The Eighth Year Universe

Love Wins

It Was the Start of an Age


The chapter title is from the song:

Long Live by Taylor Swift.


Susan's speech is inspired by the song – Waited for You by Private Drive and Toby Freeman.


Their first dance song is – The One by Kodaline.


Inverness

The reception was in a house Susan owned along the banks of the River Ness. It had a drawing-room big enough to host them all and with enough space for dancing. Susan had also said it had excellent acoustics, which Daphne had pointed out was all that they needed for a good party.

Harry had to admit, he was having more fun than he'd had at a wedding for a while, but he supposed it was because of how close Daphne and Susan were. He knew how long she had been waiting for a happy ending, and watching her get it made his month, let alone his week.

The drawing-room was set up; a giant wedding cake with two moving figurine likenesses of Caroline and Susan sat proudly at one side of the room. There was no head table, just round tables scattered across the room. Caroline and Susan sat at theirs with Daphne and Jennifer, but it was perfect despite the lack of tradition.

There were also no formal speeches, but Susan clinked her glass and got to her feet once the meal was over.

Silence fell, and Caroline looked up at her wife in surprise, "I thought we said no speeches?"

"We said no formal speeches," Susan said with a smile, "That's not what this is. I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for coming today and to thank everyone who helped make today possible. You all know Caroline and I well enough to know that this has been a long time coming, and you guys made it perfect for us, so thank you."

Daphne smiled and raised her champagne glass.

Susan looked at her and continued, "But I think the biggest thanks has to be to Caroline."

She looked down at the dark-haired woman who reached up and grabbed Susan's hand.

"You all know that this isn't our first rodeo. After losing my husband, I never thought I would feel that rush again with someone else. Then I found Caroline," Susan said softly, "In therapy, ironically enough."

Some people smiled or chuckled at that, and Susan continued, "I had spent a long time telling myself that I didn't need another life partner, that it was okay to have loved that deeply once and never to have felt it again. I almost gave up on love, but I'm so glad that I didn't."

She smiled down at Caroline, "Because all of those years that I spent feeling alone? Caroline was there with me, fighting her loneliness even though we hadn't met yet, I waited for her, and she waited for me."

Daphne smiled a little tearfully and nodded at her friend. Susan had run the speech by her earlier in the week, and she had almost cried then, so she had known she would cry today. Caroline had tears in her eyes, but she was smiling because Susan's words were coming from the heart.

"When we met, our friendship just sprung up, and it was like we had known each other for years," Susan admitted, "It felt so easy, like it was just meant to be. I had no idea that Caroline had a daughter, that she was a single mother who had lost her husband. I didn't know her story at all, and I certainly didn't know how similar to my own it was. But our paths crossed, and it felt like it was written in the stars."

Daphne was crying now, and she wasn't even trying to hide it.

Susan looked down at Caroline and squeezed her hand, "Just when I thought my heart was closing, Caroline came into my life and kicked every door wide open. I have no idea where I would be or what I would do if I hadn't waited for her, so thank you, Caroline."

Caroline nodded, not quite capable of words after such a heartfelt speech. Susan leaned in to kiss Caroline in a brief, tearful kiss.

When they drew back, Daphne flicked her wand in their direction to freshen up their glamour charms. Caroline laughed tearfully and thanked Daphne, then someone else clinked their glass and got to their feet.

Everyone looked around and saw John. He was sitting at a table with Elizabeth, Rob and Jen. He seemed pretty emotional himself, but he smiled at the two brides and bowed his head.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I made a promise to Caroline's father before he passed away," John admitted with a sad smile in Caroline's direction.

"He had a request, in case Caroline ever remarried," John continued, "And he really hoped that you would, Caroline. He wanted you to be happy."

Caroline swallowed and nodded tearfully.

"But a lot of you had the pleasure of knowing Jack Sumner," John said with a smile, and there were so many Aurors or Healers in attendance who had known Jack well. They nodded and smiled as they remembered Caroline's late father.

"So you know he wasn't the sort of man who was organised enough to write a father of the bride speech. If he had been here, he would have just made it up as he went along, but he would have spoken from the heart like he always did," John said, his voice rough with emotion as he spoke of his friend.

John cleared his throat and said, "So it wasn't a speech he wanted you to hear today, Caroline. It was a song."

Caroline brought her hand up to her mouth because the moment that final sentence left John's lips, she knew exactly what he meant.

