Disclaimer: JK owns HP.

Fear and Self Loathing in Wiltshire

Epilogue

(Fifteen Months Later)

As Draco flooed into Malfoy Manor for his scheduled tea date with his mother, gifts in hand, he couldn't help but ponder how things had turned out since the previous summer. Him and Hermione had indeed moved into a moderately sized flat together; a floo hooked up to the manor's library as promised. Since then they had settled into an amazing life together, and he hoped that today was the day he'd be able to make that arrangement more permanent.

He continued on, brushing his robes off as he nervously thought about what he needed to discuss with her; taking the hallway to the left in order to reach the double doors that led to the garden. As it was the middle of September, there weren't many weeks left before it would be too cold to enjoy dining on the patio, and they were going to take advantage of it while they could.

On one of the side tables that he passed on his way was an old picture from fourth year of all the Slytherins in his grade. It caught his eye, and he paused to look it over; reflecting on the ways several of the people in it had affected his life since joining the auror department almost two years ago.

Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were on the upper left, and were the only ones not smiling. His heart clenched at the thought of his deceased friend, and how his upbringing had ultimately been the cause of his demise. He hadn't been very intelligent, and hadn't known any better. Why his father had assumed teaching him the incantation for fiendfire was a good idea, was still beyond him years later. It had been too much for him to handle, and he hadn't enough experience to put it out once it was fully fledged.

Greg on the other hand, had come lengths since reintegrating with him and Blaise the past summer. Without the influence of his parents he'd finally gotten over his prejudices, and was even taking a liking to his apprenticeship in the art of broom making. It turned out he liked working with his hands, and was quickly becoming a vital employee for the makers of the Comet series of broomsticks. Even if his friend had never excelled at academics, the perfect occupation had been out there for him anyway. In simple terms Greg was thriving, and Draco couldn't have been happier for him.

In other news, both of their fathers had been captured relatively easy only a few days after the battle in Inverness. It was no wonder Greg and Vin hadn't been able to inherit any smarts, as Crabbe and Goyle Sr.s had immediately returned to the flat by the dairy farm to hideout. How they hadn't remembered that it had already been compromised was just as baffling as their level of idiocy. The pair had been in Azkaban ever since, just like all the others who'd managed to apparate out that morning last July.

In the top center of the picture was himself; the smile he flashed appearing as more of a sly smirk as he looked directly into the camera. And just in front of him, in the middle of all the girls, was Pansy Parkinson. She was another of his circle of friends from Hogwarts who was now trying to be a better person. Though she'd never stop disliking Hermione, she had at least eradicated the M word from her vocabulary. She'd been assigned community service for her minimal part in the battle against the Lestranges, and for helping Krum break into Malfoy Manor unannounced. The program of assisting incoming muggleborns with their school shopping had done wonders for her personality, and caused her to drop many of the preconceived notions she had about them.

As Draco's eyes continued to travel across the moving photograph, they finally landed on the two smiling faces on the right; those of Blaise and Theo. Though he had long cut ties with the boy who tricked and nearly killed him, Blaise had not been able to bring himself to do so; still convinced that he was just mentally unstable from the first war, and that his friend was still in there somewhere. No matter how cross with him he was over being kidnapped, Blaise continued to visit him in prison from time to time in hopes he could eventually help him see reason. And while Draco wasn't entirely convinced he was wrong, too much had happened during those few hours last year to force himself to care.

After dosing Theo with veritaserum in the days following the father Nott's death, the auror department had finally been able to confirm how he had gotten away with everything for so long. His fake mental breakdown in the interrogation room two Decembers ago had distracted them from making him take the intended first dose of the truth serum, and he'd been lucky that no one had been suspicious enough after that to suggest it afterwards.

