Epilogue: 12 years later

Harry looked out over the sea of shining faces and found the ones he had been searching for. He gave them a small wave, and then looked back to the front. Minerva McGonagall, her now silver hair still pulled back in a severe bun was placing the Sorting Hat on the chair.

He watched as the children where one by one sorted into the houses that would be their home away from home and additional family for the next seven years, and maybe even a life time.

“Albus Longbottom”

Harry smiled at the obviously nervouse round faced little boy as her pushed his way to the front of the group of first years. He made it almost all the way, but on the last step up didn’t quite lift his foot high enough and came crashing down, sending the stool and the sorting hat high up into the air.

“Hufflepuff!” The angry hat shouted as it soared through the air, even though it had never even touched the now crying little boys head.

Harry saw Neville jump to his feet in distress, then smiled as Ginny gently pulled him back to his seat.

Minerva picked up the small boy, the hat and the stool, dusted the boy off, gave a stern look to the hat before cramming it on the child’s head and plopped them onto the stool.

The hat took longer with him than he had with any other student, and Harry began to get nervouse, however the hat finally grudgingly called out, “Ravenclaw” The now radiant little boy took off the hat and began to skip to the table, forgetting again about the steps, he slid on the floor coming to rest just before the Ravenclaw table.

Two kind looking 6th year girls smiled as the reached down, picked up the embarrassed boy, brushed him off and made a seat for him.

Harry shook his head in amazment at how like his father Albus was and how amazing it was that he got into Ravenclaw, but then it had been a shock when loony Luna had gotten into Ravenclaw as well.

He heard several names that he recognized including Malfoy, a pug faced little girl with white blond hair, and Finnigan, a brown haired little boy with laughing eyes.

“Daisy Potter” He smiled at his little sister as she took her seat in on the bench. The Miracle, the all called her, the unborn child her had saved her mother’s life. She had thick black hair that was impossible to tame and bright green eyes.

“Gryffindor!” The Sorting Hat shrieked.

She let out a loud woot as she made her way to the Gryffindor table. Amidst the cheers he could here her exclaim, “My brother was in Gryffindor, look he’s right there!! Harry I did it, I’m a Gryffindor too!” He gave her a brilliant smile and thumbs up as she sat down.

“Molly Potter” Minerva called.

Harry sat on the edge of his seat, and out of the corner of his eye he could see his wife do the same.

She strolled right up and plopped down. The hat had barely touched her head when it bellowed, “Gryffindor!”

She too took her place among the screaming Gryffindors, her auburn hair flying behind her. Her green eyes found the head table and she gave a small wave.

“Lily Potter” Minerva called, and another little girl skipped up from the remaining first years, she flipped her long auburn hair as she dropped onto the stool and pulled the hat on.

The hat took significantly longer, put finally bellowed, “Gryffindor!” She pulled the hat off laughing as she did, like she had just been told a funny joke. Harry stared into his own eyes as she gave him a radiant smile and skipped to the table.

“Your daughters are beautiful.” Madam Hooch exclaimed leaning towards Harry, “All of that glorious hair, just like their mothers, and imagine it, Twins!!”

Harry turned and caught Ginny’s eye giving her a tender smile, “Yeah but they got my eyes.” He said laughing as he touched her hand under the table.

Ginny gave a gasp and clutched her round belly. “Sorry.” She whispered as Madame Pompfry gave her a look, “The baby just kicked me in the ribs.”

“How many is that now?” Madam Hooch whispered to Harry.

“This one makes seven.” He said as he patted his wife’s huge belly with a sigh. “All girls, so far, but I have high hopes for this one.” He said in mock distress.

“She shouldn’t be here.” They heard Madame Pompfry grumble, and they all laughed.

Harry turned his attention back to the first years, and his mouth opened in disbelief.

“Septemus Snape.” Minerva had just read very slowly, in apparent shock. As scrawny black haired boy was walking towards her. He was wearing hand me down robes and the sheen from his greasy hair could be seen from the head table.

Harry heard Ginny gasp from beside him.

The boy shot Harry a piercing stare with the bluest eyes Harry had ever seen. He sat down on the stool.

“Ravenclaw!” The hat bellowed at once, taking Harry by surprise. The boy stared intently at him again as he sat down at the Ravenclaw table next to Albus.

“I heard he’s an orphan.” Madam Hooch whispered from beside him.

He was so shocked that he missed the sorting of Charles Weasly, Ron and Hermione’s son, but waved in time as Ginny elbowed him in the side.

“Just a few words,” he heard his father call from down the table from his place at the head table, the Great Hall was instantly silent, “Nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak, let the feast begin.”