……………………………

Time

……………………………

We built it up, to watch it fall

Like we meant nothing at all

I gave and gave the best of me

But couldn't give you what you need

You walked away, you stole my life

Just to find what you're looking for

But no matter how I try

I can't hate you anymore

…………

Harry and Ron watched Hermione as she stood silently, waiting outside of the holding rooms of the Ministry where Daphne Greengrass was located. She hadn't been charged officially, but today would be the day, if Hermione had anything to say about it. McLaggen was already in the process for a trial, Greengrass wouldn't be too far behind.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ron asked her, noting how cool and cold Hermione looked.

She looked up at him with a blank face and nodded. "I have to do this. She thinks she's so smug because she's this blonde bombshell that can use her looks to get out of anything she wants. Well, someone needs to bring her down a peg or two, and that someone is going to be me," Hermione said.

Harry sighed. "Are you sure you won't lose your cool in there and hurt her physically? You can do more damage than good if you do."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "I just want her to know that though she drove Draco and I apart permanently, she won't live to see daylight again," she said before some Aurors left the room and then motioned for her to enter.

Daphne looked roughed up and her usually impeccable hair and clothes were in disarray. Hermione wanted to laugh, but her heart was clenched too painfully for that. This was the woman who had made it impossible for Hermione to give her sons a real family. It wasn't all her fault, and the ex-Gryffindor took responsibility for her part of the blame, but not all of it was on her shoulders.

"How is the Ministry treating you? Would you like a glass of wine? Some clean clothes? A toothbrush so that you can wash your mouth the muggle way?" Hermione asked her smartly. The sneer on the blonde's oddly enough made something inside her want to laugh, but the brunette refrained.

Daphne flipped her hair, but it didn't have the same effect as it usually did. Not when hairs were sticking out in random places and when she was located in a dark holding room. "Forget all that and just send Draco over to me, he'll make it all better," she purred.

"Do you really think he wants to see you now that he knows that you were McLaggen's accomplice in my kidnapping?" asked Hermione darkly.

"You have no proof that I helped him willingly. As a-matter-of-fact I don't remember any of the things I did. I think Cormac used an Unforgivable on me to make me help him," Daphne said with a pout, her eyes watering for effect.

Hermione smirked at her. "Did you forget that there's something called Veritaserum? You have to drink water or something sometime soon. When you do, you'll be interrogated."

"That's illegal!" Daphne hissed.

"Not when the Ministry gives their okay," Hermione said smugly. "And Harry is getting that done at the moment. You wont get out of this unscathed, Daphne. You and McLaggen are going to pay dearly for the months I missed with my sons. You don't know what I'm truly capable of to defend my sons and myself," she growled out softly.

Daphne glared at her and scoffed. "I'll get out. My mother knows most of the members in the Wizengamot and they will never allow me to stop into a prison cell," she said with a smirk.

Hermione just scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Do you really believe all that rot? Well, I'll tell you what I told McLaggen, if the power I have in the wizarding world is not enough, Harry's will make sure that you spend the rest of your days in a prison cell. Either way, you won't get out of this without punishment, so enjoy what little of the sun you can see from the window in this room because it will be the last you will see," she said before turning and walking towards the door.

"Did you know of the nights Draco and I spent together? He would forget you in my arms and he was quite good at it. Even if you do forgive him and get back together, every time you're both together, you'll have to wonder if he's thinking of me instead of you. Good luck with that Hermione," Daphne said with glee.

Hermione just shook her head and decided not to hold onto the other woman's parting words. There was nothing more that she and McLaggen could destroy. It was finally over and the day those two were put into prison would be the day Hermione would breathe freely. At the moment, all Hermione could think about was getting back to her sons and being alone so that she could cry a little bit more.

………

After a few weeks of getting her life back to rights, Hermione felt a bit more at ease, though her heart still ached when she saw her sons and realized that she had missed months of their lives. She spent her mornings at the medical center and then went home in the afternoons to spend the rest of the day with her twins.

At the moment, she and Neville were inspecting a new illegal breed of animal that looked much like a guinea pig but threw out needles like a porcupine. They were making notes on it and wondering if it was a cross between the two creatures when Hermione backed into a tray and startled the animal. It released its needles in a long spray that hit her leg and Neville's arm with deadly accuracy. Hermione managed to reach for her wand and immobilized the creature as a few assistance medi-witches raced over to help and the animal healers took the creature back to its holding pen.

