A/N: I'm back. Guest - yes, I am aware that Luna is a seventh year. They are all basically seventh years but fanfic calls it their eighth year bc technically some of them were in school last year just never completed it. In the interest of my story though, let's not get too technical. Lol

It is fan fiction. I am not a professional. This is for funsies and an outlet for my anxiety. Hope you can still enjoy this. I have too many open docs going on at once like a dumb dumb so I am trying to get a chapter of each story out every week or so. And now...chapter nine and the end of the Hogwarts timeline.

June 25, 1999

"Good morning my angel. It's graduation day." Luna heard Theo whisper in her ear as she fluttered her eyes open. He smiled down at her then gave her a sweet kiss. "How are you feeling? You slept through the night?" She had been very uncomfortable now that she was 38 weeks pregnant. The back pain was becoming unbearable.

"My back is on fire but the pillow between the legs trick Madam Pomfrey showed me worked like a charm. I did sleep very deeply." Theo started to knead the bottom of her back and her sciatic nerve area and she moaned in pleasure. "Have I told you lately that you are the best person in the world?"

After her massage, Theo helped her out of bed and they showered and got dressed. Luna took a while longer in the bathroom and Theo just choked it up to her slow movements due to her large belly. "Ready?" He asked and she held her hand out for her to take. "Ack! Babe, you're going to break my hand!" She had squeezed it so hard that he could have sworn his bones were crushed.

"Sorry, it's this blasted back pain." Theo looked at her worriedly.

"Maybe we should skip graduation and just go to St. Mungo's. You may be in labor, love." Luna shook her head.

"No, I am not missing our graduation. We've work too hard for this." Not one to argue especially with an emotional witch, Theo agreed with one concession.

"Fine, but I'm conjuring a wheelchair. You are in too much pain to walk all that way." With a huff, she let him have his compromise.

Headmistress McGongall and Deputy Headmaster Flitwick stood proudly on the stage as the seventh and eighth year students entered the Great Hall to applause. The families of the graduates smiling and cheering them as the marched into neat lines waiting for the ceremony to start.

Seamus Finnegan, Hermione Granger and Gregory Goyle were standing next to each other since the graduates were place in alphabetical order. They were chatting then looked over as Draco Malfoy entered behind Ernie Macmillan. The newlyweds entered next. Luna Nott looked annoyed and miserable sitting in the wheelchair her young husband pushed as he smiled enough for the both of them.

The Patil twins were arm in arm smiling and waving at their parents in the crowd. A loud wolf-whistle rang through the hall and Hermione was playfully smacking Seamus as he was heard saying, "What? Look how amazing my gal looks!" The look of disgust from Mrs. Patil made it clear she was not a fan of her daughter's boyfriend.

The last students to enter were Ginny Weasley and Blaise Zabini. But where were Pansy Parkinson and Neville Longbottom?

"Have any of you seen Mr. Longbottom and Miss Parkinson?" Professor Flitwick asked the group of graduates. Numerous head shakes and "No, Professor's" were heard. "Headmistress? Shall we start without them?" McGonagall looked around the room once more then nodded.

"Wait! We're here! Sorry!" Pansy came running into the Great Hall with Neville not far behind. "Our apologies Professor, um, Headmistress. We overslept." Their hair was a mess and Neville's zipper was down. Seeing this she raised an eyebrow and murmured, "Must've been one hell of a nap." causing the group of heads to chuckle and the couple to blush profusely.

"This year was unprecedented! The unity shown by this graduating class was remarkable!" McGonagall spoke loud and clear, with raw emotion. "I know myself and the other professors and staff were blown away by the way everyone has come together. Sure there were some rough patches in the beginning, but together you all worked through any lingering resentment and pain from the war and became friends and in many cases, more than friends." She looked at Luna and Theo with a bright smile. Theo continued rubbing Luna's back as she sat with closed eyes and breathed slowly.

