(Author's Note: Oh wow! Thank you for the stunning response! So many reviews for the first chapter alone and so many lovely words of encouragement.

I'd like to give a special shout out to the following reviewers for being the first five reviewers to correctly guess Aurelia's true identity in the reviews: Codename Alexis, McKenna, anankegrace, the3blacksisters, and finally, MaxN04! Your prize for winning the mini-challenge in the first chapter is a one-shot request, with a Hermione ship/pairing of your choosing; to claim your one-shot, please send me a PM and we'll discuss it further. The next challenge will be featured in chapter five, so if you didn't win this one, another chance will be present very soon.

I hope this chapter clears up questions that other reviewers had about why Scorpius is the only Malfoy child to receive a Hogwarts letter, despite the ages of Corvus (fifteen years old) and the twins, Corona and Vega (twelve years old). I went back and edited and cleaned up the previous chapter in response to a few of the valid concerns that reviewers brought up, so if you'd like - go back and re-read the previous chapter, before starting on this one.

Without further adieu, here is the second installment of Nineteen Years Later!

December 2016
The Manse de Malfoy
Wizarding Burkina Faso, Africa

Draco and Aurelia waited for as long as possible to approach Narcissa about the issue of the Hogwarts letter that had arrived for Scorpius before they'd departed for Africa.

As the end of the holiday neared and there was only one week left on their holiday in Burkina Faso, Draco discreetly shared with his mother that there was something private and important that had he and Aurelia had to discuss with her – and with no further explanation, Narcissa skillfully had arranged for a day alone with her son and daughter-in-law.

The last Sunday of their holiday saw Draco and Aurelia bidding goodbye to their children, as they were prepared and anticipating a day spent out on the countryside with their grandfather.

Where Narcissa had taken longer than she should have to come around and accept the reality that her daughter-in-law would be a Muggleborn and the heirship of the House of Malfoy would be half-blooded, Lucius hadn't been at all troubled.

Aurelia had been more surprised than she could express, when upon the announcement of their sudden marriage and the pregnancy that had inspired said marriage, Lucius had given her nothing more than a calculated stare and declared that the rejuvenation of a bloodline as pure as the Malfoys with the occasional Muggleborn or half-blood of excellent quality was what kept the bloodline strong and impervious to weakness and defects over the centuries. If his daughter-in-law were to be a Muggleborn, Lucius had opined, then at least she was a Muggleborn of impressive power and preternatural intelligence, who was graciously willing to part with her mundane roots and fully embrace her new heritage as a wife of the House of Malfoy.

Lucius had been a surprisingly involved and welcoming father-in-law and an incredibly adoring grandfather. When it came to his family, which Aurelia was apart of as his son's wife, Lucius was completely devoted and it was this dedication to embracing a progressive future that allowed Aurelia to be comfortable with the idea of leaving her children alone with their grandfather – whereas she was still working on having the same level of trust with their grandmother.

"Now, I'm hoping to don't have to remind everyone to behave and listen to your elders, right?" Aurelia asked, with stern affection. Her hands rubbed her full and proud belly absently, as she looked over her assembled children and glowed with a worshipful love she'd never known, before Draco and their children. "Grandfather will be taking you on a very wonderful expedition to explore Mount Ténakourou and for everyone to get the most of out the trip, it is quite crucial that you listen, stay aware, and heed Grandfather, as well as your aunt and your older brother. Am I understood?"

In their own ways, each of her six children affirmed that they heard her and would honor her words. Corvus grinned with pride at being bestowed a portion of responsibility for his five younger siblings and his young uncle. Corona and Vega nodded seriously, as Corona adjusted Miranda's weight on her hip and Vega eyed Eridanus and Scorpius protectively. Each of children were well-behaved and a joy to be around as a group, but with the addition of the younger Malfoy children – seventeen-year-old Antares and thirteen-year-old Caelum – Aurelia wanted to be certain that the gathering of two generations of Malfoy children wouldn't be overwhelming for her father-in-law.