"Almost heaven, West Virginia."

Rob was the first to get up and sing along with John, but Elizabeth wasn't far behind him.

"Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River."

Harry, Neville, Draco and Theo all got to their feet too. A lot of people in this room had known Jack, but not many of them had respected him as much as they had.

"Life is old there, older than the trees."

Jennifer and a few of the Healers who had worked with Jack, like Janet Frasier, joined in with the song.

"Younger than the mountains, growing like a breeze."

Johnathon Sheppard, John's 5-year-old grandson, also started to sing along, which just melted Caroline's heart.

"Country roads take me home."

John smiled tearfully and picked Johnathon up, and Caroline was grateful when Nova climbed up onto her lap because she couldn't stop the tears flowing out of her eyes, and Nova was the perfect solace.

"To the place I belong," John sang loudly and proudly, just like Jack would have done if he were here.

At Caroline's side, Susan grabbed her hand and began to sing along too.

"West Virginia, Mountain Mama."

The whole room was singing, but somehow Caroline could only hear Susan's soft voice, cutting through the noise of several out of tune singers and some adorable little ones like Johnathon who were trying so hard.

Susan smiled tearfully at Caroline as they sang the final line.

"Take me home, country roads."

Harry started the round of applause, and everyone else joined in. There was hardly a dry eye in the room, and Caroline had to bury her face in Nova's hair for a moment to get her wits back together. Daphne cast a flawless glamour touch-up, then slipped Nova a chocolate sweet under the table, which calmed her down after all of the tears.

Harry smiled fondly at his wife and thanked his lucky stars that their paths in life had converged. He felt the same way Susan did about Caroline; he had no idea what he would do without Daphne.


After all the informal emotional speeches, everyone was ready for cake and dancing. Somehow, Lilly had found herself babysitting at the children's table, which was full of very messy children who had just gorged themselves on chocolate cake with vanilla frosting.

"Alright!" Lilly said. She clapped her hands, "Form an orderly line. Nobody is going anywhere until they've hard the full-body cleaning charm treatment!"

Theo grinned and leant against the bar by Daphne's side, "If the healing ever fails, she'd made a good teacher."

"She's bossy enough," Daphne agreed.

Theo snorted in amusement, and Daphne nudged him in the ribs. Neither of them really put their back into it, though. They were in too good a mood to argue.

Daphne had been trying not to laugh at Lilly and the military precision she was putting into cleaning up cake covered children. Once she had gotten through Johnathon Sheppard, Nova Bones-Sumner and Sage Cauldwell, the two older kids, she started on the toddlers in high chairs.

"She'd make a good nanny," Theo mused.

Daphne snorted, "Tell her that. I dare you."

"Nah," Theo grinned, "I value my limbs."

Daphne chuckled, then patted Theo on the back, "I'm sure you can assist with the cake covered kids. Most of them are your grandkids anyway."

"Only three of them are mine!" Theo objected, but Daphne was already walking away, "Where are you going?"

"To be the DJ," Daphne said, "It's time for the first dance."

Theo chuckled and crossed the room, "Need a hand there, Lilly?"

"Oh, Theo," Lilly said in relief, "I thought you'd never ask. Have you seen the state of your grandson?"

Theo looked between Phoenix, who would turn one next week, and Theo, who was ten months old. One looked like they had tried to dye their hair with vanilla frosting, and the other looked like he had tried to paint his face with chocolate cake.

"Uh. Which one?" He quipped.

"Exactly," Lilly said dryly as she lifted 1 ½-year-old Piper out of her high chair, "Unlike this little darling, she's perfect."

"Course she is," Theo said, ruffling Piper's hair, "Just like her mummy."

"Can Almina do any wrong in your eyes?" Lilly asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

Theo just grinned and shook his head, "Nope! Come here, you little chocolate demon!"

Lilly laughed as he scooped up baby Theo. She popped Piper down and looked over at her twin boys, who were messing around with Alastor and Swann.

"I am getting so broody," She admitted, "It will be a while before I get to be a Grandmother."

"Ah, you're basically a Grandma to Piper and Gaia," Theo said with an easy smile, "You and I ought to know better than anyone else; families come in all shapes and sizes."

Lilly smiled and looked over at Harry and Neville as they broke up whatever antics were going on with her twins and Alastor.

"Yes, they do," she agreed.

