And with that, we're at the last chapter! I've taken a few liberties with some aspects of the canon and also the timeline of the song Draco chooses, but they are minor.

I'd like to extend a huge thank you to all the readers - everyone who has viewed, followed, favourited, reviewed and recommended this story to others. Your support has meant the world to me and I'm so glad you've all joined me on this journey. Thank you all!

Shout out to my beta CourtingInsanity - you've cheered me on, given me great feedback and reassured me when I've second guessed myself - thank you!

The Blue Jazzist, November 18th

"This is a man's world, this is a man's world

But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing, without a woman or a girl..."

Hermione sang mournfully into the microphone. She had always appreciated the emotion behind music and the way it could be used as a form of expression, but now she found herself using it as a form of therapy to distract herself from the swirling thoughts in her head.

She hadn't talked to Harry since the previous day when he had convinced her to surrender a vial of her blood for what sounded like a hopeless endeavour. Harry had left early that morning for a mission, but having had no news prior to his departure, she could only assume she had been correct in her prediction that nothing would come of the attempt to unbind Draco from Pansy.

"...Man made the cars, to take us over the road,

And man made the trains to carry the heavy loads…"

She had spent two weeks holed up at home, claiming the weekend before that she was ill and not up to singing. Which was technically true. Her voice had been cracked and she didn't have the motivation to draw the power from her lungs that she usually relied on when performing.

Completing the song, Hermione paused a moment before breaking into a less sombre number, although her heart clenched. It was a favourite of her regulars, but it had also been the song that had fatefully pulled Draco back into her life.

"You had plenty money, nineteen twenty-two

You let other women make a fool of you…"

Usually Hermione found her sets flew by, but tonight it seemed to drag at a snail's pace. She was thankful it was a Friday and therefore not as busy in the club. She put all her effort into giving the impression she was her usual enthusiastic self, praying she would be able to keep up the act until she could escape to the security of her flat.

Finally, her set was finished. She stepped off the stage to the usual applause and cheers, and made her way quickly to the dressing room to change. When she emerged, she intended to claim still being under the weather and leave without her customary drink and chat with Lloyd and the other staff. She just didn't feel chatty. And besides, she was worried they would ask after Draco, which would be very awkward.

She couldn't exactly tell them about the magical contract - though the ex-girlfriend supposedly being back on the scene would be a reasonable enough, non-magical, explanation for his absence.

Sighing, Hermione continued out to the main bar, fully intending to go straight home. The truth was, she didn't want anyone to know there was anything wrong. She wasn't sure why. It wasn't like they had a future together.

Abruptly changing her mind, Hermione headed to the bar. Screw it, she thought. I need a drink. Sitting down at the bar, she caught Lloyd's eye and asked for her usual, minus the coke.

Lloyd raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay, Hermione?" he asked.

She nodded in response and took a gulp of her drink. "It's just been a tough week at work," she fibbed.

Lloyd nodded in understanding. "I hear ya. Sometimes it's just one thing after another and a drink is the only thing that fixes it." The bartender paused before asking, "How's Draco? I haven't seen him tonight."

"Oh. Um." Hermione desperately tried to think of something to say that wouldn't invite further questions. Why hadn't she gotten her story straight before coming out?

"Draco has been called away with work," she said after a moment. "He's been absent since the beginning of the month." That was a rubbish lie and he'll see right through it, she chided herself.

But, thankfully, Lloyd seemed to buy her excuse. "That's too bad," he commisserated. "I hope it doesn't keep him away for too much longer."

"Me too." She sighed.

Honestly, a part of her did want to see Draco. But as far as she knew, he would have to eventually marry Pansy. Besides, the fact he had never mentioned it was still a huge breach of trust. Hermione couldn't stand being deceived. And, though she was loath to admit it, her pride was severely wounded after being confronted by Pansy in such a manner. It had made her question her self-worth as well as feeling like a fool for thinking Draco had cared for her at all.

Noticing her glass was empty, Hermione signalled to Lloyd for a refill. Maybe I'll just sit here and get drunk, she thought to herself.

For the next half hour, she sat quietly on the stool. She finished her second drink and had just started on a third when a hesitant voice at her elbow asked, "Hermione?"

Turning, vision slightly fuzzy from the undiluted alcohol, she regarded the man beside her.

"Theo? What are you doing here?"

By the time the contract had vapourised in a spectacular burst of flames it had gotten late, too late for Draco to do anything about his situation until the following day. However, the next morning when Theo had encouraged him to try and make things right with Hermione, Draco had been too fearful she would still reject him.

"You didn't see the look on her face, Theo," Draco lamented. "She trusted me and I broke that trust."

"But it didn't even occur to you that the contract was still enforceable!" Theo argued.

