Chapter 26: Epilogue

AN: Hello my wonderful readers! I'm back one more time with an epilogue for you. Sorry it took a bit to do but I couldn't work out exactly how I wanted it to go. :) Anyway, thank you all for your patronage to this story. I appreciate each and every one of you! Life has been…interesting for me lately but the Universe will always take care of you if you let it…thank goodness! :) Hope you all are well and safe. Love to you all! Now onto the absolute final chapter of this story. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I make no monies with this.

EN-HG-G SS-PS HP-DM

Six years had passed since Hermione had tumbled through the portal into a new world. She had met two ancient and powerful vampires who had taken her under their wings and allowed her to learn and adjust to her new reality. She had been pleasantly surprised to find a connection with them that very few ever got the chance to know. It had taken Hermione six months before she would allow their blooming relationship to cross into the land of carnal pleasure. She didn't regret a day, then or now.

Then, much to her surprise, her Master had asked to join her and her happiness had jumped several notches. Severus and she were able to continue the relationship they had established when she had become his apprentice. Hermione had found herself thinking of her mentor as more of a father figure since then. He could be abrasive and cold with an acidic tongue that rolled out snarky barbs with ease but she had persevered and would be forever thankful she had. She had been taught by the best and it had made her a better person for it; not to mention helping her to be more prepared when Harry, Ron and her had had to go on the run for almost a year! Now that she could look back, she could easily see how Severus had made sure she knew how to brew the most basic of potions (healing, pain, nutrient replenisher, etc.) blindfolded. He had also made her learn how to substitute various ingredients with confidence. She hadn't realized at the time just how handy that skill would be, she just thought all potions masters had to learn such things. It was afterwards that she had realized that, no, it was a Severus specific mandate. The man had prepared her for so much while away from society that Hermione was sure things would have been so much worse otherwise.

Then there was Harry. She had been taken off guard when she had seen him standing on the other side of the portal, not expecting him to want to leave the magical world. Hermione knew by the time her brother had finished speaking that she would welcome him into her new world and was ever so thankful she had. It would seem that they had had a major miscommunication that both were ready to straighten out and after many tears were shed they had done just that. After their much needed airing of grievances, Hermione finally felt her world was complete. In just a few days of being in their new world, Hermione had never seen Harry so happy and carefree. He took each day as the gift it was and it made her heart swell with love and pride. It was about time he did something for himself.

Then a short time later, surprise of all surprises, Draco Malfoy showed up to the portal. It should have been obvious to who was trying to disable her wards but the platinum wizard had never crossed her mind. She would have never thought in a million years that the pureblood would willingly leave his beloved world for an unknown one. She had been pleasantly surprised by his willingness to change and be the better person he was never allowed in Magical Britain. Here, he truly had a second chance to be whatever he wanted to be, just as they all had. After hearing his story, Hermione knew she had made the right decision and then for Harry and Draco to hook up, it was very pleasing to see both wizards healthy and happy.

While Hermione's relationship was continuing to grow with her two vampires; Harry and Draco enjoyed their blooming feelings; the only one left was Severus, he was the "odd man out". However, that changed as soon as he met Pamela. Their connection was noted immediately and both dove head first into a relationship and Hermione couldn't be happier for either of them. They were both snarky, had acidic tongues when needed and could be quite stoic around anyone they didn't know. But Hermione enjoyed watching them grow the longer they were together. She loved how Pam seemed to help her Master to relax and enjoy life while Severus helped Pam to expand her horizons. He taught her all about their world and even how to brew several potions but for the more complicated potions, her Master either did them himself or called upon her to help. It was wonderful to see.

It wasn't long after everyone paired up that the new family had had to relocate. Of course, this came conveniently after Eric took care of a coven of witches dabbling in necromancy; imagine that. Hermione smirked when she remembered that night. It was when her relationship had taken a decidedly more pleasurable turn with her vampires. Fortunately, having foreseen Sophie-Ann's decision, Godric and Eric had already put feelers out to who would accept them. As it turned out, only two monarchs were willing to accept two ancient beings. One, Mississippi, expected either vampire to hold a Sheriff's position or both to. The other, Kentucky, had just wanted two such powerful beings giving his reign a boost in strength and nothing more. Of course, they all decided on Kentucky and were quite happy they had.

King Jane had been included in their secrets and had been amazed to be. Hermione knew their monarch would take what he learned to his true death before King Jane had told them such. He ruled the state with a stern but fair hand. He was honorable and loved visiting when he could. It was surreal to the magicals but everyone rolled with it. Now, five'ish years later, Hermione considered Simon Jane, vampire king of Kentucky, to be a part of their family.