Theo set baby Theo down in the play area that Susan had set up at the back of the room, next to his cousin. He and Piper started playing, and Theo rested Phoenix on his hip as the music began to play.

Lilly lifted 7-month-old Gaia up and rested the little girl on her hip. Without realising it, she and Theo were standing in almost identical positions.

Draco nudged Neville in the ribs from the other side of the room and said, "So that's weird, right?"

Neville followed Draco's line of sight and laughed, "Yeah, kind of."

The music continued to play, and Susan grabbed Caroline's hand, dragging her onto the dance floor despite her red cheeks and reluctance.

"Is it just me who thinks that might be a dangerous friendship?" Draco asked, his eyes still on Lilly and Theo.

Neville chuckled, "A reckless friendship, maybe, but they have been friends for years."

"It's different, though, isn't it?" Draco mused, "Being friends because you came together, and being friends because your friends are friends."

Neville shrugged and patted Draco on the shoulder, "Friendship is friendship, Draco. Don't think about it too hard."

Draco nodded, but he didn't say anything more as the lights dimmed, creating a spotlight on Caroline and Susan while they shared their first dance as a married couple.

"Tell me, tell me that you want me,

And I'll be yours completely,

For better or for worse,

I know we'll have our disagreements,

Be fighting for no reason,

I wouldn't change it for the world,

'Cause I knew the first day that I met you,

I was never gonna let you,

Let you slip away,

And I still remember feeling nervous,

And tryna find the words to,

Get you here today."

The spotlight faded, and others began to join Susan and Caroline on the dance floor. Harry and Daphne were amongst the first up there. Hermione and Draco stepped onto the dancefloor immediately too.

Neville looked over at Lilly, who was dancing with Gaia on her hip. Theo was doing the same with Phoenix. He laughed and felt an arm brush against his own.

"Since our other halves are otherwise occupied, do you want to dance?"

Neville laughed and took Sadie's hand, "Yeah, for old time's sake?"

Sadie smiled, and they fell into the standard dance position, "Was the last time we danced together at the Yule Ball?" she asked.

"I think it might have been," Neville admitted, "Shocking considering how many weddings we've been to since then."

"I know," Sadie chuckled, "I've lost count."

Neville laughed and looked over at Susan and Caroline, "So have I, but this one feels different."

Sadie's smile was softer than usual. She nodded and agreed, "Yes, it does."

"You make my heart feel like it's summer,

When the rain is pouring down."

"That's weird."

Lilly looked up and chuckled, "Like we're living in an alternate universe where Neville and Sadie got together after they kissed in the summer before our sixth year?"

Theo made a face, "Exactly, which is just plain wrong."

Lilly shrugged and wiped a smudge of frosting off Gaia's cheek, "Oh, I don't know. You and Neville are pretty similar, and Sadie is a very measured person. In another life, those two would have worked."

Theo cocked his head at her, "What about you and me?"

"Noooo," Lilly said immediately. She shook her head, "No, now that would never have worked, Theo, because I have taste."

Theo grinned and threw a slice of discarded chocolate cake at her like a petulant child.

"You make my whole world feel so right when it's wrong,

That's how I know you are the one."

"We're dancing at a wedding," Hermione said, her voice a soft whisper against the shell of Draco's ear, "And it ought to be romantic, but Theo is throwing cake at Lilly."

Draco glanced behind him and laughed. Hermione dropped her head and let it rest on his shoulder, enjoying the soft rumble in his chest when he laughed.

"He's never going to grow up, is he?"

"No," Hermione said. She smiled fondly, "No, I think he's getting worse with age, actually."

"Unlike you," Draco murmured. He brushed his lips against hers, "You age like French wine. You just get better and better."

Hermione smiled at him, "And you're still as charming as you were when we went back to school to do our eighth year."

Draco chuckled and leaned in to kiss his wife once more.

"Life is easy to be scared of,

With you, I am prepared for,

What is yet to come."

Harry pulled Daphne close to him as they danced. She smelled the same as she had the day he had first met her, and that flowery scent still brought him more comfort than anything else in life ever had.

He felt blessed at events like this to dance with Daphne and see his children so happy.

"We did a good job."

Daphne looked down at him, and Harry internally cursed her for wearing such high heels, "Of what?"

"Raising our kids," Harry admitted, "I know I wasn't perfect. I missed moments. I wasn't around as much as I should have been, but I look at the four of them and….we did a good job."

