Hermione was nervous. Any mother would be in her shoes. Today, she was introducing Rose to Draco—as her boyfriend. They had been dating about a month and a half, and already she was wildly in love with him. Draco was absolutely everything she most needed and wanted, all wrapped up in one man.

He wasn't perfect—not by a long shot. But he was perfect for her.

Now they were ready to tell Rose and, after her, everyone else. Hermione had a plan for how this would go, but even still, she was nervous.

Draco was due to arrive at her flat at seven, and Hermione had been cooking for the past hour. It was her first time preparing food for Draco, which didn't help her nerves.

A few minutes before his arrival, Hermione made sure Rose was in her bedroom. Then she went to the front door and opened it, finding Draco there as planned.

"Hi." She smiled at him, feeling some of her anxiety melt away.

He pulled her into the hall for a quick kiss, then simply held her. "Are you ready?"

"Are you? She knows an awful lot about what happened between us." And she'd once rooted strongly for Luke, though Hermione hadn't told him that.

"I'm ready for anything with you."

Hermione shut her eyes tight, amazed yet again that he was in her life, that she could call him hers. "Alright. Let's do this. You ring the bell, and I'll tell her, then let you in."

"I know, I know. We've gone over this at least a dozen times." He kissed her forehead. "It's going to be fine."

She bit her lip and nodded. "Yes. You're right. See you soon."

Once back in the living room, Hermione waited until the doorbell rang before calling for Rose. She came out after what felt like an hour, her nose in a book as she slowly walked in. "Yes, Mum?"

"Rose, would you put the book down?"

Rose nodded, her eyes still scanning the page. With almost comical slowness, Rose lowered the book into the sofa and inserted a bookmark, finally closing the book completely. Hermione held out her hand, and Rose grudgingly handed over the book.

"Did I hear the doorbell?" She glanced in the direction of the door.

"Yes. I... I want to introduce you to someone."

Rose peered at her intently. "Wait. Do you mean someone someone? As in, you have a boyfriend?"

Hermione felt her cheeks get warm and wanted desperately to look away. But she didn't; Rose deserved complete honesty from her. "Yes. It was quite unexpected, really. But yes, we've been seeing each other for a few weeks."

Rose nodded. "It must be serious if you're wanting me to meet him."

"It is."

"But how can it be serious so quickly? It hasn't been very long. A few weeks, you said."

Hermione took a deep breath. This was it, the moment of truth. "That's true, but he wasn't a stranger. It's... Rose, dear, I'm introducing you to Luke. From my story. Do you re—"

Rose's eyes shot wide. "Luke? Really? The one who was in love with you for the whole entire story?"

"Well, yes." Her cheeks felt hotter. "Turned out you were quite right about that."

Rose's face broke into a beaming smile for a moment before morphing into a mischievous one. "Mum, I hate to break it to you. But I figured out who Luke is ages ago."

It was Hermione's turn to be stunned. "You what? How? When?"

Rose shrugged. "Remember that day we went to Hogsmeade with Aunt Pansy and Lila?"

"Yes..."

"It was how he said your name. Granger." Rose bit down hard on the first syllable just like Draco did when he drawled her name. "And Luke always called you that in your story. Of course, it wasn't complete proof, but I watched you two after that. He looked at you a special way. The way I'd imagine someone who came home from another country to tell you he loved you would look if he never actually got that chance."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I don't know. I really like Mr. Malfoy. And I didn't know what you thought of him now." She let out a dramatic sigh. "It's like you said. It's very complicated."

Hermione chuckled lightly. "That it is."

"Shouldn't you let him in?"

"Oh! Yes, of course. But, Rose... are you okay with this?"

"Yes, Mum." Rose stood and took one of Hermione's hands. "I only have one question."

"Anything."

"Does he make you incandescently happy?"

Hermione smiled and pulled Rose into a hug. "Oh, Rose dear. I think he just might."

"That's what I want for you. Since Daddy didn't. I want you both to be happy, and it sounded like you really liked Luke—I mean, Mr. Malfoy—a lot."

"I did, you're right. But it was complicated."

Rose laughed. "Now go let him in!"