"It is with great pleasure I present to you the graduating class of 1999. I'll call you each by name in order of class rankings." Professor Flitwick handed her a pile of certificates.

"Our top male student, Mr. Draco Lucius Malfoy." There was a small applause and his friends and Hermione hooted and cheered him as he walked to shake hands with McGonagall. "Congratulations, Mr. Malfoy." He smiled and took his certificate then walked back to his spot.

"Our top female student, no surprise, is Miss Hermione Jean Granger." The room clapped louder for her than she expected. She looked around and saw Harry in the back with Daphne then the entire Weasley family as well as her future mother-in-law cheering for her.

"That's my beautiful fiancé! Yeah Granger!" Draco's booming voice was heard and she blushed as she thanked McGonagall and earned a hug from the esteemed witch. She turned back and all of her classmates were still hollering for her, but instead of going back to her spot, she walked straight to Draco and planted a huge kiss on his lips.

"I love you." She simply said then stayed by his side for the remainder of the ceremony. Afterwards she met Narcissa and the Weasley's in the crowd waiting for her. Ron was still standing off with a permanent sneer on his face. She caught him watching them a few times but decided to pay him no mind.

"It was great seeing you all but we've got dinner plans." Draco announced as he placed his hand in Hermione's. Hermione gave the Weasley's one last hug then reminded Ginny of their lunch plans the following day. They had just turned to leave when they heard Theo yell.

"Now! Oh crap!" Everyone turned and saw Luna bent over and a puddle of water underneath her.

"Make way! Make way! MOVE!!!!" Madam Pomfrey yelled as she made her way through the crowd. "How long have you been in labour, Miss Lovegood?"

"Mrs. Nott! Argh!" Luna screamed loudly.

"She woke with bad back pain this morning. I told her we should skip the ceremony and go to St. Mungo's but she said she was fine. Is she going to be okay?" Theo was frantic. Draco cleared a path for the school's mediwitch and Luna and Theo then Hermione helped Mr. Lovegood and his fiancé Chiara gather their things to follow.

"Leave it to Theo's kids to be as dramatic as him." Greg chuckled at Ginny's jibe. "Come on. Let's go." She tugged his sleeve and they made their own way up to wait outside the infirmary.

On June 25, 1999 at 3:27pm and 3:35pm respectively, Henry Theodore and Nova Luna Nott were born one week and six days ahead of schedule. The family was transferred to St. Mungo's where Theo got the biggest and best maternity suite available.

Hermione sat in one chair and Draco another as they took turns holding the twins, they're newly announced Goddaughter, Nova, was currently being held by a cooing Draco. Blaise and Ginny were to be Henry's Godparents. "She's so tiny. Luna, she looks so much like you, but she's got Theo's eyes." Luna lay in bed looking blissfully happy as Theo napped next to her.

Henry started to fuss, so Hermione brought him back over to Luna so he could nurse. She walked over to where Draco was cuddling Nova. "Don't get any ideas mister." She whispered to him. He only shrugged then smirked at her before watching Nova sleep. "I believe there are more people waiting to visit, my love." Draco sighed.

"Fine. Mean Auntie Hermione is making Uncle Draco leave you sweetheart." He kissed the top of her head then placed her in the bassinet in front of Luna's hospital bed. "We'll see you guys soon." He whispered so as not to wake Theo or the now sleeping babies. Luna mouthed her thanks then they left.

"Finally you baby hogs!" Blaise and Parvati were waiting in the hallway.

"Quiet, you prick. They're sleeping. Luna's still awake though. Go on in." Draco said as he elbowed Blaise as he passed by.

Two weeks later...

"I can't believe our baby's moving out! You'll take good care of her, right Gregory? Keep her in line?" Molly Weasley had been a tad pissed off at first when Ginny said she was moving in with Greg. It was the day after their graduation from Hogwarts and so her mother was already high strung. But after a long talk with both young adults and ger husband, she'd calmed down after about a week.