"I still should have thought of it." Draco sighed. Picking up his guitar, which he hadn't touched since the whole debacle had began, he began tuning the instrument. Once the sound was to his satisfaction, he laid it beside him and picked up a portable CD player and headphones he had purchased not long after he had begun taking guitar lessons. It was Dan who had suggested he purchase a CD player set and some disks so he could listen to how other artists played.

Now, with the voices of guilt and self-loathing momentarily silenced with the ending of the contract, Draco felt a need to soothe himself with music. He selected a case bearing the name American IV: The Man Comes Around and carefully loaded the disk while Theo watched on curiously.

"Is that one of those... CV players?" he asked.

"I believe it's a CD player," Draco corrected. His lips quirked slightly in amusement at being the one to correct Theo on something muggle-related, for once. "The muggle who has been teaching me to play suggested it. He said I could expand my skill by listening to the way artists play and trying it myself."

Draco pushed the 'play' button and donned the headphones. The first track was fast and upbeat. The singer had a gravelly, mature voice that was nonetheless very pleasing to listen to. The song finished and after a pause, the second track began. He stilled as he listened to the opening chords. They were very different to the previous song.

As Cash began to sing, Draco felt a wild surge of emotion. The words were full of pain. Of regret. The lyrics were speaking to him, articulating the thoughts and feelings that had been plaguing him since the rift had opened between himself and Hermione.

As soon as the song had finished Draco hit the 'back' button so he could listen again, picking up his guitar and attempting to mimic the chords he could hear. When the song faded out a second time, he hit the back button once more. It was imperative he taught himself to play the tune and learn the lyrics. With it, he might just be able to say to Hermione in song what his words alone could not.

"Hey, Hermione. Can we talk?"

Hermione regarded Theo carefully and with slight trepidation. Clearly, he was here because of Draco. Was he going to be the one to let her down, tell her the contract was still in force and that the marriage to Pansy was going ahead.

"Do I want to hear what you have to say, Theo?" she asked him quietly.

"I don't know," Theo admitted. "But I really would appreciate it if you would just hear me out. You can decide for yourself what to do afterwards."

Hermione seriously considered saying no, but she couldn't ignore the morbid sense of curiosity she felt. As well as curiosity, she felt both a nervous fear and… was it hope? No. The last things she needed was to get her ridiculous hopes up, just to be shot down once again. She opened her mouth to tell Theo to piss off and leave her to drown her sorrows alone.

"Okay," was what came out, to her surprise.

"What are you drinking?" Theo nodded to the glass in her hand.

"Whiskey… but I'm not sure I should be having more."

Theo made eye contact with Lloyd, who came over to take his order. "Three whiskeys."

The bartender reached silently for a bottle and poured the drinks before leaving them alone again. Looking around to ensure no one else was within earshot or watching them, Theo cast a muffilatio so they wouldn't be overheard.

"Has Potter updated you in regards to the unbinding attempt?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

Hermione shook her head. "He got called away first thing this morning on an investigation. I haven't heard anything about it." She took a deep breath to steady herself, and gulped a mouthful of the amber liquid in her glass. "It didn't work, did it?" she guessed sadly, looking down at her drink. "You're here to try and let me down gently." Snorting, she added, "Don't feed me any crap about how sorry you are, please. I would find it insulting."

When Theo didn't reply immediately, she glanced warily up at him. He was staring at her with a funny look on his face.

"See something green, do you?" she muttered.

"Green? No." Theo frowned in confusion, not understanding the phrase.

"I'm sorry, Theo," Hermione sighed. "The last two weeks have been rather trying."

"I understand that. Draco hasn't been doing too well, himself. He misses you, you know."

"I find that a little hard to believe, given he didn't see fit to tell me about being party to an arranged marriage at any point. That's a fact I would expect one to disclose prior to becoming involved with another," Hermione griped.

"Hermione, he truly thought it was no longer of any consequence!" Theo insisted. "He assumed his parents and Pansy's had formally dissolved the contract."

"You're certain he didn't know it was still in force?" Hermione was skeptical. "How could anyone possibly not know for sure their marital status?"

"That's just the way these things work for purebloods," Theo tried to explain. "It's complicated. When it comes to arranged marriages, children of pureblood families get very little say in what will happen in their lives. Their parents make all the decisions and arrangements, and the children must simply go along with it. Questioning or challenging the parents is not welcomed."

Hermione thought back to what Draco had once told her about being beaten by his father when he displeased the man. "Malfoy—Draco— described once how Lucius used to beat him if his grades were below mine," she recalled.

"Lucius was a particularly cruel man." Theo's face darkened at the memory. "My father was similarly sadistic."

Hermione's face softened and she placed a hand over Theo's. "I'm truly sorry you were subjected to such violent treatment by someone who was supposed to protect and care for you."

Smiling, Theo shook his head. "It's okay. He's dead and I'm determined not to repeat his mistakes."

