Author's Note: Here's the promised sequel, everyone! This chapter is going to be a lot of explaining, and not quite as much dialogue, especially in the first half. There will be some action later, though. But, after all, it is the first chapter…enjoy! Don't forget about your favorite little purple button at the bottom of the page!

If you haven't read "Struggles of the Heart" and "A Time to Trust," (in that order) I suggest you do that before reading this!!!!

Chapter One

August 19, 2015

"Happy birthday, Smiley! Wake up!" Draco shouted as he walked into his daughter's room. He walked across the hall and knocked twice on Tyler's door. "Happy birthday, buddy!" he said when he opened it.

He went into the room and opened the drapes. Miley came to the doorway, "Happy birthday, Ty," she said, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"You too, sis," Tyler said, barely awake. "Dad, why are we getting up so early?"

Draco turned from the window and looked at his twins. "Presents and breakfast before we go to the Burrow!"

"Well, what time are we going?" Miley asked.

"Noon," Draco answered.

"So we have to get up in the middle of the night?" Tyler asked crankily as he pulled his covers off and flung his legs over the edge of the bed.

Draco crossed his arms. "It's ten o'clock in the morning, Tyler. I let you sleep in, it being your birthday and all."

Miley rolled her eyes at her brother and shrugged. "I'm going to take a shower. I'll be downstairs in a half hour," she announced.

Draco smirked once she was gone. He knew she had to beautify herself for James, same as always. And she was only eleven for ten hours. She was growing up too fast as far as Draco was concerned. She was always his little daddy's girl, and there was nothing he feared more than her growing apart from him. But Tyler; he looked so much like his mother. Right after Hermione died, Draco had trouble looking at him.

They had stayed in Grimmauld with Harry and Ginny just because with the condition Draco was in emotionally, there was no way he could take care of twins by himself. It was another year and the twins were three years old before he moved them back into his and Hermione's house. It was one of the hardest things he had ever had to do, stepping foot in that house again. The last time they were there, he was sure he'd be able to save her. In the end he had really tried to sacrifice himself to save her, but she pushed him out of the way. She was determined that he would be there for the twins growing up. He knew she was right; if he would have sacrificed himself, he would have simply been first. They would have killed her anyway.

Here they were, eight years later, and it was Miley and Tyler's eleventh birthday. They shared a birthday with James Potter, Harry and Ginny's little boy. The three of them would be off to Hogwarts in a week and a half on September first, and Draco had no idea what he would do with himself. He went to work every day and devoted himself to saving people. It was as if he was determined to redeem himself, to prove that he wasn't completely useless.

As fulfilling as his job could be day to day, in the long run, he was going to miss his kids. They were the only thing he had left of Hermione, and he wasn't prepared to be so lonely. Nevertheless, he had accepted it. After all, he had known for eleven years that this time would come.

Draco was standing at the stove, pointing his wand at the frying pan where the bacon was sizzling, filling the kitchen with its scent when he heard a tapping at the window. He turned and saw a barn owl with two letters in its beak, so he put the finished strips of bacon on a plate and went to the window.

"Hey there, little guy," Draco said as he let the owl in the window and gave it a treat from the bowl on the counter. When the owl flew away, he looked at the envelopes and smiled sadly to himself. But, it was time for a brave face. On further examination, he realized that one envelope was addressed to both Miley and Tyler, and the other was addressed to himself. He wondered if maybe it was a letter that was addressed to all parents of first years.

"Miley, Tyler!" he called. "Breakfast's ready, and something else just arrived for you too!"

After a couple of minutes, he had set the usual three places at the table. Sometimes when he ate, he would stare at the place where Hermione would sit and just think about her. He felt so awful that the twins didn't even really remember her. Occasionally, Miley would say something about how she remembered Hermione telling her and Tyler that she was going to Heaven, and she would remember Hermione telling her that she loved her. One of those times, Tyler agreed saying he would dream about the Hermione from the pictures, and he'd see Miley in a princess dress and himself in Quidditch robes as Hermione was crying.

He heard the twins thundering down the stairs, probably racing to the kitchen. He put their presents on the table, and then served their food onto their plates. They pulled out their chairs and sat down. "Juice or milk, guys?" Draco asked from the refrigerator.

"Juice," they both replied.

"Orange," Tyler said, while Miley said, "Grapefruit."

Draco poured the juice and sat their glasses down in front of them, then tossed the thick envelope in the middle of the table.

