EPILOGUE

Summary: With the War finally won and a rapid decline in the wizarding population, drastic measures are taken in a bid to save Wizarding Britain with the introduction of a new Marriage Law. Under the law, Hermione is forced to marry at eighteen or face being exiled from the Wizarding World. She must learn to deal with her past and look forward to her future with rising Quidditch Star, Oliver Wood. Rated M for a reason.

Disclaimer: All original characters and canon events belong to J.K. Rowling. Non-canon events and characters are my own. I am not making any profit from posting this fanfic. Characters are likely to be OOC.

AN

I want to thank everyone for coming on this journey with me and I have appreciated every read, follow, favourite and review. It always makes my day when I get the notifications in my e-mail. Once again, thank you, you are amazing!

Page count: 7

Wood Apartment - Thursday 1st September 2005

"LEO, GET A MOVE ON PLEASE; WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE!"

"ONE MINUTE, MUM!" Leo called back, his voice carrying down the corridor and to Hermione who rolled her eyes as she continued cleaning up the kitchen table.

"OLIVER, IS EVERYONE DRESSED!?"

"Aye, Sparrow, ev'ryone's ready," replied her husband, stepping into view and moving to hug her from behind. He pressed a kiss to the back of her neck and Hermione sighed, her eyes closing and her body slumping against him. "Relax, anno yer worried but we've never been late yet an' we won't start now."

"I know, I just... I don't like it when he leaves for school," she grumbled unhappily.

"He's yer baby, anno," he nodded, "But we still have plenty tae keep us busy," he reminded her.

Hermione chuckled and smiled widely, turning around in his arms and she pressed her mouth against his. He responded happily and she sighed against his mouth and smiled into the kiss.

"Mum, Dad? Seriously?" Leo groaned. They drew back from each other, sniggering as they turned towards him.

Hermione looked to each of her children, smiling at the sight of all of them gathered with Quaffle growling playfully at Isaac and Kayden, their newly acquired kitten, Sir Cuddles, playing with an owl feather on the floor asAli and Boo soared over their heads and out onto the balcony.

Hermione at the soon-to-be age of twenty-six and Oliver at the age of twenty-eight, now had six children.

Leo would be turning sixteen in December and he was returning to Hogwarts to start his fifth year. He'd grown remarkably and into a handsome young man. His once short, mousy blonde hair had grown slightly darker and shaggier, falling into his eyes and his deep green eyes were piercing, standing out from his summer tanned-skin.

Leo was highly popular in school and after being sorted into Gryffindor just as his parents had been, he was a brilliant athlete - being a Chaser for the Gryffindor team since his second year and he'd recently been made Captain as his father had in his fifth year. Leo was well-liked by all; the students and the staff. He was an athlete, he worked hard to maintain his academic record, he was kind to his peers, and also, he was known as being the kidnapped son of Hermione and Oliver Wood, the power couple of Wizarding Britain

One being a saviour of the world and the best Coach Wizarding Britain had seen in the past five years, and the other being the League's best-ranked Keeper and Captain, one who'd turned down numerous opportunities to play for the National Team over the years. And of course, his Uncles were the famous Fred and George Weasley, Harry Potter and the players from the Puddlemere United Team, who'd won the League Cup the last seven years in a row.

As Hermione predicted, Leo was an excellent student and received O's in every class and she was confident he'd receive the same results when he took his OWLs and NEWTs, but she and Oliver were very careful to never pressure him in any way, not in the way her parents had pressured her. Leo was a good student not only as she'd home-schooled him, giving him an advantage over the other students, but because he enjoyed learning almost as much as he loved Quidditch, and they knew he was struggling with choosing which direction he wished to take upon graduating. He'd shown interest in taking apprenticeships and gaining a Masters, in running off and potentially working abroad as Charlie had done, and in becoming a professional athlete like his father and Uncles.

The twins, Isaac and Kayden, had recently turned five-years-old, and as they aged, it became clearer they were the spitting double of their father, the only exception being they had Hermione's eyes. They were very mischievous and always causing trouble, but with Uncles like Fred and George, nothing less would be expected.

