A/N We are at last at the end. I am so happy to have finally made it this far. Thank you to everyone that has read and especially to those that have commented. I would like to send a special thanks to my long time partner in writing, beta extraordinaire, Sophie, Excited-Insomniac on FFN. As always, this would not have been even half so good without her. To everyone else that helped along the way, thank you.

Epilogue part 2

October 1978

Corsica was the most beautiful place Severus had ever seen. Then again, he didn't have a lot of experience. This was the first time he'd ever gone abroad.

He had taken Regulus up on his offer to join Lucius in France. After some careful spell work, he had managed to undo the obliviation he'd cast after setting wards on the manor. Lucius had been extremely surprised to read the headline of the Daily Prophet Severus had brought him.

Risking It All

Lucius Malfoy's Big Gamble;

Dark Lord Killed at Malfoy Manor

Blood Purist or Hero of the Wizarding World?

For centuries, the Malfoy family have been well known supporters of blood purists' ideals. The late Abraxas Malfoy was an outspoken and avid supporter of You-Know-Who. It has long been believed that his son, the current head of the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, was a loyal follower as well.

You-Know-Who, the self-styled Dark Lord Voldemort was in residence at Malfoy Manor. Seven days ago, he held a formal gathering with all of his supporters, numbering nearly one hundred. Ministry employees, Wizengamot members and heads of

several Sacred 28 Families were present.

At some point in the evening, a terribly dark spell was released. The DMLE is refusing to comment on what they know of the spell, and no reporters were allowed on scene. From what we were able to gather, everyone present was killed, including You-Know-Who.

Fabian Prewett, brother of Gideon Prewett and Molly Weasley née Prewett and co-founder of Prewetts Protectives, was also killed. According to testimony, Fabian and his brother Gideon were present in their capacity as agents working against You-Know-Who. He was unfortunately caught up in whatever dark spell was used to massacre the partygoers.

Head of the DMLE, Barty Crouch Sr. gave a statement yesterday evening at the Ministry, quoted here in full.

"I am pleased to inform the public that as of last Saturday evening, the scourge of Voldemort and his Death Eaters has ended. Lucius Malfoy, forcibly inducted to Voldemort's ranks by his late father, saw an opportunity and seized it. A trap was laid and, after allowing his supposed master access to his estate, he took his wife and fled to the continent.

"Lucius Malfoy took a calculated risk, one that could have ended his life if discovered. In order to protect the future of his family and British Wizarding society from the darkness of Voldemort, he acted fearlessly. Lucius Malfoy is perhaps not the hero we expected, but indeed, the one we have.

"Lucius Malfoy has requested privacy for his family at this time. Any violators will be prosecuted. Thank you."

The head of the DMLE retreated to flash photography and shouted questions he did not answer. This news comes less than forty-eight hours after his successful prosecution and sentencing of Albus Dumbledore, which rocked Wizarding society to the foundation.

Thanks to the privacy request, we were unable to determine where the Malfoy's are currently residing. One thing is certain, however: when they return, it will be to a hero's welcome.

Lucius had thrown the paper down on the breakfast table, thrown his head back and roared with laughter. The very idea of Lucius Malfoy as the savior of the Wizarding World. It was preposterous.

He had been extraordinarily relieved to know their master was dead, as if some great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Severus did not think he had ever seen his friend so lighthearted. Even Narcissa beamed with a quiet hopeful light he did not recognize.

It was… nice.

He had stayed with them for a few weeks, until his apprenticeship started. Before the Dark Lord had fallen, his prospective master had been of a darker persuasion. The man, rather a hermit, lived in the mountains near Durmstrang.

Now that Severus had no reason to be tied to someone of the Dark Lord's choosing, he was free to go to his first choice. Master André Michaux was the eminent potioneer in the hemisphere. He had agreed to Severus' desperate request for tutelage easily, having already reached out to him before he even graduated Hogwarts.

The fact that he lived on the island of Corsica on the coast of the Mediterranean sea was merely a perk. A very nice perk. Not only was the location stunning, with perfect weather, the witches and muggle women that spent time there were even more beautiful than the landscape.

And, apparently, much more interested in him than any he'd met at Hogwarts.