In neat calligraphy it read:

Miss Miley Montana Malfoy and Mr. Tyler Brett Malfoy

"What is this, Dad?" Tyler asked.

"Your Hogwarts letters, of course!" Draco answered as he shoved his own unread letter in his back pocket. He did, after all, know how this whole Hogwarts thing worked, and didn't need to be reminded how to get to Platform 9 ¾.

Miley squealed and grabbed the envelope, tearing it open. She tossed Tyler his letter and unfolded her own.

Dear Miss Malfoy,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A list of supplies needed for your first year is enclosed. The Hogwarts Express will leave promptly at eleven o'clock in the morning on September first.

Best Regards,

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

"Our Hogwarts letters!" Tyler exclaimed.

"When will we go to Diagon Alley?" Miley asked Draco as she lay her letter down beside her plate.

"Well," Draco answered, "seeing as tomorrow is Sunday and I don't have to be at work, I suppose we could go then."

Miley beamed. "Can James come?" she asked.

"We'll ask Harry later if they'd like to go with us," he assured her. "Now, eat your breakfast both of you."

"Dad?" Tyler asked and Draco looked up. "Aren't we eating lunch at the Burrow in an hour?"

Draco stopped chewing. "Crap," he muttered as he threw down his fork. "I suppose we are. You don't have to eat anymore unless you want to," he said.

It was clear that both kids took after Draco immensely in at least one specific way…the smirk. Their mouths took the famous form at their father's slip-up.

"We won't tell Molly, Dad," Tyler promised. "She frets enough about you as it is."

Draco realized that not feeding them breakfast an hour and a half before lunch is exactly the type of thing Hermione would have though of before letting them sleep until ten in the morning. "Thanks, Ty, I appreciate it. I wouldn't want her to think I'm not capable of feeding my children at proper intervals throughout the day," he joked.

Molly Weasley was always asking Draco what she could do to help him out. She didn't even give her own children as much assistance as she gave Draco. Everyone close to him knew he'd never remarry, so he needed whatever help he could get. In the last nine years, he had never so much as looked at another woman, and he knew he never would. The last woman he ever kissed was his wife, and he intended to keep it that way.

Harry and Ginny were also frequent visitors. Even since the twins were old enough to help around the house, the Potters and the Weasleys continued to offer him some sort of human company over the age of eleven.

Of course, Miley was always happy to have James around. Draco was even coming to terms with the fact that Hermione had probably been right; his daughter's probable soul mate was a Potter. Though, he had never discussed it with Miley, because she was still too young for a boyfriend.

But who was he to judge? After everything, Harry had become Draco's best friend. He was Best Man at his and Hermione's wedding, Miley's Godfather, and Harry was there when Draco needed a friend over the last nine years. But through it all, Draco never neglected his duty as James's Godfather either. It was a responsibility that he and Hermione shared, and he'd honor that forever. Ron and Addison were always there for Tyler because he was their Godson, too. Ron had even asked Draco to be Godfather to his first child, Isabella Hermione. He gladly accepted the post, and promised Ron that he'd do as good a job as if Hermione were still the boss.

Bella was seven, born two years after Hermione died, and she worshiped the ground that Miley walked on. Even her own cousins, Emily and Victoire weren't as fascinating to her as Miley because they were so much older and therefore not as easy to relate to. Bill and Fleur's daughter, Victoire, graduated from Hogwarts two years ago, and was following in her father's footsteps as curse breaker for Gringott's. George and his wife Claire's daughter Emily was going to be a seventh year, and she was the perfect mix of her mother and father. She loved the occasional practical joke, but she was a very bright witch.

Of course, when Bella was tagging along with Miley, they never left out eight year-old Lily Potter. Even James never minded hanging out with the little girls if it meant he could be near Miley. Tyler and Albus were usually off doing their own thing; they played together and were like brothers, but one wouldn't really call them best friends. Draco knew Tyler couldn't wait to get to Hogwarts and make some friends outside the family.

"Alright, guys, do you want your presents from me now or at the Burrow?" Draco asked, breaking the silence and picking up his coffee cup.

"Now!" they shouted simultaneously, not even waiting to consider the answer.

Draco laughed. "In that case," he stood up from the table, throwing his napkin onto his empty plate, "I'll be right back. Why don't you guys put your dishes in the sink and go wait in the living room, huh?"

They nodded and Draco left the kitchen to get the presents from the hiding place under the floorboard in the upstairs linen closet. He clearly never wanted them to find their presents, and so far, this hiding place was foolproof.

