Author's Note: Alright folks…this is it! The very last installment of Letting it all Go. First I would like to thank those of you who kept up with it all these years and put up with my lagging updates. Secondly, I want to thank the new readers, followers, and favorite-rs! I am so blessed to have your support. I also want to make a special thank you to those that took the time to review. While there may not be many of you, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words of encouragement. I hope that I have done this story justice for you! This chapter is something I have had planned since the beginning just like the last one. Anyway, I don't want to ramble too much, but enjoy and please review when you finish! Also, for those of you patiently waiting for me to update Renewal, I promise I will be getting to that shortly. However, I should mention, I will be writing a Loki/Hermione fic for NaNoWriMo this year, so Renewal may have to wait until December. Okay, onto the epilogue (Which does contain a bit of smutty smutness)!

Disclaimer: I write for fun, not for profit. Harry Potter does not belong to me. Sadly.

Letting it all Go

Epilogue: Letting Go

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"You can finally feel the wind when it blows.
Don't be scared to be free, to let go."
—Sean Kingston
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Hermione felt it was perfectly acceptable to wake up like this every damn day of her life if that was possible. She smiled slowly and mumbled a groggy, "Good morning," as Draco crawled out from underneath the blankets. He dragged his hands along her thighs and took her lips in a sensuous kiss. She could taste the remnants of herself on his soft lips and oh if that didn't make her even more thrilled to be waking up with this glorious, glorious man. Draco laughed throatily and spread her legs apart as he slid further up her body, positioning himself at her dripping core.

"Good morning, Mrs. Malfoy." He smirked before thrusting forward. Hermione threw her head back with a grunt as he filled her up. It was hard to believe the whirlwind her life had become this past year, but it was worth every lovely second. She mewled softly as her husband withdrew and pushed back inside of her. She ran her hands up his back and down his arms before deciding it was better to clutch at the sheets as she felt herself nearing that oblivion once more.

Knowing his wife was close, Draco angled his body in just the right way to help her over that edge. As she yelled out his name, he dropped his head against her damp shoulder and pumped a few more time before he too was lost. When he was finished, he rolled off to the side bringing Hermione with him. She cuddled into the crook of his arm and sighed happily. If he was being truly honest with himself, Draco had never been this happy in his entire life. The couple was just regaining their breath when the alarm went off. Draco grumbled and turned to bury his face in Hermione's disheveled curls, while she giggled and turned the blasted thing off.

"You make a much better alarm clock, dear husband." She laughed and began extracting herself from Draco's clutches. Padding across the lush carpet of the master bedroom in the new Malfoy Manor, she looked back over her shoulder to find Draco staring at her haughtily. "If you hurry, we may have time for a longer than normal shower before we get Hugo to King's Cross…" She let the desire in her eyes do the talking, along with the sway of her hips as she entered the master bathroom and set about getting the marble shower started. It wasn't more than a few seconds before she heard the hurried footsteps of Draco entering the room. Draco threw her over his shoulder as she squealed with laughter and excitement before plunging them into the now hot shower. Yes, Hermione most definitely would not mind waking up this way for the rest of her life.

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Scorpius was helping Hugo with the coffee pot when Hermione and Draco entered the kitchen after their shower. Hermione's skin was still a bright pink, which was accentuated by the white sundress she had decided to wear. Draco sat at the marble counter and laced his fingers together in front of him as he watched his sons struggle with the Muggle appliance. Hermione stood behind Draco, hands resting lightly on his shoulder that were covered in a soft, blue cotton t-shirt. "Good morning, boys," she greeted smiling as Scorpius successfully poured himself a cup of coffee.

Scorpius turned around and smiled at her. "Morning. I was fine with tea, but I know how you and father enjoy coffee first thing in the morning." He gestured to the two of them with a smirk that was nearly identical to the one his father usually wore.

Hermione walked around and poured two steaming mugs and fixed them how they liked before placing one in front of Draco. She stayed leaning against the counter and watched as Hugo tucked into a large bowl of cereal. "Hungry this morning, Hugo?"

