Chapter 33 Fifteen Years Later:
Harry and Ginny were walking up the paved path to the gate to the cemetery. Behind them were their triplet boys James, Sirius, and Remus. While they knew why the boys were lagging behind them, Harry and Ginny had decided to bring them to the cemetery today before going to Diagon Alley for their school supplies.
The family walked through the gate and up the path toward a familiar place where four headstones were set side by side. When they got there they found another family already waiting for them.
Ron and Hermione Weasley turned and saw the Potters coming up the path. Their eleven year old Daughter, Lily, squeaked when she saw her favorite cousins. It had become a tradition for the two families to meet once every summer about a week before Harry's birthday. Ron had said that the idea came from all of the summers that they had spent at the Burrow while they were in school but Harry knew that this was just an excuse for them to see each other outside of their jobs. Harry had become an auror like he had wanted while Ginny played quidditch until the boys came. Ron had held a post with the aurors until he had decided that he wanted to coach his favorite sport. Hermione studied hard and got into Magical Law for a while before moving on to teaching Transfiguration.
The two families waited for a few moments before Neville and Luna Longbottom approached with their children. The third couple had a boy and a girl, which they named Albus and Minerva, both of whom were already second years. Having Neville and Family join them this year had been Ginny's idea as they were as close as family. When everyone had said their hello's Harry took the lead and walked to a familiar place in the cemetery. As they approached the three families saw Dora Lupin standing near one of the headstones with her thirteen year old son Ted. She waved to them as they came closer and pointed them out to her son.
Harry turned to everyone and motioned for them to sit. When they had done so he looked at each of them.
"This term I am teaching Defense classes at Hogwarts. I will still hold my position as auror but it seems that Professor Moody requested my assistance," Harry told them.
The children looked shocked while his friends and adult family smiled.
"That's not why I chose for us to get together here but it was the best place to tell everyone. The reason we are here is to have a visit with our friends that have gone before us. Ginny, I know that I brought you here but I never got the chance to introduce you to mum and dad. As for everyone else, this is the place where my parents were laid to rest thirty two years ago when my fate had been decided. I thought that you would all like to see it," Harry said.
Just then his sons walked up to him.
"This is where grandmum and granddad Potter lived," James asked.
"No son, they lived in the village but this is where they came when a very bad man had broken into their home and they gave their lives to save mine," Harry told his sons.
Just as he said this a bright blue-white light engulfed the group. As it faded Harry turned and threw his arms across his sons. Ginny jumped to his side, wand ready. Harry's eyes cleared a bit more and he spotted five figures walking toward them. Hermione and Ginny both gave sharp breaths as the adults recognized the members of the group. Walking toward them were Albus Dumbledore, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and James and Lily Potter. Harry's breath caught behind a lump in his throat as he watched the group standing in front of them.
"It is good to see you all again," Dumbledore said cheerily, his blue eyes twinkling like they had when he was alive.
"Harry, we've been granted a short time to talk to you and your family and friends. The love in this place is what allowed this," Lily said softly.
"Mum, dad, Sirius," Harry choked out.
"Yes son, it's us," James replied.
"Sweetheart we want you to know something before you introduce everyone. We've always been proud of you, your father and I, and we've always loved you. We've also been able to watch over you and we know how hard your childhood was. We're so sorry that we had to leave you but you couldn't have done what you needed to if we had stayed," Lily said.
"You've made us all proud Harry," Sirius added.
Harry ran forward to his mother and threw his arms around her. She returned the hug while James put a hand on his son's shoulder before joining the hug. When they released each other, Harry moved and hugged Sirius.
Ginny could clearly feel the emotions in her husband's heart and stood back with their children watching the reunion with tears in her eyes. She was both thrilled to see Harry get one of the things he had so long missed and sad that this was only a limited thing.
Harry turned and waved everyone forward while he stood with his parents. He reached out for Ginny who immediately joined him.
"Mum, dad, I'd like you to meet my wife Ginny and our sons, James, Remus and Sirius," Harry said almost overjoyed.
"It's a pleasure," Ginny said softly.
James looked upon his daughter in law and smiled.
"So you're the one who's made my boy so happy? I must say that he couldn't have chosen a better young lady. If I am to guess I'd say that you're maiden name was Weasley," he said proudly.
"It is," Ginny answered with a slight smile.
"No Ginny, the pleasure is ours. I'm thrilled that you've brought so much joy and love into my baby's heart. You two have three very handsome boys to prove that," Lily said.
"Thanks," Ginny said with a Weasley red blush.
Harry waved Ron and Hermione over to his side.
"This is Ron and Hermione Weasley. They've been my best friends since our first year," Harry said.