He'd been in Corsica for two months. Already, his new master had taught him more than he could have imagined in such a small time. Not for the first time, as he sipped on his wine and looked out at the sea, Severus wondered at the man he'd seen in Hermione's memories.

That man had studied under Voldemort's choice, he was sure. There was no way Michaux would have taken on a convicted Death Eater, no matter how uniquely talented. Despite the different teacher, that Severus had been a brilliant potions Master.

How much higher would he be able to reach this time? How much more would he be able to accomplish?

A blonde woman with beautiful legs strolled up the cobblestone street ahead of him. Severus felt the corner of his mouth turn up around the lip of his glass. When she slowed to a stop beside him, a slow smile spread across her face too.

"Bonjour, Severus."

Merlin, he loved the way she said his name.

"Bonjour, Amélle."

Her slender fingers, calloused from hours of pruning, mulching, and planting, brushed along the top of his hand where it lay on the table. "I am so thrilled you agreed to join me today."

Catching her fingers, Severus abandoned his glass and grinned wider. "Of course. I've never swam in the sea before." He stood, tugging her slightly closer. "And Master Michaux so generously offered me the day off."

Her laughter was musical as she turned, leading him by their joined fingers toward the beach she'd told him about.

Whatever this version of himself did, his future was already looking much, much brighter.

GH

December 1978

The view of Diagon from the roof of their new premises was a bit different than the one his brother and he had shared in the future. Nearly two blocks down from the once and—hopefully, future—home of Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, Prewett Protectives was not nearly so ostentatious. It was also, conveniently, across the street from Fortescue's. Still, the cheerful glow of the evening crowd below reminded him of different times.

A glance from the corner of his eye at his anxious looking wife reminded him of their sad days after the war. How very much had changed in the nine months since they'd left that old life behind.

There certainly would be no miserable drinking this evening.

"George?" When he met her heavy gaze with carefully arranged mild interest, she smiled shyly. "I have something important to tell you."

George tried very hard to restrain himself, because he—in fact—knew exactly what she was about to share. He had noticed the subtle change in her scent almost at once.

Not wanting to spoil the surprise for Hermione, and both unable and unwilling to wait for her to answer his many questions, he had popped into a muggle bookshop some weeks before. After reading, George had counted the weeks and waited anxiously for her to discover what he already knew.

He had had to order Penny and Talby literally behind Hermione's back to keep silent when he realized they had sensed it too.

At the full moon the week prior, he guessed it had been approximately six weeks. Once she'd finally fallen asleep, he'd slid down and placed his good ear against her stomach. Even with his enhanced hearing, it had taken a few moments and a good deal of concentration to hear anything beyond her own heartbeat. He'd stayed awake to listen every night since.

Keeping quiet until she was ready to tell him had been a herculean effort after that.

"George, I'm pregnant! We're having a baby!"

The wide grin that split his face must not have been the surprised reaction she'd been expecting. Her own elation morphed into amused indignation.

"You're not surprised. Why aren't you surprised?" When he only shrugged guiltily, she huffed a confused laugh. "You already knew? How?"

He tapped the side of his nose. "Canine sense of smell. Noticed almost immediately."

Scoffing, she crossed her arms and pouted adorably. "I won't ever be able to surprise you with this, will I?"

George couldn't help but laugh. "Afraid not, Love."

She shook her head but the joyful smile spread back into place. "Well, are you happy?"

It was George's turn to scoff indignantly. Reaching out and pulling her into his lap, he held her tight and kissed her forehead, her cheek, her smiling lips. "Of course I bloody am, you silly witch. I'm so unbelievably happy. It's been agony not saying anything before now."

After a suitably long and sweet kiss, she looked up at him curiously. "Why didn't you?"

He shrugged again. "I figured you'd want to be the one to tell me. Didn't want to take that from you."

"Well, thank you." She kissed him again. "I suppose, in future, you could tell me if you'd like."

He hummed appreciatively, running his knuckles gently along her lower abdomen. "It will be a race with Penny, I'm sure."

Hermione chuckled. "Did you have to order her quiet?"

