A/N- The first of the epilogues has arrived! It won't be anything too special, just a chapter that further shows the ripples that the end of the war has had upon the wizarding war. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those that have read, reviewed, followed, and favorited this story. Your support has been the only thing that has driven me to get through this fic.

Disclaimer: Nothing from this fic belongs to me except for the twist on the plot. All tropes have been done thousands of times before I assure you.

Chapter 48

July 31, 1996

Hermione couldn't be happier. It was finally Harry's sixteenth birthday and they were all celebrating with a large party in just an hour's time. To say that the bespectacled Gryffindor deserved it was an understatement that she had no inclination of making.

Life for their triad had become increasingly busy. There had been interviews following her stay in the Hospital Wing, setting the public straight about Albus Dumbledore, testifying at Death Eater trials, burying the dead, and taking their O.W.L.s on top of their everyday school work. To say that it was exhausting would have been a term that Hermione wasn't entirely comfortable with.

As devastating as the war and the Battle of Hogwarts had been for everyone, their world was slowly returning to what it had been like before her grandfather had returned. There was still prejudice, that would never go away completely, but things were getting better. The blood purists that weren't implicated as being followers of the Dark Lord still avoided muggleborns, but they were far less vocal about it. The world would never be perfect so for now, Hermione was happy with the changes thus far.

Lucius' trial had been front page news when it finally began. It had lasted for a week, surprisingly long for a known Death Eater. Countless victims had come forth and testified about the evils he had committed, and his solicitor had allowed them all to talk, to tell their stories. The court room had been floored, however, when Mr. Toomey had stood and told them the story of how Lucius had turned on his master when he learned that his son was in love with a half-blood.

The silence in the room had been deafening.

While the crowd was quiet, Mr. Toomey had went on to tell them how he had betrayed his master and began passing information to Severus and Hermione, playing an instrumental part in the finding of two of Voldemort's horcruxes, neither one being possible if he hadn't played his part. Memories from Severus, Harry, Draco, and herself were submitted and shown to the Wizengamot. Several other Order members also put forth memories of the Final Battle where he was dueling Thoros Nott, killing him mercilessly because he was targeting Hermione.

All in all, Hermione had expected worse. When the Wizengamot returned after a full day of deliberation with a verdict of ten years' probation, she had been thrilled. He was mandated to pay restitution to the families that he had harmed, attend meetings with a mind healer for two of the ten years, and submit to a monthly check of his wand. While the older Slytherin wasn't the happiest about his sentence, he was more than happy to comply if it kept him out of Azkaban.

This lenient sentence hadn't been handed out to any other Death Eaters. Most of the ranking Death Eaters had been killed during the battle but the lower level followers had all surrendered, hoping for mercy she was sure. This hadn't been the case. Most were remanded to Azkaban and the dementors for a period no shorter than twenty years. There had been a single Death Eater that had only received ten years because he had been marked only a month before the battle and had only participated in one raid. Overall, Hermione thought that the Ministry had handled it nicely.

The funerals had been the worst though.

Staring into the faces of those lost as they were being lowered into the ground had been heart wrenching to say the least. Harry, Draco, Hermione, and Severus had all attended every single funeral that had fought bravely on their side, usually Harry or Hermione standing and saying a few words. Dean's had been particularly difficult since they had all counted him as a friend.

Everyone had banded together and attended Thoros Nott's funeral with Theo. There was really nobody else to go to it except for Theo and Hermione had refused to let him go alone. At first, she had only figured that Harry, Draco, and her father would attend with them, but she had been pleasantly surprised to find that Remus, Sirius, Neville, Luna, and most of the Weasleys went with them. Even though Theo hadn't said anything about it, she knew that he had appreciated it beyond measure.

Lavender's funeral had been the most difficult. Not because Hermione had been her friend or even particularly liked her but because the witch had suffered her torment in the most public way, had been disrespected and snuffed out as if she was nothing for no other reason than to make Ron suffer. Suffer he did.

The healers had been unable to reattach his arm since Lestrange had burned it to ashes there on the table in the Great Hall. Specialists had been called in to see if it could be regrown, but it had been a hopeless endeavor. Whatever spell that had been used on him made sure that it was permanent. There had been talk of a prosthetic, but it would never function like a real arm, it would be for aesthetic purposes only. Therefore, the redhead was now trying to relearn everything he knew already with his left hand. Last Hermione had heard, it was going decently for him.

