Epilogue
One Year Later
Hermione stood in the entryway to the large, new medical ward. No other divisions of St. Mungo's had such an opulent entrance, and part of her was a bit smug about that fact. Of course, she couldn't take all the credit. In fact, the ward was only her idea. The coming together of it was all the work of others.
"You ready to go in, love?" Draco's smooth voice asked from her side. She nodded and smiled.
"Just a little nervous," she said with a slight chuckle.
Draco rolled his eyes at her. "I know you hate speeches, but it will be a short one. Besides, how many times in your life are you going to open a new hospital wing?"
"Good point," Hermione said, taking his offered arm as he led her into the atrium that opened up the Remus Lupin Medical Ward for Magical Beings. It had been decided that "creatures" didn't really apply to werewolves, so they stuck with 'beings'
"I thought we were supposed to be here at 8:15," Hermione said, confused when she saw the place already filled with people in their formal dress robes. Such an extravagant event for the opening had been Lucius' idea. As he was a primary donor to the ward, Hermione had reluctantly accepted.
"We were supposed to be here at 8:00," Draco answered, tightening his grip on her arm so she couldn't slap him. "But you refuse to believe in the Muggle custom of 'fashionably late' and look at the time. It's 8:05. You would have been early, and you know it. Giving you more time to work yourself up into a panic attack. Now, will you take a glass of wine from that nice gentleman with the tray and chill out?" he said, smiling sweetly at her the whole time.
Hermione rolled her eyes but smirked at him anyway. He was right after all, and this was one of the things she appreciated about her relationship with Draco. He balanced her. When she was getting too high strung, he'd pull her from her work and make love to her on the kitchen counter. When she was near a nervous breakdown because of the construction, he'd 'accidentally' ward them both out of the flat so they 'had to' step away and relax.
"Okay," Hermione said, "there's Harry," she smiled to herself. "I can do this."
"Oh, so Potter makes everything better," Draco said, feigning hurt, but the smile on his face ruined the ruse. In the beginning of their relationship, Hermione and Draco had more than one fight over Harry Potter. She wanted to go back to being his best friend, and Draco was certainly uncomfortable with that, given they'd just been exchanging saliva a few weeks before. Hermione said he didn't understand, and Draco said he had every right to be jealous.
They were at an impasse for weeks, almost ending the relationship before it ever had the chance to start. That was, until Potter showed up at Draco's door, told him to stop being a wanker, and not to lose Hermione because of his own stupid pride. Draco reminded him that Hermione had a proud streak longer than his. Harry just laughed and said, 'but have you ever known her to be wrong?' Draco had to concede that point, and when Potter made a promise to him that he'd never try to steal Hermione from him, he began to settle.
Now, they shared a cordial relationship, but neither of them was dying to be each other's best mates. "Harry," Hermione greeted, pulling him into a hug and kissing both cheeks. "I take it Ron refused to come?" Hermione asked, somewhat disappointed. She'd thought her friend would get over everything and forgive her, but they hadn't spoken but twice in the whole year. Draco couldn't understand why it bothered her so much. Weasley was a git. Who cared? But Hermione was a loyal friend and she often couldn't understand that not everyone was that way.
Harry shook his head. "No, but I think it had more to do with a trip to Romania with Charlie than anything." Hermione just nodded and changed the subject.
"Where is Olivia?" She asked.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Powdering her nose. I swear, she's never this girly until we come out to meet you. Usually, she doesn't care about stuff like that."
Draco smirked knowingly. "Well, Hermione's her competition."
"You're mental," Harry said. "I've explained things to Olivia."
"I didn't say it made sense," Draco said, "but I do know these things. Mom used to do it every time a pretty lady would come to the Manor. Women are strange creatures."
Harry just chuckled. He couldn't argue with that. "Well," Hermione said, pursing her lips, "this strange creature would never do something like that," she huffed. She was a little sad that Olivia felt that way, but she didn't know what to do about it.
"And that's what makes you a strange and amazing creature, love. You don't play those silly games," Draco said, kissing her lightly on the cheek. Hermione blushed at this, but was appeased.