Lucius was only one wizard, after all, braving the rural trails of the nearby mountainside with his eight children and grandchildren.

"We'll be alright, Mum – everyone is looking forward to this too much to spoil it by misbehaving." Corvus assured her, his pointed chin raised importantly as his brown eyes shone warmly.

"That's what we want to hear, son," Draco said, with a grin. With a brief kiss upon her cheek, Draco ushered their brood to the door of their family suite, just as a prim knock upon the door echoed throughout the foyer. A wave of his wand opened the door and his grin turned into a smile, as he looked upon his only sister. "Here's Auntie Annie, coming to fetch you now."

Antares scoffed with grace; her snowy features twisted with a disdain that was uncomfortably reminiscent of her ancestors of the House of Black. "Draco, please. I haven't been Annie since I was a child and I'd appreciate you not encouraging the little ones to continue calling me such."

"I'll call you what I wish, snidget, and there's very little, if anything, that you can do about it," Draco said, with all the cheerful obnoxiousness of a loving older brother. "Where's Caelum?"

Antares grinned. "Arguing with Father about why he has to come when he wasn't even asked if that's how he wanted to spend his day. He's already dressed and ready to go, so the argument is rather pointless, but it wouldn't be a normal day without at least one argument between the two of them…"

Draco snickered at that and Aurelia couldn't help but grin, herself. Caelum was more of a Black than he was Malfoy, right down to his inky-dark hair and bright blue eyes, and it was forever a point of dissention between father and son. Aurelia tried not to draw direct parallels between her young brother-in-law and his long-dead aunt…but, sometimes, it was hard. She rather imagined that Lucius had the same difficulty and wondered if they'd ever grow out of the troublesome stage, where all they did was argue and disagree with one another.

"Well, I suppose you'd better get back there, before Caelum manages to get himself thrashed," Draco said, with another snicker. "Here are all of our lot, dressed and prepared for a day of Wizarding adventuring with the family. We'll be here at the manse with Mother but try and keep them occupied until we come for them."

Antares nodded, happily. "You two enjoy your day without these little doxies under foot and we'll be back later. Ta!"

With a sweep of her long blonde hair, Antares ushered her nieces and nephews out of the door and Draco and Aurelia were left with silence and the contented wriggling of their unborn daughter.

"Well, I suppose that now that the children are out of our hair, we'd better prepare for our brunch with Mother, yes?" Draco declared, after taking the opportunity to properly snog his wife, now that there was a distinct lack of children around to snag their attention from each other. Aurelia giggled as if they were once again young and bright-eyed newlyweds and simply off the infectiousness of that alone, Draco snogged her once more, his hands wandering pleasantly over her full and ripened body. "I'll feel so much better once we've talked with her."

Aurelia nodded. "I'm anxious for us to finally have this conversation with her and move towards a solution. I know I'm getting closer to my due date, so the sleeplessness is part and parcel of it – but, I'm sure a lot of what keeps me awake at night is that damned letter we still don't know what to do about."

Draco held her reassuringly for a very long moment, before kissing her soundly for the last time. "Mother will be here soon and all we have to do is lay everything at her feet. I promise, she'll know what to do."

Aurelia made a noise of agreement, unsure if she truly believed this. Draco couldn't be faulted for his unbreakable confidence in his mother's abilities, though – Narcissa had been responsible for orchestrating the two most important feats of defiance against Voldemort during the Second War, through the faith in the accuracy of her Arithmantic sums and the outcomes they predicted, if she were to take a certain path. Whatever sums Narcissa would discover when opening a cipher on her grandson, Aurelia was prepared to trust it.

What she was rarely prepared to trust was Narcissa herself and their undeniably rocky relationship.

"Come now, stop worrying, my golden love," Draco said, as her thoughts must have taken over her face. "I've drawn you a bubble bath with all your favorite oils and now that the children are gone, I want you to take the opportunity to soak the tub, rest, and just have a little while to yourself. Mother won't be here for several hours and I want us to make the most of this little break we have, while we're on holiday."

