CHAPTER TWENTY: Ten Years (Epilogue)
"Mum! Mum! Mum!" called a ten-year-old girl as she sped through the halls of her home. With a laugh, Ginny Potter stepped out of her bedroom just as the girl rushed past.
"What, what, what?" she mocked, and the girl skidded to a stop, turning around and grinning. Ginny lifted an eyebrow at her daughter, who was completely frazzled, long black hair thrown about and clothes dirty. "Lillian May Potter, what HAVE you gotten yourself into?" She looked sheepish.
"Well..." Before the girl could continue, however, another voice echoed down the hall.
"Mummy..." Only moments later, another girl crept tentatively around the corner. She too was dressed in a nice dress, which also was completely filthy. Ginny shook her head at the three-year-old and sighed.
"What is it with you girls? Your brothers never got as dirty as you do, and they're boys!" Lillian looked to the floor, digging into the carpet with the toe of her Mary Jane, and the younger girl simply looked up hopefully.
"I wan Mummy," she stated determinedly and Ginny smiled, bending to pick the girl up.
"Mummy's not home right now, Nerissa," she told her softly, and the girl looked heartbroken. Ginny laughed and gave a grin. "Don't worry, she'll be home soon. Daddy too." This cheered the girl up; she smiled a smile that nearly reached her innocent gray eyes and tied her arms around Ginny's neck. "Alright, Lil, what's up?" Lillian looked up from her shoes, but still frowned guiltily.
"Well..." she said, "I sort of need a new dress." Ginny rolled her eyes.
"I suppose we better get you both cleaned up, shouldn't we?" she suggested and led them to their room. Although they both had their own, the girls choose to sleep in Lillian's room, on custom made bunk beds. "First off, what happened? I thought I told you not to get dirty?" Ginny asked once both girls were seated on the bottom bunk, which belonged to Nerissa. They looked to each other, trying to come up with some sort of excuse while Ginny looked for her wand. Suddenly, Lillian turned back to her mother.
"She started it," she stated, pointing to the smaller girl, who now fashioned her with a glare.
"No not!" Nerissa yelled back defiantly and Lillian rolled her eyes.
"What was that? Doughnut?" Ginny cleared her throat.
"Girls..." she scolded warningly, and they both stopped their bickering. "That's better. Hold still," Ginny said, then lifted her wand and cleaned both dresses. "There. Now, don't even go outside... I don't want you getting dirty again. Can't you just sit here and do something else?"
"But it's so nice outside, Mum!" Lillian insisted and Nerissa extravagantly nodded, tapping her toes together.
"Purdy sun."
"You can play as soon as everyone gets here, okay? Just look nice for the picture, will you?"
"Pi-ture?" Ginny smiled at the smallest girl and nodded. "Ohhhh...."
"Mum?" Lillian asked, "When's Eric and Drakey coming home?" Ginny sighed.
"Aunt Mina and Uncle Draco just went to pick them up, love." Lillian looked confused.
"Then where's Dad?" Ginny looked innocently toward the ceiling.
"Nowhere..."
"Mum," Lillian warned and Ginny laughed.
"Well... he's certainly not getting cake and ice cream..." Lillian and Nerissa shared a look, eyes shining. "And it's certainly not CHOCOLATE cake and ice cream..." The girls squealed.
"Nummy!" Nerissa giggled and her cousin agreed.
"Yeah! Nummy!"
"But," Ginny interrupted. "If you get dirty before it's served... you only get one piece." The girls looked horrified. Nerissa turned to the girl beside her.
"Lil, how much one?" Lillian turned to the smaller girl and lifted up one finger. Nerissa gasped. "One?" Ginny nodded.
"Unless you stay clean. I'll call you when the boys come back, alright?" Both girls nodded and watched Ginny leave. Nerissa then turned to her friend.
"An' Gin no lie? One?" Lillian nodded.
"Mum's not fooling; we better stay inside. Whacha wanna do?" Nerissa thought for a moment, then stood up with a squeal.
"Finner pain," she said, and Lillian shook her head.
"You can't finger paint, Riss... Mum said not to get dirty." Nerissa, who was just getting out her paints, glared. Lillian rolled her eyes, then rubbed at one, adjusting a contact lens. "What is it with you Malfoys and your facial expressions? All you people ever do is glare and smirk... even Aunt Mina." Nerissa didn't soften her gaze and Lillian sighed. "Do you want only one piece of cake?" At this, the little girl frowned and shook her head. "Then no finger painting."
"But... I wantsa make a cod," she whined and Lillian shrugged.
"Use crayons." Nerissa's eyes grew wide and she stared at her cousin as if she were the smartest person she'd ever met.
"Kay... will ya hep me?" Lillian smiled.
"Sure. What do you want it to say?"
"Hapsy Annermaritary." Lillian grinned.
"Can do."
~*~
Hermione Malfoy held tight to her husband's arm as the red Hogwarts Express pulled up to the platform. Draco rolled his eyes. She got like this every year.
"Oh, there they are!" Hermione suddenly squealed, pointing toward the end of the train where two blondes exited; one on the arm of a brunette, the other with her sister. Immediately, Hermione dragged Draco toward them, hoping to say hello to them all. However, before she could get there, the boys hurriedly kissed their girlfriends goodbye and the sisters scurried off. The blondes turned around just as they reached them. "Draco," Hermione whispered softly as she embraced the shorter of the boys, who blushed considerably.
"Hey Mum," he said impassively, brushing off his robes and adjusting the prefect badge that was nestled below the serpentine symbol of Salazar Slytherin.
"Oh, I missed you so much... have you gotten taller?" Jr. laughed.
"Mum... you saw me last week at Graduation, remember?" Hermione laughed.
"I know, but..." she shook her head and embraced him again. When she pulled away this time, she turned to the taller blonde. "Congratulations, honey," she said, and proceeded to give him a hug. Jr. rolled his eyes, but the other boy laughed and hugged Hermione tight.
"Thanks, Aunt Mina." Then, Hermione frowned.
