A/N - Well, this is it, the last chapter. I hope people have enjoyed this. I'm going to be taking a break from fanfic for a while. After the seeming little interest in this story (I do realize it's a rare pair and those always garner less interest than the popular ones) and the last few less than stellar reviews I've gotten, I'm a bit burnt out. So I'm going to pivot to working on my original stuff for a while. For those that have read and especially to those who've positively reviewed, thank you! I very much appreciate it!

Epilogue

Five Years Later

Hermione stepped out of the Floo and looked around for her husband and son. Adrian had told her he would be home this afternoon and planned to pick up Liam early from daycare.

"Hello, love," Adrian said as he walked into the living room.

Hermione smiled as he moved towards her and pulled her into his arms, kissing her rather thoroughly.

"I missed you," she said.

He'd gotten the head coaching job with the Falcons last year when the current coach had retired. The last two weeks had been busy getting ready for the new season, meeting new recruits, negotiating trades, and watching replays of matches from the previous year. The last week he'd stayed exclusively at the townhouse in Falmouth that the team provided for the head coach. They'd spoken every day by Floo but she was glad he was finally home.

"Missed you too," he said, kissing her forehead.

"Where's Liam?" she asked, realizing their two and a half year old hadn't come barreling into the room the moment he heard the Floo.

"He's with my mother."

Hermione immediately tensed. Their relationship with Adrian's mother was a good one and she spent a lot of time with her grandson. But it was usually at their house or at Anna's flat. And Hermione knew that Anna was currently in Sweden working with Anders and Peter so it was unlikely Adeline was at her flat. Adeline still lived at the manor with Adrian's father although they lived completely separate lives. Still, Hermione did not want her son there nor did Aldon Pucey want anything to do with Liam.

When Liam had only been a few weeks old, Adeline had convinced them to bring him to the manor. She thought that Aldon might come around if he actually saw the baby, although Hermione was doubtful. Adrian had sent his father a birth announcement that wasn't acknowledged and he made no overtures towards reinstating Adrian as the heir. But they had gone.

It had been what Hermione had expected. Aldon had called her a Mudblood, sneered at his half-blood grandson and told them to leave his house. They hadn't been back since. Surely, Adeline wouldn't have taken Liam there now. He'd only been an infant the first time and had no recollection of the hateful things Aldon had said. She did not want her sweet boy subjected to that now.

Adrian rubbed his hands soothingly up and down her arms. "They're at the townhouse in Falmouth. I would never let her take him there."

Hermione relaxed and shook her head. "I know you wouldn't. I'm sorry."

"No apologies," Adrian said. "He's a complete bastard."

"So why is our son with your mother anyway?"

"Well, I thought I might take my wife out for a nice dinner," Adrian said, giving her a quick kiss. "And then I thought we might talk about whether we're ready to give Liam a sibling."

"You did, did you?" Hermione said with a smirk.

Adrian nodded. "I was thinking a girl this time."

She laughed. "You know you don't get to choose."

"Hm, I'm sure if I talked to Anna she could figure something out."

Anna had finished her Mastery two years ago and was currently one of the most sought after Potions Masters not only in the country, but in all of Europe as well. She had even consulted with a researcher from the States a few months ago.

Anders had been working on finding a treatment for those like Anna whose magic had never manifested fully because they were born prematurely since he, Hermione and Anna had consulted on the initial potion. Anna had been working with him occasionally over the years but since she had finished her last project, an improvement to Wolfsbane which made the transformation painless, she had been working exclusively with Anders. Hermione suspected that her new enthusiasm had something to do with Peter, Anders' old assistant who was now a partner in Anders' research company.

Anna had still continually rejected all of her father's suggestions for a marriage contract, although she had at least agreed to date a few of them. None had made the cut, however. They knew through Adrian's mother that his father was rather livid about the whole thing but as Anna was now almost twenty-two years old, he had no legal recourse over her. She'd moved into her own flat as soon as she finished her Mastery and had thumbed her nose at all of Pureblood society's conventions. Adrian and Hermione couldn't have been prouder of her. Her mother either, for that matter.

"Well, in that case, maybe we should just skip dinner and get to practicing," Hermione said.

Adrian stared at her in surprise. "Are you sure?"

