We have reached the end! Thanks to all of you who have joined me in this adventure that has lasted almost 16 months. See you next time :)

Chapter Forty

Epilogue

A few months later

The sun was shining high in the sky. It was the first sunny day in weeks.

Hermione unbuttoned a couple of buttons on her coat as she made her way down Diagon Alley, dodging the people who were browsing it in search of the best offers.

The arrival of spring meant the start of sales in the magical world, and many of the shops had people waiting at the doors to get in.

She smiled as she passed the entrance to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, stopping by one of the windows. George and Angelina were inside, assisting the dozens of customers crowded around the counter.

She had been a great support to George. The two had become inseparable friends and helped each other come to terms with Fred's absence.

Hermione sighed, stepping back and continuing on her way.

The alley meandered for kilometres, though it didn't take her long to reach her destination. The smile returned to her lips as she read the name Draco had chosen for his potions shop.

A bell rang as she opened the door, stepping into The Golden Brew. Thanks to the publicity he had received in The Prophet and The Quibbler with Luna's help, he was beginning to have a stable clientele who visited the shop every week to see his new creations.

At that moment several people were browsing the shelves while they read the labels of the potions with curiosity.

As Hermione passed the shelf dedicated to the contraceptive potion, she saw that it was empty again. It had been a success, just as she had predicted.

Witches from all corners of the country were visiting the shop to buy the first potion that would allow them not to worry for four weeks. Draco, on Percy's recommendation, had patented the recipe immediately so that no other business could steal the idea.

And orders had started coming in from other European countries.

The first few weeks had been difficult, but little by little people were starting to stop seeing Draco as the Death Eater who failed to kill Dumbledore. Now he was the boy who made bad decisions and had managed to change.

Hermione paused as she reached the counter, drumming her fingers on the wood as she waited for him to emerge from the Potions studio he had set up in the back room.

Draco appeared a minute later, combing back the locks that fell across his forehead and with twenty vials filled with clear liquid floating behind him. A big grin spread across his face at the sight of her and he waved his wand, making the small bottles float to the empty shelf and spread across it.

"I just made another cauldron," he commented, setting his wand down on the counter and circling it until he was standing in front of her. "I still find it hard to believe the demand for it."

She arched an eyebrow.

"I told you so."

He held her left hand, running his thumb over her ring and giving her a crooked grin.

"Know-it-all."

Draco looked around, checking that there was no one near the counter, and pulled her along until they were both inside the studio.

Eight large cauldrons were steaming, filling the small room with smells Hermione was unfamiliar with. Draco put his arms around her, resting his forehead on hers and looking into her eyes.

"Are you nervous?"

She felt her heart racing at the thought of what was going to happen in a few hours. But she wasn't nervous.

"Your mother taking care of everything leaves me a lot of free time," she replied quietly, lifting her chin and brushing her nose against his. "And I wanted to see you before this afternoon."

He raised both eyebrows, pursing his lips to keep from smiling.

"Didn't you tell me that Muggles believe that seeing you just before is bad luck?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I don't think that matters in our case."

"Hmm, no," Draco leaned in, brushing her lips. "You're already my wife."

She smiled and kissed him, sighing as her whole body trembled and her hands tangled themselves in his blond locks.

"I've been thinking," Hermione opened her eyes, watching his grey irises sweep over every inch of her face and linger on the freckles on her nose. "I want to see your flames again."

His eyes sparkled.

"I don't know how I did it," he sighed, stepping back and folding his arms. "I'd have to be as furious as I was that day."

She nibbled on her lower lip, hiding a smile, and he arched an eyebrow.

"Viktor wrote to me this morning."

His eyes narrowed.

"Oh, did he?"

"He said he bought me a ticket for this season and wants me to go to all his matches."

Draco clenched his fists and his eyes changed colour, turning silver.

"And what else?" he asked between his teeth.

Hermione smirked. It was too easy to make him angry.

"He wants to meet up with me this weekend," she commented as she paced around the room, noticing the cauldron bubbling with a deep blue liquid. "To catch up."

Draco squared his jaw and she blinked innocently, twirling a curl on her finger and stopping beside him.

"Maybe he wants to remember old times."

