Last chapter before the epilogue! Also, I don't know if this might alienate some readers, but I don't understand the point of reading a story you think is stupid. I received a review for another story that berated me for creating unnecessary drama (it's not unnecessary, it's the plot!), and that it was just stupid. Why would anyone waste their time and energy on something they think is stupid? I don't get it.

Chapter 17

"Do you think you'd ever consider coming back?" Harry asked over breakfast. The couple exchanged a questionable glance. "I just...the wedding is coming up, and you're my best friend, Hermione. I want you to be there."

Hermione groaned. "Harry, we've talked about this," she said, excusing Clara from the table. "Going back isn't in the cards. Please just let it go."

"But I promised Clara that nothing would happen to the two of you if you did," he pleaded. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

She dropped her fork, causing it to clatter against her plate. "I said enough," she replied through clenched teeth before excusing herself to check on Liam.

Harry attempted to keep her from leaving, but Hermione didn't listen. "I thought you would know better by now," Draco remarked as he began to clear the table. "She's not afraid of you. Hermione has never been afraid of you. What you've failed to consider is that you're the Head Auror and I'm a former Death Eater. We show up at your wedding, my wife and children will only see me on Sundays for an hour in a tiny, cramped visitation room. Or the cemetery. I'm not sure which is more likely."

Huffing, Harry sat back in his chair. "What if I could promise-"

"You can't," the blond interjected. "You can't guarantee that your coworkers would leave us alone. Tell me - is she considered a fugitive as well?"

Green eyes widened. That Hermione could be guilty of any crime had not occurred to the Auror. "No, and she won't be considered one," he said when he found his voice. "Ron and I are the only ones who know what's really happened, and we're certainly not filing charges against her. Does she...does she really think we would do that to her?"

Sighing, Draco hung his head. "I don't know," he admitted. "What I do know is this is the only family either one of us has, and she'll fight tooth and nail to keep from losing it. Going back means risking it all."

Harry conceded that he never considered that. "I'll go apologize to her," he mumbled. Turning on his heel, he made his way to the nursery. Liam had only just been moved there the night before, and Hermione had been worried about how the change would affect her son. "So, you think he slept through the night?"

Hermione snorted. "Not bloody likely," she remarked. "It'll be a long time before that happens. Clara was almost two by the time she started sleeping through the night." Harry chuckled, muttering something about excellent birth control, as he sat down. "Can I apologize?" she asked.

Dark brows pulled together. "What for?" he wondered. "I can't think of anything for you to be sorry for. I've been a jerk since I showed up here, and it hasn't been fair to either of you. I'm sorry, Mione."

She reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm glad you found us," she said. "I know I've said things - horrible things - but I'm glad you and Ron are here. And maybe it's possible to figure out a way to celebrate your wedding."

Smiling, he nodded in agreement and let go of her hand. She frowned when he informed her he would be returning home. "The wedding is next weekend. Ginny's got a mile-long list of things I still need to do," he told her. "I still haven't picked up my dress robes."

Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry hadn't changed a bit in the past five years, and there was something comforting in knowing that. He left soon after, and Draco joined her in the nursery. "I can't believe he's getting married," she commented. "Remember our wedding?"

A grin lit his eyes. "Every detail," he replied. He remembered everything from her simple white dress and the flowers in her hair. He could still recall their vows, word for word. He felt her lips upon his as they kissed for the first time as husband and wife. The smile she wore told him she was thinking about that day as well. One thought bothered him though. "Do you want to go to the wedding?"

Hermione's smile fell. "No," she told him. "It's Harry and Ginny's day, and my return to the wizarding world shouldn't overshadow that in any way. Besides, I'm just not ready to face the Weasleys. Molly often hinted that Ron and I belonged together."

"Afraid you've disappointed her?" Draco wondered.

Sighing, she shook her head. "No, I don't care what she thinks of who I love," she replied. "I just hate having my decisions second guessed. Molly's a fan of doing just that. So much has changed in the last month, and I don't want to add any more stress to our lives."

"I've never been Potter's biggest fan, nor have I ever had the desire to get to know the Weasley family better, so you'll hear no argument from me," he stated. "Besides, I hate the idea of leaving the kids. We'll send a gift. Do we still have that toaster that Old Man Miller gave us when we got married?"

Hermione laughed as she stood to place Liam in his crib. "The one with the missing coil that never worked?" she replied. "I'm pretty sure I threw it away. It was a fire hazard."

A dramatic sigh passed his lips as he followed her from the nursery. "You need to start anticipating the moments when I might want to be a git to someone I used to dislike," he said. "Don't be a - what was it Clara called me the other day - a fun sponge."

Dark brows rose when Hermione spotted her daughter. "Someone's not getting dessert tonight," she said sternly. Clara guffawed while Draco held back a snicker. "Make that two someones."

"But Mom," Clara whined.

"Yeah, Mum," Draco added, sitting on the floor beside her.

Hermione shrugged, taking a seat on the sofa. "You tattled on her," she replied. "And you don't call your father, or anyone for that matter, names. Some apologies might be nice."

Both said they were sorry, albeit glumly. Hermione couldn't help but laugh as father and daughter contemplated the prospect of receiving no dessert later that night. Draco glared at his wife. "Are you adding insult to injury?" he inquired. "You take away our privileges and then laugh at us? What kind of person are you?"

Grinning, she rose and stood over him. "A very, very bad one," she murmured, kissing him. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Draco dragged her down to his lap, causing her to let out a startled cry.

"Marry me," he said.

The laughter stopped. "I already did," she reminded him.

"Do it again," he replied. "Marry me. Marry me as the real Hermione Granger."

Her hand caressed his stubbled jaw. "Yes," she said. "I'll marry you."