Keep Breathing

Disclaimer: JK Rowling is responsible for the beauty and magic that is Harry Potter. I am merely playing with her world.

It has been ten years since the fall of Lord Voldemort. Ten years since the Wizarding World rejoiced and praised Harry Potter for laying his life down to bring an end to a tyrant, but even time cannot heal all wounds. For Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, the world was an entirely new place after the war. The trick to surviving every day, they've learned, is to keep breathing.

AN: This is a sequel to a story on my old account: Severussnapesdaughter- Just Breathe. While it can be read on its own, I suggested heading back toward that story. I apologize in advance for the errors and understand that it may be hard to read, just bare in mind that I was sixteen when I wrote it. In this story there are a few major dates that have occurred and the timeline below will provide an overview, and the story itself will provide the rest.

TW: Mentions of Sexual Abuse, Eventual Violence, Lemons, this will change every chapter, so make sure to check it out!

Dates-

1997: Hermione's initial capture and rescue. Draco is disowned by his family. Fleur and Lupin are killed.

1998: January-Harry, Ron, and Draco set out to discover the horcruxes. Hermione and Ginny return to school. March- Hermione and Luna are used as bait. All the horcruxes are destroyed. The final battle at Malfoy Manor. Casualties include Percy Weasley, Crabbe and Goyle, Mad-Eye-Moody, Dean Thomas, and Lucius Malfoy. The birth of Teddy Lupin. The fall of Voldemort.

1999: Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley get engaged.

2001: Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley are married.

2002: James Sirius Potter is born- Ron and Hermione are named his godparents.

2004: Albus Severus Potter is born- Draco and Tonks are named his godparents.

2005: Lily Luna Potter is born- Neville and Luna are named her godparents.

2006: The American President reveals the existence of Magic. Riots occur world wide until they are at last contained in November. A tentative peace has settled as both Magical and Non-magical governments work toward coexisting.

2007- Present.

Sunlight streamed through the blinds of a slightly skewed blind, illuminating a sleeping Draco Malfoy. His bare chest rose and fell, the gentle motion peaceful to the bushy-brown haired woman whose head was resting against it. He let out small sound of content, turning his head as someone stirred beside him, "Mm, Good Morning Miss Gran-" His eyes blinked open, widening in alarm as he came face to face with bright green eyes obscured by a fringe of dark hair, "Bloody Hell," He swore, jumping back, jarring Hermione.

Albus Severus giggled, bouncing on the corner of the bed, "Mornin', Uncle Draco!" He exclaimed happily, upper body covered in a strange white powder that Draco was afraid to find out the source of, but his answer came regardless of his hesitation, "James and I made breakfast!" The three year old exclaimed, bouncing harder. Hermione let out a long breath, which, to Draco, sounded an awful lot like it was covering a laugh.

"Albus...You are aware that I would have made breakfast, correct?" The platinum blonde sighed, rubbing his face to dispel the last of his sleep. He eyed his godson, wondering just how much damage had been done. Dear Merlin, how had Hermione talked him into this?

"James said you would want breakfast in bed, 'cept we can't get the oven to turn off, and it's really hot," Albus explained as if it were the simplest answer in the world. Draco's eyes widened and he quickly pulled himself out of the bed, moving past Albus.

Racing down his steps toward the kitchen, he let out a sigh of relief, glad that there were no visible flames from the stove. James, however, was covered from head to toe in sticky batter. His eyes lit up mischievously when he saw Draco, "I made food like Aunt Hermione!" He exclaimed, brandishing the large spatula proudly.

"I see that," Draco drawled, grabbing the boy's shoulder lightly and moving him away from the oven which was emitting a god-awful smell, "Go get your Godmother, James Potter." He ordered, wand out, ready for whatever he was about to find. Bracing himself, he threw the oven open, coughing against the billowing black smoke that wafted toward the ceiling. Bullocks. Draco flicked his wand, muttering an incantation under his breath and watching as the smoke was sucked into it like a vacuum.

"I'm impressed," A voice snickered from behind him, "They cook like their Uncle Draco." Hermione bounced two-year-old Lily in her arm, a hand gently locked in Albus's while James hid behind her leg, grinning like a maniac.

"Har, har," Draco snipped, but his eyes danced with an amused light. Running his fingers through his hair, he glanced back toward the charred...things at the bottom of the oven. "James. Albus." Draco raised a slim finger, beckoning them closer. The three year old at least had the decency to look afraid. James on the other hand, bolted right toward the twenty-seven year old, grinning up at him.