"We need to get you to a room so that we can see the damage," a medi-witch said as she and three others levitated Hermione and Neville to a room separated by a curtain.

"We knew the downs of this job, Nev," said Hermione with a pain-filled smile.

He looked slightly pale at the sight of blood, but he was holding it together. "Yeah, I know what you mean, but you seemed to have gotten the worst part," he said, eyeing the needles embedded in Hermione's jean clad leg. He looked at his arm and let out a sigh. "I barely got scratched but it still hurts," he admitted.

The medi-witches went to work on them both and Neville was right, he had only taken a few scratches, so he cured pretty fast compared to Hermione. They were getting her a potion that would work as a sort of rabbies shot to the muggles, since they didn't know what the needles from the creature contained. Neville grimaced as he saw Hermione's leg, which was bare and had a balm all over the affected area.

"Stop looking at my bare leg, Neville Longbottom," Hermione said in a scolding voice. She burst out laughing when his face turned red and he sputtered nervously.

"I wasn't looking at it like that, Hermione! I swear!" he said nervously.

She stopped laughing and nodded. "Don't worry, Nev, I was just joking with you. If I were you, I would've been staring at the wound too. Don't worry about me, I'm fine," she said.

Neville smiled shyly and moved towards the door. "I'm going to call someone to let them know about this. You shouldn't be alone after an accident like this," he said before he walked out and didn't give Hermione the chance to tell him not to.

She sat there for a long moment, watching as the balm slowly healed the tiny, still bleeding wounds and was thankful that the creatures needles hadn't been poisonous or filled with any other type of side effect. Why did people insist on trying to play god with poor innocent animals? A medi-witch walked into the room and inspected the wounds before spreading another soothing balm for the ache and then wrapping her leg in gauze and then leaving Hermione alone to redress and repair her jeans.

There was a knock on the door and Hermione called to let the person in without looking, keeping her eyes on repairing the holes of her jeans and trying to remove the blood stains to no avail. When she looked up, her eyes met grey and she nearly jumped. Behind Draco was Neville and he looked slightly nervous. "I tried contacting Harry or Ron, but neither answered."

Hermione let out heavy sigh and nodded before thanking her friend and watching him leave. She looked at Draco and said nothing, trying to determine if she would be able to walk on her own because of the ache in her leg. Draco for his part was feeling the annoyance build as she tried to ignore him. "You know, if you want me to leave, I will," he said to her as she tried testing out her leg.

"No," said Hermione. "That's okay. I'm not going to push you even further away after you took the time to come down here. We may not be a couple anymore, but we can be friends… right?" she asked, finally looking at him.

Draco just nodded and offered her a half-smile. "How are the boys?" he asked, moving forward slightly when she placed weight on her leg and grimaced.

Hermione managed a smile through the pain. "They're doing great. They mention you everyday," she said, trying to swallow down the grimace and pain so that Draco would be convinced that she was fine. But she took a wrong step and would've fallen had he not been within touching distance of her.

Draco caught her in his arms and frowned when he heard her swallow down a small noise of pain. She had always been too brave for her own good. Hermione looked up at him and felt her heart skip a beat when their eyes met. She had forced her brain to forget how handsome he was and how his eyes were the same as her sons. They were over, and there was no use in dwelling in something that would never work out. But her brain never really did what she wanted, even though it had the capability of resolving almost any conflict. Her heart betrayed her in that moment as well, for they didn't force her to move back when his lips neared hers.

A thousand memories raced through her head of Draco's smiles, his kisses, his caresses. His scent was like a long forgotten memory that was suddenly close and she wanted to cling to for as long as she could, but she knew that she couldn't. They couldn't do this, not matter how good it felt to have his hands digging into her hips, or the fact that her leg no longer hurt. She was the first to pull back and look away.

"Let me go, Draco," she said in an oddly choked voice.

He did, but reluctantly. He knew that she still loved him, despite what she said and did at the moment, but he didn't want to make their relationship even more strained than it was. He moved his fingers to brush against her flushed cheek and watched as her eyes watered. He pulled back and made for the door without another word.

