Epilogue

It's funny, Hermione thought as she stared out over the assembled faces, the changes life brings you.

The fallout from their effective coup was less than she had expected. Between the arrest and trial of all the remaining Death Eaters, which they held publicly to remove rumors of vengeance, and the fact they didn't affect day to day life too much, it was fairly seamless. With Lady Longbottom in the Wizengamot and Amelia Bones in the Minister's chair once all the Death Eater trials were completed, much of the wizarding world stayed the same. There was a bit of unrest at the legality of Harry assuming the throne, as his Potters were not known to be descended from Pendragon, but the Goblins had helped there. Apparently most of the Wizarding world forgot that as 'punishment' for their rebellion in 327 the goblins were forced to track every magical lineage, including the eventual King and Queen. Now while the male line had gone extinct, the Female line had not, eventually marrying into a squib family named Evans. After several generations it returned to the Wizarding world in the form of Lily Potter nee Evans. This meant that because there was no prohibition over the crown passing through the female line, Harry, Lily's first born son, was the rightful King.

So while the wizarding side settled after that fact was proven, their relations with others had changed. Two of the first changes they had made was to legalize more rights for magical creatures and to increase communication with the non magical world.

The creature rights, though they were now referred to as magical beings, included the removal of restrictions on Goblins, and adding house-elf rights. Asking Dobby, in the middle of the Wizengamot, if he wanted to continue working for Harry, drove the point home that no one was above the laws. In the seven years since they had begun, there were now goblin metalsmiths in Diagon Alley, as well as construction of a new branch of Gringotts in Hogsmeade. Many house-elves had left their masters due to the abuse they received, and Hermione had personally set up the House-elf loan program. The displaced house-elves didn't want to not work, just to be treated properly, and HELP was set up to aid them with that. It was a combination of placement service and extra help coordinator. A family looking for an elf, or who needed a bunch for a short term like a big party could come in and find them. There were several goblins who helped out and wrote the contracts, and despite the new laws, there was still no one who wanted to break a goblin contract.

On the muggle side, it had taken some time and many meetings not only with the Prime Minister but with the Queen as well, but they were finally getting their bearings. There were liaisons between many departments and their muggle counterparts, and even the merchants were getting in on it. The Weasley twins, despite having a hugely successful joke shop, had begun to market magical equivalents of muggle devices and were actively recruiting to work things the other way. Their newest product, a new muggle burn salve that healed burns almost as fast as magical means, was currently undergoing approval but would likely be on hospital shelves early next year. Headmistress McGonagall had had to restrict the communication mirrors they had copied from muggle cell phones to dormitories only. That was just one of many projects that were increasing magical-muggle relations.

So successful they were, Harry had admitted during his last meeting with Queen Elizabeth that he was considering approaching the ICW about lifting the statute of secrecy. It would take a lot of thought, and a lot of planning, but it was becoming harder and harder for magicals to stay hidden. The latest generations of cell phones had cameras built in, and the likelihood of something getting onto the internet before it was intercepted was getting higher each year as well. It was only a matter of time before the magical world was exposed, and it would be better to do so on their own terms.

Hogwarts had changed too, Hermione thought as she watched the newest first years enter behind Professor Flitwick. True to his word, Snape had completely revamped the potions curriculum, even asked her about muggle chemistry class procedures. The first time they had seen a class in protective robes and safety glasses Hermione had nearly kissed the dark haired man. With Harry's help, new classes had been added including healing, world and muggle history, and this year, finally, magiks of the world. McGonagall had also revamped the instructors as well. Hagrid only was allowed the NEWT care students, while a Centaur had been hired to teach the younger years. Binns, the ghost who had taught history of magic, was replaced by a goblin, while a house-elf taught the household charms elective. Flitwick taught only the NEWT students as well, and the younger years were taught by Fleur Delacour. Divination was removed after the class was unattended for two consecutive years, while the library was expanded to include books on other wizarding cultures as well as a selection of muggle subjects.

When an injury had ended Victor Krum's quidditch career, he too returned to the British isles to take up the post of flying instructor from Madam Hooch. Together with McGonagall, he had expanded the quidditch league to include a training league of first through third years, and practice squads for each house team who played the Sunday after their house teams played. He also organized an international team, who along with teams put up by other magical schools would play games across the summer months in a tournament similar to the muggle soccer world cup.

"Fond memories, Love?" Harry came up behind her and snuggled into her.

"Some, more now," she purred back. "Moving here, being seen every day by the students, was brilliant love."

It really had been one of his better ideas. Not wanting to be some reclusive ruler that was only seen at official functions, yet not wanting to be constantly followed everywhere by the still untamed magical reporters, Hogwarts became the answer. They would be around the younger generation, helping them adjust to the changes in the world, yet still keep an office in the Ministry. Their duties often took them away for days at a time, but Hogwarts had truly become their home. One thing they insisted on though, was to always see the sorting.

"You're just happy because you get unlimited access to the library," he teased, kissing her neck.

"True, though since you gave me access to your library, not as much."

"Oh, so you only married me for my library, is that it?"

"Oh no, the sex is great too.," she assured him, and saw him torn between offense and pride. "Speaking of, you know how you were looking forward to going to Japan next summer, both to see Master Katsuma and see the international league tournament?"

"Yeah…" his tone was now curious at the transition.

"Well, we're going to have to travel muggle. Oh, and we'll need three seats," she informed him matter of factly, waiting for his brain to catch up.

"Muggle? Why would… three? You? We?" He turned to face her, his face full of hope and begging her to tell him it was true.

"Yes, I am, and yes, we are. Congratulations, Daddy."

Finite