A sharp rapping on the kitchen window interrupted the intense chess game between James and Harry. They looked up to see a Daily Prophet owl and their own owl P.H. sitting on the sill.

Ginny was working on an article about the upcoming quidditch preseason in her office. Lily was playing gobstones with Albus on the floor and no one seemed to be jumping at the opportunity to fetch the post.

Fishing some knuts out of his wallet Harry dropped the coins into James' hand. "Bring me the post will you?"

Sighing James nodded and stood. "Rook to E5," He muttered before walking to the kitchen to open the window.

Furrowing his eyebrows Harry tried to calculate his next move, but Ron could tell you that Harry was always rubbish at chess. James brought back the mail and dropped it next to the board and Harry absently moved one of his pawns while he picked up the papers.

Setting the Prophet aside, Harry flipped through the envelopes. There was a letter from Teddy for each of the kids, he sent one each month. Mail from Ginny's parents and something Hermione sent out from the Ministry.

The last letter was yellowed and sealed with the stamp of Hogwarts. Turing it over Harry saw the letter was addressed to both him and Ginny. James took Harry's pawn and looked at his father expectantly.

"We're going to have to finish this later, J," Harry said standing. Conjuring a quill and piece of parchment in front of his son Harry made his way towards the office. "Write your last move down so we know where to pick up later."

James took the quill in unpracticed fingers and stitched out blocky letters of his last move before tucking it under the board.

"Can we watch TV?" Albus asked as his father walked from the room.

"Sure," Harry said waving his hand. "But make sure it's appropriate for Lily."

James snatched up the remote and clicked on the television before Harry could add anything else. Harry entered the home office where Ginny was clacking away at the keys of the typewriter her forehead creased as she focused.

"We've got a letter," Harry said entering and sitting on the edge of the desk.

"We?" Ginny questioned looking up.

"From Hogwarts," Harry replied flipping around the letter to reveal the Hogwarts seal.

"What did you do?" Ginny asked crossing her arms.

"Nothing!" Harry cried.

"Okay, sure," GInny said skeptically.

"Just open it," Harry muttered shoving the letter into Ginny's hands.

Poking her tongue out at Harry Ginny took the letter, breaking the seal she pulled out three separate pieces of paper. Setting the smaller two down Ginny began reading the letter, her eyes flicked over the paper her mouth remained in a line once she finished. Picking up the other papers she handed Harry one. They were invitations.

"You liar," Ginny said checking a box on her invite. The golden yellow cardstock dissipated leaving a trace of golden dust once Ginny's quill left its surface. "You did do something."

"I haven't a clue what you're talking about," Harry said defensively. He really didn't. "I haven't been to Hogwarts in years."

Fixing him with a look Ginny picked the letter back up and began reading it out loud. "At the beginning of this September, something was brought to my attention.
A seemingly empty wall on the seventh floor has been enchanted. According to my source, this wall is the entrance to a 'Room Where Everything is Hidden', but on the outside, there is a list of names. It did not take me long to realize the names of these people were the people who were casualties of war.
Mr. Potter, seconds after realizing this I recognized your handwriting. I would like you to know whatever ink you used cannot be removed. I would also like to inform you that for the past eleven years every single graduating class of Hogwarts has signed their names next to the ones of the fallen."

Raising her eyebrows at him Ginny blinked slowly. "Need I continue? Or would you like to explain?"

Blowing out a puff of air Harry rubbed his eyes behind his glasses. "When I was helping repair Hogwarts after the battle, I found this quill and thought I should create a memorial. I wrote down Fred's name and then cast a spell. The spell makes the ink this silver color that's all shiny. But once that person dies it turns black. So I wrote all the names I could think of. Mad-Eye, Tonks, Dumbledore, Dobby, anyone. Everyone.
"I never expected anyone to find it. You have to ask to see the 'next step'. I always thought that was death. Maybe somebody wanted to know what the next step was after Hogwarts. I didn't think it would become a rite of passage for seventh years."

