Unexpected Love

Summary: A fic that takes place after Hogwarts. Hermione left the magical world behindafter a messy breakup with Krum and became a muggle teacher. Years later shediscovers that one of her new students is a Malfoy. What will happen when Draco enters her life?

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters. The ones you don't recognizebelong to me.

Chapter 20- Happily Ever After

The sun was slowly slipping below the horizon, casting a brilliant orange glow over everything. Two people walked slowly along the sand, their fingers intertwined, leaving a trail of footprints in the soft white sand behind them. The man and the woman walked in silence as they stared out over the softly rippling lake, so in love there was no need for words.

The woman was dressed in an overlarge dark blue sweater that looked like it was the oldest yet comfiest thing in the world, and a white flowing skirt. Her long, curly hair blew wildly and freely behind her in the wind, exposing her light honey-coloured eyes. The man beside her was slightly taller and one could see that he possessed boyish good looks. He had light blond hair that fell perfectly into his friendly, silver eyes that were staring intently at the angelic woman beside him. His pants had been rolled up so as not to get them wet in the softly rolling waves and his white button-down shirt was open and fluttering freely behind him in the soft, late summer wind.

Hermione and Draco Malfoy looked at each other and smiled. They had been married for a few years now, and every time they were together, it was like their wedding day all over again.

As the glowing ball that was the sun dipped lower and lower in the sky, Draco and Hermione decided to return home. They followed a short forest trail, catching glimpses of the houses of their friends, the Potters and the Weasleys, through the trees, and continued round a corner, coming into the open once more. Hermione and Draco found themselves standing on the shore of a secluded part of the lake where a tiny dock lay on the water and a small rowboat bobbed beside it. Opposite from the dock, surrounded by large, shedding trees, stood a cozy looking country cottage.

The small house was like one of those houses out in the country that little girls dreamed of living in; Hermione's mother had called them "gingerbread houses" when they had used to see them. The cottage was a pale yellow colour, although that wasn't evident in the dying orange sunlight. A wide, smooth wooden porch ran all the way around the house, and a porch swing hung from a circular veranda in the front corner, creaking softly in the warm breeze. Carved spindles created the rungs of the porch railing, and white swirling trim ran around the top of the porch. White, cottage-style shutters flanked a large window to the right of an off-center door, a smaller window was to the left, and two windows were set symmetrically in the front of the small top floor of the house. All the windows had little window baskets that contained bright bursts of colour.

Hermione was in love with her little house. It wasn't big, but it had been built by her husband and friends, and that made it perfect. The story behind it was straight out of a romance.

It started when Draco saw the way Hermione looked upon Malfoy Manor with loathing. He himself knew that it was the last place he wanted to live with his beautiful new wife. So, immediately after the wedding he had demolished the place that had been the home of Malfoy's for generations. However, he wasn't about to build a home for his family where memories still dwelled. With the help of Harry and Ron, he found a beautiful area of land very near to the houses of Hermione's best friends. While Hermione and Draco continued to teach at Hogwarts, Draco would slip away any chance he got and work on the little cottage with Harry and Ron. Using magical means, the house was completed by summer, and when Hermione returned with Draco in the summer, the completed house was waiting for her. Hermione had been so surprised and she had cried and cried, thanking Draco over and over again. They had moved in right away and had been living there peacefully ever since.

Now, Hermione and Draco walked slowly up the front porch steps of the cottage. As they reached the front door, it flew open and two children, a boy and a girl emerged. The older boy, Justin Malfoy, smiled and greeted his parents as his younger sister, Ciarwyn Malfoy, raced towards the two adults.

"Mommy! Daddy!" yelled the little girl as Draco scooped her up into his arms. Hermione leaned over and kissed her three-year-old daughter on the forehead, smoothing back the girl's curly blond hair that had come loose from her pigtails.

"Where did you guys abandon poor Auntie Ginny?" Hermione asked the children with a grin. Ginny appeared at that moment at the door behind Justin.

"Hello, 'Mione. I was just cleaning up a few things. How was work today, Draco?"

