CHAPTER VII

FULL CIRCLE

Thanks for the reviews! Hope you'll like Draco & Hermione's exchange here. I like to keep it light with less fluff. Any hint of mushiness was deemed necessary! ..tee..hee..

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"Hello, love." The older Malfoy strode to where she stood and planted a light kiss on her head. He directed his wand at the frame she dropped in her surprise. "Reparo," he muttered in an all-too-male voice that had Hermione's thoughts swirling.

"Here, let me help you." The thirty- five-year-old version of Draco said warmly to her. He steered her to a nearby sofa and conjured a glass of water for her to drink.

"I'm sorry if I surprised you. I was just too excited to see you…and the younger me… still here."

Hermione blinked at him disbelievingly. "You knew we're here? But how…why…?"

"I was here with you, wasn't I? The seventeen-year-old, rather stupid, version of me?"

"You mean this has happened before, during your seventh year? Like, we're just re-living this for you…?" She was very confused.

"I know this may be greatly perplexing for you. Yes, this has happened to me and my wife in our last year in Hogwarts. We were able to return and build this future that you and the former, dashing Head Boy are now in."

How comforting it is to know he's still the egotistic Malfoy I knew! "So, you're still the same Malfoy I'm with, only older?"

"The one and only."

"And where is the future Hermione?"

"She's still in Hogwarts with her best friends. Her current pregnancy has greatly stressed her memory that she wasn't able to remember how special this day is." He gurgled in a masculine way. "Craig may be an Obliviator in the future."

"Craig?" Hermione asked.

"The baby, love. We're planning to name him Craig."

Hermione drank thirstily from the glass, hoping it would help clear her mind. "So, I'm actually going to marry you in the future? And give birth to these kids?"

"Would you regret it if all of these are true? That you are bound to have this future?"

"That didn't answer my question."

"But that is the more important question, don't you think so?" He held her hand firmly in his, afraid she'll pull hers away. "When we came here, the younger me was confused and angry. This future seemed to mock the family I had. But, meeting the children, realizing you helped to make them possible, I've decided there's no other way I want things to turn out. It's either a future with you or nothing."

"How touching, Mr. Malfoy. This could've been easier had you not given me the worst years of my life!"

"…and paid for it dearly all throughout my years of being married to you. I was hell-bent to make you happy and give you this family. I was hoping I was successful. But, the depression you went through after you gave birth to Philippe and Prudence, it made me think if you were really happy with me and the children I gave you. I felt that Philippe and Prue's 'condition' is my entire fault, an atonement for my past."

"For all you know, the older Hermione might be thinking it's her fault that you're stuck and married to a muggle- born," Hermione said icily.

"That has never crossed my mind! I'd loved being married to you and being a father to six crazy kids, squib or not!"

Please don't get all mushy on me! "Tell your wife that. That may be all she needs to hear."

Draco smiled at her. "Wow, and here I am, tormented by thoughts that maybe she was wishing she married Weasley instead!"

Hmmm…

One look at her and he knew. "Don't screw up this future, Granger!"

"You're married to me and you have the nerve to call me 'Granger'!"

"Only when I'm angry, love."

Ugh, enough of the endearments!

They spent the whole afternoon trading stories. The longer she spoke with the older Draco, the more she liked him. He seemed so much in love with his wife and children that they were all he talked about.

"I wish my father would see my children someday."

"But, Draco, your father…"

He shushed her with his finger on her lips. "He may not have been a good father to me but they are still his grandchildren, heir to the Malfoy name nevertheless." He heaved a deep sigh. "I still wish he'd come to his senses."

Hermione smiled genuinely. "I hope so, too"

Draco stood up. "Well, it's time."

Hermione took his offered hand and stood up, too. "Time for what?"

"For your return to your time plane."

"How?"

"With my help, of course." Still the arrogant bastard, I see. Hermione thought with a chuckle. "But first…," Draco blushed a little (Hyperventilate! Hyperventilate!). "Can I…er…hold you for a minute?"

Though surprised by the request, Hermione complied. "Sure, Mr. Malfoy."

In the warmth of his arms, Hermione's only thought was…

This is Draco Malfoy. He'll take care of me.

a/n I love it when Draco blushes!