The rest of the school year passed quite pleasantly. With the bullying stopped and the bigotry becoming a punishable behaviour, life at Hogwarts became much pleasanter than before. The new atmosphere was also conducive to mixed-house friendships, allowing even the Slytherins to find new friends in other houses. It was merely a hesitant first step, of course, but it was very promising.
The two Potters shared the first place in their year, as many expected. They also made many friends, more than any of them could expect a year earlier. The two lonely children had become a very popular couple.
Only one student failed the first year. Nobody was surprised that Ron Weasley would have to repeat the first year, sharing classes with his sister, who was also expected to be sorted to Gryffindor, like the rest of the family. Well, had Ron given studies only a small part of the attention he was giving meals and Quidditch, he would have been in a much better situation. But the lazy boy couldn't even contemplate putting any effort into studying. He was going to have a private howler delivered to him very personally once he reached home, that was sure. Nobody would bet on how effective that would turn out.
The other Weasleys weren't surprised. Percy had tried to make Ron study and the twins tried to do that differently, but none got any result. Ron simply refused all attempts to make him study by either helping him, bribing him (with food, of course,) or even threatening him (and even pranking him a few times, when the threats didn't work.) Ron stayed constant in his refusal to study.
–..–
The train ride home was very pleasant for the Potters. They were surrounded by friends in their compartment and many more came to visit, exchange some words or more, and leave to make room for some others.
Draco was one of the friends and seemed to like the company of the Gryffindors. Well, Daphne also spent a large part of the voyage in that compartment and so did quite a few others.
Sirius and Remus were already waiting for the Potters on platform 9. They looked surprised when the young couple came out surrounded by so many friends. Sirius was even more surprised when Draco stopped to greet him.
"Is Malfoy your friend?" he asked Harry.
"We actually started as enemies. He challenged me to a duel, where I beat him, making him my vassal. He only came to his own mind after his father died, along with the other Death Eaters. Once he started thinking for himself, he thought that becoming friends would be right, and his mother encouraged him in that direction. We're in good relations now, although he's not a very close friend yet."
"That's unbelievable!" Sirius blurted. Well, Draco had addressed him very politely with no sneer or other unworthy facial expression. Although both were currently heads of their houses, he still acted as a boy addressing the Head of another house. Could that be due to Harry's influence? He couldn't know.
It took them some time to say goodbyes to all their friends but they eventually stepped out through the portal to where the Grangers were waiting.
"We thought you'd come earlier. What took you so long?" Dave asked.
Harry shrugged. "All our friends and quite a few of our acquaintances wanted to say goodbye. We were almost the last to leave because of that."
Dave smiled. "At least you have a very pleasant cause for the delay."
–..–
Sirius popped in for an unscheduled visit a few days later.
"I went to St. Mungos for my weekly treatment and was asked to come another day. Turns out that Albus Dumbledore is dying, probably dead already. He fell into a coma a few days ago and the healers could do nothing for him. Then, his heartbeat became irregular and was slowing down. Judging by the expressions I saw there, I don't think he could live much longer than an hour or two."
Harry sighed. "He could have been a great man, you know, but now he'll only be remembered for what came out after our press conference. It's such a pity!"
Sirius had to agree. "I think he stopped thinking straight even before I reached Hogwarts. He was already too manipulative and secretive for his own good and it only worsened with time."
They stood silent for a moment in memory of the greatness that could have been.
–..–
Ten years later, the Potter Duo, as the press liked to call them, were becoming a force to be reckoned with in the political arena. They headed the largest political alliance in the Wizengamot and were able to pass practically any legislation they put their minds to. Due to their influence, many old laws were removed and new, egalitarian and just laws were accepted instead. While Magical Britain was still far from becoming a modern democracy, it was moving steadily in that direction.
The Potters had also changed quite a few habits by mere personal example. They first had Potter Manor wired for electricity and communication, allowing computers, telephones and other modern equipment to work there. Merely replacing the gas lamps, the candles, and the torches with electrical lights made the place look much brighter and more elegant.
They were throwing two annual balls and the invitations were sought after by all the who's who in the magical society. These helped show the benefits of electricity and computers to the elite. The rest followed.
Another change they were heading was in fashion. They passed a request for more modern and comfortable Wizengamot clothing to replace the outdated plume robes. It took quite a few debates before some agreement was achieved, allowing a modern version of the Wizengamot robes, but also business suits with just a cape to replace the robes. That became the de-facto clothing for all the members, except for a few very old conservatives.
The change spread quickly. Hogwarts was quick to adopt new uniforms with no robes, except for the festive welcome and farewell feasts. Robes soon disappeared almost completely from Diagon Alley and every other place where magical people congregated.
The Potters also had some changes in their personal life. They officially married in the muggle world about a month after graduation. Nine months later, they had their first child. Hermione was now expecting the next one and hoped to have at least two more.
Sirius also stayed in their lives, of course. He was their main political ally, bringing along quite a few more. He was also a married man now and a father of two. Whenever his duties were becoming too much, he would hop to visit the Potters and roam the fields with them as three large dogs. After all, the difference between the Arctic dogs and the Arctic wolves was not well known to most people.
Remus was currently fighting a losing battle to escape the courting of the young Auror Dora Tonks. He was no longer sure he could, or even wanted, to win this battle.
The Grangers were currently working only part-time in their clinic, mainly because they had an unexpected late pregnancy that brought them another magical girl, just as smart as her older sister.
–..–
Harry was just finishing his speech in front of the Wizengamot when a house elf popped at his side. "Master Harry, your lady has just left for the maternity ward. She expects to meet you there."
Harry didn't hesitate. He let Susan, who was sitting next to him, handle the rest for him and then pack it all into his briefcase. She had joined the alliance while still at school and both Potters trusted her completely.
"I'll bring it to you when it's over here. You may still need to wait quite a bit there," she said understandingly.
Harry nodded his thanks and grabbed the elf's hand.
A moment later, he was in the maternity ward. He could see the door opening and Hermione being led in. She smiled at him before she grimaced, as another contraction started.
Three hours later, he was holding his new baby, watching the wonder of new life and feeling his heart fill with love for his new child.
Life was good.
The End