Merely Misunderstood

Twenty-One Years Later

King Cross's station is just as packed as it was last year.

Parents fuss over their children, who struggle to get away, anxious to meet up with their friends. Hordes of kids ranging from eleven to eighteen surge toward the train, trunks dragging behind them.

Watching the scene, I remember the concerns of finding an empty compartment, rushing onto the train to claim a seat before they were all taken. The memory fills me with nostalgia, and I can't help but sigh as I gaze at the scene.

"...and look after your sister, understand?"

The stern voice of my husband recalls my attention, and I turn to face him as he straightens our son's collar.

Scorpius' face steadily turns pink as Draco preens over him, and he mutters, "I know, Dad. Don't worry."

Our daughter clings to my skirt, just like she used to when she was a toddler.

"Mum, can't I stay with you?"

I laugh in bewilderment, asking, "Why?"

She ducks her head, hiding her face from me, and mumbles something that I don't hear.

"What was that, sweetheart?"

She looks back up at me, fixing me with crystal blue eyes just like her father's. "What if... what if I don't make any friends?" she asks, her soft voice quivering. "What if I don't belong?"

A feeling of sympathy pangs in my chest. Considering my first few years at Hogwarts, I understand her concerns all too well.

Placing my hands on her shoulders, I pry her away from my skirt, kneeling before her to speak face-to-face. "My first year at Hogwarts, I had four friends. I lost a lot of them as the years went on, but the entire time, one of them stuck with me. Can you guess who?"

My daughter shakes her head, and I smile, a wistfulness clouding my eyes.

"Your aunt Mirah was there for me through everything, even when I pushed her away."

Draco scoffs. "What about me?"

I look up at him wryly from where I'm crouched on the ground. "Need I remind you about our sixth year?" I challenge, raising an eyebrow. "Did you forget the Pugface incident, or —"

"Alright, alright, nevermind!" Draco runs a hand over his platinum hair. "Don't remind me."

Scorpius laughs. "Pugface incident?" he repeats curiously, and Draco shakes his head.

"That is one story I will never tell."

I chuckle, shooting a wink at our son. "But I might."

Draco pales until his complexion is almost the same shade as his hair. "Bri, don't you dare —"

I can't help it; I throw back my head and laugh. He looks so panicked that I half expect him to clamp a hand over my mouth, or better yet, to get on his knees and start begging.

As entertaining as that would be, there's no way I'd tell Scorpius about Draco's supposed "cheating" on me — at least, not until he's way, way older. That story is not meant for the ears of a thirteen-year-old.

"The point is, my dear," I stroke my daughter's face, a perfect mixture of my own and Draco's, framed by thick chestnut hair. "You don't have to fret about making friends. The right people will find you, and it won't matter whether you belong, because they'll help you feel like you do. My best friend taught me that."

"Besides," Scorpius cuts in, "if anyone tries bullying you, Albus and I will kick their butts."

Draco laughs appreciatively, ruffling his son's hair. "Don't forget to take care of yourself, too."

"I know, Dad," Scorpius mumbles, flushing.

As if on cue, Albus Potter barrels up to us and grabs Scorpius' arm, breathless with exuberance. "C'mon! If we don't hurry, we won't get seats next to each other!"

"Go on ahead, I'm right behind you!" Scorpius responds. 

As Albus runs off, Scorpius turns back to Draco and me to say his hurried goodbyes. Then, with the handle of his own trunk in one hand and his sister's in the other, he says to her, "Let's go! I'll help you find a compartment."

She hesitates, turning back to me with her big starry eyes. I can't help but tear up.

I open my arms, and she dives into them, burying her small face in my blouse. "I'll miss you!" she cries.

I squeeze her tightly, reminding myself of both my own mother and Mrs. Holland as I respond, "You'd better write to me every week! I want to hear about everything that happens, and everyone you meet! And Mirah," I pull away to meet her gaze as I tell her, "you'll have so much fun. Trust me."

She lights up, a grin brightening her entire face.

"Come on!" Scorpius urges her, and she gives her father a hug before hurrying after her big brother, waving goodbye over her shoulder.

I push myself back onto my feet, brushing off my skirt as I watch our only two children race toward the train, winding through the flurries of kids on the platform.

"Were we ever that small?" I ask, winding an arm around Draco's waist, and he pulls me in with a soft smile.

"Makes you miss the good old days, doesn't it?"

"You mean the days of the Inquisitorial Squad?" I joke darkly. "Or perhaps the Battle of Hogwarts?"

Draco rolls his gorgeous eyes, a light smirk playing on his lips. "I was referring more to the Yule Ball, or maybe even the Prefect's bathroom..."

I fight the immediate heat that rises into my face. Even after all these years, I can't believe I ever did something like that at school. It makes me think of all the other times Draco and I took advantage of the school's infertility enchantments, and my blush deepens beyond hope.

I slap Draco's arm, shushing him, and he laughs freely.

Up ahead, I catch sight of Hermione and Ron waving toward the train, and I follow their line of sight to find Mirah Malfoy poking her head out of a compartment window, waving alongside a boy with auburn hair and freckles.

"Must be a Weasley..." Draco mutters sarcastically, and I smirk knowingly.

"Granger-Weasley," I correct, in awe at the coincidence of their meeting. But perhaps a friendship with a Granger-Weasley will be a different experience for my daughter than it had been for me. Just as long as a rivalry doesn't cause any issues...

I turn to voice these thoughts to Draco, surprised to catch him tipping his head politely to Harry Potter, who stands not far away with his wife, Ginny. Even more surprisingly, Harry returns the gesture.

Then, his vibrant green gaze shifts to me. I offer a small wave, just like I had after the Battle of Hogwarts all those years ago. And, just like before, Harry waves back and smiles.

The train peels out of the station, and rather than feeling nervous for Scorpius and Mirah, I can't help but feel hopeful. Whatever they face in the upcoming year, good or bad, I'm excited for them. After all, there's never a boring moment at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

And if their experiences are anything similar to mine, well... These next few years are bound to be something they'll never forget.