"Where did Cade and Emmy go so quickly? I wanted to see them," she said sadly as Eric released her. He shook his head.
"Don't worry Aunt Mina, I'm sure they'll be by sometime. Can we go home? I want to see Lils." Hermione smiled.
"Of course. Get your things," she agreed, keeping one hand on Eric's chest, where he proudly bore the Gryffindor crest, and reaching the other to briefly touch Jr.'s face. They boys gave her half smiles and took off toward the baggage claim. Hermione sighed as Draco pulled her into him. "Look at them, Draco... I feel so old." He laughed.
"You're not old. Mum... now, Mum is old." Hermione laughed, although this thought saddened her. Jr. was now going on sixteen and Eric nearly eighteen. They'd grown up so fast. She sighed.
"We'll be fifty when Rissa graduates, Draco."
"We've talked about this, Hermione," Draco said, kissing her forehead and hugging her tight. Hermione sighed.
"Yeah... I know."
~
"Hey," Eric said, tapping Jr. on the shoulder. He turned around, flipping the hair out of his eyes. "How's your Mum?" Jr. gave a slight nod and closed his eyes, trying hard to concentrate. A smile graced his features.
"She's fine. Didn't notice a thing... not even suspicious. A little depressed, but... she always is whenever we come home," he said, opening his eyes again. Eric smirked and lifted his trunk onto a luggage cart.
"Good..." Jr. nodded, smirking.
When the boys rejoined Jr.'s parents, Draco gave them both a pat on the back and tousled Jr.'s hair. The two younger blondes shared a look, but kept on walking.
~*~
When the trio of Malfoys, plus Eric, stopped their car in the driveway, Jr. leapt out and ran directly toward the house without a word. Hermione rose from her seat, looking slightly alarmed. She turned to Eric.
"What was that all about?" Eric, although he knew, shrugged.
"Probably didn't want to take his trunk. Lazy git." The other adults laughed.
"How old are you now, Eric?" Draco asked playfully, and he shrugged, pulling his trunk from the car. As they were being levitated toward the house, Jr. appeared briefly in the front window and gave Eric the thumbs up. This only made Hermione more suspicious.
"Eric..." Again he shrugged.
"Never know with that kid," he said, shaking his head, then started toward the house. Hermione gave Draco a look, but he seemed just as clueless. Together, they followed the new Hogwarts graduate.
Eric carelessly dropped the trunks in the living room, then sighed, shielding his wand with a smile. Summer magic; oh the possibilities. Then, Jr. dashed in from down the hall.
"Mum, Dad... come quick," he said, not elaborating in the slightest, and turned back, fleeing down the hall. Hermione gave Draco a slightly worried look and he took her hand, pulling her along behind their son, who had dashed out the garden doors. Hermione, however, got there first.
"Draco, what's going... oh..."
"Surprise!" called a vast congregation of people in the yard. Among them was, of course, Ginny, Harry, Lillian, and Nerissa... but also dozens of people Hermione hadn't seen in months to years. Ron was there... along with his wife and brand new two-month-old daughter Dania. Most of the other Weasleys were also present; Fred, George, their flavors of the week, Molly and Arthur, of course, looking as fit and trim as ever, and Bill. Apart from the flock of redheads, Hagrid was there, along with Madame Maxime and their soon-to-be-born offspring, various friends of Narcissa's and Malfoy relatives Hermione had only heard of. She brought her hands to her mouth at the welcoming sight, bringing her eyes from the people to the banner above, which read: Happy 10th Anniversary. A moment later, she felt a hand on her back, and turned to her husband... but Draco seemed just as surprised as she was.
"Aright Mum?" asked a voice from her other side, and Hermione turned to see her son, doing grace to his father's perfected smirk.
"You knew about this?" she asked in a whisper and Jr. tried to look innocent.
"Yeah. About everyone but you did. Even Lils and Riss." Hermione turned back to the crowd.
"But... it's not for..."
"A month or so, we know..." Harry finished for her and Ginny grinned.
"But, this seemed the perfect opportunity, so we seized it. Come on, be social able," the redhead suggested, taking Hermione by the arm and leading her into the masses. Draco was pushed along behind by his son and soon they were engulfed in pleasant conversation with people they hadn't seen in what seemed like years... and in cases, was.
When she gained a moment to herself, Hermione looked up at the sign. She remembered that day, in the tiny white church... when she had officially become Mrs. Draco Malfoy. She could honestly say it was one of the best days of her life... ranking up there with the birth of both Junior and Nerissa, both proposals on the part of Draco, and, of course, the day he came home. Although, she found herself slightly saddened at the thought that her parents couldn't share this day with them. Not long after she was married, her father had another stroke. This time, however, he was behind the wheel of the car... and her mother was in the passenger seat. It was winter... like an accident waiting to happen.
~
"Hey, Lils. How's my 'lil sis?" Lillian turned around, startled from her conversation with Madam Maxime, who was explaining the wonders of pregnancy, and a grin lit her face.
"Eric!" she squealed, jumping at him. Eric hoisted her into his arms and held her tight.
"Hey, girl. Didn't see you at graduation..." Lillian pulled back from the embrace and her big brother set her down.
"They wouldn't let me and Rissa in... cod swallow if you ask me."
"Nobody asked you." She gave him a playful glare.
"Hey... where's Cade?" Eric shrugged.
"She said she'd be here by noon... it's only five after." Lillian mocked outrage.
"ONLY five after? What do you mean ONLY? I say you go over there right now and find out what's taking so long. Go on." Eric looked at her strangely, but Lillian held her ground. Then, he understood.
"You just want me to apparate, don't you?" Lillian placed a hand to her chest.
"What? Me? No..." she mocked and Eric shrugged.
"Fine... I'll take the car, then," he said and started away, but Lillian screeched.
"PLEASE, Eric? You can apparate TO the car for all I care... just make that cool noise." With a sigh, Eric apparated away and Lillian giggled, then went off to find her mother.