Hermione hurried to the door. Draco was in the hallway, leaning on a wall and reading a book. He looked up and their eyes met. "She knows it's you."

He tucked the book into a pocket of his robes and shook his head with a chuckle. "Why am I not all that surprised?" From somewhere, he pulled out a single flower, kissing Hermione briefly on the cheek before entering her flat.

Rose was waiting in the living room, sitting ramrod straight with a vaguely happy smile on her face. "Hello there, Mr. Malfoy."

"Hello, Rose. I brought you a flower from my mother's garden." He held out a dainty blue flower with five heart-shaped petals. "It's a—"

"Nottingham Catchfly. Yes. Known for its properties in luminescent potions when harvested during the full moon." She took the flower and found a vase. "Thank you. It's lovely."

Draco arched an eyebrow at Hermione, amusement written all over his face. She recalled how many times in school she'd been called all manner of names just because she knew a lot, and she hoped that Rose wouldn't face similar treatment. With a chuckle, he turned back to Rose. "That's right. My mother loves these flowers because they require tending at night, and she enjoys being outside under the stars."

"So. Mr. Malfoy. You fancy my mum?" Hermione took a seat on the sofa beside Rose.

He sat down in a chair so that he could talk to her. "Yes, Rose. Very much."

"Have you loved here this whole time? Since you were in school? She's told me lots about you. Or did you catch feelings for her again, after a long, tragic string of romances that weren't quite enough for you?" She sighed dramatically. "And when did this happen?" She sat primly, waiting for his replies.

Draco cleared his throat. "Uh, well, that's complicated—"

Rose threw up her hands and groaned. "Oh, please, not you too!? Why is everything so complicated with you grown ups?"

"Rose." Hermione raised an eyebrow warningly.

Draco met her eye and almost imperceptibly shook his head. She pursed her lips but said nothing more.

"Because life gets complicated when you grow up. Maybe you'll have a very carefree, unencumbered life, but that's not the way it is for most people. I've absolutely loved your mother all this time, but feelings, especially strong ones, are never simple." He turned to Hermione, and she could see deep affection in his eyes. "For example, I had no idea what loving her would be like, and so in my limited experience, I loved her." He turned back to Rose. "But the real thing is vastly superior to the intellectual attraction I had before. The chemical reactions that made my hands sweaty when she was near, made my heart race to think of her. Being the person she wants to spend time with, the recipient of her affection in return is... indescribable."

"So it's both."

"Absolutely." He nodded once. "Exactly so."

"See? It's not that complicated." Rose gave him an incredulous look.

"I have one question for you, Rose, if it's alright."

"Let's hear it, then." She settled herself more comfortably, still not taking her eyes off Draco.

"It's not a small thing, your mother dating someone. Especially this quickly. I want to be sure you're okay with it. With me." His gaze slid briefly over to Hermione, then back to Rose.

"Oh, yes, it's quite fine with me." Rose grinned happily. "We all like you very much." Hermione knew that by all Rose meant by her cousins and extended family.

"I know you like me. And I love being with you and your family. But this will be different; I won't just be the bloke who shows up unannounced bearing treats."

"That's true." She looked thoughtful. "Are you going to marry my mum?"

Draco blinked; Hermione let out a strangled laugh. "Rose, dear, that's getting a bit ahead of things, don't you think? We've only been dating a few weeks, as I said."

"Yes, but he's loved you for much longer than that. And, Mum, I have never seen you as happy as you've been lately. It must be because of him." She jerked her thumb in his direction. "And you wouldn't be introducing him to me if this wasn't headed in that direction."

Draco laughed. "You're something, Rose." His expression softened, turned more serious. "I can't tell what the future holds. But I can say, without a single hesitation, that I wouldn't have asked her out if I didn't think I could marry her." He looked at Hermione, the love he'd always held closely guarded etched on his features.

Hermione felt like her heart might burst out of her chest, and she smiled back at him.

"Are you going to continue calling her Granger if you get married?"

He laughed again. "Probably. Sometimes. In certain situations."

Rose cocked her head. "Like what?"

"Well, for starters, fancy balls."

