Chapter Text
EPILOGUE
‘Can you believe we’re back here again?’ Harry said as he grinned at Hermione while they stood on platform nine and three quarters. He squeezed Draco’s hand reassuringly while his boyfriend glared at him. He knew just how much Draco had been dreading this but hadn’t known how he felt about it.
The last few weeks had been nothing like Harry had experienced before. For the first time in his life he’d gotten to experience being a teenager without any responsibilities and that was all down to his family and friends. He actually had a family that loved him and wanted him. They had put off doing anything about the ministry just yet, Sirius and Remus had insisted they all spend the rest of the summer acting like the children they were physically were. Harry knew they had something in the works, they were not subtle, but was happy to currently leave it to them.
It still took him by surprise that Sirius was not just his godfather but also adopted father and once everything had begun to calm down, Sirius had sat him down and had a chat about what he would call him. He completely understood that Sirius was uncomfortable being called dad, Harry wasn’t comfortable calling him that even though he had always desperately wanted one. Sirius was now his dad, but they had decided Harry would call him either Sirius or Padfoot but he would refer to him as his dad. Just like Sirius would refer to Harry as his son.
It hadn’t all been good. Harry had had to disguise himself to go into Diagon Alley to avoid being mobbed, but then he wasn’t the only one. The twins were always getting stopped and thanked and being asked for autographs when they went out, as were Luna, Ron and Neville. At least Hermione and he knew from past experience it would die down.
There had also been Dumbledore’s funeral which Minerva had attempted to keep small and while that hadn’t worked, she had succeeded in refusing entry to any press. It had been a nice service and Harry believed that Dumbledore would have appreciated the send off he got, especially as Minerva had stipulated that everyone had to come in bright colours.
‘No.’ Hermione grumbled, leaning into Fred’s side. ‘I can’t believe we have two more years of this.’
Harry laughed. ‘Never thought I’d hear the day that Hermione didn’t want to go to school.’
Hermione giggled. ‘Neither did I.’
‘Ah, that’s because she never had someone so handsome and debonair waiting for her.’ Fred winked.
‘Oh yeah? Who’s that then?’ Draco sniped with a raised eyebrow.
George laughed and clapped Draco on the back. ‘Gonna miss you Draco.’
‘What about the rest of us?’ Harry teased.
‘Maybe.’ George grinned, grabbing Harry in a stranglehold. ‘Possibly.’
Harry flailed, having been taken by surprise but laughed as he tried to beat George off of him unsuccessfully.
‘Just a little bit.’ Fred laughed.
‘Well, I’m not going to miss you two, especially if you don’t release my boyfriend.’ Draco sniffed, sticking his nose in the air dramatically but Harry knew now that it was for comedic effect.
‘Yeah you’re going to be too busy running.’ Fred chuckled.
Harry winced knowing that Fred’s comment was a bit too close to the bone and that Draco was actually terrified of that happening. Having not actually made any friends in Slytherin and it having been so long ago, Harry had been useless in reassuring him. Although it had made Harry realise how segregated the houses had made the, especially Slytherin.
‘But all that exercise might put a bit of meat onto his bones.’ George teased, winking at Harry.
‘And anyway, he has the four Brave Heroes of Gryffindor to protect him.’ Fred said with a grin.
‘Oh shut up.’ Draco grumbled.
George rolled his eyes. ‘Merlin Draco, please don’t tell me you actually believe that every single Slytherin worshipped at old Voldepants feet?!’
Draco frowned.
Harry smiled, trust the twins to have friends in every house.
Fred laughed incredulously. ‘I know plenty of Slytherin’s who’re over the moon that he’s dead and have been celebrating with everyone else.’
‘Who?’ Draco demanded.
George waggled his finger in front of Draco’s face. ‘Now now, you can’t honestly expect us to make it easy for you, do you?’
Draco glared at him.
‘Open your eyes Draco.’ Fred winked and wrapped his arms around Hermione. ‘You might be surprised at what you find right in front of you.’
‘I have opened my eyes.’ Draco grumbled and tugged at Harry’s hand, leading them away to the train. ‘You lot were there.’
