Draco had been stoic while the nurse covered Lucius, as they left the hospital and as they drove home. Draco and Hermione offered for Narcissa to stay with them that evening, but she wanted to be alone. Not once did Draco shed a tear and Hermione forced herself not to cry for Draco's sake.
Hermione and Draco walked into their bedroom. Hermione sat down on the bed and slipped off her shoes, neither one of them saying a word. Draco shrugged off his jacket and just let it fall to the floor. Slowly, he shuffled over to the bed and collapsed down beside Hermione. She placed a gentle hand on his back and rubbed her thumb in small circles.
Draco gasped, suddenly tears rushed from his eyes. He was sobbing and running his hand over his face, spreading the salty liquid all over his hands and face.
"Oh, sweetheart," Hermione whispered, grabbing her husband's head and pulling it into her shoulder.
"My daddy's gone," whimpered Draco. She'd never seen him like this. Not even on that night he destroyed the vanishing cabinet. "My dad is dead. No. No. Please, Hermione."
His voice was muffled, but Hermione could feel him shout against her shoulder. Hermione leaned back on the bed, dragging Draco in close to her. He laid his head on her chest, tears still running from his eyes and staining her blouse.
Hermione softly ran her fingers through his hair. "Shh, baby. It's okay. Just cry. Cry all you need to. I'm right here. Shh... I've got you." She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears. She couldn't fall apart. Draco needed her.
Draco sniffled. "He's never going to see our son. He'll never get to hold our baby."
"I know, Draco. My sweet, perfect Draco. I know. I'm so sorry." Hermione placed a gentle kiss to the top of her husband's head, her heart shattering from Draco's pain and from the loss of her father-in-law, a man she loved more than anyone knew, but still Hermione didn't cry.
Narcissa set up the funeral for the following week. It was held in the wizarding world as Lucius would've wanted it. He also would've loved to see everyone who showed up that day.
The entire remaining Weasley family was there, as were the Grangers, the Potters and many other wizarding families that Hermione didn't even recognize. Dumbledore officiated the funeral, as he had officiated Draco and Hermione's wedding. Once again, he said that love was magic. After the last year, Hermione knew exactly what Dumbledore had meant.
Love had saved Harry Potter's life when Voldemort tried to kill him all those years ago. It literally protected him. Now, Hermione could see how Draco's love for her had protected her and how her love for him was his protection as well. And in Lucius's last days, he knew great love which meant he was surrounded by magic, though he was trapped in the muggle world . Not only was love old and powerful magic, but it was magic in its purest form.
There were refreshments for mourners after the ceremony, but Hermione didn't feel like talking with guests. She just hid in the shadows watching the others.
Narcissa held herself together well as she moved from person to person offering her their condolences. Hermione wasn't even sure Narcissa knew all of them. She felt better though when Mrs. Weasley hugged her. It was a sincere hug, real comfort from a kind heart.
Once again, Harry was comforting Draco. They were in the far corner of the large room. You couldn't tell if you didn't know Draco and Harry well, but Draco wasn't standing as straight as he normally did, he was leaning against Harry as if Harry was holding him up. If Harry moved Draco would crumple to the floor. There were moments when Hermione just couldn't comfort Draco the way Harry could. She had been a part of Lucius's life and death in way that Harry hadn't
"I'm sorry," said a warm voice. Hermione turned around and Ron Weasley was smiling back at her, looking unusually clean-cut in his black suit.
"Oh, Ron," Hermione said, suddenly losing control. She threw her arms around his neck and he tugged her in close. "I'm so glad you're here."
"I'm glad you're glad I'm here. I've missed you. I've missed being your friend."
Hermione sniffled, allowing for herself to cry for the first time since Lucius's death. She let her tears fall into her old friend's shoulder. She should let him go, but she couldn't. She just let Ron hold her, their bodies flush together.
"I've missed you too," she muttered into his neck.
"I'm so sorry for everything I said during sixth year. I was so stupid and now Malfoy is the luckiest man in the world."
Hermione pulled away from Ron and looked into his eyes. He was so different and yet so like the boy she had once loved. But he wasn't Draco. No one was Draco.
Ron brushed a tear away from her face. "You're so beautiful."
Hermione didn't know why she reacted like this but she just blurted. "Draco and I are having a baby." She swallowed. "It's a boy."
The color drained from Ron's face and he smiled, but Hermione could tell it was forced. "Congratulations," he said then kissed her on the cheek and walked away. She didn't think Ron and her could ever really be friends again, no matter how much she wished it.
Hermione looked across the room at her husband, Draco Malfoy, who was still leaning on her best friend, Harry Potter, and had never loved either one of them more.