Ginny had five more weeks until she was due in Wales for training as the new Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies. She was determined to spend those five weeks making love and just being with her boyfriend, Greg. "Mum, seriously, it's not as if you can't visit. Just give us a heads up, yeah? We'll be a Floo call away. We're right in Exeter, honestly. It's not even far. Silly witch." Ginny hugged her mother and then her father.

"No worries, Molly. Ginny is my everything. I'll protect her with my life. Not that I need to. She'll probably be the one keeping me safe." Ginny hugged Ron and George.

"Love you guys! We'll be over Sunday for brunch and Quidditch, yeah?" They said goodbye then went through the Floo. "Goyle Estate!"

000000

"Master Greg! You is home! Mistress! Oh, Mistress is more beautiful than Master said to Pepper!" The little house elf grinned at them with tears in her eyes.

"Pepper, you're a free elf, for Salazar's sake. Just call me Greg or sir. I am no longer a Master. And Ginny will be address as Ginny or Miss, please. Let Tarragon and Cumin know." Ginny giggled at the names still. Greg had told her how his grandmother was obsessed with seasonings so she named all of the Goyle House Elves after different spices. It was quite obnoxious in his opinion. They had 12 elves until Greg freed them all after the war. Only three wanted to stay.

"Oh, yes sir. Pepper sorry sir. Pepper forgets."

"And Pepper, we'll have dinner at six. That chicken dish I like if you can. Other than that, do not disturb me and Miss Ginny. We've got some," he looked over Ginny hungrily, "business to attend to." He salacious stare had her tingling with anticipation. Greg took her hand and they walked up the grand staircase and down a long hall. "Our room is at the end of the hall. These are all guest rooms, the other way is the study, parlour, and library and a few more guest rooms and another bathroom. Oh, this is a guest bath as well," he said pointing to a door with an ornate handle.

Ginny had never been in a house so large. It was the size of four 12 Grimmauld Places. "You have a beautiful home."

"We." Ginny looked at him with furrowed brows, "We have a beautiful home, Ginny. This is your home now as well." He stopped and push her up against the wall. Kissing her slowly and with purpose. "And I'm going to make love to you in every room of our home until you leave for training." He knelt down and flipped the skirt of her dress up, rolling her panties down her legs then kissing his way up her thighs until he found her mound. It only took the first swipe of his tongue up her slit for her to lose control of her moans.

"Ohhhhhhh, Grrrrrreg!" She moaned loudly then could feel him smile against her aching core. He had her put one leg over his shoulder then she held onto his shoulders to steady herself as he feasted on her deliciousness. After her first orgasm shook her, he picked her up and carried her over the threshold of their new master suite. There they made love until cleaning up for dinner.

July 10, 1999

Neville danced with his wife, Pansy under twinkling fairy lights in his grandmother's garden. He smiled over at the two nurses sitting with his parents at their special table. He did not care if they knew him or not, but he knew. He'd always dreamed of having his parents at his wedding, and thanks to Harry pulling some strings, St. Mungo's allowed for a day pass with escorts.

"Do you think, deep down inside, that maybe they know? Like, their minds can see us here dancing and in love, and they know their son is happy. He's met the one person in this world that understands him. His best friend and lover in one witch?"

Pansy placed her hand lovingly on his face. "I do. I really do, Nev." She reached him on her toes and kissed him. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you, Neville Longbottom." They danced together, then took a break to mingle with their friends and family.

Luna and Theo were on their first night out without the twins. Mr. Lovegood and his newly pregnant wife were watching them overnight. By the look of them, they weren't going to last much longer. Luna leaned on Theo as he fought off another yawn. "You know, we could get out of here a little early." Theo whispered in his wife's ear. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" Luna giggled and they both said at the same time, "Sleep!" They said their goodbyes and apparated back to Nott Manor and did just that.

0000

"Hey, Hermione." Hermione was just walking out of the bathroom when she heard him.