"Either way, here Olivia comes. She looks lovely, and we are not going to embarrass her, correct?" Hermione said, looking at both men.
They nodded at her before turning to greet the petite blonde woman making her way to their group. Hermione was very happy for Harry. He'd been a little down for a few months after she'd made her choice to be with Draco. He even avoided her for a couple of weeks. Finally, she got through to him, and he began to get a little better. Strangely enough, spending time with Hermione and Draco together helped him move on. She was happy and Draco was a different person than he had been in school.
He'd met Olivia six months ago while he was fundraising in Italy. She was British, but lived there while studying Italian. He was captivated by her instantly. She was the only girl that had made him stop thinking about Hermione, and he knew that was reason enough to approach her. She was a little star-struck at first, but it turned out, she was actually a brilliant, beautiful, and funny witch who liked him for himself, rather than his fame.
"I hate to do this," Hermione said, not wanting to move away from her friends, "but we have to mingle."
"Of course," Harry said with a smile.
"I can't believe you did all this," Olivia said in awe.
"I had a lot of help, I assure you," Hermione smiled, before moving with Draco around the room. They met with the typical people. The hospital board, the head healers, etc. Everyone expressed his or her congratulations at such a feat. No one in Europe had ever managed to make such an endeavor reach completion. There were several such clinics in the States, but everyone knew Americans were more relaxed about things like blood and species.
They were intercepted by Blaise, Theo, Adrian, and Ginny before they had to hobnob with any more bigwigs. "Thank Merlin," Draco said, sighing with relief. He hated these things as much as Hermione did. They both generally gave each other a prize for making it through the night when they got home.
The four friends chuckled. "I take it you are already ready to get out of here," Blaise said.
"I just don't want to give this stupid speech," Hermione huffed.
"You'll be fine, 'Mione. Just relax. Everyone here is friends or strangers. Who cares about the strangers, and you're friends will love you no matter what."
"Speak for yourself, Weasley. If she messes up, I'm never speaking to her again," Blaise said, winking in Hermione's direction.
"It's Pucey now, Zabini," Ginny scowled. She and Adrian had married only three months after Hermione and Draco got together. It had been a shock to all, but Adrian said, 'if you find the one person you are supposed to be with, why dilly-dally?'
"What I want to know is why we can't call Hermione, 'Mione. Ginny does it all the time," Theo said.
"Yeah," Draco said, looking at his girlfriend. "I tried it once and she nearly hit me."
Hermione rolled her eyes. Of course, they were trying to take her mind off the speech by pissing her off. They were great friends in their own Slytherin way. "Because I hate the name 'Mione, but Ginny and Ron use it no matter what I say."
Everyone chuckled at this but Hermione, who said, "Before I go mingle again," I want to tell you all how truly grateful I am for your help with this. After everything, you didn't have to donate, and you still did, and it made this dream come true. So, this place is as much yours as anyone else's."
Draco smiled at her and squeezed her hand, helping her keep from crying.
"It was our pleasure," Theo assured her.
"Yes, money well-spent," Blaise added. "Look at this place."
"There is more where that came from," Adrian said. "I hope this place is everything you wanted it to be."
"Me too," Hermione breathed. "We'd better go, though."
"Sure, we'll see you after," Theo called. Hermione and Draco nodded and moved on.
"Well, if it isn't my son, and his extremely beautiful girlfriend," Lucius said, as they approached.
"Father, what have I told you about hitting on my girl?" Draco sighed. Hermione just giggled. She knew Lucius did this to press Draco's buttons, and it was actually quite funny. She and Lucius had gotten past their sexual tension after long hours working on the ward. In the end, more of his money went into the place than Draco's. Really, it should have been called theMalfoy Medical Ward for Magical Beings but Lucius and Draco both insisted that she should honor her fallen friend, as he was the inspiration for the place to begin with.
"It's lovely to see you again, Lucius," Hermione said. "There's no chance you can give me speech for me, is there?"
Lucius chuckled. "I'm sorry to say, I can't. They all want to hear from you. Speaking of, it's about that time. I'll have to introduce you now," he said apologetically.