"Of course. She is positively beside herself with excitement." He kissed her once more before grinning smugly. "There is something I should tell you, though."

"Oh?"

"Yes." He grinned conspiratorially. "You, my Love, have three heartbeats."

The utter shock on her face elicited another laugh. "I… three? You mean, mine and…"

"Our twins."

Her musical laughter filled the cool evening air, no doubt drawing curious looks from passersby on the busy street below.

July 1979

George lay beside Hermione, propped up on one elbow, and stared down in wonder at his sons. Barely a day old and already he knew they would have their mother's wild hair. The fine red whisps curled in every direction, fluttering softly with Hermione's breathing.

As he watched them sleep—gently tracing a button nose, a tiny ear, a perfect little hand—George thought of Fred. Their childhood, early pranks, Hogwarts and Quidditch, learning magic side by side, their shop, and the war—memories that once filled him with sorrow now felt bittersweet and treasured. It no longer pained him to think of Fred as it once had.

In the nearly two years since his brother's death, George had managed to find happiness again. The soul bond he had formed with Hermione—sealed when they'd married and now stronger than he'd ever imagined—had filled him with the life and joy he'd thought he'd buried with Fred. Now that she'd made him a father, he wasn't sure it was possible to be happier.

Not long after they had confirmed her pregnancy, that very thought had sent him spiraling with guilt for days. How could he possibly be so happy after everything they had lost? How could he possibly be so happy, so whole, without Fred?

It had been Gideon of all people, still fresh off the loss of his own twin, who had knocked sense into him. His uncle had been actually angry to see him so upset. The universe, magic, God, whomever, had seen fit to bless George with a second chance at life. His family back, a new soul-bond in his wife, and now children: of course he should be so happy. To have been so utterly broken, now so fulfilled… he had every right to his joy. Fred would be happy for him.

After some thought, he realized he was right.

And so George had allowed himself to be.

Now, beside his sleeping wife and the newest set of Prewett twins, George no longer felt guilt. Not the survivor's guilt that had weighed him down for so long nor the guilt at his own happiness. He felt light.

Dropping kisses to each of their temples, he got up from the bed and went to the open window. George looked out at the star-illuminated French countryside and drew his wand. He rolled it between his fingers for a moment, considering. It had been so long since he'd cast the spell, he wasn't sure he remembered the wand movements.

Closing his eyes, he allowed a flood of new memories—the feel of Hermione's lips on his the first time they'd kissed, the night they had bonded and earlier that day when he'd first held his sons. Warmth and magic filled him.

Opening his eyes, George cast.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A pleased smile lifted his face as he watched the shining silver beast soar out into the night.

GH

October 1987

Tiny little Rose, only a handful of weeks old, watched the chaos with wide dark newborn eyes from her snug vantage, wrapped tightly to her mother's chest. Hermione brushed her lips against her fuzzy red hair as she made her way from one child-filled room to the next. The annual Halloween party they held for all of their friends and their many children was in full swing.

Little Harry bowled past her, followed closely by Ron, Draco and Neville as they fled the quartet of older twins. Fred and George, Micheal and Daniel, nine and eight respectively, chased the younger boys with large, hairy spiders, complete with clacking pincers and flailing legs. Most of the boys howled with laughter, Ron though, was red faced with terror.

"Watch where you're going, lads!" George admonished, his voice light with laughter as he came up behind her. "Honestly." He chuckled as he leaned in to kiss his daughter.

Hermione smiled at the pack of boys, weaving through the crowded room. "Those four are going to be terrors at Hogwarts. I feel terrible for Minerva." Ginny, a young Hermione, and Harry's five year old little sister Daisy shrieked as the hairy spiders brushed past them on their way through. "Absolute terrors."

There were so many children.

At first, after they had ended several pureblood families in the Malfoy ballroom, Hermione had worried about the effect it would have on the magical population. But she had initially failed to account for the many families and individuals that were spared thanks to the early end of the war. That, combined with the successful fertility potion she had helped Severus create and the British Wizarding community had experienced a population boom unlike anything it had ever seen.

Inbred pureblood families that had historically struggled to produce even one heir now had two and even three. The Malfoys had had another son, two years after Draco and a little girl only a few days before Rose was born.