Hermione and Oliver had tried for another child but after three years, they'd been unsuccessful. Barely a month after they resigned themselves the fact they wouldn't be having any more children, they'd received word from Helen at Wood Home, explaining that there was a two-week-old baby girl whose father was unknown and mother had died in childbirth. Hermione and Oliver had been quick and eager to foster the baby girl, giving her the name of Jessie, and after several months had passed and there'd been no development with finding any blood relatives, they officially adopted her at the age of fourth months. Becoming Jessie Wood, she was doted on from a young age, the team adoring her and Oliver finally having gotten his little princess. Now, at the age of three, her wavy brown hair fell about her shoulders, and her oval-shaped face sat deep green eyes and a slightly upturned nose.

Barely two months after Jessie's third birthday, it was to Hermione's surprise that she discovered that she was pregnant. And after a visit to the Muggle World and to the same doctor's surgery she'd used previously, she discovered she was once more carrying twins. The celebration party had lasted most of the weekend, each member of the team being hungover when they returned to training the following Monday, and Hermione being pregnant, was the only one spared. Given the reason behind the festivities, she'd been kind to them that day.

Keeping up with the tradition of wishing to be surprised by the gender at birth, (despite Oliver being adamant they were having boys again) she gave birth to beautiful twin girls, Madeline and Annabelle. With the twins soon-to-be turning three-years-old in the coming November, they were growing to look most like their mother with their mahogany hair and curls –thankfully, their curls seemed tamer- their mother's button nose and high cheekbones, and they had Oliver's puppy dog eyes and long eyelashes.

Everyone doted on the Wood children and no one was more pleased than Mr. and Mrs. Wood, believing the 'curse' to have been broken as their family tree grew considerably. Each child, no matter their age, sported a silver cuff bracelet similar to their parents', whilst Leo was the only one to sport a signet ring.

Oliver's parents had offered to move out of the manor and officially transfer the deed and property over to them, so Hermione and Oliver might move in with their children and have more space, but they'd refused. Instead, they'd had their apartment renovated, adding in extra bathrooms and bedrooms, and almost every wall was covered, floor to ceiling, with photo frames, depicting the happy lives they led with their children and family. The apartment was where Hermione and Oliver had built a home together and where their children had grown and would continue to grow, it would always be home and as much as they enjoyed spending time at the manor, the apartment was their home.

Hermione thought back to that terrifying time five years ago, when Leo, Isaac and Kayden had been taken from them. She had almost lost her family, her husband and her children. All because of four revenge-seeking arseholes. A week after the abduction and rescue, Kingsley had visited Hermione, Oliver and their children to see how they were doing and so he might inform them that all four members of the involved party had been to trial (it having been rushed through given their celebrity status) and sentenced to life in Azkaban, and Hermione and Oliver were cleared, even if they hadn't officially been charged with anything.

Mary's reasoning behind her actions was already known, (she was dragon-shit crazy) so that needed no discussion. Ron and Ginny's was understandable, well it wasn't, but it didn't take a genius to work out why they'd done what they did. They were furious that Hermione had found success in her life after the war. As Blaise had said, Ginny wanted to be a high society wife, to have all the things she hadn't had growing up. She wanted the money and the rich husband she'd felt was owed to her. She hated Hermione because she the perfect husband – wealthy, famous, charismatic, famous, incredibly good looking, famous, smart, famous and athletic. (Ron and Ginny were particularly stuck on that aspect). The perfect apartment, bigger than a house, the most perfect and beautiful children and the perfect job. Ron was outraged that she'd 'cheated' on him and had children with another man when she was 'supposed' to have them with him. When she was supposed to be his. They were furious that their family had all but disowned them and replaced them with Hermione and Oliver. They were furious that Harry had decided to stay with Hermione rather than leaving with them and they were furious that they had to marry others against their will, something they blamed Hermione for no matter of the fact she'd been affected by the same law.

Fenrir Greyback's reason was revenge. The majority of his pack had been captured or killed and after Harry's disappearance, Hermione became the new target for all Death Eaters wanting revenge and so he'd acted on it, waiting for the perfect time to strike. Which just so happened to be after the announcement of Hermione giving birth. Greyback had even admitted to sending the majority of the death threats Hermione had received.

