Authors note: Here it is everyone! The first chapter to the sequel, as you know its been a hard road and writing this is proving to be very difficult for me but I hope you guys stick with it and enjoy it. Thank you for all the support, reviews and follows the For always series. I really hope this isn't a let down for you all, review if you would like. Hope everyone is well!

Love,

xocharleegirlxo

Chapter 1:

" War changes everything. The world is never the same after a war. Any war. There are holes...missing parts. The best you can do is pick up the pieces that are left and start to build again. It'll never be the way it was before."

Vernon Kraft couldn't have been more right about that, and Draco was a first hand witness to it. At first things looked up. After Hermione had pleaded tearfully to the Minister of Magic he was let off, and his mother was released upon Harry Potter's request for her help and aid during the battle plan and his father was under house arrest, he never stayed to hear the ridiculous excuses as to why it was that way for his father but it was, granted towards the end Draco saw a little change in him. But now there was much celebration that followed after the war, as there should have been because the evil was gone now, they could live peacefully and without fear.

Accept there was fear. Fear in the memories that consumed you every waking moment, fear that reconstruction would never be complete, fear that you were going to lose yourself in grief. There was still fear and plenty of it. It was going to be a battle in itself to get through this, thats why Draco decided he and Hermione needed to start over. He couldn't keep her at the Manor but she didn't want to stay at the Weasley's, remembering Fred was too hard for her; even if she wouldn't admit it to him he could tell.

She had a rough time in the following days after she had woken up, and Draco felt there was nothing to do but help her through it, if she would stop pushing him away. She was lost in grief over her friends, lost in guilt for not being awake during the funeral and being there for everyone and not seeing the end of the war through. The guilt and memories were what weighed her down the most. And when Draco tried to comfort Hermione she would seek it for a short while before she quickly walked away muttering that she was fine. Draco knew the truth, thats why he did what he could to help; which for Hermione was ample distraction. It was the only thing that would work, he tried talking to her but she would just shut him out even more.

That's why today he was coming back to the Manor with boxes. It was time they would get their own home, he knew she couldn't stand being here and she wouldn't go to the Weasley's, her house was out of the question; so he had bought them their own home. He would still run the Estate, his mother would stay behind and maintain it and he didn't have to worry about her being lonely with father around.

Draco set the boxes on the ground of the main entry room, this was the last bunch out of the 100's. He could have done it from magic, sure, but he knew Hermione would like it better this way and it gave him more time to just talk and be around her anyway so he didn't mind. He had barely made it down the first step of stairs before he felt a panic awake in his chest. Their bond was stronger than ever now, and he could feel everything more clearly; he could tell that in this moment she was fighting the panic and the darkness, that she was trying to stay strong. He quickened his pace down the hall and went to a full on sprint when she started screaming. He opened the door quickly and found her curled up in a ball, her head on her knees and rocking back and forth.

He got onto the bed and pulled her to him like he had done so many times recently, he offered her a Sleeping Draught but she refused so all he could do now was hold her through this time. He had a hand on the back of her head and one on her back, her body unfurled and she bent her body against his, a soft tremor running through her. Whenever Hermione felt him near she calmed down, but she felt embarrassed and never stayed near him too long before she pushed him aside.

"Its alright, everythings fine." He shushed her.

She pulled away and cleared her throat, "Where were you?"

Draco sighed but thought it better not to mention her change in behavior, "I was just gathering some things. I was wondering what your thoughts would be on moving?" He said with a goofy grin.

Hermione looked at him before her own smile split her face, all pain momentarily forgotten, "You didn't."

"Oh but I did."

Hermione squealed in excitement and threw her arms around Draco. She had these moments of extreme happiness and Draco basked in this emotion. "Draco," She pulled away slowly and looked at him, her eyes shy. "I was wondering if we could go visit Teddy today. He is staying with the Weasley's right now, just got back from his Aunts and its been a little while since I've seen him."