"It's wonderful to finally meet you," Hermione said.
Ron just stared between Harry and Ginny and James and Lily for what seemed like and eternity.
"Weird," he muttered with a smile.
"What's weird Ron," Sirius asked.
Ron walked over to Sirius and turned him so that he could see both couples. Remus and Albus joined them and smiled.
"You know Ron I always knew that Harry was his father's son, but you're right, that's just too weird," Remus said with a slight chuckle.
Sirius caught on after a few seconds and let out a snort before he could stop himself.
"What are you lot on about," James asked.
"Nothing Prongs," Sirius said, trying to look as though no one was staring.
"I know better Padfoot, out with it," James said.
"Well if I had a camera I'd take a picture and show you," Sirius replied.
Lily seemed to become a bit annoyed with the pair but she knew who would answer her.
"Remus, what is Sirius talking about," she asked sweetly.
Remus asked Hermione to conjure a mirror. She did so and handed it to Remus who looked into it before turning it toward the two couples.
'Have a look Lily," he said.
James and Harry turned and stood beside their wives as they looked into the mirror.
"Wow," James said.
Ginny suddenly had tears in her eyes again when she saw the reflection. Harry's breath caught in his throat while Lily's hand went to her lips. James, however, thought that Sirius might be playing a prank.
"Sirius," James said.
"What, I'm just as stumped as you are," Sirius replied.
"Yeah, right," James said.
"Well, okay, I'm not stumped. I knew that those two would get together some day," Sirius said.
"You knew that did you," James said in a tone that suggested that he was waiting for the punch line of a joke.
"I'm being serious James! Lily tell your husband that I'm being serious," Padfoot begged.
Lily, who had been staring at the mirror looking at the two couples in it, barely heard Sirius. Her gaze was locked on two men with messy jet black hair staring back at her, one had the hazel eyes she had come to love in her seventh year and the other had her own piercing emerald green eyes. She also noticed that beside each man was a ginger haired woman. The picture looked too surreal. It was like she was looking into the past yet seeing the present.
Remus had heard Sirius loud and clear, however, and broke out into laughter just before everyone else.
"What," Sirius asked, now completely confused.
"What you just said Padfoot," Remus said.
"You're being Sirius," Ron sputtered.
Sirius realized what they were talking about before laughing himself. It was then that Albus spoke up.
"We have to be going," he said softly.
"What no Albus, just a few more minutes," Sirius said.
Albus nodded, "Just so we can all say our goodbyes".
Sirius nodded in return and turned to Harry.
"Harry I want you to know that I'm sorry we didn't get more time together and that I'm so proud of you," he said.
Remus walked over to Tonks and Ted.
"Dora, I know it's been hard raising Ted without me there and if I had any other choice I would have been here for both of you. Just remember how much I love you both and that I'm always watching over you. Goodbye my loves," he said before walking back to Harry.
"Harry you know how proud I was of you when you mastered the Patronus Charm at thirteen, but that does not in any way compare to how proud I am of you now. I see that you're a wonderful father and husband and that your love for your family grows stronger every day. Take care of them my friend," he said.
James and Lily approached Harry, both wearing smiles.
"Son you have a beautiful wife and three wonderful children. I want you to know that we'll be watching over all of you," James said.
"Baby, we love you and we're always with you. Keep all of these people close to you, their love for you is strong and they'll always be there for you. Ginny, you take care of my baby and my grandbabies. Goodbye for now, We'll all be together again someday Harry, and when we are, we'll have forever to be a family," Lily said.
With that Albus stood looking at all of them.
"You have always made this old man proud. Not since these four have I seen how friends can unite to pull each other through difficult times with their love for each other. Harry I am especially proud of you, I know that you needed to hear that. Remember, all of you, the ones we love never truly leave us, they forever remain in our hearts," the old wizard said.
When the five turned another bright light flashed. Harry fell to his knees in tears as his sons approached.
"Dad who were those people," James asked.
"Where did they go," Remus asked after.
"Dad, why are you crying," Sirius asked softly.
Ginny knelt beside her husband with tears in her own eyes. Ron and Hermione came over with Lily tagging along behind them and sat down with them.
"Those people were your grandmum and granddad Potter, Uncle Sirius, Uncle Remus, and Professor Dumbledore. I'm crying because I'm a little sad but I'm also happy. I'm sad because they couldn't stay but I'm happy because I know that someday I'll see them again," Harry said.
"Will you tell us about them," Ted asked with Dora standing behind him.
"Yeah, I'll do that," Harry replied.
The children sat down facing Harry while the adults surrounded him, each ready to provide support for Harry while he told them the story.
The End