Epilogue:

Mrs Weasley futzed about the kitchen of the Burrow, Ginny and Tonks helping. However, too many cooks, as they say... besides, Tonk's large, pregnant belly kept getting in her way and making her even more prone to knocking things over. Molly finally smiled and insisted that she sit down and rest.

Tonks joined Fluer at the table and the lovely blond placed her delicate hands upon Tonks' belly, smiling at the movement under them. Bill chatted with Moody in a corner of the kitchen. In the den, Arthur, Charlie, Remus, and Kingsley talked in one corner of the crowded room. In another corner, Ron, Fred, George, Neville Longbottom were chatting and laughing.

The Floo activated and Hermione Granger emerged with her parents. Molly greeted them warmly and called for her husband. Hermione introduced her parents to the various people sitting in the kitchen before Arthur came in welcoming them enthusiasically and dragged them off to the den. Hermione followed, greeting everyone with kisses. She and Ron shared a special embrace; their friendship strong.

The smell of food and the sound of conversation filled the small home nearly to the point of bursting and there were still more guests to arrive. People began to overflow into the Weasley's yard.

Thankfully, summer was in the air. The gathering was to celebrate the defeat of Voldemort which had been postponed due to Harry's stay at St Mungo's. Ginny had planned the menu which consisted of his favourite dishes of Molly's. Ginny hadn't the talent of her mother for cooking, but she followed instructions well. After making rounds, Hermione returned to the kitchen to help.

Once more the Floo lit with vibrant green flames. Hermione hardly noticed but for a slight change in the atmosphere and a hush over the conversation in the kitchen. She turned to find Draco emerge alongside Harry. Draco had offered to accompany Harry from St Mungo's. Besides, it made him feel less awkward than if he arrived alone. Hermione's heart was filled with such happiness it seemed to press against her chest. Chaos erupted as people welcomed the guest of honour.

Ginny forced her way through the throngs. "Out of the way!" she shouted, "girlfriend coming through!"

Draco chuckled as he made room so that Harry could receive the attention he deserved and had waited for for so long. He searched for Hermione in the crowd, spotting her at last. She was waiting patiently off to the side and smiled as Draco approached. They were both glad most everyone's attention was diverted to Harry.

"Hello," Draco greeted simply, smiling.

"Hello," she returned.

"Are your parents here?"

"Somewhere!"

"How're they?"

"Good. We had a nice time in Australia."

"I missed you."

"Me too."

He gave her a kiss and then took her hand. They waited as the crowd thinned and Hermione was able to welcome Harry home. She hugged him tightly, like a brother she nearly lost. Mrs Weasley approached the group and told them the food was ready.

"Thank Merlin," Harry said, "I'm famished!"

"Mrs Weasley is an excellent cook," Hermione said to Draco.

Ron arrived with a plate full of food and was already tucking in.

"Ron!" Ginny cried, "you could at least wait for the guest of honour!"

"Yeah, well, he hasn't been tortured all day by smelling Mum's cooking," he explained with a mouth full of food.

Some time later, the group was seated on the front lawn, sated by loads of delicious food beneath a starfilled sky. A moment of silent reverie befell them though sounds from the rest of the party inside the house filtered out into the night. Harry sat back with Ginny huddled between his knees, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood were laying on their backs mesmerized by the constellations they had been discussing, Ron watched Padma Patil chat with some other guests and recalled their humiliating date in fourth year. He wondered if she'd go out with him again.

"Excuse me," he mumbled and got up before he lost his nerve to ask her.

Hermione and Draco sat side by side, hands held. There had been so much going on after the final battle that the two had hardly seen each other in the past month; Hermione's recovery, Ministry charges against Draco (dropped in light of recent actions), Lucius's funeral, Hermione's trip to Australia to retrieve her parents, Draco's return to Malfoy Manor to begin to sort out the estate he inherited. Their time together in France seemed so long ago.

"Want to go for a walk?" Hermione suggested.

Draco nodded and they headed to the Weasley's garden.

"I was wondering," Draco said, "if you'd like to come over some time?"

Hermione smiled. "That would be nice."

"How about tonight?" he grinned.

"I'd like that."

"Really? What about your parents?"

"I'll tell them I'm staying at the Burrow."

"Excellent," he turned to kiss her properly. After a long moment, he broke away and whispered,

"When can we leave?"

~The End~

A/N: Please tell me what you think of the story. There are certain aspects that I would like to change. Also I felt the ending was a bit anticlimactic as well. Any suggestions? :)