Well, folks, this is it. I started this story years ago, on paper if not on the internet, and it's come a long way from when I adopted the story from Senya Lady of the Serpents. I hope she likes this. To everyone else, I hope you've also got your fair share of reading pleasure out of this. Istalindar.

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7 years later

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Guess who?

Hmm, let me think. Wait, no, you're in my head, waste of time. Hermione rolled her eyes. Hello Draco.

Miss me?

No. Draco grinned in her mind. He knew she was lying.

How's the family?

Doing well. Look. She focused on watching her son play Quidditch with Charlie. He'll be captain before I know it.

Thirteen. Draco agreed. How're you holding up?

Well, apparently, Luke was so pissed at me when he was being born that he kicked me all out of shape. No more kids for me. There was a silence, but she could feel Draco's sadness.

I'm sorry, Hermione. He said. She smiled.

It's okay, actually. Convenient. Draco chuckled. I don't know if I could give Charlie children. Luke was conceived in possibly the most important three minutes-

Hey!

Of my life. Hermione grinned at Draco's outrage. After that, a kid from sex with Charlie…I know I'd love him, or her, a lot, but…I wouldn't want to risk feeling Luke was more important.

He is more important. Draco said. Hermione rolled her eyes.

Anyway. Luke says thanks for the broom.

Did Charlie grumble? Hermione smiled at Draco's question.

Yes, he did. He thinks you're spoiling his son.

Luke's not his son.

Yes he is. Hermione corrected firmly. I love you, Draco, but that doesn't make Luke any less Charlie's son. He raised him.

That's not my fault.

I didn't say it was. She said patiently. Charlie is his father. One of them, at least.

You mean there's more? Draco asked, sounding outraged. Hermione grinned, well aware he was taking the piss.

Only you. She said fondly. How's the dream life going, anyway? Enjoying the benefits of being a good guy when the bad guy died?

It does pay rather well. Draco said with a grin. Hermione? Can I ask you something?

Well, you don't really have to ask. She said with a smile, watching her son. Draco knew her mind like the back of his hand, and she knew his.

Are you happy? Is this your fairy tale ending? Hermione smiled.

Maybe not the one from Hogwarts. But yeah, this is as close as I think I'm ever going to get. You?

I used to think I had to have it all to be happy. Draco said. But all or nothing isn't really a good gameplan.

It's a 50/50 thing. Hermione agreed.

Happiness is nothing more than a good health and a bad memory. Draco quoted. Hermione laughed.

I have both.

Then are you happy?

Why this sudden obsession about being happy, Draco?

Because. He didn't really have to answer more, she was in his head after all. She smiled and gave him a mental hug, which was actually more satisfying than a real one on occasion.

I love you, I love my son and I love my husband. I have all of you safe and sound, and Luke can grow up without Voldemort. I'd say I'm happy.

Really?

Really, Draco. She smiled. You need to come visit sometime, Luke's complaining.

I sent the boy a broom, what more does he want?

You, idiot. Hermione smiled.

And Charlie?

He's getting used to the idea.

What if we had loud monkey sex?

Draco! He grinned and laughed his head off, and Hermione couldn't help but join in. Come over this Saturday, we're actually having dinner. Draco hesitated, and she knew he was looking in her mind, checking for catches.

I'm not facing Molly Weasley. Luke looks more like me every bloody day. It's not worth my life. Draco said hastily. She knew he'd already resigned himself to it though.

I met Narcissa. Still do, actually, regularly. You have some of the cutest baby photos, Draco.

Oh, that is it. Draco said. I'm so reducing her allowance.

I'd like to see you try. Hermione snorted. Saturday at 7pm.

Ugh. Mental marriages are not all they're cut out to be. Draco grumbled.

Love you. She said sweetly. He smiled and hugged her.

Love you too. He replied, mentally kissing her before leaving her mind. The emptiness took a second to get used to, and then Hermione was back to peeling carrots.

His question about happiness had struck a nerve. Was she happy? She'd said yes, and he would have called her on it if she had lied. And she supposed she hadn't. She had all her boys who loved her and who she loved back, Voldemort was gone, and she was quickly making a name for herself as the best dragons expert around, even surpassing Charlie.

Who took the credit for her training, of course.

Life was good, love was good, and happiness was a combination of the two.

So, yeah. She was happy.

And the funniest thing was, this was nothing like how she imagined her life.

This was so much better.

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