Hermione took a step back from him and pushed him gently towards the couch. When the backs of his knees hit the cushions he sat down abruptly. She moved forward and straddled his lap. "I stopped taking my contraceptive potion last month. So, it should be completely out of my system, oh right about now I'd wager."

Adrian's eyes widened and she smiled softly at him. "This isn't the first time you've mentioned having another baby. I knew you were ready and now, I am too."

He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. Her fingers were already working on the buttons of his shirt. He'd been gone for a week and even before that they'd had precious little time with one another. Between her work and his and a two year-old they were usually so tired once Liam was in bed, they were nearly asleep themselves. But now, Hermione had her husband all to herself for at least the evening. She didn't plan to waste it.

Adrian had her shirt open and was fumbling with the button on her trousers. After a few seconds, he simply grabbed his wand and vanished their clothes completely.

Hermione sighed. "That was my favorite shirt."

"I'll buy you a new one," Adrian mumbled into her lips as he kissed her.

Hermione ground herself against him and he groaned. "Fuck, love."

"That's the idea," she said with a smirk and he laughed. His hands moved to her breasts and Hermione let out a breathy sigh before she moved on his lap and sunk down unto him.

"Gods," she said as she began to move. Yes, it had been far too long.

Adrian gripped her hip with one hand, helping to guide her movements while he cupped the back of her head with the other and kissed her deeply.

"I love you," he said.

"Love, mmm, you too," Hermione managed. He had moved his hand between them and she was quickly reaching her peak. She threw her head back and called out his name as she fell over the edge. As she slumped against him, Adrian grabbed both her hips and began to thrust up into her, chasing his own release.

"Hermione," he groaned out as he spilled inside her. They stayed that way as they both recovered, Adrian running a hand idly up and down her back until she shivered.

She sat up and looked at him, brushing a bit of hair back from his forehead and he smiled, then kissed her again.

"You're truly ready for another one?"

"I am," Hermione said with a smile.

He hugged her tightly and then looked up at her with a grin. "Were you serious about skipping dinner?"

She nodded.

"Good," he said and abruptly stood, keeping hold of her as he did so. Hermione shrieked in surprise.

"Because my mother is keeping Liam overnight," Adrian said. "So, we have lots of time to work on this new project."

Hermione laughed as he hurried up the stairs towards their bedroom.

A few months later, Hermione was sitting in Ginny's kitchen, sipping tea. The Falcons had a match tomorrow and Adrian always stayed in Falmouth the night before. Most of the time, Hermione and Liam joined him but Hermione had a meeting early tomorrow with Mr. Ashcroft and it was just easier to stay home this time.

Liam was off playing with Jamie and Al. He was between the two in age but a bit closer to Al than Jamie. Still, the three boys usually got along well for the most part.

Ginny was currently almost seven months pregnant with her third and, she insisted, her last. "Harry thinks we should round it out, have an even four. I told him fine, then he can carry the next one."

Hermione snickered.

"And the Healer assures me there's only one in there, so Harry is out of luck," Ginny said. She eyed Hermione. "And you? Going to give Liam a little brother or sister soon?"

Hermione felt her cheeks heat and Ginny grinned. "Are you?"

"I might be," Hermione said. "But I haven't found out for sure yet."

"Did you do the charm?"

Hermione shook her head. "I wanted to wait until Adrian was home."

"But you think you are?"

"Probably." Hermione could help her smile. "But you can't tell Harry. Not until I tell Adrian."

"Of course, I won't," Ginny said. She leaned forward to hug Hermione. "I'm so happy for y-" Ginny abruptly cut off with a grunt.

"Gin?" Hermione asked. "What is it?"

Ginny sat back on her chair and rubbed at her belly, frown on her face. "Nothing. Just, guess I squished her or something."

"It's a girl?" Hermione said in excitement.

"Oh, shite, don't tell Harry!" Ginny said. Harry never wanted to know their baby's gender in advance. He wanted the surprise. Ginny had acquiesced, although Hermione suspected that after James she wasn't as in agreement about it.

Hermione laughed. "When did you find out?"

"A couple Healer appointments ago. Harry didn't go with me because he had to testify before the Wizengamot, remember?"

"Right, the smuggling case."

Ginny nodded. "I asked the Healer to tell me. I just, couldn't wait anymore."

"I won't tell him," Hermione said.

