It took a couple weeks, and a few trips to the healer ourselves, but as the school year wound down Draco and I were in a much better place than ever. The final night of term, he brought me back to the room of requirement to celebrate my first complete year. He always had a way of planning just what I needed and this night was no exception. We dined and drank wine while reflecting on everything that had brought us to this moment. It was a nice way to regroup before our wedding.

By the time our big day arrived, I was feeling quite relaxed. All of the planning came together nicely and it felt just perfect. Those we love were all present and accounted for. Mr. Weasley did the honor of walking me down the aisle and while it couldn't replace my parents, it was wonderful to know I still had people who cared so deeply for me. We held our wedding at the French manor and Narcissa had assisted with many of the details to ensure everything went off without a hitch.

In all honesty, the place could have burned around us and I wouldn't have cared as long as we ended up married in the end. Thankfully, there were no fires aside from our love burning within us. Like a flash the lavish event was over and we spent the next two months in newlywed bliss.

I legally changed my name, but kept Granger at work. When I started my second year teaching it was such a refreshing difference compared to the year before when my life had been such a mess. The impulsive decision to completely uproot my life and make the leap was the best I had ever made. I guess sometimes change is what we really need to find happiness.

The new ministry healer program was a huge success and there were positive changes being noticed all over the wizarding community. We noticed more harmony within the school and students working together with less friction.

Draco and I were a power team at the school and two of the most well-liked professors to date. It wasn't a popularity game, but the students seemed to connect with us in a way they failed with others. Perhaps it was our age, or maybe it was just our willingness to really hear them out.

Three years into our marriage we were blessed with our daughter, Ara Annette. We chose her name carefully, as Ara was the alter where the Gods made and alliance before their defeat of the Titans. It served as both a way to carry on the tradition of naming our child after a constellation, but also a representation of our two pasts and how we came together for the light.

It was a bit difficult to navigate those early years. McGonagall was such a blessing and willing to work with us in ways I couldn't have dreamed of. She allowed us to mostly stagger our schedules so one of us could always be with her. Ara was welcomed with open arms to all the staff meetings and mealtimes. If we needed a break, our coworkers were ready to step in to play babysitter.

It was lovely when Ara was two and Neville, who had married Hannah Abott and taken over as planned for Professor Sprout, had a beautiful daughter of his own. Ara and Anabelle were lovely friends, and it was great to have each other at the castle.

As Ara grew, it was an amazing experience to be so actively involved in her life and watch her grow. We had weekends and holidays away from the castle to spend in our home and see family and friends. It was actually a lovely arrangement that allowed us plenty of time to get our work done as well as have time away with our loved ones.

Ara received top marks in her class year after year which made me quite proud. We were able to see her develop friendships and figure out who she was. Though we lived at the school as well, Draco and I were both a bit emotional when she was 11 and moved into the Ravenclaw dorms.

It was also interesting to see our friend's children grace the halls. Harry and Ginny had three children, James, Albus and Lily. Luna and Blaise weren't far behind Neville in having children and Clara and Austin were joys to have around. It was great that our house had such a large yard because our chosen family seemed to keep growing!

Unfortunately, Ron's condition never improved. He was, however, eventually moved to a secure ward at St. Mungos after it was discovered during his evaluations that a portion of his brain was damaged beyond repair. Harry and I discussed our experiences with the healers and the best we could come up with is that it happened when a wall crumbled on him during the final battle. He received care for his head injury from that, but with everything going on it wasn't done properly and the damage continued to worsen beyond repair. He would never be able to leave the secure ward for his own safety along with the safety of others, but at least he was no longer in Azkaban and we could visit as often as we liked as long as a trained healer was present. We had hoped for news of complete healing, but it just wasn't in the cards.

All in all, life turned out quite wonderful. Draco and I kept up with our teaching until the ripe age of 90 when we finally decided to retire and spend time traveling. It was hard to give up because we had seen so many of our grandchildren and even our great grandchildren go through our classes and the feeling of being able to be such an active participant in their childhood and to be there for them as teachers was indescribable, but it was time to just be grandma and grandpa.

And now, just two weeks passed Draco's 138th birthday, we were doing just that. The children were home from school and the many generations gathered at our home to host a large event.

Draco and I were sat in comfortable chairs out back watching a friendly quidditch match and all the love our family had to offer.

He took my hand and held it in his. "It's wonderful. Isn't it?"

I nodded my head, slowly in my old age. "It truly is. Who knew that when we met 127 years ago that this is what life would have to offer us?"

A tear sprang to my husband's eye. "I never thought this was a life I could have. There were so many years there that I thought I wouldn't survive the night, let alone the end of the war. The life you have given me is nothing short of amazing."

I squeezed his hand in support. "It wasn't easy. There were enough years of fear to last a lifetime. Look where that fight got us. This life was worth fighting for. They are all so happy and there is so much love."

"Ah, love. The most powerful magic of all."

I turned to look at him, seeing the trademark smirk I fell for so long ago. "That it is. Love is the most beautiful part of life."

The look on his face told me what I needed to know. He was ready and so was I.

We enjoyed a few more hours loving on all of our family, both blood related and not, who had gathered to celebrate one of the many birthdays. As people slowly left, we made sure our parting words were full of love and wisdom. The hour was late when we were finally alone and readying for bed. Old and tired, we climbed in and shared one last passionate kiss before we welcomed death as an old friend, our lives fulfilled.

A/N: Thank you all who have commented and liked this story! This is the final chapter. Let me know what you think, I hope I wrapped it up in a satisfactory way. If you enjoyed this, please check out some of my others. I've already finished my next story, After the Silence, which I will begin uploading tomorrow. I've also got two more being written. Once again, thank you for all the love!