Chapter 20: Life Back On Track

Apparently, I couldn't just completely drop my education to be a househusband before I was actually married to Tom. My learning was considered important for my life, Tom worried I may need it eventually. He wanted me to be well versed in most subjects, Snape was to teach me potions, and Bellatrix was a master duelist. She came to me as soon as I entered Malfoy Manor. She wanted to clear up the issue stared by her nephew, that she had no romantic attachment to my boyfriend.

"You may not fully understand our workings. Carrying his baby had nothing to do with wanting him physically, or romantically. It was only the power given to me, the privilege of having a King's baby. I will teach you, perhaps we can be friends. But just know, I mean your relationship no damage, and I have full faith you two will remain together and happy for the rest of your lives."

It was a comfort. After that argument with Tom, I had no doubt he'd stick with me over her, but it was nice to not have to worry about it. Perhaps we could be friends if she wasn't a huge pain in the ass as a teacher. Tom offered to teach me arithmancy and ancient runes. Lucius Malfoy was capable of tutoring me in transfiguration. I wasn't bothered about other lessons. I was able to get Tom to label them as 'potentially additional' which meant I could learn them after we'd married to give me something to do before the children. A bit controlling, but I didn't mind. I wanted a family with him, if I had kids I'd want to spend the most time with my children. He had enough at his disposal to care for me, and my inheritance wasn't small.

"Are you ready for dinner, sweetheart?"

It was a function. A dinner party the Malfoys were throwing, Tom was bringing me as a plus one. I was trying to pick clothes that looked fancy and suited me, like the ones Neville gave me. I was half naked when my godfather and Remus stormed into my room.

"Woah, maybe try knocking."

Sirius had a frantic look in his eyes, Remus was similar but trying to be more controlled. They argued through the door, barely looking at me as they continued in my room. Debating how best to deal with Tom. My godfather was shouting insistently about tearing us apart, Dumbledore was sure it was You-Know-Who, so I needed to be removed forcefully from him instead of seduced away in a stupid plan. Remus was trying to shush him in my presence, and warn him I wasn't so easily moved. He wanted the discussion over before Tom picked me up.

"Moony, be realistic. He isn't going out tonight," Sirius glared.

"Hey! I'm a part of this conversation, shut up and look at me!" I bellowed, a full cocktail of rage that scared them both. "I know who he is, Dumbledore doesn't. I love him, regardless of your opinions, I will move out if you push me. I am not your sparkling saviour anymore, I refuse to be a poster boy so nobody has to care about me as a person. Tom cares about me as a person. I love him with every part of me, I belong to him in every way. Dark Lord or no, he loves me and we're going to be together."

They were stunned silent, didn't say a word as I ranted and dressed. I stormed passed them for the stairs. They followed me down, apparently didn't approve of 'Dark Lord or no, we'll be together'. Tom was brushing himself off outside the fireplace but one look at my face and he was on the defence. Listening to my guardians behind me filled him in quickly.

They panicked at the sight of him, suspicions confirmed, and their wands were raised in an instant. Tom made no such move, merely held me and asked if I was okay. Still, they didn't lower their wands. I reminded them they had their wands pointed at my heart, and he had made no move against them.

"Of course I wouldn't, my love. I'm traditional, I would like his approval before I give you this."

He held a ring, I recognised it as his mother's ring. It made little sense to me until I saw the light in his chocolate eyes. I couldn't breathe as he lowered himself on one knee, frozen by the love in his eyes. He made a big speech about loving me and wanting in his life forever, and being immortal forever was a long time. I could bearly hold in all my excitement, tears in my laughter and joined him on the floor. He put the ring on my finger as I kissed him with all the passion I could muster. The room was silent.

I turned to my guardians, their faces masked with shock. "If you really can't get on board, I'll move out. But I'm leaving the house and your lives. Tom is my happiness now."

Remus looked conflicted, but Sirius seemed to have made up his mind. "Give me time to get over the fact you're screwing the man who not only killed your parents but my best friends. But as long as he still makes you happy, I won't kill him."

"Just for the record, I'm not screwing him. I love him, I respect him, including his body, and I'm insistent on waiting until we're married."

I rolled my eyes, which had Remus smirking. I warned them the conversation could be discussed if it needed to be after the dinner party. We needed to be early if Tom wanted to network before we announced the engagement. They agreed. My fiancé took my arm and walked me into the fireplace, ready to show me off for the party. Only people important, the Malfoys, LeStranges, Neville and Snape. I was meeting new family members to Bellatrix, she warned me I'd enjoy her husband. He'd occupy me with quidditch talk to prevent my boredom. And he did.

It was a good evening, Rodopholus was sweet. Rabastian was quiet but polite. There seemed to be something up with Neville, but he wanted to discuss it in a more private place. I was rammed with congratulations and Mrs Malfoy talking about the luxuries in her wedding. But my mind was at Grimmauld Place, wondering if I'd have to drop my family to start a new one. Not that it would be a bad thing, a fresh start away from dead parents, but I'd miss Sirius.

I panicked when I came through the fireplace without Tom and they were both there. I was tired and left ahead, understand whether I was still living here. They hugged me as soon as I came in, reassuring I was still welcome in our house. Tom was as well, though they were keeping the confirmation over his identity a secret. No point lying and really betraying the Order, even though that's what they were doing. I thanked them both with a hug and we welcomed Tom. He seemed relieved my family were standing by me.

"It's hard to believe I'm getting everything I want. My family, man of my dreams, a bright shiny future. I'm the luckiest guy alive, I have to be."

"You're just fixing your crap," Tom smiled. "I broke your life, now I'm part of fixing it. Your life is on track my love, I'll keep it this way."

A/N: I'm running out of thoughts for where to continue this story. Next chapter may get posted next month depending on comments on this and AO3. Is there anything people want to see? Skip time to important moments like the wedding, go through the planning. Just skip to children? Or does anyone want me to draw this out for the rest of their relationship? Please let me know, once I do it'll let me know what the next chapter should involve. It's been a while, but thanks for keeping up the support, it means a lot right now :)