Christmas Eve 2006 was a happy day. Hermione had been given the all clear from Dr. Sindlar the day before, that the treatment had been successful and now they just needed to wait the six months to make sure the remission held. She'd be tested every six months until she hit the Magical five year mark—then she'd be dubbed 'officially cured.'

She would always be known as a cancer survivor.

Prior to her chemo, Hermione had spent a good deal of her savings having her eggs frozen just in case.

She knew that there was a chance she'd not survive, but if she did...she wanted the opportunity to have a family someday.

At least that had been the hope.

Now as she sat at the Burrow, surrounded by her family and friends, she felt an odd sense of peace that she hadn't remembered feeling...ever.

She smiled as Ginny came over and put little James into her arms for the first time ever. Hermione stared down in wonder at the tiny miniature version of her best friend and smiled genuinely.

Hermione then felt Draco's arm wrap around her a bit tighter, as he used his other hand to help her hold James to her body.

Her amber eyes locked with grey one's and Draco smirked in satisfaction.

"You're a natural." He whispered into her ear and she chuckled at his audacity.

"He's beautiful." She said sincerely and had to hold back a laugh as Draco scoffed lowly.

"Our children will outshine all the rest. They'll have my good looks and your stellar wit and intelligence."

"Or my good looks, and your incomparable sarcasm and intelligence."

"That works too, love."

She cooed at James, and when her gaze lifted to the room en masse, there were several people wiping their eyes discreetly at the scene before them.

Hermione smiled when her gaze landed on her two best friend's, who were grinning like mad. She rolled her eyes at them both, but silently thanked her lucky stars that she'd made it through to see this day.

To hopefully see the other side.

Her mother and Narcissa were both chatting in a corner, and every so often their attention would settle on their children with fondness radiating from their countenances. Arthur was busy showing Richard, the Muggle inventions he was trying to convert using magic. Molly was bustling to and fro getting dinner ready and in all—everyone just seemed happy and light.

"I was thinking?" Draco whispered into her ear and she turned her face up to his again and lifted an eyebrow as if to say, 'and?'

"How about you and I do something special for New Year's Eve?"

Hermione gave him a measured look before she sighed and said, "You read my journal, didn't you?"

Draco blushed but didn't deny it, and as much as she wanted to be upset with him—she just didn't have that kind of fight left in her.

Some battles weren't worth raging over and some surrenders were all the sweeter for it.

"What did you have in mind?"

"Nothing too outrageous. Do you trust me?"

Hermione smiled and nodded. "Strangely, I do."

"Minx." He grinned before his gaze turned serious. "Just pack for a couple days. I think you'll be pleased with what I have in mind."

"Something tells me I don't have a choice."

Draco chuckled and then said seriously, "The choice will always be yours, love."