Previously on Remnants Of The Dark Lord 54: Mother-In-Law Mother And A Sneak
Draco looked weary as he stepped out of the floo.
"That bad then? Mum not listening to her only son?"
Draco rolled his eyes at Hermione as he plopped down beside her. "I love my mother, but sometimes she can be taxing. I need to change into something more comfortable. I'll be right back so we can talk."
Hermione shrugged, telling Draco that the Muggleborn wasn't going anywhere which caused him to huff all the way to the bedroom.
"Bloody women can be so annoying at times."
"Come on love. I was joking."
Draco came back into the living room in boxers and a tee and pulled Hermione up off the couch. "Let's talk out in the back garden. It's so lovely this time of year."
"Are you serious?" Asked Hermione. "Draco Malfoy is going out back in his boxers? What happens if someone comes through the floo?"
"Lock it." Draco replied without hesitation. "I am in my own home sitting with my own wife. I will dress as I see fit."
Hermione started laughing and couldn't stop. "Okay. Just don't say I didn't warn you if your mum or Mandy rings the floo. I actually don't mind seeing you in your boxers. I love the way your dick peeps out of that little slot like it's looking for me."
"Do you want to have a conversation or do you want to discuss the way my dick looks at you?"
Between guffaws, Hermione told him she wanted them to have a discussion. Then Draco shifted his position and out popped his dick. Hermione was done. She laughed so hard Draco began laughing.
"Alright. Alright. I admit it. I can't control the little bugger. Let's talk before it crawls across the couch and tries to get into your knickers on its own."
Hermione was beet red from laughing so hard, but managed to calm herself. "Alright love. I'm glad we had this laugh because our conversation is probably not going to be that funny. We need to discuss your behavior on Thursday and there was absolutely nothing humorous about that."
A suddenly solemn Draco reached out for Hermione's hand. "I'm aware of that my love. Let's just get it sorted once and for all. After that, I believe my dick has a show to put on."
Hermione smiled at her husband, but her fits of laughter were over.
Chapter 55: Epilogue: Remnants Resolved
And they had talked. It was an in depth discussion about among other things, Michael Corner. Draco tried to take the bullshite way out by simply agreeing with Hermione, but she had stopped him in his tracks with a crack across the arm and a few choice words. Then she had given Draco the sharp side of her tongue which had immediately settled him down. They discussed the things which caused Draco to act out on Michael with Draco resolving to keep Michael Corner where he belonged which was nowhere in their relationship. At the end of the conversation, Draco even admitted he thought Michael was a decent bloke.
Hermione rolled her eyes but chose to ignore Draco's last statement.
/*/
The following week, Hermione signed on to Kingsley's Committee and became a vocal spokesperson for his End Of War Gala Committee.
That same week, Harry took over the Garan Bechard case. Bechard had called on all his connections for assistance. Unfortunately for him, most of his connections knew Narcissa, had known Lucius and were aware of Draco and whom he had married. Not one friend wanted to get on the bad side of Wizengamot Member Draco Malfoy, Auror Harry Potter or Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt. Garan Bechard, descendant of kings was left on his own and spent three months in an English prison.
Speaking of Harry. He and his team along with Adrian and his team received Orders of Merlin for their actions during the Subjugation Case. Kingsley had kept it a low key presentation, but the wizards had accepted the awards with pride.
/*/
The transition at Wired had gone well. Hermione did stop in from time to time to find her former business flourishing. Paulo was an amazing replacement. George and Lee were ecstatic not to mention wealthier.
Hermione took over the slot at Perfected Cures when Edwin returned to Malfoy Partners and was in her glory. It got to a point where she worked more hours than Draco. In December of 2006, Draco found himself coming home to an empty house day after day. He had finally sat Hermione down for a serious talk about his need to be with her for more than a few minutes twice a week.
During their discussion, Hermione who had been so excited with her new position realized she had been neglecting her husband and promised Draco she would slow down.
