Epilogue

Hermione clenched Sirius' hand in hers as she watched their daughter take the steps onto the dais and stand in front of the podium.

As always when Vela was in front of an audience, nary a voice could be heard. People even stilled their shuffling, and an errant cough was treated to a resounding backlash of hushes.

"Thank you all for being here today," Vela began in a clear, light voice. Her speaking voice was perfect for this sort of gathering, but in closer quarters, there was always a little lilting sarcasm in her tones, most likely thanks to the amount of time she'd spent with Severus Snape over the years as his best pupil.

"As you know, Harry Potter has stepped down from his position as Head Auror. We in the Corps miss him already." She gave a heartfelt smile to Harry, who was sitting on Hermione's other side. He smiled back and nodded at her.

"Mr. Potter has done so much good for the wizarding community over the years, and that is a lot to live up to. However, he has also left the world a better place, which made the decision to accept his offer of Head Auror an easy one."

The gathered crowd burst into applause, reporters already firing questions. Sirius glared at them and they quieted down, though they were still quite obviously chomping at the bit.

"As Head Auror, there are many changes I want to implement, all, I believe, for the betterment of our lives. Many changes will take years; some are already underway, thanks to the work Mr. Potter has done during his tenure in office. One of the easiest changes will be increasing of the Unspeakable team, which will help our understanding of our world.

"I also intend to dismantle the Hit Wizard team. As it has been nearly thirty years since the fall of Voldemort, I believe that this team is no longer necessary. The team will be merged with the Obliviators, and they will work together from there.

"Now, I don't want to bore you with my political platform...all that is easily available on the Ministry website, as well as in the pamphlets you can find by the buffet. I do want to say thank you for electing me. I will do this job to the best of my ability; I will make you all proud." Her eyes lingered on her parents as she said this, and Hermione couldn't quell the pride that always flooded her when her daughter spoke.

The applause was predictably deafening, and Hermione jumped to her feet as she clapped wildly. Vela grinned at her and hopped off the dais, crossing the floor to embrace her mother.

"We're so proud of you," Hermione whispered, holding her tightly.

Sirius stood and smiled that almost-wild grin he got around his children. "You're amazing," he told her simply, joining in the hug.

Harry shook her hand and flashbulbs went off immediately, blinding Hermione for a moment.

She saw Teddy make his way through the crowd, his hair a respectable light brown, looking very dashing in his black Muggle suit. Vela saw him coming and blushed. Sirius followed her gaze and narrowed his eyes a moment before plastering a false smile at Hermione's ungentle nudge.

"Congratulations, Vel," Teddy said in a quiet voice.

"Thank you, Teddy," she said. Neither seemed to notice that their hands were still clasped together until Sirius cleared his throat.

"Has anyone seen the others?" he asked, looking over all their heads. "I haven't seen Leo or Altair since we sat down. And Lacerta said she'd be here, but I didn't see her come in."

"Don't worry," Hermione said in a placating voice, wrapping her arm around Sirius' waist and leaning into him as he encircled her. "They'll be here."

And of course she was right. Just as she gave Sirius a reassuring kiss, Leo and Altair ran up to them and grabbed Vela in a group hug of tangled limbs and energy.

"You did great, sis!"

"I just knew you'd be perfect!"

"Mum, we'll be at the buffet, yeah?"

And just like that, Hermione and Sirius' sons bounded away, leaving amused and exasperated parents behind.

"At least that means we won't have to feed them," Hermione quipped. Her cupboards were always positively emptied when the boys came home. Only a year apart, people tended to forget they weren't twins, especially with the way they looked. Both had sleek black hair; Altair preferred to wear his long, like his father, but Leo kept his neatly trimmed. Tall and lanky with Hermione's eyes, the boys were adventurous to the extreme, having spent the last year with Charlie Weasley in Romania, with the intentions of spending this year in Egypt with Bill. Neither had decided what they actually wanted to do with their lives, so long as they did it together. They liked to tell their parents that they were exploring the world so they could find the perfect job, but Sirius, especially, was not fooled. Nor did he begrudge them their wandering.