Draco looked at her curiously, noting that she was wearing a tank top and a pair of sports shorts that she had worn to bed. He grabbed her hands and apparated them away, and they landed in front of the Weasley domain. Hermione clung to Draco's arm to steady herself and she giggled a little at the sudden dizziness that went through her, for some reason it made her laugh. When her eyes opened, fully adjusted she saw Draco smiling at her.

The way his eyes twinkled at her and how his bright hair glowed in the sunlight, it made her want to kiss him and tell him all of her secret feelings. She hadn't kissed him since the end of the war, she hadn't really allowed herself to be close to him since the end of the war. She kept her distance and part of her wanted nothing more than to accept all the good things that came with their Veela bond, but she couldn't will herself to choose. And just like always in those little intimate moments that made her knees go weak, she cleared her throat and pulled away; heading for the door.

Hermione could feel the summer air, warm and comfortable, kissing her skin in the bright morning. Since the Weasley's lived near some water Hermione could feel the humidity already starting and was glad that she was in her shorts and tank top, not really minding the lack of clothing; she knew the day was going to be scorching. She welcomed the cool grass between her toes and felt a sense of happiness at being in the burrow. She was glad they had rebuilt it and stayed in the same location, it had to have been painful since it was destroyed but in all of its lopsided beauty it was worth it.

She stopped walking before she got all the way to the door and extended her arm out to reach for Draco's hand. He gratefully took it and gave her a small smile. They walked hand in hand into the main enterance of the room and were greeted with the smell of bacon and eggs being cooked, along with all the chaos that was ensuing within the household. She could hear laughter within and it only drove her to move faster towards the kitchen. She had kept her distance a lot from the Weasley's, she didn't want to hurt them but she didn't do it on purpose, something in her just didn't accept the lunch invitations. She knew they understood, they had too; how could they not after witnessing the torture she had to undergo? And that was only a little bit of it, and the Weasley's weren't without heart.

Hermione entered the kitchen and stood in the doorway silently, watching everyone smiling and laughing as they piled their plates with food. Mrs. Weasley was the one who spotted her, freezing on the spot with a huge smile on her face. All the others turned towards the direction she was starring in and stopped talking, smiles splitting their faces at seeing their old friend.

"Hermione Granger! What a pleasant surprise!" Molly rushed forward and held her in a motherly hug, releasing her and squeezing her shoulders. "Draco, my dear boy its good to see you." She gave him a quick hug before heading back to the stove. "Grab plates and we will get you a spot of breakfast."

"No thank you." Hermione said. "I've already eaten, if I could have a cup of tea would that be alright?" She said while hugging her other friends.

Molly gave Hermione a knowing look, "Alright then. Draco did you eat?"

He shook his head no and watched Hermione stare straight ahead. He had a mind to confront her about her lie but thought better of it in front of everyone else. When he got her alone he would tell her she had to eat something. And amongst Merlins good graces they heard a screeching cry that belonged to none other than Teddy. Molly looked at her cooking concerned, as if deciding how quickly she could grab the awoken babe and get back to the stove before it all burned.

"I'll get him Molly." Hermione whispered, turning and heading towards the living room and up the staircase. Draco smiled at Molly and followed Hermione close behind.

He loved watching her walk up the stairs, especially when she wore shorts. The way her muscles tensed and released under her creamy, butterscotch colored skin was beautiful and called to gently put a hand to her waist, needing some type of physically contact, as they descended up the stairs to the second floor and down the hall. It wasn't that Draco needed to have sex with her, he was gentleman enough not to need it; but Veela's were sexual creatures. It was one of the ways that they knew their bond was alright and lately, for the last month or so since the war, she wasn't touching him hardly at all. It made him worry, if their bond wasn't strong and he couldn't feel her emotions towards him a little bit he would have been sick with concern, but he knew he had to give her time.