The only thing that seemed to put a damper of any kind on their little family was when one partner or another in any of the established relationship would bemoan that children would not come of their union. Harry and Draco could adopt but they wanted a magical child if they were to have any. Pam felt bad that Severus would never continue his line while Eric and Godric wished with all their hearts to have a child with their chosen. It could never be...or could it? Hermione had spent the last few years considering her options.

Of course, no child would ever come from the three vampires, no matter how much anyone wanted it to be but she could do the next best thing…she could become a surrogate. She could be artificially inseminated and had already been in contact with Dr. Ludwig. Amy had told Hermione that she would perform the procedure instead of the human clinics to make sure everything was done properly and nothing was switched or taken. All Hermione had to do was let her know and it would be done. So Hermione had spent the last year or so feeling out everyone's opinions, their feelings of having a child. Her main concern was her vampires, how would they feel if she offered surrogate services to her Master, to her brother and his mate?

EN-HG-G SS-PS HP-DM

When Hermione thought the time was right, she gathered everyone together for a meeting.

"What's going on, 'Mione?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, what's with a meeting? It's not like you don't see us all the time." Draco wondered aloud.

"Yes, but this meeting is very special and quite important." Hermione replied as she sat between Godric and Eric.

"What is on your mind, älskare?" Eric was curious what his little witch was up to.

"First, I want everyone to allow me to say everything completely before asking any questions." Hermione answered as she looked at each of them. When everyone nodded with varying degrees of curious on their faces, Hermione continued. "Okay, what has been playing on my mind is…children."

She paused to let that set in and almost chuckled at the various looks she was given. "Hear me out. I know none of us can have a child from our chosen partners." She paused to smile warmly at her vampires and to squeeze their thighs before continuing. "What I propose is for me to be a surrogate."

This time Hermione did chuckle at the gobsmacked looks she was given. "I have already spoken with Amy, ah, Dr. Ludwig about the procedure and she is willing to perform the procedure for us. Actually, she demanded she be the one to do it so "those idiot human doctors don't screw anything up or take what isn't theirs." I believe were her actual words."

There were several minutes of total silence before Severus spoke up.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do, Hermione?"

"Yes. I have thought long and hard about it and wish to give you what you otherwise could not have. I know the child would be only part of yours but, in my mind, each child would be yours and yours alone. I would be the crazy Aunt that would spoil them rotten." Hermione answered with a smile causing everyone to chuckle.

"What about you, Hermione? Don't you want a child of your own?" Draco asked. When Hermione only looked at him with sad eyes, Draco made a decision on the spot. "I would accept your surrogacy on one condition."

"Okay, that condition would be?" Hermione asked, totally not sure where he was going.

"You allow me to donate for you to have a child. When the child is old enough we can explain how they came about but it would give you the chance to have one that looks close enough to Eric" Draco explained.

As Hermione's eyes teared up, Harry spoke, "I would also donate so you could have one resembling Godric." Then he walked over and knelt in front of his sister, "You are willing to give us such precious gifts, please allow us to return the favor. You are my sister and I think you would be a wonderful mother."

Hermione saw the sincerity shining in his eyes and glanced at Draco to see the same in his. When she turned to non-verbally ask her vampires what they thought, the look of pure disbelief they had answered her question.

"You would do this for us?" Godric asked in a quiet voice, amazed at the selflessness each had.

"Yes." Harry and Draco answered without hesitation.

"Then we would be honored with such a gift." Eric told them.

When Hermione looked to Severus and Pam, both wore identical looks of amazement. "Pam, would you be okay with this?" She asked tentatively.

Instead of answering, Pam stood up and walked slowly over to her Mistress before kneeling. "You would honor my mate and me with such a precious gift?"

"Gladly." Hermione answered.

Much to everyone's surprise, Pam laid her head in Hermione's lap as she wept silently. Hermione gently combed her fingers through Pam's hair as the vampiress came to terms of having a child with her mate. "Thank you, Mistress." Pam finally managed after Severus knelt next to her and put an arm around her shoulders as he looked to Hermione.

"I have not told you this before but I have thought of you as a daughter since your apprenticeship. You have made me proud from the time you walked into Hogwarts and you continue to make me proud. Your selflessness and compassion are unmatched. Thank you, Hermione, for your offer to expand our family. We accept wholeheartedly." Severus told her in a low emotion filled voice.

