Disclaimer: none of it is mine, except for the plot

A/N: Forgot to say in the previous chapter that this is NOT compatible with the last book. This is written as occurring after HP and the Half-Blood Prince but in my head, the ending went a little different. I don't quite like the idea of Draco having tried to kill Dumbledore and so I'm just going to pretend that it went a little different!

Ministry of Magic

Harry strolled into his office, a smile on his face. For most certainly, nothing could spoil his day. As he entered, he saw Albus patiently waiting on a chair. "Albus! To what do I owe the pleasure?" He exclaimed, blissful from the events of the night before.

"Ah Harry! We've pinpointed her location. She has placed an Unplottable Charm on the property she is at, hence the zone that we kept losing her aura. But from her surroundings, we have narrowed it down to a large farm in Van Wert, America. We've set up a point on the edge of her property for you to Apparate to and from there you'll need to drive up to her home. We've prepared a car for appear when you arrive. Good luck Harry…and please, say hello to her for me."

Van Wert, America

Harry appeared beside a familiar old blue car. "The Weasley's car." He whispered to himself before taking in his surroundings. He was on a desolate, dirt road that led on into the distance where he could see a small structure, which he assumed was Hermione's house. On both sides were pastures, all fenced with clean white paint. The succulent green grass went on for as far as his eyes could see. In the paddocks he could see numerous horses and sheep. He smiled, thinking back to their final year. Hermione had mentioned that her dream was to move to a large farm with Muggle animals and live a simple life. It had seemed like such a wonderful idea amongst all the chaos of their final exams and the impending war.

He climbed into the old rackety car, thanking his lucky stars as it started. Harry stared in awe as he approached the home. It was a beautiful place with perfectly manicured gardens. The paddocks came to an end as the white fencing continued behind the house, where he could see more paddocks. The now brick road was lined with a neat thick line of small shrubs, shaped as boxes. Behind the fences were bushes of brightly coloured flowers; pink, red, yellow and lilac.

The house itself was quite tall, consisting of three stories. It was made out of brick, painted a beautiful off-white colour. The front door was a deep mahogany, a lovely contrast to the off-white. The windows were well spread out; through one of the open windows, he could see two little children running around. Harry smiled gently; at least she hadn't been alone for the past six years. His friend had settled down.

He climbed out of the old car, inwardly thanking the heavens that it hadn't broken down on the way. As he made his way up the path, he could hear the yells and giggles of the children he had seen. He made his way up onto the veranda and knocked with the ornate knocker twice; an image of a lioness sleeping, a snake curled up in its arms. Odd, he thought, I never though her a fan of smakes.

A familiar, sweet voice rang out from somewhere within the house. It was greatly muffled but Harry would recognise that voice anywhere; he had waited to hear it for so long. "Honey, can you get that? I was just about to jump in the shower." Harry smiled. Hermione and her husband, whoever it was, were clearly still in love. It was a thought that made him smile broadly.

There was a slight pause. "Alright, love! You might need to get a new bottle of shower-gel from the cupboard!" A strong British voice replied. Harry wrinkled his nose; the man's voice was strangely familiar but he couldn't quite place it. The door opened, revealing a tall blonde man. He had deep crystal blue eyes, shining with contentment, his hair lying messily over his forehead. He had a pointed chin and a very firmly set jaw. His wide shoulders and slim waist gave him the slight appearance of a swimmer. He was someone who would definitely be considered very good-looking.

Harry's mouth dropped open, unable to comprehend who was standing in front of him. "Malfoy?!" Draco opened his mouth to retort, probably something harsh thought Harry, but he was cut off by the two children Harry had seen earlier.

They both had dirty blonde hair and striking blue eyes speckled with brown. They both had Draco's sharp facial structure and yet their full lips and button-like nose were distinctly familiar; they are definitely the off-spring of Hermione and Malfoy, Harry thought with a twang of disdain.

The little girl, her long curly hair streaming behind her, ran into her father wrapping her arms around one leg. "Daddy!" She yelled repeatedly, sobbing into his trousers.

Draco's face formed a look of love and concern. He knelt down so that he was hugging the girl. "Sorry Potter, but give me a second. What is it, Addy?"

"Jack ripped the head off my doll!" She yelled between her sobs. Harry couldn't help but smile as Draco tried to reason between the two children, the situation reminding him of his own family. It was so strange to think of Draco as a doting father putting up with the petty fights of children – and yet, Harry was witnessing it at this very moment. It was definitely a side of Draco he thought he would never see.

Draco watched after his children as they dashed back up the stairs before turning back to Harry, his smile turning into a frown. "Potter. How on earth did you find us?"

Harry smiled smugly. "You didn't really think we'd give up on Hermione, did you? We programmed the Aura Detector to track your auras. We spotted you on numerous occasions and finally Shacklebolt made an educated guess that this was where you were living."

Draco opened his mouth to reply when a voice rang out. "Draco, who is at the door and why haven't you invited them inside?"

He cleared his throat nervously. "Erm…Mya love…you may want to come down."

