Begin Again (George Weasley/Draco Malfoy)

Epilogue.

*21 years later*
   
My heels clicked.on the floor of the castle as I made my way to my office. I had called for a meeting with a student of mine, he's a third year, and very good friends with my nephew Albus Potter, since they're both in Slytherin House together.
   
This year is my first year out of the Auror Office in almost 20 years. I am now the Head of Hufflepuff House and the newest Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor now that I've had some real world practice.
   
My four children are all students at Hogwarts. My two boys, Fred and Remus, are both I'm Gryffindor House. Fred is in his seventh year. He's Head Boy and also the captain of the Quidditch team where he plays Beater. Remus is in his third year, and he's also a Beater on the Quidditch team.
   
My older girl, Juliette, is in Hufflepuff House like I was. She's in her fifth year, she was made Prefect this year, and she was also made Captain of the Quidditch team where she plays Keeper like her Uncle Ron did.
   
My youngest just started this year. My baby girl Ember was so terrified she was sorted into Slytherin last night. I went to visit her in the Common Room to talk to her because she looked so scared when she saw her other two cousins, Lily and Hugo, get sorted into Gryffindor. She really wanted to make it into Hufflepuff like I was.
   
"Dad!" I called out once I was in my office. He was in the big blank portrait on my wall a moment later. I put it up for him, Fred, and Tonks to come in and out whenever they wanted since the school put up their portraits after the Battle of Hogwarts.
   
"You called Dear?" He greets me, smiling.
   
"Hi dad," I say, taking the seat at my desk, "You watched my first lessons, how did I do?"
   
"I think you did perfect, darling. Absolutely perfect."
   
I smile at that, "thanks, I tried to model my teaching after my favorite Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor that I had. And I had a few of them."
   
"I know you did," he says, smiling.
   
"I miss you," I tell him.
   
"I miss you, too, dear. So does Tonks, and Fred. When your son Fred first arrived here, his Uncle Fred wouldn't stop asking him questions about you and George. He misses his entire family, but not like he misses you and George."
   
"I know, George misses him like crazy still, twenty-something years later. I'm sure he's going to be popping in all the time to say hello."
   
"I'm sure it's going to be his favorite thing to do. I know it will be mine."
   
I smile at that. There's a knock on my door then, and I know it's just Scorpius and Albus, so I call, "Come in!" And the door slowly opens and Scorpius Malfoy and my nephew Albus Potter enter the room. "Have a seat boys, I'll just be a moment."  I look to my dad and I say. "Don't be a stranger, alright dad? And tell Tonks and Fred they can stop by whenever they want to."
   
"Just call if you need me, darling. I love you."
   
"I love you, too, dad." He exits the portrait then and I turn to the boys again. "Hi boys, how are you?"
   
"We're a little confused as to why you asked us here, Professor Weasley," says Albus. It was funny to me to hear him call me that.
   
"Oh please, when it's just you and I you can call me Aunt Adelaide, Albus," I say, folding my hands in on my desk. "I called you in here because I wanted to know how my daughter is doing. She was very upset last night when she didn't get sorted into the house she wanted."
   
"She was still pretty upset this morning," says Scorpius.
   
"I was afraid of that," I say leaning back into my chair. "Okay. I have a favor to ask of you boys. Especially you Albus. I know you two are best friends, l would like you two to look after her. As her Professor it would be wrong of me to show favorites, even if Ember is my daughter. So, just until she's gotten used to beign at school, and gotten over being in a house she doesn't want to be in, just show her kindness. Show her being in Slytherin isn't all bad."
   
"Of course," says Albus, nodding.
   
"We will," says Scorpius, who also nodded.
   
"Very good," I say smiling. "Thank you, boys, really. Now Albus you may leave, dear. I'd like a moment alone with Mr. Malfoy."
   
Albus leaves the room then, and I am face-to-face with my ex-biyfriend's son. He looked so much like Draco. Everything about him rrminded me of his father at his age. His grey eyes were kinder than Draco's though. I could tell that right away. Draco had raised his son to be the kid he wished he could have been growing up. Scorpius was his chance for redemption.
   
"I heard the news about your mother," I say as Albus closes the door behind him. "I was very sorry to hear that. I lost my father when I was young. Not as young as you, but I was young. Just turned 18, to be exact. I understand it's hard, and I know you're probably sick of hearing this from people, but I want you to know that I'm here for you if you ever need to talk."
   
"Thank you," he says, nodding. "My dad told me that you were very kind."
   
"He did, did he?" I ask, smiling a bit. "Did he tell you anything else about me?"
   
"Just that he knew you when he was at Hogwarts. That you're the reason that he met his Aunt Andromeda."
   
"Ah, yes, his Aunt is my little brother's grandmother, and she raised him on her own when my father and my stepmother were killed. I knew Dra- um, your father- wanted to meet her. So I offered to take him with me one day when. I went to see my brother. He started dating your mother around that time. She was very kind."
   
"She was," he agrees, nodding.
   
"Well, I won't keep you anymore. I'm sure Albus is waiting for you. Thank you for stopping by. My door is always open for you if you need anything."
   
"Thank you, Professor Weasley." He stands up and and heads to the door.
   
"Um, Scorpius," I say getting his attention again. He turns back around to look at me. "Tell your father I said hello."
   
"I will," he assures me, nodding before he leaves my office, closing the door behind him.