DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: I am so, so sorry for the loooong delay! I had to go back to the real-life Adele and Hermione's story - the parents who left their child to a stranger - to justify Adele's character. Yep, I know someone who's exactly like Adele and this is one of the reasons why I don't share my social media pages, even if I'm following some of my favourite authors here. Anyway, here you go...

CHAPTER 15

"You and I

We have moments left to share

You and I

We can make it anywhere

You and I

We belong in each other's arms

There can be no other love

Now I know we can have it all...

Forever."

-"Forever", Popularized by Passage (OPM Band)

.

July 23, 1998

(the present)

Draco noticed that the noise outside his office stopped and he let out a heavy sigh. Blaise managed to calm an angry client and a whining fired employee. The only noise he could hear now was the scratching of his quill on the parchment.

Thank heavens for Blaise, he thought.

He stopped writing and rested a hand on his forehead to think momentarily. He couldn't focus on his work since Hermione left him. She was all he could think about every minute of the day. Even in his sleep, he could see her; he was always dreaming of her. He sat up straight, loosened his tie and turned his swivel chair to face the glass wall behind; with the Muggle London in his view.

How long do I have to deal with this pain? he asked himself inwardly. Am I not the right man for her? But I do not see myself being with someone else. I want to be married only to her. Will she ever forgive me?

Gods, I miss her so much, he groaned inwardly.

He missed her voice, the sound of her laughter, the feeling of her tender skin against his arms, and the way she kisses him. He just wanted to feel her again. If only he could go back in time to make things right...

But the only way is to move forward. He couldn't do anything, apart from reminiscing the past.

.

September 30, 1995

(almost three years ago)

Draco took a few steps forward before casting the special disillusionment charm his mother taught him on himself and Hermione Granger.

She didn't even notice it because she just continued reading the book on her lap. Draco took his time to observe her. She was wearing casual Muggle trousers Blaise called 'jeans', a long-sleeved pink shirt, and a pair of trainers with a Muggle brand on them. Her hair was pulled to a messy bun. Draco wanted to run his fingers to her hair, but he decided against it. She still didn't trust him; he had to remind himself.

He casually sat down on the ground beside her and looked towards the lake. He smirked when he saw in the corner of his eyes that Granger - Hermione - looked up and gasped.

"Malfoy," she said quietly.

He smiled and turned to her. "Nice day Granger, isn't it?"

She frowned and raised an eyebrow. "Surely you didn't come here just to talk about the weather?"

He looked away. He fixed his eyes to the giant squid. "Just trying to start a conversation."

Hermione snorted. "And?"

He turned to her again. "And then, we talk."

"What are you up to, Malfoy?" she asked suspiciously.

"I told you, I want to be friends with you," he said. "What's so hard about it?"

She snorted one more time. "Yeah, because people won't react negatively when they see Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin Prince, talking to a Muggleborn Gryffindor rather nicely."

"They don't have to see us," he quipped. "Look," he told her, looking at the two people snogging a few feet away from them.

"Is that..." she trailed off.

"Theo Nott and Tracey Davis," he replied.

His two fellow Slytherins stopped snogging and Tracey ran towards Draco and Hermione's direction, chased by a laughing Theo. Hermione looked like she didn't want to know what to do.

He placed a hand on her arm. "Relax," he whispered. "They can't see us."

Hermione turned around and saw the couple standing near them, both facing the lake. Theo was hugging Tracey from behind.

"How?" she asked with a surprised look.

He gave her a crooked smile. "I have my ways, Granger." He looked at the book on her lap. "What are you reading?"

Hermione closed the book and hid it on her side. "Nothing that would interest you."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why? Because I'm an arrogant, spoiled child?"

"No."

"Or because I'm a Slytherin blood supremacist?"

Hermione snorted. "Bingo!"

"What the hell is bingo?"

"Muggle thing," was her only reply.

"Try me, Granger."

Hermione sighed in surrender and placed her book back onto her lap. "This is called 'Melissa's Dream'. A young woman from Africa named 'Melissa', moved to the U.K. because a prince fell in love with her and they were about to marry. But people didn't like her because she's black."