Aurelia smiled, a glowing warmth spreading through her as she allowed her husband to guide her to their bedchamber. As often as she was right, so was her husband, and there was much truth to his statement. There weren't many times where they were allowed uninterrupted alone time, with rising seven children, their marriage, and their careers to attend to. However, moments like this – where it was just the two of them, with the only third presence safely inside of her womb – did come along and when they did, Draco was adamant that they enjoy it to the fullest.

Jasmine and sandalwood and patchouli filled the air, as Draco helped her to shrug out of her nightgown and held her hand, while he assisted the fullness of her pregnant body in settling into the bathtub.

"Rest that beautiful mind of yours for a while and I'll be back soon, my love." Draco leaned down and kissed her soundly. "I love you, Aurelia Jean Malfoy, the golden love of my life – and I promise, as your husband, everything will ultimately be alright."

Overwhelmed with emotion and feeling more peaceful than she had in a while, Aurelia smiled with bright brown eyes, and returned his kiss, ardently.

"I love you just as much, if not more, Draco Ouranos Malfoy, the lord and love of my life. I trust in you and your promise that all will be well."

Aurelia settled back into the endless warmth of her bathwater, which was indeed exactly what her taxed and weary body needed, now that she was nearing the end of her pregnancy. Without another care or worry, she closed her eyes as the bathroom door closed softly and enjoyed the gentle rise of the Mermish symphony that began playing from the sound system.

All was well – and if it wasn't, she trusted her husband and believed in his promise that it soon would be.

"It is my hope that this private brunch was called because you miss my undivided attention, son. I'd certainly be very out of sorts, if we came all the way to this beautiful country to enjoy a wonderful family holiday, only to have it spoiled near the end with distressing news."

"Of course not, Mother," Draco said, sweetly, as he welcomed his mother into their suite with a warm hug. "We wouldn't dream of spoiling this holiday that you so lovingly planned for us as a family. The bad news we have will be shared with after we've ended our holiday, not near the end of it."

Aurelia rolled her eyes with fond affection at the cheekiness of her husband. With a polite smile, Aurelia accepted a gracious embrace from her mother-in-law, not quite warm enough to be called a hug but a far cry from the cold distance of their earlier years.

"Draco is simply being obnoxious, Mother Malfoy," Aurelia said, the formal, noble address for her mother-in-law far more comfortable than any other attribute that she could have used. "There is no bad news, but there is an interesting issue that has come up that we could use your wisdom on."

In another lifetime, the thought of calling Narcissa anything at all would have been unthinkable for many reasons. However, with the death of her old self and the birth of Aurelia Jean Malfoy, she could say that much like anything else, life with Draco had made the unthinkable a pleasant part of her reality.

In this lifetime, there was nothing unusual about walking with Draco and Narcissa into the cozy kitchen nook that offered a stunning view of Mount Ténakourou from the window. A beautiful brunch spread had been prepared by the house-elves that kept The Manse running smoothly and after the relaxing bath she'd had and the careful attentions of the house-elves to her mass of uncontrollable hair, Aurelia could say she was more than ready to enjoy the wonderful meal with her husband and his mother.

Draco somehow managed to seat both Aurelia and Narcissa comfortably, before seating himself, and with a flick of his wand, the brunch began to serve itself with the use of magic.

"Whatever the reason for the visit, I must say, I'm happy for it." Narcissa declared, as she accepted a serving of French toast from the floating platter. "I'm concerned that you to have an issue, as dear Aurelia put it, but pleased none the less that we can have this time together."

Aurelia and Draco shared a gentle smile.

Narcissa had been pleasant and deeply cordial with Aurelia on this holiday, so far, but sometimes, such a mood was only for public consumption. Her pleasantries didn't always follow her into private interactions with Aurelia and a part of what made their relationship so rocky was the unpredictable twists and turns of Narcissa's feelings towards her only daughter-in-law. However, for the moment, Narcissa appeared to be a genuine mood and the clear indication of this was encouraging.

After a little while had passed and most of the basic conversation topics had been exhausted, the first round of brunch was over with and Draco waved his wand to stop the procession of the meal and have a tea service appear, instead.

