A/N Thank you readers for your lovely support, especially those who stuck with me from the beginning and endured my painful update schedule (or lack thereof) and for taking time to review. Means the world! Final chapter...

~twenty-two~

Draco was ushered swiftly into the press wing where he was photographed and interviewed in a blur of flashbulbs and a cacophony of noise. The whole affair swept by in a daze and he was relieved to be released in his desperation to return to Hermione's side.

As he made his way along to the table he found himself stopped every few paces by people genuinely interested in offering him their congratulations and wanting to shake his hand. Many of the guests were keen to share with him their own stories of family members who would be able to benefit from his potion, while others were interested in his business ventures.

It took Draco what felt like a dragon's age to finally return to Hermione's side, where she sat looking sheepishly at him as he approached. He stalked over to her and scooped her up into his arms, kissing her passionately.

"You, sneaky little witch" he muttered as he pressed her to his chest and buried his face into her neck.

She left out a soft laugh before whispering "Am I forgiven then?"

He drew back and shook his head with a smile. "Well yes I suppose. But that doesn't mean that you've got away with it. I expect some serious making up from you later."

She nodded her head with a smile. "Oh I think I can think of something that might put a smile on your face!"

The couple settled back down into their places as the evening's banquet was served and the entertainment began. Draco and Hermione found themselves joined by Neville and Luna, and spent the night being approached by many other guests throughout the evening, as they made their way over to offer their congratulations to them both. They became acquainted with many new faces and found themselves enjoying themselves enormously as the evening wore on.

After the sumptuous banquet had been cleared, the night finished with some music and dancing as a band made its way onto the stage. Draco pulled Hermione into his arms on the dancefloor and held her in a close embrace as he mused over the evening's events.

"You know, I spotted Flinchley storming out when I was up on stage earlier," he said.

"Really?" Hermione asked as she rested her chin on his shoulder. "I suppose I'm not too surprised, though. He was always quite self-centred."

"It's quite possible that seeing the smile wiped off his face tonight was more enjoyable than actually receiving the award itself!" Draco mused with a smirk.

Hermione let out a short laugh. "Well, the faces you were pulling didn't seem to suggest that you were enjoying yourself too much earlier. Especially when Harry was on the screen."

Draco grimaced slightly "Bloody 'Boy Wonder' had to get in on the action didn't he? But then again, I now have it on record that he thinks that I'm an exceptional wizard."

Hermione rolled her eyes playfully. "And not to mention that he thinks you're a decent human being."

"Yes, and that," Draco agreed. "He also suggested quite strongly that he thinks I'm lovable too. He's going to regret that for a long time."

Hermione sighed and snuggled into his chest. "For a long time, Draco?"

"Absolutely."

The couple continued in their slow dance as the twinkling stars of the enchanted ceiling shimmered above them.

"Draco?" Hermione asked after a while.

"Hmmm?"

"I've been thinking…"

"Shocking," Draco retorted with sarcasm. "Watch out Granger. Next you'll be telling me you've been doing something extreme like reading books as well."

She slapped him playfully before continuing.

"You've been staying over with me at Strawberry Fields practically every night since Harry and Ginny's wedding. I really think you should just move in. Don't you?"

Draco paused momentarily before a wide smile crept across his face.

"I'd love to Granger. If you're sure?"

Draco had indeed been practically living with Hermione. He really appreciated her home's discrete location and the sheer lack of grandeur about the little cottage. He flooed or apparated daily to and from Vinyl Resting Place without problem, and Hermione often went with him at weekends, enjoying spending time in Hogsmeade and taking a walk up to Hogwarts.

"I'm absolutely sure. In fact, I think that it is completely necessary."

"Is that right? Draco mused. "Well I shall of course seek to meet your needs if they are felt necessary."

She smiled and glanced down with a blush.

"Actually Draco, you can help me with a little decorating if you like?"

He withdrew slightly with a puzzled expression. "Decorating? What? You're not going to let me paint the bedroom a lovely Slytherin green are you?"

"No. Not Slytherin green…"

"Or, how about some framed album artwork? I've seen some great ones up at a little muggle shop…"

"No, no… not really what I had in mind either…" she interjected. "But…" she continued tentatively, reaching up to take his face in her hands and looking intently into his eyes.

"… the little box room needs a new lick of paint. And… I've got two colours in mind, Draco."

Draco's feet came to a halt at the sudden change in Hermione's demeanour. She looked more radiant than ever before and her expression caused his heart to skip a beat. He gazed intently into her eyes urging her to go on.

"It's definitely going to be either pastel blue or pastel pink. But it's going to be several months before I'll definitely know which colour it needs to be."

Draco stared into her eyes with disbelief as his mind processed what she seemed to be suggesting.

"You… you mean..?"

"Yes," she whispered. "I took a test yesterday. And I'm really happy Draco. I really am. Are you?"

Draco shook his head, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open slightly. Hermione visibly deflated at his reaction.

"Oh, I…"

"No. No! Not happy Granger. Happy doesn't even come close to how I feel right now. I'm ecstatic, Hermione. I… I'm going to be a father? And you …" he looked down at her slender tummy in disbelief before scooping her up into his arms and kissing her with a passionate embrace.

He withdrew and swept her hair back from her face with both hands, looking deeply into her eyes.

"How on earth did I manage to get so lucky?" he asked with a smile.

They kissed again, a long, gentle and tender kiss as the band struck up the familiar opening to 'Here Comes The Sun', which Draco had discretely requested earlier. They locked eyes with a short laugh at the sound of their song and Draco proceeded to dance again with his beautiful witch in his arms, filled with hope and happiness as his life began to unfold another new chapter before him.