~
"Baco!" called a tiny voice and Jr. turned around, rolling his eyes. He smiled at the short little girl in a prim and pressed dress, looking up at him as if he were a god.
"Haven't you grown out of that yet, Riss?" She shook her head and opened her arms. With a sigh, Jr. knelt embraced her. When he let go, she kissed his cheek.
"Bye," was all she said before Nerissa dashed away. Jr. shook his head and turned to find someone better to talk to that the elderly man who hadn't even noticed Nerissa's arrival and was still droning on about some war Jr. was pretty sure never happened. "Daddy!" Nerissa called, making her way through the forest of legs and looking for her father's familiar shoes. She must have missed them, however, because when she least expected it, two strong hands lifted the brunette off the ground and turned her upside down. She screamed in happiness.
"Hey Princess," Draco said softly, kissing her reddening nose. Nerissa grinned.
"I got perzent," she boasted and Draco laughed, turning her right side up and holding her to him.
"Oh really? From whom?" She giggled.
"Me. For you an Mummy." Draco smiled.
"Aw, you didn't have to do that, Riss. All I needs a kiss. Come on," he said and she smiled, kissing his cheek. "There. All better." Nerissa shook her head and reached around behind her to pull a folded piece of paper from her tights. She handed it to Draco, who shifted her to his hip for access of his hands.
"Wait! Wha bout Mummy?" Draco smiled.
"Oh, right... where is she, can you see her?" he asked, although he knew for sure Hermione was about ten feet behind him, talking with Ron. Nerissa looked around worriedly, as if her Mum might be lost. After a moment, she gasped.
"Daddy, I no see Mum," she cried, pitching forward and tying her arms around his neck. Draco laughed.
"Hm..." he said, pretending to be looking for her.
"Is she losted?" Draco was silent for a moment, then gasped.
"Look, there... is that her?" Nerissa quickly picked up her head and looked in the direction he had pointed. Her face lit up.
"Mummy!" she called, causing Hermione to whirl around in alarm, but she smiled softly as she saw Nerissa nestled safely in her father's arms. Hermione excused herself from conversation with her friend, and he kissed her in congratulations before moving on to go find his wife and daughter.
"Hi, baby," she said softly as she approached them, and Nerissa immediately latched on to her neck, although she didn't leave her father's arms.
"We thought you was losted," she said worriedly and Hermione smiled.
"I'm right here, Rissa," she said and Nerissa let go, giving a nod and moving her arms back to Draco's neck. Hermione smiled and planted a kiss on his lips. "Did you know about this?" she asked softly and Draco laughed.
"No! Do you think I'd have been able to keep this from you?" Hermione laughed. Rissa, annoyed with being ignored, whispered something in Draco's ear. "Oh... right," he said and handed Hermione the paper. She looked confused.
"What's this?"
"Perzent," Nerissa said proudly, and Hermione smiled, opening the paper. It bore two words, and a crayon picture of four stick figures. Two blonde men, and two brunette women.
"What's it say, Rissa?" she asked, and Nerissa proudly sat up straight.
"Hapsy Annermaritary."
~*~
Only minutes after Eric had left, he returned... this time in a car with two women. Emmy jumped out almost before the vehicle came to a complete stop and raced into the crowd, leaving Eric to shake his head.
"She saw him what, half an hour ago?" Cade laughed.
"What? You think I don't miss you after half an hour?" she asked suspiciously and Eric mocked her.
"You think I don't miss you nah, nah, nah..." he said, scrunching up his face and altering his voice. Cade giggled.
"You're so cute when you do that," she said and he rolled his eyes, but gave her a kiss afterward nonetheless.
~
"Draco," Emmy said, coming up behind him, and Jr. turned around, grinning.
"Hey," he said, his voice deep and brisk. She giggled and gave him a kiss. This connection was soon followed by another, in which he had time to respond.
"Who's that there snogging my son?" asked another voice, breaking the two apart and causing a blush to rise in Emmy's cheeks.
"It's just me, Mr. Malfoy," she said, and Draco gave a deep laugh, giving his son's girlfriend a hug.
"And how is my favorite Gryffindor?" he asked, slinging an arm around her shoulders, and Jr. rolled his eyes.
"Da-ad," he started, but his complaining was interrupted.
"Your FAVORITE Gryffindor, hm? What about me?" Hermione asked, come up to the group with Nerissa on her hip, who immediately reached for Draco.
"And me, Uncle Draco," Eric prodded with a smirk, pulling Cade along behind him.
"And me, I thought I was your favorite," Harry joked as he walked by, bringing Dania back to her mother. Draco laughed.
"Spose I shouldn't have said that," he said, and started a real conversation with the girl he hadn't seen since Christmas, save graduation.
"Eric," Cade whispered, and he turned to her quickly.
"Hm?" She pulled down on his shoulder, bringing his ear close enough to whisper into.
"Shouldn't we tell them right away?" she asked, but Eric shook his head, giving her a kiss.
"As soon as Nanna get here," he whispered back and Cade smiled.
"That's sweet, that you still call her that," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder, and Eric smiled, putting his arm around her.
"I still call Aunt Mina Aunt Mina... and Draco Junior, sometimes..." he pointed out and she shrugged.
"Well, yeah, but... Aunt Hermione, let's face it, sounds strange... and with two Dracos, it gets confusing." Eric shook his head.
"Shut up, will you?" She shrugged.
"Yeah, okay."
~*~
It was only an hour after the arrival of the Watsons that Narcissa Malfoy pulled up in her rental car.
"A-loooooha!" she called as she stepped out, dressed in shorts and a tank top, displaying her seamless tan. Hermione and Draco broke from the crowd with Nerissa still in her father's arms.
"Mum!" he called, surprised, "What are you doing here?" She lifted an eyebrow at him and he shook his head. "No... stupid question." Hermione laughed and brushed past her husband, giving her mother-in-law a hug.
"Hey Mum... how's Hawaii treating you?" she asked and Narcissa giggled.
"It's heaven... but I do miss all you kids..." she faked a gasp. "Is that my Rissa? You've gotten so big!" she called, and the little girl squirmed in her father's grip.