"Don't rush it, Draco. I know I said that we're not meant to be together, but maybe some day we'll be able to fix our relationship. That time isn't right now," she said as he reached for the doorknob.

Draco turned to look at her and gave her a nod. "I'll wait for that day, Hermione. Whether it's months from now, or maybe even years. I'll wait and if that time never comes, know that I won't ever take anyone else into my life," he said before walking out of the room and leaving her alone with her tears of physical and emotional pain.

She wanted that day to come too, when she would able to tell Draco that she forgave him and that all those words she had said about them not belonging together had been complete rot. She just hoped that it was soon and despite what Draco said about not taking anyone else she hoped she didn't lose him for sure.

……

Hermione had never felt as light as she did when McLaggen and Greengrass were sentenced to life in prison for her kidnapping, physical assault, and illegal use of a love potion. It happened the same month that the twins turned one, and Draco had insisted on celebrating at the party. They had planned together on who to invite, what the theme would be, and where it would be. That was how she found herself in Malfoy Manor.

Though she had been hesitant to bring her friends and family to the Malfoy's home, Narcissa had assured her that her husband would behave himself because the party was for his grandsons. With the help of a professional party planner, Ginny, Lavender, and Narcissa, Hermione and Draco had accomplished the perfect party for the children. Old schoolmates who had children the age of the twins had been invited and even people who didn't have children but were dear to either Hermione or Draco.

The grand gardens in the backyard had been decorated in streamers, balloons, stuffed animals, and real animals. Hermione was standing with her two best friends as they watched over the twins and little Roan. Darius and Darien were now walking, though still a bit wobbly, but they were getting around on their own. There was a table filled with gifts for them, and another table, almost the length of a house table at Hogwarts, was filled with food and cakes of various flavors and sizes.

"Oops!" Hermione exclaimed as Darien fell on his bum after his brother accidentally pushed him. "Watch out now, sweetheart," she said as Darius walked off to be picked up by Lucius. Hermione watched with a hidden smile as the older man couldn't contain his pride at the child in his arms.

"Oi, Mione, these finger foods are great," Ron said after swallowing and taking a gulp from his butterbeer.

Both Harry and Hermione shared a small disgusted look. "Yes, well you can thank Draco for that. The house elves were the ones who cooked everything—against my wishes, might I add," Hermione replied before kissing the tot in her arms loudly. The boy giggled and hugged her tightly as Harry reached over to tickle him.

"Where are the birthday boys?" asked Ginny as she walked out of the Manor and straight for Hermione.

"One is right here and the other one is with his grandfather. It's great to see you!" Hermione said, giving the red-head a one-arm hug. "How are things?" she asked with meaning.

Ginny smiled happily; she was almost glowing. "A bit rocky in the mornings, but otherwise fine. Blaise has been very supportive," she said as they both turned to look at the subject of their conversation. He was standing next to Draco, who was holding Darius in his arms now.

"Have you guys talked about marriage?" Hermione asked as she pulled Ginny off at a distance.

She shook her head. "We're fine the way we are, Hermione. You, my mother, and I have different ideas on what marriage is. I'm not ready, and neither is Blaise, and we really don't care about what other people will think when they find out," she said before winking and walking off to find her mother.

Hermione walked back to her two best friends and smiled to herself as she set her son down so that he could walk off. Ron was frowning as he watched Draco and Blaise. "Did she tell you?" he asked Hermione.

"Tell me what?" she asked.

"That he's gone and gotten her pregnant and refuses to marry her," Ron said darkly.

Harry's eyes were wide. "Ginny's pregnant?"

Hermione nodded and smirked at them. "She doesn't want to marry him either, Ron. They're both in a mutual place and they'll do whatever feels right. You can't just push them into something that they don't want."

"Mum and dad will flip out. Dad will murder Zabini and then Gin's kid will be fatherless. Haven't they even thought about what the rest of the family will say?" Ron asked her and Harry.

"Come on, Ron. I think you're overreacting," said Harry as he winked at Pansy, who was talking to Lucius and Narcissa. "If she's happy, then you should all let her be."