"Don't tell Adrian either. I don't want him to let it slip in front of Harry."

Adrian and Harry had become much closer over the years. Marcus was definitely still Adrian's best friend, but Harry was a close second. All three men had become friends, actually, and the weekly Potter and Pucey dinners had expanded to include Marcus and whomever he was currently dating. Their other friends were sometimes invited as well, Neville and Hannah on occasion and Luna whenever she was in the country. In fact, Marcus had come alone to their last two dinners and if Hermione wasn't mistaken, had been quite taken with Luna.

"I won't tell anyone," Hermione promised.

Ginny was still rubbing at her belly and Hermione's brow furrowed. There was an odd look on Ginny's face that Hermione couldn't exactly read.

"Is something wrong?" Hermione finally asked.

"I don't know," Ginny said.

Hermione immediately sat up straighter, her friend's words instantly putting her on alert.

"What's going on?"

"It feels…off."

"Off how?"

"Not sure, just like something's not right."

"Okay," Hermione said. "Is your mum home?"

"No, they went to visit Charlie, remember?"

"Right," Hermione said. "We have to find someone to watch the boys."

Hermione mentally went through the list of people she knew might be home and whom she could get there on short notice. The people she would have called first were all busy or out of town.

"Fleur?" Hermione asked.

Ginny shook her head. "They're in France visiting her parents."

"I can call Daphne then." Hermione and Daphne had become quite good friends. She and Tracey had gotten married and while they hadn't decided on children yet, Daphne was ready but Tracey wasn't, Daphne absolutely doted on Liam, as well as her nephew Scorpius.

"Are you sure she can handle the three of them?" Ginny asked. And then she sucked in a breath and pressed a hand to her stomach. "Fuck."

"Ginny?"

"That was a contraction." Ginny looked up at her with fear in her eyes. "It's too soon, Hermione."

"It's going to be all right," Hermione said, her heart beginning to pound. "I'm going to get someone over here and then we'll get you to St. Mungo's. They'll give you the potion and you'll be fine."

Ginny nodded. Hermione hurried to the Floo, calling out for Daphne and Tracey's flat praying that her friend was home. If she wasn't, Hermione was going to have to call Adeline and she hated Flooing the manor for her mother-in-law. A House Elf normally answered but there was always the chance that Adrian's father would.

"Hey, Hermione," Daphne said. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as the other woman came into view.

"I need your help," Hermione said without preamble. "I'm at the Potters and Ginny's gone into labor early. I need to get her to St. Mungo's but we need someone to watch the boys."

"I'll be right there," Daphne said.

"Thank you," Hermione said pulling her head from the fireplace. Two minutes later it flared green and Daphne stepped out, followed by Tracey to Hermione's surprise.

"Figured since there's three of them and all," Tracey muttered. Hermione grinned at Daphne who returned her smile. Perhaps this would convince the other woman that they could handle being parents.

"Let me just get them." Hermione turned to the stairs and called for the boys. There was the pounding of feet as all three of them seemed to be racing each other down the stairs.

"Aunt Daphne!" Liam exclaimed. He ran towards the blonde and threw his arms around her legs.

"Hey you," she said, bending down and picking him up. "You're even bigger than the last time I saw you."

Liam giggled and Hermione caught a soft look on Tracey's face. She turned to James and Al, the latter of which was hiding behind his older brother. Hermione squatted down in front of them.

"This is Daphne and Tracey. They're going to mind you for a little while, okay?"

"Mummy?" Al asked, his lip quivering a bit.

"I need to take Mummy to the Healer. An appointment for the baby."

Daphne had set Liam down and he came over to Al and took his hand. "S'okay, Al. Daphne n Tracey's nice."

Hermione smiled at her son and watched as he coaxed Al to greet the two women. She returned to the kitchen to help Ginny.

"They're here. How are you doing?"

"Okay," Ginny said but Hermione could tell she was still terrified.

"Let's get you up then," Hermione said and helped her friend stand. They made their way to the other room and Ginny put a smile on her face for her boys.

"Mummy!" Al said, running towards her. He held up his arms wanting to be picked up by his mother but Hermione picked him up instead.

"Give your mummy a kiss. We'll be back soon!"

Al looked from his mother to Hermione but finally did as Hermione said, bussing his mother's cheek rather wetly.

