The excitement of returning to Hogwarts never fades away, even for the older students. Everyone looked forward to the first feast back as well as the sorting process, which was especially of interest to Al this year as Iris was among the first years to be sorted. When the hat called out Iris' house, a look of shock appeared on her face, the same shock that Al felt when he found out where he was sorted.
"There she is - the newest member of Gryffindor!" cried James, as he and the rest of the family applauded Iris Potter, who ran out of the hall and jumped into her brother's arms.
"I thought for sure you'd be in Ravenclaw," said Lily.
"Because I like books?" asked Iris.
"Because you look like Moaning Myrtle," retorted Lily.
"That's enough, Lill," said James, holding Iris back before she could pull on Lily's red hair.
"Iris!" cried Evie Longbottom, Iris's best friend who resembled her father with her round face and straight brown hair.
"Evie!" said Iris, running to her and hugging her. "We did it! We're both in Gryffindor!"
"First years!" cried Al. "Follow me to the dorms!"
"Hooray up, you lot!" said Kyra. "Anyone left behind is sleeping outside the dorms! Let's go!"
"Merlin's beard," said Hugo, rolling his eyes. "Who let Kyra Killjoy be a prefect again?"
"Right, everyone to your dorms now," called out Neville, who was the Head of Gryffindor house.
"Well, see you tomorrow morning, Rosie," said Scorpius.
"Oh, Scorpius!" cried a pug-faced girl, running over to the boy and grabbing him before Rose could say anything. "Let's get out of here - we have quite the party set up for the first-years in the Dungeon!"
"Um...okay!" said Scorpius, who was dragged away by the pug-face girl. Rose shook her head at the antics of Juniper Parkinson, but her reaction was short-lived as Lexie Thomas and Pooja Reddy came over to her and did the same thing.
"Do you think Lily noticed my haircut?" asked Finn Creevey, a fourth-year Gryffindor with tawny hair. "I'm trying to coif it like the lads in OZ-Born."
"Yeah...I wouldn't count on it, Finnie," said Hugo, putting his arm around his friend's shoulder. "She's got her eyes on Matthew Corner this year."
As friends reunited and the dorms were opened up again, it was safe to say that the new school year and term was back in full swing.
While Hogwarts was buzzing with the arrival of students, several Aurors were drinking beer at the Leaky Caoludron celebrating Ron Weasley's tenure as an Auror, which had come to an end. Although Shacklebolt and Harry made compelling arguments for restoring Ron's Auror status, Ron in the end decided not to return to the Auror Department. Ron believed that the Dover Street incident proved he was weak as he couldn't protect his own daughter. After that, Ron truly believed he was not the same fighter he was as a young man. Despite Harry's pleas, Ron was firm with his decision and Harry had no choice but to let him go with his decision.
"We'll miss you, Weasley," said Creevey, wiping away some froth from his mouth. "It wouldn't be the same seeing your ginger mug around the office."
"Well, we still have Percy," said Seamus, which resulted in some drunken laughter. "But it ain't gonna be the same without ya, mate."
"I'll still be around," said Ron, finishing off his third beer. "Oi, you lot talk about me like I'm dead!"
"Speaking of dead," said Harry. "Ginny expected me home about an hour ago."
"Same," said Dennis. "Although I'm pretty sure the missus prefers it when I'm gone 'cuz she can watch whatever she wants on the telly!"
"What have we here?" The sound of the baritone voice made everyone jump a bit, because that voice was associated with authority. There was Shacklebolt, standing in the middle of the room as his employees tried to hide the numerous drinks they
"Very well," said Shacklebolt, whose iron will meant that alcohol did not affect him. "Weasley, good luck with everything. I'm sure we'll be requesting your services in the future."
"Here's hoping that's not the case," said Ron, shaking Shacklebolt's hand. Luckily for Ron, three beers didn't hinder his ability to disapparate back to his flat, where he found Hermione reading on the couch with the television on a soft volume.
"Hello, love," said Ron, hiccuping slightly. Looking up from her book, Hermione noticed that he was slightly tipsy and simply shook her head.
"What?" asked Ron, a bit peeved at her reaction.
"Hiccuping already?" asked Hermione, closing her book. "You don't get to that unless you've had five or six drinks."
"Well, I'm not as young as I once was" said Ron, his tone gradually becoming more solemn. "And clearly not the same fighter either."
"Ron," said Hermione, patting the seat cushion next to her so Ron could sit. "You know I think you are still the same fighter, right?"
"You didn't see me at Dover, 'Mione," said Ron. "I couldn't protect her!"
"But you what? She's fine," said Hermione, putting her hand to his cheek. "And she still loves you, and I still love you."
"Even if I'm not an Auror?" asked Ron, smiling after hearing those words.
"Absolutely," said Hermione, as she brought him in for a kiss.
"Daddy?" said a small voice.
"Hey, bug," said Ron, walking over to his two-year-old daughter. "Why aren't you in bed?"
"Where you go?" asked Hattie, as she held her little arms out for father.
Hermione smiled as she watched Ron take their young daughter. Even after almost twenty years of marriage, Hermione still saw the same young man who fought alongside her during the battle of Hogwarts. Ron had always been brave, heroic, and protective of his loved ones. Hermione knew that seeing Rose in pain during the siege at Dover Street was enough to shake Ron's confidence as a fighter. No matter how many people would try to convince him otherwise, Hermione knew that she had to let Ron find that courage again.
As Hermione sat back down on the couch, she could hear Ron rummaging around the bathroom. Just then, Hermione's heart started to race. She ran to the toilet, hoping she wasn't too late. The door was ajar, and Hermione saw Ron leaning over the sink while holding a white stick in his hands.
"Ron," said Hermione, softly.
"You're pregnant," stated Ron.
"I found out this morning at work," said Hermione. "When I saw the test, I went immediately to the healer. He thinks I'm at least six weeks along."
"We're...having another baby?" said Ron, quietly. "At our age?"
"They say it tends to happen when you least expected it, and we were definitely not expecting it," said Hermione, laughing a little bit to calm her nerves. Meanwhile Ron just stared at the test. They already had two in school and a toddler at home, could they handle a fourth baby?
"Are you okay, love?" asked Hermione, concerned about Ron's pale face.
"I think I need to sit down," said Ron, as he collapsed to the floor.