"Well, McGonagall is hosting an event. November first. She's invited everyone, the Order, the family, the DA, anyone who fought. We've been invited to sign our own names. We're allowed to brings the kids and we're going."

Holding his own invitation Harry checked 'yes' and his invitation disappeared. "I can't believe someone found it."

Wrapping her arms around his neck Ginny kissed Harry on the cheek. "You're an idiot. I love you."

-------------------------------------------
(November 1st)

"How many cars does the Ministry have?" Ron questioned from the front steps of Hogwarts as an assembly line of cars with the ministry flags decorating them delivered guests to the school.

"As many as I need," Hermione answered.

"How many strings did you have to pull to make this happen?" Ginny questioned looking down the seemly endless line of shiny black vehicles.

"I run the ministry," Hermione said as if the fact were glaringly obvious. "People do as I say."

"It's good of you to do this Hermione," Harry said throwing her a meaningful look. "It means a lot."

The two families stood before the entrance to Hogwarts. The children were wearing their best clothes and behaving excellently, the promise of sweets was the only thing keeping them in line.

Both Harry and Ron wore black tailored suits with red ties. Ginny wore a golden cocktail dress with an a-line skirt and a square neckline. Her vibrant hair was done up in an elegant ponytail, and her neck was decorated with pearls.

Hermione wore a pale red velvet dress with a stunning long skirt that brushed the floor and a thin string of diamonds hung around her waist. Her golden hair falling in a slick sheet down her back.

The cars from the ministry were sent out to every household invited to the event. Car after car deposited family after family. The Weasley's came first, there was a joyful reunion of cousins and siblings before everyone but Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione made their way into the Great Hall.

They greeted countless familiar faces, each one friendly and smiling. After welcoming a Ravenclaw girl from the DA Harry's eyes widened.

"Do you think Cho will bring Dudely?" He pondered.

"Is that even legal?" Ron questioned. "I mean he is a muggle after all."

"Who's a muggle?" Neville exited his car with Mavis in his arms and Hannah at his side.

"No one of importance," Ginny said quickly before she embraced Neville tightly.

Hermione and Hannah embraced just as fast, but not before Mavis managed to wiggle free from her father's grip and rush inside. Sending Hannah chasing after her.

A few moments later three more faces appeared. "Luna!" Ginny practically screamed before throwing herself into her arms.

Rolf and Harry exchanged a laugh as their wives both clutched each other with an untold ferocity. Not far behind Dean and Seamus walked up, elbows linked.

Smiling widely both Harry and Ron went to great the pair with firm handshakes and ever so subtle hugs. But before Harry reached Seamus Hermione let out a gasp stopping them all short.

"That," She said pointing at Dean, "That is a child."

Upon further inspection, it was revealed that in Dean's other arm he held a small bundle which just so happened to be an infant girl.

"Merlin's beard," Ron muttered.

"Suprise." Seamus offered weakly. "We're dads."

"Congratulations!" Harry said patting Seamus on the shoulder. "What's her name?"

"Yeah," Dean smiled adjusting his arms so his daughter was seen easier. "This is our daughter Wendy Moyra, we adopted her two months ago in London."

"She's adorable," Hermione smiled. "How old is she?"

"The orphanage didn't know exactly, but her doctor says around four mouths," Seamus said.

"Oh it's a tiny baby," Ginny cooed. Tugging Harry's sleeve she smiled. "Remember when we had ones that small?"

"I remember not sleeping," Harry replied.

"I'll drink to that." Dean laughed.

Eventually, all of the guests arrived at the castle and seated in the great hall. The great hall seemed to have been expanded and tables littered the floor. People weren't sitting at their tables though.

Joyus reunions echoed off the stone walls and the affection filling the room was contagious. Teddy walked through the crowds searching for his own family when he felt a hand clap him on the shoulder.

Looking up Teddy grinned. "Hey, Harry."

