I might end up regretting posting this one and then having to keep up with the writing but, here we go again, with the latest installment of my post-epilogue saga. Same rule applies: This tries to be in continuity with the seven Harry Potter books and eight Harry Potter films and will not necessarily be faithful to anything else.

The now standard recap for those struggling to remember all the details of a saga that's starting to rival War and Peace: Around two years after the epilogue, Ginny was killed and Ron and Hermione broke up. Harry and Hermione married and have a daughter, Nymphadora, who is now sixteen. James married Emily Longbottom, the daughter of Neville and Luna and younger sister of his best friend Martin, and they have two children, Tracey and Joshua. Albus was killed when he was in his 20s and has a young son, Albus Jr, via his girlfriend Melissa Dorrans. Lily married a Muggle, Gordon Preston, and has a pre-teen daughter, Amy. Hugo recently married his girlfriend, muggleborn Marie Lucas. Rose and Scorpius married whilst still at Hogwarts: Their daughter Gemini is the same year as Nymphadora and they also have a son, Balthasar. Nymphadora is dating Bradley Wood, grandson of Oliver Wood and Katie Bell. Her other close friends are muggleborn Beverley Cadogan, Maxwell Jordan (grandson of Lee Jordan and Angelina Johnson) and Flavia Lupin (daughter of Teddy and Victoire). Harry has a younger son, Philip Nave, conceived with Romilda Vane while under the influence of a love potion. And I will try and remind people of the important stuff as often as possible.

On with the story!

CHAPTER ONE:Preparing for a Challenge

"I still don't like it,"Hermione declared.

Harry felt a hint of frustration with his wife. It was supposed to be a social occasion. The new year at Hogwarts would be starting soon, which meant the two of them would be back working as professors in their respective subjects of Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms. It had seemed the perfect time to invite Neville and Luna, who over the years had become their closest friends, over for dinner, one last chance before work took over. However, Neville's status as headmaster of Hogwarts was threatening to derail things.

"You do know this wasn't my idea, right?"Neville asked. "Professor McGonagall okayed it when I was first a professor there, and Professor Slughorn kept it up after her. I don't see any reason to change it."

"And we went through it all with Lily,"Harry reminded her. "You were the one reassuring me then."

Hermione bit her lip nervously. "You think I need reassuring?"

"You do seem very tense,"Luna remarked in that jarringly polite tone she always seemed to use in situations like this. "Almost hysterical in fact."

"I am not hysterical!"Hermione snapped, managing to sound quite hysterical as she said it. "I just don't like the idea of Nymphadora being involved. And yes, maybe that makes me a hypocrite, but you two wouldn't be so relaxed if it was one of your grandchildren in the firing line: Tracey or Tony or someone."

"Maybe you're right,"Neville conceded. "Maybe I wouldn't like it. But it'd still be my job to uphold the tradition."

"I remember when it was Harry,"Luna recalled airily. "Before I was friends with you all, I mean. I was still very worried about you."

Hermione's thoughts had drifted to her own eldest granddaughter. "Never mind Nymphadora, it could be Gemini! Have you thought about that?"

"I'm sure the Goblet will decide fairly,"Neville tried to suggest.

Hermione's thoughts had come full circle. "It'll be Nymphadora. I know it will. Look at her pedigree." She gestured to Harry. "First you and then Lily. What's the bet this family's going to produce another Triwizard contender? It's not going to be anyone else, is it?"

While the two couples were engaged in their debate, their children were throwing a gathering of their own. James and Emily Potter were at their home in Hogsmeade, preparing drinks in the kitchen. James threw a glance back at their guests. "I think things are going well."

Emily looked slightly nervous. "Do you think Hugo will mind we didn't invite him? And what about Melissa?"

"We agreed that we couldn't invite everyone. They'll understand." James was distracted by a loud crack as the last of their guests arrived. He went over and hugged his sister. "Hi, Lily." He turned his attention to his brother-in-law. "Gordon. You feeling okay?"

Gordon looked a bit queasy. "Still getting used to that sidealong apparition thing."

"We've been together ten years!"Lily protested. "You should know what to expect by now!"

"I don't know. Maybe us muggles don't have enough chance to practice this sort of thing."

"Brandy?"Emily offered.

Gordon accepted it gratefully. "Thanks."

James brought drinks round to Rose and Scorpius. "So, planning any surprises for us as our new Minister of Magic?"

Scorpius held up a hand placatingly. "I promise, the Ministry will be staying right out of Hogwarts this year."

"Certainly we won't be getting involved to the extent that Theodore Nott's caretaker government did," Rose added.

"What's going on with that?"Lily asked. "I mean, I know Nott's dead and most of the others involved with the coup were caught but what about…well, what about Philip?"

It would always be a touchy subject, James reflected. The fact their father had another son, who he hadn't known about until the boy was twelve years old and who had been raised to hate their family. A boy who had just lost his mother and stepfather.

"We're pretty sure he's left the country,"Scorpius noted. "Hamilton Rice is missing too. You know, the one Nott named as his deputy who then disappeared. Maybe they're together."

"Hopefully not plotting our downfall,"Rose interjected.

"You say that like it's a joke,"Lily sighed.

James saw Martin beckoning him over. Emily's brother had been his best friend at school. James looked around for Martin's wife Susannah and saw her chatting with Emily so went over to his friend. "What's up?"

"Nothing's up,"Martin replied. "Just fancied some relaxed adult conversation, free from the stress of parenthood. Tracey started dating yet?"

James tried hard not to choke. "She's only fourteen, it's too early for that."

"Tony's the same age,"Martin reminded him. "And he's got a boyfriend. You'll be next."

James accepted the point. "To be honest, that is a problem I'd be happy to handle. Next to Philip Nave and the tournament at Hogwarts this year."

"Yeah, speaking about that,"Martin agreed,"there's something I've been meaning to ask you…"