Hermione nodded in agreement, but Ron just shot them a glare and walked off to sit next to his wife and son. "It's great to see that you're all happy with your person. You and Pansy; Ginny and Blaise; Ron and Lavender. I'm happy for all of you."

"But you're not happy yourself," said Harry quietly.

Hermione shrugged. "I have my sons and that's enough. I don't need anything else," she said, and against herself, her eyes strayed towards Draco, who was chuckling at something Blaise was saying to him.

Harry followed her line of vision and cleared his throat. "Right. Forgive me if I don't believe you," he said with a faint smirk. "Mione, I love you. You're my family just as much as Ron and Pansy, but you deserve to be happy too. No matter what you say, you're not," he said to her.

"I can't just forget all that we've done to each other," she said, eyes still on Draco, who was holding both babies in his arms now. "Everything is too recent and I don't trust myself to put everything I have into a relationship with him just yet," she admitted.

Harry nodded in understanding. "But you can't live your life in fear. Your twins will grow up and they will want to know why you aren't with their father. What will you tell them? That you couldn't forgive him or let go of your fear in order to be with him? What kind of life lesson is that for them?"

Hermione grinned. "Since when did you get so smart, Mr. Potter?"

"Since Pansy came into my life and made me want to be a better man. I asked her to marry me and she said yes. We won't get married right away; we're also enjoying our relationship right now without the marriage vows, but some day we will have the ceremony that will bind us together for the rest of our lives. I love her, and she loves me," Harry said, not able to contain his happiness.

"I'm happy for you," Hermione said honestly. "But I need more time to fix my own life, Harry. This isn't something I can rush or wish to rush either. Maybe someday soon I'll be able to look Draco in the eye and tell him that I forgive him and that I hope he forgives me. But the time is not now," she said before she gave him a brief hug and walked over to Draco, who was motioning her over in order to start the party.

Harry released an unhappy sigh but his face brightened when Pansy walked over to wrap her arms around his waist. "Why were you frowning just now?" she asked him quietly.

He sighed again. "Hermione is unhappy without Malfoy. Dunno why, when clearly the guy is a big git, but I think she misses him. She just won't admit defeat. She says it isn't time yet."

Pansy nodded. "I can understand that, sweetheart, and you should too. Hermione needs time to heal all the pain and when she does, she'll be able to accept Draco again. Let's just hope that we don't reach the twins eighteenth birthday's before that happens," she said before pulling him along when people took their seats for lunch.

…

"They're both really tired," Hermione said as she watched Darius and Darien sleeping soundly in their cribs at the Manor. She had agreed when Draco had suggested that they stay the night. She really wouldn't be able to deal with two fussy one-year-olds on her own. It had happened before, and her entire night had been hell.

The party had been a great success with the twins and the other children. There had been a fair share of scraped knees and a few fights for the same toy, but the children that had been invited had had a lot of fun. She and Draco had held a twin while the guests sang them the birthday song, and with their parents help, the candles had been blown out. Hermione had made her own wish, something she knew that her sons would wish for had they been any older, and she wondered if Draco had done the same. She had wished for her hard headedness to go away and allow her to be happy. She wanted to be happy more than anything.

Draco ran a hand through Darien's soft, blond hair and smiled slightly before doing the same to Darius. Their features had been changing slightly, and though at the beginning they had resembled him more, now Draco found the similarities to Hermione uncanny. Or maybe it was just the fact that he missed her and the boys more than anything now that they were living on their own. He looked to Hermione, who was sitting at the window seat and he walked over to join her.

"How have you been?" he asked her quietly.

"As good as I can get, which means not so good when you're living alone with two toddlers" she replied with a half-smile. "What about you?"

"The same," he replied. "I miss the three of you, and there's no point in denying it. My life was so much brighter when I had you nagging me to death every day about the house elves, and when the boys woke me up in the middle of the night."

Hermione looked at him for a few seconds before looking away. "I know what you mean. But it's still not time for us, Draco. I miss you too, but…"

"We can't rush into things again," he stated.

She nodded and stood. "Time, Draco. All we both need is time," she said before walking towards the door.

"Hermione?" he asked, stopping her before she was out of the nursery.

"Yes?" she asked, turning to look at him and finding him standing very close to her.

Draco leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Have a good night," he said before he walked out and left her alone.

