AN: Okay first off, I know I left you guys on a serious cliff hanger with the last chapter but a couple of the reviews that I received that threaten physical harm and violence were a bit intense.

Song: This is Beautiful by Tyrone Wells and Looking Up by Paramore

Chapter Twenty Six – Moving On and Looking Up

*Narrator*

Harry Potter stood next to his best friend, Hermione Malfoy in the hall of Azkaban prison, his arm protective around her and the small child she was clutching tightly to her body. The year had passed not quickly but at a steady pace. Hermione assumed leadership of The Granger Foundation and made sure every single employee knew the truth about her husband's absence.

When she wasn't working, she spent her time in the manor, raising their daughter who showed signed of being gifted in charms and transfiguration. Hermione read to her every night and made sure the child knew who her father was. As Audra got a bit older, Narcissa came round to assist Hermione. Harry and Katie brought Teddy round who loved entertaining the child with his talents. Audra would giggle at the boy's rapidly changing hair and facial features, a sound that made Hermione heart swell.

Draco wrote as often as he was allowed, receiving letters from not only Harry and Hermione but his mother and several members of the Weasley family as well were the only things keeping him sane during the day. They all wanted him to know that he was not to blame for Ron's previous and current state. He was currently locked away, getting treatment for the darkness that consumed his soul. Nott and Astoria both earned some time in Azkaban for their use of dark magic against the Aurors when they tried to take them away.

In the evening, the Dementors fed on him frequently, robbing him of every happy moment and memory he had of his wife and family waiting for him. When he woke, his mind was plagued with most horrible and painful thoughts of never leaving the cold place or Hermione moving on with her life. Only her encouraging words and photos could bring him back to reality.

Then the day he was waiting for finally arrived. The guard arrived in the middle of the afternoon and dragged his frail form from the cell and allowed him to shower. Draco dressed in the clothes he assumed Hermione brought for him as they didn't quite fit him as nicely as they did before. He was allowed to shave his face and tame his hair for which he was grateful. He knew Hermione wouldn't care what he looked like but he didn't want to scare his child. In the last few letters he wrote, he urged Hermione to bring her to the prison. He knew it was no place for his child to be but he wanted to see her, to allow the site of his family replace the happy memories the Dementors had stolen. At long last the day he dreamt of for so long was finally here. Draco was escorted to the belongings room where he took the only thing he truly cared for from the pile of items he brought with him. His wedding ring. As he slid it onto his finger, he felt the bond reconnecting once more and knew his Mina was there.

The door creaked open slowly and the bars slid back, revealing the man Hermione felt so empty without. Harry held her back from running into his arms until the binding spell and prisoner tags were removed. But the second Draco stepped into the gray Atrium; Hermione placed Audra in Harry's arms and rushed forward to greet her husband. She didn't kiss him, choosing instead to just hold him and allow him to absorb her warmth and love.

"Da-da." The couple heard. The sound of his child was enough and the only thing to snap Draco out of the bubble he surrounded himself in with Hermione. He walked towards the child's outstretched hands and pulled her into him. She nestled herself into his neck and called out da-da once more. Draco nodded, letting the tears flow freely.

After an emotional reunion, the family headed back to the manor while Draco asked Harry to escort him somewhere else. There was one person he needed to see before he could finally put it all behind him. While Draco was away, Harry took care of Blaise's burial, placing him in the same graveyard his parents were buried in. Draco walked through the iron gates and headed for Blaise's final resting place, trying to figure out what exactly to say.

On his headstone was,

Blaise Zabini

B. 1980 – D. 2005

Loving son and faithful friend

"Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you're not really losing it. You're just passing it on to someone else."

"Hermione suggested the quote. If you don't like it we can change it." Harry offered pulling out his wand. Draco shook my head and kneelt down in front of it, placing his head against the cool stone as Harry backed away, allowing him some privacy.

"Blaise, I can live a thousand lives and I will never be able to repay you for what you did. I know I am so sorry that I allowed our friendship to become so strained in those final months. But you have to know that you were my brother and now you're gone. You're gone and I miss you. Who else is going to tolerate me like you did? I miss you brother and I don't know how I'll get over it. But I'm sure you're out there somewhere watching out for me, watching over my family. Thank you."

Feeling there was nothing more to say, Draco got back on his feet and started to walk away when he felt the cold touch of a ghost on his shoulder and a voice call out, "I'll always be here for you brother."

Draco returned home and spend his evening the comfort and love of his family and friends. When the night wounded down and he and Hermione were finally alone, he did the one thing he wanted most. He made love to his wife.

*Epilogue*

Draco was still racked with nightmares despite being a free man for five months. He often woke calling out for Hermione, his fears of losing her still in the forefront of his mind. But she didn't mind. She stayed by his side and helped him find ways to cope with the loss and nightmares. He felt for her like he always did, panicking a bit when he didn't feel her. He shot up in bed and searched the darkness for her, spying her on the patio, watching the moon. As Draco neared, she welcomed his embrace and leaned into him.

"I'm pregnant, with a boy this time." she smiled.

Draco leaned forward and rubbed his hand on her small protruding stomach and said, "Welcome to our family Zachary Blaise Malfoy."