Hermione stopped walking and stared at the door. It was Fred's old bedroom that they put Teddy in. Draco reached around her and grabbed the door handle, pushing the door open. He walked passed her and was greeted by a smiling Teddy, who was holding himself up with the side of the grib. He gently swooped up the baby, tossing him in the air slightly before hugging him to his body. He walked out of the room and closed the door, looking at Hermione thoughtfully. She looked distant, and tears were starting to swim in her eyes. Draco reached up and caressed her cheek gently, pulling her back to the present and she looked into his eyes, finding a sense of comfort before Teddy started giggling.

"Can I hold him?" She asked softly.

"If you promise to eat something, yes." At her outraged look he continued before she could speak. "A piece of toast and orange juice. Thats all I ask from you."

"Fine." She mumbled holding out her hands for the baby. "Aren't you growing up to be so handsome!" She said, kissing his cheek and heading downstairs, not believing that he was already so big for being only four months.

Reaching the bottom of the steps Draco brought his arms around Hermione's waist and guided her into the kitchen so she couldn't make herself comfortable in the living room. They came here to visit not for her to shelter herself off when she started feeling too much. He pulled a chair out for her to sit in and nodded at Potter and the Weasle. When Hermione was in her long sleep they had gotten to realize that Draco had cared for Hermione, a lot more than what they thought possible and they came to an understanding and if Hermione woke up they promised they would no longer fight for her sake. So far it was going well.

"Molly, could I actually have some toast and orange juice instead." Hermione asked shyly, not one to break her promise. "I can get it myself."

Molly smiled broadly at Hermione, "Of course you can dear and no need I have lots of toast piled up on this plate. " Molly brought over a large plate piled high with toast. "Help yourself to some juice." She nodded to the pitcher on the table.

Draco grabbed her cup and poured the bright yellow liquid in it and put two pieces of toast on Hermione's plate setting it in front of her. She smiled at him gratefully and looked at the food full of disdain. She took a slow bite and started stirring up baby cereal for Teddy to eat along with some applesauce. There was so much food and it was no wonder. The whole Weasley family was here, all of them reuniting after the war for the summer before they decided they had to go off and do their separate things. It was truly a beautiful time, the sun had started shining now and it was coming through the window, gleaming off of people's cups, plates and silverware. Hermione decided it was a good morning.

Once Molly had all the food prepared she had settled herself down at the head of the the table while Arthur had just walked in to join the other side of the table. "Welcome back Hermione." He patted her lovingly on the back.

They all ate together, some conversation going on here and there but it was mainly quiet while they ate. People were more focused on food then having a proper conversation at the moment. Hermione didn't want to admit it but the toast was actually very good, and she was hungrier than she anticipated. She leaned over and asked Draco if he could grab her more toast, to which he smiled at her and hand fed her a bite of his before grabbing some more and tossing it on her plate. She had been eating and feeding Teddy at the same time, but it was getting a little bit more difficult as Teddy was out of food and had decided to go after the food in her own hand. Draco chuckled and saw the struggle before he grabbed Teddy for her and fed him a little more applesauce.

Hermione nodded gratefully and began finishing her own toast, but the absence of the baby and the comfort he brought was very noticeable to her and she started shaking her leg up and down as a nervous habit. Draco rested his hand on her leg to stop the jittering and gently stroked it with his thumb, to which she started calming down to. It was almost as if it was normal, that things were alright again. And Hermione couldn't have felt happier, she just hoped it would last.

Once they had finished eating the conversation had started buzzing and jokes were being told. You would have never guessed any of them had gone through anything this past year, that they had lost anyone. That was how beautiful this moment was and nothing could ruin it. Draco and Hermione shared the news that they were moving, everyone was very excited and Mrs. Weasley offered to cook their meals for the week as moving was a strenuous task, magic or no magic. Ginny wanted to help decorate and unpack the things and Hermione cringed at that thought laughing.

"No offense Gin, but I don't think our styles are the same."