"Ronald. How's Astoria?" She said as friendly as she could muster. Knowing that Ron still talked crap about Draco and her relationship made it very difficult to hold her tongue.

"She's great. Her and Daphne are over there talking to Zabini and Parvati. I wanted to talk to you." Hermione looked at him as if saying 'Isng that what we're doing?' "Um, about you and Malfoy, um I'm sorry I've been such an arse. Tori has been urging me to reconnect with you and put my pettiness away. We were best friends Mione. I miss being your friend. And if that means I have to see the ferret, um, I mean Malfoy then I'm going to try."

She was annoyed he called him ferret but Draco constantly called Ron the Weasel so she didn't bother with hexing him. "Thank you. He's not going anywhere. I am in love with him. God, can you believe it? And he loves me so much, Ron. I'm sorry if that hurts you, but the heart wants what the heart wants." Ron looked at her like he smelled something rotten then his face changed to one of his lopsided grins putting her at ease.

"Yeah, I saw the sap at your graduation. I didn't like it, but I'm not blind. I can see the love you both share. I'm happy for you Mione. Truly." They hugged and he returned to Astoria's side.

"You guys kiss and make up?" Draco was smirking at her as he came around the corner.

"He's being surprisingly adult. Astoria basically told him to stop acting like a childish prat and just be my friend. He still isn't your number one fan, but he doesn't despise you so that's a start!"

Draco pulled her closer then whispered into her ear, "Let's go back to yours and practice for our wedding night." He winked at her then leaned in closer, "I've been wanting to tear you out of that dress since I picked you up this afternoon, Granger."

She shivered as she looked over to the dance floor. Harry and Daphne were laughing at something Ron had said, teasing Astoria by the pout on her face which quickly changed to a giggle of her own. Ginny and Greg were practically fucking on the dance floor much to Pansy's mother and Neville's grandmother's dismay and shock. Theo and Luna were long gone. Blaise, Parvati, Padma, and Seamus were dancing side by side, the two men clearly drunk off their asses and the twins shared a secret look and started laughing.

They made their way the Neville and Pansy's table. "Beautiful wedding guys, but we're going to head home." Pansy yawned and Neville got up to shake Draco's hand.

"Once we get back from the honeymoon, we'll get together for dinner, yeah?" Neville smiled then rejoined his half-asleep bride. With one more wand goodbye to everyone, they popped off, landing in the living room of Hermione's house.

August 13, 1999

"Go! They'll be fine! Have a great weekend kid free." Hermione and Draco ushered Luna and Theo out of the house. It was the first time the couple was taking a holiday since before the babies were born. Sure it was only three days but they were still nervous.

"Okay. Just remember that Henry's rash cream is in the right side pocket of his bag. Use it at every changing and after his bath." Theo must have told them about the rash cream six times since bringing Henry and Nova over.

"We know Theo. Merlin, just go. Luna, get your husband." Draco pushed Theo back towards his wife. This was him and Hermione's practice. Sure, it would be years before they had a child, but he still enjoyed pretending that Henry and Nova were theirs for a while. His favourite part was watching Hermione cradle a baby in her arms, slowly swaying her hips as she softly sang Muggle lullabies. The look of pure contentment on her face after everything she had been through over the last 8 years made himself feel at ease.

"Thank you both again. We'll see you Monday evening." Luna blew her babies kisses as she pulled her husband back through the Floo with her.

"I never thought they'd leave." Hermione said with a giggle as she nuzzled Henry causing him to squeal with delight. "Did she fall asleep already? What do you do? Dose your clothes with Sleeping draught?" It was inevitable. Anytime Draco held either baby, they instantly fell asleep.

"Of course not. I am just so calming." She snorted, "Enough of that, witch." He placed Nova in her cot then took Henry from Hermione. At her protests, he chuckled. "Come on. Mine fell asleep. I want some time with Henry." She shook her head and just smiled at his smirk as he began talking with his pseudo-nephew.