"Nama!" she squealed, reaching for her grandmother. Narcissa smiled and embraced the little girl. No sooner had they again parted and the girl returned to her father did Eric and Cade join the mini party, followed by Harry, Ginny, Lillian, Jr., and Emmy. The latter couple were smirking to each other and holding hands, as if they knew something the others didn't.
"Alright, Eric, what's going on?" Ginny asked as they made it to the others. Eric took a breath.
"Well," he said, then exhaled. He turned to Cade, who smiled, then to the others. "We have some news." Ginny's expression became scared.
"N-News?" Eric gave a nod.
"We're getting married," he said, and his words were followed by a surprised and scared look by the rest of the congregation, save Emmy and Jr., who looked as if they'd known, and Nerissa, who simply didn't understand.
"You're..." Ginny started, and Eric grinned, putting his arm around Cade's shoulders. "Harry," she whispered, and he came to her aid immediately, supporting her before she collapsed.
"Eric," Hermione said, "Are you sure... I mean, you've got plenty of time... you've just gotten out of school..." Cade frowned and looked down to her Ravenclaw robes, which she hadn't had the chance to change out of yet. Eric had said they'd be supportive... but she'd suspected something more like this. He tightened his grip on her shoulders and kept his smile, although it became slightly forced.
"Aunt Mina... it was you and Uncle Draco who inspired us in the first place. Anything could happen at any time... why wait if we don't have reason to?"
"But Eric..." Ginny said, still leaning on Harry.
"Gin, it's his decision," her husband whispered and Ginny turned to him.
"But what if it's the wrong one? I'm his mother, I can't just..."
"You can't change my mind, Mum. I've thought this through more times than you're giving me credit for." Ginny, looking Eric straight in the eye, took a moment before she sighed.
"Alright, Eric... if you're sure." He smiled at Cade, who gave a tiny one back.
"We're sure." There was a brief silence, then Hermione clapped her hands together.
"Alright, then... who wants cake?"
"Me!" Lillian and Nerissa cried in unison, generating a congregated giggle. The group slowly drifted toward the rest of the crowd.
"You alright?" Eric whispered to Cade, and she nodded, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
"I've never been so nervous in my life, but... yeah, I'm fine," she said and Eric laughed. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you."
"I love you too," he agreed, kissing her left temple.
~
Emmy sighed blissfully as she watched her sister kiss her fiancé. Jr., who was standing beside her, sipping punch, lifted an eyebrow.
"What does that mean?" Emmy looked startled, turning to him.
"What does what mean?" she asked and Jr. looked skeptical. He mocked her sigh and she shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just a romantic, is all."
"Don't I know it." Emmy didn't even look as she slapped his arm. She sighed again, but nowhere near as blissfully.
"They reacted exactly how I assumed they would," she mused, taking his cup from his hand and bringing it quickly to her lips. Jr. didn't even bother glaring; he simply waited until she gave it back. He took a sip without protest. "It's a good thing she didn't tell them she was pregnant." At that thought, Jr. spit out his punch.
"WHAT?" he hissed in whisper, but any explanation was interrupted by a dull thump. Turning around, Emmy saw Eric's mother, unconscious on the ground. She nervously chewed on a fingernail, turning back to her boyfriend.
"I was just kidding," she admitted and Jr. sat on the table, breathing deeply.
"For Merlin's sake, Emmy..."
~*~
Hermione sighed blissfully as she stepped up to the mantle in her bedroom. With a smile, she placed the newly taken picture of the entire party congregation between the memorable shot of Emmy, Jr. and... Jimmy, was his name, holding up their signs, and the irreplaceable picture of herself and her husband on their wedding day, standing on the same steps as the children. She stood, admiring, for a few minutes, but then Draco interrupted her.
"Alright, love?" he asked, stepping up and wrapping his arms around her. Hermione smiled, leaning into him.
"Never better," she stated truthfully, and Draco kissed the back of her head. "Whatever happened to Jimmy?"
"Who?" he asked, tying his eyebrows in confusion. Hermione gave a sad smile, placing her fingers over the smiling muggle she hadn't seen since Jr. went away to Hogwarts. "I don't honestly know... I'm sure he's a normal child, growing up the way any muggle should, and doesn't even think about his childhood friends who went away to a mysterious boarding school." She sighed.
"They took it well, though, didn't they?" Draco laughed.
"Well, Jimmy never was one to show much emotion, was he? And Draco and Emmy already knew t was going to happen." Hermione turned around.
"I love you, Draco," she said and kissed him softly. Draco smiled.
"And of course, Hermione, you know I love you too." She sighed and rested her head on his chest. There was a brief period of silence. "I have an idea," Draco suddenly stated, and Hermione looked up. "Dance with me?" She smiled.
"There's no music," she said, although Hermione didn't plan on disagreeing.
"Pretend." She gave a nod and took his hand while Draco snaked the other to her hip. After a few moments of silently gliding about the room, Hermione smiled.
"I always knew you'd come back to me," she stated softly and Draco moved a hand to lift her chin, giving one last kiss.
"And I always knew you'd wait for me."
~*~*~*~
A/N: Sob, Sob... for those of you who didn't understand, this chapter is ten years after the last one. Lillian is 'Mary Sue'. I didn't cry during this chapter, there was no reason to, but... I am sad to see this story go. I know a lot of you have requested I not end like this... but let's face it, the only conflict in this story was that they weren't married. I got them married. If I continued, it'd get mucho aburrido. I thank everyone who reviewed, and I wish you luck in your own conquests.
Did anyone notice I made Nerissa a Daddy's girl? Lol. I thought it fitting, considering Jr. is an obvious Momma's boy. I mean, with his 'powers', he has to be, right? Lol.
There will be no sequel. Well, not from me, at least. E-mail me if you're interested: CrypticCoruscation@yahoo.com. I have no problems with someone continuing this, I'd just like to know that you're going to... ya know, so I can read it! Lol. And, please, credit me, even if it is just in one disclaimer somewhere ;o)
"Mum! Mum! Mum!" called a ten-year-old girl as she sped through the halls of her home. With a laugh, Ginny Potter stepped out of her bedroom just as the girl rushed past.