"Well then I can just sit there and observe." Ginny huffed, with a giggle and a little glint in her eye. " I suppose now is the time as good as any." Ginny glanced at Harry and brought her left hand up onto the table with a large grin. "We got engaged!"All eyes landed on the ring that sat delicately on her finger and then the room was filled with yelps and whoops and congrats.

"Its about time mate!" Ron said, laughing as he comforted his mother who was weeping with joy.

"Right. Well I believe Ron, that I won the bet." George perked up. "Thats 10 gallons from you brother."

"What bet?" Ginny asked.

"I told Ron that Harry wouldn't have the guts to ask you until about a month or so into the summer. We placed a bet on it."

"Actually Harry asked me two weeks ago, we just wanted everyone together before we told." Ginny said matter a factly.

"Well brothers, "Bill cut in, "Looks like both of you are wrong. Cough up the money." Everyone burst into laughter, as Ron and George passed over the money, it was amazing that here was a 28 year old man acting as if he was but a boy again.

"Wait, Ronald what did you bet." Hermione asked.

"That it wouldn't happen until much later. Mine had nothing to do with guts, just logic."

"Which you have always lacked." Hermione added with a laugh that tickled everyone's ears. It was a good sound. "How is Fluer?"

"She's good, she is visiting her family at the moment. She is definitely a family girl, can't stay away from them for too long; but then again she can't stay away from me either." He added with a wink.

"Merlin! This house is filled with Veela disgustingness!" Ron muttered.

"Get used to it." Draco chuckled. "How long do you have Teddy?"

"About a week, then he goes back to his Aunt and Uncles." Molly sighed. "Why they won't just keep the boy is beyond me."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Teddy's Aunt and Uncle don't want anything to do with him. It seems as though he brings up too many bad memories for them."

"So he is just getting passed back and forth?" Hermione asked, full of frustration. "Why don't you guys take him?"

"Well we are going to be travelling a lot more now. We will be going back and forth between all of our children and spending time with each of them. We would love to take him, don't get us wrong Hermione." Arthur spoke. " Between us traveling all over the world, wherever our kids are located and our age it will be a lot of work to take care of Teddy."

"I'm not questioning your decision." Hermione said, grabbing the baby from Draco. " I am merely inquiring as to where he is going to go. An orphanage?"

"I wouldn't put it passed them." Ginny spoke quietly.

Hermione looked at the baby, and felt her heart flutter with anxiety. This was the child that connected her to one of her favorite teachers and friends, this was a child whose parents had died just like Harry's and was left alone. He deserved to be with people who loved him not a random family who might not even treat him right, for all any of them knew he could end up under a broom cupboard just like Harry. He looked so innocent with his chubby cheeks, his light green eyes and his pale hair on top of his head. He was precious and while he did look a tad like Lupin and it was a bit painful, how could anyone deny such a beautiful thing such as a baby, she would love to have him if she thought it were possible.

Draco threw his arm across her shoulders. "We will take him." He said quickly, sensing her desire and willing to do whatever it took to give her everything she wanted in this world.

The room went silent and all eyes were on him, even Teddy seemed to sense the change in the atmosphere and turned a giggling head towards the pale haired man next to him. "Draco?" Hermione questioned.

"I love this kid," He said thoughtfully. "And you do too. We have a house, the time and the money. I don't want to see him with another family as much as you don't." He turned to Molly. "If you told his Aunt and Uncle about another family willing to take him what would they say?"

"I don't know." Molly whispered, still shocked by his offer. " They might not let you have him, they are rat-"

"Oh mum hush!" Ginny cut in. "We all know Teddy is one step away from being placed in an orphanage, and I won't let you guys change your plans for your own family to make sure he doesn't end up that way. You know they wouldn't object, they would send all of his stuff here right away; ready to get rid of him as if he were a beast." Ginny spat. "Hermione is great with him, I think its a great idea." Draco cleared his throat. "Yeah you're good with him too." She mumbled, leaning back in his chair.

