A/N- Here it is! The last chapter of this story! Again, I apologize for this taking so long. I decided it is just another chapter instead of a prologue since the sequel is coming.

Chapter 21: Life - July 31, 1999

For the first time in his life, Draco noticed his mother seemed anxious. He'd never seen worry lines appear on her delicate skin, nor had he ever witnessed her pacing the length of a room. A celebration for Draco to start Auror training was the first social gathering Narcissa had hosted since before the war, and she was really nervous about things going well.

"Everything looks lovely, Mother," Draco said when his mother hadn't noticed him standing in the doorway. She walked over and embraced her son, a new habit she'd picked up since he'd been released from probation and able to visit regularly.

"Do you think it's too much?" his mother wondered as she surveyed the dining room decorated with pastels of pink, green, and yellow. Draco looked around, slowly taking in all the little details his mother had spent hours poring over. Molly, Pansy, Blaise, and Percy would be sure to notice the centerpieces of pink and yellow roses, the matching serviettes, and the gentle elegance of the spread, but the rest of the guests would only care about the food.

"I think it's just right. For them, it is all about the company, so I think the ambiance is wonderful. You needn't worry too much. It's perfect," the blond wizard said soothingly. "They aren't the snobbish witches in your garden club here to judge you," he teased. His mother smiled in return, and he put his arm around her. It was nice to be able to show her affection. Lucius would never allow such overt displays of tenderness.

"Narcissa, this looks wonderful. You've really outdone yourself. I love it!" Hermione gushed as she walked into the decorated room, taking in all the tiny details. The elder witch beamed at the compliment.

"Thank you, Hermione. It was nothing, really," the blond witch replied. Draco suppressed rolling his eyes at his mother's sudden modesty.

After all the guests had finally trickled in, everyone sat down to eat. Though Hagrid was still out of the country until the start of school, most of the Hogwarts professors were in attendance at this luncheon along with most of the Weasleys, and Aunt Andromeda with Teddy. It was a nice reunion of sorts. Though he'd been able to catch up with some of the professors at Harry and Ginny's wedding, it was hard to really visit with anyone when the grand castle was bursting at the seams with wedding guests, all vying for attention for anyone close to the Golden Trio.

Sitting back in his chair with an arm slung around his wife, Draco looked around the table surrounded by so many he would now consider friends or even family. As his eyes skimmed over Ron, he noticed the look of fear mixed with nervousness spread across the Gryffindor's face. That could only mean one thing: the red-haired wizard was about to do something stupid or crazy, possibly both. Ron looked up, catching Draco's eye, swallowed hard, and mouthed the word 'sorry' before standing awkwardly at the table. Sweet Salazar, was this idiot going to propose to Pansy now?

"Attention," Ron said weakly. No one really noticed him at first except Pansy, who looked up at her boyfriend in confusion, and Draco, who felt like he was watching a train wreck. He and Blaise spent hours planning the perfect engagement for Pansy, and all Ron had to do was follow the plan. It was going to be something classy and romantic, everything that Ron was not. Apparently, he was making his own plan now. "Hello, everyone. Can I have your attention, please?" the nervous wizard called across the table. All eyes turned to Ron as the flush of red crept up his face. Draco felt Hermione squeeze his leg under the table. When he looked over at his wife, he saw her eyes tearing up and she had a wide smile aimed at her best friend. "I know this isn't really the time for this, but I can't wait a moment longer to do it," the youngest Weasley son announced. He turned toward Pansy, frantically feeling around his pockets for the ring he'd somehow misplaced. Everyone ignored Harry performing a silent accio behind his best mate. The allusive velvet box popped out of Weasley's back pocket as the dark-haired wizard caught it and slipped it into Ron's searching hand.

"This is hard to watch," Blaise whispered in dismay. The blond wizard nodded in agreement.

"Pansy?" Ron continued as he dropped to one knee. She gasped in surprise. He opened the box toward her too quickly and it flipped out of his hand toward her lap, but she caught it.