Narcissa looked shrewdly between Draco and Aurelia, as a pleasant silence fell over them and they all took a moment to reflect on the quiet, stunning view of the beautiful mountainside the family estate was located near.

"Well, children – what matter has fallen upon you and your house, which you could use my motherly wisdom on?" Narcissa asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Draco smiled. "You do love the role of the House Matriarch, don't you?"

"Of course, I do, son." Narcissa said with the very smile she'd given Draco. "Now, tell me: is this about one of you, one of the grandchildren, or the baby? Come now, don't make me anxious, dears…"

Aurelia was the one to Summon the Hogwarts letter from their trunk, the letter landing smoothly in her waiting hand, and without a word, Aurelia passed it along to her mother-in-law and waited.

Narcissa made a quiet noise as she looked at the letter, the emerald-ink proudly bearing Scorpius's name. Her mercurial blue eyes, the temperament of which she'd given to Draco despite not passing along the coloring, had gone from a rich indigo-blue to a pale, pastel blue and Aurelia knew that Narcissa was feeling as many conflicted emotions as she and Draco had, if not for the same reasons.

"In a different world, I imagine Scorpius receiving his letter would be cause for great happiness and celebration," Narcissa said thoughtfully, tracing a perfectly manicured finger over the sand-dried emerald ink that had been a symbol of Hogwarts for generations. "Instead, I can only imagine that instead of either of these sentiments, instead the both of you are overwhelmed and confused."

"Anger is slowly creeping into the pictures, the longer we think about it and the more we realize the implications of it." Draco sighed, shaking his head bitterly, as he added: "We thought we'd escaped this because neither Corvus nor the twins received a Hogwarts letter when they turned eleven. We thought we were especially safe, because The Nest House is Unplottable and we paid a specialist for those wards, specifically tied into our family's bloodlines so that the protection covered us even when we weren't on the property. But, still – this letter found us."

"The letter found Scorpius, if we are to be honest." Aurelia looked at her mother-in-law openly, distress in her expressive brown eyes, as she continued, "Nobody in Britain is supposed to know about any of our children, Mother Malfoy. Draco surrendered his British citizenship and has not visited Britain since doing so and I am supposed to be dead, buried with a proper and touching funeral by everyone who knows me or knew of me. As far as everyone is concerned, we are memories of the British Wizarding World and for us to be alive and well, married with all our children, is simply unthinkable – but, now, our son gets his Hogwarts letter? How is that possible?"

Narcissa reached over and gripped Aurelia's trembling hand with a firm reassurance.

"Don't get yourself all worked up, dear. I know it is easier said than done at this point in your matresence, but here in this moment, you are safe, and Scorpius is safe as well, so there's no need to feel threatened."

Aurelia was heartened by the rare affection from her mother-in-law, a truly lovely expression that was few and far between. Aurelia picked up upon the fact that Narcissa tended to be softer and more accepting of her whenever she was pregnant, but she didn't allow such a truth to bother her in a moment like this. She was afraid for her son, her unusual and special little boy, and right now, their only source of wisdom or resolution was in the frosty witch who she never guessed in a million years would end up as her mother-in-law.

Draco looked upon this interaction with raw love. The two most important women in his life sharing a rare peaceable moment always something he treasured.

Narcissa continued to hold Aurelia's hand with motherly affection, as she sipped at her tea and reflected over what they'd shared.

"To begin with, I believe the reason why Scorpius received a Hogwarts letter and not Corvus or the twins is simple – which is possibly why you're overlooking it." Narcissa smiled, briefly, and at their expectant looks, she continued: "Scorpius was born in Britain, while the rest of his siblings where born in Australia or overseas. A core qualification for enrollment at Hogwarts is British citizenship, which the Ministry for Magic defines as earned through permanent residency or birth on British soil."

Aurelia and Draco shared a look.

"Scorpius was born in Britain, yes…but we thought we avoided the registration of his birth, because Aurelia gave birth to him at the Manor." Draco frowned at his mother, as he asked, "Were you mistaken when you told us the Manor had been rendered Unplottable?"