They had no idea how the four had found each other and concocted the plan they did because the Aurors couldn't get it out of them without resorting to illegal measures, but Hermione didn't care.

Her family was safe. That's all that mattered to her.

"It's time to go, Mum," Leo grinned.

~000~000~000~

Kings Cross Station

The Woods weren't the only ones crowding Platform 9¾ in order to see Leo off on the Hogwarts Express. They were joined by the Weasleys and the Puddlemere team, who were fresh off their seventh consecutive win of the League Cup, which resulted in many heads turning, and screaming and yelling from fans wanting autographs.

Fred and George stood with their wives, both having married three years prior. Perched on Fred's hip was his one-year-old son, Liam, whilst George cradled his six-month-old daughter, Leah. Percy and a six months pregnant Audrey stood with a three-year-old Molly, whilst Bill and Fleur stood with a six-year-old, Victorie and a four-year-old, Lucas, Fleur being four months pregnant with their third child.

Harry and Angelina stood with a four-year-old Ashleigh and a two-year-old Nathan and Angelina was pregnant with a boy, one they'd already decided to name James Sirius. Charlie held the hand of his fiancé, (a Healer from the Dragon Reserve) having finally popped the question but a few weeks prior, and Thompson had his two-year-old daughter, Tessa, perched on his hip, Katie being seven months pregnant with a boy. Thompson had waited for the right moment to come clean to Katie and admit that he'd once punched Viktor Krum and as a result, she'd been so pleased, Tessa had been conceived. Something Hermione found hilarious, Katie was incredibly proud of and Thompson found embarrassing.

The rest of the team had wised up and had finally broken off their engagements, placing their trust in the Ministry to find them their perfect match. And it had paid off, each of them being paired with women far kinder and more respectable and now they were all happy. Pallie's wife was pregnant with their first child, as was Malloy's and Bishop's, and Kings and Wilks' each had a one-year-old son, Ryan and Justin.

Over the years, the reserves retired -since they were the oldest members of the team- and Hermione had brought in new players and they became a part of the family, too, doting on the children as the others did.

Leo was currently hugging everyone and kissing his Aunts and Grandmothers on their cheeks and when he reached Hermione, she was crying happy tears.

"Mum, seriously?" He laughed. She sniffled a laugh as she tugged him into a hug, her eldest son now being bigger than her. "Love you, Mum," he muttered, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"I love you, too, and no matter how old you get, you'll always be my baby boy," Hermione smiled, taking his face in her hands as she memorised his changes features.

Almost all the boys on the platform walked away from their parents, particularly their mothers, embarrassed. But Leo never did. He loved his parents and he knew what it meant for them to adopt him and make him a Wood. He would never be ashamed of his family. The family who had given him a better life, who had protected him and loved him. He would never do anything to hurt their feelings.

After hugging his father and having a whispered conversation, Leo made to leave but Hermione intervened.

"Before you go, I have an announcement to make... And I think now's the perfect time to do it."

"Well don't keep us waiting," Fred rolled his eyes.

"I'm two months pregnant."

"What?" The large group chorused in surprise, giving her a look as though they believed themselves to have misheard her.

"I'm two months pregnant," she repeated, laughing as tears fell from her eyes.

It took exactly seven seconds for the news to sink in before cheers and applause sounded, the women bursting into tears and cries and she and Oliver were crowded and hugged tightly.

"Yer pregnant!" Oliver said in a daze, his smile wide as he reached down and swept her off her feet, spinning her in circles as everyone cheered. It was fair to say the crowd around them grew even larger at the spectacle of everyone laughing, crying and cheering happily.

"Hey, seven kids! Mum! She's caught up to you," Fred pointed out.

"Unless it's twins again, we all know she's good at having those," George joked.

"In which case, she's overtaken you. Infertile my arse," Charlie added with a grin as everyone laughed.

"Well, Oliver did say he wanted the world record for the most kids, and that we were going to cure the issue with the wizarding population ourselves," she replied and they laughed at Oliver's pleased grin.

"A've always wanted me own Quidditch team," he beamed, laughter sounding around him.

"Thank you," said Leo, looking to his parents.

"What for?" They chorused in confusion.

"For giving me another person to love."

Hermione burst into tears again.