Of course Henry fell asleep about ten minutes later, so he too was place in his cot. "You wanna fool around?" Draco waggled his eyebrows comically and Hermione swatted his arm.

"You're incorrigible."

They cuddled on the sofa as the twins napped. He told her about the article he was reading that talked of bring technology into the Wizarding world. "I think this could be something to get Malfoy Enterprise in on. Could you imagine?" They talked about it more and grabbed tea after checking on the twins.

Hermione showed him the article in The Daily Prophet that spoke of the upcoming Ministry job faire. "I was also thinking of teaching." Draco raised his eyebrows in interest. "McGonagall sent me an Owl the other day. I was going to tell you about it but wanted to think it over some more."

"I thought you wanted to work with Magical Creatures?" Draco took her hand, intertwining their fingers. He watched her bite her bottom lip.

"I do. I did. Ugh. I don't know. I've always wanted to work for the Ministry, but this war, it disenchanted me from them. You know how easily the Ministry just brushed off Dumbledore's warnings then made out Harry to be this mental case. But Hogwarts? I loved it there. And I really think I'll enjoy teaching and find it more fulfilling than working in the government." She watched as her fiancé's smirk slowly grew into a full on grin.

"You'd be brilliant at it." He tugged her into his arms and kissed her. They started to pull on each other's clothes when the sound of the twins crying brought them back to reality. "Little cock blockers." Draco said as they made their way back over to the babies cots.

After changing their nappies and feeding them, they laid blankets on the floor for tummy time. After that, they got the babies into their carriages and took them out for a walk around the neighbourhood. People would stop them to "Ooh" and "Ahh" over the twins. Draco watched Hermione closely. This could be them sooner rather than later if she chose to teach instead of a Ministry job.

He pictured their child. Blonde, riotous curls and the Malfoy silver eyes, Granger's full lips and freckles. Hermione looked over and saw him staring, a look if reverence in his eyes. "What?" Draco hears her ask, taking him out of his daydream.

"No-nothing." He stumbles out. "Just thinking."

"Oh, is that what that looks like?" She said humorously. He smirked at her, leaning down and kissing her cheek. "I know that look. And the answer is no. Not yet at least. We'll discuss it more AFTER the wedding." Draco pushed his bottom lip out in a mock pout.

"Fine." The continued their walk around the neighbourhood and entered the park.

"Mione?" Hermione had not expected to see Ronald Weasley with Astoria Greengrass at her local park.

"Ron! Oh! What are you doing here?" She stepped away from the carriage and gave him a quick hug.

"We just bought a townhouse on the other side of the park. Moved in last week. I thought you were living at the manor or something." He looked at Draco with a wary eye then glanced at the engagement ring on Hermione's hand.

"Uh, no. I'm at my parents house. Took it over after the war." She noticed Astoria blushing as she listened to them talk. "Lovely to see you again, Astoria." The girl was quite pretty. Dark hair, bright blue eyes, and a porcelain complexion; she was perfect."

"Oh please call me Tori. Hello, Draco." She nodded toward the Slytherin. He said a quick hello in return. "Are those Theo Notts children?" She asked as she walked closer. "Oh, Ronnie. Look! Oh! They are so beautiful!" Ron joined her. The same look Draco gives Hermione when she is with the babies crosses Ron's face. "I cannot wait to get married and have a bunch of babies." Ron smiled and took her hand. She looked up and smiled brightly at him.

Hermione watched the way the couple looked together. They made an odd pairing at first glance, but you could see how much they truly loved and adored each other with just one look at their shimmering eyes.

"What about you Weasley? Taking the plunge?"

"Well, not that it's any of your business, Malfoy, but no, not yet. Tori just graduated school and I am fresh out of my Auror training. We're in no rush." He took his girlfriend's hand and brought it to his lips then winked at her.

"Fair enough, Weasley. Patience is a virtue, they say. My love, it's getting late. We should really get the children back home for dinner and bath time." He nodded toward Ron and Astoria then turned Henry's carriage.