The next several hours were spent planning after Godric had contacted Dr. Ludwig. Amy helped them figure out a time to donate and then a schedule for fertilization.

EN-HG-G SS-PS HP-DM

Ten years later found the family tripled in size. Hermione had given everyone a set of twins, the procedure having taken quite well. Even though she had given birth to five sets of twins, Hermione hadn't minded. Dr. Ludwig had told her that due to her magical heritage, she wouldn't suffer the way a pure human would. Her magic ensured that her body would handle whatever changes were needed. She did have some really strange cravings but overall, she couldn't complain. She had waited six months in between each pregnancy to give her body a little time to recuperate. Of course, she had felt like a walking whale towards the end of each pregnancy but couldn't complain too much with the joy she got from watching everyone respond to her growing belly. She loved that each set of twins had their own personalities even in the womb. While she hadn't been happy about having two sets of limbs pouncing on her internal organs she did love the feel of them when one of the family would place their hand or head on her swollen abdomen.

Each child would settle down immediately as if they knew they were being given attention. Occasionally, one twin would punch a parent but never anyone else. It was quite comical. However, it wasn't much fun when the twins' magics would start to flare up towards the end of term. No one knew when anything would happen. Sometimes hairs would change styles or colors, other times something within the room would levitate. As frustrating as a magical pregnancy could be, Hermione was happy to go through each one.

In the end, she had given a boy and a girl to each.

Harry and Draco chose to have their last names hyphenated for their children. Draco hadn't really wanted to keep his last name but Harry wouldn't hear of it. He had told Draco that in their new world, the Malfoy name didn't carry the same stigma so he should be proud to have it. Eventually everyone wore Draco down and he accepted the hyphenation but insisted that Harry's be the last one listed.

Harry's twins were: Lillian Sapphire Malfoy-Potter and Mathew James Malfoy-Potter while Draco's twins were: Lyra Emerald Malfoy-Potter and Scorpius Onyx Malfoy-Potter

Severus and Pam held a magical hand-fasting ceremony that Hermione officiated. They may not be married in the muggle-human world but it didn't matter to them, magic had blessed their union and that was all that mattered. Their twins were named: Alicia Hermione Snape and Anthony Severus Snape. Pam had wanted to honor both mother and father in their names and it had brought Hermione to tears.

Finally, Hermione had two sets of twins for her little family. The first set was blond headed with blue eyes and were named: Serena Astrid Northman and Jonathan Ulfrik Northman. It was a mixture of Eric's and her parents' names. Then she had Kathleen Leuca Nevii and Stephen Samorix Nevii, both had dark brown eyes and brown hair. She had used her mother's parents' names and then had Godric give them a Gaul middle name to combine their heritage.

The only truly frightful time in the last ten years had been when Draco and Harry had decided to go through a portal that had opened up. Hermione had been against it but both wizards had assured her the other side was the Forbidden Forest and they wanted to try to get a larger tent for everyone to live in. Her little tent was going to be too small very quickly. After checking the Forest herself, much to her vampires' dismay, Hermione had finally agreed. She had worried the entire time the couple was gone. Of course Harry and Draco had glamoured themselves so no one would recognize them. They had apparated to Diagon Alley and bought quite a bit of stuff. Fortunately for them, the portal seemed to stay open for as long as they needed it to; almost as if magic knew they needed a few things from the magical world.

However, everyone on the other side fretted until the two wizards were back where they belonged. Once back through, Hermione had smacked both of them on the back of the head just before she tried to squeeze the life out of them with her hug, which was made comical because she was eight months pregnant with Draco's twins. The several hours the couple had been gone though had been a very productive time. They had stopped at a dozen or so shops to pick up much needed items. When they showed the spoils of their trip, Hermione had smiled brightly and thanked them for their forward thinking. They had bought potion supplies, books (especially on wand lore and making), baby items (that could be duplicated easily), several WWW products, Honeyduke's confections, fabrics and a few other things, which included a Quidditch set and brooms. Hermione had been ecstatic and even Severus had been pleased with their haul, complimenting their choices in all things and their forward thinking. They had also bought a tent that would house the entire family with ease. Hermione's tent had been stripped of all things and relocated in the new home.

Daisy had taken to all those in the family and helped with childcare every chance she got, adopting the little humans into her heart quickly.

It became a chaotic but very happy household that no one would change for the world. No one knew what exactly was in store for them but knew, as long as they had each other, nothing would be impossible.

~Fin~ (I mean it this time! LOL)

EN-HG-G SS-PS HP-DM

Translation: älskare means lover

Translation: min älskling means my darling