Emma Potter was torn. 

In front of her lay two pieces of papers-- each leading to a different destination, different people, different hardships. A choice she now had one day to make. 

Sitting in Ginny's room in the burrow with sunlight's feet sneaking in to pad around the room always made her happy, or calm at the very least and yet. . . today was a day that the sunlight flashing across helped the tree they had planted in memory for Fred cast a shadow that made the impression of prison bars. 

Emma sighed and ran her fingers through her now shoulder length curls. They had grown well below her chest  through the past year. They weren't the only things. 

Hogwarts underwent change. With professor Mcgonagall running the charge, they had rebuilt. The building was now made with old bricks as well as new ones. A memorial wall was put up to honor those who gave their lives in the wars. Both of them. The classrooms were made more modern (Hermione had an eye for real estate), and yet never lost the magic of the old. 

They themselves as people, underwent change. George had not been able to look in the mirror, nor had he eaten, nor slept during the first three months, neither had any of the Weasly's. No matter how much they tried to help them through it, the entire family trudged through life as though they were robots. The laughs were missing, the smiles, the pranks. All gone. And then they had found a letter- addressed to them in the event of Fred's death. 

Dear family, 

This is as serious as I get so don't expect anything else. 

If you are reading this then it means that I have lost my life. It's fine. Really, it is. It will get better. It always does. Keep pranking, keep smiling, keep stealing treats, playing quidditch and I promise I will be right there. 

Love you always, 

Fred

P.S. Don't give up of Weasly's Wizard Wheezes George, we know who was the main manager and who charmed the ladies. 

The family then looked alive. Ginny began flying, Mrs Weasly was able to cook with a smile on her face, Ron now accompanied Harry, Hermione and Emma on walks, Bill looked truly alive when he held his daughter in his arms, Charlie went back to Romania with shorter hair but a longer earing, Percy went back to make the ministry better than it was, and Mr Weasly set about fixing Sirius's old motorbike.  George brainstormed ideas for new products, he invented, he groaned, he joked sometimes too. And yet, until now, Weasly's Wizard Wheezes was gathering up dust. 

Teddy Lupin often stayed with Harry and Emma, though mostly he was with his grandparents. But it was within the quite walls of the Burrow did he utter his first word, "Moony." The twins had smiled, and had grinned wider still when he learnt to control his hair colour and kept it stubbornly bubblegum pink. 

Draco often visited his parents, who had received ten years in Azkaban for the efforts to help Voldemort. Emma was always there to greet him with a steaming cup of tea when he came back. Malfoy Manor was also gathering dust, but eventually, Draco had it cleaned and wiped away all traces of Voldemort. But he still didn't enter, he wasn't ready, not yet. 

Hermione had gone to search for her family in Australia. It was Ron who accompanied her, Ron who revived the memories because Hermione's hand was shaking. Ron who was absolutely adored by her parents, and Ron who was there, always. 

Harry had started laughing more often, Emma's smile returned. 

And now there was choice to be made. 

An application for the training of Distiller's was on the right side of the desk, while the application to return to Hogwarts as an 8th year was on her left. 

Draco, Hermione, and Nicholas were all returning to Hogwarts. Zoe had applied for the training of a banker- after some encouragement from Bill- Harry and Ron had signed up for Auror training. 

Emma bit her pen. She would have people waiting to support her at the end of any path she chose, and yet. Her brain nudged her hand to move to the paper it knew she had to choose and start to write. 

She came down to the Burrow's living room, alive with activity. Hermione was trying to teach Ginny some spell, Ron and Percy were locked in a fierce combat of chess, Harry was polishing his Firebolt, making not so subtle glances at Ginny (they had yet to define when they would get back together and she was wearing shorts), George was sketching furiously in a notebook, Mrs Weasly was knitting, Mr Weasly was reading a book on muggle computers, and Valerie and Teddy were fighting over some blocks. 

Silently, so as to not disturb the chaotic tranquility, Emma walked past the living room, letter in hand, and whistled for the new family owl- Eros. 

"I know I'm irresistible darling, but you didn't have to be so obvious about it."

Emma jumped so high that she nearly touched the ceiling. 

Draco laughed, "sorry, just had to do that. You gave me an opening, that's on you."

He had come to return some sort of container. Mrs Weasly, they had come to know, would not have anyone go hungry. He noticed the letter in her hand, the seal carefully hidden by her thumb. 

"You decided," he said finally, as Eros flew in through the window. 

"I did," said Emma simply, tying the letter to Eros's leg and sending him off. 

Draco stepped closer, took her hands in his. Rubbing his thumb over her hands he  bent his head down low, "I can't imagine Hogwarts without you."

Emma touched his forehead to hers, "how do you know that's the one I chose?"

"Am I wrong?"

"Rarely."

Draco sighed, "how am I to sleep without you on the astronomy tower?"

Emma grinned, "Telepathy comes in handy, Dray."

"Every night?"

"If you'd like to."

"I would," he nodded, "I would like to very much."

The next month showed three celebrations for Zoe, Emma, Harry and Ron getting the training they wanted, and a teary farewell to those returning to Hogwarts. 

September dawned with the crisp autumn breeze that just woke you up, and put a briskness to your step. Hermione, refusing to let go of Ron, nearly declared that she should stay, before he gently pushed her towards the train and told her he'd write everyday. 

"It's like we don't exist," snorted Zoe, "who consoled her as she cried over the ginger?"

She didn't mean it, Hermione had said her proper goodbyes to them the night before. 

"Hush, Zoe," laughed Emma, "after 6 years of pining for eachother can you blame them? Speaking of--" she nudged her friend and nodded towards Nicholas, who was shaking hands with Mr Weasly and hugging his father goodbye. 

Zoe tore her eyes away, "we're just friends."

"And wusses."

"Am not."

"Are too. Everyone sees the longing in both your eyes, even Harry sees it!"

Zoe sighed, "I don't want to say it now. I--Not when he's going."

"There will always be something to put off saying it, Zoe," sighed Emma, "you'll miss your chance." Saying so, she nudged her towards Nick and walked away. She watched as Zoe hesitantly walked towards Nick, she looked over her shoulder for reassurance. Emma gave her thumbs up. She tapped Nick on the shoulder, then grabbed his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. 

Hermione, who was watching from a window was left staring open-mouthed with glee. The other's whistled. It was an absolute Zoe thing to do, and no one loved it more than Nicholas who proceeded to pick her up and twirl her around. 

A hand laced it's fingers in hers, and pulled her to a more private corner. Draco cupped her face and drew her in for a deep kiss. 

"Don't" he mumbled between kisses, "you dare forget about the deal."

She giggled, "never."

"Good."

The whistle sounded, and with a last kiss, Draco pulled away