Rose shrieked with laughter. "You'd call her Granger at a fancy ball?"

Draco smirked. "Of course. I'd call her Granger anywhere."

"Even in front of the queen?"

"Well, I think my mother would disown me if I wasn't perfectly respectable in front of the Queen." He winked. "I would most assuredly call her Granger around your father. I never stopped doing that."

Rose's smile faltered. "You don't like my dad, do you?"

Hermione saw just a tiny moment of hesitation cross his features, but he quickly masked it. "I honestly don't know your dad very well. But other than you and your mother, he is the person I want to get to know more than anybody else."

"Why?" Rose frowned slightly.

"Because. He's your father. If I'm going to be with your mother—" He nodded toward Hermione "—then it's important to me to get along with him. I will do everything I can to make that happen."

Rose regarded him thoughtfully. "I believe you. My next question is, what's it going to be like at school, with you teaching me? I do hope this won't mess that up; I was looking forward to having you be my teacher."

"I've spoken with the Headmistress already, and there won't be a problem." He smiled.

"You mustn't play favorites."

He gasped in exaggerated outrage. "I would never show favoritism to one of my students."

"Good. I want to earn my marks fair and square."

"What house so you think you'll end up in?" Draco leaned back in the chair for the first time since sitting down, stretching his legs out in front of him.

"Ravenclaw. Though there are admirable traits about every house."

"Is that so?" He arched an eyebrow at her. "Do tell."

"I highly admire and respect Hufflepuff for their loyalty and concern for justice. Gryffindors are brave and daring, which can be fun. Slytherins are ambitious and cunning, which you need in order to succeed at anything. And, of course Ravenclaw is intelligent."

"A very complimentary breakdown of the four houses." He paused. "Why did you want me to be your teacher?"

"Oh, mum says you're brilliant. I'd only want the very best."

Draco sat up straighter, and Hermione chuckled at the pleased look on his face. "Brilliant, really? Well I did complete my Mastery faster than anyone except Snape."

"Mr. Malfoy? Are you still going to go on trips around the world and bring us surprises?" She sounded like she was bracing herself for a negative response.

"Well, I don't travel nearly as much as I used to. But if I do, I'll certainly bring back something for all of the Weasley spawn."

"Draco!" Hermione gave him a look.

Rose didn't let her mother's interjection slow down her questions. "So... You might be family soon?"

The question made him freeze mid-chuckle, his eyes darting back to Rose. "Family," he reiterated softly. "I... I suppose that's a possibility, as we've said already. I hadn't quite thought about it like that, though. This is all very new, and there's no knowing for certain."

"Will Lila have to call you Uncle Draco, then?" Rose seemed immensely pleased at the thought.

Hermione laughed. "Oh, that's an excellent question! I know how much that title rankles you!"

He merely smiled serenely. "Only because I couldn't bear the thought of your child calling me that."

Rose scrunched up her nose. "What am I to call you, then? You wouldn't be my Uncle, or my dad..."

"Stepdad," Hermione supplied.

"Or Mr. Draco is fine as well."

"But I can't call you that if you're my teacher!" Rose said passionately. "Would it be Professor Malfoy at school, Mr. Draco everywhere else?"

We don't need to settle any of this tonight."

Hermione jumped up. "No, indeed. We've got dinner to eat! I've put a stasis charm on everything to keep it hot and fresh, but the longer we wait, the hungrier we'll get. Rose, please set the table."

She nodded once and hopped up, running to the kitchen, and they soon heard the sound of dishes clattering.

"How did my interrogation go?" Draco reached for her, and she melted into his arms.

"Oh, that was only round one, I'm sure. She didn't have much time to collect her thoughts before she was allowed to ask you anything she wanted." Hermione chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised if she's compiling a list as we speak."

He hummed lightly, and she felt the deep reverberation in his chest. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, filling her senses with his scent.

"I'm surprised at some of her questions. They were more... personal than I expected." Hermione had expected more logistical questions: When was your first date? Where did you go? What did you do?

"Children don't mince words, that's for certain. But I'm somewhat used to that by now after dealing with them daily for these past years." He smirked down at her and lowered his head briefly before freezing. "Am I allowed to kiss you?"