"YES!" the Slytherin witch shouted, jumping into Ron's arms and placing kisses all over his face. All eyes searched around the table in confusion whether that was a proposal they'd just witnessed or not before the guests collectively started clapping for the newly engaged couple. Pansy finally looked down at the box she'd caught in her hand and gaped at the extremely expensive yet tasteful token of her wizard's affection. Blaise had dragged Ron and Draco to several jewelry stores all over Europe to find the perfect ring. Surprisingly enough, it was the Gryffindor who picked it out. The one-of-a-kind 3-carat, round emerald was flanked by 1.5-carat diamonds and surrounded by intricate ribbons of diamond chips to give it an antique feel. Ron refused to look at any other rings once he found the one that practically begged to be placed on Pansy's delicate finger. "This is...perfect," the dark-haired witch said breathily as she looked into her new fiance's eyes. "It's...too much. You didn't have to…" she trailed off, her eyes spilling tears down her high cheekbones.

"It wasn't too much. I saved up so much that I had galleons to spare," he promised her. "Ask them. They were there," Ron said as he pointed across the table to the two Slytherin wizards. Blaise and Draco nodded in support.

"I promise you, Pans. We both even secretly planned to cover the difference if he didn't have enough," Blaise quickly replied, pointing between himself and Draco, still nodding in agreement. Ron gaped at the two Slytherins' confession. They'd obviously not told him their plan because they didn't want to insult him with the gesture, but Blaise and Draco would always look out for Pansy's best interest above all else. "He surprised us both and didn't even flinch when the jeweler told him the price."

"Look at that thing! Maybe I pay you too much, brother!" George shouted jovially. "Congratulations to you both!" he cheered as he raised his glass to the beaming couple, and everyone clapped and cheered again.

December 18, 1999

Not only had Draco made it through his Auror training, but he'd also been the top of his class. Hermione watched in awe as her husband received special recognition for his accomplishment. Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan were among the training graduates in Draco's class, but neither of them would be moving on to the curse-breaker program with him. In fact, the blond wizard was the only trainee with the N.E.W.T. scores and recommendations to get in. Hermione blushed when he sought her out and winked before taking his seat again. Her ability to sense his emotions through their shared bond wasn't as strong as his, but at this moment, all she felt was the happiness emanating off of him. His strong joyful emotions swam through her body as if they were her own.

"Ey couldn' be more proud of 'im!" Hagrid sniffled behind Hermione as he dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief. She patted the large hand he placed on her shoulder soothingly, wiping away her own tears of joy. Narcissa hadn't spoken since the start of the ceremony, yet she wore her pride for her son in her graceful smile. The older witch gripped her daughter-in-law's hand tightly, especially when Draco was singled out as the best in the class.

"I reckon without you there to compete with, he can finally be first in something," Harry whispered quietly.

"If you say that to him today, you'd better hope you can survive a third killing curse in your lifetime," she playfully threatened her best friend. Harry stifled a laugh. "You're just jealous because he would have beat you if he'd graduated with your class."

"I'll never admit how correct you are on that!" the dark-haired wizard chuckled.

It was overwhelming to see how many people had come to support Draco achieving the first milestone toward his goal of becoming a curse-breaker. Every professor on the Hogwarts staff was able to attend the ceremony since they'd just released the students for winter hols. Hermione was truly touched when Minister Shacklebolt, Headmistress McGonagall, Mr. Weasley, and Harry all gave small speeches at the celebration party.

The curly-haired witch could sense her husband's unease with the praise he was receiving. He still wasn't used to positive attention, and she could tell each kind word affected him deeply. Draco had once told her that he felt undeserving of compliments. Whenever he received one, it felt like a war raged within him about whether he could allow himself to accept genuine kindness since he felt entirely unworthy. As each person spoke, he tightened his grip around her as if she anchored him to his place.

"I don't know why they are so proud of me since I wouldn't have done nearly as well without you supporting me every step of the way," Draco whispered.

"All I did was help you study. You are the one who actually did the work to rise to the top," Hermione reminded him.

"If you'd been with me, I'd only come second to you," he said, mirroring Harry's earlier comments during the ceremony. She reached up and pulled her husband's chin down to face her.

