miles away from where he held his own little baby. He cried for himself-for the secrets was forced to keep from those closest to him. And most of all he cried for the little newborn whose future was already determined.
In midst of his tears, a strange feeling overwhelmed him. It was going to turn out all right. He recalled her last words, the words she kindly spoke before gently kissing him and giving up her life. Those words had followed him these past years, invading his dreams, haunting his memories, and accompanying him wherever he went. Those words he would never forget: "Remus, I do have to do this. You'll understand one day. See you soon." The comfort he experienced in midst of his distress was brought on by the realization that this was the day she had talked about. He finally understood.
Brushing the memory away from his mind, Remus noticed that he had arrived. Observing the Granger's house, he walked up to the doorstep. He knew no one was home, for they were still at the hospital. Remus meant for it to be this way, and left his gift on the doorstep. He looked at the small plush gray wolf, knowing that the family would take it to be just another gift from a well-wisher, and also knowing that it was better that way. On top of the gift he placed a note card written across the top in his elegant script. The message read: "To Hermione, may she enjoy her youth and live every day to the fullest."
Remus smiled, once again recalling those final words and finding new reassurance in them. "Yes, Hermione," he said softly as he walked away without looking back. "See you soon."
-FIN-
A scrawny man with light brown hair sat in the waiting room of Lennox Community Hospital, his face hidden by a newspaper. Surrounding him were happy chatting relatives, all there to support the new arrival to their family. The man with the newspaper was the only one who did not belong. He sat in the corner, trying to be as invisible as possible.
Just a couple months before he had been in a very similar situation, in another hospital not too far away. He sighed and shifted in his seat as he remembered that day. Memories now filled his mind, memories of sitting in the waiting room with two other men, and growing impatient as the hours passed. He flashed back to that day, when a doctor finally came in and admitted the men to the maternity ward to see their friends and the new addition to the family.
The trio had walked into the room, and observed the redhead on the bed holding small bundle and the tall man with messy hair and glasses standing over her. The one with dark, wild eyes-Sirius Black-was thrilled, patting his buddy on the back and asking how long before he could give the new baby motorcycle lessons. The short, chubby man-Peter Pettigrew-seemed to be a combination of nervous and upset, with a hint of anger. His eyes darted around the room and he constantly shifted his weight. The third man, the one with light hair, walked right over to the hospital bed. The woman offered him the baby and he took it. "What's his name?" he asked, knowing full well the answer.
The redhead gave a smile that was happy, yet held a hint of sadness. "We wanted to name our baby after her, because there's not a day that goes by that we don't think of her, and we owe everything to her." The room fell silent as every eye filled with tears. They all knew who she was referring to, for they were all haunted by her memory. Lily took a breath and continued. "We wanted to somehow commemorate her, but we couldn't go naming our male son Hera now, could we? So we had to alter her name a bit to fit."
James walked over to the light haired man, gently touched his son's cheek, and said in an emotion-filled voice: "Meet Harry Potter."
*****
The sound of exclamations abruptly interrupted the memories of the silent man holding the paper as the doors from the delivery room burst open. Out came Derek Granger-scrubs and all-announcing his new position as proud parent.
"It's a girl!" he cried, "Hermione Granger!" The relatives all jumped to their feet, rushing Derek, trying to get more information, and attempting to shove past him to get a glimpse of the new baby.
Remus Lupin put down his paper, and observed the beaming man. A heavy sigh escaped his lips. Little did Derek Granger know. Little did any of them know. Looking down at the newborn baby girl wrapped in her mother's arms, how could they know? How could they ever guess that this tiny child was a witch? How could they know that she would go to a school far away, and become friends with the most famous boy in the world and an impetuous red head? Could they ever guess that she would rise to top of her class, help save the school more than once, and free a convicted murderer? Did Derek Granger have any idea that his sweet little girl would travel back in time, fall in love with her best friend's father, and ultimately sacrifice her life for the future? Remus sighed again, failing miserably at his attempt to hold back tears. No, Derek had no idea; neither did the rest of the family. He was the only one who did.
He stood, and started to walk out the door, knowing full well that in a matter of thirteen short years he would meet Hermione again, this time as her professor. It would be hard to not show her favoritism or extra affection, but from what "Hera" had told him about the future, he would succeed in doing so. It looked like that everything would turn out just fine.
Yet Remus grieved. Walking down the street, he freely shed tears for his noble friend. He cried for love lost, for potential thrown away, for the bold sacrifice by the bravest girl he had ever known. He cried for little Harry, who would never know how much Hermione had given up for his sake, and for James, who didn't know that the love of his life had just been born only miles away from where he held his own little baby. He cried for himself-for the secrets was forced to keep from those closest to him. And most of all he cried for the little newborn whose future was already determined.
In midst of his tears, a strange feeling overwhelmed him. It was going to turn out all right. He recalled her last words, the words she kindly spoke before gently kissing him and giving up her life. Those words had followed him these past years, invading his dreams, haunting his memories, and accompanying him wherever he went. Those words he would never forget: "Remus, I do have to do this. You'll understand one day. See you soon." The comfort he experienced in midst of his distress was brought on by the realization that this was the day she had talked about. He finally understood.
Brushing the memory away from his mind, Remus noticed that he had arrived. Observing the Granger's house, he walked up to the doorstep. He knew no one was home, for they were still at the hospital. Remus meant for it to be this way, and left his gift on the doorstep. He looked at the small plush gray wolf, knowing that the family would take it to be just another gift from a well-wisher, and also knowing that it was better that way. On top of the gift he placed a note card written across the top in his elegant script. The message read: "To Hermione, may she enjoy her youth and live every day to the fullest."
Remus smiled, once again recalling those final words and finding new reassurance in them. "Yes, Hermione," he said softly as he walked away without looking back. "See you soon."
-FIN-