"Fine," Hermione bit out, turning to face Draco while Lucius made his way to the podium set up in the center of the room. "I've got an idea. We will get some Polyjuice, and you can give it in my stead," Hermione said hopefully.
Draco just kissed her and laughed. "You know you don't want me walking around in your body for an hour. Besides, it's too late to brew some now," he reasoned. "Come on, It will be okay. It's a short one, and I've heard it a hundred perfect times. You can do this."
Hermione nodded and turned back to face Lucius who was already speaking. "...remarkable woman. The brightest witch of her age, she fought the Darkest Wizard of all time and still managed to rank the top of her class in Healer school. She's had one dream since she was young: equality for all magical beings. Tonight, she takes a step toward that dream. It is my honor to introduce you to Hermione Granger."
There was loud applause as Hermione kissed Draco one last time and made her way up to the podium. Draco moved closer to his friends to listen to her speech for the 101st time.
"Thank you all, very much," Hermione started after clearing her throat. "I think each of you know how the funding for this project started," she chuckled. "Anyone with a back issue of Wizard Weekly can tell you, I went a little crazy after a break-up and ended up with the love of my life and a new medical ward." There was a rumbling chuckle through the room and she let it die before she continued.
"What you might not know is where this dream really started. I know you all remember Remus Lupin. He was a war hero. He was a spokesman for werewolf rights throughout his whole life. Sadly, he never got far in his efforts. When I was thirteen years old, I met Remus. Not long after, a certain person," she said looking toward Snape who was lingering in the shadows of the room, "brought to my attention that he was a werewolf. I know many thirteen year olds would have been terrified, but I knew the man Remus. And that man was a brilliant, kind, caring individual who just wanted to do what was right in the world."
Hermione smiled at the memory of her friend. "I think we, as a society, often forget that these people are people. They spend the vast majority of their time as humans. Their symptoms can be controlled with proper care. They didn't choose to be what they became. I think it's important that we remember these things when we talk about their medical care."
Hermione took a deep breath before continuing. "Remus Lupin died to protect a world that hated him. He gave his life for the cause to protect people like me. It wasn't long ago that Muggle-borns were considered just as lowly as werewolves were. Before that, it was half bloods. The prejudice has to end, and I want to start with proper care."
Hermione cleared her throat again. "It wasn't just Lupin who gave for the cause. I can name at least two house-elves that personally helped Harry, Ron, and me, defeat the Dark Lord. Dobby," she looked up at Harry who smiled brightly at her, "was a good house-elf, who only wanted to help Harry Potter. He died protecting us. Kreacher was integral to our destruction of Voldemort's horcruxes. The centaurs, in the end, caused the distraction that allowed Harry to defeat Voldemort."
There was a gasp from the room as they considered how large a role magical beings played in the last war. "As you can see, magical beings are integral to our way of life. They are living, breathing, feeling beings that don't deserve the treatment we, as a society, give them. I'm glad to have at least one place they can come for help and support. And I hope, when you leave here tonight, you consider the importance of those beings we often take for granted."
She smiled one last time. "I think Remus would be proud to know a place like this exists. I like to think he's somewhere looking down on us, and smiling right now. And, without further ado, I officially open The Remus Lupin Medical Ward for Magical Beings."
There was thunderous applause and Hermione smiled once more before moving back over to Draco. "I've got one more person to talk to," she said, pointing into the corner where Snape was standing.
"Okay, love," Draco said, taking her hand in his and leading her to his godfather.
"Hello Severus," Hermione said, hugging him close.
"That was a very nice speech," Snape said. "Lupin would have been proud." Hermione blushed.
"Thank you. I hope your offer still stands. I haven't heard from you since..." She cut herself off looking awkwardly at Draco.
"I'll just see what my friends and the she-weasel are doing," Draco said, kissing Hermione on the cheek before leaving her to speak with Severus alone.
"Yes, I realize, I've been a little...absent," Snape said, looking at his feet. "I was working on something."
"Oh," Hermione said, eyes wide with curiosity. "May I ask what it is?"
"First, I want to say, I had to get away. After everything that happened. I'm not quite as resilient as Potter," Snape said.