"Oh, yes, I didn't even notice the time. Theo is obsessed with keeping the babies on their schedule. Took Draco a good ten minutes to get him to leave with Luna on their holiday. It was great seeing you both." Ron hugged her tightly then Astoria kissed her cheek.

"Lovely to see you both." Astoria stated then took Ron's hand and walked away.

"I still don't like him." She heard Draco mumble as she joined him with Nova's carriage.

"I know, babe. I know." Hermione just smirked and shook her head.

"I wonder what the kids are doing." Luna looked up from the book she was reading on the terrace of the villa that Blaise let them stay at.

"Let's see. It's around 5:37pm in London so they are more than likely finishing up their dinner and getting ready for a bath. Their two months old, my sweet. I doubt they're doing much at all." She smiled over at him and he smiled back.

"You're right. What say you and I open that bottle of Merlot and practice making them some siblings?" He waggled his eyebrows at her.

"Now that, Mr. Nott, sounds like a plan." Luna placed her bookmark in between the pages of her book and put it on the small table next to her chair. The view from the villa in Scopello was so amazing. The quaint coastal village nearby was going to be their adventure tomorrow.

Theo handed her a glass of wine then called for the house elf, Milo, to bring them some cheese and water biscuits. They lay next to each other on the wide lounge chair and listened to the waves break off the rocky shore beneath them.

"This is so relaxing. The perfect trip before we start on our first issue of The Quibbler. We'll focus on scientific studies. Ooh! We could start a series based off of Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. A different creature each issue. What do you think?" Luna looked over to Theo.

"I," he grabbed her glass and placed it on the table next to him, "think you are brilliant." He then pulled her on top of him and started kissing her as she straddled his torso. "Love you." His hands traveled down her bottom and he grabbed her ass as she ground herself against his growing erection. "So much." They made love as the sunset behind them.

They ate a late dinner then Floo called Hermione and Draco to check on their children. Hermione answered holding a sleepy Henry as Draco was giving Nova her bath.

"Everything went great. They napped, played, we went for a stroll in the park and ran into Ronald and Astoria. After that we ate our dinner while they laid on the blanket next to us. I gave Henry here his bath while Draco cleaned up dinner and now he's finishing up Nova's bath." Like he was summoned, Draco appeared with his goddaughter cradled in his arms.

"Is that Luna's whining hubby?" Theo sneered at his friend.

"Shut your gob you prat! You'll know someday how it is. I'm sure you'll be worse." Hermione and Luna laughed as Draco smirked at his friend.

"He's not wrong." He said with a shrug. "Now, say goodbye to your little ones. It's time for their bottles and bedtime story." He turned Nova so that her parents could see her and Hermione did the same with Henry. The Floo went dark and Theo sighed.

"I miss them." Luna hugged him from behind and rested her cheek against his back.

"I know, but we'll be with them soon. We need this little break, you know we do. Just think. Soon we will be so busy writing articles, interviews magizooligists and experts in different fields, traveling all over with the twins in tow. Let's just enjoy our time together." Theo turned around to face Luna and gather her in his arms.

"Okay, my angel. Let's go snuggle." He picked her up and carried her to the large bed. As they snuggled in close, whispering their I love you's in the dark, Theo Nott felt totally at ease. The smile stayed on his face as he found slumber.

"A bar? That's what you want do with the rest of your life?" Padma groaned at the way her mother spoke to her boyfriend. Seamus tried so hard to make her like him but she wouldn't budge on her opinion. "And I hope you don't think my daughter will give up her dreams to help you run a den full of drunken heathens."

"Mum, please." Seamus grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to him.

"No offence, ma'am but you have no right to talk to me as if I am dirt under your shoe." He turned to his girlfriend, "I would never do anything to keep her from her dreams. Which I'm sure you may not even know of. Have you a clue what this woman wants to do with her life?"

