Epilogue
-15 July 2101, Wednesday-
Twenty-three year old Leda Malfoy-Barnes walked down the hallway, once again admiring the paintings on the walls, as she did every time she visited the manor. They had been done by her great-great-grandmother in her old age, wanting something to do with her hands that didn't require the use of magic. Each depicted a couple from a different century of history, either on their wedding day, in their home, or even the first time they met. It was only a year ago that Leda discovered the pieces of art held far more significance than she had previously assumed, and it was one of the reasons she had been anxious for most of the day.
It was her great-great-grandparents', Draco and Hermione Malfoy's, one-hundredth wedding anniversary (well, the anniversary of their second wedding, but nobody knew that but them, Leda, and maybe a few more people who had long since passed). Leda hoped her gift for them would be something they'd appreciate, and not blast her name off the family tapestry for. It was a project she'd inadvertently begun the year before at Draco's one-hundred-twentieth birthday party, after Hermione made a comment that sent Leda down a rabbit-hole of history...
5 June 2100, Thursday
"So, this is my family tree," Leda smiled, showing her boyfriend Darien the large tapestry hanging on the wall depicting six generations of Malfoys. It currently had at least two hundred names on it, starting with her great-great-grandparents Draco and Hermione, and going down to the most recent addition, Hero Malfoy. At that moment, there was a green flash that appeared at the bottom, and another name appeared. "Oh, it looks like Viola had her baby boy. He'll be the first of the seventh generation."
"That's amazing," Darien marveled at the display of magic. He was a muggle, and so was still getting used to the elements of wizardry that occurred around his girlfriend. "So you're great-great-grandparents have been alive for over one-hundred-twenty years? Is that normal for magical people?"
"No, it's not. No one really knows why they're still alive, or why even their immediate children haven't passed. It's a family secret I keep getting told I'll be let it on when I'm older, but I guess they mean when I'm nearly as old as them," she chuckled
"Your family has interesting names, too," he remarked, pointing at one of the names on the tree, Deimos.
"Yeah, first borns are named celestially, and second borns are Shakespearean, and it just repeats if you have more children. It's a tradition Grandraco and Grandmione started."
"Leda, darling," her father, Perseus, came in. "Grandraco and Grandmione want to meet Darien."
Leda nodded and took Darien's hand, leading him outside to the manor grounds where the rest of the family was gathered for the celebration.
"This is a very nice home," Darien said, taking in the vibrant green grass, the numerous varieties of flowers, and the marble statues and fountains around the grounds.
"Where we're standing is where the old manor actually used to be. I don't know if you've read about wizard history, but there was a war back in the nineteen-nineties, and my ancestors weren't exactly on the right side back then. Grandmione was actually tortured here, so sometime after they married Grandraco had the place torn down and they built the new one in a different section."
"I'll have to read about all of that sometime. And again, those are interesting names you've come up with for them," Darien commented with a grin.
"It was actually one of my granduncles that came up with it when he was learning to talk," Leda explained. "I guess it just stuck and so now that's what everybody calls them. There they are up ahead with my mother."
Leda watched as Darien's eyebrows rose and his eyes slightly bulged. It was the same reaction every time she introduced her great-great-grandparents to any of her friends. She knew they'd be expecting a man and woman who were wrinkled and grey looking, and probably confined to a chair, or maybe even hunched over a bit. What they saw instead was a couple who looked like they had stopped aging around fifty years before, skin still clear and glowing, and posture and movements still perfect. Hermione's hair was even still mostly chestnut brown, though Draco's had gotten more white compared to the platinum blonde of his youth.
They greeted Leda warmly when she went up to them, hugging them both before bringing Darien closer to her side.
"This is my boyfriend, Darien Barnes," she introduced him shyly. "He's from London, and er- he's a muggle."
"Nice to meet you, Darien," Draco said, holding his hand out to the young man, completely ignoring the second part of Leda's statement. She didn't know why she had been so concerned about it, considering that Hermione herself was a muggle-born. It's just that Leda didn't know anybody in the family who had begun serious relationships with someone void of magic. Clearly, though, her worry had been misplaced. "What do you do in the muggle world?" Draco continued. "I've always found dentistry to be the most interesting of professions."
Hermione gave a snort of laughter, and Leda could feel her cheeks reddening with embarrassment.
"I actually work for my family's publishing company, Barnhouse," Darien answered.
"Oh, is that how you and Leda met?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, it was Grandmione," Leda smiled as she retook Darien's hand.
"Do you happen to be related to the author Daniel Barnes?"
"Yes," Darien said, surprised that she knew of the man. "He's actually the one who founded the company back in the early twentieth century"
"Mmm," Hermione made a sound as she smiled, her eyes conveying that her mind had wandered somewhere for a moment. "He was a very helpful man."
He was a very helpful man...