It also turned out that he'd been caught on purpose the day Maples, and Green had found him gathering supplies. From the day his father had been imprisoned, Theo had been planning and plotting with the Lestranges on how he could help the cause, and also get revenge on those he felt were responsible for destroying the reputation of the House of Nott. The way he saw it, his father had always taken care of him, and he was more than willing to return the favor. Something Draco could unfortunately relate to all too well.

How he was able to contact the Lestranges while he was in St. Mungos was another mystery solved by the use of veritaserum. Apparently one of the nurses had been imperioused for the sole purpose of passing items and information between them, and even a few strands of Theo's hair at one point for Scabior. Luckily, the curse had been broken, and the nurse had little recollection of what he'd been forced to do under it.

His trip to Italy with Blaise had been another ruse, plotted specifically to ensure no one would suspect his part in anything; and upon their return, all he'd had to do was let things run the expected course. After Blaise had paid his visit at Malfoy Manor to check in, Draco had been too busy with Hermione(though as her bodyguard instead of as part of the search and rescue team as they'd hoped) to notice that his best friend had been taken hostage only minutes after leaving his residence. Draco was still relieved that Blaise had eventually forgiven him for not noticing he was missing.

Theo had been found guilty on all charges and sentenced to twenty years in Azkaban; which was not only fully staffed once again after the mass slaughter last year, but had been restructured to account for different types of criminals as well. There was now a different cell block for each category of criminal, depending on how violent the inmates were; with one entire division dedicated to those with mental illnesses. Hermione would argue that there was still progress to be made upon with the new system, but it was a vast improvement over the dementors who had solely guarded it in their youth.

Draco finally forced himself to tear his eyes away from the photo, and made his exit onto the patio where his mother was already seated. He didn't have time to reflect on those specific memories at the moment, as he had another mission to accomplish today.

Narcissa Malfoy looked up at him with a prideful smile as he came into view, but it was quickly replaced with a look that bordered on disappointment. "Oh, Why didn't you bring Hermione along?" She asked him, revealing the source of her sudden mood change. "I wanted to give her the birthday gift I brought back from Paris last month."

Draco repressed the chuckle that was itching in his throat. Over the past year his mother and Hermione had become quick friends, and he was certain that she now thought of her like a daughter that she never had. There were also times he suspected that she liked Hermione more than him too, but he never voiced it.

"Sorry mother, she is having lunch with her parents this afternoon." He explained her unusual absence from their weekly get-togethers. "However, I do come bearing gifts."

He opened the medium sized white paper box he'd retrieved from Diagon Alley earlier, to reveal two steaming cups of liquid, and a chocolate pyramid. His mother nearly squealed as she mentally reminisced about their mother-son days out from when he was younger. Her good mood had returned at his sweet gesture, and he beamed internally for making her smile.

"Oh, you remembered." She looked upon him with complete adoration. "This is such a wonderful surprise. We haven't been there in ages."

Maybe she still liked him more than Hermione after all.

As he and his mother began to catch up over their favorite pastime treats of sweet potato latte's and fancy chocolate desserts, Draco went into full detail of how Hermione's adopted sister Charlotte was now off at Hogwarts learning to become a witch. The memory charm on her parents had just been reversed two weeks before, and while a bit cross with her over casting it in the first place it had been a very happy, but emotional reunion. They planned to tell Charlotte about everything at Christmas.

"I'm so glad to hear that everything has worked out for them, and just in time for Hermione's birthday too." His mother commented once he'd finished giving her all the details. "But since I'm not going to get to see her today, would you mind taking her the gift for me?"

"I'd be happy to." Draco agreed, as he finished his very last sip of the comforting drink. "But in all honesty, I am relieved to have been able to get you alone today. You see there is something specific I need to ask you about without Hermione here to see it, or listen in."

Narcissa's interest was peaked, and she placed her own empty cup down on the table in order to give him her undivided attention. "There is?" She leaned forward, hoping it was what she was expecting. "You know you can ask me anything, Draco."