Hugo mumbled something incoherent over the amount of food in his mouth to which Hermione made a disgusted face. Scorpius leaned over and whispered, "That's his third bowl, by the way." Then, he glided away around to the side of the kitchen to finish preparing his lunch in a very Slytherin-like manner. Draco and Hermione's eyes met across the room, both reminded of their old Potion's master for a moment.

"Hugo, don't you want to save room for the treats on the train?" Hermione asked sipping at her coffee, hiding a smile behind the brim of the cup. Draco merely chuckled and added a bit more cream to his own mug.

"Honestly," Hugo began, setting his spoon down, "With my Head duties, I probably won't have much time for anything else." Hermione let the pride show on her face—both her children, no, make that all three of her children, were Head's at Hogwarts. Hugo looked a bit sad for a moment before laughing and standing to take his emptied bowl to the sink. "No, I'm sure I'll be able to get a few Chocolate Frogs!" They all shared a laugh at that. Hermione went to stand next to her husband once more.

"We should think about leaving soon if we want time to say goodbye to everyone before the train leaves." Draco reminded them all before downing the rest of his coffee and levitating the empty cup to the sink. Scorpius set his lunch on the counter and stepped back, examining Hermione and Draco before his eyes grew wide.

"You didn't!" he shouted slapping his hands down on the counter in excitement as a large grin grew on his pale face. Hugo stopped mid-step on his way to the hallway to get his trunk ready. He glanced back and forth between the couple who were speechless and looked towards Scorpius.

"What?"

"You two did not do what I think you did!" He motioned towards the glittering, new ring on Hermione's hand before letting his smile turn into a smirk. "She's going to be furious, you know."

Draco had stood and put his arm around Hermione's shoulders as they faced off their two boys. Hugo was turning his head back and forth between them all, his shaggy, red hair bouncing. "What happened and who is going to be so mad about it?" Hugo hated not knowing something.

Hermione turned to her son, and gestured for him to have a seat. Hugo gave her a sideways look, but plopped down at the table. "Hugo, I know we didn't really discuss it with any of you, but Draco and I went and got married yesterday. We leave for our honeymoon this afternoon." She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Instead of appearing angry, Hugo jumped from the chair and enveloped his mother in a warm hug. Hermione raised her eyebrows at Draco behind his back before she returned the hug. "Mum, I am so happy for the both of you. We've known this was coming for quite some time." He let her go and went to shake Draco's hand. "Welcome to the family, Draco."

Draco smirked. "Thank you. We really do need to go, though." He gestured towards the hallway as Scorpius sidled up to Hermione. He gave her a quick hug before leaning against the doorframe.

"You do realize Rose is going to throw a fit that she wasn't involved in the wedding, right?" Hermione and Draco gave each other an uneasy look. "Anyway, enjoy your honeymoon. I'll hold the Manor down while you're away!" With that said, he slinked out of the room, said goodbye to Hugo, and left the Manor for work.

"That boy is your clone, you know."

Draco pecked Hermione on the cheek. "No, he has his mother's gentleness and heart." A glimmer of sadness flicked through his icy blue eyes before Hermione stole another kiss from his lips.

"You're right, Draco." With a gentle smile she took his hand and led him to the front living room where Hugo was ready by the fireplace with his trunk. "Are you all set, Hugo," she asked as she checked her purse to make sure she had everything. Draco had assured her that their luggage would be sent to their honeymoon destination ahead of their arrival this afternoon.

With an exasperated sigh, Hugo dragged his trunk into the awaiting fireplace. "Yes, Mum!" Hermione merely smiled and handed her son some floo powder. A moment later, he had disappeared in a swirl of green fire as he was transported to the Leaky Cauldron. The three of them would be walking to King's Cross from there.

"Scorpius will send him everything he forgot, won't he?" Hermione asked Draco as they squeezed into the fireplace together.

"Of course he will." Draco replied with a laugh before shouting, "Leaky Cauldron," and they too were transported by the green flames.

