Harry Potter and Changing Destinies

Chapter 60: Epilogue – 10 Years Later

“Welcome All! Students, teachers, parents, friends to the 15th Annual Hogwarts Welcome Back Party. For those who don’t know me I will be your new Headmaster while you’re at Hogwarts. For those of you below Second Year think of this as a meet and greet. You get to meet your fellow students and teachers. Now for some very important information for our new comers there will be a sorting into House later after food has been served, but know this…any violence besides that of healthy competition in Quidditch or any other sport or extra curricular activity is prohibited. The Forbidden Forest is just that and there are forbidden items that you can find on posted on Mr. Filch’s door on the first floor. Now, enjoy!”

“That was great Daddy” said Lavender Longbottom told her father.

“Thank you dear.” Neville said looking down at his pretty daughter. She was the spitting image of his late wife, Lavender Brown. Even after twelve years he still felt his loss keenly. He knew it was harder on his daughter as her mother had died giving birth to her.

“I can’t believe you’re still nervous about speeches Neville,” said Harry stepping near to his friend to be heard over the sudden excitement of children meeting up with friends they hadn’t seen all summer.

“Oh, shut up Mister Co-Minister” Neville smirked back.

“Hey Longbottom you ready for the thirds of our six team of trouble this year?” Draco laughed

“No, but I’ll have to deal won’t I? You did talk to your oldest ones didn’t you? Told them freezing and then reheating the grand doors until they warped was not the proper way to use their magic right?”

“Yes, Neville no worries their mothers told them off.”

“Headmaster?”

“Yes, Ohhh its you Ginny, what is it?”

“I was wondering if the new Magical and Muggle History books for my classes came in yet?”

“Oh, yes they did just this afternoon you can pick them up after the party alright.”

“Of course, Sir. Hello, Harry…Draco…How are you and…everyone?”

“We’re fine thank you, Ms. Weasley. Oh, if you don’t mind me it looks like Arthur is calling for me” Draco said as he spotted Arthur Weasley motioning for him to join him and some other men.

“Yes, Ginny we’re fine…and you?” Harry replied politely

“I’m good. My female cat just had kittens, do you think you could take a few off my hands” Ginny said nervously at first but near the end was smiling softly.

“That’s good to hear. I don’t know I’d have to ask the rest of the troop. We’d have to see how Hedwig and Crookshanks would deal, but I’ll get back to you. Oh, excuse me I see James getting into something must stop him. Wouldn’t be good for the boy to get detention when school hasn’t yet official started now would it?” he said as he rushed off.

“No, no it wouldn’t…” she said to his back. After she ate some of the food said goodbye to students starting Hogwarts and met a few of her new students she left the party for her small apartment near the Gryffindor Tower. The only thing to meet her as she opened the door was her male tomcat that was protecting his girl and babies in their box in front of the fire.

Later that night Draco, Ali, Hermione, Harry, Ron, Luna, Lavender, Neville and George all said good night to their children, wishing them luck.

“You be good, no elemental magic! You hear me you two, you’re the oldest be an example for your younger siblings and cousins.” Both mothers said to their oldest son and daughter.

“You two watch out for your brother and sister. They need you to be there for them” said both fathers to their second oldest daughter and son.

And as all of the their friends left and the older kids left the youngest with their parents for a moment longer. To say goodbye and get good luck wishes and kisses from the moms and dads before they pulled them away to lead them to their dorms.

As the parents stood and watched their children leave the room for their beds they couldn’t seem to keep the goofy yet teary eyed looks of pride off their faces. When Harry and his small gang were ready to leave Ron and Luna came over to ask if they could get together for lunch sometime to catch up.

Harry looked at his old friend and even though they weren’t as close as they used to be they were working on building that again. So after checking it with everyone he agreed for them all and said he’d owl with more information later tomorrow before they left the school grounds with a small round of pops.

Before Harry and the rest of his family left he quietly asked Neville if he could borrow his office. Neville agreed as every year the family wanted to say hello to Dumbledore. Harry and Ali had long since forgiven the old wizard and always looked forward to seeing him again.

“Harry my boy how are you?”

Harry laughed even after fifteen years he would always be a boy to Dumbledore. “Albus I am 33 years old. I am hardly a boy. I have three children of my own and I am Co-Minister of Magic. I’d like to think that I am grown now.”

Albus laughed his eyes twinkling. “You will always be my boy Harry. Draco, Hermione how are you?”

“We’re fine Albus.” They both said.

“Professor Malfoy-VanLint how are your classes going?”

Ali laughed “Like you aren’t aware of the amount of time my children spend in here Albus.”

“Well yes I must admit young Anthony and Rose remind me an awful lot of their fathers.”

“Hey! We weren’t that bad!” Harry and Draco yelled.

“I rest my case. Hermione how are your studies into the Cruciatas curse going?” Albus asked.

Hermione lit up. “Wonderful in fact I have very good news for Neville but I will tell him later.”

“And young Draco how are you enjoying yourself?”

Draco smiled. “Between being Co-Minister with Harry and being a father my life is great. I thank god everyday that you and Harry sent me to Ali’s sixteen years ago. Meeting her changed my life and I am a better man because of it.”

“And your mother?”

“Since father died she relies on me even more and last year she moved to Safehaven. Malfoy manor is held in trust until Harrison is old enough to assume the headship of the Malfoy Family.”

“And Harry? How is your youngest doing? I look forward to meeting her and young Harrison.”

“Lillian is great. She and Harrison are very excited to start Hogwarts.”

Albus smiled and bid them all goodbye. As they stepped out of Neville’s office they heard two voices speaking softly. They looked over and saw Neville and Ginny having a conversation.

“I thought that they didn’t talk anymore?” Harry asked.

Ali shook her head no. Being a professor at Hogwarts she saw what went on when other parents didn’t.

“Ginny has loved him ever since they broke up after the final battle fifteen years ago.”

“Really is that why she never married?” Harry asked.

“Yeah and I think that ever since Lavender died Neville’s feelings for her have returned.”

As they watched Neville leaned down and softly kissed Ginny. Holding her hand they walked over to Harry, Hermione, Draco and Ali.

“Hi guys.” Neville said.

“Neville.” Harry said.

“How are my parents Hermione?”

“I was just coming to find you. They woke up and are wanting to see you again.”

Neville was floored. He knew that Hermione had been working for years to cure his parents. “It worked? They are themselves again?”

Hermione nodded “Yes and they are aware that 33 years have passed.”

“This has been one of the best days. Ginny and I have agreed to date again and Lavender is in favor of that.”

Harry nodded in agreement looking at his family. Things had defiantly changed since he had discovered the wizarding world over twenty years ago and he couldn’t wait to see what the future would bring.

AN: Hope you all enjoyed! We did! Now me and my cowriter are going to take a break before we, if we, do anything else. Tell us what you think? Enjoy.