"What, what, what?" she mocked, and the girl skidded to a stop, turning around and grinning. Ginny lifted an eyebrow at her daughter, who was completely frazzled, long black hair thrown about and clothes dirty. "Lillian May Potter, what HAVE you gotten yourself into?" She looked sheepish.
"Well..." Before the girl could continue, however, another voice echoed down the hall.
"Mummy..." Only moments later, another girl crept tentatively around the corner. She too was dressed in a nice dress, which also was completely filthy. Ginny shook her head at the three-year-old and sighed.
"What is it with you girls? Your brothers never got as dirty as you do, and they're boys!" Lillian looked to the floor, digging into the carpet with the toe of her Mary Jane, and the younger girl simply looked up hopefully.
"I wan Mummy," she stated determinedly and Ginny smiled, bending to pick the girl up.
"Mummy's not home right now, Nerissa," she told her softly, and the girl looked heartbroken. Ginny laughed and gave a grin. "Don't worry, she'll be home soon. Daddy too." This cheered the girl up; she smiled a smile that nearly reached her innocent gray eyes and tied her arms around Ginny's neck. "Alright, Lil, what's up?" Lillian looked up from her shoes, but still frowned guiltily.
"Well..." she said, "I sort of need a new dress." Ginny rolled her eyes.
"I suppose we better get you both cleaned up, shouldn't we?" she suggested and led them to their room. Although they both had their own, the girls choose to sleep in Lillian's room, on custom made bunk beds. "First off, what happened? I thought I told you not to get dirty?" Ginny asked once both girls were seated on the bottom bunk, which belonged to Nerissa. They looked to each other, trying to come up with some sort of excuse while Ginny looked for her wand. Suddenly, Lillian turned back to her mother.
"She started it," she stated, pointing to the smaller girl, who now fashioned her with a glare.
"No not!" Nerissa yelled back defiantly and Lillian rolled her eyes.
"What was that? Doughnut?" Ginny cleared her throat.
"Girls..." she scolded warningly, and they both stopped their bickering. "That's better. Hold still," Ginny said, then lifted her wand and cleaned both dresses. "There. Now, don't even go outside... I don't want you getting dirty again. Can't you just sit here and do something else?"
"But it's so nice outside, Mum!" Lillian insisted and Nerissa extravagantly nodded, tapping her toes together.
"Purdy sun."
"You can play as soon as everyone gets here, okay? Just look nice for the picture, will you?"
"Pi-ture?" Ginny smiled at the smallest girl and nodded. "Ohhhh...."
"Mum?" Lillian asked, "When's Eric and Drakey coming home?" Ginny sighed.
"Aunt Mina and Uncle Draco just went to pick them up, love." Lillian looked confused.
"Then where's Dad?" Ginny looked innocently toward the ceiling.
"Nowhere..."
"Mum," Lillian warned and Ginny laughed.
"Well... he's certainly not getting cake and ice cream..." Lillian and Nerissa shared a look, eyes shining. "And it's certainly not CHOCOLATE cake and ice cream..." The girls squealed.
"Nummy!" Nerissa giggled and her cousin agreed.
"Yeah! Nummy!"
"But," Ginny interrupted. "If you get dirty before it's served... you only get one piece." The girls looked horrified. Nerissa turned to the girl beside her.
"Lil, how much one?" Lillian turned to the smaller girl and lifted up one finger. Nerissa gasped. "One?" Ginny nodded.
"Unless you stay clean. I'll call you when the boys come back, alright?" Both girls nodded and watched Ginny leave. Nerissa then turned to her friend.
"An' Gin no lie? One?" Lillian nodded.
"Mum's not fooling; we better stay inside. Whacha wanna do?" Nerissa thought for a moment, then stood up with a squeal.
"Finner pain," she said, and Lillian shook her head.
"You can't finger paint, Riss... Mum said not to get dirty." Nerissa, who was just getting out her paints, glared. Lillian rolled her eyes, then rubbed at one, adjusting a contact lens. "What is it with you Malfoys and your facial expressions? All you people ever do is glare and smirk... even Aunt Mina." Nerissa didn't soften her gaze and Lillian sighed. "Do you want only one piece of cake?" At this, the little girl frowned and shook her head. "Then no finger painting."
"But... I wantsa make a cod," she whined and Lillian shrugged.
"Use crayons." Nerissa's eyes grew wide and she stared at her cousin as if she were the smartest person she'd ever met.
"Kay... will ya hep me?" Lillian smiled.
"Sure. What do you want it to say?"
"Hapsy Annermaritary." Lillian grinned.
"Can do."
~*~
Hermione Malfoy held tight to her husband's arm as the red Hogwarts Express pulled up to the platform. Draco rolled his eyes. She got like this every year.
"Oh, there they are!" Hermione suddenly squealed, pointing toward the end of the train where two blondes exited; one on the arm of a brunette, the other with her sister. Immediately, Hermione dragged Draco toward them, hoping to say hello to them all. However, before she could get there, the boys hurriedly kissed their girlfriends goodbye and the sisters scurried off. The blondes turned around just as they reached them. "Draco," Hermione whispered softly as she embraced the shorter of the boys, who blushed considerably.
"Hey Mum," he said impassively, brushing off his robes and adjusting the prefect badge that was nestled below the serpentine symbol of Salazar Slytherin.
"Oh, I missed you so much... have you gotten taller?" Jr. laughed.
"Mum... you saw me last week at Graduation, remember?" Hermione laughed.
"I know, but..." she shook her head and embraced him again. When she pulled away this time, she turned to the taller blonde. "Congratulations, honey," she said, and proceeded to give him a hug. Jr. rolled his eyes, but the other boy laughed and hugged Hermione tight.
"Thanks, Aunt Mina." Then, Hermione frowned.