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Hermione and Draco stood together in the hustle and bustle that was Platform 9 and 3/4. Hugo was off storing his trunk in the Head's compartment and looking for the Head Girl. Many people waved and said hello as they passed by the happy couple. Hermione took in the sight as she normally would. Ron and Padma, newly wed themselves, would not be joining them this year, however, as they were busy in Paris—Ron with the joke shop and Padma with her writing. Draco tapped Hermione on the arm and pointed out Harry and Ginny coming towards them in the distance.

When the Potter's stopped in front her their friends, Ginny gave each of them a brief hug before stepping back to allow Harry to do the same. "Hey, you two! Here we are again." Ginny smiled sadly. "Not long before we're done doing this…"

Harry wrapped a comforting arm around his wife's shoulders. "Just think of all the grandchildren we have to look forward to." He nodded at Draco with a smirk. "I heard from James that Scorpius and Alice have been getting quite serious. We might be hearing wedding bells in the near future." Ginny laughed, as did Hermione, who turned to see her husband's reaction.

Draco bristled, but did not look angry. "Alice Longbottom…who would have thought a Malfoy could fall in love with a Longbottom." He shook his head in mock exasperation, but he could not keep the mirth from his eyes completely.

"Some could say the same about a Malfoy falling in love with a Granger" Ginny giggled. "I'm certain Neville is in just as much shock as you are that his daughter managed to find love with a Malfoy." Ginny prodded the Slytherin Prince in the shoulder causing him to huff at her indignantly. "What are those two up to these days anyway?"

Straightening his back, Draco beamed with pride. "Alice, as you know, takes after her father when it comes to Herbology. Well, she and Scorpius are going to travel the world together. Scorpius is training to become a Potion's Master and they plan on opening an Apothecary together, eventually."

Hermione intertwined her fingers with Draco's. "So, no time just yet for weddings and grandchildren." The four shared a laugh. "Have either of you seen or heard from Rose yet?" Hermione asked.

Both shook their heads, but Ginny added, "I thought I heard James mention she might be going into work early today when he was over for dinner last night, but I thought she had planned on being here to say goodbye to Hugo."

"That's what I thought too," Hermione started to say, tucking a stray curl behind her ear with her left hand. She didn't get to continue because her ginger haired friend snatched the hand into her own so quickly that Hermione was yanked closer to her with a yelp. A few bystanders glanced their way causing Harry and Draco to smile at them awkwardly until they looked away.

"Why you sneaky, sneaky snake!" Ginny hissed, glancing up at Draco, her brown eyes flashing mischievously. "You put a ring on it!"

"What?" Draco asked, seriously.

"Never mind," Hermione said taking her hand back from her friend. "We, uh, we have some good news…" She was looking back and forth between her two best friends trying to gauge whether or not they were really mad.

It was Harry that moved first—surging forward and sweeping her into his arms, swinging her in a circle like he had done many times before. Hermione immediately felt the tension leave her body, the chaos of the train station fading away. "Oh, Hermione this is great! Congratulations!" Harry placed her gently back on the ground and then turned to Draco, his hand offered out. Draco only quirked an eyebrow for a second before accepting the handshake—and was then pulled into a large bear hug of his own.

"Let go of me, Potter," he managed through tight lips—that were trying very hard to keep a smile off of them. "Don't cause a scene."

"Too late," Ginny muttered watching as Lily and Hugo came running over.

"What's going on," Lily questioned staring back and forth between the older Wizards. "Is everything okay?" She looked genuinely worried. Ginny smoothed down her hair.

"Everything is fine, darling. Your Aunt has some exciting news-"

"Mum and Draco got married," Hugo shouted causing his cousin to jump and even more people to turn and look at them.

"Quiet, Hugo, I don't think they heard you across the Pond." Hermione scolded her son.

The boy ducked his eyes, but remained smiling. "Sorry, mum." Lily giggled at her cousin's antics before coming forward and hugging her aunt.

