September 01, 2008.
Harry had an arm around his only son, Leo, as he pushed a trolley with his trunk and the cage of his owl on it, called Killie. It was a brown owl that he had rescued from the Muggle town close to his house in Wiltshire.
Leo seemed to share the love for animals with his mother. So far, they had rescued over a hundred animals and adopted two owls, four dogs, twelve cats, some rodents and they also had chickens. Some Muggles nearby also gave three goats and two sheep to Jade, as she had gotten the reputation of taking care of animals.
Draco and Jade were right next to them, she was holding Jervis' hand. Her nephew was still ten, his birthday was recently. He had spent the summer holidays in the countryside with them. Leo and Jervis were really good friends. Even when they lived in different parts of the UK, they usually spent a lot of time together. This would be the first time they wouldn't see each other in a while.
Jade was feeling melancholic and sad that Leo was leaving for Hogwarts for the first time. Still, she put a strong face for Leo and the five of them were having a nice talk as they walked.
As expected, no one their age or that had been in their same year was there. Ron's son and Teddy were still only ten years old like Jervis but the two boys and Leo were best friends, it was actually such a shame that they wouldn't be in the same year together. They also liked Jervis but they didn't spend a lot of time with him, mostly because of some issues Olisca had.
Over the years, the dynamic between the adults had improved and things weren't awkward between them anymore. Draco and Harry could be called friends now, and Jade and Harry were really close.
Their arrangement had worked well for the last ten years. Leo spent a week in London with Harry and a week in Wiltshire with Jade and Draco. And they all celebrated holidays together, it could seem weird but it was working.
Leo was the same charming, full of energy, and lovely little boy that he was when he was nine and rescued from Voldemort. The change back to baby hadn't affected his personality but he had lived a happy childhood instead of being hidden or even kidnapped, and he had spent all those years with his parents, something he couldn't do in the other reality. His resentment and confusion were gone and that resulted in a happier child. He was even more bubbly and curious than before.
Over there, things were going okay as well. The twins Saffie and Harlie were safe and well. Sirius was looking after them and Leo visited him quite often. It was even good for Jade and Harry as they both missed him too and they saw their daughters as well. So, it was a win win situation for everybody.
They had decided to not bring the twins too like they had done with Leo because they couldn't take away more from Sirius. He loved them and even adopted them. They looked so similar to Harry that they, in some way, reminded him of James.
Leo walked with fake confidence but the three adults could notice he was nervous, with one hand he was playing with his red hair that reached his chin and he kept biting his bottom lip, something he had picked up from Jade.
"You'll be alright, Leo," Harry said with a smile.
He, in some way, wished he could be eleven all over again and go to Hogwarts. He missed those times. He actually regretted not going back for his seventh year but he had Leo and he thought that after a war, he was ready for the adult life.
Harry had given Leo his cloak of invisibility with the only condition of being responsible when using it and to not lose it. He had kept the Marauder's map, though. He felt like Leo wasn't ready for it and in some way he wanted to keep an eye on his son, at least during his first year, probably during his second too.
The three adults gave different advices to Leo and told him to behave as they stood right next to the Hogwarts Express. They only had three minutes left with their boy.
In that moment Jade heard her name being called, she turned and saw a man with a beard and a moustache. The blonde guy quickly greeted everyone and his son bumped fists with the two kids and with Jade. He shook hands with Harry and Draco.
"I can't believe we made it, it took forever to wake him up," Cass commented and thirteen-year-old Gérard rolled his blue eyes. "Anyway, I'll leave you to it, I'll catch you guys later."
Cass and his son walked away. He kept giving instructions to the now teenager. Jade shuddered at the thought that Leo would be a teenager soon. As soon as the two blond guys were quite away from them, Leo hugged Draco first, who had become like a second father to him. Draco hugged him tightly and then ruffled his messy long hair. He then hugged Jade, who couldn't just let go at first. She fixed Leo's hair, or tried at least and kissed the top of his head.
When he turned around, Jade felt like crying, Draco put an arm around his wife to comfort her. Leo finally hugged his dad. He had spent the last four days at the Lias Manor and hadn't seen him, so he hugged him the tightest and longest.
"Love you," Harry said to him as he wrapped his arms around Leo's body. Harry also felt like it was almost impossible to break the hug, he wouldn't see him for almost four months and then see him for a few days for Christmas and then until Easter and then finally for summer holidays.
Finally, they pulled away and Leo walked happily but nervously to the train and boarded. Apparently Cass told Gérard to wait for Leo, as he was by the door and they walked away together. Jade kept strong as she waved good-bye.
The train started moving and her heart ached, knowing she wouldn't be able to hug her son for a while. She wouldn't hear his silliness or go out to rescue some other animal with him. So, once the train was out of view, a tear fell. She was happy and proud of him but she was already missing him.
The three of them walked back to King's Cross Muggle area and then went to a Cafe to have brunch. Harry sat opposite Draco and Jade.
Jade, even after ten years, had barely changed. Her hair was shorter than when she was at Hogwarts and she was a bit more toned because of all the training from being part of a Quidditch team, but Harry still saw her as the teenager that helped him hunt Horcruxes.
It was true that the exercise kept Jade looking younger than she was. She looked around twenty-two, when she was in fact twenty-seven. And her personality still hadn't changed. She kept being sarcastic and at times arrogant and that made her seem like a spoiled teenager but she was also caring and she worried about the other's well-being.