That was too much. Draco growled and his wings shot out from his back, spreading around him as his entire body burst into flames.

Hermione watched him closely. The fire licked at his skin and clothes, giving him a wickedly powerful air that took her breath away.

"You look like a fallen angel," she added in a whisper.

She placed a hand on his face, feeling the warmth of the flames on her own skin, and stood on her tiptoes to place a kiss on his lips.

The fire disappeared instantly and his hands tangled in her curls, pulling her closer to his body. He ran the tip of his nose along her cheek and down to her neck.

"Was anything you said true?"

Hermione closed her eyes, holding back the shiver that ran down her back as she felt his lips on her throat.

"He wanted to congratulate me."

Draco snorted, lifting his head.

"You're as cruel as you are beautiful," he said, running his tongue over his teeth and smiling. "You'll make a great Malfoy."

She frowned.

"I'm not changing my surname."

"Granger-Malfoy then," he corrected, shrugging. "Or just Granger. I don't care as long as I can say you're mine."

Hermione laughed softly, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I have been for a long time."

Draco tugged at her curls, forcing her chin up, and claimed her lips.

"And you have no idea how much I like it."

The sound of the bell on the counter interrupted them and Hermione took a step back, gasping softly as she tried to catch her breath.

Draco took a deep breath, closing his eyes, and his wings disappeared.

"I have to assist them."

She nodded.

"I should go."

"No," he stopped her before she could leave the room. "Stay a little longer."

Hermione smiled and walked out after him, strolling through the aisles filled with potions of every colour as Draco attended to the customers.

Not fifteen minutes had passed when the door opened again and three familiar faces entered. Theo was the first to recognise her and smirked. He had his arm around Pansy's shoulders, who frowned at the sight of her.

"You shouldn't be here."

Hermione folded her arms with a raised eyebrow.

"Why not?"

"You're supposed to be getting ready," she said, wrinkling her nose. "You should do something about that hair."

"What's wrong with my hair?"

"Nothing," Draco replied, having just arrived at her side. He kissed her forehead and looked at his friends. "Ignore her."

Blaise chuckled, leaning his back against the wall, and Pansy clicked her tongue.

"Shut up, Draco," she gave him a warning look and turned back to Hermione. "Granger, have you ever been to Madame Geraldine's boutique?"

She bit the inside of her cheek.

"No."

"Well, now's the time," Pansy grinned, moving towards her and wrapping her arm around hers. "She has a treatment that leaves your skin clean and soft for a whole year. Come on, I'm paying. It's my duty as your maid of honour."

Hermione stared at her as they walked to the door.

"I don't have a maid of honour."

"Of course you do, and more than one. Why do you think the Weasley girl and I have spent weeks picking out a dress for you?" Pansy arched an eyebrow, examining her face with interest. "I think Geraldine has a curl-defining potion as well."

"Pansy..."

"See you in a few hours, Draco," she added, opening the door and looking back. "Make sure he wears the suit I bought for him."

Hermione shot one last desperate glance at Draco, who couldn't stop smirking.

"We'll take it from here," Theo replied, shaking his head as the two of them sped off down the alley. "She's been hysterical all morning."

Draco twisted his lips.

"My mother is nervous, too."

"They both want everything to be perfect," Blaise commented with a shrug.

"I don't understand why they make such a big deal out of it," Draco muttered, rolling his eyes. "It's just a small ceremony."

Theo patted his shoulder, sharing a knowing look with Blaise.

"You don't seem to know your mother," he said in amusement. "It'll be as impressive as if there were thousands of guests."

Draco let out a long sigh and looked at Blaise.

"Are you going alone after all?"

His friend looked away, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I was talking to Lovegood and we've decided to go together."

Theo and Draco exchanged a glance and Draco lifted his brow.

"You should start calling her Luna."

"Is she still as crazy as ever?" Theo asked, punching his arm to get his attention.

Blaise hissed, looking back at them.

"She's not crazy," he snarled through his teeth. "She sees things differently and has an incredible sixth sense. I think she's a lot smarter than us."

Theo opened his eyes wide, cocking his head to the side.

"I see you've already fallen."

Blaise grimaced.

"Shut up."

Draco and Theo laughed, shaking their heads, and Blaise decided to change the subject.

