Balance:
"'Mione?" he called softly, not wanting to startle her. Considering her hasty departure from the others, he guessed she wouldn't be too receptive to company right now. "Just tell me you're okay." he pleaded. Then he considered for a moment before adding, "with proof."
A soft snort of amusement drew his attention, and he turned to spot his wife kneeling amidst her many memoirs. "'Mione, don't do this to yourself."
"I have to face it someday."
He knelt beside her. "Someday doesn't have to be today."
"I'm making it today."
"Give me five good reasons why."
"Why five?" she shot back.
"And they better be damn good ones."
"Draco...don't mess with me."
"Too late. I can't turn back now." He lightly rested his hands on her shoulders, massaging away the knots in her muscles. When she didn't protest, he moved down her back, stopping at her waist. He slipped his arms around her and held her close. "You did the best you guys could, 'Mione. You couldn't save everyone."
"So many people died..." she mumbled, shaking now.
"And so many lived." Draco reminded her. "Not only that, but so many were freed. Like us. 'Mione, you saved my family. Not just mine, either. You protected the future generations. Other families. Families that don't exist yet, even. Or didn't then. Like ours." He gently caressed the swell of her belly. Her hands tentatively followed his, holding them-herself, Draco, and their child-safely against the darkness of the war.
"It's over 'Mione. Let them rest. God knows they've earned it."
Hermione took a deep breath. Then she smiled. "You're right." Tears ran down her face, but she lifted her head and smiled for the first time in weeks.
"Life is all about exchange. Giving something up in order to gain something we want. They gave their lives for the families and friends. For the future. Respect that. And...without the war, we would never have truly found each other." he smiled, trying to bring her spirits up. "I mean it, 'Mione. For you, I would give up all the power, everything I had before, all over again—in a heartbeat."
"Life for life. Balance." Hermione whispered.
"We'll see them again. I just hope they don't hate me." Draco whispered. Hermione laughed. They stood, and she gasped in pain. "'Mione!"
"Get your mother. Now." Hermione hissed through clenched teeth. Draco just stood there, looking confused.
"The baby's coming!" Hermione yelled at him. He went deathly pale and fled.
Hours later, Hermione held her firstborn child and looked out at the sky. "And so the wheel turns."