Epilogue: Things change but are not forgotten.

Many years had passed since the Battle of Hogwarts, as it had come to be known. The magical world had managed to stabilise itself after a complete overhaul of the government, new services and a more egalitarian distribution of positions. Various memorials were erected during this period to remember all those who had sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom.

The mourning of the population was long because all the wizarding families had been affected by the war. They had either lost someone close to them or had known one of the wizards now locked up in Azkaban.

Hermione and Henry were now mature adults and often found themselves leafing through old photo albums. Animated photographs in the magical world had become a hobby for the young man.

- What are you looking at? Hermione asked, tea in hand as she joined her companion on the blanket laid on the ground at a picnic in the Swiss mountains.

- Our memories. The more we travel, you and I, the more I think we've come a long way. Especially you, I might add. he laughs, enjoying the scenery.

Once the war was over, the couple decided to travel the world. Hermione wanted to visit the different schools of magic and Henry could not deny his desire to read the various fairy tales of all the countries they visited. After a trip to Beauxbatons, the witch had naturally suggested this little jaunt to the mountains.

- I couldn't have done it without you, you know that! she smiled at him as she kissed the tip of his nose.

He could only smile at her as he turned the pages of the album. There were photos of the various weddings that had taken place over the years. First of all, of course, there was Emma and Hook's wedding, which was the first happy event after the fighting. It was soon followed by Regina and Robin's wedding and then Belle and Sirius.

- She couldn't hide her belly at that point! Hermione giggled, pointing at the librarian who was just a few weeks away from giving birth.

Turning the pages again, there were photos of moments taken on the spot. A dinner party with Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Luna. Rolan, who had grown tall enough to take fencing lessons with David, whose height he was approaching.

- That one always gives me the shivers, Henry breathed.

For several minutes he was stuck on little Remus Lucas Black holding out a bright red rose to Granny. The young man was very proud of the way the photograph had turned out, even more so with the magic that had brought the moment to life. The couple smiled again at the next photo, showing Melinda jumping in the mud puddles with her mother running after her. Regina had had to curb her overprotective side with the little bundle of nerves she had brought into the world.

- How old is she now, ten, isn't she? asked Hermione, who sometimes found it hard to keep track of time.

- Soon, yes! Seriously, we're going to end up getting old quicker than we think, Mione.

The witch had never stopped thinking about this fact since they had started their journey. Henry was getting old and she wasn't. It was also the reason why she wanted to meet as many wizards with different techniques around the world as possible. She had finally found a way of continuing to age so as to lose her childish side, but was still trying to find a certain balance with Henry.

-0-

Time passed and Hermione bridged the gap between all the different types of magic that existed. The Ministry had finally approved her request to recognise her mother's magic as a type of magic in its own right. Admittedly, some purists still found it hard to admit that there could be anything other than their way of imagining magic. However, when faced with the Dark One, they quickly admitted defeat.

So it was natural that Melinda was one of the first witches of her generation to receive a letter from Hogwarts. Hermione had read the letter several times. After all, Storybrooke wasn't in England and so, logically, Melinda couldn't go to the same magical school as her sister. She had then had a discussion with Minerva.

- I spoke to the headmaster of Ilvermorny about it for a long time, and he didn't feel ready to change the way he taught just because of one pupil. For my part, I thought it was a pity that this would prevent your sister from discovering our way of learning magic.

- So you accept Melinda? It's incredible, Professor, I can't thank you enough. That said, our mother still has to accept!

- I know you'll find the words, and I don't intend to leave her there alone.

Hermione then put on a more than surprised face, not at all seeing what her former headmistress was getting at.

- I won't have a Metamorphosis teacher next year, I would have liked to offer you the job. Before you say you don't want to separate from your partner, I'd like to add that I've already thought about it. How about adding a new course, compulsory for first years, becoming an option thereafter.

- A position for Henry, a Muggle, at Hogwarts? What exactly do you have in mind?

- Study of the tales and legends surrounding magic. And then, if you ever have time, we could also create a subject on the wandless magic you use in Storybrooke.

Hermione hugged the woman who would become her superior in a few months, knowing that Henry would be thrilled to become a teacher. Regina would no longer have an excuse to refuse Melinda enrolment at Hogwarts.

-0-

The years went by, and after Melinda, it was Remus's turn to go to Hogwarts, followed by his little sister, Mary. They were followed by Harry and Ginny's son James and Ron and Luna's daughter Pandora. They all felt sick as they sat down with the Sorting Hat for the distribution.

- Ravenclaw, he exclaimed for Melinda.

- Gryffindor, he shouted for Remus and James.

- Slytherin, he hissed for Mary.

- Hufflepuff, he almost screamed for Pandora.

Mary had been afraid of her family's reaction to the announcement of her house. However, when she saw the big smiles on Hermione and Henry's faces, the young witch was reassured. Every child in Storybrooke felt reassured by the presence of two of their own in the school. The couple had stopped ageing just before they started teaching. Hermione had not found the secret of immortality, but she had managed to slow Henry's ageing drastically with her magic.

They had agreed on this until the witch found a way to become mortal herself. That was why, unlike all their comrades, they hadn't had any children.

Looking tenderly at the man who was her colleague, her lover and her husband, Hermione grasped the chance she had. The time of war, death and fear of black magic was over. The mere fear of the Dark One's meddling had calmed some conflicts before they even broke out. Often, as she passed her hand over the names of Ruby, Fred, Remus and so many others engraved on one of the memorials, Hermione could only smile. She would keep the promise she had made so many years ago: only love would remain the only magic worth fighting for.

Note : A big thank you to everyone who has finished reading this story. It started in 2018 and now it's 2024. I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this FF.