"Have there been any more incidents?"

Draco pursed his lips.

"Occasionally someone comes in with a desire to insult me, but nothing serious has happened," he murmured, crossing his arms and averting his gaze to the door. "The wards Potter and Granger have put up around the place keep the troublemakers at bay."

Theo pulled out his wand and waved it. The sign hanging from the glass spun, announcing that the shop was closed.

"Time to go," he said, putting his wand away and waggling his eyebrows. "There are several bottles of whisky waiting for us in your pool."

Draco narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not getting drunk on my wedding day, Theo."

He rolled his eyes, reaching over to one of the shelves and grabbing three bottles of sobering potion.

"Problem solved," he pocketed them, ignoring the hateful look Draco was giving him. "Come on. Let's celebrate your last few hours as a bachelor."

He followed his friends with a dark face.

"It's just an excuse to drink."

Blaise and Theo burst out laughing, grabbing Draco's arms and apparating at the front door of his manor.

"And a very good one," Blaise commented, opening the door.

Later that afternoon, Draco was speechless as he walked out into the garden of Malfoy Manor on his mother's arm.

Narcissa had outdone herself.

The stone pathway was adorned with flower petals that reached up to the small altar they had set up at the foot of the willow tree, where the sunset rays fell. They had pushed aside its long branches covered in green leaves, creating two curtains on either side and a small space in the middle where the Minister of Magic himself stood waiting, hands folded in front of his body and holding his wand.

Kingsley smiled as he watched them walk down the path and the brass band to the left of the giant tree began to play soft music that spread throughout the garden.

A few feet away from the Minister there were chairs spread out on either side where the people he and Hermione had wanted to be there were seated.

Harry was in the front row with an empty chair on one side and Hermione's mother on the other. Draco swallowed as he saw that Jane had tears in her eyes.

Hermione's father would be with her in her room, helping her finish getting ready.

Ron Weasley and Padma Patil were in the next row, accompanied by Blaise and Luna Lovegood.

Draco averted his gaze to the chairs on the right side, smiling at the sight of Theo alone. Pansy would probably be with Hermione as well.

Mr and Mrs Weasley were sitting in the back, accompanied by Fleur and Bill. George, Percy and the other Weasley whose name he couldn't remember were also sitting there.

Draco couldn't help but wrinkle his nose. It looked like a gathering of redheads.

His heart skipped a beat when he saw his aunt in the front row with a blue-haired boy on her lap and an empty chair next to her for his mother.

He had met Andromeda a few days after returning from Italy, at Hermione's request. And, contrary to what he had thought, she had been kind and understanding. She held no grudges against him or his parents, and the two Black sisters were as close again as they had been when they were little.

Regaining a small part of his family was a gift Draco had never expected to receive.

The two of them walked down the small aisle between the chairs adorned with purple and white flowers, and Narcissa kissed his cheek before leaving him alone in front of Kingsley.

Draco pulled the lapels of his jacket tightly into place, looking around nervously.

He wanted to see Hermione.

He exchanged a glance with Harry, who was smirking, and cleared his throat as he clasped his hands behind his back.

The music changed and everyone turned as the manor doors opened again.

Hermione and her father came down the stone stairs, followed by Ginny and Pansy who were wearing matching dresses.

Her smile was so big he could see her from there.

Draco held his breath as she approached, staring at the white dress that fitted her perfectly and the flowers that adorned her curls, which fell in ringlets down her back.

Someone cleared their throat and Draco glanced at Harry, who motioned for him to close his mouth.

He shot him a glare and looked back at Hermione who was already a few paces away.

She came to his side with her eyes fixed on his face and a smile on her face. Her father looked him in the eye.

"I know you'll take good care of her."

Peter patted his shoulder and walked away, sitting down next to his wife.

Hermione took his left hand and interlaced their fingers, turning her head to the Minister. He began to give a speech about love, magic and what a great example this union was going to be for the wizarding world that Draco paid no attention to.

He could only look at her brown eyes, which were brighter than ever and occasionally searched his own.

The two of them followed Kingsley's instructions, pulling out their wands and pressing the tips together. A silver ribbon shot out from them, curling around their arms and transforming into thousands of sparks that floated through the air, scattering in the soft spring breeze.