The bit of news that surprised her the most regarding Ron was that he was now seeing Parvati. Hermione was unsure why the Indian girl would start dating her dead best friend's boyfriend, the person who seemingly had a hand in causing her death, but she tried not to cast stones. It wasn't her life so who was she to judge? Nobody else seemed to understand it either but everyone remained quiet on the matter.

Harry's party was being held at Grimmauld Place. Sirius was thrilled to finally be able to have a birthday party for his godson and had spared no expense. Hermione wasn't sure how many people he had invited but she knew that the party was going to be "epic". Sirius' term still made her giggle.

The Weasleys were all present, scattered throughout the house and the yard. The twins were boasting to everyone about the property that they had managed to secure in Diagon Alley for their new joke shop. Molly glared at them whenever she walked past and heard them, clearly disapproving of their career choice. The pair had only scraped out four N.E.W.T.s a piece and her disappointment was clear on her face.

Sirius and Remus were laughing at the twin's antics and descriptions. They were sitting extremely close and holding hands which Hermione could only smile at. It was clear that they had been scared to come clean about their relationship to Harry, but they need not have worried. Harry was the first to hug them and congratulate them on finally pulling their heads out of their arses.

Hermione smiled to herself. Her father was seated with Bill Weasley and they were discussing who only knew what. If it was possible, Hermione had only grown closer to him since the end of the Final Battle. She no longer felt guilty when she thought of her parent's deaths and she remembered them fondly. Speaking with them in the strange limbo that had existed in their backyard had given her a sense of closure that she hadn't expected. It was most welcome.

Hermione was pulled from her thoughts when an owl tapped on the kitchen window next to her. Seeing that there were three letters from the Ministry in it's clutches, she let out a squeal. There was only one thing that these letters could be, and she had been waiting for them since she had taken her tests. Everyone turned her way to see what had her so excited. Hermione paid them no mind and removed the letters, shoving the bowl of owl treats the owl's way. Sliding Harry and Draco their letters across the table, Hermione ripped into hers.

Miss Snape,

The Ministry is sending you a copy of your O.W.L. test results in this letter. The original will be kept on file at the Ministry and a copy has also been sent to Hogwarts to remain in your student file.

Regards,

Mr. Thomas Laney

Head of Department of Education

Hermione threw that letter on the table and eyed the paper behind it.

Hermione Snape

O.W.L. results

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Potions- O

Charms- O

Arithmancy-O

Ancient Runes- O

Herbology- O

Defense Against the Dark Arts- O

Care of Magical Creatures- O

Astrology- O

Transfiguration N.E.W.T- O

History of Magic- O

Hermione couldn't contain her whoop of happiness. She stood and went to her father's side, thrusting her grades into his awaiting hands. He glanced at them quickly, a smile painting his features before he pulled her into a hug.

"I'm proud of you, sweet. Ten Outstanding, one of them a N.E.W.T. Very impressive. The downside?" Hermione cocked her head to the side in confusion. Her father laughed as he ruffled her hair.

"Minerva will never shut up over her new apprentice being the youngest person in Hogwarts history to pass their N.E.W.T." The room laughed at her flushed cheeks. She hurried to Harry and Draco's sides, so she could see their grades.

Draco had performed well, all O's aside from an E in Transfiguration, Harry with all O's except for Herbology. He seemed surprised beyond measure that he had scored an O in Potions, but Hermione hadn't been. He had improved immensely once he had started trying. Sirius came forward and bestowed hugs on all three students when another droll voice interrupted them.

"I hope you don't let them hug you like that in public, son. It would ruin your reputation." Even though Lucius' voice was serious, the corner of his mouth turned up in the smallest of smiles, showing that he truly wasn't angry. Nobody seemed to mind that he was there aside from a dirty look or two from Molly. The rest of their number had accepted that he was going to be a part of their lives simply because Draco was.

Narcissa didn't feel this way, however. Even though she had accepted that her son had fallen in love with two half-bloods, she wasn't quite sure why he had to keep company with blood traitors and general riff raff. Hermione knew that it hurt Draco that she wasn't supportive of his decision to leave his prejudices behind, but he hid it well. He still visited his mother twice a week, bringing Hermione and Harry as she permitted. In general, though, he was closer to his father now, something that he had never imagined happening.

"Let me see your scores." Draco was quick to hand them over, a smile breaking out over his face as his father praised him.

"Excellent job, Draco. Your mother will be proud." His smile fell a little at his father's words but nobody else caught it. Not many people knew that Narcissa was almost a sore spot for her son.