He went back downstairs, arms loaded with packages. If one had the means, why not spoil kids on their birthday? Even Harry felt that way, and he wasn't spoiled growing up. James, Al, Lily, and even Ginny were always spoiled rotten. Birthday gifts from Harry were always paid for with the gold in his parents' vault at Gringott's.

The twins' eyes lit up when they saw everything he was carrying. Draco set everything down on the floor in front of them where they were sitting side by side. "There's two more out back that were delivered this morning. Stay here and don't touch those till I get back," Draco warned.

When he came back in the room he was carrying two cages; a cat for Miley and an owl for Tyler. "Oh, Daddy! Which one's mine?" Miley squealed.

Draco held up the cat box and she ran to him as he set it down on the floor. She opened the door to the carrying box and reached in to pull out a white cat with blue eyes. She was so elegant, and she even looked like a Malfoy. "I'm going to call her Princess Hermione," she decided.

Draco beamed. "That's a wonderful idea, Miles," he said. He had always called Hermione "Princess" because that's what she was—the Gryffindor Princess. "What about you, Ty?" he asked.

Tyler was examining his black-feathered, green-eyed owl with a smile spread wide across his face. "Hmm," he hummed in thought, "I think I'll name her Vuela."

"'She flies' in Spanish," Draco said. "That's gorgeous, Ty. You really are your mother's son." It had come to the point where he wasn't surprised to hear Tyler know things like that. He read almost as much as Hermione used to.

"So I've been told," he said with a smile.

"It was her idea to buy you guys animals on your birthday before Hogwarts," Draco told them. "She'd love this." Draco felt his heart constrict thinking about his love. However, he put on a happy face and clapped his hands once. "Okay, everybody back to the couch for more presents."

After a few random gifts had been opened, he handed them each the last ones in the pile, both gifts about the size of a shoebox. They ripped them open at warp speed, and it was two identical broomstick servicing kits. They got confused looks on their faces. "So we can service the school broomsticks?" Miley asked.

Draco laughed and said, "Accio Firebolts." Two broomsticks came zooming from the hallway and into the outstretched hands of the twins.

"A Firebolt 3?" they shouted together, as twins tend to do.

Draco nodded. "James is getting one too. We're hoping that all three of you will make your house Quidditch teams this year. According to Victoire, there were some pretty talented fifth years when she was a seventh year. That means those people graduated last year, and they'll need a couple new members on each team."

"Daddy! Thank you!" Miley shouted and ran to Draco and squeezed the daylights out of him. Draco kissed her straight blonde hair identical to his own.

"You're welcome, Smiley girl," he said.

"Yeah, Dad, thanks so much!" Tyler said, giving his dad a quick hug. He never wanted to appear too clingy. Truth be told, he always felt like Miley had a bond with Draco that he never did. He wasn't offended, because he knew Draco loved both of them equally. It was just that he was always told how much he resembled his mother. He couldn't help but wonder if he would have formed the kind of bond with her that his sister had with their dad. Addison had always been the most like a mother figure to him, and Tyler was so glad he had her for a Godmother. She always favored him a bit, probably cuing in on his need for a bond with a mother figure.

"Okay, kids, it's time to go to the Burrow. Your broomsticks can come, but the pets stay for now, okay?"

"Sure, dad," they agreed, grabbing their broomsticks.

They all headed to the fireplace and Floo'd to the Burrow for the party.

-----------------------------------

At exactly noon, the three Malfoys stumbled out of the fireplace at the Burrow. Looking around they saw colorful decorations including a homemade banner that read: Happy Birthday James, Miley, and Tyler!

"Happy birthday, dears!" Molly Weasley said, bustling over and pulling the twins into a double hug. When she had successfully squeezed the air out of them, she reached up and put her hands on Draco's face. "How are you, dear?" She knew holidays were the hardest on him.

"Fine, thanks," Draco replied.

"I hope you're hungry! We've got quite the feast prepared!" Molly announced.

Draco's cheeks blushed slightly, and Miley and Tyler smirked again. "We sure are," Draco said with a smile, and as soon as Molly's back was turned, he winked at the twins.

"What's that about?" Harry asked, having witnessed the exchange as he walked into the room.

"I woke the twins up late so they could have a lie in. Then I gave them breakfast forgetting that it was so late and we'd be eating here," he said quietly.

Harry laughed. "Nice job, Malfoy."

Draco shrugged. "They're eleven years old, they're always hungry."

"True," Harry agreed.