"Where did Cade and Emmy go so quickly? I wanted to see them," she said sadly as Eric released her. He shook his head.
"Don't worry Aunt Mina, I'm sure they'll be by sometime. Can we go home? I want to see Lils." Hermione smiled.
"Of course. Get your things," she agreed, keeping one hand on Eric's chest, where he proudly bore the Gryffindor crest, and reaching the other to briefly touch Jr.'s face. They boys gave her half smiles and took off toward the baggage claim. Hermione sighed as Draco pulled her into him. "Look at them, Draco... I feel so old." He laughed.
"You're not old. Mum... now, Mum is old." Hermione laughed, although this thought saddened her. Jr. was now going on sixteen and Eric nearly eighteen. They'd grown up so fast. She sighed.
"We'll be fifty when Rissa graduates, Draco."
"We've talked about this, Hermione," Draco said, kissing her forehead and hugging her tight. Hermione sighed.
"Yeah... I know."
~
"Hey," Eric said, tapping Jr. on the shoulder. He turned around, flipping the hair out of his eyes. "How's your Mum?" Jr. gave a slight nod and closed his eyes, trying hard to concentrate. A smile graced his features.
"She's fine. Didn't notice a thing... not even suspicious. A little depressed, but... she always is whenever we come home," he said, opening his eyes again. Eric smirked and lifted his trunk onto a luggage cart.
"Good..." Jr. nodded, smirking.
When the boys rejoined Jr.'s parents, Draco gave them both a pat on the back and tousled Jr.'s hair. The two younger blondes shared a look, but kept on walking.
~*~
When the trio of Malfoys, plus Eric, stopped their car in the driveway, Jr. leapt out and ran directly toward the house without a word. Hermione rose from her seat, looking slightly alarmed. She turned to Eric.
"What was that all about?" Eric, although he knew, shrugged.
"Probably didn't want to take his trunk. Lazy git." The other adults laughed.
"How old are you now, Eric?" Draco asked playfully, and he shrugged, pulling his trunk from the car. As they were being levitated toward the house, Jr. appeared briefly in the front window and gave Eric the thumbs up. This only made Hermione more suspicious.
"Eric..." Again he shrugged.
"Never know with that kid," he said, shaking his head, then started toward the house. Hermione gave Draco a look, but he seemed just as clueless. Together, they followed the new Hogwarts graduate.
Eric carelessly dropped the trunks in the living room, then sighed, shielding his wand with a smile. Summer magic; oh the possibilities. Then, Jr. dashed in from down the hall.
"Mum, Dad... come quick," he said, not elaborating in the slightest, and turned back, fleeing down the hall. Hermione gave Draco a slightly worried look and he took her hand, pulling her along behind their son, who had dashed out the garden doors. Hermione, however, got there first.
"Draco, what's going... oh..."
"Surprise!" called a vast congregation of people in the yard. Among them was, of course, Ginny, Harry, Lillian, and Nerissa... but also dozens of people Hermione hadn't seen in months to years. Ron was there... along with his wife and brand new two-month-old daughter Dania. Most of the other Weasleys were also present; Fred, George, their flavors of the week, Molly and Arthur, of course, looking as fit and trim as ever, and Bill. Apart from the flock of redheads, Hagrid was there, along with Madame Maxime and their soon-to-be-born offspring, various friends of Narcissa's and Malfoy relatives Hermione had only heard of. She brought her hands to her mouth at the welcoming sight, bringing her eyes from the people to the banner above, which read: Happy 10th Anniversary. A moment later, she felt a hand on her back, and turned to her husband... but Draco seemed just as surprised as she was.
"Aright Mum?" asked a voice from her other side, and Hermione turned to see her son, doing grace to his father's perfected smirk.
"You knew about this?" she asked in a whisper and Jr. tried to look innocent.
"Yeah. About everyone but you did. Even Lils and Riss." Hermione turned back to the crowd.
"But... it's not for..."
"A month or so, we know..." Harry finished for her and Ginny grinned.
"But, this seemed the perfect opportunity, so we seized it. Come on, be social able," the redhead suggested, taking Hermione by the arm and leading her into the masses. Draco was pushed along behind by his son and soon they were engulfed in pleasant conversation with people they hadn't seen in what seemed like years... and in cases, was.
When she gained a moment to herself, Hermione looked up at the sign. She remembered that day, in the tiny white church... when she had officially become Mrs. Draco Malfoy. She could honestly say it was one of the best days of her life... ranking up there with the birth of both Junior and Nerissa, both proposals on the part of Draco, and, of course, the day he came home. Although, she found herself slightly saddened at the thought that her parents couldn't share this day with them. Not long after she was married, her father had another stroke. This time, however, he was behind the wheel of the car... and her mother was in the passenger seat. It was winter... like an accident waiting to happen.
~
"Hey, Lils. How's my 'lil sis?" Lillian turned around, startled from her conversation with Madam Maxime, who was explaining the wonders of pregnancy, and a grin lit her face.
"Eric!" she squealed, jumping at him. Eric hoisted her into his arms and held her tight.
"Hey, girl. Didn't see you at graduation..." Lillian pulled back from the embrace and her big brother set her down.
"They wouldn't let me and Rissa in... cod swallow if you ask me."
"Nobody asked you." She gave him a playful glare.
"Hey... where's Cade?" Eric shrugged.
"She said she'd be here by noon... it's only five after." Lillian mocked outrage.
"ONLY five after? What do you mean ONLY? I say you go over there right now and find out what's taking so long. Go on." Eric looked at her strangely, but Lillian held her ground. Then, he understood.
"You just want me to apparate, don't you?" Lillian placed a hand to her chest.
"What? Me? No..." she mocked and Eric shrugged.
"Fine... I'll take the car, then," he said and started away, but Lillian screeched.
"PLEASE, Eric? You can apparate TO the car for all I care... just make that cool noise." With a sigh, Eric apparated away and Lillian giggled, then went off to find her mother.
~
"Baco!" called a tiny voice and Jr. turned around, rolling his eyes. He smiled at the short little girl in a prim and pressed dress, looking up at him as if he were a god.