"Black like Blaise Zabini?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yes. She's actually a respected person in Malawi because of her achievements and charity works. The prince still married her, but they were scrutinized by the people. The prince's older brother married a British woman and she was greatly praised for her style and other works. People even liked her fashion style even if it's against the royal protocol. But when Melissa tried dressing like her, she was mocked for bending fashion rules."

"Not liking someone just because of their skin colour? British Muggles are full of sh*t," he huffed and threw a rock to the lake.

"No. You don't get it."

Draco turned to her and saw the serious look on her face; the hurt in her eyes.

"Some British Muggles are just like you! You don't treat Muggleborns with respect because you think our blood is filthy! No matter how hard I try to excel in my studies, I will always be that 'ambitious, know-it-all Mudblood' who was trying to prove herself. But you... Even when you talk back to some professors because you don't agree with their theories, you're still that 'brilliant, perfect student' because your blood is purer than me."

Draco was so shocked at her rant that he didn't even know what to do when he saw the hurt on her face. He didn't even utter a word even when she stood up and left him alone under the tree.

.

October 4, 1995

(almost three years ago)

Draco found her in her favourite spot in the library. He cast the special disillusionment charm once again to the two of them before sitting beside her.

"What do you want now?" she asked indifferently, without looking up from her book.

"Granger, I'm sorry for all the bad things I've done to you... for the names I've called you," he said with sincerity, looking at their touching legs.

"What changed, Malfoy?" she asked quietly, still not facing him. "And why were you in Professor Burbage's office?"

"My views changed, Hermione."

He saw her face flushed when he used her given name, but she looked up to him - looked at him directly in the eyes. "The more I wanted to hate you, the more you intrigued me. I couldn't find logical reasons to hate you. And the more I became curious, the more I..." his voice faltered. His eyes traveled to her lips. She was doing it again, licking them and biting at her lower lip. It had been driving him crazy and Draco couldn't help himself anymore.

"I can't resist it anymore," he whispered.

"Then don't," she whispered back.

For a moment, Draco wondered if she was talking about the same thing. But he decided that he didn't care. It was now or never. He lowered his face to hers and claimed her lips.

.

July 23, 1998

(the present)

Draco groaned in frustration at the memory. He would give anything, even his vaults at Gringotts Bank, just to have her once again.

There was a soft knock on the door and he ignored it. He was not in the mood for visitors yet, or worse, angry clients who were complaining because of his negligence. He heard the door open and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself, just in case there would be shouting. But there was no shouting. Instead, someone cleared their throat.

"Draco?"

He jumped in his seat and turned around at the sound of that voice - the voice he had been dreaming to hear again, calling his name.

And then, he saw her - wearing an immaculate white dress made of lace, reaching her knees and with quarter sleeves. It looked like the cocktail version of a modest wedding gown Draco saw in a Muggle boutique once. Hermione's curly hair was untied but tamed. Her two hands were holding a purse he had seen her use many times already. Draco's eyes traveled to her fingers. She was still wearing the rings. His rings.

"Hermione," he whispered in awe as his eyes traveled to her face. She looked hesitant but her eyes told him that she wasn't angry. The small smile on her lips told Draco that she wanted to talk, so he dared to step forward, his eyes still studying her beautiful face. He stopped in the middle of the room, about five feet away from her.

"I'm sorry." Her voice was small, yet he could hear it well. Hermione bit her lower lip and searched his face. "I'm sorry for leaving you like that; for pushing you away without letting you explain. I was so blinded by my anger and I forgot that -"

He closed the remaining distance between them and gently held his wife - his beloved wife - by the shoulders. "You're here," he whispered like he just woke up from a pleasant dream, still looking into her eyes.

Hermione's facial expression relaxed and placed her palms on his chest.

"You're really here," he said again and pulled her to a tight embrace; the kind of embrace he used to give her when she temporarily forgot the painful two years; the kind of embrace that he used to convey silently how much he missed her. And he was rewarded with a kiss on his neck; the kind of kiss she would give him every time they would hug each other back in the fifth year.

"My Hermione," he whispered rather happily, though he could feel tears falling from his eyes.

"Draco," she whispered with longing in her voice.

He slightly pulled away to meet her gaze but did not remove his hands on her shoulders. Hermione wiped away his tears and offered a small smile. "I'm kind of surprised that you're not telling me to go away."

