Chapter twenty-six:

Scent of Countryside


 Life hasn't really begun until you find the one for which you would die. ~Sarah Halbrook

"Everything happened pretty quickly after we got back together," Draco told his daughters. The night air was alive with noise. The oak trees all swayed in the wind as the crickets preformed their nightly choir.

"We met up with Liam again," Hermione smiled. "He wasn't as bad as we got to know him. Just a lonely boy who didn't have any friends, naturally we befriended him. Or well, I did at first, but Draco also got to know him."

"We became really good friends. He was our best man at the wedding."

"What happen to him?" Haley questioned, leaning forward.

"He settled down with a nice muggle he met in the Americas. She moved over here with him and they are also married and have kids."

"Why don't we go visit them?" Chloe asked.

"Because, you visited me last weekend," someone answered from behind them.

Chloe and Haley wiped around, "Uncle Will!" They jumped up, hugging him.

"You were the bully in mom and dad's story?" Haley inquired, looking up at him.

"Yes, unfortunately. I did bully on your mom and dad." William smiled. "Of course, that was then. I dropped the childish nickname and go by William now, or Will." He stole the seat they had jumped out of.

"Hey! That was my seat," Chloe stamped her foot on the cement.

"Go get another one," William pointed towards the house. "I'm sure you have plenty. Just don't chip a royal nail." He laughed to himself, looking at Draco and Hermione. "I can't believe you told them the story of your childhood. Such a dark past and I'm sure you made me seem like the bad guy in all of this, Draco."

Draco laughed, "I told it how it was."

"That was the only way to tell it," Hermione smiled. "With you being rude. After all, we needed our villain in the story or else it wouldn't have been very interesting, now would it?"

"Well, there was always Jasper," William pointed out.

"I know, but he seemed so innocent until the time when we found out."

Chloe came out, carrying a chair. "Remember, way in the beginning of the story. You talked about a missing person… Christian, I think."

All three adults looked down. Draco coughed and looked at his daughter, "Christian was found a week after Voldemort escaped. He was murdered."

"Oh…I'm sorry," She whispered.

"It's fine." Draco shrugged. "I think he preferred it that way. They had held him for at least four years doing nothing but underfeeding him and torturing him. Nobody could find out where he was hid. I was surprised he hadn't died sooner."

Chloe lowered herself into the seat, silently. The whole group had fallen silent. The night air whisked past, ruffling hair. It carried the scent of country side and upcoming rain. A low hoot of an owl was heard in the distance.

Draco scooted backwards, his chair screeching on the pavement. He pulled out his wand, lighting the torches that had been set up around the patio. He turned around looking at the four silent figures. "We don't have to be so silent. It happened a while ago."

Chloe nodded, "Next topic?" She sounded hopeful. Anyone could tell she didn't like the topic of death.

Haley grinned at her sister and then looked at William, "Uncle Will, how come you never told us about the past?"

"Well, part of it was because my story was no where near as entertaining as your mother and father's. Also, because I didn't want to make myself sound like a jerk or a mourning child, which your parents have probably succeeded in both."

"Never," Hermione touched her chest. "Will, we would never do that to you." The corners of her mouth rose in a smile.

"Sure, sure," William dismissed them with a wave of his hand. "So, girls, do you want to come over? Me, the wife and the boys plan on going out to eat tonight and they were wondering if you two could come."

Like Draco had mentioned earlier, the villain in his story had settled down and had kids of his one. Coincidentally, there were two of them, slightly older than Haley and Chloe and both were boys.

Haley looked over at Chloe, "Wanna go?"

"Of course," She looked over at Draco. "Dad can we?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Haley and Chloe jumped up, running for the stair. "I am going to wear your shirt this time, okay?"

"No," Chloe stated. "You are not wearing my shirt. I am."

"That is so not fair!"

"MOM!"

               I think this is where the story ends… I love you… always… and goodbye.

Note: Well, there it is. The end… It's so sad to see the end. I spent awhile on this one. Well, you know, if you liked this story I do have some song fics for D/H. Sorry, self promotion. Lol… Just thought I would tell you.

This will be my last note on this story… *sniff*

School's out! It's summer! HAVE FUN!

Kick back and hang out by the pool!

Take of those shoes and slip on some sandals…

I'm hitting the beach!