"Of course. Though I don't hear any sounds, so she might be watching..." They both turned to see Rose in the room, looking at them with a mixture of disgust and amusement.

"Dinner's ready. I even put the food on the table. Are you two going to do that a lot?"

Hermione stepped out of Draco's embrace with a sigh. "Do what, dear?"

"Kiss." Rose made a horrified face.

"Yes. Lots." Hermione winked at Draco. "I really like kissing him."

"Ew, Mum, stop!" Rose put her hand over ears. "I don't want to hear this!"

Draco was thoughtful for a moment. "Tell you what, Rose. Here's an idea." He pulled out his wand and Conjured a very pretty glass jar. "Every time you catch your mum and me kissing, I'll put a Sickle in the jar."

Her eyes went wide as they dropped to the jar. Hermione could see the wheels turning as she tried to figure out just how many Sickles could fit. "Every time?"

"Yes. Every time." With a predatory grin, he leaned over and kissed Hermione lightly.

"Stop! Please!" Rose had both hands pressed over her eyes. "Sickle. Now." She removed one hand to point at the jar.

Draco pulled out a handful of coins and dropped them on the table, spreading them out so he could see each one. "Now, let's see. Hm. I'm out of Sickles. How many kisses do I get for a Galleon?"

Rose made a face. "Ew. I don't think I like this game."

Hermione gave him a playful swat. "I'll make change for you, Mr. Moneybags." She went to her bedroom and retrieved the requisite twenty-nine Sickles. Back in the dining room, she took the Galleon Draco had set out on the table and replaced it with the silver coins.

With a Flourish, Draco dropped one into the jar. "Instead of a swear jar, it's a kissing jar." Then he kissed Hermione again.

Rose groaned and pointed to the jar. "Please don't keep doing that. I want to eat in peace!"

Hermione tutted as though annoyed, yet she wasn't at all. "I quite agree. Now, shall we?"

The evening went really well. Draco stayed to watch a film, and Rose requested Pride and Prejudice. It had been that story which had started the whole thing, and Hermione felt great waves of happiness wash over her during her favorite parts. Draco held her hand throughout, and she felt like a teenager watching the telly with her parents and her boyfriend—not that she had ever done that—stomach butterflies and all. In fact, she often felt like a silly young person whenever she was around him with the way her body reacted to him. She'd forgotten what it felt like to experience new attraction, and she never would have expected to blush as much as she did in his presence. As the story progressed, she found herself wanting to scoot closer to Draco, for him to put his arm around her, to kiss her... But with Rose there, and for their first evening with the three of them, she felt it best to keep some separation.

When the film ended, Draco stretched and yawned, dropping his arm around her shoulder. Rose noticed immediately and watched to see what else he would do. Finally, he winked at her and gave Hermione's shoulder a squeeze before standing up.

"Mr. Malfoy?" Rose watched him carefully. "I want my Mum to be just as happy as Elizabeth."

Draco's face softened into a smile. "I want that as well, Rose."

"Will you do it? Will you make her that happy?" She crossed her arms in expectation.

"I will do my best."

"I mean, I know it's not your job to make her happy, we've had that conversation already, but I want you to treat her well. Like Mr. Darcy." Her expression was so earnest, Hermione thought her heart might burst.

Draco went close to where Rose was sitting on the floor and knelt down to look her in the eye. "You have my word about this: I will do everything in my power to treat your mother the way she deserves to be treated. To love her, honor her, support her and fight for her every day of my life."

Rose held his gaze for a few long seconds, then nodded. "Alright. I believe you."

"I'm glad."

Hermione joined them on the floor and pulled Rose into her arms. "I love you, Rose, dear. And Draco cares for you very much. It's very important to me, to both of us, that you are part of this conversation. Because everything that happens going forward affects all of us."

Rose leaned her head against Hermione and nodded. "I love you, Mummy."

Hermione kissed the top of her head. "Time to get ready for bed. I'm going to walk Mr. Draco out, alright?"

"Alright." Rose extricated herself from Hermione's arms and stood up. "Goodnight, Mr. Draco."

