The end of the line; a bit earlier than promised. But it's the memorial service of my friend today that I cannot attend due to the distance, so I wanted to do something to cheer me up and what better way is there to cheer up than to post a story?

...unless there's the option to hack and slashing at Heartless while running around various Disney worlds, that's a very good cheering up method as well :P

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Ten years later

James knew his brother had been spotted the moment his son took off running, shaking his head as he followed Harry with the trolley.

"Siri! You came!" Harry threw himself into his godfather's arms, making the man laugh as he lifted him up for a moment before returning his hug.

"Hey, pup. Are you ready?"

"Yes! It's taken ages for September to come!" Harry beamed up at Sirius.

"Aren't you going to say hello to me?" James bit his lip to prevent from laughing as his son immediately turned to give Remus a hug as well, a mischievous smile on his lips.

"Of course, Uncle Remus."

"Now what did I say about calling me that?" the brown-haired man ruffled his hair as Harry ducked his swat.

"Moony!" trying in vain to sort his hair out again, Harry stuck out his tongue as he turned to Sirius pleadingly. "Siri?"

"You should know by now that that hair of yours is a lost cause, pup," but Sirius obliged in trying to make the wild hair lay flat, making James snicker.

"He's right, you know?"

"And whose fault is it that I have horrible hair?" Harry turned to glare at his father.

"I think it looks rather nice, I don't think red would suit you," a new voice piped up and Harry spun around.

"Luna! Auntie Pan, what are you doing here?"

"Coming to see you and Neville off, of course," Luna smiled as she greeted everyone and Pandora ruffled Harry's hair.

"Auntie!"

"Oh hush, you know I am quite fond of that hair of yours. It's your dad's after all," Lily spoke up; carrying a large birdcage that contained a large white snowy owl Sirius had gifted Harry for his eleventh birthday.

"You do love me," James batted his eyes tearfully before kissing her fondly when she rolled her eyes.

"Gross, Dad!"

"You just wait until you're a little older and say that again," Lily flicked his nose, waving when she spotted Alice and Frank coming their way.

"Harry! We're finally going!" Neville ran up to meet them, throwing his arms around Sirius in greeting. "Hi Luna, Sirius...everyone."

"How come you're always greeted personally, but we're everyone?" Remus complained good-naturedly as Sirius laughed and ruffled the blond's hair.

"Because he's my favourite uncle of course!" Neville wrapped his arms around Sirius' waist again. "But you are a very close third!"

"Third! Who do I need to duel with to make it up to second place?" Remus' threatening gaze was mostly ruined by his own laughter.

"Uncle James," hiding behind Sirius, Neville stuck out his tongue.

"I see where I stand," Remus pouted, making the children laugh. "What about you Luna, am I your favourite?"

"No, Sirius is," she bluntly told him. "But if it makes you feel better, you are his and Uncle James' favourite friend."

"Thanks."

"She's right, you know, you are our favourite," Sirius patted his shoulder compassionately, slipping an arm around his waist for a moment before turning to the children. "Are you as excited as Harry, Neville?"

"Yes! We're finally going!"

"Don't we know it," Alice and Frank laughed, finally having caught up with their son. "He hasn't stopped talking about it since getting his letter."

"Can you blame him? They are going on a great adventure," Remus laughed.

"Let's hope they don't get in as much trouble as you guys used to," Frank laughed. "Looks like the Weasleys are here as well."

"Hey guys!" two identical voices rang out over the crowded station as they broke away from their family, pushing a trolley with two trunks on it.

"Good morning, all packed?" Sirius ruffled George's hair as the redhead came within reach and both twins grinned up to him.

"Yes! Are you two excited?" Fred asked Neville and Harry.

"Yeah, your brother is going to go as well, isn't he?" Harry eyed the youngest Weasley, nodding at him in greeting.

"He is," neither twin looked particularly happy about that, but brightened immediately when they caught sight of Luna. "Hey, here to see us off?"

"Technically just Harry and Neville, but if you like, I can see you two off as well," the petite blond turned to them smiling.

"Why don't we see them off together and then go eat an ice cream?" Sirius wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she leaned against him happily.

"A good plan," James agreed, glancing at his watch. "We should bring in your trunks so it won't be left until the last minute."

"I'll help you," Frank offered as a shrill voice called out to Fred and George. "Better hurry off to your mother so you can say goodbye. Want us to put your trunk with theirs?"

"Yeah thanks. We'll get Lee to join us as well," Fred nodded, he and his brother hurrying off towards their family while James and Frank brought the feather-light trunks into an empty compartment.

"Where are the owl cages?" James turned, smiling as Lily had followed them and placed them on top of the trunks. "I feel kind of sorry for Hedwig and Trevor, having to stay with such a bunch of rowdy children."

