EPILOGUE

Years later, the roaring crowd at the stadium seemed to pale in comparison to the boisterous energy of Fred and Nimah's youngest, whose lungs seemed to have an inexhaustible supply of enthusiasm.

"Destroy them, Dad!" the child bellowed, her voice carrying over the din of the crowd. Nimah winced, covering her left ear as she chuckled. Her youngest's passion was unmatched—and unrelenting, even three hours into the match.

"Mum, why don't you just use Sonorus?" her eldest suggested with a smirk, glancing at their sister. "She's already halfway there on her own."

"Oh, please," the middle child grumbled, hands firmly clamped over their ears. "Mum, can you please tell Dad to get the Seeker to catch the Snitch already? I'm starving!"

Nimah laughed, her gaze shifting to Sirius and George, seated a few rows down. Both men exchanged wary glances, fully aware of what was coming next.

"But," Sirius began, raising a finger as if to make a profound point, "it's just getting to the best part!"

"Sirius," Kaia interrupted with a fond yet firm nudge, "just go."

Angelique's glare joined the chorus, forcing George to reluctantly stand as well. Both men shuffled off with exaggerated pouts, eliciting laughter from their wives and Nimah.

Life had taken Fred and Nimah down a challenging yet rewarding path since their school days. Married six years after graduation, they had welcomed their first child that same year, followed by two more. Fred had achieved his dream of becoming a professional Quidditch player, while Nimah had pursued her passion for physical therapy, even spending a few years in America to further her career. Despite the distance and challenges, their bond had only grown stronger, rooted in the resilience they had built together.

"COME ON, DAD! THROW IT! THROW IT!" Their youngest's voice pierced the air once more, causing several people in the stands to flinch.

"Good heavens, where does all that volume come from?" James asked as he returned from a food run, dropping into the seat next to Nimah.

"FREDRICK WEASLEY! THROW IT NOW!"

Elodie, seated nearby, burst out laughing as James dramatically covered his ears. She patted his back in mock sympathy. "You really should've known better, James."

Nimah and her youngest erupted in cheers as Fred scored another goal, the Quaffle soaring past the Keeper into the hoop. A few tense minutes later, his team's Seeker caught the Snitch, sealing their victory and securing a spot in the championships next summer.

"You did awesome, Dad!" The youngest was practically hanging off Fred's arm as the family reunited on the field.

"I know I did," Fred said, ruffling her hair with a grin. "But next time, I'll make sure they don't score a single goal."

"Leave that to your Keeper," Nimah chided playfully, crossing her arms. "You just focus on the Quaffle."

Fred pouted dramatically. "No congratulatory kiss for your husband, then?"

Nimah rolled her eyes but couldn't hold back her smile. She glanced at their three children and nodded. They all grinned mischievously before launching themselves at Fred in a group hug.

"Congrats, Dad!" they chorused, laughing as Fred held them tightly.

Amid the laughter and celebration, Nimah leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "Good job, my love," she whispered, joining the hug.

Fred smirked. "I knew you couldn't resist me."

Nimah rolled her eyes again but couldn't suppress a laugh. "Please. The only one who needs to resist anything is you."

Their laughter echoed across the pitch, a harmonious melody of joy and love that seemed to rise above the celebratory roars of the crowd. Hand in hand, the family made their way off the field, each step a testament to the journey they had shared—the highs and lows, the dreams chased and caught, and the unshakable bond they had forged.

This wasn't just about Quidditch or another win etched into Fred's career. It was about every sacrifice, every moment of growth, and every piece of happiness they had carved out together. Each smile, every cheer, and even the playful bickering reflected the life they had worked so hard to build.

As the sun sank lower in the horizon, its golden light draped the stadium in a warm, ethereal glow, as though the universe itself was celebrating alongside them. The cheers from the stands began to fade into the background, overtaken by the joyous sound of their own laughter—a melody that resonated deeply, more powerful than any victory chant.

Their greatest triumph wasn't measured in scores or trophies; it was here, in the shared smiles and the hands clasped tightly together. It was in the exuberance of their youngest child perched on Fred's shoulders, in the proud gleam in Nimah's eyes as she glanced at her husband, and in the playful banter exchanged among their children.

As they approached the exit, the crowd began to disperse, leaving the family in a quieter bubble of their own. Fred's arm slipped around Nimah's shoulders, pulling her close. She leaned into him with a contented sigh, her hand resting lightly on his back as their children darted ahead, chattering excitedly about the game.

"Another championship on the horizon," Fred mused, his voice soft but tinged with pride. "Think they'll let me retire on a high note after that?"

Nimah raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "You? Retire? You'd last two weeks before you'd start climbing the walls."

Fred laughed, the sound easy and free. "True. Guess I'd need something to keep me busy." He glanced at their kids, now debating which ice cream flavour to get at the celebration. "Though, something tells me these three are more than enough."

Nimah followed his gaze, her expression softening. "You've got that right. And besides, you'll always have me to keep you on your toes."

Fred smirked, leaning down to press a quick kiss to her temple. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

As they caught up with their children, Sirius Black and George Weasley reappeared, each carrying an armful of celebratory treats. George handed out butterbeer while Sirius passed out pumpkin pasties, earning cheers from the kids.

"To the next generation of Weasley-Black chaos," Sirius declared, raising his butterbeer in a mock toast. "May they cause as much trouble as we did—if not more!"

Nimah groaned, shaking her head as the children eagerly clinked their bottles against Sirius's. "Please don't encourage them," she muttered, though the corners of her mouth quirked up in amusement.

The celebration carried on as the group made their way to the family's favorite spot near the lake. The sun was now a deep amber, casting ripples of light across the water. Fred settled on the grass, leaning back on his elbows as Nimah sat beside him, their children running circles around the older adults.

"You know," Nimah began, her voice thoughtful as she watched the scene before them, "I used to think our dream was just about Quidditch. Winning games, making history, achieving greatness."

Fred tilted his head toward her, his eyes warm and curious. "And now?"

She smiled, her gaze fixed on their children. "Now I realize it's about all of this. The life we built, the people we've become, the love that keeps us grounded. This is the dream, Fred. And it's so much better than I ever imagined."

Fred's hand found hers, their fingers interlocking effortlessly. "Couldn't have said it better myself."

The pair sat quietly, basking in the golden hour of the day and the golden era of their lives. Surrounded by the laughter of their family, the sound of the lake's gentle waves, and the unspoken promise of countless memories yet to come, they knew one thing for certain: they had won far more than any game. They had won at life, together.