They both turned their attention to the black-haired boy who came bounding into the room, new broomstick in hand. "Miley!" James shouted. "Happy birthday!" He turned to Tyler, "Hey, Ty, happy birthday!"

"You, too!" Miley said, giving her best friend a huge hug.

"Yeah, you too, James," Tyler said with a smile. "Where's Al?"

"Outside," James said. "Should we all go try out our new brooms? I waited till you got here."

Miley nodded in excitement and Tyler said, "Yeah, definitely. Let's go," and the three of them went outside where all the other kids were.

"So," Harry said turning back to Draco. He had a more serious look on his face now. "What do you think about that letter?"

Draco shrugged. "Nothing different than when we were first years, eh?"

Harry raised one eyebrow in confusion. "I mean the other letter, you did get one didn't you?"

"Letter…letter…" Draco thought out loud. Then it dawned on him what letter Harry was referring to. "The one addressed to me that came with the twins' letters?"

Harry nodded. "Didn't you read it?"

"No, I just assumed it was something all the parents got, and I know how this whole Hogwarts thing works. I actually always thought letters were only sent to the Muggle parents. At any rate, it's in my back pocket."

"This isn't just an instruction letter, Malfoy," Harry said. "Why don't you read it? Let's have a seat."

They went to the couch in the Burrow's living room and sat down. Draco pulled the letter out of his pocket. He unfolded it and began to read.

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

As you may be aware, Professor Horace Slughorn passed away of a heart attack in the middle of last week leaving Hogwarts without a Potions teacher. Normally, we would never consider doing this with such short notice. However, we are in a bit of a pickle, and we would be ever so gracious to you if you would consider filling the post, at least until we can find a replacement (or longer if you wish). Your position would also include being Head of Slytherin House. Please owl back with your response as soon as possible.

Just so you're aware, we've sent a letter to Harry Potter asking him to fulfill the infamously unstable post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and Head of Gryffindor House.

Sincerely,

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

P.S. How are things otherwise, dear?

"Holy crap," Draco said under his breath.

"No kidding," Harry said, nodding. "I had the same reaction."

"Does she know we both have jobs?" Draco asked, already knowing the answer.

"Of course she does," Harry answered anyway.

"Then why would she ask me? I know why she asked you, I mean, what school doesn't want the guy who killed Voldemort teaching their students DADA? But me…Potions?"

Harry shrugged. "You'd have to ask her. But if I know McGonagall, she probably wants to give you the opportunity to be near the twins. And, you were good in Potions, weren't you?"

"I always got A's," Draco said, nodding.

"And you're a Healer," Harry reasoned. "You had to take N.E.W.T. Potions for that, and then some, so you had to be good."

"I guess that's true. So," Draco said, looking up, "what are you going to do? What does Ginny think?"

"She thinks I should do it. I already spoke with the Ministry hypothetically about the situation, and apparently I'd get to remain in charge of the Auror Department, I just wouldn't be active as an Auror. Ron would take over for as long as need be."

"So you'll do it?"

"I actually think I might," Harry said. "I think you should, too. I'm sure there'll always be a job for you at St. Mungo's if you want to go back."

"That's probably true," Draco said. "I mean, I'd love to do it. I think I will. Do you think I should ask the twins first?"

"Nah, I haven't told James. Tough luck if they don't like it," he joked.

Draco laughed. "True, true. Well, shall we write back?"

Harry nodded and said, "I'll go get parchment and quills."

He returned a moment later and handed Draco two pieces of parchment. "One for St. Mungo's," he explained when Draco looked at him with confusion.

"Right, thanks," he said and started writing on the first parchment.

Dear Headmistress,

I truly appreciate the offer of the Potions position, and I accept. Just let me know the details.

As to your other inquiry, I'm doing well, thank you. Today is the twins' birthday, so it's a little difficult, but having great friends helps so much.

Thanks,

Draco Malfoy

He finished off the second letter to St. Mungo's and they used the Weasley family's owl, Snow, to send them off.

When that was taken care of, they headed outside to join the rest of the family. They sat for a while, watching the kids zoom around on their Firebolts, and before they knew it, dinner was over and it was time for gifts.

Draco had bought James the same broomstick servicing kit that he bought for Miley and Tyler. Harry gave all three kids books on Quidditch fundamentals. Each Godparent also got something extra for their Godchild. From Harry and Ginny, Miley received a silver locket with a cursive "M" on the outside, and inside was a picture of her and Hermione on their first day at home after the hospital.

"Thank you so much!" she said. "It's so beautiful!"