Daphne glanced over her shoulder and smiled. Almina was dancing with Teddy, and Nick danced with Nina close by. Freddie had Andrea up on the dancefloor, his calloused, scarred hands gripping her tightly and holding her close. Alastor danced with Swann, who was just tall enough for Alastor to read his head on his shoulder as they danced. Even Thea was up on the dancefloor with Cas, who was now officially her boyfriend.

She looked back to Harry and nodded, "Yes, we did."

"Cause our two hearts will make it easy,

Joining up the pieces,

Together, making one."

Astoria breathed in Charlie's familiar scent, a combination of after-shave and the outdoors.

"Thank you."

Charlie frowned and drew back enough to look at her, "For what?"

"Staying," Astoria admitted, it was a rare moment of truth and clarity. She tended to keep her emotions in until she broke down, and they all came tumbling out.

Charlie's eyes softened, "I'll always stay. I told you that when you told me about your affliction."

"I know," Astoria said softly, "But you saying it was one thing, you doing it was another."

"And you sticking around when I got Amber pregnant was something else," Charlie murmured, "It's a two-way street, love."

"It's a three-way street," Astoria said. She gave him a pointed look, "I invited Amber into our marriage."

They glanced over at Amber, wearing a red and black jumpsuit with all her tattoos on display. She never hid who she was, and Astoria admired that about her. Looking at Amber and Charlie, she supposed she did have a type.

Amber was humming along to the song, and William was standing with her, happily rocking his baby sister in her pram. It made Astoria smile as she turned back into Charlie.

"Ruby has been a second chance," Astoria admitted, "For us to be a family, the way we should have been the first time."

Charlie kissed her chastely, "She's a real little miracle alright."

Astoria smiled against his lips because Charlie was right; she really was.

"You make my heart feel like it's summer,

When the rain is pouring down."

Bill kissed Fleur on the head absentmindedly and smiled at Victoire and Charlus, who were dancing a short distance away. Victoire was laughing at something Charlus had said, and he was grinning because he had managed to make her smile. Watching them always made Bill smile because he saw himself and Fleur when they had been that age.

"Are you being sentimental, William?"

Bill chuckled and looked down at her, "We're at a wedding, of course, I am."

Fleur smiled and pressed herself up to kiss him, "Je t'aime de toute mon âme."

Bill smiled against her lips and broke the kiss, "Je suis amoureuse de toi."

"You make my whole world feel so right when it's wrong,

That's how I know you are the one."

"Bill and Fleur are telling each other they love each other in French again," Susan murmured as she danced closely with Caroline, "That means it's a good wedding."

Caroline laughed, her dark eyes meeting Susan's green eyes, "I think it might be the best day of my life."

"I think it might be mine too," Susan admitted, her lips forming a small smile but her eyes staying on Caroline's.

Caroline drew Susan closer, "You don't think they'll resent us for that, do you?"

Susan didn't have to ask who she meant. She knew that Caroline was talking about Percy and Eddie. But she shook her head and murmured against Caroline's lips, "No, I think they'll be happy."

Caroline swallowed and intertwined her fingers through Susan's, "What makes you say that?"

"Because I never thought I would feel the way I did about Percy about anyone else," Susan whispered, "And when I did feel it again with you, it changed everything. I would never deny Percy that if I were me who had died, just like Eddie wouldn't deny you that."

Caroline smiled a little tearfully and leaned in to kiss Susan, murmuring, "Thank you," as she did so.

"That's why I know you are the one."


Susan knew how to put on a good party, and her wedding was no exception. For the most part, Daphne was at the centre of the party and the fun, but sometimes she took a moment to stand on the sidelines and watch those she loved.

She had just gone to get drinks, and as she leant against the bar sipping a martini, her eyes found her mother. It was getting late, and Daphne knew that Teddy and his little family would have to head home soon. Daphne and Draco had both offered their babysitting services, but Teddy said this was their friend's wedding and, therefore, their party.

As Almina bundled Piper up and repacked the changing bag, Lareina held Gaia. She and Nina had formed quite a strong bond since discovering that Nina was her granddaughter, and Lareina and Gaia absolutely adored each other. When Nina had told Lareina that Gaia's middle name was Lydia, she had broken down and cried in a way that Daphne had never seen before.

Daphne smiled as she watched her mother tickle Gaia and get the little girl laughing.

"You're being awfully sentimental."

