EPILOGUE

21st September 2011

"Hello Dorian," she smiled at the busy looking secretary who nonetheless smiled when he looked up at her.

"Madam Granger," he stood to greet her properly before moving around his table. "Just a moment please," he knocked on the door and popped his head in before opening the door fully. "Please come in. Will you be staying for a coffee?" he asked.

"Yes please, thank you," she nodded and stepped through, greeting Kingsley with a warm hug. "Minister," she smiled cheekily and thanked Dorian for the quick double espresso that staled through the door onto the desk before her, before the door to the spacious office closed.

"Elsbeth sends her love and asks if you'd join us for Sunday lunch," he pulled on his glasses with a frown, still getting used to having to use them.

Hermione hid her smile in her coffee. "If Draco comes back by Saturday morning as planned, we'd love to. I'll bring some dessert," she promised. "How's the restructuring of DRCMC?" she asked after a moment, allowing him to flick through the folder.

"There is some resistance to the change from the Wizengamot. I've had to shake a few hands and make a couple of promises but we will have the guidelines finalised and change the name of the department as per your suggestion no later than December," he lifted his piercing gaze to hers, clearly proud that they've been able to achieve such a significant reform.

It took three years but the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures will be soon known as the Department for Magical Beings Relations, all thanks to several policy recommendations, consistent lobbying and campaigning, and an influx of young Lords taking over seats from their predecessors with a fresh gaze on the matter. It was one of the largest reforms the Ministry has undergone in a century and they were both suitably proud that it was especially poignant for the Magical beings that would hopefully be much better integrated into their society now. They still had a lot to learn from Modern day Britain with its multicultural make up and targeted integration and inclusion programming, but they were at least now on the correct path.

"The report in your hands should hopefully help silence any last critics. The Muggle Secret Service secured the target with the support from our operatives in the area. Unfortunately we've had to terminate one of the men in his captivity, as he had been already used for the testing of the werewolf serum and was in great pain from being stuck mid-transformation. All the other kidnapped men were rescued unharmed and will be undergoing psychological debrief over the next few weeks," she summarised the notes before him. "Alice and the team are still working on the serum analysis but as it turns out, the Potion master who was captured was working with a talented muggle Chemist from Ukraine by the name of Bohdan Kravets. The Secret Service is doing their checks and will be handling the evidence gathering before he's tried in our world for aiding in Magical criminal activity," she explained, finishing her coffee and sending the cup back to the tray on the side of the table.

"Very well. And the reforms regarding our national security and relations?" he asked.

Hermione produced another file from her briefcase. "It's ambitious, but clearly it works in the States. One Secretary of State to manage all foreign liaisons, policy, and diplomatic forces, and one Secretary of Defence that would work with yourself, the Head of DMLE, hit wizards and our undercover ops. It would require some restructuring in terms of chain of command and responsibility, but I think it would be manageable. That way you will no longer be required to handle so much and will be able to have a dedicated, skilled team that can support your work and Britain's public image abroad," she showed him the delegation diagram he asked her to produce.

Kingsley observed her for a moment over the frame of his glasses in a gesture eerily reminiscent of a certain past Headmaster. "You have reservations," he guessed correctly.

"I do," Hermione acknowledged. "My worry is about the selection and continuous management of the positions. Let's say it's the run up to the elections and the next Minister promises those roles to influential, rich people in order to win more votes and backroom support at the Ministry. Lucius Malfoy was a case in point in terms of influence around the Ministry during Fudge's reign as the Minister. Whoever is recruited for these roles, the recruitment process will have to be well-recorded, the selection panel varied to allow broad participation and perspective, and the criteria strict. That is if you really want to make a difference."

Kingsley set his glasses down as he smiled at her words. Hermione Granger was worth five advisers and her weight in gold. "I will see that the job descriptions and recruitment criteria as drafted and approved by a varied panel of no less than eight interviewers," he promised, not wanting to involve her any further as it would invalidate her for the post. He rather felt that she would be an excellent head of foreign policy…

"I'll take my leave then. I have the rest of the week off but I can reached in case of an emergency. I'll drop Elsbeth an owl," she promised and after a quick goodbye headed out to Diagon Alley.

She had at least a couple of days more before Draco returned home, but she intended to take that time for herself and get some rest with the stack of books she was intending to read but rarely had the time these days. After stocking up on tea and their favourite Earl Grey chocolates, she apparated directly through their wards into their home. After living so close but apart, they made the decision to renovate the two flats into a large house. The bottom floor served a spacious reception room, living room, kitchen, library and a study for Hermione for when she worked from home. And upstairs has been transformed into a large master bedroom with a walk in wardrobe, and guest rooms for their friends and dinner guests. She tied the whole house with some hefty charms and elbow grease before lounging in the large ensuite bathtub with a bottle of pear cider. She looked at the latest Jo Nesbo waiting for her to dig in but she felt too tired to read.