"I wasn't mistaken. Our Unplotted Wards are the finest in Europe, casted by your former classmate, Blaise Zabini – and that young man is already a Master Wardsmith, as prodigious as his mother ever was." Narcissa gave Draco a sharp look, as she continued, "The Manor is Unplottable and was Unplottable when Aurelia unexpectedly went into labor. However, now that his Hogwarts letter has indeed arrived, it means that the Manor being Unplottable wasn't enough and despite our best efforts, Scorpius and his birth were still registered by the Ministry for Magic. His Hogwarts letter arriving confirms that he is British citizen and therefore, because of his citizenry, Britain has full access to the imprint he left upon the country's meridian system at his birth. The imprints on the meridian system are what the Quill registers at Hogwarts and what allows a letter to reach them, no matter what – because the imprint is a direct external access point to a witch or wizard's life force, allowing authorized magic to reach them anywhere on the planet Earth."

Draco exhaled sharply, as if he'd been punched in the gut, and Aurelia sighed a bit tremulously, tears gathering in her eyes as the startling news was processed.

Scorpius having been born in Britain was a complete accident, an unfortunate consequence brought on by a medical emergency. If Draco and Aurelia hadn't have had to travel internationally through the Global Floo Network and thus be exposed to the intense magic required to connect the Floo System from one part of the world to another, she would have never been in premature labor by the time they'd come through the unregulated Floo Connection at Malfoy Manor.

Everything had been tried to arrest Aurelia's labor and keep their unborn son from being born three months early, but nothing had worked. Nothing had been effective.

On a cold and bitterly stormy November morning in Draco's childhood bedroom, Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy had been the only one of Draco and Aurelia's children born on British soil – and ever since then, they'd been secretly afraid that one day, the unavoidable event would come back to haunt them.

According to what Narcissa had shared, such a day had finally arrived.

"Who knows about Scorpius, Mother?" Draco asked, a touch numbly. When Narcissa didn't answer, continuing to hold Aurelia's hand comfortingly and looking out the window reflectively, Draco brought his fist down on the table sharply, rattling their tea service. "Mother, this is not the time for reticence. Aurelia and I deserve an answer!"

"Due to public record, all anyone knows is that you, Draco, have a son that was born Wiltshire, England on November 2nd, 2005 and that is all." Narcissa finally shared. Clearly, this wasn't a recent development as Narcissa seemed to be sharing a well-known, well-practiced explanation about her eldest child's life and whereabouts after the war. "Because you surrendered your citizenship and we've made it clear you'd decided to start a new life overseas after your parole was concluded, the simple assumption is that you've been quietly living your life overseas and you're presumably married and settled down with a child, visiting Britain discreetly because we still remain there."

Draco and Aurelia shared a look, a litany of thoughts and emotions silently exchanged and well understood, after nearly twenty years of marriage.

"Are you sure, Mother Malfoy? Are you sure nobody knows anything more or anything of detail about Draco and his son, as it is known?" Aurelia asked, gripping her mother-in-law's hand tightly.

Narcissa nodded, firmly. "While I sent my younger children overseas for their education and limited their participation in British Wizarding society until they're older, Lucius and I are still very much involved in the daily life of the British Wizarding World and have a wide influence and reach. We have carefully and meticulously controlled the public perception of Draco after the war and for the past eighteen years, it has remained solid."

"Nobody knows of his wife or that he has any other children?" Aurelia pressed.

"How could they?" Only Narcissa could make something as inelegant as a shrug seem like the pinnacle of graciousness, as she elaborated with ease: "Whatever marriage might exist didn't occur in Britain or to a British citizen – therefore, it is not a matter of public record, as Scorpius's birth unfortunately happens to be. We don't speak on our daughter-in-law, not even to confirm if we have one, and Antares and Caelum are well trained in the art of discretion and protecting the family image, especially as our younger children who were born to us after the experience of the Dark Lord's defeat. The same with any other children he may or may not have. Nothing that is not public record can be confirmed or denied because public record is all there is to go on."

