June, 1998:

The weeks following the Battle of Hogwarts were waves upon waves of emotions for Rayne. She went from funeral to funeral, giving her respects to the people who fought and died. With a tired sign, she flopped down onto the couch beside Bill. He smiled, throwing his arm around her and kissed her cheek. She grasped the journal as Ginny walked from the kitchen holding Teddy, his hair a midnight blue. He fussed and fidgeted.

"Seems he wanted you, Rae" Ginny smiled as she plopped Teddy onto Rayne's lap.

Rayne smiled, grasping the baby and bounced him on her knee as he giggled and cooed.

"Hello Teddy Bear" She smiled, watching the baby. "How about you help me plan the wedding, huh?"

He babbled at her again, chewing on his fist. Rayne opened the journal, showing him the swatches of colors.

"What do you think, Teddy? What colors?" She asked, looking to him.

Teddy stared at the colors, cocking his head to one side. He giggled, his hair fading to a light mint color as he pointed at the swatch.

"Mint, huh? Good choice" She smiled. "What color should go with it?"

Teddy pointed to another swatch, his hair changing to a bright metallic gold.

"Mint and gold" Rayne nodded, smiling. "What do you think, Bill?"

"Sounds like a nice color combination" Bill nodded, ruffling Teddy's hair. "Good choices, Teddy"

Teddy's hair changed to his normal turquoise color, giggling as he babbled. Ron walked in from the kitchen, collapsing onto a chair.

"Mum has gone crazy. She's made lists about the lists she needs to complete" Ron glanced to them. "By the looks of it, we'll be scrubbing the house clean inside and out for weeks"

"I told her that it is unnecessary but she kept insisting everything be spotless" Rayne sighed, setting the journal aside.

She sat back for a moment, looking to Bill.

"Is this still a good idea? To be planning a wedding so soon after everything?" She asked him.

Bill gave her a small smile, gripping her hand as he raised it to press his lips against her fingers.

"Well..as mum's said before. I think they would be happy knowing there is a little more love in the world…"

Rayne laughed slightly, squeezing his hand back.

He was right, of course. After all the death, all the heartbreak and loss; they deserved happiness.

September 1st, 2017:

Rayne stood on the platform, watching the students file into the train. She peered over, watching Harry as he crouched in front of his son Albus to whisper his encouragement. She looked down as Ron and Hermione's youngest, Lilly, gripped her hand.

"I can't wait until I start. I want to take Ancient Runes. I want to take all the classes"

Rayne smiled at her enthusiasm. "Maybe you can become a curse breaker like your uncle"

Ron scoffed from the side. "Don't give her any ideas…"

Rayne shook her head, looking forward as Bill walked up to her. Their daughters, Victorie and Mila, standing on either side of their father. She bent down, kissing each child on the forehead. Victorie shied away from her.

"Mom…you act like we won't see each other when we get to Hogwarts…"

Rayne shrugged her shoulders. "Yes, but those few hours will feel like days"

Mila stifled a giggle, Victorie rolling her eyes but still grinned up at her mother.

"Now, go get settled. See you at the sorting ceremony" Rayne waved, Bill walking to stand beside her as the girls hurried into the train.

Rayne looked around the platform before making eye contact with familiar cool grey eyes.

"Draco…" Rayne smiled, patting Bill's shoulder to let him know she would be back.

"Rae!"

Rayne smiled, holding back a laugh as a silver blur darted from behind Draco. Scorpius slammed into her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Scorpius! Excited for your first year?" Rayne asked him, returning his embrace.

Scorpius nodded, his eyes dropping to the ground. "Yea…I'm kinda worried about the sorting ceremony…"

Rayne smiled, ruffling his hair as she did to Draco when he was younger.

"Everyone is. But the hat knows just where you belong. He's never wrong…even if you think he is at first" Rayne looked to Draco, smiling. "It's good to see you…How is Astoria?" She hesitated to ask.

Draco smiled sadly, shrugging his shoulders slightly. "Nothing's changed so far…I suppose that's a good thing. She wanted to come, but was feeling weak…"

Rayne nodded. "I'm still trying to figure out a way to break the curse…so tell her not to give up on me."

Draco smiled, nodding. "I'll tell her…"

Rayne looked down to Scorpius. "I'll see you at Hogwarts, ok? I'll be right where you can see me"

This seemed to add a small layer of confidence to the boy. He turned, giving his father a hug then hurried onto the train. Minutes later the train began moving, the steam billowing around the platform as it roll down the tracks.

Rayne sat to McGonagall's right at the head table. McGonagall had taken her place in the headmaster's chair, Rayne sitting in the Deputy Head seat. Rayne watched as the doors opened, the crowd of first years filing the center of the great hall. Their eyes were wide with amazement, their heads turning every which way to take their surroundings in. Rayne would never tire of seeing their beaming faces.

McGonagall stood, her stern gaze flowing over the children.

"Welcome, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…"