It has been a hectic month all around. Draco left for a mission mid-August and returned for one weekend two weeks ago in order to stand in for Blaise as his best man. They've all joked about Draco being too impatient and proposing to her a few months into their relationship but Michele very much beat them to it two years down the line. And for once, Blaise knew he met his match. Their wedding happened on a beautiful afternoon on 3rd September, a sunny autumnal magical binding with a small group of friends. For Hermione it was a joyful weekend, getting to see her dear friends marry and having Draco back for a few hours. As sharp as he had looked in his suit, a few well-placed glamour charms hid a multitude of bruises and cuts. She could still smell his skin and spicy body wash as she held him close and let him sleep and gain his strength before he was once again taken from her.

He was barely with them for a weekend before he had to take an emergency mission in the States to help the MACUSA with a terrorist ring in Florida. His last text message a few days back said he would return to Britain in the early hours of Saturday morning. She had hope that his estimate was correct and she would once again get to have a few days at home with him. Despite their initial impatience once they finally admitted their feelings, they've been taking their time. Draco's failure in his first marriage and Hermione's resistance to social pressure meant they were both contented being together without hurrying into the next step. Of course they had their miscommunications and days when they needed their own space but as far as an orderly household goes, theirs was loving and supportive of each other. A tendril of melancholy appeared in her chest and she had to take a deep breath to try and chase it away. She knew it was part of the job but sometimes she missed him entirely too much when he was away on missions. Only a couple more days, she tried to tell herself and picked up the flannel to work the oils into her skin.

After some more cider and a quick wash down, she pulled on a fresh pair of knickers and a talk top, the house kept nice and toasty as she liked it when he was away. She headed up the stairs and to their bedroom, charming the sheets until they weren't cold as ice to touch, and snuggled down with her book. Perhaps if she escaped into the world of Jo Nesbo's crime-ridden Norway, she would fall asleep better tonight.

…..

His steps were light as he set his bag down and cast a silencing charm, sneaking into the bathroom to grab a quick, steaming shower and wash the grime of travel off his skin. It was three in the morning but the case was closed and the MACUSA had his report, so he saw no reason to dilly-dally any more and caught the first available international portkey back home. He couldn't wait to hold her, stay home for a few days, and have a decent cup of tea. Fucking hell the Americans had a lot to learn in that area…

He dried off and pushed his hair back into a quick hair tie at the nape of his neck, the shoulder length tresses continuing to grow. He wasn't sure he would do so but somehow the tradition of growing his hair out had much more appeal now, knowing he was with the woman that would share his days for the rest of his life. The feeling of rightness compared to the obligation he had felt with Astoria was impossible to explain. He knew Hermione was the love of his life, and perhaps it was time to take that step now that his last ever mission was finalised. Despite the dangerous nature of his work, long hours, weeks away on mission and strain on their relationship, Hermione had been nothing but supportive. She would never dream of taking him away from the work he loved and was damn good at. But he knew she would be relieved that he was taking a step back. Chris was more than capable to head his division, alongside Alice who now headed the Intel division, and Blaise who remained on as a training advisor. For Draco, it was time to come home and stay where his heart needed him to.

He stepped out of the bathroom, careful not to disturb the sleeping witch, a fond smile pulling on his lips when he spotted her. She was still on her back, leaning propped up against a couple of pillows, clearly having been reading when she fell asleep. The book lay open on her lap, her curls were a wild mess and her mouth hung open as she took in deep, steady breaths. He gently pried the book from her fingers and nox-ed the lights before getting into bed, gently pulling her into his arms. He tried not to wake her but he could tell she felt him nonetheless when she suddenly stiffened and the tip of her wand pressed uncomfortably into his throat.

"It's just me, love. I'm home early, sorry for waking you…" he murmured gently.

The wand remained on his throat however. "Password?" she asked, voice raspy from sleep.

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," he hummed as he breathed her in, the fond reference to Mary Poppins, Hermione's favourite childhood film, always making him smile.

Hermione set her wand aside and squirmed in his arms until she could look into his face. "Welcome home," she murmured and pulled him into a kiss, her arms holding onto his warm, freshly washed skin tightly, taking him in. "Sorry," she went to pull away, realising she was gripping him so tightly, not wanting to hurt any injuries.

Draco's arms however tightened on her, one hand slipping down to squeeze the swell of her delicious arse with a hum before pulling one of her thighs over his hip. "I'm fully healed, and my mission is done. I'm all yours for at least a couple of weeks," he grinned, watching the obvious delight in her eyes. Merlin, she was beautiful.

"Good, I've missed you," she pulled him in for another kiss, her body starved of his touch and pleasure.

"I've missed you more than you could know…" he whispered urgently as he pushed the tank top over her head, his lips latching onto a dusky nipple as her back arched in pleasure.

He reached down to pull off her knickers, his tongue teasing at the raised bud before kissing his path down her belly. She however stopped him before he reached his intended destination and shook her head. "No mouth. I just finished my period," she urged him back up to her lips.