Hermione was still in awe at the whole situation to even comprehend what Draco just asked for her. Teddy was an easy baby, but she didn't want to burden Draco with the responsibility. She could handle it on her own, she decided. Draco wouldn't have to suffer on her behalf. Hermione glanced up at Molly and looked at her with pleading eyes, this baby belonged with people who knew him and his past and loved him; Molly knew that in her heart, it was written all over her face.

"Alright." She conceded. "You guys can bring him home and I'll write to them of the news." She turned to Draco sternly, "Do you understand what you are doing?"

"Yes." He said.

"I expect you to help out with him. Don't leave it all to Hermione," She let her eyes flick to Hermiones own and back to Draco's. "I know you will want it that way dear but it was Draco's idea he should help out." Molly stood and with a flick of her wand cleared the plates, and went to go grab all of Teddy's things.

Hermione looked up at Draco, swallowing hard. "What did you just do?" She whispered, only so he could hear.

"I made us a family." He said softly, kissing her head before getting up to help Mrs. Weasley with all of Teddy's stuff.

Ginny looked at Hermione smiling. "Are you gonna have him call you mom?"

"No." She replied quickly. "He deserves to know who his real parents are."

"He will Hermione." Ginny said softly, "But he should also feel like he has parents, not just staying with someone. Think about it."

"Yeah." Hermione said zoning out.

This was going to be different, and part of her couldn't decide if she was excited or not for all of this change. She would be lying if she said a little piece of her wasn't, of course she was. Teddy made her feel happy and calm, she would be so busy with him that she wouldn't ever have to think about anything bad ever again and just focus on making him happy. She hoped with all of her heart that Draco wouldn't regret asking for this and resent her for it. She tried to make it so he couldn't sense her feelings but it was too hard for her to do that, she felt very strongly about it and it was something she was passionate about.

There was a tapping at the window that made Hermione jump up to her feet and gasp, feeling very foolish when she saw an elegant white and black owls standing on ledge. Draco was in the room quicker than ever at her sudden noise, and he stood by her and rubbed her sides to comfort her. He knew she felt foolish but he also knew she felt a lot of fear before realizing her mistake.

The owl stepped in, as if superior to those in the room and Draco's calming ministrations ceased as he straightened and eyed the owl. There was a black envelope in its mouth with a silver wax seal of the Malfoy crest. Draco stepped forward and grabbed the letter roughly from the owl, glaring at it the entire time, before ripping the envelope open roughly and his eyes scanning the letter.

"It looks like I have to cut this get together short." Draco sighed. "Father has ended up in 's."

"What's happened?" Hermione questioned, walking over to him.

"Seems dear ol' dad has had a mental break. Tried to off himself this morning." He kissed Hermione's forehead. "I'll be back later."

"No. I'll go with you." She said sternly. " Ginny can I borrow a pair of pants?"

Ginny nodded a quick yes before bolting up the stairs to grab a pair of jeans. Hermione was quite smaller than her so she would have to look for an older pair. Hermione handed Teddy off to Draco, making sure he couldn't go anywhere, before she followed Ginny out of the kitchen and met up with her to slip on the pair of jeans. She was back within a minute, the jeans hugging her frame perfectly, along with a pair of sneakers that Ginny had charmed to fit Hermione.

"Its amazing. I had those when I was thirteen!" Ginny said, almost wistfully. "Alright, you guys keep in touch and let us know what's going on." She gave Hermione a quick squeeze and waved at Draco.

"Red, I gave your mom our new address. She can send Teddy's stuff there. Tell her I said thanks." He gave everyone in the room a nod before heading out into the yard with Hermione.

"Tell me you love me."

"I love you." Draco whispered into her ear.

"For now." Hermione mumbled, waiting for the moment Draco decided she was too much to handle.

"No," he shook his head. "For always."