A/N: Well, better an hour late than never, right? Here's the grand finale to our tale. It's been quite a roller coaster ride, and I'd like to thank everyone who took it with me. I don't know when I'll be back to writing for these lovely characters (I have a Primeval fic that I'm painfully behind on, so that's priority A-Z until it's done...after I get through my report cards this weekend, of course), but I hope to be back soon. Thanks again to everyone who read/reviewed/followed/favourited. I couldn't have made it through without you! :)

*** 31 – What Next? ***

Five months later, the entire Malfoy family sat anxiously in the waiting room of St. Mungo's. An urgent call from Harry several hours earlier had brought them racing over from their cottage. Once they arrived and greeted the Weasleys, Neville, Luna, Remus and Tonks, they all settled into a relaxed conversation, except for one.

Hermione sat rigidly in her seat, nervously twisting her fingers together. She hadn't been in the hospital since her abduction six years earlier, and was somewhat scared of being back there. Knowing how she was terrified, Draco was constantly at her side, rubbing her back or whispering gently to her. All of their friends could sense her nerves, and tried to keep her mind occupied with conversations, jokes and laughter, and she loved them dearly for their help.

George and Ron were currently showing off some new Weasley products, and everyone laughed at their antics. But out of nowhere, a hush fell over the group, and the Weasley boys turned to see the cause.

Harry Potter had appeared in a nearby doorway, clutching a blanket-wrapped bundle to his chest. He had a look of awe on his face as he faced them all.

"It's a girl," he whispered, a huge smile appearing. Everyone squealed quietly as they crowded around him to get a glimpse of Baby Girl Potter. She had a mess of dark hair on her head, and when she squinted, they saw a hint of blue in her eyes.

"What's her name?" Molly asked, brushing away the tears that started to fall as soon as she'd seen father and daughter together for the first time.

Harry met her gaze. "Lily." Everyone smiled knowingly as he moved to rest his eyes on his best female friend. "Lily Hermione Potter."

She gasped as tears sprang to her own eyes. Harry moved so that he could place his daughter in the arms of her namesake. Hermione carefully cradled the infant close, and watched as a few of her tears fell onto the soft pink blanket. She whispered softly to the baby, revelling in the feeling of this little life in her arms. A stray curl slipped out of her loose bun, and Hermione laughed quietly as Lily reached up and caught it in her tiny fist as it fell.

"She's got your reflexes, Harry," Hermione commented. "She'll make a great Gryffindor Seeker one day."

Everyone laughed at this, and Hermione gently passed Lily back to her father. She felt a soft hand on her shoulder and turned to see Draco gazing at her lovingly. "You ok?" he asked.

She nodded. "I just wish I'd been able to have that feeling with Isabel. The Ministry took me before I could."

Draco kissed her forehead, completely understanding. "Well, you'll get to experience that soon enough."

Hermione smiled at him. "Three months," she replied as he placed a protective hand on her slightly protruding stomach.

Ginny's suspicion about the blue glow had proven to be correct. The reunion that Hermione and Draco had shared at the cottage after their escape from the facility had done more than simply reacquaint them. When Hermione had been shot after the attack, she'd been about 2 weeks pregnant. Everyone was still thanking Merlin that she hadn't lost the baby, though it had been a very close call. Poppy had truly outdone herself in healing Hermione. She'd seen the change in Hermione as soon as she started to repair the damage inflicted by the bullet, and had then tripled her efforts in order to try and save both mother and child. Everyone now understood why she had always been at Hermione's side as she'd laid unconscious for a week.

"How's Ginny?" Ron asked his best friend.

"Brilliant, but exhausted," Harry replied, chuckling. "She nearly broke my hand as she pushed, but it was worth it," he added, gazing at his daughter.

Isabel was tugging at her father's pant leg, wanting to see what all the fuss was about. He lifted her up so she could see her new 'cousin'. She smiled at the newborn, and reached out to stroke her soft black hair. "I can't wait til she's my sister," she commented softly.

Everyone's eyes widened, and Hermione and Draco faced each other. Hermione's hand pressed a little tighter against her stomach as she fully comprehended what this meant. "Could she…?"

"But we don't even know," Draco responded.

"You don't know if you're having a boy or a girl?" George asked.

"Poppy said she could check if we wanted, and we were going to do it today," Hermione replied.

Everyone looked at them expectantly. Ron gently took Isabel from her father, and the Malfoy parents headed for the fireplace in order to floo to Grimmauld Place.

Nearly an hour later, they returned with dazed looks on their faces. Blaise, Dumbledore and McGonagall had arrived in their absence, and had been filled in on what was said. Dumbledore gave the couple a knowing glance as they approached.

"Well?" Molly asked, excitement evident in her voice.

Draco and Hermione exchanged a glance, and Draco bent down to speak to his daughter, who was playing Exploding Snap with her Uncle Ron. "Princess," he started, capturing the attention of her big, silver-blue eyes. "What made you say that you couldn't wait until Lily was your sister?"

"Because she's going to be like Mummie and you with my new brother," she replied honestly.

"How do you know?" he prodded gently.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I just do."

"Hermione?" Luna asked, concerned.

"I'm having a boy," Hermione said in disbelief.

Everyone murmured with excitement, and Hermione knelt down next to her husband. She motioned for Isabel to come over for a hug, and she did so without hesitation. As she held her daughter close, she breathed in her sweet lilac scent. The two of them were so much alike it was uncanny.

"Is there anything else you'd like to tell us, Princess?" Draco asked teasingly.

In a move that shocked them all, the patented Malfoy smirk appeared on her little face. She leaned over and whispered in his ear. Draco's eyes grew wide, and he let out a hearty laugh. Hermione looked at him curiously.

"She's thanking me in advance for her Christmas present," he told her. "Apparently, we're getting her a puppy."

Hermione giggled and leaned against him. "Our daughter, the Seer," she stated.

"The world won't know what hit it," Draco replied, as he kissed her softly and hugged both his girls tight.

*** THE END ***