Harry grinned and waved back at them before following Draco, he paused at the steps. ‘Just a minute.’ He leant up and kissed Draco quickly on the mouth, in full view of the entire platform before he ran back to the others and threw himself into Sirius’s arms, hugging him tightly. ‘I love you.’
Sirius hugged him back tightly and Harry felt him push his face into his neck before he pulled back and sniffed. ‘Love you too.’
Harry pulled back and grinned at him. ‘Best summer ever.’
Sirius grinned, looking pleased and exhiliared as he stepped back into Remus and wrapped an arm around him, swallowing as he leant into him for support. ‘Be prepared for your best Hogwarts year yet.’
Harry laughed, as he turned back to the train. ‘It’ll be weird, my first year without Voldemort trying to kill me.’
‘Better make the most of it.’ Sirius winked at him. ‘I left a present in your trunk.’
Remus stared at Sirius in dismay. ‘You didn't?! So did I!’
Harry laughed and sprinted back to the train, past Hermione passionately kissing Fred goodbye again with a gagging Ron rushing past them.
‘Come on Mione, we’ll be late and you’ll ruin your perfect attendance.’ Harry teased.
‘Attendance is overrated.’ Hermione called back.
Harry laughed.
Ron goggled at her. ‘Okay, where’s the real Hermione?’
Hermione threw him an amused look but gave Fred one last kiss goodbye and George a quick hug before she followed them onto the train.
Harry pushed past a few people before spying a familiar dark head of hair. ‘Hey Nev!’
Neville turned around, looking relieved to see him. ‘Harry! Ron, Hermione.’
‘Found a free carriage yet?’ Hermione asked him.
Neville shook his head.
‘Draco should have, he got on before us.’ Harry led the way, checking compartments until he found the one Draco was in. Only Draco wasn’t alone, there were three other Slytherin’s sat in there with him. Harry recognised Blaise Zabini but not the two girl’s, although one looked like a younger version of Draco’s wife in the other timeline.
‘Harry, you know Blaise Zabini, Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis?’ Draco introduced them with a lightness in his voice that had been missing just a few minutes ago. Harry had a moment of relief that Daphne wasn’t Astoria and then worry that she’d introduce them, before he squashed it.
Harry smiled and shook his head. ‘Heard of Blaise.’
‘We’re all in the same year.’ Daphne smiled at him. ‘Thanks for getting rid of that tyrant.’
Harry grinned as he squeezed in between Draco and Ron and entangled one of his legs with Draco’s.
Hermione rolled her eyes as she sat down and pulled Neville down with her. ‘And Draco worried he was going to be all alone in Slytherin this year.’
Blaise snorted. ‘Well, you won’t have Crabbe and Goyle as friends anymore but there are plenty of us who weren’t enamoured of the Dark Lord and are happy he’s gone.’
‘H-Have you heard Snape resigned?’ Neville spoke up with only a hint of nerves in his voice.
‘What?’ Tracey’s eyes lit up. ‘Ooh I wonder who’ll be replacing him and whether or not I can continue potions with an Exceeds Expectations and not an Outstanding.’
‘I think you can.’ Harry grinned. ‘I heard the Headmistress has got Horace Slughorn to take over from Snape and that he’ll accept Exceeds Expectations for his classes.’
‘Brilliant.’ Tracey flicked her hair back. ‘That’ll make mother pleased.’
‘Room for one more?’ Luna’s melodious voice said from the doorway.
‘O-of course!’ Neville stuttered, almost tripping over his shoes in his hurry to make room for her.
Luna grinned happily at him and sat down next to him.
Blaise eyed Harry up. ‘Don’t suppose you’ve heard who the new DADA teacher is?’
Harry’s eyes lit up as Ron groaned theatrically and tried to hide.
‘Yep, Ron’s older brother Bill.’
‘Wicked!’ Neville’s eyes lit up.
‘He’s a very good fighter.’ Luna nodded.
‘He fought against Greyback didn’t he?’ Daphne asked, frowning. ‘Got hurt in the fight at Malfoy Manor?’