"Well I was hoping to acquire the birthday gift I've had in mind for her for quite some time now." He purposely dragged his explanation out to drive her a little crazy. "Grandmother Druella's ring to be more specific."

Her coy smile grew to an ecstatic grin as she looked at her son; who was happier than she'd seen him since he was a child. The fact that he was ready to propose was one thing, but that he was comfortable using the traditional Black family ring instead of asking for the Malfoy band, or purchasing a new one altogether was another. He seemed to have no qualms whatsoever at the idea of breaking traditions, and it suited him well. She would be more than happy to pass her mother's ring on to the girl who had no doubt improved upon not only Draco's life, but their entire family as well. After the way her household had been treated by the dark lord, and the events following his demise, even she could admit that her family had been in the wrong for several generations; and integrating someone as wonderful as Hermione into their lives would only be for the better.

"I'm planning on asking her tonight at dinner." He continued. "I'm taking her to Wedgewood again. I thought it would be fitting, what with her just getting her parents back. I also expect it will really make her cry over the sentimentality of it all." He smirked, once again mentally complimenting himself for how good he was at romance.

"Of that I have no doubt." She shook her head at him, happier than she ever thought she'd be at the news of her son marrying a muggleborn. "I truly can't wait to welcome her into the family." She suddenly got even more excited. "Oh just wait until I tell your father!"

Draco cleared his throat, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. While he and his fathers relationship had improved greatly over the recent years, he still couldn't help but worry that Lucius would disprove of him going through with this.

"Let's not count our eggs before they've hatched mother." He had unfortunately started using muggle phrases and metaphors more than he liked, just another of Hermione's influences on him. "She has to say yes first."

"Draco." She scolded him, dragging out the last syllable in a motherly way. "That girl loves you, and it's time you accepted it. I know you still don't think you deserve her after what happened in your last two years at Hogwarts, but you were a teenager. You've done nothing but redeem yourself over and over again since then; especially with the work you've done for the auror department. You've more than earned your happiness."

Though he wanted to believe her, there was still a small bubble of uncertainty in his chest that he didn't think would ever go away. He knew that he and Hermione were ridiculously happy together, but he was still himself; and that meant that he was rather rude and condescending at times to people they interacted with. Just because she loved him back didn't mean she wouldn't eventually tire of him, or realize that she could do better.

Draco forced himself to nod at his mother in response even though he wasn't fully convinced that everything would work out.

Somewhat sensing his thoughts, she placed one hand on his arm. "Come on, let's get you that ring." She said as she stood. "And tomorrow, when you're happily engaged, I will gladly rub in your face how right I was."

He couldn't help it when he felt a little more confident after that.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Using the floo in the library, he arrived back at his and Hermione's flat just in time to witness her putting on the finishing touches of her makeup. As he stood in the doorway, it seemed she hadn't noticed his arrival yet; standing in front of the vanity as she readied herself for her birthday dinner. He took the opportunity to watch her unencumbered; with their busy lives, it wasn't often that he was able to take a moment to just watch her be.

His eyes traveled over her adoringly as she twisted up the tube of burgundy lipstick that would no doubt compliment the deep green of the dress she was wearing. She applied it expertly and delicately as she ran it over her lips. As he stood there, taking in her beauty and once again thanking the stars for how lucky he was to have her, he slipped his hand down to pat the right side pocket of his trousers just to make sure he could still feel the ring box placed inside it. He might have been a nervous wreck on the inside, but with his emotionless mask long perfected, he would never let it show in front of her. Choosing instead to act the confident and suave picture of elegance and class the Malfoy's were known for.

Once she was done with her lipstick, she reached into her very minimally filled jewelry box, and instead of some immaculate ornate diamond piece, she ended up with her usual and simplistic necklace; the engraved one he'd gifted her two Christmases ago now. He couldn't help it when his smile grew as he watched her clasp it around her neck, and adjust it so it sat perfectly in the center of her chest.