"Goodnight, Rose." He smiled warmly.

Rose left the room, and Hermione looked at Draco. "That went well."

He yawned again and stood, holding out his hand to help her up. "I hope so."

"Come on. I'll walk you out." She pulled him by the hand toward the door, opening it and letting him walk through. To her surprise, he tugged her out with him, kissing her in the hallway while the door slowly clicked shut.

"I had a lovely time tonight." He kept his arms around her so she couldn't leave—not that she was in a big hurry to.

"Mm, me too. We'll have to do it again soon."

"I can't believe this is real." He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin atop her head. "When is Rose with Weasley next?"

Hermione blushed and bit her lip. "Friday night. He's got her for the whole weekend." As much as she loved him and he her, they had yet to sleep together. It had been very important to her that they wait until after she'd introduced him to Rose. She'd never said as much to him, but he'd somehow seemed to understand. He'd never even mentioned the subject. Hermione pulled back, slowly dragging her eyes up to his. "I'd been meaning to discuss it with you. Would you, um, like to come over? To stay over?"

Something flashed in his eyes, and his gaze dropped to her lips. "Granger, I want nothing more than to join you for a weekend in your flat. If I have my way, we'll limit our activities to a single room."

Desire coiled in her belly at his frank admission.

He kissed her lightly. "We may need to use the kitchen though. Occasionally. Or..." Now his eyes lit up. "Or, you could let me take you away. We've a house in Switzerland, as you may know."

"Oh have you?"

He hummed slightly in affirmation. "There's a big room with large windows and a stunning view you can't even imagine. I'll hire a house-elf for the weekend to cook for us, so we'd never need to leave the bedroom. In fact, we really wouldn't have to leave the bed."

Hermione blushed furiously at his suggestions, though at the same time wanting it very much. It had been a very long time since she'd been with a man, and that had been Ron. Without meaning to, she wondered how Draco would compare to her former lovers, but then, really, it didn't much matter. She was wildly in love with Draco, the one man she knew who ticked all of her boxes. All that remained to be seen was how compatible they were physically. Though, based on their kisses so far, that wouldn't be an issue.

Draco bent lower to focus his attention on her neck, and Hermione sighed, tilting her head to give him better access. But her hands were firmly clamped on his arms lest he get carried away. They were in the hallway of her building, for Merlin's sake, and Rose was inside. It wasn't like they could pop in there for a quick shag.

As if reading her mind, Draco pulled back. "I can't tell you how many times I thought about that night in your room at school. Imagined what it would have been like." He gave her a lopsided grin. "While I'm sure it would have been amazing, I was only eighteen. Now, however..." He lightly trailed a finger against her jawline, pausing at her lips to brush his thumb over the lower one.

She shivered.

"Now, I know what I'm doing, and I want to show you just how much I love you."

Her heart swelled even as her stomach flopped delightfully. "I had no idea how much you've thought about this.""

"Granger." His voice held a note of frustration. "I have thought of little else. I'm just very good at keeping it to myself, as I've had years of tempering myself around you, of burying my reactions and feelings so deeply that no one would ever have suspected that I was raging or dying for you inside. But make no mistake: I want to do things with you... to you. I want to make you scream my name and beg for more. I want—"

She silenced him with a kiss, heated and frantic, fisting his shirt and pulling him against her. She kept her hands still otherwise, and he got the message, resting his hands on her hips. The press of his fingers conveyed exactly what he wanted.

"Mum? Where are you? I forgot something I need for school! " Rose opened the door, poking her head out. "Kiss jar, Mr. Malfoy!" she cried gleefully, holding out a hand.

They broke apart quickly, and Hermione laughed as Draco sighed. He pulled out his wallet again and fished inside it for a Sickle. "Here you are, then. I trust you'll put it where it belongs?"

Rose looked at him mischievously. "Those are all going to me in the end anyway, right?"

Hermione scoffed. "No! They're going to pay for a nice dinner out for Draco and me. Go on inside, let me say goodnight."

"Isn't that what you were just doing?" Rose laughed and went fully back inside, shutting the door.