"Haven't you grown out of that yet, Riss?" She shook her head and opened her arms. With a sigh, Jr. knelt embraced her. When he let go, she kissed his cheek.
"Bye," was all she said before Nerissa dashed away. Jr. shook his head and turned to find someone better to talk to that the elderly man who hadn't even noticed Nerissa's arrival and was still droning on about some war Jr. was pretty sure never happened. "Daddy!" Nerissa called, making her way through the forest of legs and looking for her father's familiar shoes. She must have missed them, however, because when she least expected it, two strong hands lifted the brunette off the ground and turned her upside down. She screamed in happiness.
"Hey Princess," Draco said softly, kissing her reddening nose. Nerissa grinned.
"I got perzent," she boasted and Draco laughed, turning her right side up and holding her to him.
"Oh really? From whom?" She giggled.
"Me. For you an Mummy." Draco smiled.
"Aw, you didn't have to do that, Riss. All I needs a kiss. Come on," he said and she smiled, kissing his cheek. "There. All better." Nerissa shook her head and reached around behind her to pull a folded piece of paper from her tights. She handed it to Draco, who shifted her to his hip for access of his hands.
"Wait! Wha bout Mummy?" Draco smiled.
"Oh, right... where is she, can you see her?" he asked, although he knew for sure Hermione was about ten feet behind him, talking with Ron. Nerissa looked around worriedly, as if her Mum might be lost. After a moment, she gasped.
"Daddy, I no see Mum," she cried, pitching forward and tying her arms around his neck. Draco laughed.
"Hm..." he said, pretending to be looking for her.
"Is she losted?" Draco was silent for a moment, then gasped.
"Look, there... is that her?" Nerissa quickly picked up her head and looked in the direction he had pointed. Her face lit up.
"Mummy!" she called, causing Hermione to whirl around in alarm, but she smiled softly as she saw Nerissa nestled safely in her father's arms. Hermione excused herself from conversation with her friend, and he kissed her in congratulations before moving on to go find his wife and daughter.
"Hi, baby," she said softly as she approached them, and Nerissa immediately latched on to her neck, although she didn't leave her father's arms.
"We thought you was losted," she said worriedly and Hermione smiled.
"I'm right here, Rissa," she said and Nerissa let go, giving a nod and moving her arms back to Draco's neck. Hermione smiled and planted a kiss on his lips. "Did you know about this?" she asked softly and Draco laughed.
"No! Do you think I'd have been able to keep this from you?" Hermione laughed. Rissa, annoyed with being ignored, whispered something in Draco's ear. "Oh... right," he said and handed Hermione the paper. She looked confused.
"What's this?"
"Perzent," Nerissa said proudly, and Hermione smiled, opening the paper. It bore two words, and a crayon picture of four stick figures. Two blonde men, and two brunette women.
"What's it say, Rissa?" she asked, and Nerissa proudly sat up straight.
"Hapsy Annermaritary."
~*~
Only minutes after Eric had left, he returned... this time in a car with two women. Emmy jumped out almost before the vehicle came to a complete stop and raced into the crowd, leaving Eric to shake his head.
"She saw him what, half an hour ago?" Cade laughed.
"What? You think I don't miss you after half an hour?" she asked suspiciously and Eric mocked her.
"You think I don't miss you nah, nah, nah..." he said, scrunching up his face and altering his voice. Cade giggled.
"You're so cute when you do that," she said and he rolled his eyes, but gave her a kiss afterward nonetheless.
~
"Draco," Emmy said, coming up behind him, and Jr. turned around, grinning.
"Hey," he said, his voice deep and brisk. She giggled and gave him a kiss. This connection was soon followed by another, in which he had time to respond.
"Who's that there snogging my son?" asked another voice, breaking the two apart and causing a blush to rise in Emmy's cheeks.
"It's just me, Mr. Malfoy," she said, and Draco gave a deep laugh, giving his son's girlfriend a hug.
"And how is my favorite Gryffindor?" he asked, slinging an arm around her shoulders, and Jr. rolled his eyes.
"Da-ad," he started, but his complaining was interrupted.
"Your FAVORITE Gryffindor, hm? What about me?" Hermione asked, come up to the group with Nerissa on her hip, who immediately reached for Draco.
"And me, Uncle Draco," Eric prodded with a smirk, pulling Cade along behind him.
"And me, I thought I was your favorite," Harry joked as he walked by, bringing Dania back to her mother. Draco laughed.
"Spose I shouldn't have said that," he said, and started a real conversation with the girl he hadn't seen since Christmas, save graduation.
"Eric," Cade whispered, and he turned to her quickly.
"Hm?" She pulled down on his shoulder, bringing his ear close enough to whisper into.
"Shouldn't we tell them right away?" she asked, but Eric shook his head, giving her a kiss.
"As soon as Nanna get here," he whispered back and Cade smiled.
"That's sweet, that you still call her that," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder, and Eric smiled, putting his arm around her.
"I still call Aunt Mina Aunt Mina... and Draco Junior, sometimes..." he pointed out and she shrugged.
"Well, yeah, but... Aunt Hermione, let's face it, sounds strange... and with two Dracos, it gets confusing." Eric shook his head.
"Shut up, will you?" She shrugged.
"Yeah, okay."
~*~
It was only an hour after the arrival of the Watsons that Narcissa Malfoy pulled up in her rental car.
"A-loooooha!" she called as she stepped out, dressed in shorts and a tank top, displaying her seamless tan. Hermione and Draco broke from the crowd with Nerissa still in her father's arms.
"Mum!" he called, surprised, "What are you doing here?" She lifted an eyebrow at him and he shook his head. "No... stupid question." Hermione laughed and brushed past her husband, giving her mother-in-law a hug.
"Hey Mum... how's Hawaii treating you?" she asked and Narcissa giggled.
"It's heaven... but I do miss all you kids..." she faked a gasp. "Is that my Rissa? You've gotten so big!" she called, and the little girl squirmed in her father's grip.
