5 years later
"Sweetie, you really shouldn't play with that." Hermione said. Looking at her son and smiling helplessly as the little boy with soft platinum blonde hair padded across their home.
"Dada" said Alexander pointing to a picture of his father atop a table.
"Oh, Alex…you're getting smarter everyday" whispered Hermione while bending down to pick up her son and cuddling him. Hermione sadly looked at her husband's framed picture. "Daddy, would have been so proud of you…hmmm…he is proud of you."
"Hermione dear, I'm afraid someone learned of your return to London." Narcissa said, handing the Daily Prophet to her daughter in law.
"Oh no…" Staring down at the paper in her hands Hermione read the headline out loud "Draco Malfoy's wife and heroine Hermione Granger Malfoy returns to London after 5 years of absence…Its hard enough as it is, explaining to everyone where I've gone to, much more now that they know about me and Draco"
"I'm sure your friends would understand…" Narcissa said sympathetically.
"Maybe…But I'm not entirely sure I would want them to"
"Just tell them the truth Hermione. You've become like a daughter to me. You and Alex are my only family now. Draco wouldn't want you to be this unhappy. I really should have thought this through first when I asked you to move back here; but I was just so lonely"
"Oh no, please…we're happy to be here. Draco would have wanted this. It was what he asked me before he died. He wanted me to go back here and raise Alex in London. "
"I'm so grateful to you dear. Draco was so happy in the last moments of his life. You gave him so much love, a son…a family he could call his own."
"But he was still so young" Hermione sniffed. She looked at her son and she could readily see Draco's features on the boy's face
"Yes he was, only 25…but he seemed at peace with everything that was happening to him. Not once did he question his fate"
Hermione gave a half hearted laugh "He always used to say that he'd give his life many times over if he could live it the same way he did. Not once did he regret…not once did he question why…all he said was that he was glad and grateful that he had Alex and me. He said we were enough, even if it meant not growing old…it was enough… "
At Godric's Hollow
"Have you seen the paper yet Harry?"
"Yes, Ron. I'm fine if that's what you're gonna ask me"
"That's what you always say…Luna was worried and she wanted me to make sure you're alright"
"Can't you see Ron, I'm alright…happy even now that Hermione's back" Harry answered sarcastically.
"Look Harry…I know I'm not supposed to pry into whatever happened between you and Hermione 3 years ago when you finally found her but please make me understand, how you could throw almost 8 years of friendship down the drain"
"Damn her Ron…I loved her…I looked everywhere for her, I nearly threw everything away for her. Only to find her in the arms of Draco Malfoy"
Ron sat on the couch in front of his friend and looked at the Harry's green eyes. They seemed cold and lifeless, there were dark rings under them and the room positively reeked of alcohol. "I didn't know you still love her"
"Loved Ron, put emphasis on the past tense"
"If you're over her, then why the hell are you mucking up your life?"
"I'm not" Harry said with a wave of his hand as if to dismiss the subject.
"Hermione, might not have told me much in her letters but she did say it was hard for her to move on, and that putting distance between you two was what she thought was best"
"Ha! She didn't give me a chance to prove anything to her. She disappeared to God knows where with Draco Malfoy!"
Ron sighed and answered "From what I gathered, it was an assignment and the only reason he went with her was to keep her safe. After all, you made it his duty to protect her ever since she became an Unspeakable."
"I know that Ron, but that still doesn't change the fact that once again…Hermione decided to run my life"
"It was hers too you know"
"I know…" Harry whispered. "Seeing her on that island looking all happy made me want to hold her and I ached to touch her. But I knew something was wrong when she saw me and I saw her eyes. They were so sad as she stared at me….and then there he was. I saw as Draco bent down and kiss her and tickle her tummy. Of course, I hadn't bothered to look down and see her belly."
"So she was pregnant…and that kid on the paper"
"Yup, Draco Malfoy's son. Do you know what they named him? Alexander James Malfoy…That's right James. I punched Malfoy so hard I can still remember how my hand stung after that"
"Really? Wow, so I'm the only one who didn't get my just deserts. But if that is so, where is Malfoy?"
"That's the kicker…he died a year ago. It was all hush hush and no one really knew why. But I think it had something to do with their assignment"
"What exactly did Hermione say? You two did talk on whatever island it was, right?"
"Not really, I was basically thrown off the island but she did say that I was too late"
"I'm sorry Harry"
"Yeah, me too Ron. I wanted to explain that I did look for her…everywhere…But I was so mad and hurt and heartbroken…" Harry trailed off
"And?" Ron asked
"Well, it got ugly. I threw every damn mistake she made at her face. I said some pretty harsh things and I regret it. I just don't know how I can face her again"
"Draco is dead Harry…It means you get to have a second chance with her"
"It's up to her Ron, I tried to make amends. I owled her every day for a year but all my letters were sent back. Eventually I just gave up. It was too tiring…I felt like a fool waiting for her when I knew damn well that she's happy with her new baby and Draco"
"So about Draco? Did he explain? What exactly did he say to you?"
"He sent me a letter, right before he died. I haven't opened it; that was 6 months ago."
"Maybe you should read that letter, and then see Hermione. My mum's invited her and Alex to the Burrow for dinner this Sunday. That gives you 5 days to gather your thoughts and get things straightened out"
Harry smiled and gave Ron a brotherly hug. "Thanks Ron, give Luna my love"
"You're welcome Harry. Any time you need me okay? Oh and you might like to shave, take a bath, change your clothes. You know. Tidy yourself up?"
"Yes Mum!"
After Ron left Harry went up to his room and opened the locked drawer of his desk. In it he saw, old photos of Hermione, some scarves she knitted for him, the letter she left him and then he saw it. Draco's unopened letter. He took it and sat on his bed, unsure as to what its content.
"I guess it is time…"
AN: I know..i know...quite a jump to the future...but you'll probably understand more in the succeeding chapters...for now..tell me what you think okay?