"We'll have to continue this fascinating discourse another time, I'm afraid. Duty calls." She kissed him on the lips, just enough to want to linger, then patted his chest.

"Goodnight, Draco."

He grinned, the smile reaching his eyes as he pulled her into his arms for a hug. It felt so nice to be held like that, just because he liked her and wanted to have her close.

"Goodnight, Granger." With a final kiss, he released her, and without taking his eyes off hers, Disapparated.

Once inside, she took a few calming breaths to settle her blood. Then she found Rose in her room, a book propped open and a sheet of paper on her clipboard.

"I forgot a short essay I need to write. But I'm almost done." Rose looked up at her. "And then can we talk?"

"Of course. I'll be cleaning up from dinner."

Rose nodded and went back to her work. Hermione returned to one of her favorite physical tasks: washing dishes. It was hard not to let her thoughts wander to what Draco had said, to wish that Friday would come tomorrow, to wonder just what he had in mind.

"I'm finished." Rose poked her head in the door, then went to put her things in her backpack.

Hermione dried her hands and joined her in the living room. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Mr. Draco."

That wasn't the least bit surprising. "What about him? Did you not like him?"

Rose looked astonished. "I have always liked Mr. Malfoy, Mum. You know that."

"Well, it's different to like him as a person who pops into your life occasionally and never fails to bring you some treat or another. As your mother's boyfriend, though... it could be very different."

"That's true. But I'm okay with it, if that's what you mean." Rose was looking at her earnestly, with so much genuine feeling that it brought tears to Hermione's eyes.

"I'm glad you feel that way, Rose. Please know that this was only one night, and there might be many nights ahead where you don't feel this way, and that's okay. I'm not asking you to fully accept or embrace him right now." She took a breath and plunged ahead. "Because this is new for all of us. He and I are just beginning to figure out if there's something there—"

"Mum. There's obviously something there. He kept trying to kiss you." Rose shook her head. "It's almost like he wants to fill up that jar."

Hermione laughed out loud. "Yes, I believe you're right there. But kissing isn't all that it's about. We need to find out if we want to do the work of loving each other. I know a little bit more about that than he does, since he's never been married." Or in a real, committed relationship either, to be honest. There was so much more to be said, to be considered. They'd need to see if there was the possibility of building a family, because her relationship with Rose came first, and it would have to for a long time. It was also imperative to Hermione that she and Ron remain good friends. Draco and he had never gotten along, and this whole thing was going to be a major shock for Ron. Well, for all of them, actually.

"Mum, I really, really want you to be happy. Seeing you with Mr. Malfoy tonight... I've never seen you smile like that."

"Oh, Rose." She smiled, the tears that had threatened earlier welling, threatening to fall. It broke her heart a little to think that Rose couldn't recall seeing her this happy. There'd been plenty of good times with Ron, lots of good memories, but Rose had been too young. The good times with Ron had been very early in their marriage, when much more of their time was spent trying to salvage what they'd wished they'd had.

"I'm so sorry."

"Why?" She blinked in surprise. "Sorry for what?"

"I'm sorry that you didn't have parents who... who loved each other the right ways. I won't do that again. I will make sure next time."

Rose tilted her head slightly. "I think you've found the right person, Mum. It's just too bad that it took so long."

Hermione smiled through her watery eyes. She didn't want to say that she felt in her heart that Rose was absolutely right. She hadn't even slept with Draco yet, but she'd already thought of their future, of more children, of him fitting seamlessly into her life, them together with Rose, then joining Ron and his future wife at events, seeing Rose off the Hogwarts together... It was almost too much, too overwhelming. Draco had vastly exceeded all expectations, all fears, all doubts. She was falling for him so quickly that she felt the need to pump the brakes. It wasn't just her own life she had to consider—if it was, she'd have jumped into things with him before now.

Now she had the prospect of time away with him. Up until now, they'd done very little beyond spending time together at her flat. She hadn't wanted their relationship made public so soon, for obvious reasons, so they'd ordered a lot of takeaway and watched a lot of films. They'd kissed and done some light exploration, but she hadn't wanted to do anything too quickly. He was a saint for being so understanding. Now, though... an entire weekend, just the two of them in a different country... Not that she really expected to see much outside of the walls of his family's home. But if they wanted, they could go out and not worry about who might see them.