Daphne looked over at Draco and said, "It's a wedding; they do that to people."

Draco chuckled and reached across the bar for a bottle of firewhiskey. He poured out four glasses on the rocks, then picked his up and sipped it, his gaze following Daphne's.

"Families are never what we think they're going to be, are they?"

"No," Daphne said softly, "They're haphazard and unconventional, but…."

"Perfect," Draco finished in unison with her.

Daphne sipped her martini and nodded, tearing her eyes away from her mother for a moment.

"And I'm not the only one who's feeling sentimental."

Draco was used to Daphne calling him out, so he just smiled, "No, you're not," he agreed.

But Draco wasn't watching Lareina and Gaia; he was looking at Thea and Cas. They had spent most of the night dancing together, but now they were sitting in the corner of the room. There was nothing untoward going on, but the way that Thea was looking at Cas as he spoke animatedly with his older sister was so familiar.

"Do you ever look at them and see us?" Draco asked.

"All of the time," Daphne answered honestly, "I remember looking at you like that."

Draco smiled slightly, "I remember you looking at me like that."

Daphne kept her gaze on Cas and Thea, "I remember being 15 years old and completely in love with you. Everyone doubted that it would last, but I didn't care about what anyone said because they didn't even know us."

Draco nodded and looked down into his whiskey glass, "We said we'd prove everyone wrong and look back and laugh when we were 40, remember?"

Daphne chuckled and looked over at him, "And here we are…42."

"And happy," Draco said softly, "Even if that isn't with each other. Those two have a better shot at it than we did. Look at the year they're going to have – Head Boy and Girl."

Daphne smiled proudly and lifted her martini glass, "Here's to young love in a time of peace, not war."

Draco smiled and clinked his glass against hers.


Theo threw himself into a seat between Draco and Hermione. They were past the point of caring about what the press had to say about their relationship now. Draco was a revered Minister for Magic; his sexuality didn't even come into the debate anymore.

So Theo leaned over and kissed him like it was second nature.

"You look constipated. Stop thinking so hard."

Hermione chuckled and said, "He's being sentimental. He had a heart to heart with Daphne earlier on too."

Theo raised an eyebrow at him, "Are you feeling alright?"

Draco smiled slightly and elbowed Theo in the ribs playfully, "Shut up."

Theo laughed under his breath and looked around the room, "Where's Sadie?"

"Diffusing a situation," Hermione replied diplomatically.

Theo looked at her warily, "Does this situation start with Ada and end with Laurel?"

"No," Hermione laughed, "No, they've been avoiding each other all night, haven't you noticed? According to Ada, they are, and I quote, categorically not dating."

"So they've had a fight then," Theo remarked, "It's funny how they remind me of you and Draco."

Draco chuckled into his firewhiskey, "It's only a matter of time until they are dating. I don't think there's a teacher at Hogwarts who hasn't found them in a broom cupboard."

"But they hate each other, remember?" Hermione teased.

"Yeah, they definitely remind me of you two," Theo muttered dryly.

Hermione didn't even swipe at him. Theo guessed that she was either too drunk or too happy to care.

Theo leant back and nestled himself in-between them quite contently. Neither of them objected, "What's the situation then? It can't be to do with Ella. She's right there."

He nudged his head towards Ella, who was dancing to a pop song with Carina and Andrea while Freddie refilled their drinks like the perfect boyfriend he was.

"No, it's Dora," Hermione admitted.

"Dora?" Theo echoed in surprise.

Hermione nodded, "Sadie caught her snogging someone. She dragged her outside for a chat."

Theo looked horrified, "What? No, she can't start snogging people too. It was bad enough when Ada started it, but Dora's never been bothered for that. She's my baby."

"Our baby," Draco interjected.

Theo waved a hand, "Who was she snogging?"

"We don't know," Draco replied. He glanced over at Theo, "Sadie wouldn't tell us."

Theo frowned, "That doesn't sound like Sadie."

Draco pushed himself to his feet and nodded, "Yeah, I'm gonna go find out."

Theo moved to follow him, but Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him back into his seat, "I know, I just didn't tell Draco," she whispered.

He turned around and narrowed his eyes at Hermione, "Why? Is he a creep? Or is he another she?"

"He is a he," Hermione said calmly, "And he is a little older, but - "

"How much older?" Theo cut in anxiously.

"He's in Cas's year."

"What?" Theo hissed, "He's going into seventh year? She's only going into fifth year. She's a baby!"