Pausing before looking her in the eye, Theo stated, "The unbinding was successful, Hermione."

"It—what?" she stuttered. "How?" Picking up her glass, she drained the last of the whiskey.

"Did Potter not even explain how the potion was supposed to work?" Theo asked incredulously as he passed her another glass before finishing the one he held in his own hand.

Hermione blushed, thankful Theo probably wouldn't have noticed in the dim lighting over the bar.

"He tried. To be honest, I didn't want to hear any details. I was sure it wouldn't work."

"Well, it did. The potion involved blood magic. Your blood and his were combined to test your compatibility. A positive result was the only way to successfully unbind Draco and Pansy."

"So what does this mean?" Hermione asked hesitantly. Her heart began to thrum.

"It means you and Draco are better suited to each other than he and Pansy are."

"I want to believe that, Theo, I do." Hermione sighed. "But I'll need some time to trust him again. I appreciate he truly didn't think to mention it, but the way it was delivered really struck a blow."

"It struck a blow with him, too," Theo countered. "He was a mess after you rejected him when he tried to explain."

Hermione winced. That stung. "I hope you're not trying to blame me!" she bit out.

"I'm not at all!" Theo replied defensively. His voice softening, he added. "I've been staying at the manor since it happened, keeping an eye on him."

"Surely he wasn't that incapable," Hermione snorted.

"The night he tried to see you, he got paralytically drunk and—" Theo stopped suddenly, causing Hermione to stare at him suspiciously.

"And…?" she prompted.

"He tried to jump from one of the highest towers at the manor," Theo finished heavily.

"He what?" Hermione gasped in horror. "You can't be serious. Did he tell you this?"

"No." Theo shook his head grimly. "Pria came to me for help. She tried to stop him and he ordered her away, leaving her powerless. I got there just in time to stop him."

Hermione paled. "But how—why—"

"He was ready to give up," Theo explained softly. He had lost you, and he was facing the very real possibility of being bound to a witch he didn't want. He felt he was out of options."

"And where is he now?" Hermione asked fearfully. "Is he all right?"

"He's at the manor, and better now that he's no longer bound to Pansy. But he won't be whole without you."

"Shouldn't he be the one telling me this?" she pointed out.

"He was worried you would refuse to see him," Theo replied. "He asked me if I would try and convince you to come back to the manor to talk to him."

Hermione suddenly felt nervous. "I—I don't know. I want to, but—" she took another gulp of her drink and swayed slightly on her stool.

"Please, Hermione. Come back to the manor."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

"Okay."

Draco paced nervously, and glanced at his watch for what felt like the thousandth time since Theo had left an hour ago. Merlin's balls! he cursed inwardly. It had only been two minutes since he had last checked.

He had spent the whole day practicing the song he had chosen, the one he hoped would catch Hermione's attention long enough so that she might hear him out. Having always been a quick learner, Draco was confident that he knew every chord and all the lyrics by heart.

The plan was simple. Send Theo to The Blue Jazzist on his behalf, find Hermione, and attempt to convince her to accompany him back to the manor. Draco believed that would be the hardest part, but it was also the one factor the rest of his plan hinged upon. If she refused, Draco didn't know what he would do.

Theo had readily agreed to advocate for Draco, although the blond wizard strongly suspected a great part of his friend's motivation was spurred by the desire to escape the repeated playing and singing he had been subjected to for so many hours.

"What I wouldn't do for a drink," Draco muttered to himself.

"Pria!" he called.

She popped into the room. "Master calls for Pria?" she asked hopefully.

Draco smiled, although his gut twinged with guilt. He had put the loyal elf through a great deal of pain these last two weeks, and burned with shame at how cold he had been to her. And Theo, for that matter. And, of course, Hermione. He desperately hoped that one day she could forgive him.

"Pria, can you fetch me something to drink? Some elf wine, perhaps?"

The elf looked at him warily. "Master is not supposed to be having alcohols," she reminded him.

"I know, Pria. I know. I don't want a lot, and I promise you I won't do anything rash. I'm just so nervous. I don't know if Theo will succeed in convincing Hermione to come to the manor, and even then, I can't guarantee she'll listen. I just need something small to ease my nerves." He looked pleadingly at her. "Please, Pria?"

Pria's large ears had picked up at the mention of Hermione. "Miss Hermie comes?" she asked hopefully.

"I'm not sure," Draco replied. "It all hinges on Theo."

"And Master promises he will not tries to hurt himselfs?" Pria checked.

"I give you permission to stop me if I do," Draco promised.

Pria thought for a moment before nodding. "Pria will give Master one glass of elfs wine. But only one."

"Thank you, Pria." Draco sighed gratefully.