Those words had bewildered both Leda and Darien alike. Leda knew her great-great-grandparents were old, but they weren't that old. There was no way they could've met the man who was Darien's great-great-great- she didn't even know how many great's back to go. That left only the conclusion that one of the books he had written had given them guidance somehow, but as far as Darien knew, Daniel had only written fantasy fiction.
Leda didn't know why it intrigued her so much, but she decided to figure out the mystery of what Hermione had meant. It was easy of course to search all of Daniel Barnes works over the internet, a list of over thirty novels, all fiction- except for one. Leda felt that jolt of excitement one does when they've discovered something, when she read the title of the only non-fiction book he had penned.
She remembered seeing that particular tome in the manor's library, but she hadn't been allowed to read it- something about it having some mature chapters. So she had forgotten about it until that moment of course, but thinking it would give her some answers she had Darien get her a copy straight away.
What she read had boggled her mind. Dreaming of past lives where they always die? It was crazy.
It was then as she thought about it, that she realized that the paintings she had always stared at weren't just of random couples, they were the couples from the book. Were the stories simply inspiration for Hermione's new hobby? Or was it deeper than that?
For Leda had had another epiphany: the man and woman depicted in each painting were spitting images of Draco and Hermione when they were younger.
Again, inspiration, or memories of the past?
Leda had always wondered about her great-great-grandparents love story. It was a tale as old as time- enemies become friends, friends become lovers; but she'd always wondered if there was more to it than bonding during study sessions in the Hogwarts library.
The next weekend she decided to make an impromptu visit to the manor, wanting to put her theory to rest.
It was announced that Leda was there, and Hermione met her out in the garden. Draco was out for the day so he wouldn't be joining them, which Leda thought was unfortunate, because she had wanted to speak with the both of them.
As soon as they finished with the greetings, Leda took out the book and set it on the table for Hermione to see, and she didn't miss the twitch the corner of the woman's mouth gave when she looked at it. "You said Daniel Barnes had been 'A helpful man', what did you mean by that?"
Hermione gave a small groan. "I should've known my comment was going to get me into trouble," she chuckled. "Well, let's not beat around the bush. Yes, that book is about me and your Grandraco, or rather, who we used to be."
Leda was stunned, her breath caught in her throat at the confirmation. Hermione had then sighed, and began the true story of her and Draco's relationship, and how it was Barnes' book that had given them the answers they had been seeking.
"But all those journals, they didn't explain why you were having the dreams," Leda noted curiously.
"No we had to figure that out on our own," Hermione mused. "We discovered Draco could play the lyre for some odd reason, even though he'd never picked up an instrument before in his life. Later on, I noticed that he had a birth mark on his shoulder that greatly resembled the instrument, and I realized-"
Leda, who had been listening intently, let out a delighted gasp. She recalled how out of all the paintings that lined the wall, there was one she had always thought didn't seem to fit with others, for it had been done with the context of a well known Greek myth, not nameless couples put into a historical backdrop.
"Orpheus," Leda burst out. "Orpheus and Eurydice! That was where it started!"
"You've always been the most clever of my progeny," Hermione remarked proudly. "Yes, we were- are?- oh, I don't know how to put it- we were Orpheus and Eurydice, cursed by Queen Persephone never to be together."
Leda frowned in confusion. "But then how are you alive?"
"Persephone decided to give Draco the chance to redeem himself and he succeeded, breaking us from the curse. It seems our long life now is to make up for all the ages we didn't get to spend together. It appears it also extends to our children, and possibly to their children, though that's yet to be determined."
"Why don't you tell anyone?"
"Because it's weird."
Leda choked on her spit as she tried not to laugh at the word Hermione had just used.
"We decided it was just easier not to. But you're not the first one to figure out Leda. Our sons and daughters know, and possibly some of their sons and daughters know, it's just not something we discuss openly."
"This is just wild," Leda said, her own vocabulary failing her, and Hermione let out a mirthful laugh.
Leda left the manor that day in awe, and with the idea that Draco and Hermione's love story shouldn't be the one that gets untold. She shared with Darien what she had learned from her great-great-grandmother, and also her plan to make an addition to Daniel Barnes' book. After coming to terms with the strangeness of it all, he became excited and agreed to share it with his family the next day.
Leda began to return to the manor once a month to listen to both Hermione and Draco tell their story, and to write it down piece by piece. She didn't tell them her plans, but she had a feeling they knew.
Now, over one year later, she was ready to unveil it to them: the brand new edition of In Dreams. It was ready to be published, but only if they wanted to do it. She hoped they wanted to do it.
She had asked if she could speak to them privately in the library to give them their anniversary gift, and she sat anxiously, waiting for them to arrive.
"Leda," she heard Hermione say from behind her, and she stood to embrace them both.
"Oh you didn't have to get up," Hermione chastised, patting Leda's growing belly. In addition to working on the story, she and Darien had gotten married, and now she was five months pregnant with their first child.
"Boy or girl?" Draco asked.
"Boy," Leda beamed. "We plan on naming him Draco."
