Nine days later found Hermione, Draco, Ayden, Harry, Ginny, their two daughters Lily and Jamie, and Ron leaving St. Mungo's, now accompanied by a conscious Damien, a smile permanently etched onto his face from the sight of his family and friends. He had woken up the day prior, asking for his mom and dad . . . and ice cream.

Draco, who was pushing the wheelchair, ran his fingers through Damien's soft hair. Damien giggled and reached up to take that hand, gripping onto one of Draco's fingers firmly. Damien's other hand was attached to Hermione's fingers, gently swinging her hand back in forth. Damien looked across his mother at his brother, who was holding onto Hermione's other hand. Ayden grinned slyly at his twin, glancing up at Hermione and Draco, who were looking at each other, smiles on their faces.

These looks obviously didn't escape Harry's watchful eye, who looked up at Ginny. Ginny simply smiled at Harry, resting a hand on his shoulder, before shooting a glance at her own brother, who had a scowl on his face. She sighed. She wasn't sure how much more she could take of Ron's jealously.

Harry was slightly apprehensive, and yet, slightly happy. Apprehensive because he wasn't quite sure how well Draco and Hermione would do together, though they seemed to be doing fine at the moment. Happy because, if they were to get together, not only would it mean the boys could grow up in a complete family, but Harry could finally look at Hermione and see that she wasn't lonely anymore, because all he could ever ask of his best friend was for her to be happy.

Draco was sure of what he was feeling for Hermione. He had enough knowledge to know that he cared about her, no matter how much it scared him to admit it. She wasn't the same know-it-all, buck-toothed, Muggle-born, bushy headed girl he had known in school, as she told him when she had agreed to be his attorney. She had changed inside and out, she had grown up. But as Draco got to spend more time with her and the kids, he often realized that, except for the outwardly appearances, she hadn't changed a bit. He had.

Hermione, on the other hand, had noticed right off how much Draco had changed since the last time she had encountered him, four years back. He was more mature, more responsible, and it was when she realized this that she realized she really should have told him about the boys. He would have made a wonderful father. He could still make a wonderful father. And he seemed serious about wanting to be in the boys' life . . . and in hers.

The group reached home soon, preferring to take Floo powder rather than to Apparate for the kids' sake. Ayden, pushing Damien's wheelchair, ran off with Lily and Jamie into the family room while the adults sat together in the dining room, just chatting. Draco unconsciously laid his arm around the back of Hermione's chair, completely unnoticed by Hermione, who continued to talk as if it were normal. Ron noticed, though, of course, and, if it was possible, the scowl on his face deepened.

The doorbell rang and Draco got up to get it, forgetting for the moment that it wasn't his house but Hermione didn't stop him.

He pulled open the door to reveal an older couple. The man had bespectacled brown eyes and dirty blond hair while the woman holding his hand had golden brown eyes and bushy brown hair. They smiled happily at each other before smiling back at Draco.

"So this is him, eh?" The man said raising his eyebrow. "Looks like a healthy strong young man to me."

"Um, do I know you?" Draco said, slowly.

"Of course, you don't dear," the woman said, "seeing as how we always seem to miss each other. . . . Hermione, darling, how are you?"

Draco looked to his side to see Hermione standing there, her eyes wide in horror.

"Mum, Dad," she said, laughing nervously. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, we got your letter about Damien and we just wanted to stop by and see how he was doing," Mrs. Granger said.

"But, I have to admit," Mr. Granger said, patting Draco on the shoulder, "it's a nice surprise to finally meet your husband."