Pria snapped her fingers and a goblet appeared on the table. Draco picked it up with a slightly shaking hand and took a mouthful, closing his eyes as he felt the warmth of the wine seep into his body.

As Draco was finishing the wine, he heard the pop of apparition, followed by voices. His heart began to beat so hard he thought it might simply burst from the strain, and his stomach twisted in knots.

"Pria, please go and greet our guests," Draco instructed as he sat on the couch and picked up his guitar.

"Yes, Master," she replied excitedly.

Draco took a deep breath and began to play.

Hermione and Theo arrived in the foyer of the manor, Theo having side-along apparated the curly haired witch due to her slight inebriation.

Moments after she had steadied herself, Pria arrived in front of her, bouncing excitedly.

"Miss Hermie, you is back! Pria is so happy to see you! We has missed you so much!"

Hermione gave a wobbly smile at the greeting. She really did love the little elf. Bending down, she embraced her gently.

"I've missed you too, Pria."

Theo coughed quietly. "I'm going to go upstairs," he said. "Go easy on him, will you?"

Without another word, he turned on his heel and headed to the stairs.

Hermione stood, then stilled. She could hear music playing. A guitar - was it Draco?

Moments later, she heard him begin to sing in a voice that was low and clear. Curious, she moved slowly in the direction of the sound, which was coming from the sitting room they had frequented often. She stopped just beyond the doorway to listen as he began the chorus.

"What have I become

My sweetest friend?

Everyone I know

Goes away in the end."

Hermione's throat tightened as she stepped through the entrance to the room. He was sitting on the couch, concentrating on the song he was playing. Playing for her.

"And you could have it all

My empire of dirt

I will let you down

I will make you hurt."

She moved to one of the armchairs, sitting slowly. Her eyes never left him as he continued into the next verse.

"I wear my crown of thorns

Upon my liar's chair

Full of broken thoughts

I cannot repair."

Hermione was suddenly aware of the silent tears that were staining her cheeks. His voice, the words, were full of sadness. Of pain and despair, of loss. Her heart clenched to see him so broken. How could she possibly continue to deny him? How could she ever have denied him in the first instance?

She sat through the song until it had finished. Only then did he look up at her, his grey eyes full of emotion.

"Draco…" she whispered.

"Hermione…" he replied softly. "Please, please forgive me. I should have checked whether the contract had been undone. I should have thought of it when I first began courting you, but to be honest, all I could see was you and nothing else. From the moment I heard you sing that first time in the club, even before I knew who you were."

Placing the guitar beside him, Draco crossed the room so he was crouching in front of her, and took her limp hands in his. "Even that first time, when I was pissed out of my brain and didn't know what was going on, your voice was the one thing that broke through the fog and called to me. When I found out you were the singer, my world changed in that moment."

"Draco, I..." Hermione started to stammer an apology, but he held up a hand to stop her, staring meaningfully into her eyes.

"I saw you and I knew. In that moment, I cared nothing for status, or propriety, or the opinions of others. All I wanted to do was to have a chance to get to know you properly, and to compensate for the truly cruel way I had treated you in school."

Draco took a deep breath. "Hermione. You are my everything. I love you, and I beg your forgiveness."

Hermione sobbed. "I...I..." unable to speak, she did the only thing she could think of. She threw her arms around Draco's shoulders, and embraced him tightly.

October 2003

"Draco, there's no one here," Hermione observed, frowning, as he escorted her into The Charming Tiger.

"I should hope not," Draco murmured. "I booked out the whole restaurant, just for us. It's been a year since we started dating, and I'd rather have you all to myself tonight."

Looking around, Hermione noted the lights were dimmed and candles had been lit around the room, giving it a warm and intimate glow. She smiled and rolled her eyes playfully at him.

"Good evening, Miss Hermione and Mister Draco!" Nakim sang, coming forward from behind the front counter. "Please, come! Sit!" He gestured to the empty room with a conspiratorial grin.

Draco led Hermione to a table in the centre and pulled her chair out before seating himself. Moments later, Nakim was at their sides with a bottle of champagne. "Compliments of the house!" he beamed and he presented the label.

"Nakim! That's so kind. Thank you!" Hermione smiled, touched at the gesture.

"May I pour for you?" he asked.

The couple nodded, and Nakim unwrapped the foil, popping the cork with a flourish before expertly filling their glasses.

"What will you be having this evening?" the waiter asked, pen and paper at the ready.

"Can we get the banquet platter again?" Draco asked Hermione, grinning.

"I was just going to suggest that, myself!" She laughed.

"One banquet platter, coming up!" Nakim headed briskly back to the kitchen to place their order.

While they waited, Hermione and Draco chatted easily and sipped on the champagne.

The food quickly arrived, and they dug in eagerly. This time, the heat of the curries didn't make Draco gasp or splutter. He had become a regular patron, along with Hermione, and was now quite the curry connoisseur.

