Last chapter! Thanks so much for reading!
Epilogue
Clara Malfoy stood between Platforms 9 and 10 in Kings Cross Station. "I have to walk through that?" she asked dubiously, staring at the thick brick column. "You realize that is physically impossible, don't you?"
"Not if you're a witch," Draco pointed out as he draped his arm around her shoulders. "Go on. Give it a try."
Against her better judgement, Clara took a deep breath, tightened her grip on the trolley, and ran straight at a solid brick wall with her eyes closed. She released a sigh of relief when she made it through with her parents and brother behind her. "Can we go again?" she asked, grinning.
Draco laughed, as he turned her attention to the scarlet steam engine waiting on the tracks. "A little less enthusiasm," he whispered in her ear. "You know Mummy's sad about you leaving."
Clara nodded, trying and failing to hide her excitement. "Do American children all go to Hogwarts?" she wondered as they searched for a less congested place to say their goodbyes.
"I think you're an exception," Hermione replied. "There are schools in the States, good ones at that. I'd imagine you were accepted to Hogwarts because you have British parents."
"Plus your mother helped save that school when it was under attack...several times," Draco added. "If there's no plaque in her honor, let me know. Heads will roll for this!"
Hermione rolled her eyes as she pulled her daughter aside. She could feel eyes on her, and it made her uncomfortable. It was their first time returning to the wizarding world since the war ended, and there were many curious onlookers who wondered where Hermione Granger had gone.
"Listen, I know Daddy told you to be like me, but don't listen to him," she told her daughter. "You be you. Be smart and friendly and stay out of trouble. You don't have to be the best in your classes, or spend hours in the library. Just don't flunk out, and we'll be happy, no matter what. Although, we'll still love you if you have to say 'would you like fries with that?'"
That should have made the young girl laugh. Instead, she nervously chewed her lip. "What, um, what if this is the life I want?" she wondered. "You and Daddy raised us without using magic most of the time. I'm not complaining. I know you had your reasons. I just...what if being a full time witch is what I want?"
Hermione frowned. "Just because Daddy and I gave up that life doesn't mean we expect you or your brother to the do the same," she said. "All any parent wants is for their child to be happy. And shorter than them, but being happy is something we can actually accomplish. Whatever life you choose, you know you'll have our support."
"Thank you, Mommy," Clara whispered as she hugged her mother. They rejoined Draco and Liam, who were discussing the train that would soon take her away. He linked arms with his sister, resting his head on her shoulder. "We both know you're not going to miss me."
"Yeah, I will," he argued. "Who else is gonna get me out of trouble with Mom and Dad? Or listen to me complain about them? Or promise to hex Tommy Duncan when he picks on me?" Clara glared at him. "I wasn't supposed to say that in front of them, was I?"
Clara shook her head, letting him know that, in fact, that was supposed to remain a secret. A warning whistle sounded, and her heart beat faster. "Is this it?" she asked. "Do I have to go now?"
Draco put his arm around her shaking shoulders and held his little girl close. "Not yet," he murmured. "You stay right here with me for now. There's nothing to worry about, sweetheart. I know it can be scary to move someplace new, but Hogwarts will be an amazing experience. It's where your mum and I met, you know. Not that I want you meeting boys, but I guess I can't do anything to stop that. Just...be safe and write to us a lot. Don't get into trouble, stay out of the Forbidden Forest, and just...have fun."
Tears blurred her vision as she hugged her father. "I love you, Daddy," she murmured, wetting his shoulder. The final warning whistle sounded, and Clara pulled away to hug her mother and brother one last time. For the first time, Clara Malfoy boarded to the train to Hogwarts. Minutes later, her head appeared through an open window. "Hey, Li-Li, promise to send you a toilet seat like Uncle Ron said to do!"
"That man is not your uncle," Draco shouted back as Hermione chided her for vandalism.
The family of three stood on the platform, watching as the train began to pull away from the station. It was long gone by the time Liam cleared his throat to let his parents know they were the only ones there. "You're not going," Hermione told him, directing him to the platform's Apparation point. "In fact, after this year, she's not going back either. I'll teach them at home."
"You know that wouldn't be fair to them," Draco commented. "We can't hold onto them forever."
"But I want to," she mumbled as they Apparated home. The second her feet touched the floor, she went to Clara's room. The bed was unmade, clothes were strewn about the floor, and books cluttered any surface they could find. She left everything as she found it. Minutes passed before Draco found her there. "I haven't thought about it in years," she told him as he sat down on the bed, "but now I'm seeing it all again."
Though silent, he nodded in agreement. It had been over a decade since the war ended, but sending their eldest to Hogwarts refreshed old memories in their minds. Though they had dulled over time, they would never completely disappear. "I keep telling myself she won't face what we did," he said. "It helps, if only a little."
Hermione shrugged as she leaned against him. "I don't know. I remember a few good times," she replied. "I know it was a difficult year, but the hours we spent together in the library were some of my favorite times at Hogwarts. Just sitting and reading, or talking when you wanted to talk - those were some of the best memories I have. Even though I never want the kids to leave, I hope they make friends like Harry and Ron and you."
"I was awful to you," he pointed out.
Smiling, she shrugged. "Really? I don't remember that."
The End