"Mum, Dad, Teddy's going to take me out for a celebratory drink after we mingle for a bit," Vela said softly, her grey eyes warm and almost pleading. Though Vela was twenty-four years old, she still looked to her parents for approval in almost anything. Of course, she didn't have to look hard. Her life was a veritable smorgasbord of charities and fundraising and general attempts (and successes) at making the world a better place.

"That sounds great," Sirius said, putting an arm around his daughter's shoulder. "Shall we?" He looked to Hermione, Harry, and Ginny, who had just joined them.

"Actually, Sirius, I think we should wait for Lacerta," Hermione said as Harry and Ginny tried not to laugh as Sirius' over-protectiveness. Vela shot her mother a thankful glance from under her glossy black fringe. Hermione's heart swelled. Vela was the perfect image of her father, tall and slender with high cheekbones and all the confidence with none of the bluster (to Snape's immense relief).

"Fine," Sirius said, looking hard at Teddy, who looked back evenly. Teddy was more than used to Sirius' warnings and instructions, and he bore them with the quiet grace of his father, and only the occasional exasperation of his mother. "But you're both to be back for the dinner at Grimmauld Place at seven, yeah?"

Vela jumped up to give her father a kiss on the cheek and had to bend a little at the waist to do the same to her shorter mother.

Teddy nodded his goodbyes and the pair left together. Hermione saw that they until they were very nearly out of sight before Teddy took Vela's hand.

The two had been dancing circles around one another for years. Hermione knew Vela had been a little concerned that they were distantly related, but that was just the way pure-bloods were, and the wizarding world certainly wouldn't make anything of it. It was likely a bias that Vela had noticed in her research of her heritage on Hermione's side.

Sirius had latched on to the insecurity at first to try to keep the two apart, but Hermione had reminded him that, of all the wizards out there who would vie for Vela's hand, Teddy was probably the best for her. Studious, clever, and witty, Teddy had always been well-suited to Vela, but his shyness and her uncertainty had kept them from making a move for years.

"You're all coming to dinner, right?" Hermione asked Harry and Ginny.

"Wouldn't miss it," Ginny swore. "The kids'll all be there as well."

"Full house," Sirius said, raising his eyebrows.

"Mum, can I talk to you?" came a small voice at her side. All the adults turned and gave eighteen-year-old Lacerta soft smiles. She was very much doted on by everyone who met her.

Hermione broke away from the group and let Lacerta walk her outside. Lacerta was the only child that looked like Hermione. All four children had Sirius' black hair, but only Lacerta's was curly like her mother's. They had the same heart-shaped face and the same whiskey-coloured eyes. Lacerta was also more petite and tended toward curves, whereas her sister was very svelte.

"What is it, baby?" she asked, inwardly smiling at the wince the nickname evoked.

"You're an Unspeakable, aren't you?"

Hermione's insides felt splashed with cold as she regarded her youngest child carefully.

"If you are, just don't say anything, 'kay?"

Biting her lip, Hermione said nothing. Her other children had also guessed at her and Sirius' occupation, but more out of process of elimination than actually coming out and asking her.

"That's what I'm going to be," Lacerta said proudly, eyes shining brightly.

"They recruited you?" Hermione asked, too astounded to tell her daughter that she couldn't go around telling people that, even before the Unbreakable Vow was in place.

Lacerta slyly said nothing, only quirked an eyebrow, making Hermione laugh. They obviously had.

Taking Lacerta into a tight embrace, Hermione almost wanted to cry. She would have been so lonely in her work if it weren't for Sirius. She didn't really want that life for Lacerta, but Unspeakables were allowed to talk to one another about their work, very generally, and openly if they were in the same department, which she and Sirius were. Lacerta would have her parents to talk to.

"I'm part of the new initiative Vela was talking about."