"You forget two key details to the training that set the two of us apart. I can't fly, nor am I in the physical shape you are. You achieved this, not me," she assured him, hoping her words would help him to see himself more clearly. Draco stared at her for a moment, taking in her comment. She could see his inner war raging behind his eyes as he analyzed how Hermione would actually stack up when he factored in the entirety of the training. He'd spent his whole life coming in second to her, and his father severely punished him for his perceived inadequacies. It probably seemed impossible to accept that he had it within himself to finally best her. The Gryffindor watched as the look of guilt crossed her husband's face, loathing himself for contending with her even when she wasn't in the competition. Finally, his face relaxed when he landed on what mattered most. He loved her. First or second place didn't matter anymore because they were a team now. The blond wizard leaned down toward Hermione and kissed her as if they weren't in a room full of people. Right now, she wished they were alone too.

January 10, 2000

One year had passed since Draco and Hermione were magically bound as husband and wife and today they'd host a marriage ceremony for family and friends. Although it was merely a formality at this point, his wife insisted that she sleep at Harry and Ginny's house the night before due to some muggle marital tradition. He'd hardly slept at all without her by his side. That night, without warning, his old nightmares returned in the absence of her loving touch.

"You look about as well-rested as Hermione," Harry said as he strolled through the floo carrying a garment bag.

"She didn't sleep either?" Draco asked, the concern he felt heavily lacing his words.

"Until you came around, she used to have nightmares every night. Apparently, you are useful for something," the Gryffindor wizard joked. The blond knew his wife used to have nightmares too, but it was nice to have it confirmed that he was the only one who could protect her from them. "Where's Zabini? I half expected him to start combing my hair as soon as I set foot in the manor."

"I'm sure by now even Blaise has given up on that rat's nest you call hair," Draco answered. Suddenly, Ron bursted out of the floo followed immediately by George. In a rage, the red-faced wizard pushed his older brother hard. George laughed maniacally when he stumbled back towards the fire without any floo powder.

"I never said you should drink it!" the older Weasley yelled through his laughter.

"It said, 'drink me' on the stopper and you placed it by my breakfast plate. What else would you expect me to do with it?" Ron argued.

"Honestly, I assumed you would drink it, but in my defense, if no one volunteers to test out my new products, I have to test them on unassuming people," George protested. Looking back and forth between the two brothers, Draco and Harry started laughing at what they assumed was an eventful morning in the Weasley household. "Mum, already yelled at me, Ronnikins. Besides, the purple color is mostly gone, right?"

"The swelling isn't!"

"Swelling? Hmm...that is an unfortunate side effect," George said thoughtfully. "Good morning, gents!" he greeted as if nothing unusual had transpired. "Hey, Malfoy? If I hypothetically added a pinch of chimera fur to a potion and stirred it clockwise, could that cause swelling?"

"That depends. How many times did you stir it?" Draco wondered.

"Seven."

"Seven! Yes, of course, that will cause swelling!" the blond wizard exclaimed in surprise. "Merlin! What is swollen? We'll have to fix it straight away before it becomes permanent!" he shouted at the younger Weasley. Ron's eyes grew and he took a deep gulp.

"The worst possible place," he choked as he looked down at the front of his pants. This was the last thing Draco wanted to deal with on his wedding day, but at least it was an easy fix.

"Pip!" the blond wizard called. A well-dressed house-elf popped in beside him. "Pip, can you please take care of Mr. Weasley's medical emergency. He has a bit of swelling in his nether regions," he explained.

"Of course, Sir. Pip will take the greatest care of Master Draco's friend," the elf said as he grabbed Ron's arm and popped away.

"You know seven was too many, George," the Slytherin smiled.

"Letting you watch Ronnikins suffer a little was your first wedding gift. I know how you love to watch him squirm," he replied with a laugh.

"You scare me more than any wizard I've ever met, and that includes the self-proclaimed Dark Lord and every Death Eater I've ever met," Draco chuckled, shaking his head at the lengths George would go through to make people happy.

"Lucky for you I'm standing with you instead of against you," he replied cheekily as he clapped Draco on the back.