"She's almost 16," Hermione reminded Theo, "And it was one kiss, Theo. A kiss doesn't mean they're going to get married one day, so I didn't tell Draco."

Theo's eyes widened, "Oh, no….tell me it isn't…."

Hermione bit her lip.

"It's a fucking Weasley?"

Hermione nodded, "Gideon Weasley, yeah."

"No," Theo said with a shake of his head, "My baby isn't marrying a Weasley. I need a fucking cigarette."

He dashed outside after Draco, and Hermione let her head drop onto the table with a soft thump.

A laugh sounded nearby, then Harry sat down in the seat Theo had just vacated.

"That bad, huh?"

"My youngest child just got dragged outside by her mother for snogging a Weasley," Hermione said dryly, "Then her two fathers ran outside to smoke and rant about it."

Harry whistled, "Fair enough, I'd drink more wine if I were you. Only I'm not you, and I'm a recovered alcoholic, so I'm going really hard on the cola."

Hermione smiled and elbowed him playfully, "You're an idiot."

"Which one of Ron's kids was it then?" Harry asked, always up for the gossip.

"Gideon," Hermione admitted.

"Hm, Gryffindor, quite the charmer," Harry nodded, "Not bad looking though, so at least Dora's got decent taste in men, I suppose?"


Hermione chuckled and shook her head, "You're impossible, Harry."

Harry laughed too, and he looked out at the party, which was very much ongoing even though it was pushing midnight now. He was seeking out his girls, and as it turned out, they weren't too hard to spot. Thea was dancing with Cas, and Andrea laughed as Freddie made a fool out of himself with his terrible karaoke skills.

That brought a smile to Harry's face. He nudged Hermione and motioned towards Andrea and Freddie, "It's uncanny, you know? How much they remind me of you and Ron."

Hermione smiled a little too. Ron was helping Freddie with the lousy karaoke. He was singing along to Carry on My Wayward Son just as tunelessly as his eldest son was. Clara was shaking her head from where she sat in a booth; Sage was lying down next to her on the bench, fast asleep somehow; it was a miracle with all of the noise.

"I see it too," Hermione admitted, "Freddie is similar to Ron."

"But without the prejudiced views towards women Ron had before Felicity knocked him into shape," Harry cut in.

Hermione nodded, "And frankly, I'm not even convinced Andrea is yours. She's pretty, smart and has a wonderful nature. Are you sure she's not Neville's?"

Harry laughed aloud and said, "Wow, harsh, Hermione."

Hermione shot him a teasing grin and said, "But then I look at the jet black hair and green eyes and remind myself that she's 100% yours."

Harry smiled and nodded, "They remind me of you and Ron before everything went wrong, though. It's like….what could have been."

"In another world," Hermione said, her eyes shifting from Ron to Harry, "But never in this one."

"No," Harry agreed, "You're pretty damn happy in this one."

"I am," Hermione agreed, "Even if my husbands will lose their minds if Dora marries a Weasley."

Harry grinned and threw himself back with a chuckle.

"What?" Hermione asked self-consciously.

"Nothing," Harry chuckled, "It's just – after about two decades – that's the first time I've heard you call them your husbands."

Hermione rolled her eyes and smacked him over the head with a coaster.

"Ow, Hermione!"


When Draco got outside, Sadie had finished berating Dora. She sent her back inside and told Draco who she had been snogging, which sent Draco off into a rant that culminated in him lighting a cigarette and going for a short walk up the river.

A few minutes later, Theo met up with him, a lit cigarette in his own mouth.

"A fucking Weasley," Theo muttered.

Draco took a drag and waved a hand in Theo's direction, "Don't start."

"I'm on your side!" Theo objected, "She's our baby. I don't want her marrying Ron Weasley's kid."

"Sadie pointed out that most people don't marry the first person they kiss," Draco said.

Theo took a drag from his cigarette and shrugged, "I mean…well, that might be fair."

They came to a stop by a metal railing, and they both leant over it, watching the river rush by as they spoke.

"I mean, I didn't," Draco pointed out, "The first girl I kissed became my step-sister."

Theo chuckled and said, "Yeah, I mean, the first girl I kissed became one of my best friends and my partner in crime for over a decade, and I'm at her second wedding right now."

Draco smiled slightly and put his cigarette out. Theo took another drag from his, then looked over at Draco thoughtfully.