Harry nodded.
‘It wasn’t the full moon so he isn’t a werewolf.’ Hermione told her icily.
Daphne sighed, flicking her hair back. ‘Pity. Lupin was the best teacher we’ve ever had.’
Harry blinked at her.
‘That’s just Remus.’ Hermione smiled, instantly relaxed again and glanced at Harry.
‘You know him personally?’ Daphne stared wide eyed before leaning forward eagerly.
Harry chuckled, feeling proud as Draco snorted beside him. ‘He’s dating my dad.’
The Slytherin’s all nodded, and Harry remembered that his adoption was common knowledge. Having holed up in the manor all summer and then hiding from the press, he had forgotten that they had spilled the beans at Umbridge’s trial. It all seemed so long ago and yet it really hadn’t been. This was the first time that he had not been looking forward to returning to Hogwarts, but it was also the first time that he had a home and family waiting for him.
Harry flinched when Draco flicked the side of his face.
‘Yes, yes, you’ve been adopted and have a wonderful home life and even more amazing boyfriend.’ Draco said, drolly. Hermione giggled. ‘What we all want to know is, what career are you planning on?’
Harry blinked and stared at Draco. He had no idea, it wasn’t something that he’d given any more thought to after his birthday. He grinned and shrugged. ‘Dunno.’
‘Mate!’ Ron exclaimed, looking horrified. ‘I thought we were gonna be aurors together?’
Harry pulled a face. ‘Sorry Ron but no chance, I don’t think I want anything to do with the ministry.’
Ron goggled at him and glanced at Hermione. ‘You can’t say that! Hermione’s going to work for the ministry!’
‘No I’m not.’ Hermione shook her head. ‘Like Harry, I don’t want anything to do with the ministry.’
‘What do you want to do then?’ Ron asked, sounding utterly confused.
Hermione and Harry shared a glance with each other and smiled. ‘We’ve got time to figure it out.’
Ron gaped at Hermione before looking slightly impressed. ‘Fred’s had a good influence on you.’
‘What about you Draco? Now that your godfather isn't teaching potions?’ Blaise asked, looking both sly and curious.
Draco shrugged, but Harry could feel his tenseness. ‘Neville and I are going into business together.’
‘What?’ Daphne blinked. ‘When did this happen?’
‘Over s-summer.’ Neville explained hesitantly, looking unsure.
Hermione beamed at him and Harry was pleased that Neville was trying to be part of the conversation and group.
‘Neville has a way with plants.’ Luna agreed with a hum as she picked up Neville’s hand and started playing with his fingers.
Neville's cheeks turned pink but he made no effect to stop her, just smiled happily.
‘Talking about summer.’ Blaise cut in, looking at Draco expectantly. ‘Where exactly did you spend it?’
‘With me.’ Harry grinned, squeezing Draco’s hand. Draco smiled wryly and knocked his shoulder into Harry’s.
‘That explains so much.’
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Severus wandered around the memory in his pensieve. It was the same memory he’d been visiting at the time of the battle instead of concentrating on the potion he’d been making for the Dark Lord.
That potion was easy to make for someone with his skill. This, however, this was much more important to him. He knew every single detail of it by now, had memorised the entire thing and could easily recite the incantation in his sleep.
He had taken the memory from Hermione Granger back before the end of the last school year. He hadn’t realised just how important it was when he’d first seen it and he was positive that Miss Granger hadn’t realised she’d given it to him.
What she had uncovered was miraculous and fascinating and while he hated to admit it, she really was the brightest witch of her age.
Not only had she uncovered a time travelling spell that no one knew still existed but had successfully gotten it to work. Miss Granger, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley had successfully time travelled fourteen years into the past and changed history.
He’d already acquired all the ingredients for the potion and knew how to brew it. All he needed was two others willing to go back in time with him.
It would take him a bit of work, a lot of smooth talking, convincing and cajoling, but he had an idea of just which two candidates would be ideal.
He smiled, pleased, as he checked his freshly cleaned cauldron over, ensuring no lingering residues could accidentally mix with the next potion.
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