"Really?" Draco said with the biggest smile. "It's a pretty great name if I say so myself."
"That's lovely, Leda," Hermione agreed with a matching grin. "Was that what you wanted to see us about?"
"Er- no," Leda began, and they all took a seat again. "As you're aware I've been writing down your story, and Darien has talked with his family, and... we want to add it to the book. Well actually... it's sort of already been done."
She took out the first copy of the new edition she'd been given to show them. It was leather bound, like the original, and the cover still only had the title, but it now bore an additional heading that said, "The Complete Story".
Their expressions were stoic for a moment, and Leda hoped she hadn't upset them with wanting to have their history published for the public. She noticed Hermione gulp, before reaching to hold Draco's hand. They turned to each other, and though they weren't saying any words, Leda knew they were having some sort of conversation.
"It looks wonderful, Leda," Hermione finally said, and Draco picked up the book and began to thumb through it.
"You're okay with it?" Leda stammered.
"We knew we wanted it to happen, we were just nervous to do it ourselves."
Leda sighed with relief.
"Does it really have to include how much of a git I was?" Draco groaned.
"Draco, we both have biographies out there telling the world how you were, I'm sure one more book won't hurt," Hermione laughed. "We should probably get back to the rest of our guests now. Before we do though there's something I'd like to give you, Leda."
Hermione had Leda follow her to her bedroom, while Draco headed back down to the garden. She went over to her vanity and pulled out a bracelet, placing it around Leda's wrist.
"This was the first gift Draco ever gave me," she said lovingly. "I want you to have it, and to pass it on to any daughters or daughter-in-laws you may have."
"Thank you," Leda said as she admired the piece of jewelry.
"No. Thank you."
-16 July 2101, Thursday-
Leda woke up groggily, still tired after being at the manor till well into the night before returning home.
"Love," she felt Darien nudge her. "Your mother's here. Er... I think something's happened."
Leda quickly got out of bed and threw on her robe, hurrying down the stairs to where her mother, Georgiana, was waiting. She could see from her sad expression that the news wouldn't be good.
"What's wrong?" She asked reaching out for her mother's hands.
"Grandraco and Grandmione," she sniffled, "They both passed in the night."
"What? But they were fine yesterday!"
"They were. We think it was their decision to just...let go."
Leda and her mother held each other as they wept quietly. After a few minutes her mother bid her to go back upstairs to bed; she had to go tell Leda's brother and sisters the news.
Darien helped Leda back into her covers, promising to bring her some tea.
"An owl dropped this onto your bed," he said, handing her a letter.
She recognized the handwriting immediately, and tore the seal.
Dear Leda,
By the time you read this you should've heard that we are gone. Please don't be sad. Draco and I had over 120 years for our lives, 100 of them together, and we got to raise the best children, see them raise their's, and so on. It was a wonderful long life of love, and we knew it was time to say goodbye. Thank you for wanting to tell our story. For the first and only time, Draco and I get to pass on together and in peace.
Love,
Grandmione
Leda wiped away the tears that had formed in her eyes and smiled.
Getting up, she went over to her desk and pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill.
Draco and Hermione, the last of the cursed lovers, passed on the 15th of July 2101, she wrote. After being apart for years between the ages, they had finally gotten to spend their life together, building the family they'd longed to have, and loving every moment of it. They no longer have to meet again as strangers in the times to come, they can rest peacefully together for the remaining aeons, a true testament that love conquers all.
Fin
AN: And there it is! Hopefully you still liked it even though it was from someone else's point of view.
I've had this story mulling around in my mind for a good three years and I'm glad I finally wrote it down. Thank you to those of you who read, followed, favorited, and reviewed, it means a lot to me that you enjoyed the story. One of the reviews I received mentioned Hadestown; funnily enough, I only heard of that musical a few months ago and I've been wanting to see it. I first came upon the story of Orpheus and Eurydice when I saw this painting way back in my high school days:
asset/orpheus-leading-eurydice-from-the-underworld-jean-baptiste-camille-corot/1QH79DCxW2Tj3A
I've been obsessed with their tale ever since, and the chance to incorporate it into a Dramione was just too good to miss.
As I mentioned before, I'm very inspired by music when it comes to writing some of my stories, especially this one, so here's a short soundtrack of sorts for Till Kingdom Come, and what part of the story they belong (Sorry to those of you who don't like k-pop or Taylor Swift):
1. Automatic by Red Velvet- Intro
2. Kingdom Come by Red Velvet- Outro
3. Evanesce by Super Junior- Inspired Halloween Dance; skip to 2:55 in the music video for the beautiful dance break, or even just listen to the whole song because it's lovely
4. As the World Fall Down by David Bowie- Actual song I imagine them dancing to at Halloween Dance
5. Delicate by Taylor Swift
6. Ache by James Carrington- Bonding ceremony
7. This Love by Taylor Swift- Hermione's Death
8. Mojito by Red Velvet- This is just a song that gives me a good hopeful feeling for the end of the story