"I did marry the first guy I kissed though."

Draco looked at him, "You're not winning this debate on a technicality."

"Oh, come on, I was being romantic!"

Draco laughed and shook his head, turning back to the river.

"Uh….excuse me," A voice from behind said tentatively.

Theo was by no means famous, so he knew that whoever it was, they weren't talking to him. He didn't even bother turning around at first, but Draco did.

There was a loud gasp, then the words, "Oh my gosh, it is you! You're Minister Black?"

Theo smiled slightly and turned around. Draco handled it graciously like he always did when he was recognised in public; it often happened these days.

"I am, yes," He said politely.

The people who had recognised him were either in their late teens or early twenties. There were four of them, and they all spoke with thick Scottish accents.

"Your speech was amazing," One of them said.

Another nodded, "It was like iconic and inclusive."

One of them wasn't saying much, but the third boldly asked for Draco's autograph. He laughed and said, "I'm sorry, I can't give you my autograph in case it's copied."

"Would you take a selfie with us then?" The same teenager asked.

Theo grinned as Draco reluctantly agreed and let the teenagers take a selfie with him.

"I wish you'd run to be Prime Minister," The first one who had spoken said.

"Or First Minister of Scotland!" The second said.

Draco laughed and shook his head, "I've got enough on my plate managing the magical community, but it was nice to meet you guys."

They all thanked him then carried on their way. Theo moved closer to him and murmured, "The curse of being famous, huh?"

Draco shot him an exasperated look, "Shut up."

"Bet you feel stupid for prancing around talking about famous Potter with his scar and broomstick now, huh?" Theo teased.

Draco smiled slightly at that, then a younger voice said, "Mum, it's Minister Black!"

A kid of maybe nine or ten waved at Draco from further down the path.

Draco smiled and waved back, which seemed to make the kid's day. He was a soft touch, especially when kids were concerned, so he murmured something under his breath, then twisted his hand, thrusting it out in the direction of the river. The spell caused fireworks to rise from the river and go off, much to the amazement of the little boy.

Theo chuckled and grabbed Draco's hand, "Your father must be turning in his grave right now."

Draco intertwined his fingers through Theo's and joked, "Yours too."

"Yeah, if he's even there," Theo joked, "Do you think I should go back and check once a year? Just in case."

Draco chuckled and pulled on Theo's hand, dragging him back towards the party, "Shut up, Theo."

"I'm serious, though," Theo said, "It wouldn't hurt to check, would it?"

Draco shot him an amused look and pulled him into the entrance hall of the house that Susan was using to host the reception. When the door swung shut, Draco pulled Theo into a kiss to silence him.


At the end of the night, it was the usual suspects who were all still awake, and most of whom were also drunk. Harry was sitting on an armchair with Daphne on his knee, and he found it interesting, as the only sober person here, to look around at the people he had grown up with.

He had gone through his eighth year with so many people in this room. Some people, like Ginny and Blaise, hadn't changed much. But not everything was the same as it had been back then. Ron hadn't been sitting drinking firewhiskey with Clara, and Neville had spent more of their eighth year cuddled up with Hannah than Lilly. Draco and Theo hadn't been sitting so close together, their hands clasped as they sat between Sadie and Hermione.

Susan hadn't looked so content, with Caroline falling asleep against her shoulder and Tracey and Dean weren't here, but still, it was enough to make Harry reminisce.

And it seemed like he wasn't the only one because Theo raised his whiskey glass and said, "Alright, just opening this up for debate but did anyone marry the first person they kissed?"

Susan shot him an amused look, "No, you dumbass, because you were the first person I kissed."

"I know," Theo said offhandedly, "And Draco didn't either cause his first girlfriend is now his step-sister."

Ron snorted in amusement, and Theo continued, "But I need to know if anyone married the first person they kissed because I can't deal with my baby girl marrying a Weasley."

Ron held up his hands in disbelief, "Mate, what the fuck? We're friends now. I give you the fucking family and friends discount at the shop. We drink beer together!"

"Yeah, but," Theo paused for dramatic effect, "My baby girl is not becoming a Weasley."

Ron snorted and muttered something about Theo shoving his discount up his arse. Lilly opened her mouth and started saying something along the lines of 'he'd probably enjoy that', but Harry slapped his hand over her mouth to shut her up.

"Mate, I like you, but that doesn't mean I want my daughter to marry your kid," Theo continued, digging the hole deeper.