"Harry, what the fuck is your hair doing now?" Blaise asked, suddenly sweeping into the room with his usual flair. "Are you trying to make it worse?" he accused. The Gryffindor ran his fingers through his dark waves looking slightly abashed. The Italian wizard shook his head. "Alright, gentlemen. Let's make you all look handsome...except for Potter's atrocious hair."

The pull of Draco's magic was like a beacon calling Hermione home. Even if he hadn't been waiting for her at the end of the aisle, she could feel his love and hope reaching out to her as soon as she entered the room. If her father hadn't anchored her to his own slow cadence, she'd be running the final steps of the path toward her husband. It'd only been a night without him, but it felt like so much longer. She needed him. It was as simple as that. Though there were gasps and whispers surrounding the bride's procession, all she could focus on was Draco's wide grin and sparkling eyes as he watched her approach. The look on his face showed her that he needed her too.

"I'm proud to preside over the nuptial ceremony of these two star-crossed lovers that were soul-bound by fate," Minister Shacklebolt began. "Today, we celebrate the one year anniversary of the day they completed their bond. A magic so strong, it tied them together through mind, body, and soul. It is our privilege to provide the happy couple with the opportunity to publicly say their vows and celebrate their union. Draco, you may begin." he said. The young wizard took a deep breath and gently lifted his wife's hands and kissed her fingers.

"Hermione, you've saved my life in every imaginable way. Before the war, I was dead inside. I felt like a living puppet controlled by the ideology that was forced upon me. In spite of everything I've done wrong in my life, you were there to speak up for me, to help me, and to open yourself up to see the real me. Every moment I am with you, I become a little more alive. Because you love me, I can begin to forgive myself. My apologies will never be enough to make amends for the boy I once was, but I'll work the rest of my life to be the man you deserve," Draco said ardently as he stared into the depths of her eyes, where pools of tears began to form. "With you by my side, I am far less lost in this life. I vow to love, honor, and cherish you for as long as we are both breathing and through whatever lies beyond the veil," he finished, punctuating his promise by pulling her hand to his lips once more.

"Thank you. That was beautiful," she whispered for only Draco to hear. He winked at her before reaching up to brush a tear off her cheek.

"Hermione, you may say your vows now," Minister Shacklebolt said.

"Draco, just as I've saved your life, you've saved mine. Before we were reacquainted, I was alone even when I was surrounded by people. I had so much to say, but no one to really hear me. My whole life, I've been known as a know-it-all, swot. With you, I can be just a girl having a conversation because you're just as swotty as me." she chided. Soft laughter spread through the audience, but Draco's smile only widened. "One of the things I love most about you is that you not only listen to me, you understand me too. You challenge me in the best possible ways and make me better every day. Your love builds me up and makes me stronger than I ever thought possible. I will love, honor, and cherish you for the rest of this life and the next." Hermione vowed from the depths of her heart.

Without waiting for the Minister, Draco pulled her close and kissed her, pouring everything he had into it. Thick golden threads of magic wrapped around them as Shacklebolt said the incantation for the marital bonds over them. The audience watched in awe as the otter and the raccoon Patronuses burst forth, circling the couple in a silver streak of light.

"Oh, wonderful. Shall we all wait here and watch while you consummate your vows or can the rest of us move on to the reception?" Blaise goaded the couple.

"Sod off, Zabini," Draco said against Hermione's lips. She pulled away slightly and her husband dropped his forehead to hers. It was always hard to tell when they'd gone too far in front of people.

February 22, 2002

Draco,

I won again! Add the title of "Dad" to my trophy case. Baby Potter coming in October 2002!

-The-boy-who-will-be-a-father

April 14, 2002

"Are you ready?" Draco asked anxiously as he paced the length of the living room in their flat.

"Are you?" Hermione countered, watching her husband look more nervous than he had when he took his final exams for the Auror Curse-Breaker course. As expected, he'd done well on them. Actually, he did too well. No one had ever scored a perfect Outstanding on that exam before Draco. It was impossible to cheat, and everyone knew that, but that wasn't enough to stop the small investigation to make sure of it. Apparently, the Aurors highly underestimated the Malfoys when it came to studying. If they'd bothered to check, they'd know that the couple had helped each other learn and study their chosen professions through and through. Upon graduation from the course, Draco was given an immediate promotion since his abilities superseded the other three curse-breaker apprentices.