"I understand, Severus." Hermione assumed as much.
"So, I threw myself into work. I wanted to come up with something for your ward," he explained.
"Really?" Hermione asked, curious.
"I still have to run more tests, but I think I've discovered a new Wolfsbane," Snape said, his own excitement nipping at the edges of his voice.
"Really!" Hermione nearly shrieked. "Wh-What does it do?"
"It stops the change. But it requires the subject to be passed out the duration," Snape said.
"Oh my," Hermione said. "Do you know what this means?"
"I've got some idea," Snape smirked.
"Oh, Severus, will you please come work with me?" Hermione asked. "They've allowed me to devote my full energies to this project, and I know that you and I can make this place work."
"Yes, Hermione. I'll join your team. But I'd prefer to work with you alone. I don't want to deal with the incompetence of others," Snape said.
"That can be arranged," Hermione said, hugging him, but letting go quickly. It was a bit awkward. "Thank you so much."
"You'd better get back to Draco," Snape said. "He's looking a bit nervous over there."
Hermione looked over her shoulder and saw Draco, hands shoved in his pockets, looking in her direction. He did look nervous. He couldn't possibly be worried that she'd take off with Severus. Didn't he know that he was the only one for her?
"I'll owl you soon," Hermione said smiling back at Severus before walking back over to Draco.
"Are you okay?" she asked. "You aren't worried about Severus, are you? Because I thought I made it clear..." she was cut off by his lips on hers.
"Can we go outside for a moment, Hermione?" Draco asked, breathing against her face.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Draco smiled, "here, let's get some air." Hermione nodded hesitantly and followed him outside where they leaned against the stone balcony together.
"Hermione, you did an amazing job with all of this," Draco said indicating all around them.
"Thank you," Hermione smiled. "You helped, you know."
"Yes, but it would have never happened without you. Ever. I'm ashamed that the idea never struck me, even with my father being on the hospital board," Draco said. Hermione smiled, and placed her hand on his arm.
"This," he said, indicating the new medical wing, "is amazing. And you are amazing," Draco said.
"Love, you are acting really weird," Hermione said.
Draco chuckled at that. "I suppose I am." He sighed. "I've never done this before. I'm not all that polished at it."
"Done what?" Hermione asked, but her breath caught when, at that moment Draco got down on one knee. "Draco..." she breathed, letting him take her left hand in his.
"Hermione, you are amazing. I still marvel that you chose me. But you did. And while we had a rocky beginning, being with you has been the best thing to ever happen to me. You breathed life back into me, and I can't see myself ever being with anyone but you. I want you to be with me forever. So, will you be my wife?" he asked, pulling a box out of his pocket and flipping it open.
Inside was a gorgeous princess-cut solitaire that probably cost a whole year of her salary. "Draco..." she breathed again, tears stinging her eyes. "Yes," she finally said, knowing that life without Draco wasn't something she even wanted to think about. He smiled brightly, slipped the ring on her finger and jumped up to his feet. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her passionately.
They were pulled apart by a clearing of the throat behind them. "I see she said yes," Blaise smirked.
"I told you to stop freaking out," Theo added.
"Oh, we get to plan a wedding!" Ginny squealed. And Hermione and Draco just chuckled at their friends.
"Let's go announce it," Adrian said, motioning for Draco and Hermione to step inside.
"Now? Here?" Hermione asked.
"Of course," Blaise said, "they will never forgive you if they found out you got engaged at this event and didn't tell them. And you must always keep the hospital board happy."
Hermione rolled her eyes but allowed her friends to lead them inside. "Excuse me," Draco said, amplifying his voice. "Hermione and I have an announcement to make. I've just asked her to marry me, and she said yes."
There was a loud round of applause, and Hermione looked around the room, finally laying eyes on Harry. He nodded in her direction, smiling and winking at her, and she knew everything was okay. He pulled Olivia close and kissed her temple before moving toward them.
"Congratulations," Harry said.
"Thank you, Harry." Hermione smiled.
"Take good care of her," Harry said, looking at Draco.
"I know, I know, or you will break my legs," Draco laughed. Harry just smiled and nodded.