"You could always let them fly to Hogwarts, I'm sure they'll enjoy the journey," Sirius spoke up behind him. "And if you shrink everything, the boys will even have more leg space."

"He's right, it's not like we can't unshrink them when we arrive," Harry agreed, having followed his godfather.

"Good idea, why don't you help your godfather let them out so your mum and I can shrink everything," James opened the cages so Harry could take his beautiful owl out while Sirius let the brown tawny owl step onto his arm.

"It's about time to board so we should go say goodbye," James kissed his wife on the cheek before they left the train again.

"All right, you better behave yourself and try not to get into too much trouble," Lily hugged her son tightly.

"I am a Marauder's son, no guarantees?" Harry cheekily told her as he turned to hug his father as well.

"Now, you are my son so I do expect some trouble from you, but listen to your mother and try to behave a little so you won't give your Head of House a coronary."

"We wouldn't want that! I love my future Head of House!" Harry grinned as he hugged Remus as well.

"Do your best in class and make sure you study hard."

"If you don't, we'll send you Howlers at breakfast," James threatened half-heartedly.

"Go ahead, Siri taught me how to destroy those," Harry stuck out his tongue, sobering as he turned to his godfather and threw himself into his arms once more. "I'll miss you."

"I'm sure you won't get a chance to miss me," Sirius laughed, hugging him tightly and pressed a kiss into his hair. "Remember to have fun and learn as much as you can. Don't duel people without a very good reason and remember to be yourself."

"I will."

"Sirius?" Neville pulled on his sleeve, looking curious.

"Hmm?"

"There's a girl staring at us, has been for a while now."

Sirius half turned under the pretence of looking at the station clock, finding the bushy-haired girl who was nervously looking around.

"She looks rather lonely, don't you think? Looks Muggleborn so maybe she's just scared and would like someone to invite her to sit with them for the train ride."

"I'll invite her to sit with us," Neville immediately ran off to the girl, startling her, but it didn't take more than a moment before she returned with him.

"Guy's, this is Hermione Granger. This is Harry and this lot is our family," Neville indicated to the adults and Luna.

"Pleased to meet you," the bushy brunette shook their hands.

"Likewise, are you excited to be going to Hogwarts?" Lily asked kindly.

"Yes, I am. It took some getting used to as it was a real shock to my parents and me when we discovered I was a witch, but I've read as much as I could and really look forward to learning all there is to know."

"Well, be sure to take it easy. There is so much to learn that it wouldn't do to work yourself silly in the first few weeks," Lily smiled.

"Take it from her, she's from the same background as you and almost gave herself a stroke with trying to learn everything as soon as she could," James winked at Hermione. "You'll have seven years to learn all you can, be sure to have fun and meet people as well."

"I'm sure I'll have to pay very close attention," Hermione looked nervous and unsure. "I'm sure to be far behind compared to everyone else."

"Don't worry about being behind in anything due to where you are from, everyone starts with the same basis and there is indeed so much to learn that you will have all the time in the world to learn it. Hogwarts is to be an amazing experience where you will find friendship and joy, it is to be an enormous adventure and not just a place to follow classes," Sirius smiled.

"I'll remember that, thank you," Hermione relaxed a little at his smile, returning it with one of her own in return.

"You better board before you'll have to run," Pandora spoke up, giving both Neville and Harry a hug. "Behave!"

"Do we have any other choice than to do so?" Neville laughed.

"You've got a point there," ruffling her son's hair, Alice smiled. "Make sure to write, both of you."

"Don't forget to write to me as well," Luna piped up.

"We won't, we'll write so often you'll get sick of us," Harry promised, pulling her into an embrace. "Before you know it you'll be joining us!"

"I know, I look forward to hear from you both," turning Luna gave Neville a hug as well. "And remind Siri that we expect him and Uncle James for dinner Friday."

"We will," Neville promised before turning to Hermione. "We'll be joined in the train by three third years that are friends of ours and perhaps their younger brother if he doesn't find other seating. Just so you are warned, the younger brother can be rather rude."

"Take no offence to it, he's the same to everyone," Harry agreed. "He is overall nice enough, though."

"Oh, all right."

"Why don't you board the train, we need to talk to Harry for a moment," Sirius placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, leading him to the side as Neville and Hermione boarded the train to join Fred and George.

"Now, you know we don't give a darn about most rules, right?" Sirius began as James and Remus joined him, Lily staying to the side with the others.

"I know, but you have to act like responsible adults sometimes," Harry cocked his head confused. "I already know that, why are you telling me?"