Since Sirius refused to let Molly cook in his house (he didn't trust her to not leave them high and dry if she got angry), all the other women were working together to bring food to the table. Hermione hurried to her feet to open the door for Tonks and Andromeda, allowing them to levitate numerous dishes outside to the picnic table. Ginny and Luna were right behind them, their arms full or numerous cutlery items. Professor McGonagall came next, trays of food following her.

Sirius called for them all to seat themselves and dig in.

It was a joyous affair, everyone stuffing their faces and laughing loudly. It felt like extended family had come to celebrate with them and Hermione could see that Harry was thrilled. Out of the corner of her eyes, Hermione caught sight of Draco's head bent next to his father's and Sirius'. She knew exactly what was happening.

Harry had confided in her that morning that Sirius had pulled him aside the night before after she and Draco had fallen asleep for the express purpose of asking Harry just what it was he wanted Sirius to do regarding his heir. The older Gryffindor had been all set to make Harry his official heir, passing on all the wealth, properties, and title that came with being Lord Black. Harry had asked him what his own inheritance looked like. Sirius had laughed and told him that the Malfoys were the wealthiest family in wizarding Britain, followed closely by the Blacks, then the Potters and the Notts.

Once he had his answer, Harry was quick to shake his head in the negative. He had told him that while he considered Sirius family, the inheritance needed to stay with a blood Black, therefore, if Sirius never had children then it should go to Draco. Sirius had agreed happily with Harry's wishes, promising to ask Draco that day if he would give his second son the name of Black so he could carry on the line. Hermione wasn't sure what the blond would say but she had an idea that he would happily agree if only to bring his maternal heritage to greatness once again.

Draco had a grin on his face and leaned into his cousin when Sirius laughed and threw his arm around his shoulders. Lucius looked thrilled with the development, not surprising Hermione in the least. The elder Malfoy was most-assuredly a businessman. When they pulled away, Draco leaned over and pressed a kiss to her neck.

"Hope you like having children. I just promised Sirius that we would have the Black heir as well." Hermione laughed as she leaned into his side and kissed his cheek.

"I do love children but not for quite a few years. I want to get my education out of the way." She could see her father glaring at Draco and Harry.

"Hermione is going to get at least three masteries before either of you impregnate her. None of us are ready to be grandparents." Both boys held their hands up in surrender.

"Hey, we want to get an education too. We don't want kids until we're married anyways." This seemed to appease everyone involved so the conversation went back to personal pursuits.

Hermione got pulled into a discussion with Minerva and her father about the latest discoveries in Transfiguration. She loved discussing academics with them since Harry and Draco weren't too interested in discussing their studies outside of the school year.

A couple hours passed, some of the students leaving the table to play the yard games that Sirius had gone into the muggle world to get. Fred and George seemed enthralled with lawn darts, much to Hermione's horror. Never being much of a participant when it came to games, the Gryffindor was happy to sit back and watch.

The adults were well on their way to being inebriated when Remus finally called them to open presents. Harry groaned good-naturedly, still not comfortable with receiving gifts from other people. His presents were opened in a flurry of wrapping paper, however, the opened gifts piled behind him. Hermione took numerous photos, hoping that she could remember who sent which gift, so they could send thank you notes.

Once the party was starting to wind down, Hermione called for Kreacher to come put Harry's gifts in his room. Sirius still had him, and they still hated each other. He was trying to convince Hermione to take him to Hogwarts with her, that he would be more than happy to let her bond with him, so he could procure an elf that didn't hate him because of his upbringing in the Black household. She was holding out on him since she really didn't want to own an elf but both Sirius and Kreacher were unhappy and she was sure that she would be capitulating in the end.

Hermione helped clear the table outside and was quick to set up the dishwashing charm in the kitchen. Ginny and Luna were helping to put the leftover food in the refrigerator while Tonks and Andromeda were cleaning the counters and the table. The Gryffindor smiled as she watched her family and friends outside in the waning sunlight, the sun already setting low behind the trees.

If life would be like this from now on, Hermione would be happy. She knew that there would be hard times and they would all argue. However, if they all had each other, everything could be overcome. Everyone here today had a future, a bright one, if they reached out and grasped it with both hands.

As for Hermione, she couldn't wait.

A/N- Short epilogue, like I promised. I hope it gave you all the glimpse that you were hoping to see a few months after the Battle of Hogwarts. Let me know what you think, reviews are love.

Last chapter, the ever-cliché sending the kids off to Hogwarts.

Love,

Alicia