A/N: So, we've made it to the end. Eventually, I am going to come back to this work and read it straight through in an attempt to catch any errors...but not yet. My brain won't catch them all right now. As always, I want to thank everyone who decided to come along for the ride. It's been fun and your kind words brightened me up when things were bleak...
Anyway, I hope you like this farewell.
As always, I own nothing and get no money...
"Orion, come on! You know your mum hates being late," Draco warned as he loaded his first born's things onto a cart and proceeded to wait for the curly haired young wizard to stop pouting and join him.
Hermione was off parking the car and gathering the other two children to her, the twins Scorpius and Ara; they of the stick straight copper brown hair, gray eyes, and golden skin. (The fact that they were troublemakers and just all around spoiled little shits would not be remarked upon until much, much later.) Of course, before she'd gotten very far, Harry and Pansy had spotted the trio as they towed their daughter Peyton and their youngest son, Albus, behind them. However, their first born hustled over to join the frazzled witch first in an attempt to locate one of his best friends, Orion.
"He should be on the platform already, James. Probably, everyone else is there as well. These two," she pointed at the smallest Malfoy's, "Are being very themselves, right now."
Harry grinned and offered her a hug as soon as he reached her. "I hate it when Albus does that!"
"Imagine the trouble those three are going to cause when they finally start school in six years!"
Pansy groaned. "Jeez, don't remind me! Sending the first one off is bad enough and I only have two years before I have to send off my girl..."
Harry turned to his pouting wife with a grin. "We could try for another one, Pans!"
The raven-haired woman smirked at her husband. "Only if YOU are the one to carry it this time."
Eventually, the group of six (as James had escaped in an attempt to find Orion moments after getting his location) arrived at Platform Nine and Three Quarters only to be ambushed by Ginny and Greg's eldest. Greyson, already an extremely husky 5'5", wore a faint frown of sadness as he watched his friends gather themselves to board the Hogwarts Express, so without a moment's hesitation, Hermione had reached out to tug him into a quick hug.
"Aren't you going to tell them goodbye until Christmas break," she queried softly, her warm brown gaze meeting his sorrowful orbs.
The young wizard nodded and turned his large hazel eyes toward the small group. "Yeah. I just hate that I am not going this year. It sucks."
Ginny and Greg soon joined them as the group moved closer to the train, all eyes searching for the platinum blond of Draco's hair which they spotted soon enough. With many an "Excuse me." and "So sorry." the larger group soon joined Draco and Blaise as well as Luna (who had her own group of children well in hand, a whopping four of them besides their first born with the youngest only a year older than the youngest Potter and Malfoy's.)
As the parents and siblings handed out hugs to the eldest children, the conductor gave a final "All aboard!" and soon the platform began to empty as children rushed away to the sound of sniffles and calls of "We love you." hollered by their families. The train itself seemed to be filled to bursting, due to the many couples who had been matched thanks to the Law and Hermione found herself both happy and saddened by the adventure the children were about to embark on.
It was Harry who brought up the idea that everyone should meet up for dinner, but it was the Manor which was used to host the event. After all, Narcissa truly enjoyed having a house filled with the laughter of children and the conversation of adults. As usual, bets were made about which houses their eldest children would end up in with an agreement among them that no matter which house the kids ended up in, they'd be proud. (Well, barring Hufflepuff, of course...that was until Hermione threatened them all with a glare and a terse reminder of "Remember Cedric Diggory you lot?") However, even she had to agree that (probably) the only Gryffindor in the group would be James, after all, Orion was much too much like his father to be anything other than Slytherin.
The hardest one to judge was Selene as she seemed to have traits of all four houses but Luna had stated, sounding exceedingly certain of the fact, that the young witch would be a Ravenclaw, just like her mother. After that, no one wanted to place a bet against it. They had all learned long ago to listen to the blonde when she made statements in that tone of voice.
Just before the group decided to call it a night, a lone owl made it's way through an open window and into the main sitting room holding only a single letter. Since it was Draco's home, he had the pleasure of opening it and giving it a quick glance before smiling broadly. "Harry, you read it since it's from your son." With that, he handed the envelope (and it's contents) over.
Harry took a moment to read through it and, after clearing his throat, began to read out loud;
"Dear Mum and Dad (and the rest of you lot!),
We've been sorted. I am (of course) a Gryffindor, Orion is totally Slytherin and Selene is Ravenclaw but Uncle Theo? Tallulah is a Hufflepuff! She practically cried, at least until the rest of us told her that badgers were not only kind, forgiving and welcoming to all, but that they could also turn vicious when cornered or in defense of their friends and family. After that, she calmed right down, thank Merlin!
The Sorting took forever and Headmistress McGonagall says we are the largest 1st-year class that has been seen in forever. (I take it you lot were very busy when you were much younger!) The school is brilliant and the food, oh Merlin the food! So good. I ate entirely too much. One thing that has changed is that we no longer have to sit with just our houses. In fact, the Headmistress encouraged all of us to sit with our friends. So many mixed colors at the four long tables, it was great!
Well, it's getting late and the others send their love. Also, tell Greyson we can't wait for him to start next year and that he had better be Gryffindor or Slytherin~ otherwise Orion and I will never let him live it down.
We will all write soon, we promise.
Much Love,
James (oh yeah, and the rest of them)"
Hermione gave a wicked smile and laughed. "So somehow, we've managed to infiltrate all four houses. This is perfect! When we decide to take over the world, we will have things well in hand to do so!" She then glanced at Theo. "Are you upset about Tallulah?"
The lanky man gave a brisk shake of his head. "Hell no! After all, Stori and I bet that she'd end up there. The rest of you owe us some galleons!"
By ten PM, all company had left via floo and only the three adults were awake since the twins had gone to bed after hearing the news of their big brother. Hermione was curled up next to Draco on a comfortable love seat and Narcissa was ensconced in a beautifully upholstered wingback chair, her bright blue eyes focused on the flicker of flames in the large fireplace. The stillness was broken by a small cough and once mother and son had turned their attention to the darker-hued female, she spoke.
"I know we never discussed it but I just wanted you to know that um...well...we are expecting. Again."
Narcissa gave a delighted laugh as Draco stared at the woman who had given him so much joy (and children...don't forget the children). "Are you certain?"
Hermione nodded. "I found out last week. I was just waiting to tell you when it was only the three of us. You aren't angry, are you?"
"Are you kidding? This is great." Draco's large hand cupped the back of her neck, tugging her close enough to place a soft kiss on her cheek. "I love you, beautiful. I know I don't say it much but I do and I am thankful that we get to do this together, one more time."
"Love you too, Draco but I think, after this? We should quit. Four more Malfoy's in the world is more than enough to be getting on with, don't you think?"
With a laugh, both Narcissa and Draco gave a quickly spoken "No!"
Hermione could do nothing but shake her head and mock glare at the pair of them. After all, who would have thought that twelve years ago, the Ministry would begin to meddle in people's lives? Merlin, it had been so strange, so new, so surreal that she hadn't even thought about the future. Now, the future was here...and it was filled with family and laughter, children and love...so much love. It was perfect.