Draco, too, had experienced a bit of a shock, because the Hermione he'd initially fallen so in love with was long gone, replaced instead by someone who'd changed and grown, despite retaining all of the characteristics that had drawn him to her in the first place. He'd told her many times that he loved finally meeting the woman he'd been in love with for years.

"You know, someday I want you to tell me the story of how this happened." Rose gave her a smirk. "All I know is that one day, you're telling me about some bloke named Luke, then two months later, you want me to meet him. How did it happen? Who approached whom? I want to know everything."

"Why am I not surprised?" Hermione smiled. "And I will tell you. Some day."

Rose groaned. "Oh, not this again! You just told me the whole story of how you met Dad—which turned out to be the story of how you ended up with Dad after a whole bunch of other people, but that's alright. Why can't you tell me about you and Mr. Malfoy?"

"Because. It's too soon. There's no ending for it. All of the other threads had a definite beginning and a definite end." She shrugged. "This thing with Draco is just too new."

"Oh, not quite, Mum." Rose waggled a finger. "Draco's story never had an ending. It just had a very long pause."

Hermione shook her head and stood to finally kiss Rose goodnight. "That's an excellent observation, my dear. I hope you can rest easily tonight. But this story will have to wait."

Rose pouted briefly. "If you say so. When will he come over again?"

"I'm not sure. We haven't discussed any of that. We're trying to take this slowly and carefully." Even though slowly was the last thing she wanted, especially after their conversation tonight. Why was Friday so far away?

"I hope it's soon. When will you tell Dad? What about everybody else? Does anybody else know already?"

Hermione laughed, feeling lighter than ever. "Whoa, slow down! One question at a time! I know we'll tell your Dad next, so that he knows Draco's in your life now, as well." She had no idea how Ron would take it. It was so soon after their divorce, and it was Draco Malfoy. She shook her head to dispel the questions she couldn't possibly answer. "Draco and I will have to decide about that. The rest of our friends and family will follow. And no, nobody knows about this except us."

"Mum, I love you. Thank you for telling me your story." Rose yawned.

"I love you, too. You're very welcome. Now come on, to bed, young lady."

Together the mother and daughter made their way into Rose's room, a soft smile on Hermione's face as Rose got into bed and looked at her expectantly. She kissed Rose's temple and pulled the blankets up tight. "Goodnight, my dear. Sweet dreams."

"Night."

Hermione was almost through the door when Rose called her back.

"Mum? I want to say one more thing. I want to see you happy because someday, I want to be happy. How else will I know what it looks like?"

Hermione's breath caught in her throat. "That makes perfect sense, my love. It's my deepest hope that you'll get to see two good examples of it, from both your parents." She shut the door softly and closed her eyes, taking a deep, long breath.

Someday she would tell Rose the story. She and Draco had come a long way, and even though there would be difficult times ahead, she knew she was finally where she belonged. He made her feel things she hadn't felt in a very long time, some of which she hadn't ever felt with anyone else.

All the pieces that had been missing before—with Ron, with Cassius, with Viktor, and all of the small dates sprinkled in between them—were found. Even though they hadn't slept together yet, she had no doubt whatsoever that it would be good.

With everything considered, Draco was truly the man who complemented her in all the best ways. Even though it had taken them the long way around to find each other, she couldn't bring herself to regret a single thing. She and Draco were older now, and wiser, and they would appreciate each other more deeply because of it.

Hermione was excited for her future for the first time in a long time. Thanks to Rose asking to hear a story, Hermione was ready for changes in her life that would satisfy her. She needed to be fulfilled if she ever hoped to help Rose find her own fulfillment, just as Rose had pointed out that she needed to see a happy relationship in order to know what to look for. She'd been living for Rose for so long, and now she was ready to live for herself.

Having Draco by her side made her excited for the journey. They'd traveled together a few times, their paths had nearly merged before, but now they were truly walking hand-in-hand. And Hermione couldn't wait to see the life they lived along the way.