"Because it is time to give you this. Use it wisely," Sirius tucked a piece of yellowed parchment into Harry's pocket, making him gasp.

"That's the Marauder's Map," Harry whispered, quickly glancing at his mother before staring at his pocket in awe.

"We know, just remember to solemnly swear you are up to no good," James grinned.

"But swear you will not actually leave the castle before your third year," Remus said.

"Use the stories we've told you to not make the same mistakes we did," Sirius added.

"I won't," Harry bit his lip, looking up at his godfather. "What if I'm not in Gryffindor like you guys were?"

"Then you're not and we'll have to repaint your room, either way you know we all love you and are proud of you regardless of where you end up," he pressed a kiss to Harry's forehead and although the gesture should make Harry feel like a baby, it never ceased to comfort him as his godfather smiled at him warmly. "Don't forget to wipe the map when your mischief is managed."

"I won't forget," Harry swore, hugging his godfather tightly again for a long moment.

"But if it truly matters to you, you could always argue with the sorting hat. He takes your personal preferences into account. It's how I ended up in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw," his godfather's voice whispering in his ear eased the last of Harry's worries and he nodded relieved.

"Are you guys done?" Lily raised an eyebrow. "I better not see that thing, young man."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry grinned as he hugged his parents once more before quickly boarding the train, greeting the twins as well.

Fred opened the window for them and all four of them hung out of it so they could wave while Lee waved enthusiastically from his seat and even Hermione waved a bit more timidly.

James and the others all waved as the train slowly began to leave, keeping it up until the train disappeared from sight.

Laughing as he knew those children were going to have amazing years waiting for them, he hugged his brother close.

"They'll be just fine, you know that, right?" Sirius returned his hug and squeezed his waist, ignoring all the other people leaving the station around them as they looked at the back of the train picking up speed and disappearing from view.

"I know, we worked really hard to change the world for them and I like to believe we've succeeded," James smiled.

"We did, Muggleborn aren't treated unfairly any more, House-elves, werewolves and other magical creatures have the same rights humans do and the Ministry hasn't got a corrupt soul among them with Moody in charge," Sirius smiled as he ruffled his hair.

"And those who try anything have to deal with us Aurors," Frank grinned, making Alice roll her eyes.

"Of course dear, we should go as your mother is expecting us for lunch."

"I don't envy you there," Sirius laughed, wrapping an arm around Luna's shoulders as Frank deflated. "I believe I promised a certain young lady an ice cream?"

"You did. But do you have the time for that before you have to go?" Luna looked up to him hopefully.

"I always have time for my favourite girl," Sirius poked her side, making her laugh. "And I guess your mum can come as well if she wants to."

"Oh no, I prefer to stay far away from ice cream," Pandora patted her stomach ruefully. "Just be sure to drop my daughter off at home before you guys leave or I'll have to hunt you down for kidnapping her once again."

"Darn, I guess our plan failed, love," Luna giggled at Sirius' pout.

"We'll just have to make do with a little while, then," James sighed theatrically, as Sirius spun her around in a semi dance.

"A little while can last for an eternity if done right," Luna wisely said.

"And an eternity it shall be," Sirius laughed.

"You better not take that eternity literally, mister," Pandora mock glared at Sirius, making him laugh.

"I'll bring her back, Panny," he promised, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "But only after ice cream and perhaps a small visit to the pet shop to play with the animals."

"Only you," shaking her head fondly, Pandora smiled. "Have fun, love."

"Is that meant for you or me?" Sirius looked down at Luna. "Who is love?"

"I think we both are," Luna laughed and threw her arms around his waist. "You are her big brother, after all."

"We'll see you in a few hours, then," Lily broke up their playfulness and kissed her husband before she, Remus and Pandora left for the Floo with Alice and Frank while James and Sirius took Luna to Diagon Alley.

Meanwhile Harry introduced Hermione to the twins and Lee, sitting down beside Neville.

"Think you'll miss your parents?"

"Probably at first," Neville admitted. "Did you guys miss your parents when you left two years ago?"

"Not really, Dad's usually working and we were relieved to be away from Mum," Fred laughed, nodding at Hermione. "You?"

"Probably, I've never been away from them before. Won't you miss your parents?" Hermione asked Harry.

"He won't have a chance to," Neville laughed.

"What do you mean?"

"His mum is the Potions teacher, Remus is the History of Magic teacher and his dad and Sirius share the position of Defence against the Dark Arts while they at the same time run the Marauders; a very successful joke shop with twelve branches in various lands," Neville informed her.

"Those people were our future teachers?" Hermione's eyes widened. "But they were so casual, not at all strict looking."

"Oh, you don't want to make them mad. None of the teachers actually, but they are some of the more laid back Professors," Lee grinned. "Especially Professor Sirius, Lupin and Potter."

