Family Ties
Epilogue
Harry stood next to Hermione looking at the young man before him. He felt pride and joy for his eldest son. He was finally graduating from Hogwarts and at the top of his class nonetheless, head boy, Hermione's influence. The ceremony went well and his speech received a standing ovation, not because he was Harry's son and that Harry was a staff member, but because of the words he's spoken. It moved many to the point of tears, including him and Hermione and he was proud.
He looked at him now with his brothers and sisters, friends and cousins. He'd come a long way, he thought. He sighed and Hermione gently squeezed his hands to let him know that she too felt the same.
She was proud of him as well and she felt a tug at her heart every time she looked at him. She wasn't quite ready to lose him yet, but she knew he was a full pledged wizard and a career as an auror awaited him. She knew he was excited, but she couldn't help but worry. He was seventeen, but she still saw him as her little boy.
Harry saw him walking towards them with his brothers and sisters in tow. He still couldn't believe he had the big family he'd been wishing for. Of course they weren't quite done yet, he mused as he looked at Hermione's belly.
"Hey, are you ready for a little celebration?"
"Of course,"
Because Harry and Hermione already discussed what they wanted to give their son for his graduation and how to give it, Hermione took the other four and joined the Weasleys and left them alone.
"Is this one of those talks?"
"'Fraid so." He saw his son roll his eyes heavenward. "Come on, it's not that bad. I wanted to give you your present now." His eyes brightened at the sound of a present. "But first I want you to know that I am so proud of you. You've come a long way these past seven years. You've grown up to be quite a remarkable young man and quite a good defense of the dark arts student and I'm not just saying that because I teach it."
He looked at his son, a few inches taller than him. "I know that you're your own man now, but I want you to know that no matter wherever you are, wherever you go, whatever happens in your life, you will always have a place to call home. I think you're father would be proud of you."
"I know my father is proud of me," Arty looked into Harry's eyes. "He just told me." Harry's eyes were starting to water. "It doesn't matter that biologically you're not my father, what does matter is that you are my father in every sense of the word. You've always been there for me, even though I gave you a hard time at first. You've never treated me any less than you treat your biological children. I am your son in every sense of the word and I am grateful and proud that I am part your family." He hugged Harry, his eyes also starting to water. They didn't hear Hermione approach.
She saw them having a very emotional talk and can almost feel the love emanating from the two special men in her life. Arty reminded her so much of Ron in mannerism, like his tremendous appetite and his red hair, but Arty had become hers and Harry's son after a while. She could still remember the time when they'd told him they were going to adopt him, the awe and confusion in his face broke her heart. From that moment on, they built their family and as she pat her tummy, still building their family. Lily, was now six and their twins James and Sirius were four and a ball of energy just like their namesakes probably were and then there was Veronica, who they all nicknamed Ronnie in remembrance of Ron. She was two and quite a handful.
She looked at Harry and he still made her heart hitch every time she saw him. She remembered their first year of marriage and their instant family. Arty had come a long way from being the bitter child to a very self confident, loving, and intelligent man. Losing his parents and getting thrown into a family that had not yet been formed was a bit much for a growing boy, but looking at him now one would have never guessed all the trouble he had to deal with as a child.
She also remembered the years Harry had dedicated to eradicate the world of evil and find Ron's murderer. It took him almost two years to pin down the brotherhood. He'd found the culprits and made them pay. Azkaban wasn't good enough for the likes of them. Harry and the rest of the Order created a prison that would be someone's worst nightmare. The security was so tight even air had a hard time of going through. The most heartbreaking moment in Harry's life was arresting his one time girlfriend, Cho Chang. She'd become the head of the English chapter of the brotherhood. She was as ruthless as they come and she'd killed Ron because he was so close to figuring out who she was.
It had been a world wide effort on the Order. They'd discovered all the headquarters throughout the world and it was a synchronized effort as well. They didn't want any part of the brotherhood warning the others. It was a glorious day for the wizarding world, and although Harry was not alone in the apprehension of the leaders, he was the most noted since he'd also been a part of destroying Voldemort.
After that, the Minister of Magic office was set at his feet but he'd declined. He'd gone back to Hogwarts to fulfill his promise to Dumbledore and McGonagall. Although the task didn't bring Ron back, he was able to finish what Ron started and that made it worthwhile.
Hermione remained a healer and was becoming well known for her pioneering ways in discovering new medicinal herbs and potions. With the help of Neville Longbottom, they would breed new plants to extract only the best and most potent parts of the plants for the potions. She no longer worked at St. Mungos, but still visits there when they ask for her advice. She decided to take Madam Pomfrey's position after she retired.
They'd bought a house at Hogsmeade to live in during the school term, but returned to Godric's Hollow and Grimmauld Place during the summer holidays. The children didn't mind being in different places and because Hermione had to work, Molly Weasley had her hands full with her grandchildren. She considered Harry's and Hermione's children her grandchildren as well. They all adored her, even Arty who'd finally witnessed for himself the abundant love Molly and the rest of the Weasleys offered.
Christmas became bigger and louder each year. Draco and Ginny had four children in all. They'd had to stop after Ginny's unfortunate miscarriage that left her uterus scarred and unable to sustain life. The other Weasleys grew as well. There were George's twins, Fred's twins, Bill's children, Charlie's as well. They just kept on going. Harry and Hermione were pleased to add to the numbers.
Now, Hermione stood as Harry and Arty embraced. She walked over and put one had on each shoulder. They included her in the hug careful not to squish her tummy.
"Thank you for everything you've done for me." Arty told them.
"We actually want to thank you for coming into our lives, without you who knows if we'd ever gotten together," Hermione told him.
"You would have gotten together," Arty told them confidently. Harry and Hermione raised their eyebrows. "Come on, I may have been only eleven, but I knew you two belonged together."
"We love you, Arty."
"I love you too, mom and dad." Harry and Hermione were shocked. Throughout his childhood, Arty avoided giving them a title except for sir or ma'am. That was the first time he'd called them mom and dad.
Hermione started to cry and Harry gave him another hug. "We're so lucky to have you as a son."
"Hey, Arty," one of his friends called out.
"Go on," Harry told him. "We'll meet you at the house."
Harry and Hermione watched their eldest child run to his friends happily. Hermione rested her head on Harry and sighed. Harry kissed her head.
"I love you, Hermione."
"I love you too, Harry."
The End.
A/N: Hope you all liked this story. I hope it meant the challenge posted in the beginning. If you have any challenge you'd personally want me to try to respond to, please don't hesitate to email me at rhiaofdruma@yahoo.com. I will try my best to write a story that will meet the challenge.
Until then…
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