"I'm not exactly decent - I just got out of the shower. I'll be down soon." Hermione's sweet voice rang out in reply.

"Alright but hurry. I really need you down here as quickly as possible."

Harry could almost picture Hermione smiling at her small victory. Draco turned to Harry, a strained smile on his face. "Right…why don't you follow me into the lounge and I'll fix up a few drinks."

A few minutes later, Harry found himself sitting in awkward silence as they waited for Hermione to join them. His head was swimming with thoughts, trying to comprehend the situation he was now in. His thoughts were broken as he heard the soft patter of light footsteps as Hermione made her way down the landing. He turned to face the doorway, almost unable to contain his anxiety.

Hermione stopped abruptly as she entered the room and stared at her old friend. Harry took the opportunity to look at his friend. He was awed at her appearance as he had always been. Though he had thought her to be gorgeous throughout their school years, he had never thought of her as more than a friend. She had grown even more beautiful than he remembered. Her long brunette hair lay carelessly on her shoulders ending at the small of her back. There were small traces of a golden honey colour running through her locks. Her deep chocolate eyes were as bright as ever, a fusion of shock and glee glistening in them. Her face was still as beautiful and flawless as ever, the past six years and worries of the war having barely affected it.

In one arm was a young boy, no older than two, with honey coloured hair and bright blue eyes. Her other arm was laying on her stomach, which was rather full and round. She was pregnant with yet another child, Harry thought with surprise.

"Harry?" She whispered softly, snapping him out of his thoughts. He smiled brightly as her face broke out in a large grin, the one that he had missed daily, before she ran towards him and embraced him tightly, the child still in her arms.

Draco leaned against the doorframe, a light smile playing on his lips. She was so, truly happy; he could see the joy in her eyes. The last seven years, as amazing as they had been, had taken a toll on them.

They had never intended to be away for so long. No-one had been quite sure how the end of the war would play out and when it had ended, it had been a shock to everyone involved. Draco and Hermione had found themselves drained of all strength as Dumbledore assumed would happen. They couldn't be sure of the ramifications of what had transpired; and so for their own safety, they had made the decision to leave the Magical World until it was safe to return.

Draco was almost sure that it would be safe for them; but it was a risk that neither of them were willing to take. There was no way they would willingly put their three children and unborn child in danger. They had to be sure.

And now, he thought, they could be.

"I'm sorry. Harry, I am so sorry." Hermione whispered, tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she took a step back. "I wish I could have written to you, or somehow let you know we were here. But it…it just wasn't safe." She tried to explain, sadness overcoming her features.

Draco frowned, his heart breaking at the pain in her eyes. Harry was at a loss for words – as much as he wanted someone to blame for their anguish over the past years, there was no one. All he could do was smile and hug her again.

There was an awkward heaviness that filled the room as they each searched for something to say. Draco cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "So Potter…would you like to meet the family?" Hermione's eyes brightened with that.

"Oh yes, you must Harry! Adalynn! Jackson!" She yelled, making the small child screw his face in annoyance until she stroked his hair affectionately and pecked him on the forehead.

The thudding of the two children running could be heard as they raced into the room, standing in front of their parents making the scene in front of Harry seem like a perfect family portrait. Draco stood proudly, his hands resting on the shoulders of his eldest children. Hermione was standing beside them, their little boy in her arms and her perfectly rounded stomach protruding in front of her.

"Harry, I would like you to meet my family. This is, obviously, Draco; my husband." Harry couldn't help but feel a weird sensation in the pit of his stomach – it was obvious that they would be married, but it was so strange hearing it. "Jackson and Adalynn were born in 2000. They are clearly twins and a downright shock when we found out, but definitely a blessing. And this,-" she said, bouncing the child in her arms. "-is Grayson. He is a year and a half. Children, this is one of Mummy's closest friends. His name is Harry Potter."

Harry was about to reply when Draco cut him off. "Mya, you forgot the last of the Malfoy family." He turned with a proud smile on his face. "Potter, we are expecting another girl in two months. We're going to name her Chloelia."

Harry couldn't help but smile. His best friend was so blissfully happy – it was more than he could have ever hoped for. "So, tell me everything."

Draco had taken the children into the kitchen and was preparing lunch for everyone, much to Harry's surprise. "Take a seat, Harry. I'll be back in a moment."

Harry complied, sitting in a plush single recliner. He had so many questions and he was truly hoping that they would be answered. Hermione came back into the room, a familiar looking object in her hands. She placed it gently on the oak table in front of him.

"This will hopefully answer all your questions. It is a collection of our most important memories from the past eight years. We have been collecting them for the day we returned. Just promise me something." She spoke softly, a hint of pleading in her eyes. Harry nodded – he would do anything to have his friend back for good. "Look at them without any bias. I don't want you to ask me any questions and I won't answer any until you have seen it all. Take the Pensieve back with you and let the others see. It will be easier this way."

As Harry left, he thought about everything that had happened since their last year at school. Hermione was right, he needed to watch the whole thing first. He needed to know the truth.

A/N: Please review! Much appreciated!