Draco nodded. "Can I still feel you?" he asked.

Hermione nodded, eagerly pushing his towel off his hips. "Can you just…" she grunted as he nipped her shoulder, their bodies pressing together.

Draco felt around for his wand and cast a quick lubrication charm, her body likely needing a bit of help. Her nails dug into his shoulders urgently as she nipped his lip and sighed in contentment as he gently pressed inside her.

They took a moment, just staying connected as their bodies welcomed each other after so many weeks apart and their need built. "I love you…" he whispered as her lithe thigh hooked around his waist and she rolled them over, settling on his hips with a soft groan. She tugged a hair tie off her wrist and pulled her curls into a messy bun as she leaned down and kissed him deeply, rubbing their hips together sensually to allow her pulsing clit some delicious stimulation.

She showed him just how much she loved him as her hips picked up pace, his hands squeezing the soft flesh of her cheeks, helping her thrusting hips move faster. He wanted to take his time but it has been too long and she felt bloody divine, he wasn't going to last. He rolled them over, enjoying the delicious line of her throat covered in a heated blush as her head leaned over the side of the bed and pulled her thighs higher, thrusting inside her perfect heat with abandon.

Hermione reached up to hold onto his shoulders, feeling the bruise raising beneath his lips over her breast. She could tell he was close by the harsh pants against her skin, lifting her head up to press their foreheads together. "I love you…" she panted softly, feeling his thrusts deeply. They were making her somewhat tender but feeling him inside her was too good nonetheless.

With a final grunt Draco felt the coil of pleasure in his belly snap and he held onto her tightly as he thrust once, twice more and spilled inside her. She held his trembling form close, her chest heaving as she tried to catch a breath, sweat rising on her brow. She was close herself, her muscles quivering around his retrieving length as he gently separated their bodies.

"Sorry love, you feel too good…" he kissed her forehead as his hand slipped between them and his fingers gently thrust within her to coax her pleasure back to its previous height.

She clung to his damp blond tresses, the flush spreading across her nose and cheeks as she felt her body tightening in anticipation of her orgasm. His hand picked up pace as he curled his fingers, easily finding the spot that was so familiar to him now and usually tipped her over the edge. This time was no different as the frown between her brows deepened before she suddenly held onto his tightly, her muscles spasming with pleasure as she cried out at the sudden orgasm. He held her through her peak and gently withdrew from her body, knowing it was unlikely she could come again tonight since she was still tender. The way her magic danced along his skin when he brought her pleasure remained a wonder to him every time, the fine hair along his arms and back raised in a most tantalising way.

They lay in the soft light coming from the fireplace, fingers intertwined and bodies cooling as their magic settled back into their cores.

"I'm glad you're home early," she brought their entwined hands up to her lips and kissed his knuckles.

"Hmmmm couldn't keep me away if you tried. I told you it's impossible to get rid of me, Granger," he winked. "I will be especially hard to shake me off now that I've handed in my notice," he added, waiting for the penny to drop.

It only took a couple of seconds before she turned towards him with a startled look. "You did what?"

"I decided it was time to do something else for a change. I'll take some time off and figure out what the next challenge is. If it takes me a while, at least I can catch up on the reading I haven't had time to do," he winked.

She pulled him into her body once again for a warm hug, excited beyond belief that he was quitting the dangerous work. "Are you sure you won't be bored? I don't want you to give up something only to have regrets," she said a bit worriedly.

Draco shook his head and summoned the little velvet box from the study, deciding it was finally time to ask the question that has been on his tongue for the better part of the year. "Well, we can always get busy planning a wedding," he suggested, popping the lid open to revel a beautiful row of three pearls surrounded by two sapphires, set in shiny yellow gold. "That is if you'll have me?" he asked.

Hermione stared at the beautiful ring and caressed it gently before she looked up into his tender grey gaze. "You sure you want to risk being strangled by my hair every day for the rest of your life?" she asked teasingly.

Draco shrugged. "There are worse ways to go," he added, and they both knew it well.

Hermione chuckled. "Well, I guess in that case we can give Michele a reason to spoil me with some wedding dress shopping in Milan next year," she accepted the ring and pulled him into a tender kiss. "You should get some rest now, international portkeys are exhausting," she guided him to rest closer with her.

He settled on her chest, nuzzling the jiggly breast with his nose. "Hmmmm I love you…" he mumbled as the warmth of her body and steady heartbeat lulled him into sleep.

"I love you too…" Hermione lifted her hand up to look at the lovely ring and smiled. She thought she was happy this morning, but it barely compared to the happiness she could feel radiating from her magical core. For once, she felt sure that despite the obstacles life would undoubtedly bring, they will manage to find their way. Together.

Fin.

AN: Thank you to all who stuck around with this story, and continued to review and let me know their thoughts. Until we hopefully meet again through the next story, I wish you a blessed yuletide season and looks forward to reading and writing more fanfiction in the new year 2020!

Lady Black