Epilogue - Part 2

Hermione took a deep breath and threw Floo powder into the Ministry fireplace.

"Malfoy Manor, library."

She entered the Floo and stepped out onto a posh green rug, brushing the soot off her shoulders. She looked around the gorgeous library, turning a full circle in amazement. She eyed large windows and winding shelves filled with tomes, new and old. They covered walls which looked to be at least two stories high, possibly three. The library wasn't as large as Hogwarts', but it had a spiraling, circular staircase which added a sense of whimsy. The ceiling was painted with images of what appeared to be several Malfoy ancestors and a dragon. Entranced, she peered around and noticed an extensive reference collection pertaining to-

"Told you," said a deep male voice off to her left.

She jumped, not having noticed Draco and Narcissa Malfoy sitting on a small settee, watching her the whole time. He smirked at his mother, who chuckled in response.

"Your reputation precedes you, Miss Granger." Narcissa stepped forward, thin and graceful, to offer Hermione her hand. "Welcome to our home. We are humbled by your visit and can't thank you enough for what you've done."

Harry had told her that he was invited to lunch here tomorrow. She wondered if Luna and Ollivander would also be coming at some point.

Hermione reached out to shake her hand and snuck a glance at Draco. He was much cleaner than when she had seen him during his trial last week, though he still seemed unsure of himself. Unsure of her. Almost shy. She had never known Draco Malfoy to be shy about anything, least of all her.

"Thank you, Madam Malfoy. It's nothing. I don't want anyone punished undeservedly."

Narcissa brought Hermione's hand up to her chest and covered it with her other hand. Her blue eyes were luminous with unshed tears. "It is not nothing. What you did means everything. Draco and I are forever in your debt."

In that moment, Hermione saw the woman who lied unflinchingly to Voldemort's face, all for the love of her son. Again for Draco's sake, she simply tossed aside decades of indoctrination regarding blood bigotry as if it were nothing. The expression of Narcissa's devotion was powerful to be in the presence of. Hermione nodded and swallowed around the lump in her throat.

"Of course."

Narcissa released her hand and stepped back, looking between the two of them with a small smile. "I'll give you two some time alone. Lunch is in an hour."

She turned around, squeezed Draco's upper arm, and walked down a corridor, the footfalls of her heels echoing behind her.

Hermione and Draco faced one another and spoke at the same time.

"Granger, did I force you to-"

"Draco, do you want me to-"

They each stopped speaking.

Draco looked like he was ready to crawl out of his skin. His bright grey eyes were apprehensive, searching her face for answers. He was wary of finding out exactly what he had done to her, but willing to face the consequences.

Hermione wanted to take his hand and reassure him that it would be okay, that they had discussed it and she had forgiven him, but he wouldn't remember that familiarity. He wouldn't be comfortable with her touch.

"Should I return your memories now? That will answer all of your questions."

He pursed his lips in thought and studied her. "That would probably be best."

Returning memories wasn't pleasant, but this was child's play compared to what her parents had gone through. They'd had to be sedated in St. Mungo's, with their memories returned in stages while they recovered. Thankfully, they were fine now after several harrowing weeks.

Hermione reached for her wand; Draco tensed. She could tell how hard and awkward it was for him to trust her.

And yet he was.

"It's intense when the memories rush back," she explained, also somewhat nervous herself. She didn't know if he would regard her in the same way he did nearly a year ago. "It's overwhelming at first, but will subside after a few minutes. You'll be okay." She took a steadying breath and raised her wand. "Ready?"

"No." Draco's voice came out broken. He swallowed. "Do it anyway."

Hermione tilted her head in recognition of his phrasing. Those were his exact words before he agreed to be Obliviated.

She focused on the memories she removed and waved her wand.

"Finite Incantatum!"

Draco's eyes widened in shock. He grunted, and his legs buckled. She reached out to offer him a hand, and he took it. She cried out as he clutched harder, hurting her fingers. His wrist trembled, and he squeezed his eyes shut, taking her upper arm for support. Hermione winced as his fingers dug into her bicep. She staggered under his weight, attempting to brace herself as he leaned into her.

Suddenly, he released her and fell to his knees with a thud. She holstered her wand and tried to help him stand back up, but instead he bent his head, pressing his face against her thigh and wrapping his arms around her legs. He sucked in a lungful of air with a shuddering gasp.

"Hermione," he croaked.

She knew that the memories would be extremely vivid. He was experiencing them all at once, as if they were all happening right now. It was powerful and confusing as his brain began to sort through them, cataloguing them chronologically, providing context and perspective. He squeezed her and shook.

"It will pass, Draco."

She stroked his hair while he held her, his grip tightening. She could see him clenching his jaw, gritting his teeth, his body shaking. After a few minutes, his trembling dissipated, and he slowly released his grip on her legs. Draco turned his face up to look at her, grey eyes shining. His chin dug into her waist. She cupped his face tenderly, and he leaned into her touch, eyes fluttering closed. She watched him breathe in measured breaths, nostrils flaring. Slowly, he opened his eyes again. She offered her hand, and he took it, more gently this time. He rose to stand before her with some difficulty.

"Are you okay?" she asked tentatively. He towered over her now, but had none of the swagger she was familiar with.

Draco rubbed his face and ran a hand through his hair, laughing mirthlessly. "I don't know. Am I?" He turned his eyes toward her with a half grin, pondering the question. "After everything I've done?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders and looked up at him with a small smile.

"That's for you to figure out now, isn't it?"

-fin-

Chapter end notes:

I enjoyed everyone's comments SO MUCH.

Honestly I'm not sure what was more fun: making everyone laugh about silver orbs and small Arithmancy problems, or making everyone cry with the kiss and multiple Obliviations.

Regardless, you all were AWESOME readers. Part of the joy of writing this story was reading everyone react to the plot as it developed. THANK YOU!

If the inspiration hits, I might do an alternate ending or perhaps an additional epilogue where Hermione goes all two-fold (that's how I originally thought the story would progress before I changed my mind – he SO deserved it). If you've got any ideas you want to share, feel free to leave them in the reviews. I might use one if I need a break from writing the war AU fic!

I have another two stories posted if you'd like to read more by me while you wait for the war fic, I may post previews for those fics as additional chapters:

A Dish Best Served Cold which is a smutty, fluffy whodunit, more dub-con

They All Taste the Same which is a dark, vampire dramione with two diverging plot lines