"So how is the first term of the new year going?" Draco asked, once they had gotten part way through their meal.

True to Minerva's word, an official letter advising Hermione of Professor Binns' retirement and inviting her to apply for the soon-to-be-vacant position of History of Magic Professor had arrived by owl in late November of the previous year.

Hermione had been shocked, but after the initial surprise and trepidation had worn off she had been beside herself with excitement. "I'll be able to use the library again!" She had sighed happily.

Draco had laughed at this, and kissed her soundly. "I hope you won't spend so much time in there that you forget to teach your students," he teased.

"I would never neglect my duties as a professor!" she gasped in outrage. "I'll only use the library in my spare time, of course, and—" she stopped as she realised Draco had only been making fun, and gave him a firm smack on the arm.

"Cheeky ferret!" she growled.

She had begun teaching officially at the end of the Christmas holidays, and now, nearly a year into her role, Hermione had really found her niche. Kingsley had been very sorry to lose her, but had wished her all the best, and continued to occasionally seek her advice or input on Ministry matters.

"It's been very busy," Hermione smiled, responding to Draco's question. "I've already begun prepping the fifth years for their O. and the seventh years for their N.E. . I've also made a few small changes to Cuthbert's lesson plans to make it more engaging, and to better help muggle-borns understand the magical world they've been introduced to."

"Bit early to be preparing them for their exams, isn't it?" Draco sniped.

"Absolutely not!" Hermione responded vehemently. "It's never too early to begin making a study plan and thinking about what they will need to know at the end of the year!"

"Whatever you say, love." Draco laughed. Delicately wiping his mouth, he excused himself. "I've just got to pop to the restroom."

Hermione nodded and went back to her meal, smiling. She didn't notice Draco approach Ravi, who had emerged from the kitchen, and whisper to him as he handed the chef something, nor did she see how Ravi grinned and clapped Draco on the shoulder.

When he returned to his seat, he and Hermione continued to discuss Hogwarts, the students and staff as they finished the champagne. Hermione giggled at all the times she would tease Snape about the casual way Horace conducted potions lessons. She did have to admit Slughorn was not nearly as skilled as the former head of Slytherin, but the students were certainly less fearful of their forays into the dungeons.

Once they had finished eating, Nakim came to collect their plates and ask if they would like any dessert or coffee.

"Just coffee for me, thanks," Hermione smiled.

"Make that two," Draco paused to think before adding, "Actually, I would really love to try the mango ice cream also, please."

"Coming right up." Nakim left with the dishes expertly balanced on his arm. Several minutes later, her returned with a coffee pot and the bowl of ice cream. He placed it carefully in front of Draco, turning to wink at Hermione as he poured their drinks.

Draco picked up the spoon and carefully scooped up a small bite, bringing it to his mouth. "It's wonderful." he stated. "Try some!"

"I couldn't! I'm so full!" Hermione demurred.

"Just one bite," Draco prompted. "I promise you'll love it."

Draco pushed the bowl toward her, turning it as he did so.

Hermione looked at the dish and gasped. Resting on a small wafer, so as to prevent it from getting sticky, was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen.

Reaching out carefully, she picked it up and examined it. It was made of white gold, with a large green emerald in the centre, surrounded by tiny rubies. Slytherin green and Gryffindor red, she thought to herself.

"Draco.. Is this…?" she whispered.

Suddenly, he was on one knee at her side.

"Hermione. You are my shining light. You've made me a better person. This past year with you has been the best one of my life, and I pray that you will make my future years even happier by agreeing to marry me."

She nodded, smiling through happy tears. "Yes," she whispered.

Draco took the ring and placed it reverently on her finger. They shared a passionate kiss amid applause and cheers from Ravi and Nakim, who of course had been in on the whole scheme.

October 2004

Draco paced nervously in his bedroom. It was nearly time. After all this careful planning, after all the arguments and negotiations, the day he and Hermione would be bound in marriage was finally here.

He stopped suddenly, a chill sliding down his back as he suddenly became certain she would not appear, leaving him stranded and alone. Certain she would have come to a realisation that she was quite mad to have considered tying herself to him. Shit.

"Draco."

The blond wizard turned to face his old friend. "Theo. She won't come. I just know it."

Theo sighed and shook his head. Crossing the room, he placed his hands firmly on Draco's shoulders and looked into his eyes.

"She will come, Draco. And before you try to argue, I spoke to Ginny not twenty minutes ago. Hermione is getting ready, and is probably just as nervous as you, but she will be there."

"There's no way she's as nervous as me," scoffed Draco with a wry smile. "She's never had to worry I'll change my mind about wanting to be with her."

"Okay, maybe she's not quite as wracked with jitters as you are," Theo conceded with a chuckle. "How about a quick toast before we get into position?"