"You're welcome, Miles," Ginny said. "It was actually James's idea."

Miley turned to her best friend who was seated on her right and kissed him on the cheek. "It's gorgeous, James. It means a lot to me."

James shrugged and blushed. "I knew you'd love it."

Tyler opened his special present from Ron and Hermione next. He pulled away the wrapping paper and revealed a plain white box. He tore off the lid, and inside were two tickets to the first Chudley Cannon's game for next season over Easter Break. "Wow, thanks!"

"Just me and you, kiddo," Ron said, "next March."

"Okay, my extra present for James is at home. I'll be right back, I couldn't risk bringing it early." Draco winked and Disapparated.

"Do you know what it is, Dad?" James asked when Draco was gone and he noticed that his father wasn't confused.

"I do," Harry answered. "He had to make sure we didn't get it for you."

"Do you know, Miley?" James asked."

Miley shook her head innocently. "No clue!" she said.

Just then, Draco re-appeared with a covered cage in his right hand, similar to the one he had given to Tyler.

"Ooh!" James said, jumping up and running over. He pulled the cloth off and revealed a snowy owl with yellow eyes.

"My God," Harry said. He clearly had no idea what the owl Draco would pick out for James would look like.

Ginny squeezed Harry's hand and Draco smiled. He made quite the effort to get a bird that looked just like this one for James.

"Nice work, Malfoy!" George said sincerely as he whispered in Claire's ear what was so important about the appearance of the owl.

"She's so pretty! What's her name?" Bella asked.

"Hedwig," James said, looking up at his dad who had told him stories of his owl that was killed by a Death Eater. "Her name is Hedwig. Is that okay, Dad?"

"It's perfect, bud," Harry said, eyes a little watery.

"I can't wait till I get an owl," Albus said, admiring his brother's new pet. He knew perfectly well that he'd be getting one in two years.

"I want one, Daddy!" Lily said excitedly.

Ginny laughed. "You'll get one in three years, Lily, be patient. But I'll bet if you ask your brother very nicely he'll let you pet Hedwig."

"James!" Lily shouted. "Mum said you have to let me pet her!"

"That's not what I…" Ginny said then gave up halfway through her sentence. It was useless, anyway.

Miley was also very fond of the collar she got for her cat from Addison. "How did you know, Addison?" she asked when she pulled it out of the box. It was a blue silk collar with a plain circular tag attached.

"Your dad told me, and I thought a collar would be a good gift."

"Thanks! But how do I put her name on it?" Miley asked, examining the collar.

"We can do it magically, Miley," Ron said holding out his hand for it. She gave it to him. "What did you name her?"

"Princess Hermione," Miley said happily. "Since Dad called Mum his princess," she added, as if it was needed.

Everyone looked at Draco for his reaction to the name. "I thought it was perfect," he said quietly. "Hermione would love it."

"She would," Ron agreed. "Anyway," he said a bit louder, getting everyone out of the black cloud that was currently hanging over them. He pointed his wand at the collar and handed it back to Miley. "There ya go, Miles."

"Thanks, Ron," she said. "This matches her eyes, too."

It was sunset by the time everyone was done opening presents, and when all the wrapping paper was vanished by Arthur Weasley's wand, they all sat around a fire that Bill started.

"Malfoy and I have some news," Harry said as he wrapped his arm around Ginny. "When we got the kids' Hogwarts letters, there was an additional letter for us. Minerva needed a favor."

"Is everything okay at the school?" Arthur asked.

Harry nodded and Draco said, "Everything's fine, but they've asked us to teach there. I'd be taking Professor Slughorn's position as the Potions professor and Head of House for Slytherin."

"Dad, are you serious?" Tyler asked. "You're coming to school with us?"

Draco shrugged. "If that's okay," he said.

Miley stood up and ran to give him a huge hug. "I think it's brilliant! I would have missed you too much."

"I'm glad you think so, Smiley," he said. "It's okay with you, Ty?" he asked.

"Yeah, definitely," Tyler said, a huge smile spread across his face.

"What are you teaching, Dad?" James asked with interest, and no resent in his voice whatsoever.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts and I'll be Gryffindor's Head of House."

"Excellent," James said, nodding and smiling.

They sat around the fire for another hour before Draco decided it was time to go home if they were going to Diagon Alley the next day. They were on their way to the fireplace when Draco turned around and said, "Oh, Harry, I forgot to ask you. We're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow and Miley wanted to go with James, so will you be going tomorrow?"

"I think we could do that," Harry said. "We'll see you then."