"So, as far as anyone is concerned, even those who'd decide to look deeper," Draco began, thoughtfully. "I may or may not be married, but I'm definitely a father of a son who is old enough to go to Hogwarts – an invitation I may or may not accept, because my family and I live overseas and neither my wife nor myself are even British citizens, though our son appears to be because of his birth in Wiltshire."

"Nobody knows who Draco's wife is and if they do know he has a wife, the last person they'd expect her to be is – " Aurelia tripped over her words, seemingly unable to speak of her old life and who she used to be – not here, as she lived a life so different from who her former self would have ever been. "If they do know that Draco has a wife, if she is found to be Aurelia Malfoy, the only person that would lead back to would be Aurelia Jean Gray – which is my maiden name and the only other name I've gone by besides my married name. Aurelia Gray Malfoy wouldn't be cause for suspicion or interest. Aurelia Malfoy is an Australian witch, whose only connection to Britain is because of her husband and his parents, and apparently, because of her son's birth at her husband's childhood home."

"That is all anyone knows and all anyone can confirm," Narcissa declared, confidently. "No matter how hard they look, no matter how hard they try, the only traces they can confirm, or follow are those very plain facts– and everything else turns up a deliberate dead end."

When laid out so simply and clearly, both Draco and Aurelia had to admit that there was less to be anxious about than they feared.

"Strangely enough, I feel better, now that our worst fears are confirmed, and we know what the outcome of it being realized is." Aurelia said, after a thoughtful silence had stretched between the three of them. Hunger began to gnaw at her again and seeming to pick up on her thoughts, Draco waved his wand and directed brunch to commence serving itself again.

Draco smiled gently at her, taking a serving of eggs and rashers for himself. "Believe it or not, I'm perfectly alright with the apparent public perception of this and feel fairly impressed by how well we could use this to our advantage."

Narcissa nodded approvingly.

"Be that as it may, seeing as how I'm not a Slytherin and will have a far harder time with how to properly field said advantage, I believe the only advantage I'm interested in is the advantage that is foretold by a solid Arithmantic sum," Aurelia said, which earned a sincere smile from her mother-in-law.

"Wisely stated, daughter-in-law," Narcissa said, warmly. "Am I to take your statement, dear Aurelia, as permission to open a cipher upon my grandson?"

The respect and affection in asking before performing a reading on their child was indicative that they'd reached another level of closeness with Narcissa and this was not lost upon either Draco or Aurelia.

When Draco eloped with Aurelia, his parents had been hurt by being excluded and scandalized in his choice of bride – but, Lucius had come around as soon as Draco had shared that Aurelia was pregnant, while Narcissa had felt betrayed instead. Draco had understood her anger and pain in being informed well after the fact that her only son was married, her daughter-in-law was pregnant, and that she'd have a grandchild – especially a socially horrifying two years after giving birth to her second child, her later-in-life daughter, Antares. He had apologized for that sincerely and made it clear that he knew he'd had to earn his parents' forgiveness and rebuild their relationship.

However, what had become a bitter point of contention between Draco and Narcissa and had damaged their relationship for several long years, had been Narcissa and her stubborn refusal to surrender her blood prejudiced and accept that her family no longer ascribed to the pureblood supremacist ideals that she'd held dear since birth.

Draco and Narcissa had endured a fractured relationship since his marriage to Aurelia and the birth of Corvus, while Aurelia and Narcissa still struggled with a frosty cordiality that only worked harmoniously when they held fast to the formality of their roles as Lady of the House and the Heir's wife.

The passing of time was the only thing that had healed and bridged the relationship between Draco and Aurelia and Narcissa and it was moments such as this that marked the progress of the complicated and continuously evolving relationship they had within their family.

With a soft smile that was a true and honest expression of the sincere affection that she felt for her husband's mother and her children's grandmother, Aurelia reached over and squeezed her mother-in-law's hand, fondly.