"Hey Teds," Harry grinned. "Isn't this something?"

Teddy didn't answer right away. He looked around the crowded hall at all the faces, most of whom he had never seen before. "Do you think any of these people knew my mum and dad?"

A pang of pity hit Harry in the stomach. Yeah, loads of these people knew your parents." Conveniently Kingsey walked by giving Harry a perfect opportunity to demonstrate. "Kingsley, this is Teddy."

As Harry pushed Teddy in front of him to introduce him to the mountain of a man who was the former minister Teddy gave a small grin. "Hullo."

A smile broke out on Kingsleys faces his velvety smooth voice descended. "Ah, Remus' son." Bending down Kingsly became eye level with Teddy, which didn't mean much because Teddy had grown quite a bit during the previous summer. "Your father was a good man. He was a selfless person and I owe him everything I have."

Teddy, who had changed his hair to a deep brown for the occasion, flushed and a ripple of blue covered his head. Kinsley's eyebrows shot up and a playful grin quirked at the corners of his mouth.

"Nymphadora's legacy lives on."

"Be careful," Harry warned. "You wouldn't want her ghost visiting you."

"Excuse me," Kingsley said. "Tonks' legacy lives on."

Teddy smiled and let his hair return to its natural blue shade. "Did you know her?"

"I worked with her when we were both in the Auror department. She was clumsy as I'll get out but strong and resilient nonetheless. She was quite determined and persistent. When things looked partially grim we could always rely on Tonks for a laugh."

"Thank you," Teddy said softly.

"Of course," Kingsley replied. "When you're a little older I'll have some stories for you."

Watching Kingsley walked away Teddy sighed and twisted his nose ring. Harry wrapped his arm around the boy and led him words the table where everyone else was sitting.

Victore and Molly II were the only other cousins that attended Hogwarts. As Teddy and Harry walked up Teddy was flocked by the younger cousins and Victore smiled at him from her place next to her father.

Harry kissed Ginny on his cheek and took some champagne from her before a sharp voice came from behind them. "Potter."

Both Harry and Ginny turned around to see McGonagall standing behind them. Harry beckoned to Ron and Hermione and they broke away from the group to speak to her.

McGonagall opened her mouth to speak but closed it and examined the four for a moment. "Lord, it feels like just last week that I was watching you be sorted. Now you're all grown up with children of your own, and facial hair." She shot a pointed look at Ron and Harry.

"Time flies," Hermione said gently.

"Indeed it does," McGonagall agreed. "I thought it was best to invite you and your family members to the Mural of Names first. Are there any other people who you like to join you?"

"Luna and Neville," Ginny said quickly. "Along with their families."

"Parvarti," Hermioen said. "And Dennis Creevy."

"Dean and Seamus," Ron added. "Maybe Aberforth, if he's here."

"Anyone from the DA," Harry said after a moment's thought. "Then immediately after us the rest of the Order."

Nodding McGonagall went off to alert the others. Going back to collect the others Harry led the family of Weasleys and Potters to the seventh floor. Once they arrived the group formed a semi-circle around the wall. The glitter of sliver reflected back on them from the seventh years who signed before now. But in the center of it all, was a circle of black.

A few black names were scattered about but people's eyes were drawn to the center. There was a black strip left around those names. A space left out of respect for the dead. There was a table with quills and the spell was on the walls people could cast it on their own names.

"Harry should go first." A voice said. The voice belonged to Susan Bones. Murmurs of agreement followed her words.

"No," Harry shook his head. "Not me." Looking around his eyes fell on George. "George, you go."

Nodding George set Roxanne down and picked up a quill. Keeping it at his side George searched the wall, his thumb ran across a black name, a single tear fell from each of his eyes. Scratching his own name next to his twins he whispered, "Hey Freddie,"

The rest of the Weasleys followed. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley first. Followed by Bill, Charlie, Percy, And Ginny. Ron and their spouses hung back. By the time they had all signed silver surrounded Fred's name.