"That's fantastic! Draco is one lucky man." She let go of her aunt and aimed a wink at Draco. Draco's cheeks took on a tiny hint of pink. Lily's face fell as she looked back and forth. "Where's Rose?"

"Running late, it seems," Hermione answered with a frown of her own. "We were hoping to tell her before everyone else found out and somehow it got back to her."

Lily's laugh echoed through the station. "She is going to be furious when she finds out you two got married without her knowing! You know she hates being the last to know!"

"Hush, Lily," Ginny said swatting at her daughter playfully. Draco and Harry exchanged nervous looks. They knew all too well how Rose could react to being left out of something. Hermione's last birthday party had been a perfect example of that. "I'm sure Rose will be fine when she hears the news…"

"When I hear what news?"

"Rose!"

Rose jumped hearing everyone shout her name. She tucked herself between Lily and Ginny, grinning widely. "Sorry I'm late, folks. Had a last minute article to run for this afternoon's edition of the paper." Turning her attention to her mother and Draco, she turned serious. "Do you have something to tell me?"

The newlyweds exchanged nervous looks before Draco took Hermione's hand in his. "Rose, as you know, things with your mother and I have been getting quite serious lately." He smiled as he glanced at the bushy haired woman next to him. Hermione smiled up at her lovely husband, encouraging him to keep going. "Well, yesterday, we decided to finally make things official…" He seemed to lose his nerve so he differed to Hermione.

Taking over seamlessly, Hermione, never letting go of Draco's hand, took Rose's hand in her free one. "We went to the Ministry and got married, Rosebud."

Everyone turned to gauge Rose's reaction. For half a minute, there was only silence, excluding the sounds of the goings on around them. Rose seemed to be taking it all in, looking back and forth between her mother and her new step-father. To everyone's relief, a large grin broke out on the fair skinned woman's face. Rose crossed her arms across her chest and shrugged.

"I know."

Hermione's smiled faltered, just a smidge. It was Draco who spoke up, wanting to know how she knew. "How did you find out?"

"A magician never reveals their secrets," Hugo bellowed, thrusting his fist into the air. Lily groaned and jumped, grabbing his arm, and returning it to his side. "Quiet," she hissed in his ear as a family stopped right behind them, eavesdropping.

"Well, my informant at the Ministry mentioned you had stopped by yesterday. I did some digging, and sure enough, there it was—your marriage license." Glancing at her bright pink fingernails, inspecting them for imperfections, Rose added, "I love that marriages are a public record. It makes it much easier to dig up information for an article."

Her family continued to stare at her in shock, so Rose dropped the act and confessed. "And, well, daddy told me."

Confusion showing on her face, Hermione shook her head. "Ron told you? How in the world did he know?"

Rose's smile grew again. She looked to Draco. "Do you want to tell her, or should I?"

With a sigh, Draco turned and decided to come clean. "I went to talk to Weasley before asking you to marry me." The pink tint was back on those pointed, pale cheeks of his.

"Really?" Harry whispered behind his hand towards Ginny. Ginny's mouth was hanging agape, Hugo was laughing silently with tears rolling from his eyes, and Lily was hugging herself as if she was going to combust from an overload of cuteness.

Hermione launched herself into Draco's arms. "That is so completely romantic. Thank you." She kissed him on the cheek. "What made you want to do that?"

Clearing his throat, Draco shrugged and tried to regain his cold façade. "Well, he came and talked to you before he and Padma got engaged. I felt it was only fair…"

Rose sidled up to her newest family member. "And thanks to you, I was able to write the article of the year about the wedding of the year!"

Draco smirked and nodded at Rose. "You're quite welcome. Are you sure you're a Gryffindor?" They all shared a laugh at that.

"So that's where you've been all morning," Hugo said just as the whistle on the train blew, indicating it was time for everyone leaving to get onboard or be left behind.

"Yes, now you better get going!"

Kisses and hugs were dished out between the families and then Lily and Hugo were boarding, and the five adults were watching as the Hogwarts Express chugged out of Platform 9 and ¾ on its way to Hogwarts once again.