Hermione touched the spot where his lips had touched and smiled to herself. She would have a good night and she hoped he did too. She checked on her boys one last time before dimming the lights and walking towards her old room to get some rest. She had a lot of thinking ahead of her.

………………

Two Years Later…

"Why do we have to wear these suits? We look like penguins!" a whiny voice said.

Hermione rolled her eyes and made a mental note to not let her son spend so much time with Ron and Roan, since those two were the whiniest people she knew. She turned to Darius and smiled. "Sweetie, it's only for one day and because aunt Pansy asked you to wear a suit. Besides, your daddy is going to wear one too, and so will Darien and Roan," she said as she watched her other son sitting in a chair quietly, swinging his legs back and forth and watching the rush.

"Why don't you two run along and find your father and your uncles? I think I saw Ron and Blaise around here somewhere," she said, poking her head out of the white tent they had been using to dress into their wedding attire. "Ah, there they are!" she exclaimed, pulling the boys along towards Blaise, who was standing with Ron and watching over a five year old and a one year old little girl with curly, red hair. "Would you two mind watching over Darien and Darius? I'm not finished getting ready, and I'm already late in helping Pansy."

"Sure," said Ron, high-fiving his nephews. "You look great, Mione," he said, waggling his eyebrows and making her blush.

"You're a married man, Ronald Weasley, don't give me that look," she said with a grin before she ran off to give herself the finishing touches. She was in an elegant, lavender colored gown that trailed behind her beautifully. Her hair was in tightly packed curls on top of her head and was held up with many lavender little flower pins. She had been a bit worried that the pins wouldn't hold her heavy hair, but the stylist had accomplished it with minimum fuss.

Once she was satisfied with the way she looked, she picked up the slight train of her dress and her high heels, and ran off to the main tent to help Pansy. After all, the wedding would be in half an hour, and the bride to be had a right to be fashionably late, but not too late. Pansy's hair and make-up was done, but she wasn't in her dress yet. She looked composed but a little shifty.

"You're not going to run off on my best friend, are you?" she asked Pansy with a smile.

The dark haired woman shook her head and grinned. "No, I'm not. But we've waited so long for this and I was so sure that I wouldn't get nervous. But guess what? I'm feeling those butterflies in my stomach now," Pansy said as she stared at herself in the mirror.

"Just remember that you love him and he loves you. Nothing else will matter after that," Hermione put in as Millicent walked into the tent with various bouquets for the flower girls and the main one for the bride-to-be.

Pansy smiled and nodded, walking over to look at her wedding dress. Hermione watched her and felt her heart ache when she remembered her wedding day. She had been completely miserable the day she had been forced to marry Draco Malfoy in a lavish ceremony that she had had no voice in. Though the dress and everything else had been beautiful, it had felt like the worse day of her life. Now though, she would be willingly walking down the isle with him, even if they were only the witnesses who would sign for the couple. She hadn't seen him in about an hour, so she didn't know what he looked like in his wedding attire either.

The past two years had been peaceful and calm. She and Draco had shared joint custody of the twins and they had been on friendly terms. They kept the boys every other week and sometimes even went to have lunch or dinner together. True to his word, Draco had given her the space she needed, and he hadn't pushed for them to have anything more than friendship. The children were beginning to ask questions about why they weren't living together like Roan, Darlene, and Danielle Zabini's parents were, and Hermione had had to answer them truthfully. She had told them that she and Draco were only friends now and that even though they weren't together, they loved them very much. Hermione came back to herself in time to see Pansy already in her beautiful wedding gown.

"Okay, I'm ready," she said with a grin.

Hermione smiled and handed over Pansy's bouquet as Millicent gave her dress the last touches. "You're marrying one of my brother's," she said quietly. "And I know that I don't need to threaten you to make him happy, because I've seen the look on his face since he became involved with you. Just don't hurt him, Pansy, he's been through so much already," she said, eyes tearing up.

Pansy nodded and her own eyes were glassy. "Thanks for being a great friend after all we did to you in school. Believe me when I say that I wish you and Draco the best. I know you two will end up together sometime soon. He's been celibate for the past two years, and that's saying something. Forgive him, Hermione. There's a great man under all of that ego," she said before hugging the ex-Gryffindor.