Draco nodded gratefully. "Pria!" The elf appeared immediately and snapped her fingers. Two glasses with a finger of firewhiskey in each appeared on the small vanity where Draco's cufflinks were waiting.

"Thanks, Pria," Draco smiled. He reached for the cufflinks - silver serpents with small green emeralds for eyes - with hands that shook slightly.

Theo took the adornments from his friend's hand. "Wrists up," he instructed.

Draco obediently extended his hands so Theo could attach the cufflinks. "What would I have done without you, Theo?" he asked softly.

"I hate to think," Theo said wryly. Picking up the glasses, he handed one to Draco. "Your health," he toasted. The men clinked glasses and drank.

Abruptly, Draco pulled Theo into an embrace. "Thank you," he said.

Theo returned the gesture before pulling away and smirking. "Don't go soft on me now, Malfoy," he teased. Checking his watch, he said, "It's time. Let's get out there."

Draco nodded and they walked out of the room together.

Standing under an arch a few minutes later, waiting for the cue that would signal Hermione's arrival, Draco surveyed the crowd in front of him and reflected on the journey that had led him here since he had proposed to Hermione a year previously.

They had had some fantastic arguments over the details. Hermione had wanted a small, private, intimate affair with only a few close friends; while Draco had insisted they needed to acknowledge the other old wizarding families and upper echelons of society by extending an invite to them - it was just the way things were done.

She had wanted to have something simple and practical; he had insisted on extravagance and an ostentatious display.

She would have been happy to hold the ceremony in the ministry offices; he insisted on the luxurious Malfoy chateau in France which also boasted a winery.

In the end, they had managed to come to a compromise on all matters with no lasting harm to either of them - although, during one particularly heated exchange Hermione had fired a highly effective bat-bogey hex at him. She had laughed uproariously at Draco as he flailed about with bats crawling out of his nostrils. The act had dissolved the tension and they had found themselves in a heated embrace before tumbling into bed, the argument quite forgotten.

Now, on their big day, their guests were gathered on the grounds of Malfoy manor instead of the chateau in France, and they had agreed upon a budget that was far lower than what Draco had been willing to spend but that Hermione still found scandalous. As for the guests, they had managed to whittle the list down from well over a thousand people to only three hundred.

Draco was pulled from his reminiscing by the first strains of music signalling Hermione's entrance. All the guests stood and turned toward the aisle as she emerged and began her slow walk toward him, escorted by Richard Granger.

He had met her parents for the first time after they had been dating for several months, after learning that she had obliviated them both and sent them to Australia for their safety as the war began to grow in intensity. She had only undone the spell eighteen months ago, the risk to them prior to that having been too great. Although it had taken them some time to adjust, her parents had recovered surprisingly well.

Draco's breath left him as his eyes drank her in. Hermione was a vision. Wearing a delicate strapless cream dress in a mermaid cut, with small jewels adorning the bodice, waist and skirt; her unruly curls piled elegantly on top of her head with small flowers weaved through the strands, he thought she had never looked more beautiful to him than she did in that moment.

Hermione and Richard arrived in front of him. Richard extended his hand and the two men shook solemnly. "Take good care of my daughter, young man," he instructed sternly.

"I will, sir," Draco replied, and Richard kissed Hermione on the cheek before placing her small hand in Draco's.

The couple stood beneath the arch of flowers constructed for the occasion as the officiator began the ceremony. Draco barely heard a word the man said, so lost was he in her beautiful eyes as she smiled up at him, her fingers entwined in his.

"Now you may exchange vows," the officiator invited. "Mister Malfoy, you may begin."

Draco took a deep breath. He had been practicing these vows for months, and was confident he could recite them in his sleep.

"Hermione. Your voice called out to me in the darkness and pulled me into the light. I was drowning, but your light guided me gently toward the surface. You have shown me how to be a better man, and helped me to forgive myself for my past and look toward my future. You are kind, loving and clever. The lioness is fierce and brave, and so are you. I have never known you to back down from a challenge, and you fight valiantly for the people you care for and what you believe to be just. Before you came back into my life, I had known little happiness and did not expect to find any, but these last two years have created memories I shall cherish forever. I truly believe you have saved me. You are my redeemer, and I shall be forever grateful that you chose to have me be the man to stand beside you."

Hermione's eyes glistened with unshed tears at his words as she squeezed his fingers in gentle thanks.

"Draco," she began. "A few years ago, I never dreamt that the man I would be bound to would be you. If someone had told me, back when you first came into my life, that I would one day wed you, I would have thought them quite mad. Yet here I stand, before you today, ready to give my heart to you, now and forever. You are charming, generous and loving. You have been my most enthusiastic supporter. I find in you a voracious debater, a thinker, someone who loves books and academics almost as much as I." A small titter drifted over from the assembled guests at her last statement.