"Hormones," everyone chorused with a laugh.

"An' it begins," Oliver spoke amusedly, tugging his crying wife into his chest.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," she sniffled, accepting his kiss.

Leo hugged his brothers and father and kissed his sisters' and mother's cheeks one last time before he took his leave, going in search of a compartment.

As the train was readying to pull away, Leo was waving at everyone with his head hanging out of the window and they waved and yelled back.

"Kissing mummy goodbye, Wood," a fifth year Slytherin sneered at him and he turned to look at him, unphased.

"Yes," Leo replied honestly and without shame, seeing his friends sniggering behind their hands. "I love my family and I'm not ashamed to admit that. You see all those people out there?" He questioned, gesturing out the window to the crowd of over fifty people, with different coloured hair and children, with a dog running around and a kitten being cooed over. "They're my family and they all came here to see me off, even though I'm the only one old enough to attend Hogwarts. They came here for me and they didn't have to. They came here because they love me. I have an entire Quidditch team and their wives and children, plus my Aunts and Uncles and their children, my parents, brothers and sisters and my Grandparents here for me. Where are your family?" Leo probed, seeing the boy's sneer drop from his face. "My parents saved my life and I will never disrespect them or my family just to save myself some embarrassment. Why would I do that when I have the best family in the world? They could never embarrass me and I'm not afraid to kiss my mum on the cheek or hug my dad in public."

Giving him a final glance, he turned away, poking his head out the window once more and when the train finally pulled away from the station, Hogwarts bound, he could hear their voices carrying in the wind.

"What's the matter?" Brandon, one of his friends asked. "Gryffindor got your tongue?" He laughed, the Slytherin skulking away from their compartment silently.

"So, Leo, what was all that about?" His friend Ashton asked, tipping his head towards the window.

"Mum's pregnant," Leo grinned.

His friends laughed at him. "Christmas is going to be wicked," Jeremy, his other friend commented.

"You're still coming, right?" Leo checked, despite it being early September and Christmas being three months away.

"Of course," they scoffed as one.

"Wood family Christmas is the best thing ever, especially when your mum's pregnant," Ashton grinned and they laughed at the truth in his statement.

"It'll be at Wood Manor again, the team's coming with their wives and children this year," Leo told them.

"I can't believe you have your own manor. Makes you want to be a Wood, doesn't it?" Brandon asked the other two and they nodded without hesitation.

"You're honorary Woods, mum said so herself when you stayed with us last summer," Leo grinned.

"Your mum's cooking's the best" Ashton sighed.

"Don't let my Gran hear you say that," Leo warned with a laugh. "But it is, isn't it? Aunts Katie and Angelina are rubbish. Dad's is lethal, Tillie's is worse and Uncles Fred and George always set something on fire."

"I know, how'd they set the library on fire? They were only chopping carrots in the kitchen," said Jeremy and they laughed.

"I don't know, mum was furious, the fact that it was the library made everything ten times worse," he sniggered.

"We know, seeing her hex them was the best thing I've ever seen," Ashton commented.

"You should've been there when they taught Isaac and Kayden how to sneak prank sweets into her secret stash in the media room... I swear, she chased them around the apartment for half an hour. She closed off the floo and locked the door so they couldn't escape. Dad nearly wet himself laughing."

"What about when your Uncle Charlie stole one of her biscuits?"

"I thought she was going to kill him," Brandon laughed.

"Or when your Uncle Harry accidentally turned your mum's hair Slytherin green."

"My favourite was when your mum turned into her Animagus form and chased Thompson around the stadium because he accidentally called her fat," Jeremy grinned and they laughed louder.

"Mine's definitely when she hexed Pallie for calling her a 'hormonal monster' and he fell down the stands, breaking his nose," Brandon sniggered.

"Mine's when she flew onto the pitch so she could punch dad for getting hit with a bludger," Leo laughed.

"Mine's when she brought us to practice with her and she made the team do an obstacle course," Ashton offered. "I remember some of them passing out and having to crawl up the stands and to the locker room."

"You have the best family ever," Ashton sighed wistfully.

"I know," Leo agreed, his eyes locked on his Wood signet ring, smiling as his thumb swept over the stamped crest. "I know."