"You absolutely have our permission. Draco and I have acceptable proficiency in Arithmancy, but neither of us are have mastery in it, as you do. Mother Malfoy, I would feel so much better if you were the one to open the cipher on Scorpius and give us the sums and all the knowledge thereof, because your skill is who we ultimately trust our son – your grandchild – with."

Draco nodded, fiercely. "I agree with Aurelia, completely, Mother."

Narcissa seemed to be glowing under the strength of their praise and sincerity. As she approached her sixtieth birthday in the coming months, Narcissa seemed to grow more focused on her family and her focus on her family was providing her with a much-needed healing. Draco and Aurelia had been independent in the raising of their brood, mostly because they were so far away from their homeland but more so because they'd made the conscious decision to stay hidden and only rely upon each other as husband and wife. For the pair to ask help from her directly, going so far as to confide in her and seek her guidance, clearly meant a great deal to Narcissa – and Draco and Aurelia could tell.

"According to this letter, a response is mandated no later than July 31st of the coming year. With several months ahead of us before you must give a final answer, we have plenty of time to explore as many equations as possible and get the fullest understanding of all existing sums." Narcissa looked fondly at the swell of Aurelia's womb and continued, "Whenever our newest granddaughter is born, Lucius and I will make a visit to Australia and spend the holidays with you all. By then, I should have all my equations in order, and I can share with you the sums and my research upon the sums. How does that sound, children?"

Draco and Aurelia shared a smile with each other, pleased that this brunch had gone far better than either had hoped.

"We'll be happy to have you and Father, especially so we can introduce you to your newest granddaughter." Draco said, with an infectious grin. "We'll prepare your rooms for your when we get back next week and you'll just have to be on the lookout for our news that Aurelia has gone into labor."

"The postpartum period will be so much more bearable with another witch around," Aurelia said, gently, and was gratified to see Narcissa's eyes grow bright with anticipation and affection. "The children will be thrilled to have Gran around when they get home from school and I'd love to have another set of hands to help me love on and take care of all our babies."

Narcissa pressed her hands together, glowing with a life that she hadn't had when she'd come to their suite a while ago. Outside of her husband, her children, and her grandchildren, Arithmancy was the only thing in this world that truly gave life to the usually chilled and controlled witch – and if their own attempts to open a cipher and calculate an equation had been exhausting, difficult, and draining, Draco and Aurelia both knew that this would be one powerful, complicated project. Instead of a challenge, Narcissa saw a delight opportunity to deepen her skill – and there was no better motivation to be as thorough and craft as much power into this equation as possible, because the grounding variable was none other than one of her grandsons.

"That settles it, then! When we've returned from this holiday, I'll open a cipher and begin the equations on my Scorpius, and by the time we get the news that we have another beautiful little granddaughter, I should be finished with my drafts and be ready to share them with you when we arrive in Conjure Pointe."

"Thank you so much, Mother Malfoy," Aurelia said, as Draco echoed the sentiment with an affectionate kiss to his mother's delicate, slender hand.

"My family is the most important thing to me and after nearly having it taken once, I'll do anything to be sure it never happens again." Narcissa vowed, a hail of sparks coming from her wand at the intensity of her words, which lay on the table beside her.

Draco and Aurelia exchanged a startled look, as they felt a pulse of magic bloom through the air.

"Now, then! What shall we do with the rest of our time together as mother and son and daughter-in law, since Lucius and the children are blessedly away?"

(Author's Note: I don't know about you, but I'm having fun twisting canon like a pretzel. The challenge I gave myself for this story is to take only what is present in the Epilogue and twist it, with explanations for those twists providing the AU of this story. While there will be clear and obvious changes to canon as it was confirmed and further elaborated on (for example, I use a lot of facts from Pottermore, which I consider an extension of canon), this story will be as closely match canon as possible –

The only unknown is the path I'm going to take you on to get there!

Thank you again for the amazing response to this story! This is my first foray into fanfiction after a ten-year hiatus and I'm very much enjoying my return to one of my favorite pastimes – HP fanfiction. Next update should be coming up on Sunday, so leave a review and stay tuned…)