After their talk, Draco and Hermione had turned off their phones, locked the floo and dedicated the rest of the evening to themselves. It was such a successful evening that two months later in February 2007, Hermione found out she was pregnant. As selfish as it sounds, Hermione did not want to be pregnant. She had planned on at least five more child free years. But it was she who had neglected her contraceptive charm and she who had let herself be shagged into motherhood. There wasn't any turning back.
An emotional Hermione kept the news from Draco yet snapped him up over the least little thing. She shouted at him without provocation causing him to wonder what was going on with his wife. He tried discussing her behavior, but Hermione would just apologize telling him it was nothing. Hermione herself didn't know why she was being so obtuse about the pregnancy. It wasn't five years later. It was now and she was with child. She knew she needed to get over herself, but remained ornery and silent about her condition.
Luna was the only person to recognize what was going on with Hermione and had confronted her after seeing a particularly nasty argument between her and Draco over nothing. After telling Hermione how difficult she was being, Luna suggested she tell Draco about the pregnancy immediately so she could stop being such a bitch to everyone.
Luna's biting comments made Hermione realize how foolish she had been acting. That same night, an emotional Hermione removed the glamour girdle charm as she explained to Draco she was three months pregnant.
Draco had let out a huge sigh telling her it was about time she revealed what was going on and how he had wanted to stun her on more than one occasion. Draco had listened to Hermione's bull shite excuse as to why she hadn't told him about the baby. Then he had told her in no uncertain terms. If she ever withheld information from him again or treated him and their friends as she had over the past month, he would have her locked up in one of their back bedrooms. A vulnerable Hermione could do nothing more than lay her head on Draco's shoulder and sob.
After the telling off, Draco had grabbed Hermione in his arms. Pushing her clothing to the side, he gave their baby bump its first kiss. After that night, the pregnancy had progressed without a problem as they looked forward to becoming parents in September 2007.
After revealing her secret to Draco and remembering the bad feelings which had arisen over not sharing news with Narcissa the previous year, Hermione insisted they inform his mother before telling anyone else. Draco had been in total agreement. Narcissa was overjoyed at the news and politely inquired if she might come home to help out.
Narcissa and Hermione had put their differences aside for good when Narcissa returned home from Italy.
/*/
Kyle and Eva remarried and seamlessly settled back into the lives they had before John Nickles. Since Kyle had only left Ireland and Wales to be close to JA while he finished up at Hogwarts and beyond, neither he nor Eva felt any need to remain in Letchmore Heath. Within a year, they had packed up house, and with help from Realtor Theo Nott, returned to Wales to a brand new family home.
Justin Ayres never returned to Perfected Cures. Instead, he chose to pursue a career in Switzerland where he excelled. He was as brilliant as his biological father, but unlike John Nickles, JA chose to use his brilliance for positive things.
Although JA had spent a great amount of time trying to track down John Nickles, it was more out of curiosity than anything else. JA had given up on making Nickles explain himself. He had a good life, an excellent step father and a wonderful mother. He didn't need or want any explanation from a piece of shite who hadn't been interested in knowing his own son. What JA did know was his children would never have to search for their father because he would always be right there for them.
In November of 2007, Kyle and Eva Ayres welcomed their first child together whom they named Malcolm Kyle Ayres. JA became a frequent visitor to the family home in Wales permanently moving back shortly after his brother's birth. He was chuffed to have a sibling and tried to spoil Malcolm rotten as he did his two sisters who were born in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
From where they had been, the Ayres family had come full circle to right where they should have been all along.
/*/
After the novelty of their returning to full health had worn off, Frank and Alice had settled into their new lives quite nicely. They had sat down to discuss their future and came to the conclusion they would like a bit of travel. Their permanent home would always be London, but the truth was, they didn't have any reason to stay. Neville was grown. He didn't need them. Frank and Alice didn't have any need for a great house with tons of rooms. However, they did want something with adequate space in case they were blessed with grandchildren. Their old home held too many bad memories so they had turned it over to Theo to sell. In return, he had acquired a nice, three bedroom cottage which was right up their alley.
