Same Old Lang Syne
Author's Note: Okay, everybody. This rounds out the end of the story. After I get back (probably Monday or Tuesday), I'll post two extra things I have ready for you. The first thing I'll post is a chapter I had originally written for the story, but then decided it was going in a direction I wasn't really happy with. I still think it's a good chapter though, so it'll go up for you to enjoy. The other thing is an alternative ending I wrote at one point. But here's the last part of the actual story. I'm absolutely flabbergasted that I got so much response from you, my readers, and I'm very grateful for all of your kind comments, and the constructive criticism was also much appreciated.
September 20th
"Harry, I'm home," said Hermione, walking into the front hall of 12 Grimmauld Place, which had been Lupin's wedding gift. It was all cleared out, even the portrait of Sirius' mother was gone.
"Hi there," said Harry, walking into the hall, smiling. He kissed Hermione tenderly. "Feeling better?"
"Much better," she said, smiling.
"What did the doctor say?"
"What do you think he said, Mister Potter?" Hermione grinned widely. Harry's face lit up.
"Hermione, I can't believe it!" He swept her up in his arms and kissed her. "We've got to tell Ron," he said quickly, and put Hermione down. He ran upstairs to send Hedwig to the Burrow, telling Arthur and Molly to get everybody together. Hermione stood in the hall, shaking her head and grinning. She took her coat off, hung it up, and went into the sitting room to sit down. She waited patiently for Harry to return. He did so very promptly, running down the stairs, into the sitting room, and sitting down next to Hermione, a very wide grin splitting his face.
"We should hear from them soon," he said.
Sure enough, about twenty minutes later, Hedwig tapped on the window to the sitting room. Harry let her in, and she gave him a letter scrawled in Arthur Weasley's handwriting.
Harry,
We'll have everybody here at the Burrow in about an hour or so. We'll see you then."
Arthur
An hour later, Harry and Hermione stepped into the fireplace and were soon at the Burrow. They walked into the sitting room, where all the Weasleys were assembled. Sara sat next to Ron. She was four months pregnant with hers and Ron's son, who would be named after Harry. Lupin stood leaning on the wall. Harry and Hermione sat next to each other on the couch.
"Well, what's going on?" Ron, of course, was the first to pipe up.
"Well, should I tell them, or do you want to tell them?" Harry looked at Hermione.
"You tell them," said Hermione, looking as though she couldn't even talk, she was smiling so much.
"Would somebody please tell us?" Ron looked exasperated.
"Okay," said Harry. "Ron, you've been like a brother to both of us, and we were wondering if you'd like to be a godfather."
Ron looked stunned. "You mean you're…?"
"Yes," said Hermione, beaming. "I'm pregnant."
On April 10th, Lily Ginevra Potter and James Ronald Potter were born. Lily inherited her father's skills in Defense against the Dark Arts, his green eyes, and her mother's brown hair. James inherited his mother's intelligence, and his father's green eyes and unruly black hair. The two of them would eventually attend Hogwarts, both as Gryffindors, and their exploits would become as legendary as those of their parents. They would both end up playing Quidditch for their house, James excelling as chaser, and Lily as seeker, her skills second only to those of her father. Ron's son Harry would also end up playing for the team, and he would defend Gryffindor's goals better than any previous keeper. When Harry, Lily, and James learned of the legacy of the Marauders, they decided to follow in their footsteps. The three learned to be animagi at an incredibly young age, their third year, and were registered by Albus Dumbledore, retired former Headmaster of Hogwarts. Lily would choose an owl, Harry a cat, and James, as a tribute to his grandfather, chose a stag.