She nodded. "I know, Pansy, believe me. We should go before we're too late," Hermione said as she helped pick up the back of Pansy's dress as they exited the tent just as the sun was setting.

They walked towards another magical tent that was only slightly larger than the rest on the outside, but was a grand room for the ceremony inside. Hermione's eyes met grey as they entered the section before the main ceremony hall where all the flower girls and the men were. She smiled slightly when she saw that he was standing with the twins and they were wearing similar suits with a lavender colored vest. There was a whole them going on of white, lavender, and black.

"Okay, the children go first," said Pansy ushering Darlene up to the front so that she could throw flower petals out, followed by Darius and Darien as the ring bearers—one ring each. Then were the couples. Hermione took Draco's offered arm and smiled, feeling slightly nervous herself. They were followed by Harry and Molly Weasley, Millicent and Greg Goyle, Ron and Lavender, and Blaise and Ginny. Roan would help carry Pansy's train with a little girl that was the daughter of one of Pansy's cousins, but they would be at the back. Surprisingly, Lucius Malfoy was going to be the one to give Pansy away.

A beautiful, more classical version of the wedding march started and the ceremony began. Hermione and Draco watched their sons proudly as the boys walked down the isle behind Darlene. All the guests were on their feet and watching them as they walked through. She felt a small flutter in her heart when Draco's eyes met hers for a moment, but she smiled and looked away, keeping her attention on the aisle ahead of them. Everything had turned out beautifully, and how could it not? This was the wedding of the century, or the next best wedding of the century since Hermione Granger had married Draco Malfoy. The boy who lived was marrying an ex-Slytherin, only the closest people had been invited to the wedding, though Pansy knew far more people than Harry did.

As they all took their places at the front of the room, they all turned to watch Pansy glide down the aisle, Harry's eyes transfixed on the woman he loved. Hermione turned to look at Draco again and they shared a look that made him smirk. She then checked on the children, who were at the care of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.

The ceremony was thankfully not too long and not to short either, but meaningful. Hermione could see the tears in Pansy's and Molly's eyes, since Harry had been like another son to her, and Hermione herself had been sniffling by the end of the ceremony. After the rings were given to the bride and groom, and the kiss was over, everyone poured in to congratulate the pair in their union.

"Okay, we need to go outside for the pictures," Pansy said, her hand in Harry's as she directed the people towards the exit. After posing time after time, the children began to get restless and Pansy knew that they wouldn't cooperate for much longer if she kept pushing it. "Just one more shot, guys!" she said to all the little ones. "I want you all to go with your parents for a family picture, okay?"

Hermione took Darien in her arms as Draco picked up Darius and they were instructed to sit on a stone bench close together and the perfect image of a family. The boys hugged their parents tightly and a few shots were taken of them that way. Almost immediately after pictures were taken the chairs were grouped together in tens and tables with fancy silverware and centerpieces were conjured up for dinner to begin.

"Eat with your mouth closed, honey," Hermione chided Darien when the delicious food was served.

Draco snickered to himself and was happy to see that they were sitting together as a family. He couldn't even begin to describe how his life had been the past two years. Though he and Hermione had remained as friends and got along better than they had in a long time, he still missed them. There was nothing he wouldn't give to have the three of them with him again. At least he could brag about calling Hermione his friend now, but he wanted more. So much more.

After dinner, and enough cake to give the children stomach aches, Draco took the moment to go drop them and Darlene off at the Manor. Hermione sat alone near the dance floor, smiling and watching the couples try to dance. Ron was doing a particularly bad job and Hermione felt sorry for Lavender's toes. The photographer walked by and handed her a moving photo of her, the twins, and Draco together. It was a very beautiful image and it made her eyes water in feeling. She needed to do something to make that beautiful family happen for her sons. They deserved it.

She stood and walked out of the tent for some fresh air. She needed to gather her courage for what she was thinking of doing, because if Draco said it was too late, her heart would be forever broken. As she walked through the garden, she pulled off her shoes and felt the fresh grass under her feet. The scents were almost overpowering, but wonderful all the same. As she came to a gazebo that was made of solid stone, she spotted a head of short white-blond hair and slowly approached. His tie was undone and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone, but he was gazing at the same image she had received a few minutes before of their family.