"Jamie," Ginny said and the four year-old looked up at her. "Help your brother, okay?"

"Okay, Mummy," James said. He seemed to sense something was wrong and walked over to take his little brother's hand when Hermione set him down.

"We'll be fine," Daphne assured them.

"Thank you," Ginny said and Daphne nodded. She turned to the boys distracting them as Hermione helped Ginny to the Floo. She called out for St. Mungo's and they disappeared.

Once Ginny had been checked in, Hermione sent a Patronus to Harry. He had the weekend shift but she knew he'd be here as soon as he'd gotten the message.

"What if," Ginny began. She swallowed thickly, the tears that had been standing in her eyes falling down her cheeks. "What if it doesn't work?"

The potion didn't work for some women. The number was very small and they hadn't been able to figure out why, exactly. They'd looked for some commonality between those it didn't work for but they hadn't been able to find anything. It was one of the reasons Anders had turned to finding a treatment as well.

"Don't think like that," Hermione said. "It's very rare that it doesn't work."

"Still," Ginny said.

"Then your little girl will go to the new school and be brilliant in something else that doesn't need magic."

The classes that Hermione had started with Griselda Marchbanks and Professor McGonagall had risen in popularity over the years and the Wizengamot had finally agreed to fund an actual school for those with lesser magical ability. Squibs were also going to be accepted. Hermione hoped that one day there would be Muggle as well as Magical classes to give the children even more of a choice in careers. The school was projected to open in a year.

"It's a girl?" came from the doorway and Hermione turned to see Harry standing there. He must have left immediately after receiving her Patronus.

Seeing her husband, Ginny immediately burst into tears. Harry rushed to her side, soothing her, and wiping the tears from her face.

"I'm sorry I found out without you," Ginny said and Harry smiled at her.

"Don't worry about it, love." He turned to Hermione. "The boys?"

"Daphne and Tracey are with them."

Harry stared at her. "Tracey's there?"

Hermione grinned. "I think she might be changing her mind too."

Harry snorted. "After spending an afternoon with those three she might change it back."

"Hey, my son is a perfect angel, I'll have you know."

"Right," Harry said with an eye roll. Hermione was happy to see a small smile on Ginny's face. If they could distract her, even for a minute, Hermione was glad.

"Should I call the family?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded. "Thanks, Hermione." He reached out and squeezed her hand.

"It's going to be all right," Hermione reassured both of them. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

When she left the room, closing the door behind her, Hermione finally gave in to her own tears. She let herself cry for a few minutes before she wiped her tears and made her way to her department. She was sure that Mr. Ashcroft wouldn't mind her using the department Floo to have a bit more privacy while she called the Weasley family.

"Hey," Adrian said as he arrived in the waiting room at St. Mungo's. "How is she?"

"You didn't have to come," Hermione said, hugging him. "What about the match?"

"Anderson can handle the match. This is more important."

Hermione had sent him a Patronus after she'd contacted all the Weasleys. She'd told him he didn't need to come home but there was no way in hell he was going to stay when all of this was going on. The Potters were his family now too.

"She's doing well so far. It took two doses but the contractions have stopped for now. They have to keep monitoring her though to be sure they don't start again."

The potion usually worked with one dose but in the course of the trials, Hermione and Anders had found that a second dose was sometimes needed. If it didn't work after the second, it wasn't going to.

"I'm glad you're here," Hermione said, tightening her arms around him. He kissed the top of her head and ran a hand soothingly up and down her back.

"The boys?"

"Daphne and Tracey are minding them." Hermione looked up at him with a grin.

"Daph and Tracey?" he asked in surprise.

Hermione nodded. "I think Tracey's warming up to the idea."

They stood in each other's embrace for a few more moments before Adrian led Hermione to one of the couches in the waiting room. They sat and talked with George and Audrey. Angelina was home with Roxanne who was only a few weeks old and Percy hadn't arrived yet from the Ministry. Audrey had left their girls with her parents.

A while later, Molly and Arthur came out of Ginny's room. They'd been able to take one of the emergency Portkeys from the Reserve. Everyone stood and looked at them expectantly.

"The Healer thinks she's going to be fine," Arthur said. "They're going to keep her here for a few days just to keep an eye on things but it appears the potion did its work."

