Chapter Text
In another universe, Harry get to take Henley on a date. In another universe, Harry get to go on one knee and propose to Henley at the beach. In another universe, Cole Rosewood would be to able to walk Henley down the aisle, passing his son to Harry with a bright smile on his face. In another universe, they get to adopt their first children and feel what fatherhood is like.
In another universe, Maya Rosewood would look at a picture of Henley and not cry.
In another universe, Cole Rosewood would watch Henley tame his first dragon with a proud smile.
In another universe, Henley wouldn't have died. In another universe, he would be able to feel what real love is like. In another universe, he would be able to feel full happiness when Harry gets down on one knee and propose to him. In another universe, he would cry for the first time as his father give him away to Harry. In another universe, Henley would watch his parents be happy at their grandchildren.
But that doesn't happen, Henley is still buried six feet underground. Harry didn't get to propose to anyone at the beach, only watching the waves until the sky turns dark with the ring box inside his pocket. Cole Rosewood didn't get to walk his son down the aisle and watch him tame his first dragon. They didn't get to adopt a child. Maya Rosewood would cry when she look at a picture of Henley.
Henley didn't get to feel fatherhood, didn't get to feel what it's like to watch your children grow up into something amazing.
In this universe, Maya Rosewood retires as an Auror to become a Healer to help people. She moved on and was able to look at a picture of Henley without crying anymore.
In this universe, the Rosewoods still get to be happy at their grandchildren.
In this universe, Harry doesn't marry anyone and adopted three children. Two sons and one daughter. In this universe, Harry doesn't become an Auror and Ron understand his choice to not become an Auror. In this universe, Harry moved in with the Rosewoods and stayed with them forever until they grow old.
Harry always visited Henley's grave, always bringing him his favorite flowers to place on the grave. It was Lilies. He doesn't believed him when Henley first said that, but then Maya showed him the drawing Henley had done while waiting for time to pass.
His sons and daughter had asked where he was going everyday, and Harry doesn't know how to answer them. But he slowly explained to them about Henley and how he met his first love. That was the first time he doesn't have the time to visit Henley's grave.
In this universe, Cole Rosewood get to watch Harry Potter become a Dragonologist and tame his first dragon with a proud smile.
Harry had named his two sons, James Sirius Potter and Albus Severus Potter. He had named his daughter, Lily Luna Potter. Two years later, Hermione called him and told him about a girl getting abused because of what she could do, magic. And soon, Henley Amelia Potter joins the Potter's family.
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Unknown date, 2017
Harry pushed the trolley for Albus while James is pushing his, Lily is walking beside him while he's holding his youngest daughter in his arm.
He ignores the staring sent towards his family as they weaves their way to a barrier between platforms nine and ten. As they come to a halt, James, with mischief in his eyes, looks back at his brother just before he runs through the barrier and vanishes.
Albus grips the handle of his trolley nervously, finding it hard to follow. Harry appears behind him, smiling tenderly, having seen his son's nervousness.
"Together?" Harry asked.
Albus nods and, side by side, they run the trolley at the barrier and emerge onto a new platform where a scarlet steam engine pours white smoke into the air.
Albus peers about anxiously.
There is a riot of activity, as wizarding parents see off their children and trunks are loaded. There are lots of first years like Albus, looking equally nervous and being given a final send-off. Albus looks at it all with trepidation.
Lily races off chasing a paper bird that flies through the crowd.
Up ahead, Albus sees four people through the steam: Ron, Hermione and their two children, Rose and Hugo, as Rose's luggage is packed onto the train-- gentle goodbye.
Ron waves over to Harry, who returns the gesture with a small smile.
Hermione gives her daughter one last hug. "Don't forget to give Professor Longbottom our best."
Albus looks at the train, then back to Harry and then he disappears.
Harry gives Henley to James then walks to Albus, who is now kneeling down, struggling with his shoelace. He leans down and joins him.
"Will there really be thestrals pulling the carriages?" Albus asked.
Harry eyes his son warmly. "There's nothing scary about thestrals. They're gentle things. Anyway, you won't be going up to school in the carriages. You'll be going in the boats, remember?"
Albus nods, looking down. "Dad?"
"Yes?" Harry said.
"What if I'm put in Slytherin?" Albus asked.
Harry studies his son long and hard, leaning close. "Albus Severus Potter. You were named after two Headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin. And he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."
Albus nods, thinks for a moment then frowns. "But just say I am--"
"Then Slytherin House will have gained a wonderful wizard. But listen, if it means so much to you, you can choose Gryffindor. The Sorting Hat takes your choice into account." Harry said.
"Really?" Albus asked, looking up at his dad.
"Really." Harry said, smiling.
The train whistles blows and Albus' eyes go wide.
"Ready?" Harry asked.
"Ready." Albus said, standing up with his dad.
They consider each other for a moment, then Harry leans over and gives his son a big hug.
"Say hello to Henley for me." Harry said, pulling away to look down at his son.
"I will." Albus said before he furrowed his eyebrows. "Where is he?"
"The Black Lake."
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"Where are we going, Albus?" James asked, letting Albus dragged him to the Black Lake. He was about to open his mouth again when he was stunned by a ghost skipping stones, wearing a Ravenclaw clothing.
The ghost turns around right as Albus stops walking, showing a familiar face to them but to him they are unknown.
Henley was confused to who they are, but he smiles at them anyway. "Hello, my name is Henley Rosewood. What's yours?" He asked, not moving from where he is standing, looking at Albus and James.
"I'm Albus Potter." Albus said, watching as a look of recognition passed by Henley's translucent face.
"Harry Potter." Henley said, smiling. He turns to James, who hasn't introduced himself and is still looking at him with a stunned expression.
"James Potter." James introduces himself, pulling himself out of his thoughts.
"You two looks like him." Henley said, grinning, studying them both who finally decides to approach him.
"We're... uh... adopted." James said hesitantly.
"But you're still related to him nonetheless." Henley said, turning back to skipping stones.
"He misses you." Albus said, watching Henley skips stone, sitting down under the tree. James follows his footsteps and sits down next to him, watching Henley that is their father's first love.
"I know." Henley said, smiling when the stone skips farther than he was used to. "I missed him too." He said, bending down to get another stone.
"He said to tell me hello to you." Albus said.
"Hello to him too then." Henley said, throwing the stone and watching it skip. Not as far as before. He turns to Albus and James. "The class is almost starting." He said. "You both should go before it's too late."
Albus and James stood up, wiping the dirt off of their pants.
"It's nice meeting you, Mr. Rosewood." James said, looking up at the Ravenclaw.
"Please, call me Henley." Henley said, smiling.
"Alright, Henley." James said, smiling.
"It's nice meeting you both." Henley said, waving to their leaving figure. He turns back to the lake, playing with the stone in his hand before smiling to himself as he throws the stone, watching it skip.