"More ready than Potter!" he declared. Hermione gave her husband an exasperated look.

"It's not a competition. This is out of our control. No amount of preparation will change the outcome," she chastised him. Draco walked toward her and opened his arms. She fell into his chest, hugging him fiercely. "I'm so nervous. Ginny didn't say it was like this. What if something is wrong?" the curly-haired witch worried. Her husband kissed the top of her head as she burrowed into his chest.

"No matter what happens, I love you. Nothing will change that," he promised, rubbing his hands up and down her back while soothing her with his magic.

"I love you too, Draco," she said. "I think I'm ready now." Hermione stepped out of his arms and took a handful of floo powder. She waited for him to do the same before disappearing into a burst of green flames.

"St. Mungo's Hospital!" the Slytherin called as he followed his wife to their appointment.

Upon arrival, they were quickly ushered through reception to wait in the healer's office. Though they only waited a few minutes, Draco felt like he was trapped in a small cage while he paced. A light knock sounded on the other side of the door, and he quickly stood by Hermione's side.

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. I am Healer Willis and I'll be taking your initial diagnostic," the portly gentleman introduced himself. Let's get started, shall we? Mrs. Malfoy, would you please lie back?" he asked kindly. Once Hermione was settled, the healer waved his wand over her. He quickly scanned the information and his eyes bulged when he hovered his hand over Hermione's stomach. Draco tensed when the wizard asked him to take a seat.

"Is everything alright, Healer Willis?" the blond asked, the worry thick in his tone.

"Better than alright, Mr. Malfoy. I just wanted you to be sitting when I told you that you're having twins!" the healer announced jovially. "That is why you have been so tired and sick lately, Mrs. Malfoy," he informed the expectant mother.

"I don't understand," the blond said dumbly. "There are two babies in there?" he questioned, pointing to his wife's belly. Healer Willis exchanged a thoughtful look with Hermione.

"It sounds like you do understand, Mr. Malfoy," the healer said gently, offering a kind smile.

"Well, yes. Of course, I know what twins are, but it's impossible for Malfoys to have them. For almost an entire millennia, only one male heir is born per generation with very few exceptions having a second child. There have never been twins," he explained. "I think you've made a mistake. Can you please check again?" Draco asked, trying to control his voice. Perhaps they would get a second opinion. There was no way Hermione was pregnant with twins.

"Has anyone in your lineage in the last millennia married a muggle-born?" the healer asked knowingly. The young wizard shook his head. "Has any member of your family become an Auror?" the older wizard pressed. Again, Draco shook his head. "Have any of them graduated at the top of their class or earned a perfect score on a near-impossible exam?"

"Not to my knowledge," the blond answered, feeling slightly embarrassed by his immediate reaction.

"It seems you will be the first of your line to accomplish many things, Mr. Malfoy. You can add siring twins to that list," the healer smiled kindly again. "If you'll just give me a moment, I can show you," the older wizard waved his wand in the air with a flourish. Suddenly, the room was filled with the sound of two racing heartbeats. Hermione gasped as she squeezed Draco's hand tightly within her own. Through joyful tears, they stared at one another in disbelief.

Father-to-be-of-only-one,

I'll be needing that Dad trophy back from you since I best you in nearly every competition. Malfoy TWINS coming in December 2002!

The-wizard-who-can-create-two-children-at-once

A/N - Thank you to everyone who took this journey with me. This was my first time writing any sort of narrative other than a short story. When I first started, I wasn't sure how long it would be or how it would all come together exactly, but here we are at the end.

Look for the sequel, Life Adapted, coming soon. It will be set five years from the last chapter when Lucius is released from Azkaban. Let me know in the comments if you would like me to start posting it as a WIP from the first chapter or wait until I have at least five or so chapters completed first. I don't see it being longer than 10-12 chapters right now, but perhaps the characters will take over the story as they did in this story!