"Oh, Lacerta, I'm so proud of you. And your father will be, as well. Can I tell him?"

"Of course," Lacerta said, grinning widely. She was usually very quiet and reserved, and it was nice to see her so confident in herself. "I want to work with the Veil so I can figure out how Daddy came back, but they said that department was full."

Hermione knew all too well that her department was full. She'd been privately recruiting for it for almost four years now, ever since they'd made a breakthrough with communication. The susurration that Hermione had always heard in her dreams, and that Sirius had heard when he'd had panic attacks in public...those were the voices of the people on the other side. If recorded with Muggle equipment, they could be slowed down and isolated, which meant Hermione's team had actually been in contact with the dead.

It was life altering, but nothing could ever be made public of the knowledge. There were too many people like Jimothy Frankenhodge, who just didn't understand the enormity of the consequences. Frankenhodge was still in St. Mungo's, but he'd responded favourably to new treatment. Hermione knew that if he'd had any family, he would was been released some time ago. As it was, he would have to stay in treatment. Hermione made sure to keep abreast of his wellbeing, though he still had bad days often.

"Oh, baby, your Daddy will be so pleased to hear you say that. Come on, let's go tell him."

As Hermione and Sirius were putting the finishing touches on the huge meal they'd prepared, Hermione was thinking about her children.

When Vela had been born, she and Sirius had made a promise to never tell her about the mysterious plan the Veil had. Making her feel like her life was predestined would pressure her in all the wrong ways, and Hermione and Sirius wanted their daughter to have a childhood free of anxiety and obligation, unlike what Harry had gone through.

But for the first time in her life, Hermione actually questioned that it would be Vela who was destined to change the world. She'd always been the outgoing, brave, hardworking one. Her brothers reminded Hermione of Fred and George Weasley... or Sirius, of course. They were full of mischief, though keenly intelligent, with wanderlust to rival anything else she'd seen.

But Lacerta... Lacerta might be the one to make a difference. Of course Vela would as well; but which child had been the one the Veil had chosen? Would they ever really know? Lacerta was ambitious and driven, with a deep intelligence that surpassed that of her siblings' at her age. Perhaps like most things in Lacerta's life, the changes she would make would be quieter and less obvious.

Or maybe it was all four. Maybe Leo and Altair also had significant things in their futures, if they'd ever settle down long enough to do something about it.

A heavy knock on the door startled her, even though they were expecting company.

"I'll get it," she said quickly, wiping her hands on a dishtowel and giving Sirius a quick kiss. Which turned into a long kiss. Which elicited another knock on the door, more persistent this time.

Hermione ran and threw it open. "Draco! And Renworth! We weren't expecting to see you," she said, addressing Renworth. As another Unspeakable, he found it nearly impossible to get away from his current project, of which Hermione knew almost nothing.

She embraced them both, though Draco, as always, felt a little stiff, like he was still not used to the affection. With Sirius, he'd gained an entire family...a huge one. When his family before had only been his parents, it still shocked him to have so many people count him as important.

"I was able to tear him away," Draco said smugly, handing Hermione his cloak, then Renworth's. After putting those away, Hermione told the men to settle themselves in the sitting room. She didn't bother closing the front door because she could see Harry, Ginny and their three, James, Lily, and Albus Severus walking from the Apparition point.

Waiting, Hermione also saw Teddy and Vela pop up, followed by Lacerta, Altair, and Leo. Lacerta was being jostled good-naturedly by her brothers, who were using their height advantages to annoy their sister. But it seemed nothing would irritate Lacerta today. Hermione caught her eye and smiled proudly as the Potters arrived on the stoop.

Albus Severus turned and saw Lacerta, and he hung back to wait for her. The two were very close, being near in age and temperament. When Albus Severus had been Sorted into Slytherin, Lacerta had been the only one of her Gryffindor cohorts to extend her hand in congratulations. The children had all grown up together, but Albus Severus' Sorting had caused something of a drift until Lacerta repeatedly insisted otherwise, and with the immovability of a brick wall, Lacerta had forced the change she'd wanted to see.