After they were married, Draco had decided that they both could not continue to work at Hogwarts. Hermione and Draco wanted to add to their family, and they didn't see how they could handle a newborn while both being away from home so much. Draco had convinced Hermione to continue her job as Charms professor, as he saw how it made her eyes light up. Draco had quit his teaching job and had managed to obtain his former position of school governor after Dean Thomas, his old co-worker, had moved his family to Switzerland after Parvati had been offered a job there. Hermione had at first been hesitant to stay at Hogwarts, but Dumbledore had assured her that it could be arranged that she travel home as often as she like, including weekends and weekday nights if she so desired. Hermione had agreed.

Now Hermione and Draco made it a habit to meet under the huge willow tree at the side of the lake after work and walk home together, although as it was summer Hermione just walked from home to meet him. Ginny, who had convinced Fred and George to let her work for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes from home, now brought Lily, Mackenzie, and James over to the Malfoy's home during the day and watched the five children, or just keep Hermione company on long summer days.

"It was fine, Ginny," Draco answered in response to her question. "Everything seems to be in order for school to begin next week. I can't believe our children are eleven already though! I know Justin is excited for his first year at Hogwarts. How is Lily feeling?"

"Oh, she's so excited. She can't wait! Especially for Charms class with her favourite professor," Ginny said with a grin towards Hermione. "I was talking with Ron earlier," she continued, "and Eddie and Elisabeth are so scared! The poor things, they always were a little shy. Their biggest fear is that they won't be in the same house as Justin and Lily, or even each other!"

"Oh, they'll be fine," Hermione answered with a wave of her hand. "I went to Hogwarts not knowing a single wizard, and look at me now! Granted, Harry and Ron despised me at first, but they like me now," she added with a laugh.

The three adults headed into the house, with Justin in the lead and Draco carrying Ciarwyn. They stepped through the door and into a warm burgundy entryway with dark mahogany furniture. In front of them was a simple mahogany staircase leading upstairs. To the right was a wide living room painted a rich, navy blue and decorated with hues of reds and golds, and a dining room of the same colours formed the back right corner of the house. To the left of the living room was a study, painted a rich chocolate colour where Hermione and Draco could work in peace and where Hermione could keep her books. From the hallway, a glimpse of the long, bright apple green kitchen could be seen behind the study, stretching all the way to the back of the house.

Justin ran into the living room where Ginny's three children were playing with something on the floor, and Ginny followed behind, while Draco and Hermione headed upstairs with Ciarwyn.

At the top of the stairs, Hermione and Draco headed down the hallway. There were five doors, two on each side and one at the very end. Through the end door one could see the bright, crisp blue of the bathroom. The first room on the left was clearly Ciarwyn's room, as it was decorated in bright pinks and had a tiny bed placed under the window that overlooked the front of the house. Draco let his daughter down here and she ran into her room to get some toys to take downstairs. The room across the hall from the three-year-old's room was painted a bright, almost lime green colour—Justin's room. It was quite messy at the time, and Hermione made a mental note to get him to clean it ASAP. Continuing down the hallway, the guest room was the last door on the left. It was a small, warm room with beautiful red walls, a black quilt on the large bed, and black furniture. Finally, Draco and Hermione reached the end of the hallway and turned right into a bright, sunny yellow room with a big, soft bed covered in a huge white quilt and strewn with pillows. This was their room.

Draco headed over to the closet to change from his work clothes into something more comfortable, and Hermione perched herself on the edge of the large bed. Draco filled his wife in on the details of his day at work, and Hermione told Draco all about her day with Ginny and the kids.

Silence ensued as Hermione folded up her husbands clothes and Draco ran a comb through his slightly windswept hair. During this time, Hermione contemplated whether tonight was a good time to tell her family and friends the secret she had been keeping from them for about a month now. She couldn't conceal it for much longer.

"Draco," Hermione began somewhat nervously. She swallowed and scolded herself. Why was she nervous? "Draco," she repeated, let's have Ron and Harry's families over for dinner tonight. It's a good opportunity to have everyone together before the children and I head off to Hogwarts."