It was then, as she was finally finished getting ready for the evening that she noticed him. Though she couldn't help her own smile that appeared just from seeing him, a small blush worked its way up her neck to her cheeks. She still wasn't used to the adoring gaze he'd get when she'd catch him staring at her in silence from time to time.

"How long have you been standing there?" She scolded him with her head cocked to one side.

He approached her with precision, and his hands slid over her waist until they rested comfortably on her back. "Not long." He replied as he delicately kissed her freshly painted lips. "Just long enough to remember how absolutely lucky I am to have snagged you."

She snorted in disbelief as she rubbed the tips of her fingers gently against his neck.

"Have I ever told you how much I like you in the color green?" He asked, continuing to sing her praises before she could make a comment about him being a creep for watching her.

'Many times. Yes." She replied in a teasing tone.

"Well I do, and I am." He continued to try and butter her up while he placed several slow kisses across her cheek and down to her collar bone. "I don't see anyone else here with the privilege of taking Wizarding Britain's Golden Girl out for her birthday. So lucky am I, indeed."

She snorted as she shook her head at him. "You might want to stop it with the sappy lines, or you might accidentally start sounding like a Hufflepuff."

His eyes narrowed in slight annoyance. "You're right. Just one more though." He said as he pressed a final kiss to her forehead. "Happy Birthday Hermione, I love you entirely too much."

"Thank you Draco. And I love you as well." She looked up at him with a bright smile as she rested her chin in the middle of his chest. "But you aren't the only one who feels lucky, you know?"

Draco paused, that pesky feeling of hope that kept bubbling up in his chest returning again. "I'm not?"

The pads of her fingers began to trace a pattern on his shoulders as she shook her head at him. "Do you remember that night at the ministry ball when you kissed me for the first time?"

"I don't think I'll ever forget it." He answered honestly.

"Well, the reason I came out onto the balcony earlier in the evening in the first place, was because I had just been throwing myself a bit of a pity party." She revealed what she herself had been feeling that night a year and a half ago. "I was upset, thinking that because I couldn't love Viktor no matter how hard I tried, that there must have been something wrong with me."

Draco growled a little at the mention of her ex, who was still in prison in Bulgaria for the next few years for his crimes, but Hermione continued on through his noises of disapproval.

"You see I was worried that because of both him and my breakup with Ron, that I'd never fall in love. Especially not the way Harry and Ginny had." She added what had sparked her emotions that night.

"Really? Because I personally think we could give them a run for their money." He interrupted her, causing her to give him one of the almost daily smacks to the chest he earned for his rude commentary.

"What I'm trying to say…" She scolded him before her tone turned soft and mellow again. "Is that I feel so lucky to have you in my life too. I have fallen so hard, and so completely in love with you the past sixteen months Draco Malfoy. And I have never been so happy to have been wrong."

The corners of Draco's lips twitched so far up on his cheeks that his jaw almost hurt. The fingers of his right hand came up to rub the pendant sitting delicately against her chest. "I'm glad to hear it."

And when she leaned up on the tip of her toes to press a reassuring kiss to his lips, he couldn't help smirk that spread across his face, or the release of the ornery comment that was on the tip of his tongue.

"Wrong you say?" He asked, knowing beforehand that he would pay for his cheekiness sooner rather than later.

She stopped a breath away from his lips, and released a groan; already knowing what was coming.

"Well there's still some room. Maybe I should have that engraved on your necklace as well."

Hermione pushed his smirking face away from her with a huff, and walked passed him toward the door. Though she tried to hide it, he could tell she was trying not to laugh. Banter and teasing was a key component to their relationship after all, and he knew she was already coming up with ways to get back at him before the evening was over.

He chuckled under his breath as he held the door open for her. It was time for them to leave for Wedgewood anyway, and he was eager to get the evening started.

And who knew...After her revelation, maybe he'd just be able to convince her to marry him after all.

~The End~