Here it is, the end! Thanks to everyone who read and enjoyed the story. Who knows, maybe I'll do another Marcus/Hermione sometime soon.


Epilogue - One Year Later
Draco Malfoy entered the Zabini villa glad to be out of the hot Italian sun. Hermione was the first to greet him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "Can't breathe, Granger," he panted.

She smiled happily as she let him go. "You realize that when you're cross with me from know on you'll have to call me Flint," she pointed out, climbing the stairs by his side. Draco pushed open the third door on the right and entered his room. "That could get very confusing, what with you calling Marcus by his last name all the time. You might want to consider using people's first names."

Placing his trunk at the foot of the bed, Draco began to unpack as she prattled on about her upcoming wedding. Blaise, Adrian, Marcus, and Hermione had arrived in Rome two weeks prior, but he'd used the excuse that he couldn't get out of work to stay away as long as he could. It wasn't just his pride that was bruised by losing the bet, but his heart as well. He'd truly meant it when he told Hermione he had feelings for her; feelings she never reciprocated. But his two friends were happy, and that was all he would allow to matter until he returned to England.

"Who's walking you down the aisle?" he asked when there was a brief pause in her ramble.

"Well, I thought about Harry or Ron since they're my oldest friends, but they can't make it," she replied. "Then I thought I'd ask Blaise, but he's standing up as my witness, and Adrian's the Best Man, so I guess that leaves you. Will you do it, Draco? Will you walk me down the aisle?"

He closed the lid of his trunk and sat down on top of it. "So I'm your last resort," he stated, a mirthful smile crossing his lips. "I feel like there's a bargaining factor here. You know, I scratch your back, you scratch mine."

"Please mean that literally," she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest.

He let go a hearty laugh and shook his head. "Just...save me a dance," he requested. "Two dances and I won't object to this union."

"Draco," she said warningly. He held up his hands in surrender and offered a sheepish smile. She sat down beside him and took his hand in both of her own. "Thank you. Honestly, Draco. Marcus doesn't know this, and I don't want him to know. Harry and Ron aren't missing the wedding because of work. They never quite approved of my friendship with the four of you."

"Well, you always were too good for us," he replied self-deprecatingly. "Look, you're happy, right?"

Hermione nodded. "Happier than I've been in a long time," she confirmed.

Shrugging, he allowed his eyes to wander down to their hands. Particularly, he watched the sun glint off the diamond she wore on her left hand. "Then to hell with them," he told her. "I know you had that falling out with your parents after the war, and you've always thought of Boy Wonder and his faithful sidekick as family, but we're your family too. Blaise, Adrian, and I aren't going anywhere. That's a promise we intend to keep, Granger."

With tears in her eyes, Hermione hugged him. "Thank you, Draco."


Teary-eyed, Hermione looked at her torn veil and sighed. She seemed unable to fix it despite the numerous spells she tried. Giving up, she let it fall back over her shoulder and examined her appearance in the full-length mirror. Wild brown curls were pulled back into a French twist. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, streaking lines through her makeup. The thin stream of sunlight danced along the small beads that decorated the neckline of her white wedding dress. And then she caught sight of the torn veil once more.

Kicking off her heels, which felt too tight the longer she stood, she exited her suite and trekked down to the end of the hall where she knew Marcus would be. It was bad luck to see one's affianced before the wedding, but Hermione could care less. It felt like nothing had gone right so far; there was nothing luck could do to make things worse.

Knocking on the door, she slowly pushed it open. Marcus's back was to her, but he turned his head when he heard the door creak. "Should I close my eyes or something?" he asked.

Hermione entered his room and shut the door behind her. "My veil tore," she said, holding out the thin material for him to see. "Could I have a hug?"

Smiling, he finished buttoning the cuffs of his shirt and crossed the room to take her in his arms. "You look so beautiful," he murmured.

"I look horrible," she grumbled, tightening her arms around his neck.

Marcus pulled back and pressed his lips to her forehead. "That's not possible," he replied. "I don't care that your veil ripped or your makeup is running down your face. I love you, Hermione. And I'll love this little one too." He moved his hand down to her abdomen and traced his fingers lightly over the small bump hidden by her wedding dress.

Only three months earlier, the engaged couple returned to Italy to put the final touches on their wedding planning. On a whim, they returned to the fountain, the very one wherein they were bound for life. It was there that she told him she was pregnant. She had expected stunned silence or his cheeks to pale. Instead, her news was met with a wide smile and kisses. His hand lingered on her still flat stomach as he kissed her, whispering the words "I love you" repeatedly.

"We should have just eloped then," Hermione groused, feeling the swell of her stomach. "I had to alter the dress again this morning just to be able to breathe."

"Yeah, but then our friends wouldn't have been a part of this," he replied, fingering the rip in her veil. "I think they would have been just as upset if they'd missed this. They love you almost as much as I do. If it hadn't been for Malfoy and his stupid bet-"

"We still would have gotten here. It just might have taken a bit longer," she said, pressing a kiss to his lips.

They broke apart when Marcus was summoned by Adrian, who looked startled that Hermione was with the groom. Muttering about bad luck, he pulled his friend from the room, giving Hermione a few moments to collect herself.

"You ready?" Draco asked as she put the finishing touches on her makeup.

Fingering her veil, she smiled. "Let's go, Uncle Draco."

"Uncle?"

The End.