"Your lives are bound together from this moment on."

Draco glanced sideways at Hermione.

'They already have been for a long time.'

He heard her chuckle under her breath and looked back at the Minister, nodding before turning and looking back at their guests.

A shower of petals fell on them and Teddy jumped off Andromeda's lap, following them and laughing non-stop as his blue hair was covered in flowers.

Draco stroked one of the branches of his willow tree before walking away.

The two of them walked back to the manor followed by their friends, arriving at the gigantic ballroom where Narcissa and the elves had arranged a small feast.

The music was still playing and there were floating trays scattered around the room filled with food and drink.

Draco let go of Hermione's hand to hug Pansy, who was still very excited.

"You did it!" she wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing too tightly. "I hope you'll be very happy together, Draco."

"I couldn't have done it without your help, Pansy," he murmured in her ear, kissing her cheek. "Thank you."

He continued to greet the other guests with a big smile on his face until a red-haired man got in his way.

"There are Muggles in your house, Malfoy," Ron commented, pointing at Hermione's parents and laughing softly. "Hell must have frozen over."

Draco sneered at him.

"I find it more surprising that there are so many Weasleys here."

Ron laughed harder, shaking his head and smacking his arm.

"Take good care of her."

Draco nodded with a small smile, accepting the hug Harry wanted to give him.

"Welcome to the family."

"Thanks, Potter."

Hermione stood nearby, hugging her friends and introducing Luna and Pansy. Blaise kept himself close to the blonde girl and as soon as she finished saying hello, he guided her to the other corner of the room to congratulate Narcissa.

Draco sighed in relief as he was left alone with Hermione for a moment, brushing some curls away from her face and leaning down to press his forehead against hers.

"Mine."

She smiled.

"Mine."

They kissed for a few seconds, pulling away when they heard whistles.

"Forever," Hermione whispered, holding his face and stroking his cheeks with her thumbs.

Draco couldn't answer. She tugged on his arm, pulling him into a corner and casting a muffliato around them.

He detected a spark of nervousness in her eyes when she looked back up at him that he didn't like.

"I have a present for you."

Draco raised his eyebrows.

"You? A present?"

"But first I need you to answer a question," Hermione added seriously.

He nodded with a frown, holding her hand.

She looked worried.

"Do you think your father has changed?"

That was the last question he expected. Draco opened his eyes wide, watching her face for an explanation, but she didn't move.

"Not at first," he rasped, running a hand through his hair. "But after accompanying my mother a few more times when she visits him, I've changed my mind. He's not the same Lucius who worshipped the Dark Lord."

Hermione chewed on her lower lip, nodding.

"And do you think he's really accepted me as your mate?"

"He wants us to be happy together," Draco shrugged. "Blood doesn't matter to him like it used to."

She stared at him and he placed a finger on her lip, forcing her to release it.

"I've decided to appeal your father's sentence," Hermione said, grabbing his hand and pulling it away. "I'm going to help you reduce it."

Draco blinked. Had he heard correctly?

"What?"

"I've been doing some research in the archives, and I think with a good defence we could get him out of Azkaban in a couple of years," she added, sighing and squeezing his hand. "I can't make any promises, though. If it's all right with you, I'll tell Narcissa and..."

"I don't know why the universe thinks I deserve a mate like you," Draco interrupted her, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her hair. "But I'll always be grateful."

Hermione wrapped her arms around him, stroking the short locks at the nape of his neck.

"You deserve good things to happen to you, Draco," she whispered, kissing the curve of his jaw and pulling away to look at him. "And this is just the beginning."

Draco grinned, turning with her in his arms and kissing her deeply, not caring that all their friends and family were watching.

The beginning of a new life without pain or regret. A life with her.

I'm not very romantic and I don't know how I've been able to write a story like this. I hope you liked it.

Right now I'm writing two other very different dramiones. Draco is a vampire in one of them (A Secret That Can Kill) and in the other one, they hate each other so much (Cursed Marriage). Take a look at them if you want.

Thanks for all the reviews! If you want to follow me, I'm on Twitter and Tumblr (bluezeldana). I write minifics there every few days and share sneek peaks and facts about my wips!