Draco strode over to his wife, smiled at the nervous look in her eyes, and took her hands (which she had been absently wringing in her lap) into his own.

"Of course, Hermione. That's a great idea. I'm just wondering why you appear so nervous. We always have them over for dinner. Is there something else bothering you?"

Hermione cast her eyes downwards and replied softly, "There's an announcement that I'd like to make, tonight if possible. I'd like to tell everyone together, if that's alright."

Draco put a finger under Hermione's chin and lifted her head until she was looking him straight in the eyes.

"Certainly. I can't wait to hear it," Draco replied simply. He leaned in and kissed Hermione softly on the lips, calming her nerves. "Now, let's get back downstairs and tell Ginny that she'd better get a move on and go change. She can stop by Ron's house on the way and let him know."

Draco rose from his spot kneeling on the floor before Hermione and, still holding tightly onto one of her hands, led her back downstairs to tell Ginny of their plans.

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An hour later, as Hermione was placing the last homemade dinner dish onto the table, a knock sounded at the door. Draco went to answer it and from the kitchen Hermione could hear Draco greeting their guests and Ron's loud voice answering him. Footsteps pounded down the stairs as Justin ran down to say hello to Eddie and Elisabeth. Seconds later Ron appeared in the kitchen with a grin on his face.

"Hermione! How are you?" he said as he enveloped Hermione in a big hug. "I hear you've got some big announcement! Can I guess? I bet you've been made headmistress. I knew Dumbledore had to retire sometime!"

"Oh, Ron, stop harassing her. She'll tell us when she's ready," scolded Lavender as she came up beside her husband.

"How are you, Hermione? I'm sorry I haven't been able to stop by much—work has been pretty hectic lately. You look wonderful though; you're positively glowing! What's your secret?"

At that moment the doorbell rang and Hermione just smiled at Lavender and said, "I'll tell you later. Draco looks a little tied up so I'll be right back." Hermione headed towards the door, past her husband who gave her a pleading look from his place on the floor where the three eleven-year-olds had roped him into playing with them.

"Aunt 'Mione!" shrieked Lily, Mackie, and James as Hermione opened the door to reveal the Potter family. Even though they had seen her only an hour before, the children wrapped around her legs in a tight hug before running off to play with the other children and poor Draco.

"Well, 'Mione, when does dinner begin? I'm so excited to hear this announcement!" said Harry excitedly. Hermione grinned at her best friend and replied, "It's on the table. We can start whenever we want."

"Well then, DINNER TIME EVERYBODY," Harry bellowed as Ginny laughed and covered her ears.

The three families made their way to the table and seated themselves while Hermione placed a warming charm on everything. Everyone sat quietly, waiting rather impatiently for Hermione's big news.

"Well, as you can tell, I'm really nervous about telling everyone this, although I really have no clue why. It's rather unexpected, but I'm extremely happy and I know you all will be as well. I was really blessed to gain an automatic family when I married Draco, and I think of Justin as my own son. Then, three years ago, Draco and I welcomed Ciarwyn to our family. I have a truly a wonderful family, but I've always wanted three kids."

Hermione looked around at everyone's faces. Realization dawned on their faces. Everyone knew but no one wanted to say it. So finally, turning to Draco and looking him squarely in the eyes, Hermione did it for them.

"I'm pregnant."

Everyone's faces sprouted enormous grins. The children started chattering about how cool it was going be to have someone else to play with, and the adults all jumped up to hug and congratulate the mother-to-be. However, Draco, whose grip on Hermione's hand beneath the table had steadily tightened throughout her announcement, got there first. He pulled Hermione up and planted a huge kiss on her. It was a deep, love-filled kiss and when they finally came up for air, they gazed into each others eyes.

"I love you so much, Hermione," Draco whispered.

"I love you, too," Hermione answered back as Draco placed a hand on Hermione's belly and noticed a tiny little bulge there. He looked up in surprise and Hermione grinned at him, pulling him in for another kiss.

Finally, Draco and Hermione separated and Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Lavender all enclosed Hermione in tight hugs, expressing their congratulations. After the hugging was over, Hermione, with Draco's protective arm around her, strolled over to Ciarwyn's seat and lifted the giggling little girl, who didn't really know what was happening, into her arms. Justin came up beside Draco and hugged his mom tightly.