"Did they go to bed willingly?" she asked Draco.

He nodded and sighed. "They just made me promise to take them to the zoo the day after tomorrow," he said in amusement.

"You shouldn't give them all they ask of you. You'll spoil them," Hermione said as she moved to stand next to him.

"They're my sons, Hermione. I want to give them all that I can," Draco replied as they gazed at the darkness of the plants surrounding them. "Besides, I don't want them to be unhappy because you and I are separated."

"I remember that when I was a child, I always wanted a big family. Our sons ask me why you and I aren't together, and lately, I've been asking myself the same thing," she admitted. "I know it's my fault an all, but… but is it too late to fix?"

Draco turned to look at her, surprise shining through his eyes. "I thought you said it was too soon."

"I said that more than two years ago. Unless… you don't want to anymore," she said, her gaze straying from his. "That's okay if you don't. I understand." She really didn't, but she wasn't about to tell him that and break into tears.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, cupping her cheek in his hand. "For always hurting you and doubting you. I've been a very stupid man because I've made you miserable for so much of your life."

Hermione laid her hand on top of his and smiled genuinely. "I wasn't completely miserable because you gave me my sons. I love them more than I ever thought possible and I love them even more because they're half of you."

Draco shook his head once. "But I've always hurt you, why would you—"

She silenced him with a kiss. Here she was, telling him that she wanted to be with him again and he kept on being negative. The kiss was the most amazing thing she had felt in the long time. His taste was bringing back so many memories, reminding her how much she had really missed him. Her heart had had time to heal and now it was strong and sure again. She wanted to give her relationship to Draco another try. McLaggen and Greengrass would never interfere again and everyone kept insisting that she and Draco were meant to be together. Their sons were daily reminders that something special had always been between them, even when they had hated each other's guts.

"Will you shut up and admit that you love me?" she asked Draco breathlessly.

"Now why would I do something like that?" he asked her haughtily. Her eyes narrowed and he chuckled before kissing her again. They pulled apart when various fairy lights began to light up all around them, creating an amazingly romantic scene. He looked into Hermione's sweet brown eyes and sighed. "Are you absolutely sure of this?" he murmured.

Hermione nodded. "If I wasn't, I never would've come over to talk to you. My heart is beating strong again Draco," she said, eyes wide and watery. "Don't break it again."

"I won't ever take you for granted again," Draco said before their lips met once more. He pulled away and gave her a slightly uneasy look. "You do know that you have to marry me again, right?"

Hermione nodded and smirked. "But we're doing things my way this time."

Draco snorted and hugged her to him tightly. "That wasn't it. Have you forgotten that clause in the pre-nup?"

The brunette paled slightly and then laughed. "You mean that we have to have another kid before two years are over? That's fine by me, as long as your father doesn't interfere and ends up giving up quintuplets or something more frightening," she said, still laughing.

Draco took in her sweet scent and relished the feel of her in his arms. "Kiss me, Granger," he said quietly.

As she did, they pulled apart when they heard the sound of whistling and cat calls. They both turned to see the eavesdroppers, and Hermione wished she had brought her wand along to curse her two best friends. "It's about damn time!" Ron yelled, his arm around his wife. Standing next to them were Harry and Pansy, and a distance away, Lucius and Narcissa.

Hermione turned her face against Draco's shoulder in embarrassment and laughed softly. Draco just rolled his eyes and hugged her again. He had never been so happy that he had been patient enough to wait for Hermione. He had his family back and he would cherish them more than his own life.

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No, that's not the end. But the next chapter will be! Unless... do you guys want me to leave it here in use your imaginations for their future, or do you want me to write it out? I've already got the outline, but either way we get our happy ending, as promised. I just hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and that it wasn't too mushy. Draco was maybe OOC, but he's been pining for Hermione all this time, he's bound to be a bit emotional, right?

I'm a bit confused, and if anyone knows about weddings, can you answer me this? Are the maid of honor and best man the same thing as the witnesses, or are they two separate roles? Anyone who can answer that gets many, many cookies in thanks. Again, thanks for reading this fic and if you do review, thanks a bunch! Have a great weekend!

Byebye

!Joey!