And she had also learnt to forgive. She no longer held grudges at her family. It took her years to make that progress but when she finally did, she looked full of life, happier and even younger. When she still wasn't okay with her parents and most of her family she looked grieved and like she was close to thirty years but forgiveness had brought life and light to her life.
As they sat there, they planned a trip they were all going to do for New Year when Leo was back. Leo had shown interest in beaches so they had thought of going to the Caribbean.
"So, Bahamas would be the last one?" Jade asked and looked from Draco to Harry.
Harry felt his heart skipping a beat when their eyes met. Yes, it had been ten years since they won the war. Ten years of being parents to Leo and having to build a good friendship and putting certain feelings aside.
Harry had learnt to live with the fact that Jade was happy with Draco and that she did indeed love him. Sometimes he thought of trying to date or meet someone new but then he would look at her, or hear her laugh, or watch her play Quidditch or see her rolling her eyes, and he would be reminded that no matter what, he loved her and being with someone else would be just a waste of time. He was unable to fall out of love or just love someone else more than Jade.
Harry had managed to find a way to not be controlled by his feelings. He couldn't just kiss her, that would be unrespectful and ruin everything they had built for ten years. He wasn't in favour of cheating either, so he would never do such a thing.
He was lonely and sad at times, it was just normal, especially when Leo wasn't with him but he was okay with his lifestyle. He had the job of his dreams, becoming Head Auror at twenty-six, had a beautiful, perfect and most importantly, happy son, his scar didn't hurt anymore, and he was part of Jade's life.
There was some unbreakable connection between them, they both could feel it and Draco could sense it too. But he knew, just like the other two, that it was too late to try anything. They could have been meant to be together at some point but that wasn't the case anymore, their lives were built and all of them were fine with the way things were.
So, at the end of the meal, Harry shook Draco's hand and hugged Jade and then headed to the Ministry that wasn't far from there. Draco kissed Jade before he disapparated. He needed to get home and look after his kids, while Jade hurried to get to Quidditch practice, she had already missed the first session of the day.
Harry kept wondering what would happen now that Leo was gone, would Jade and Draco still keep in touch with him? Or would they hang out even without Leo? Or would they just check on him from time to time but that would be it?
"How was it?" Ron asked when he saw him just a few floors below his office.
"Horrible. I feel like he grew up too fast."
"Tell me about it. Daryl will be going next year and then it will be Lizzie's turn and then the twins and then the baby Luna is currently expecting," Ron said as the colour on his face drained. "But anyway, how is Jade?"
"As beautiful as always," Harry muttered before he could stop himself. He blushed deeply. "Eh, she's good. And so is Draco."
After ten years, Harry and sometimes Ron stopped calling him Malfoy and he stopped calling them Potter and Weasley and all the offensive nicknames he had for them. It was so weird and bizarre at first and at times it still felt odd but they had gotten used to it now.
"Oh by the way, Jenna, the new girl working here, asked me about you," Ron said with a grin. "I think it would be a good idea to ask her out. Leo is gone now so you must have some free time now. Right?"
"Eh, I'll pass."
"Harry, she's a model! Or was at least! She must be the most attractive woman that has been interested in you!" Ron exclaimed. "Eh, don't tell Luna I said that or even Jade but Harry, come on!"
"I'm not interested, Ron. Anyway, will you come this weekend to watch England play against Scotland?"
"Jade's match?"
"Yeah."
"Sure. I'm sure George, Ginny and Luna will want to join too. If you don't mind."
"Of course not."
"I might have to bring the twins with me," Ron said. Ron's twins were only two and a half. While Lizzie was turning five a week before Christmas.
"Sure, no problem. Bring Lizzie too and Daryl. The house will be too quiet now that Leo is gone," Harry told him. "Tell Ginny and George to bring their kids too. The more the merrier, right?"
"As long as they let us watch the match," Ron said with a nervous laugh. Harry could only imagine how tough and stressing it was to have four kids and a pregnant wife. He only had one kid and only had him half of the time.
"We will find a way to entertain them."
Harry had gone home later that day feeling extremely lonely. It was a Saturday and he was supposed to get Leo tomorrow and spend that week with Leo but things had changed. Grimmauld Place seemed too big for only him right now.
He had taken a shower after dinner, and dressed into his boxers and t-shirt. He was getting into bed when an Owl knocked on his window with its beak. He got up and recognized Killie. Enthusiastically he got the letter from the owl, and started to read it right away.
Leo was telling him that he missed him and that he made a friend. He also told him about being sorted and asking him if he was proud. And no matter what, Harry was proud of him.
Harry smiled as he reread the letter and then set it on his night table. He was going to keep that letter forever. He wrote a reply but didn't send the tired Killie but his own owl. He got a treat or two for Killie and then got back to bed with a smile and a warm feeling inside of him.
Leo was the boy who made his life brighter, the one who could put a smile on his face when no one else could. The one who gave him strength without even knowing. The one who made it all worth it.
So, after two years and eight months this has come to an end. I thought this would take way less time as the story was written, I only needed to post it but wouldn't change it for anything.
I hope you guys all liked it. I have an idea creeping it and I MIGHT (no promises) write a short sequel. Maybe 25 chapters at the most. Maybe not even 10 or maybe I won't get to write it but the idea is there. Just thought I'd let you guys know that this might not be over yet. But it might! We'll see what happens!
Thank you everyone who came this far and to the ones who watched my videos that I shared the links on here. And thanks to everyone who commented and sent me messages. You all made it possible for this to be finished.
Thank you all for the support and hope I didn't disappoint! xx