As the family stood there, Harry and Ron gazed at the picture perfect moment before them. Ciarwyn was smiling in Hermione's arms, Justin was standing beside Hermione with a grin on his face, and Draco, with one arm around Hermione and the other resting on her stomach, was gazing lovingly into Hermione's eyes. Turning to each other, Hermione's two best friends felt overjoyed at how, after all the hardships she had struggled through, Hermione's life had turned out nearly perfect. Softly under their breaths, Harry and Ron said together,

"and they lived happily ever after."

THE END

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AN- It's finished! -sniff sniff- I never thought I would ever type those two words at the end of any chapter. I'm so sorry for the long wait for this chapter; I wrote it in little clumps because I never got the time to sit down and just write a lot at once. Despite the wait, I hope this chapter is worth it. I though it was a fitting ending, and I hope you didn't think it was disappointing. Let me know what you think though! Please review, since this is my last chapter. All you readers who read and never reviewed, I don't blame you, because I do the same thing, but I'd really like you to maybe take the little time it takes to let me know what you thought of this story and my writing in general. Did you love it? If you did, let me know WHAT you liked so I can do it again in future stories. Did you hate it? If so, I really would like areas I can improve upon, so leave your comment. Just please review. I really want to thank everyone who has reviewed throughout the year it took me to write this story. You are the reason I kept going. It was your lovely comments that made me want to continue and never abandon my first fic, even when I thought it was utter crap.

Now, before I address the reviews of Chapter 19, I have an announcement. My new story is now up. It is entitled "Friction" and, although that may sound like an odd title, it's kind of symbolic of the plot of the story. Chapter 1 is finished and uploaded, and I am about halfway through writing Chapter 2. Please note that the majority of Chapter 1 is background, and although you may be like, "where is this story going?" or, "where is the action?" I'm requesting that you stick around because I'm quite proud of this story and I know that you will enjoy it. So please read and review "Friction" and I will greatly appreciate it! :)

On to my UL reviewers:

Ellie- The first review of chapter 19! Thanks for all your comments, and email me anytime!

Princess Chisu- Thanks! I'm glad you like the description; it's my favourite thing to write. Hope you did alright on your science test!

Starling94- Thanks for your review and thanks for your enthusiasm! If I can remember right, you've reviewed my story from chapter 1. Thanks so much and I hope you review my next story!

love2045- Thanks! I want to have a wedding in the snow as well now too!

SilentSilverWolf- A wedding in autumn sounds so romantic. Thanks for reviewing!

rose- Thanks! Watch for my next fanfic. Hopefully it'll be up soon!

Darcicy- I can't blame you, because I'm a romance freak as well! Thanks for all your comments!

RomeliaAmoria- I'm glad it made you smile! It made me smile when I was writing it too. Thanks for reviewing!

natyslacks- I hope this chapter was a good enough ending. I will miss this story too. Thanks for reviewing, and thanks for saying you'll stick with me on my next story!

distelMalfoy- Thank you for finally reviewing! Don't worry, you're not a terrible reader because of it. :) I hope you liked the last chapter and I hope you liked this one as well!

Lindiel Eryn- It did seem like it should be over with the proposal, and then with the wedding, didn't it? Well, this is the actual ending and I hope it was as good! Thanks for reviewing!

LiLbLueangeL1223- Thanks! I hope you noticed right away that I updated this chapter and I hope you liked it!

nutmegmercury- Thanks for your comments! It means so much that you couldn't stop reading. I'm glad you stumbled across the story and I hope you liked this chapter!

dreamer-1014- Thanks for your comments and thanks for reviewing!

lily4always- Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like the story!

Dangerkitteh13- Thanks so much! Unfortunately, there won't be a sequel, but watch for my new story. It should be out soon!

So there you go. Everyone who read this story, please read my new one and review it too! But review this one first! A big thanks again to all my readers and reviewers, and I hope to see you around "Friction"! Goodbye for now!

--FieryPhoenix--