"Professor Sirius?"

"Yeah, it would be confusing to call him by his surname since he's my Dad's adoptive brother and he hates his own surname with a vengeance," Harry explained. "So they decided he'll be called by his given name to avoid confusion."

"So they saw you off on the station, only to see you again in a few hours?" Hermione looked confused.

"They are weird like that," Lee laughed.

"They are, but really awesome," George explained to Hermione. "It's tradition to put your child on the train to Hogwarts and they didn't want to let Harry miss the experience of bonding with his future schoolmates."

"I heard Headmistress McGonagall is really strict," Hermione softly said.

"Only when you misbehave. Which we do, all the time," Fred and George chorused in unison. "But it's usually the Deputy you have to deal with."

"Who's the Deputy?" Hermione asked interested.

"Sirius is, he's also Gryffindors Head of House."

"I've read about the four different houses in Hogwarts, a history..." Hermione trailed off.

"Things changed a lot since that book was written, everything changed after the war ended. Hogwarts most of all," Harry told her. "There are equal rights for everyone now, a fair justice system and the level of education is worldwide considered to be the best as it covers various cultures; not just the British one."

"The war ended thanks to people called the Marauders taking out You-Know-Who, didn't it?" Hermione sounded intrigued and eager to learn more.

"Voldemort. There is no hex on the name any more so it is safe to use it; though many people are still too afraid even after all these years," Neville rolled his eyes.

"Oh, but those people are really famous in the Wizarding World, aren't they?"

"Yeah, though they don't care at all about the fame it gave them and would much rather just be remembered for their accomplishments on the Wolfspoly potion," Harry smiled.

"Wolfspoly?"

"A potion that allows a werewolf to transform without pain," Neville explained. "They developed it because they couldn't bear to see their best friend go through such trauma every month."

"Werewolves are real?" eyes widening, Hermione swallowed nervously.

"Of course they are, though most are just people who want to live in peace and are the same as everyone else. Remus used to be a werewolf as well," George piped up. "He's a great guy and I know several other former werewolves who are good people as well."

"I've seen enough movies to know they are not bad and can't help what they are," Hermione agreed. "Though, aren't they werewolves any more now?"

"The Marauders found a cure for lycanthropy two years ago," Harry beamed. "It's something they are especially proud of, too."

"That's amazing!" Hermione frowned as his words registered properly. "Why does it sound like you know them personally?"

"I guess I didn't properly introduce everyone, did I?" Neville smiled apologetic. "Harry's parents are James and Lily Potter; the dark haired man was his godfather Sirius Potter-Black and the brown haired guy was his uncle Remus Lupin."

"Your parents are the Marauders?" Hermione squeaked, eyes wide.

"Yeah. Sorry, I didn't introduce myself. Hello Hermione, my name is Harry Potter-Black. It is a pleasure to meet you," Harry smiled amused as the bushy-haired girl hesitantly shook his hand, regaining her posture quickly and smiling back at him.

"It's nice to meet you Harry, I'm Hermione Granger. I thought you and Neville were related?"

"We are cousins several times removed through Sirius. All Pure-Blood families are interrelated somewhere along the line, actually," Neville explained. "Sirius always says that is what happens when the bigotry Pure-Bloods only used to marry their own kind. It's one of the very few things that might change in our generation as most Pure-Bloods of old have been killed in the war and their offspring hasn't grown up with the same bigotry believes."

"But to answer your question; our parents are close friends and we grew up together so we're one big family," Harry smiled, looking up when the door slid open.

"Could I sit here? Everywhere else is full," Fred and George's younger brother, Ron stood in the door opening; a black smudge on his nose.

"Sure," Harry nodded; George shifting sides to sit beside his twin so Ron could take a seat beside Hermione.

"Do you know you've got a smudge on your nose?" Hermione asked, pointing it out to him and Ron rubbed at it horrified while the others continued chatting on.

Harry shared a grin with Neville and hours later he beamed widely as his family cheered the loudest of all when he was sorted into Gryffindor after Neville and Hermione, taking a seat beside the people he would spend the largest part of the upcoming seven years with.

And as he caught his godfather's proud, mischievous smile and saw the equal proud looks shared between his parents and uncle, he touched the piece of parchment in his robes fondly as his year mates chatted about what to expect in the classes.

Something he believed was only possible because the four he loved most of all had refused to stand down when he was just a toddler, so that his generation would never have to deal with the misery and horror they had.

Smiling at his family one last time, Harry turned back to his new and old friends, content in the knowledge all of this was possible thanks to their continued efforts to change the world and that as long as they would watch over him, he was happy and content to take the next step in his young life.