After the train had gone, Rose turned and kissed her mother on the cheek. "Have fun on your honeymoon. I hear Eagle Island is beautiful this time of year." She winked and Disapparated leaving Hermione and Draco standing there opened mouthed.

"That girl is going to be bigger than Rita Skeeter ever hoped to be." Draco muttered.

Laughing, Ginny patted Draco on the shoulder. "She certainly is the best journalist I've encountered in my time working at the Prophet. So are you two leaving right from here?"

Hermione shook her head. "We have one more stop before we go."

Nodding, Ginny took Harry's hand. "Well, have a lovely trip," Harry began. "Let us know when you get back. We can all have dinner."

"Thanks, Potter. We will."

Harry and Ginny exited the Platform via the magical barrier. Hermione and Draco watched the platform empty for a few more minutes before Hermione turned and looked up into her husband's eyes. "Are you ready?"

Stealing a kiss from her plump lips, Draco let his forehead rest against hers before whispering, "Yes."

With a loud 'POP' the couple vanished from sight.

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Ten minutes later, found Draco and Hermione walking up a worn path. There were trees and shrubbery covered in flowers surrounding them, and shielding most of the tombstones from view. Hand in hand, the pair made their way to the edge of the Wizarding cemetery. The wind whistled through the trees and kicked up the scent of the flowers so that the atmosphere was anything but frightening. In fact, it was more comforting on this particular day. Arriving at their destination, Hermione squeezed Draco's hand and allowed him to move forward on his own. She did not say anything as he let go of her hand and stepped forward, bending down to place a bouquet of pink roses on his departed wife's grave.

"Astoria," he began, "I hope you like the roses. I know they were always your favorite." He sighed and let his head fall towards the ground, strands of blond hair tickled his forehead. "I know that this is the first time since you were laid to rest that I have been back here, but I needed to come and talk to you…finally." The wind blew and Draco caught the scent of the roses—a reminder of the perfume Astoria had always worn. It encouraged him to keep going. "Things haven't been the easiest for me since your passing. With the help of Hermione, doctors, and my new set of friends, I have been able to work through some of my inner demons. Each day it gets easier and easier to live without you."

Stopping to glance back at Hermione quickly, he inhaled deeply. "In fact, Hermione has been the biggest help of all. We fell in love while she guided me come to terms with your death…and now, now we're married and ready to start a life together of our own. But—well, I had to come and tell you before it felt okay to just move completely on without you." Swallowing back the tears that were threating to fall, Draco tried to get the rest of his words out. "With her help, I'm able to let go of what happened. I will always love you, Astoria, but I know now that Hermione is the one I am to be with. And as sad as I am that you are gone, and that you went the way you did, I am thankful that you helped bring us together. I thank you every day for changing me from the Muggle hating man I was into the compassionate man I have become. I also thank you for giving me Scorpius. You would be so proud of him. He has found himself a beautiful, strong, and brilliant woman of his own and they're going to change the Wizarding world with their creations. We miss you, though." Draco swiped a few stray tears away.

Hermione walked forward to stand behind Draco. He rose, allowing himself to seek her warmth and comfort. "We love you," he finished and then turned into Hermione, allowing his face to disappear into her waves of curls.

The wind picked back up and a few rose petals drifted into the air. Hermione smiled as they danced around them as if Astoria, herself, was talking to them. "I'll take care of them both, Astoria. I promise." The wind wrapped its warm embrace around Draco and Hermione a moment more before vanishing completely.

They began their walk back out of the cemetery, not speaking, but letting the silence comfort them. When they stopped outside the gates, Draco cupped Hermione's cheek and placed a gentle kiss to her lips. Hermione let her hands drift into his soft, blond hair. Each day they would have to battle their demons, but for the most part, they were finally free of everything that had held them back for so long. With the future wide open in front of them, the past could be left in the past. Disapparating to Eagle Island to begin their new life together, Draco and Hermione were finally letting it all go.

End.

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