Epilogue (DH)

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Epilogue is the last chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and of the Harry Potter series.

Nineteen years later

Nineteen years later, on September 1, 2017, a couple pushes two large trolleys in King's Cross; on top of each is a cage with an own. A redhead girl, Lily Potter, trails behind her two brothers—Albus Severus and James—, clutching her father Harry's arm.

Lily complains that she won't go to Hogwarts for another two years. James teases Albus, who is about to start school, with the possibility that he may be Sorted into Slytherin. Ginny orders him to be silent.

James runs through the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Albus takes advantage of his absence to ask Harry and Ginny to write him. He mentions that, according to James, people only get letters from home about once a month. Ginny points out that James got letters three times a week last year, and Harry reminds Albus that James' information is not always to be trusted ("He likes a laugh, your brother.").

In the platform, the steam makes it hard to discern other witches and wizards. Harry hears Percy making a loud speech about broomstick regulations, and avoids saying hello. Suddenly, Ginny spots the family they had been looking for: Ron, Hermione and their children, Rose and Hugo.

Ron asks his brother-in-law if Harry's parked his car all right. According to Ron, Hermione didn't believe he would pass a Muggle driving test, and thought he'd have to Confund the examiner ("No, I didn't. I had complete faith in you."). Ron eventually did Confund him, but only because he'd forgotten to look in the wing mirror—and he can normally use a Supersensory Charm for that.

The two men heave Albus' trunk and owl and place them on the train. Lily and Hugo debate over which house they will be Sorted into when they go to Hogwarts. "If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you, but no pressure," says Ron; Hermione berates him for doing so. The two younger children laugh, but those that are about to become first-years look solemn.

Ron catches a glimpse of another family, and calls the attention of the other adults to Draco, who is standing next to his wife and son, Scorpius, who closely resembles Draco. Malfoy, wearing a dark coat buttoned up to his throat, nods curtly towards the Potters and the Weasleys and looks away. His hair is somewhat receding.

"So that's little Scorpius," Ron mutters. "Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie. Thank God you inherited your mother's brains."

Hermione, half amused, tells her husband not to turn them against each other before term starts. Ron apologises, but warns his daughter not to get too friendly with the boy, either—Arthur will never forgive her if she marries a pure-blood.

James returns to his family, shocked by a scene he's just witnessed: Teddy Lupin is snogging Victoire in the Hogwarts Express. James interrupted them to ask what they were doing ("You interrupted them? You are so like Ron," says Ginny); Teddy said he'd come to see Victoire off, and sent the boy away.

Lily is delighted by the possibility that Teddy may really join the family now. Harry mentions that he already dines at the Potters' about four times a week—they may as well invite them to live there. James offers to share a room with Albus and to give his to Teddy. Harry disagrees ("You and Al will share a room only when I want the house demolished.").

Harry glances at Fabian Prewett's old watch, and suggests that the children enter the train. Ginny asks James to send Neville her love, and James complains ("Mum! I can't give a professor love!"), explaining that, even though he knows Neville well enough out of Hogwarts, at school he is the Herbology teacher.

James kicks Albus and says goodbye, warning him to watch out for Thestrals. The boy panicks; Harry tells them not to worry, explaining that the creatures are gentle and not at all scary. In any case, first-years take the boats to get to the castle.

Ginny kisses her son goodbye ("See you at Christmas."), and Harry gives him last-minute reminders: Hagrid has invited the boy for tea next Friday; not to mess with Peeves; not to duel until he knows how to do so; and not to let James wind him up.

Albus voices his fear of being stuck in Slytherin in a whisper. Harry crouches and looks at his son—Albus is the only of the children who inherited Lily's eyes. He says, "Albus Severus, you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."

If Albus is a Slytherin, the House will have gained a great student, and Harry and Ginny won't mind. In any case, the Sorting Hat will take the boy's choice into account, as it did for Harry (PS7). Albus is surprised to find that out, for Harry has never revealed it to his children.

Albus finally enters the train, and notices that lots of people are staring at his father. When he inquires as to the reason for that, Ron says, "Don't let it worry you. It's me. I'm extremely famous."

Harry waves and continues to do so as the train leaves.

"He'll be all right," Ginny murmurs.

Harry acquiesces, and touches the scar on his forehead. It has not hurt in nineteen years; all is well.