"Aunt Hermione, you look beautiful!" Lily exclaimed.

"Doesn't she?" asked Sirius, coming up behind his wife and wrapping his arms around her.

"Oh, gods," James said, groaning loudly but still smiling. "They'll be at this all night!"

"James!" Ginny said in a whip crack voice, making her son jump. "Enough of that. Go make sure everything's set for dinner. Lily, you, too."

Harry laughed as Ginny settled back into her non-mum role after the kids were all inside. "They're exhausting," he said, shaking his head and smiling like a man who'd won the lottery.

When everyone was finally in and settled, Hermione served the dinner. There wasn't room at the table for everyone, so people sat wherever there was a flat surface. Teddy and Vela, of course, sat close together on a settee, which made Sirius sit across from them on the sofa. Hermione sat with him, smiling softly as Albus Severus and Lacerta sat on the floor near the hearth, talking quietly with their heads together.

James, Lily, Altair, and Leo sat at the far end of the table, laughing loudly and then hushing each other, looking around to see if anyone'd heard them. Hermione did not want to know what they were planning. Lily was giving Altair doe eyes, but he was clueless. She'd have to resort to more obvious measures with Hermione's younger son.

Draco, of course, and Renworth sat at the table. Harry and Ginny joined them, engaging in quiet conversation.

"You leave your front door open?" came a low voice imbued with disgust. "Heathens."

"Severus!" Vela cried, launching herself up from her seat and spilling Teddy's drink. She apologised profusely before running to the door, leaving an amused Teddy to tidy the mess.

"We assumed his Highness wouldn't take to opening his own door," Sirius said as Snape entered the room with Vela chattering at him.

"Dad, stop! Severus is our friend," Vela said sternly. She was very protective of her former professor, to Sirius' chagrin and Snape's horror.

At this proclamation, Sirius and Snape looked at each other with raised eyebrows. A silence fell over the room. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Go grab some food, Severus," Hermione said softly. He nodded at her and left the room. Vela looked as though she wanted to follow, but then she saw Teddy again, and she went to sit with him instead.

When Snape returned, he took the seat on the sofa next to Sirius. Even if the men didn't call one another 'friend,' they were as good as. It had happened when Snape had begun seriously seeing the witch he'd brought to their wedding. Sirius no longer saw him as a threat and began to make overtures (subtle ones, of course, but ones that were apparently tolerated, after a token period of resistance). When Snape and the witch had split up, nothing had changed.

Snape claimed to enjoy his bachelor life, but that didn't stop everyone from trying to match-make for him, Hermione included.

"Severus, there's this lovely young woman in Payroll, who I just think you'd..."

"No."

"Oh, but she's quite..."

"I'm sure she is. No."

Hermione mock-glared at him, but as always, he won.

"Congratulations, Miss Granger-Black, on being the youngest Head Auror in history. Even Potter was twenty-five," Snape said, with pride abounding in his voice. Vela blushed and took the opportunity to talk about her plans, which Snape listened to with unfeigned interest.

A burst of laughter from the table had everyone looking, and even Draco was smiling as Leo retold a story of debauchery and intrigue from their time in Romania.

"Never thought I'd have all this," Sirius said in her ear. She put their plates on the floor and turned into him, kissing him slowly for a moment.

"I did," she admitted. "But I never thought it's be with someone as amazing as you. I never thought it'd be like this."

In a private moment between them, Sirius and Hermione held each other as they listened to multiple conversations at once, each voice as familiar as their own, each person happy and healthy. It was almost too much to hope for, too good to be true, but it was.

"Wife," Sirius said affectionately, pressing a soft kiss to the tip of her nose.

"Husband," she whispered, moving his kiss to her mouth, instead.

The Veil could have its plan. Their world was already perfect.

Fin.