Frank and Alice had a firm plan in mind. This was their chance to experience the life that had been stolen from them, and they were ready. A few of their friends had scattered to different parts of the world after Lily and James' deaths and Frank and Alice's attacks, but had been quick to contact the couple after hearing Neville had cured them. Frank and Alice hadn't hesitated. They left their cottage in Luna and Neville's capable hands and set off to Portugal for an extended stay with Millie and Thomas Marchbanks relatives to Madam Griselda Marchbanks.
/*/
On May 2nd, 2008, the hotels and inns in London and the surrounding areas had filled with witches and wizards who were in town to attend Kingsley's 10th Anniversary End of War Gala. The event was held at The Luxor Ballroom which at the time was the largest and fanciest venue in London.
There were heartfelt speeches about how far the Wizarding World had come in the last ten years, but few direct references to the happenings of the Second Wizarding War. Kingsley had insisted the gala be a celebration rather than a tribute. It wasn't that he was overlooking those who had given their lives in the war. There had been many tributes made to the fallen over the years. This event was meant to celebrate the living.
After Scorpius was born the previous September, Hermione had cut way back on work to be home with her son. Although she and Draco had hired a lovely nanny, Hermione still felt as though part of her heart was being pulled out every time she had to leave Scorpius. Even though the Gala was the event of the year and Hermione had been one of those at the forefront of the planning committee, Draco almost had to drag her to the event because she didn't want to leave her eight month old son. Draco had to patiently explain that it would not look good if she didn't attend. Hermione knew that, but she had been stuck on stubborn. After arguing back and forth, Hermione agreed to attend the event if she only had to stay for an hour. An aggravated Draco had growled at Hermione as they entered the Luxor because she kept going on and on about only staying an hour.
The issue became moot once they entered the Ballroom because Kingsley stole Hermione away and she had circled the room on the arm of the Minister.
More than one person that night had remarked about the sour look on Draco's face. He had finally snapped at Harry that he should try having a wife as headstrong as Hermione when Harry commented on his demeanor. Harry had returned Draco to good spirits by responding he should have tried living with her while on the run, dragging Ron behind them and a madman chasing them.
Draco had laughed like a bastard. The rest of the night had gone well and Hermione ended up staying for way more than an hour.
/*/
Neville and Luna married in June of 2008. They had originally chosen May, but the Tenth Anniversary End Of War Gala had everyone's attention so the couple had moved their wedding up a month. It had been a small yet fabulous affair with a few witches and wizards from every Hogwarts House in attendance.
Frank and Alice had sat next to Xenophilius Lovegood beaming as they watched their son exchange vows with his daughter.
Neville's name and work still carried a great deal of weight in the Wizarding World so there were photographers and reporters milling around outside waiting not only to interview Neville, but Frank and Alice as well.
It was lovely.
/*/
Bitsy and Bigger remained with Harry and Leanne. However, as it sometimes happens with rare twin house elves. Bitsy laid down one night and never woke up. Both Harry and Bigger were inconsolable for weeks. Fleur, Bill and their children had long moved from Shell Cottage, but the current owners were more than glad to let Harry Potter Sir bury Bitsy next to her father Dobby.
/*/
The years slipped quietly by as old friends and new moved in and out of each other's lives.
At a very elegant party in 2010 to celebrate the five year anniversary of when they first got together, Draco stood with his arms around Hermione gazing over all the witches and wizards who had stood by and stood with them over the years as Theo then Harry offered up poignant toasts to the couple.
"To two of the orneriest people I know and love who had to go through some mad shite to be together. Cheers and long lives of happiness." Theo had offered wholeheartedly.
The four friends had taken a sip before listening to Harry's toast. "To Draco and his minx who will always thank Merlin for out of town Quidditch matches and the opening of new clubs. Here's to you both."
A small blush appeared on Hermione's cheeks at Harry's words and her eyes glistened with tears as she first hugged Theo then Harry before turning to kiss Draco and offer up her own toast. "To my three Musketeers. A witch doesn't get any luckier than this."
The three wizards knew exactly what Hermione meant. They had suffered through remnants left behind by Voldemort and as a team had survived. Now all those remnants had been resolved and there was nothing but a bright, clear future for them all.
The four finished their drinks then touched their empty glasses together before moving away to join other friends.
It was a lovely night.
The End