Everyone waited for Harry to say who went next. Harry looked at Teddy who was staring at the wall. "Teddy, your turn."

Nodding faintly Teddy walked up to the wall with a quill. Everyone turned away and distracted themselves to let Teddy have his moment. But Harry didn't miss the words. "Hi, mum, dad. It's your son, Teddy."

Next Parvirti, Dennis, Dean, Seamus, Luna, and Neville signed. Followed by the rest of the DA. People from order wnt next. There wasn't a dry eye around. Noen of the children sighed though. Once finished the rest of the guests came in, signing the wall in any empty space. Harry stayed to watch it all. So Ron and Hermione stayed too.

He waited until there was no one left in the hall. Harry then took a quill, he found an empty space, he lifted his hand, the tip fresh with ink hovering above the surface. Both Ron and Hermione signed their names. They watched Harry stare at the empty space.

Harry's eyes glittered with tears. He couldn't bring himself to write his own name. He didn't feel he deserved it. Ron gently pushed Harry's right elbow so the tip of the quill rested on the stone. Harry was able to slowly write his name. But he made no move to perform the charm that turned it silver.

He set the quill back down on the table, leaving his name black. He pretended to not see Hermione perform the charm herself.

Moments later McGonagall walked in, followed by the majority of the family. Who must have been waiting outside. "Are we all finished here?"

"Yeah," Ron nodded, taking a sleeping Hugo from his mother's arms.

"Alright, I'm to summon the seventh years so they can sign their own names and get it over with," McGonagall said.

"They won't come," Teddy told her.

"Why not?" McGonagall demanded.

"That's not tradition," Teddy replied lightly.

"What is tradition?" McGonagall asked placing her hands on her hips.

"I can't tell you that," Teddy answered. Then he made the gesture of zipping his lips and throwing away the key.

Rolling her eyes McGonagall walked away. Victore walked up to Teddy and whispered, "So what is tradition?"

Grinning mischievously Teddy divulged. "The night before graduation all the seventh years come here and they make the Room of Requirement this giant like hammock town and they sneak food from the kitchen but you can't get in until you sign the wall. They stay up all night partying and getting drunk. I can't wait until it's my turn."

Giggling Victore smiled, but then they both looked up to see Charlie looking at them with his eyebrows raised.

"Please don't tell Harry," Teddy said the second he saw Charlie.

"Hey man," Charlie said with a shrug. He then made the same lip zipping gesture that Teddy did to McGonagall.

Teddy walked over to Harry and said, "Before I forget can you sign a few things for me. My mates have been asking for autographs."

"No," Harry said flatly. "Sorry, Teds but you can tell your mates that I don't give autographs."

"Really?" Teddy asked in disbelief. "No autographs."

"Never," HArry shook his head. "Not one."

Hermione cleared her throat and cocked her head at him.

"Okay," Harry conceded. "One."

"Who?" Teddy demanded. "Who is this person who is so deserving of your autograph?"

"Come with me," Harry led Teddy to the wall and pointed to a name. "Him."

Teddy's face fell. The name was in black and read Colin Creevy.

"Oh," Teddy murmured.

"He wasn't alive to see that he got my autograph," Harry said. "In all my years of knowing him, all Colin wanted was an autographed photo with me. He stayed behind at the battle even though he wasn't of age. Colin died that night. At his funeral I left him my autograph, it was on a slip of paper, but it was for him. That was the first and last autograph I've ever given."

The room had gone quiet as Harry stared at Colin's name and told that story. "So next time your mates bother you for my autograph you can tell them that story."

"No autographs," Tuddy murmured. "Noted."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OH MY GAWD!

IT HAS BEEN A SEC!

I AM SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING SOONER. I CANNOT STRESS THAT ENOUGH. Here is a nice long update which is my way of asking for forgiveness. I promise there is more to come.

I hope you enjoyed and didn't cry reading as I did writing this.

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH.

See you next time Loves!

:) :)