Mrs. Patil looked ready to pass out after being spoken to in such a brash way.

"No, I'm sure you don't. She's going to be a Healer and a magnificent one at that. My gal can do anything and I will support her every step of the way. I'm not going anywhere, so you can be as rude to me as you want. It does not matter to me. Only she matters to me. I love her." Padma didn't even care that her mother was there; she pulled his face to hers and snogged him right there and then. He'd never said the words out loud before.

"I love you too, Shay." Mr. Patil stepped in and grabbed his wife's arm.

"You see? They love each other, so stop being such a nag." He laughed when she gasped at his words. "Come now, Hanu. Enough of this snobbery." His wife poured at him, but Padma perked up when she saw a slight lift of her mother's lips. The heard the sound of their Floo go off. Blaise and Parvati arrived for the family dinner.

"Sorry we're late!" Parvati announced as Blaise helped her with her coat. "I got out of my interview with Witch Weekly later than I thought, but..." She looked over at Blaise then at her family, "you are looking at the new Lifestyle columnist!" Everyone cheered her accomplishment.

"Our daughter, the writer!" Her father said. Her mother hugged her and congratulated her with a kiss on her cheek. Blaise won her over weeks ago. How he did it, nobody knows but he did.

"Thanks mum. Pads!" She hugged her sister tightly then said hello to Seamus. She whispered into her sisters ear as the sat down to dinner, "So did you tell him yet?" Padma subtly shook her head. "Pads."

"I'll tell him later, okay. Too much is happening. Mum and him were arguing then he blurted out that he loves me, I just want to wait." Padma had been accepted into the Healer Training Programme not at St. Mungo's, but at Montmarte Hôpital in France. She knew he'd said he supported her in every decision, but would the distance change that?

"You can't put it off much longer. You leave in two weeks." Parvati urged her to tell Seamus as soon as she accepted the offer. She understood her hesitation, but like Parvati told her when she first got her acceptance, have faith in the connection you share.

"What are my girls whispering about down there? Care to share?" Their father said cheekily.

"No daddy. Nothing. Just girl talk." Padma said innocently and smiling at him. The dinner went better than expected. Seamus even got Mrs. Patil to laugh to everyone's shock. They all said their goodnights and apparated to their homes.

Once Padma and Seamus got back to his flat he shared with Dean Thomas, the conversation she'd been putting off finally happened.

"What is it? I thought we made great progress tonight. Your mum even laughed at my Wingardium story from first year. She must be quite sadistic to laugh about an eleven year old almost blowing himself up fucking up a simple spell, yeah?" He chuckled as his girlfriend swatted at him. Her smile fell again and she worried at her bottom lip.

"Shay, I have news." He turned serious and took her hand. "I got accepted into the Healer Training Programme," he got excited, his smile lit up his face, "in France." His smile faded and she heard a quiet "Oh." come out of his mouth.

"So that's it then? You want to break up? After saying that you love me?" He sounded so broken.

"No, no Seamus. I don't want to. I would very much like to stay together, but I'll be in France for the next year and a half. I'm sure you'll want to find someone closer to where you live. I mean, I'll be too busy to date around but you'll have the pub and plenty of opportunities. I don't want to hold you back from life." He took her in his arms then.

"Don't be daft, Pads. It doesn't suit you." Age looked at him confused, "I don't know about you, but I for one do not throw around the word 'love' all Willy nilly. I wasn't just saying it to get your mum to come round to liking me. I meant ever word." He kissed her then continued.

"I am in love with you. I will be your biggest fan. I will continue to love and support you during your Healer training and you will be brilliant at it. If I had to, I'd swim across the English Channel to see you, but, as it turns out, I'm a wizard and can get a Portkey to visit. Dean will be able to run the pub when I do visit you and I am sure you will get some holidays away to visit me here. I will never let you go, my sweet girl. I have every intention on becoming a success and making you mine forever one day."