Draco laughed. "After chasing you for more than a month? I must be crazy."

Hermione laughed rather nervously. "I wasn't sure how you would react to me, walking into your office."

"You're welcome to surprise me anytime," was all he said. He was just too happy that she was finally here, not to end things between them but to apologize.

Hermione smiled sadly. "I feel like, I don't deserve this kind of welcome from you after what I did. I was horrible," she whispered.

He shook his head and tightened his hold to her. "Life was horrible to us," he corrected. "You had every right to be angry."

"Oh, Draco!" Tears started falling from her beautiful eyes. "I was horrible to you! I was so blinded by my anger. I thought of myself as the only victim in those twisted events, because of my biological parents; because of what they did to me, of what I had to do to my mum and dad; because you kept a secret from me and I was induced with a love potion and forced into this marriage." She sniffed and it was Draco's turn to wipe her tears. "But I failed to see that you were suffering, too. That psychopath lived in your family home and threatened your and your parents' lives... You were about to go to Azkaban for the things you did not want to do... and you had to watch me fall for someone else. You did not deserve that kind of treatment. I don't know if you can ever forgive me!"

"Hermione," he whispered affectionately. "I have forgiven you already."

Hermione met his eyes; surprise was all over her face.

"I can't not forgive you."

Hermione looked like she was about to cry again and she hugged him. "Oh, Draco! You're such a good person. I don't know how you do it... Being so understanding and forgiving."

"Maybe I just love you so much," he replied affectionately and with a tender kiss on her temple.

"How can I ever make it up to you?" she asked, meeting his eyes.

"Love me a little more?" he suggested.

Hermione laughed again and yanked him gently by the neck to kiss him fully on the mouth.

For the first time in more than a month, Draco was happy again.

.

Draco and Hermione left the office hand-in-hand. They passed by Blaise who was busy speaking to a couple of applicants in the lobby. Just as Draco's friend (and assistant) was about to return to his desk, Blaise saw them and he looked taken aback for a moment.

"Hey, mate... I'm sorry for what happened earlier," he said sincerely. "I'm going home early; do you mind?"

Blaise opened his arms and looked up to the ceiling. "Thank heavens for Granger!" he muttered rather exhaustively. Then, he faced them with a tired look. "Where've you been, Hermione? I needed help with Draco, you know?"

Hermione smiled reluctantly. "I'm sorry, Blaise." Draco thought she wasn't sure what to say.

"It wasn't her fault, mate," he told his friend casually. "Don't worry; I'll make it up to you tomorrow."

Blaise cringed. "Thanks, but no thanks, Malfoy. You can make out with your wife. Get the hell out of here," he jested.

"Prat," he muttered as he and Hermione left.

They decided to go home - to their cottage in Cambridge, instead of going back to the manor, or at the Grangers' Muggle residence.

When they Apparated in the garden, Hermione eyed the white house with a white picket fence in awe.

"I missed this place," she said, looking around.

"The house had never been touched since you left, I think," he informed.

"I've been meaning to ask you... when did you purchase this cottage?"

He smirked and took her hand to lead her inside. "Thought you'd never ask. Summer after the fifth year. I wasn't sure what was going to happen to us, but I was hoping we'd both make it alive after the war and eventually, live here. Or, when you're injured, I thought I'd bring you here."

"That explains why everything is white," she beamed as she looked around the house. "And why the library has Muggle books."

He gave her the crooked smile he knew she loved and hugged her from behind. "This cottage is for you."

She turned around but didn't pull away from his embrace. "Thank you. I cannot change the past, but we can move forward and make good memories, right?" She sounded hopeful, so Draco nodded and kissed the tip of her nose. "Just please, don't ask me to forgive the others..." Her tone became serious. "I don't think I'm ready for that and what they did still pains me."

He nodded and cupped her face. "I will never force you. We'll talk about them whenever you're ready."

"Let me make it up to you?" she asked bashfully.

Draco laughed. "Lead the way, Mrs. Malfoy."

.

July 24, 1998

(the present)

"Do you really have to work?" asked Draco for the second time.

"I love what I'm doing," replied Hermione and she met his eyes through the vanity mirror. They decided to sleep in her room because it had the view of the beautiful lake. They moved some of Draco's things yesterday.