"Nama!" she squealed, reaching for her grandmother. Narcissa smiled and embraced the little girl. No sooner had they again parted and the girl returned to her father did Eric and Cade join the mini party, followed by Harry, Ginny, Lillian, Jr., and Emmy. The latter couple were smirking to each other and holding hands, as if they knew something the others didn't.
"Alright, Eric, what's going on?" Ginny asked as they made it to the others. Eric took a breath.
"Well," he said, then exhaled. He turned to Cade, who smiled, then to the others. "We have some news." Ginny's expression became scared.
"N-News?" Eric gave a nod.
"We're getting married," he said, and his words were followed by a surprised and scared look by the rest of the congregation, save Emmy and Jr., who looked as if they'd known, and Nerissa, who simply didn't understand.
"You're..." Ginny started, and Eric grinned, putting his arm around Cade's shoulders. "Harry," she whispered, and he came to her aid immediately, supporting her before she collapsed.
"Eric," Hermione said, "Are you sure... I mean, you've got plenty of time... you've just gotten out of school..." Cade frowned and looked down to her Ravenclaw robes, which she hadn't had the chance to change out of yet. Eric had said they'd be supportive... but she'd suspected something more like this. He tightened his grip on her shoulders and kept his smile, although it became slightly forced.
"Aunt Mina... it was you and Uncle Draco who inspired us in the first place. Anything could happen at any time... why wait if we don't have reason to?"
"But Eric..." Ginny said, still leaning on Harry.
"Gin, it's his decision," her husband whispered and Ginny turned to him.
"But what if it's the wrong one? I'm his mother, I can't just..."
"You can't change my mind, Mum. I've thought this through more times than you're giving me credit for." Ginny, looking Eric straight in the eye, took a moment before she sighed.
"Alright, Eric... if you're sure." He smiled at Cade, who gave a tiny one back.
"We're sure." There was a brief silence, then Hermione clapped her hands together.
"Alright, then... who wants cake?"
"Me!" Lillian and Nerissa cried in unison, generating a congregated giggle. The group slowly drifted toward the rest of the crowd.
"You alright?" Eric whispered to Cade, and she nodded, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
"I've never been so nervous in my life, but... yeah, I'm fine," she said and Eric laughed. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you."
"I love you too," he agreed, kissing her left temple.
~
Emmy sighed blissfully as she watched her sister kiss her fiancé. Jr., who was standing beside her, sipping punch, lifted an eyebrow.
"What does that mean?" Emmy looked startled, turning to him.
"What does what mean?" she asked and Jr. looked skeptical. He mocked her sigh and she shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just a romantic, is all."
"Don't I know it." Emmy didn't even look as she slapped his arm. She sighed again, but nowhere near as blissfully.
"They reacted exactly how I assumed they would," she mused, taking his cup from his hand and bringing it quickly to her lips. Jr. didn't even bother glaring; he simply waited until she gave it back. He took a sip without protest. "It's a good thing she didn't tell them she was pregnant." At that thought, Jr. spit out his punch.
"WHAT?" he hissed in whisper, but any explanation was interrupted by a dull thump. Turning around, Emmy saw Eric's mother, unconscious on the ground. She nervously chewed on a fingernail, turning back to her boyfriend.
"I was just kidding," she admitted and Jr. sat on the table, breathing deeply.
"For Merlin's sake, Emmy..."
~*~
Hermione sighed blissfully as she stepped up to the mantle in her bedroom. With a smile, she placed the newly taken picture of the entire party congregation between the memorable shot of Emmy, Jr. and... Jimmy, was his name, holding up their signs, and the irreplaceable picture of herself and her husband on their wedding day, standing on the same steps as the children. She stood, admiring, for a few minutes, but then Draco interrupted her.
"Alright, love?" he asked, stepping up and wrapping his arms around her. Hermione smiled, leaning into him.
"Never better," she stated truthfully, and Draco kissed the back of her head. "Whatever happened to Jimmy?"
"Who?" he asked, tying his eyebrows in confusion. Hermione gave a sad smile, placing her fingers over the smiling muggle she hadn't seen since Jr. went away to Hogwarts. "I don't honestly know... I'm sure he's a normal child, growing up the way any muggle should, and doesn't even think about his childhood friends who went away to a mysterious boarding school." She sighed.
"They took it well, though, didn't they?" Draco laughed.
"Well, Jimmy never was one to show much emotion, was he? And Draco and Emmy already knew t was going to happen." Hermione turned around.
"I love you, Draco," she said and kissed him softly. Draco smiled.
"And of course, Hermione, you know I love you too." She sighed and rested her head on his chest. There was a brief period of silence. "I have an idea," Draco suddenly stated, and Hermione looked up. "Dance with me?" She smiled.
"There's no music," she said, although Hermione didn't plan on disagreeing.
"Pretend." She gave a nod and took his hand while Draco snaked the other to her hip. After a few moments of silently gliding about the room, Hermione smiled.
"I always knew you'd come back to me," she stated softly and Draco moved a hand to lift her chin, giving one last kiss.
"And I always knew you'd wait for me."
~*~*~*~
A/N: Sob, Sob... for those of you who didn't understand, this chapter is ten years after the last one. Lillian is 'Mary Sue'. I didn't cry during this chapter, there was no reason to, but... I am sad to see this story go. I know a lot of you have requested I not end like this... but let's face it, the only conflict in this story was that they weren't married. I got them married. If I continued, it'd get mucho aburrido. I thank everyone who reviewed, and I wish you luck in your own conquests.
Did anyone notice I made Nerissa a Daddy's girl? Lol. I thought it fitting, considering Jr. is an obvious Momma's boy. I mean, with his 'powers', he has to be, right? Lol.
There will be no sequel. Well, not from me, at least. E-mail me if you're interested: CrypticCoruscation@yahoo.com. I have no problems with someone continuing this, I'd just like to know that you're going to... ya know, so I can read it! Lol. And, please, credit me, even if it is just in one disclaimer somewhere ;o)