"Clara, am I being sensitive or is he being a dick?" Ron asked the woman by his side.

"He's being a dick, don't worry, it's not you," Clara said. She patted him on the knee supportively.

Harry chuckled at the interplay and leaned forward, "Anyway, Theo, I didn't marry the first person I kissed. She married my cousin, though."

"You married the first person I kissed, Theo," Neville joked, shooting Sadie an amused look.

Theo snorted in amusement and looked at Hermione, "You didn't marry Krum."

"No, I didn't," Hermione agreed. She was amused at the extent Theo was going to just to prove his point here.

"The first guy I kissed married my mother, so no offence, but I think I might win," Lilly said as she knocked back whatever was in the shot glass in her hand.

Ron shrugged, "The first girl I kissed got killed by a werewolf, so…."

Everyone looked at Ron in disbelief, and he frowned, "What?"

"Dude," Theo said in disbelief, "Way to kill the fucking mood."

"This is why we don't want our daughter to marry your son," Draco agreed.

Hermione rolled her eyes in disbelief and shook her head in Ron's direction as if to say, 'ignore them, please'.

"Was Sorenson the first person you kissed?" Ron asked Clara.

Clara laughed and shook her head, "No, that would have been Humphrey, way back in my sixth year."

"Humphrey who?" Ron asked.

Clara chuckled, "Humphrey Weasley?"

"My cousin?" Ron asked in disbelief.

"We were both in Ravenclaw, and he was passably attractive!" Clara defended herself, "You remember what it's like when you're young."

"Yeah, you remember how choosy you were, Ron," Ginny teased, "Lav-Lav was such a catch, right?"

Ron rolled his eyes, "Whatever, Ginny, which one of the guys you had on a roulette did you kiss first?"

Ginny threw a cushion at him and replied, "Regrettably, that would be Michael."

Lilly raised her glass, "Solidarity!"

Ginny raised hers too, and they both knocked their drinks back.

"Blaise?" Draco prodded, "It wasn't Daphne, was it?"

Blaise smirked and echoed his wife's response, "Regrettably, it was."

"Regrettably?" Daphne echoed, "Blaise, I have been reliably informed that I am a fucking brilliant kisser."

"And you definitely sounded like you enjoyed your shower hookups when you two were together," Theo piped up.

"I mean, even I'm not beyond admitting that Daphne is a brilliant kisser," Ginny admitted, "So you can admit it too, Blaise."

Daphne smirked, and Lilly asked, "How many girls have you made question their sexuality?"

"As far as I'm aware, only two - you and Ginny," Daphne replied with a chuckle.

"Make that three," Sadie cut in. She gave Daphne a knowing look, "Tracey."

"Ah," Daphne nodded, "That's fair."

Susan raised her hand, "Make it four."

"Oh, come on, shut up before she gets too bigheaded!" Harry joked, making the others chuckle at Daphne and Harry's expense.

Susan chuckled sleepily and nudged the woman half-asleep next to her, "I guess Caroline's the only one who did marry the first person she kissed then."

"Uh-uh," Caroline mumbled sleepily, "Eddie wasn't my first kiss."

Susan was quite surprised that she hadn't known that, "He wasn't?"

Caroline shook her head and rubbed her eyes, "Nope, that was Reyna."

Daphne snorted, and some of the others laughed out loud.

"Reyna Rookwood? The Paeds Healer you worked with for like two decades?" Susan asked in disbelief.

Caroline just nodded.

"But she married a man, like, she's not even gay," Susan said in disbelief.

Caroline grinned at her wife, "Well, she was that night."

The room erupted in laughter, and despite it being well past midnight, nobody moved to leave. They were tired, most of them were happily drunk, but they were together and happy. Yes, a few faces were missing, but the rest of them had gotten this far and truly understood why the present was so-named; it was a gift, and it wasn't promised to anyone.

But the trials and tribulations that they had been through had taught them a vital lesson, one that Dumbledore had instilled in Harry as a child and even now, at 42 years old, it hadn't really left him.

Love always won. It always conquered hate because it was stronger. If hatred was poison, then love was the cure. It was the one thing that people would always fight for; it held a mysterious power that the likes of Voldemort, Lucia Cross and Alfred Nott had never been able to understand.

And because of that, in the end, love would always win.

- THE END –

* … Stay tuned for the epilogue… The Land of Eternal Summer… *