"What about your N.E.W.T.s?"

"I will still take my N.E.W.T.s in September," she explained affectionately. "But there's no need to go back to Hogwarts. We can review and take the exams at the Ministry, according to Harry."

"Do you like it there at the daycare center?" he asked softly.

"Yes. It's more peaceful there, and I feel like I want to continue doing this for at least half a year. They say 'time heals all wounds', and I believe in that, so I think it's easier to forgive when you don't have to force yourself to deal with the people who remind you of something painful. Do I make sense?"

Draco nodded and kissed her temple. "When did Hermione never made sense?"

"When I refused to forgive you," she chuckled. "It took Harry and Daphne hours to finally knock some sense into my thick head."

"In that case, I think I owe the Potters," he laughed. "Are you ready to go? I'll drive you to work."

.

"Morning, Hermione," came Lucy's voice who was already at her desk, busy typing something.

Hermione pulled Draco to the waiting area. Her husband sat in one of the couches. "Morning, Lucy," she greeted back and went to her desk. "I have a company."

Lucy looked up from the computer monitor and her eyes widened upon seeing Draco. "Lucy, I want you to meet my husband, Draco. Love, meet my new friend, Lucy."

Draco stood up to shake Lucy's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"No!" she exclaimed. Hermione suppressed a giggle at Lucy's starstruck face. "The pleasure is mine! Thank you for sending me the ticket..."

Draco smiled politely. "You're welcome. Are you looking forward to meeting Adrian?"

"I am! You don't know how much this means to me. So, thank you again." Lucy turned to Hermione. "Thank you, Hermione."

Draco bid his goodbye. He had to go to work as well because he promised to make it up to Blaise. Hermione kissed her husband goobye and started working.

"I'm glad things are working well for the two of you," commented Lucy.

"It feels good, Lucy," she told her friend happily. "It's like a heavyweight has been lifted off my shoulders... and my chest."

"You deserve to be happy, 'Mione," her friend told her with sincerity in her tone.

.

July 29, 1998

(the present)

"Adee, where have you been?" asked Remus affectionately when his wife walked into the living room from the fireplace.

Adele gave her a weak smile. "Malfoy Manor."

he walked to his wife and gathered her in his arms. "Any news?"

"Draco and Hermione got back together," she mumbled against his chest.

"Really? That's good," he replied carefully.

"I know." But his wife sighed heavily. "'Time heals all wounds', right?"

Remus nodded. "You've been there."

She smiled weakly. "It took me ten years to totally forgive Sev. Guess, Hermione's just like me; couldn't forgive easily."

"Love makes things easier, remember?"

Adee pulled away to meet his eyes and she nodded. "You were always there for me, Moony. I couldn't believe that you could wait for someone like me; a complicated person."

He smiled. "Well, if it's any consolation, I was complicated first. Remember? I've had feelings for you since we were eleven, but I was too coward to take a risk. Had to watch you date someone else; watched you carry another man's child."

"Do you think, Draco's love for Hermione will help her wounds heal?"

Not only Draco's love but the Grangers' as well. "Yes. Of course." He kissed his wife's forehead. "I prepared dinner." He gestured to the dining table behind him.

Adee smiled sincerely. "It's tomorrow."

"I know, but it's close to midnight..."

"I'm sorry for being so busy and not being myself lately, my love."

"It's all right. Happy anniversary, Adee. On this day, seven years ago, you made me very happy by being ready to love again and moving in with me."

Adee smiled and kissed him rather passionately, to which Remus returned with equal fervour. He tightened his hold to his wife; the only woman who has ever had his heart since he was eleven. He was a coward when he was younger; too coward to admit his feelings and take a risk; too afraid to hurt the only girl who ever cared for him aside from his mother. So he had to deal with the pain when she loved someone else; when she was hurting deep inside because of her partner's infidelity; when she had to give up her daughter to keep a promise she would never tell anyone. But Remus was a patient man. He never stopped loving Adele Fawley. And when she was finally free from Severus, he vowed to be man enough to admit his feelings.

Love taught Adee to forgive one person. He was hoping Draco's love for Hermione would be strong enough for her to forgive and move on from her painful past.