"The day you came into my life was the best day of my life, even if I did not recognise it at the time. I cannot wait to see what our future will bring, and I shall love you now and forever."

"Beautiful words," the officiator encouraged. "Now, you may exchange the rings. Following this, I will perform the binding."

The officiator presented their wedding bands - his, silver with a runic pattern etched along the surface, and hers a more delicate replica of his. Reverently, Draco slid Hermione's ring over her finger before extending his own hand so that she could do the same.

"If you will now clasp hands," the officiator instructed.

Draco grasped Hermione's right wrist, and she his, as the officiator began the spellwork. Similar to an unbreakable vow, the strands erupted one by one from his wand and entwined themselves around their joined arms. Red, silver and gold glowed and faded one by one.

"It is done, and you are bound and wed," announced the officiator. "I present to you, Mister and Mrs Malfoy!"

The guests erupted into cheers and applause as Draco took his new bride in his arms and kissed her passionately.

Christmas 2005

Draco sat with Hermione under the christmas tree, a pile of wrapping paper scattered around them. Like small children, they had excitedly climbed out of bed early that morning, eager to open their presents.

Now they sat companionably together, Hermione flicking through the latest edition of the Magical Creatures Compendium which Draco had given her; while he attached the platinum watch to his wrist that she had given him.

Pria appeared before them holding a bottle and glasses. "Good morning, Master and Mistress! I has the champagne Master had requested!" she announced.

Draco grinned and looked at Hermione, his face falling as she noticed her careful expression. She usually loved a champagne breakfast. "Is everything all right, love?" he asked, worriedly.

"Yes, everything's fine. But I think I'll skip on the champagne this time."

"Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, "I'll call a healer right away!" He started to get up, but Hermione reached out a hand to stop him.

"No, Draco, I don't need a healer!" She smiled. "I actually have one more gift for you. Accio."

A small rectangular box flew into Hermione's hand. It was wrapped in a jade ribbon. She handed it to him and Draco took it silently, wondering what on earth it could be.

Opening it, he saw what looked like a small stick with a cap on the end. In the middle was a window showing two small lines. "What is it?" he asked curiously.

Smiling, she handed him another box, this one empty. It showed a picture of the stick on it, and was clearly a muggle object. Quickly reading the information, he dropped the package in shock, his eyes darting once again to the stick nestled in the gift she had given him.

"Is this—are you—does this mean…?" he stammered.

"Yes." She grinned. "We're going to have a baby."

Laughing, Draco pulled Hermione into his arms and embraced her tightly, happy tears rolling down his cheeks.

August 2006

Draco found himself yanked forward as Hermione grasped a fistful of his shirt.

"I am never—" she groaned in pain, glaring at him "—never doing this again!"

Draco felt it wise to say nothing, merely clasping her other hand in his and kissing it gently.

Her pregnancy had gone smoothly, and he had marveled at the way her stomach expanded over the months. He had felt their child kick within her and thought he would burst with excitement.

"You say that now, 'Mione," came an amused voice beside him. "But you may find yourself changing your mind later on. I also said I wasn't going to go through another birth, but here I am having just popped out number two!" Ginny Potter had given birth to her and Harry's second son, Albus, just two months previously.

"Bollocks, Ginny!" Hermione gasped with clenched teeth. "Never—" she groaned again as another contraction hit her.

Several hours later, Hermione was in the final stages of labour. "One more push should do it, Mrs Malfoy," the mediwitch encouraged.

With a determined cry, Hermione did as she was bid. Moment later, an infant's cries penetrated the room. The mediwitch quickly conducted the usual checks to ensure the child's health, then swaddled the newborn and passed the small bundle to Draco.

"Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Malfoy," she smiled. "You have a son."

Draco beamed down at the tiny form in his arms. "Hello, Scorpius," he whispered.

September 2017

"Dad, why can't I go to Hogwarts?" whined a small voice.

Draco looked down at his youngest son, Aurelian. "We've had this discussion," he said quietly, crouching down to look into his son's chocolate brown eyes. "You'll attend school when you turn eleven. It's not that far away."

"It's ages away," his son pouted.

"Aurey, darling, sometimes we just have to wait," added Hermione. "It's hard, but nothing more can be done."

"I know." He sighed.

As Ginny had predicted, Hermione changed her mind about further children once she had recovered from Scorpius' birth and adjusted to motherhood, and Aurelian had completed their little family two years later.

"Hey, Malfoy, 'Mione," greeted a voice beside him.

Draco stood to face Harry Potter, accompanied by Ginny, with James and Albus in tow. Ginny's belly was swollen with their impending third child, due in a few weeks' time.

"Hey, Potter, Potterette," Draco grinned.

"Shut it, Malfoy," Ginny growled good naturedly.