Padma couldn't believe she doubted him. All of the stress and anxiety of telling him about the Montmarte Hôpital Healer Training Programme over the past few weeks was unwarranted. "How could I ever deserve you?" She asked as she pulled his face to hers and met his mouth in a searing kiss. Their mouths melded together as their hands explored each other's bodies before making love on the floor in front of the warm hearth. That night, they'd committed themselves to each other in more ways than one.

August 14, 2001

The day had finally arrived; Ginny Weasley was leaving for training with The Holy Head Harpies! She woke up that morning to the smell of sausages and waffles as Greg lay next to her smiling. "Good morning my love. Pepper has brought us breakfast, shall we enjoy it on the balcony?" She kissed him then got up, wrapping herself in the silk robe he'd gifted her the night before.

"Mmm, yes, I believe that sounds perfect." He helped her out of bed then led her to the balcony where Pepper had set up a small table draped in a white table cloth and two plates set with waffles, sausage and fresh fruit. The coffee smelled delicious as well. The enjoyed their breakfast as the heat of the day hadn't quite hit yet.

"My love?" Ginny looked up from her plate to meet Greg's stare. "I wanted to give you something." He pulled out a package then enlarged in to its full size.

"Oh! Sweet mother of Merlin! Is that? Oh Greg!" It was the latest Firebolt and he'd had her name and jersey number engraved on the handle. "Oh! It's gorgeous! I love it!" She sat in his lap and kissed him slowly. "But I love you more. Thank you." Seeing as breakfast was over, they decided to make love then again in the shower afterwards.

"Fuck, I'm going to miss mornings like this." Greg said as he spilled himself inside her during thei shower romp.

"Six weeks of rigorous training. I'm going to have Sundays free though. I could always get away for a few hours of Greg and Ginny playtime." She waggled her eyebrows and playfully nipped at his jaw with her teeth. She never thought she would feel so blissfully happy. If you'd told her two years ago that she would be in love with one of Draco Malfoy's cronies, a bat bogey hex would have been the least of your worries, but here she was. Besotted. With Gregory Goyle, the wizard she never saw coming but thanked Merlin (and Harry Potter for breaking her heart) for every day.

Later that afternoon, the Weasley's came over for a luncheon Greg was throwing in Ginny's honour. Draco and Hermione came with the Nott twins in tow as well. They shared stories, laughed at tales of the Weasley twins, and Hermione announced her appointment as Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts starting September 1st. The time grew closer to Ginny's six o'clock Portkey to Holy Head.

"Before I leave, I would just like to say how much I love and appreciate every last one of you, yes, even you Malfoy. I hope you will all get the chance to watch me play and I will do you all proud. Greg?" He took her hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss, "I am so in love with you and cannot begin to thank you for all you do to keep me happy. Your love and support is something I never want to do without."

Everyone gasped as she went down on her knee, "Which is why it would make me even happier if you were to become my husband." Greg lifted her off the floor, not caring that his girlfriend's parents were present, and kissed her so deeply that she felt it in her core and moaned wantonly. Answering her with a gruff "Fuck yeah I will." Everyone began to hoot and cheer with George doing his famous wolf whistle between his teeth that nobody else could figure out.

Molly and Arthur were the first ones over hugging and fussing over the newly engaged couple. Greg was smiling brightly. He'd planned on proposing after her training but beat him to it, so he conjured the ring he'd had locked in his study to place on her finger. "Oh it's gorgeous!" Ginny squealed as their friends and family surrounded them. By the time quarter til hit, everyone had started to leave so the couple could have the last few minutes before Ginny's Portkey alone. With a kiss and a promise to see each other soon, Ginny Weasley's Portkey activated, leaving a happy fiancé behind.

A/N: Next chapter we will see Hermione and Neville beginning their careers at Hogwarts, Pansy finds herself starting a new journey, Draco starts his new venture into the world of technology and the others find life after the war isn't so bad after all.