Special Disclaimer: As always, the characters and ideas associated with Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling, but this chapter (as it is the actual epilogue) takes out direct quotations from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; I do not have any right to these things. Unfortunately.
Barricade
I found you on a Saturday, and that was where I lost you.
You had to finally walk away because of what it cost you.
Years later when I saw your face
In line to catch the morning train,
You looked like you'd been softened.
September 1, 2017
"Ah, there they are!"
A group of four people walked over to where they stood alongside the very last carriage. Hermione took in the faces of Harry, Ginny, Albus, and Lily.
"Hi," said Albus, sounding immensely relieved.
Rose, who was already wearing her brand-new Hogwarts robes, beamed at him.
Hermione glanced down at the girl fondly.
"Packed all right, then?" Ron asked Harry. "I did. Hermione didn't believe I could pass a Muggle driving test, did you? She thought I'd have to Confund the examiner."
No, I didn't," Said Hermione, "I had complete faith in you."
-Complete faith that you absolutely would Confund the examiner.
Ron walked off with Harry to place Al's trunk on the train.
"When I go to Hogwarts, I'm going to be in Gryffindor." Lily stated confidently.
"Maybe." Said Hugo with a shrug. "But you might be a Hufflepuff. I'm gonna be the best Gryffindor ever though."
"That's what you think." Lily said, poking him in the stomach. "But you're wrong, so it doesn't matter."
Hugo stuck out his tongue. "I will so be in Gryffindor!"
"If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you," Said Ron, back from the train "but no pressure."
"Ron!" Hermione scolded.
Lily and Hugo laughed, but Albus and Rose looked solemn.
"He doesn't mean it," said Hermione and Ginny, but Ron was no longer paying attention.
Hermione glanced down at Rose and Al, who were exchanging worried glances. Cursing Ron internally, she bent down to speak with both of them.
"Ron doesn't mean it." She stated again. "It doesn't matter what house you get sorted into-we'll all still love you just as much." She paused, seeing them unconvinced. "You know," she began, addressing Albus, "your Dad was almost put in Slytherin."
Al and Rose both gasped.
"It's true. Though, you mustn't tell him that I told you. It's a bit of a secret, I think. Al, do act surprised if he ever tells you." She added hurriedly. "The point is, Harry's the best man I know, and if he was almost put into Slytherin, well, that's a credit to their house."
Ron interrupted her pep talk.
"So that's little Scorpius," said Ron, under his breath. "Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie. Thank God you inherited your mother's brains."
Though, hopefully not your father's ability to incur the hatred of all Slytherins.
"Ron, for heaven's sake," said Hermione, half stern, half amused. "Don't try to turn them against each other before they've even started school."
She turned back to Rose and Albus, ignoring Ron's next remarks.
"I'll be proud of you both wherever you end up."
She gave both Al and Rose hugs and stood up, looking around the station. She glanced over at Harry, feeling his eyes on her; he looked tired and beaten, as though worn out from the endless struggle of life itself.
James reappeared with news on Teddy, but Hermione found it difficult to listen, and refrained from adding to the conversation. She felt as though she were stuck in some sort of strange and unnatural dream, watching her eldest child go off to Hogwarts.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Harry bend down to whisper to Al, hopefully further assuaging his fears of going to school, and couldn't prevent the fond smile that formed on her face.
On her right side, Rose slipped her hand into hers. "Mum? You'll write me, right?"
"All the time, honey. I dare say you'll get tired of hearing from me."
Rose giggled and hugged Hermione's waist. "Never!" She pulled away and bit her lip.
"What is it, Rose?"
"Do you-do you think Uncle Harry will write me as well?"
"I'm sure he will, honey. He'll probably miss you nearly as much as I will." Hermione felt her eyes water.
Rose gave her another hug. "Don't worry, Mum. I'll stay safe."
"I know you will, Rose, but you must promise me not to spend too much time in the library."
"But, Mum! It's so big! There are so many things to learn about, so many thing to research, and-"
Hermione cut her off gently. "I know, honey, but there's more to life than books and cleverness."
She glanced over at Harry as she said it, and noticed he was finishing up with Al.
"Like friendship and bravery, right Mum?"
"Yes. Like friendship and bravery." She repeated. "Now, Rose, you must hurry, the train's about to leave."
Rose ran over and gave Ron and Hugo hugs, then came back to Hermione to grip her tightly round the waist.
"I love you, Mum."
"I love you too, Rose."
She jumped into the carriage with Al, and Ginny closed the door behind them. Students were hanging from the windows nearest them. A great number of faces, both on the train and off, seemed to be turned toward Harry.
"Why are they all staring?" demanded Albus as he and Rose craned around to look at the other students.
"Don't let it worry you," said Ron. "It's me. I'm extremely famous."
Albus, Rose, Hugo, and Lily laughed.
Hermione spared a glance at Harry, who grinned warily at Ron, but still looked uncomfortable for the attention he was receiving. She wished she could reach out and grip his hand.
As the train began to move, Harry walked alongside it, waving at Albus and Rose. Hermione did the same, watching her daughter's smiling face drift further and further away.
"He'll be alright," Hermione heard Ginny murmur.
Harry touched his scar absentmindedly; Hermione forced herself to look away.
"I know he will."
"Me!" The young girl exclaimed, bushy hair flying around. "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things-friendship and bravery and-"
And love.
Hermione risked another glance at Harry who still stared at the train tracks.
As if I could ever forget love.
A/N: Yes, the actual epilogue in all its… erm… glory. Different spin on it though.
And yes, I used the books and cleverness line. I couldn't help it, really. For me, that moment defines why Harry and Hermione are so brilliant together. I still can't believe JKR couldn't see what she'd written in them.
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