"Thank you, Hermione," Molly said, pulling Hermione into a teary hug. And then to Adrian's shock, he did the same to her. He could see Hermione biting her lip to keep from laughing, likely at the look on his face. While Molly had accepted their relationship quite some time ago, she'd never been overly affectionate towards him.

"You tell that sister of yours that she has our eternal thanks," Molly said when she pulled back.

"I will," he replied. She patted his cheek and then turned to her children.

"What just happened?" Adrian whispered to Hermione.

"I think you're officially a Weasley," she said with a laugh.

Later that evening, after getting the three boys in bed, Hermione and Adrian sat cuddled on the sofa. Shortly after Arthur's announcement about Ginny, Adrian and Hermione had left St. Mungo's and relieved Daphne and Tracey. Tracey looked a bit frazzled but Daphne had winked at them on their way to the Floo. Adrian had grinned back at her as the two women had left.

They'd packed a bag for James and Albus and brought the boys to their house for the night. They planned to drop them off at the Burrow the next morning but Molly wanted to stay at the hospital for the night just in case something happened.

"Tired, love?" Adrian asked.

"Hmm, a bit," she said. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about though."

"What's that?"

"Remember my meeting with Griselda earlier this week?"

"Mm-hm," Adrian said, twining one of her curls around his finger.

"She wants me to run the school."

Adrian dropped the curl and looked down at Hermione. "She wants you to run it?"

Hermione nodded and sat up so they were facing one another.

"And do you want to do that?"

"I think I do," she said.

"What about St. Mungo's?"

"I'd have to quit, obviously."

"What brought all this about?" Adrian asked.

"I've loved my job at Mungo's," Hermione said. Adrian didn't miss the past tense leading him to believe she'd already made up her mind.

"But every time I think about the school, I don't know I just, it's so important, Adrian. How many kids are there that are in Anna's shoes? The potion has only been available for five years. Think of all those kids that are waiting on Hogwarts letters that will never come. The ones whose parents don't have the money for private tutors. I want this to be a success and every time I think about someone else running it, my stomach twists up in knots."

"I thought Griselda was going to recommend Tracey run it?"

"Tracey doesn't want to run it," Hermione said. "She told me that she would, if Griselda asked, but it's not what she wants to do. Besides, Minerva told me as soon as the school is open, Griselda is retiring and Minerva's pretty sure she's going to recommend Tracey for Head of the Department. But don't tell Tracey, she doesn't know."

"I want you to do whatever makes you happy, Hermione, you know that. If you want to run the school, then do it."

Hermione bit her lip and Adrian frowned. There was more going on.

"It's going to be a lot of hours at first," she said.

"You work a lot of hours now," he replied. "And we always manage."

"I know but this will probably be more. At least at first. But once it's up and running, I'll have holidays and the summer too."

"Mother will help if we need her to. You know she loves to spend time with Liam."

"I know but," Hermione looked up at him from under her lashes. "There might be more than Liam to consider."

Adrian's brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before he realized what she was saying. "Are you?"

"I don't know for certain. I wanted to wait until you were home before I did the charm. But I think so."

Adrian drew his wand and waved it at Hermione's abdomen, saying the incantation. Her belly glowed white.

"Merlin," he whispered. When he looked up at his wife there were tears in her eyes. "You're pregnant."

She laughed and nodded and he pulled her into his arms, kissing her for all he was worth. Then he brought a hand to her still flat stomach and rested it there. He looked her in the eye.

"If you want to run the school, I'm behind you. Whatever you want, love you know I'll help you however I can."

"Once the school is up and running, I'll have holidays and the summer. I can spend more time with the kids."

Adrian grinned at the word 'kids. Liam had been the biggest joy in his life after marrying Hermione. He couldn't wait to do it again.

"Next year, I won't be as busy in the off season. Unless someone gets hurt, our roster is pretty set. We're going to have a great team this year, I don't see needing to make too many changes. I'll be here to help you as much as I can."

"So, I should quit my job?"

"You should do whatever you want to do, Hermione. I'll support you one hundred percent."

"I think I want to quit my job," she said with a grin. "And I think I want to have another baby with you."

"Good thing we've already taken care of the second one," he replied with a grin. "You can take care of the first one on Monday."

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you too, so much."

The End