Merlin help him.

"Come here, Albus," Draco ordered, watching as Hermione gave him a little nudge.

Slowly, the dark haired boy moved toward James, standing slightly behind him with his thumb in his mouth, "As noble as your intentions may have been-" He glanced up toward his girlfriend, pursing his lips at the mirth her found on her face, "You aren't old enough to make breakfast with out someone's assistance. Surely your parents have taught you that?"

"Yup!" James replied cheerfully, "But our parents aren't here, and mum said we need to be extra good for you, but Dad said to give you a bit of the H-E double hockey sticks word. Mum wasn't very happy with him."

"Did he now?" Draco replied with a dry smile. Shaking his head, he pointed down the hall, "James, you first. Bath. Now." He watched the little boy scamper away, knowing full well that their paid house elf would see to it that the eldest Potter child was cleaned quickly. Silver eyes flicked down to the three year old and his heart clenched. Albus was looking up at him with tears rolling down his chubby, freckled cheeks. Kneeling down in front of him, he felt Hermione starting to clean up the rest of the mess, "Why are you crying, Albus?"

" I made you angry." The little boy replied brazenly, head bowed, "I sorry."

Draco put a finger on his chin, "You're alright, Albus. Just don't do it again, understood? I appreciate the gesture." Immediately the child perked up, throwing his flower covered arms around his Godfather, who winced, glancing down for a moment before giving him the smallest of hugs. Even after all these years it felt odd to give someone physical affection for no particular reason, "Go on after your brother. Hankle will help you." Watching the boy scurry off, once again thrilled to be alive, Draco brushed at his chest and pants, trying to get the flour off, "How did you talk me into this, Hermione Granger?" Draco sighed, turning to find the kitchen pristine once again. His gaze flicked to the gorgeous brunette leaning against the counter with a bottle in her hand, easing it gently into Lily's mouth. Her full lips curled up in a smile.

"You secretly love it, Malfoy," The muggle-born replied, shifting Lily ever so slightly. Her eyes flicked down to the baby. To most, Hermione simply looked happy. Perhaps a bit sleepy and stressed, but Draco saw so much more in that look.

"That is entirely debatable, Granger," He told her, gently rubbing her arms, "You sure you can do this?" His voice held a softness reserved only for the young woman in front of him, concern creasing his brow.

"Of course I can," Hermione replied briskly, offering him a genuine smile, "Harry and Ginny deserved a weekend away. Heaven only knows how long its been since they've had any alone time. We only work today, unless you get called in over the weekend, in which case I can handle them. Molly will be glad to have them for a few hours today, anyway." She spoke in that tone of finality she always did, leaning up to peck Draco's lips, "You need a shower, Dra." Amusement flickered over her face as she looked at him, "You've got a bit of flour on you."

"I just don't understand why Weaselbe couldn't take them," The Slytherin replied, rolling his eyes hard enough that Hermione feared they would fall out of his head. He moved around the kitchen, starting to pack his own lunch as he listened to the laughter of the children from the other room.

"You know very well why he couldn't, Draco," Hermione quipped, lifting Lily to her shoulder to burp her, "The muggles requested a conference, and with Harry taking off, they couldn't very well let their other lead Auror have the weekend off, could they?"

"Saint Weasley," Draco sighed, "Burying himself in work to hide from the fact that I stole the woman of his dreams." Chuckling, He dodged the oven-mitt tossed toward his head, "What? It's true, and you know it's true. Weasley still can't get over the fact that I'm the lucky one who gets to wake up with you every morning."

Hermione flushed, "Or unlucky. I've got to head into work early this morning, could you take them to the Burrow, please? Here," she gently shifted Lily toward his arms, watching her swat playfully at his nose.

"Charming. Hello, Newest Potter spawn-"

"Draco..."

"I say that with the warmest of regards for your father and the utmost respect for your mother for putting up with him-"

"Draco!"

Leaning over, Draco smiled, brushing his lips against the curve of Hermione's lips, "I'll take them to the burrow, Hermione."

"You're a pain, you know that?" Hermione asked, closing her eyes and resting her head against his shoulder, watching the baby in his arms.

Draco smiled, "Don't pretend you'd have it any other way, love."

Hermione grinned, pecking his cheek as she turned back toward their room, "Of course not, Draco. Of course not...by the way...Lily needs her diaper changed." Smirking to herself, the bushy-haired woman jogged to the room at the sound of Draco's groan. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad day.

R&R