Smiling and turning to Scorpius, she asked him, "Are you excited to start school, Scorp?"

"Kinda," Draco's oldest son replied. "But I won't really know many people. And what if the hat puts me in the wrong house?"

"Or me?" Interjected Albus, worriedly.

Harry turned, smiling, to the two boys. "The hat will put you in the right house," he reassured them. "And besides, it will always take what you want into account. Do you know, when I had my sorting, the hat wanted to put me in Slytherin?"

"Really?" gasped Scorpius. "What did you do?"

"I told it I didn't want to be in Slytherin." Harry shrugged. "So it put me in Gryffindor instead."

Scorpius nodded, reassured. "Thanks, Mr Potter, Mrs Potter."

"Well, well. If it isn't a certain blond prat," came a teasing voice behind Draco.

He turned to greet Ron Weasley. Lavender clutched his arm, and their children Rose and Hugo stood in front of them.

"Hello, Weasel," Draco drawled.

The men grinned at each other companionably.

The small group gathered together as the crowd bustled around them, exchanging greetings and small talk.

"The train will be leaving soon," Hermione advised, checking the clock above the platform before turning to her eldest son. "Have you got everything?"

"Yes, Mum," Scorpius nodded.

Turning to his parents, Scorpius embraced Draco tightly. "I'll miss you, Dad," he said softly.

"I'll miss you too, son." Draco smiled. "I'm sure your mother will owl me tonight and give me a full report on how the sorting ceremony went."

Hermione was still teaching History of Magic, and enjoying it as much as she had when she first began her position. Her and Draco initially found it difficult sometimes being apart, as Hermione's duties meant she had to remain at the school several nights a week, but after a number of years they had settled into a routine and adjusted nicely.

The train whistle blew, signalling the impending departure, and there was a sudden flurry of activity as families scrambled to say their final goodbyes and conduct last-minute checks on belongings and bags before the students began boarding.

Scorpius embraced his father a final time. "See you at Christmas, Scorp," Draco smiled.

"Owl me and tell me all about it," begged Aurelian.

"I will, little brother," Scorpius reassured him.

"Come on, Scorp. Let's find a seat!" Albus Potter spoke up excitedly.

Arms companionably about each other's shoulders, the two boys made their way over to the carriages.

Draco turned to Hermione. "I guess we'll see you in a few days," he smiled. The beginning of the year was always a busy time, and Hermione rarely had a moment to visit in that first week.

Hermione bent down to hug Aurelian goodbye and kiss his cheek then stood to face Draco. They shared an embrace and a kiss before she followed the students onto the train, giving a final wave goodbye to everyone assembled.

As the train pulled out of the station, students waving at their families, Draco felt a bittersweet emotion build in his chest. Feeling a comforting hand on his shoulder, he turned to face Harry.

"It does get easier," the bespectacled wizard reassured him.

"It really does," agreed Ron.

"I hope so." Draco sighed. "The house will seem so quiet."

"Believe me!" Ginny laughed. "You'll begin to appreciate the peace."

"Mum, can Aurey come to our place?" Hugo begged, turning to Lavender. "It's going to be so boring without Rose."

"Can, I dad?" Aurelian turned pleadingly to Draco.

"Fine with me if it's ok with Lavender and Ron," Draco shrugged.

Lavender nodded. "All right. Just don't go breaking anything."

"Come on," Harry invited. "Let's us blokes go the the leaky for a pint. Ron, you coming?"

"Definitely." Ron nodded enthusiastically.

Draco grinned and farewelled his youngest son, cautioning him to behave, before moving away with the two men he had in his youth considered enemies, but now considered friends.

October 2029

"Happy anniversary!"

Hermione gasped and Draco laughed as they stepped through the doors of the Leaky Cauldron.

"Surprise," the blond wizard smirked, kissing his wife's fingers lovingly.

The room was full of their friends and acquaintances. The Weasleys were there, as well as the Potters, and Theo and Blaise with their families.

Kingsley shacklebolt was in attendance, as were all the professors from Hogwarts. Andromeda and Teddy were beaming from a corner, and of course Scorpius and Aurelian, now grown, were front and centre.

"Draco! Did you—" Hermione was speechless.

"It's our twenty-fifth anniversary, love," Draco murmured. "It's a perfect excuse for a party."

Hermione laughed. "Sneaky snake," she teased, kissing him softly.

"Always," snarked Draco, leading her further into the room where a cake and huge feast stood waiting.

As the crowd enveloped them, offering congratulations, hugs and handshakes, Draco looked back on the years he and Hermione had shared so far. His life now was perfect, and he wouldn't have it any other way. He was still as grateful for her as he had been on the day she had agreed to marry him, and he looked to their future years together with anticipation and hope.

Hermione truly was Draco's shining redeemer, and he would be forever in awe of the witch by his side.

The end.