From across the room, an elegant as always Narcissa—holding little Lyra in her arms—smiled tightly and waved at Hermione to join her. She was sitting with several muggleborn parents and looked in desperate need of help.

"It looks like Lady Malfoy is summoning you, Love." George laughed softly.

Hermione patted Rose's bum and reached up to kiss his cheek. "Poor dear. She is trying so hard, but sometimes it can be difficult if the conversation turns too muggle. I'll leave the games to you."

He smirked. "Obviously."

After the headline calling Lucius a hero following the defeat of Lord Voldemort, the Malfoys had taken hold of the image change opportunity with both hands. When Hermione had suggested the idea of a muggleborn elementary introduction to Wizarding society program, Lucius had taken it up as a primary cause. Not only had he provided all necessary funding, he exploited his newfound hero status to sway the Wizengamot and public for support.

"An excellent opportunity to put to bed old and dangerous prejudices and educate muggle-raised Witches and Wizards about the culture they were joining."

While he still remained wary of non magic adjacent muggles—something Hermione did not fault him for considering what they'd done at his home—his push to better blend muggleborns into Wizarding society was genuine. Whatever his private motivations, Hermione was happy for his support and money.

At a friendly gathering about a month previously, she'd caught little Draco pulling on Ginny's long red hair. When she gently reprimanded him for teasing, he had blushed furiously and confessed that he thought her hair was pretty. The idea of the older Ginny she had known with an older Draco Malfoy had had her breaking into random cackles the rest of the night.

"There you are, Helen. Mr. Hughes was just explaining to me about the American muggle space program?" The look on her face made her floundering confusion plain to Hermione. "I had no idea the muggles had gone to space. Apparently there was a ship that exploded last year?"

Recognizing the plea for help, Hermione nodded. "Oh yes. I remember hearing about that," she said, more confidently than she really deserved to. In fact, she would not have but for her parents mentioning it when they'd visited the summer previous. "I think there was a school teacher on board. Everyone perished, of course. Such a tragedy."

The muggle man, Mr. Hughes, whose five year old son had recently started attending their muggleborn program, nodded solemnly. "Indeed it was. Watched it live on the telly, of course. My older son, Nathan, wanted to be an astronaut. Scared him to death for several months. Came back and told me he might die just as easily rewiring a lamp. Still set on it." He barked a laugh, clearly proud of his son.

As she carried on the conversation, Hermione marveled at the moment she found herself in. Standing beside Narcissa Malfoy, someone she considered a friend, both of them holding their newborn daughters as they discussed the muggle space program with muggles.

She was bonded with house elves.

Somewhere in the room her muggle parents and her younger self enjoyed the party in the company of purebloods, half bloods and other muggles. If she looked past the head of Mr. Hughes, she could see her husband and a free Sirius Black assisting a mixed group of children to bob for apples.

The whole evening was as surreal as it was marvelous.

GH

August, 1993

George watched the younger version of himself from across the dining room of the Leaky. He was sat beside Gideon, doing his best to hide the way he mooned after an almost fourteen year old Hermione Granger. His uncle, meeting the older George's eye and smirking, smacked the back of his nephew's head and whispered something that made the fifteen-year-old blush and turn back to whatever Fred was doing.

They had met up with their school friends at the Leaky Cauldron after returning from holiday again. Only this time they'd come from their usual summer in France, rather than Egypt. It was markedly different from how George remembered the day going when he'd lived it. His younger self already so clearly mad for a young Hermione was only one of many changes.

Percy, tucked beside older Hermione on the other end of the room, petting the kneazle-cat they'd gotten him for his 5th birthday while they discussed some arithmancy book or other was another marked difference. Not a rat in sight.

Once the war had ended, they'd brought his family home from France and they had gotten on with life. Everyone but Gideon, that was. He had taken the loss of his twin no better than George had.

After ensuring his sister's family was safe and home, he'd given the townhouse to George and Hermione and—after Christmas—left the country. They hadn't seen him for almost a year, the occasional muggle postcard the only sign he was still alive. He'd only returned when George had written, mentioning how much his brothers missed their uncle.

Though he had lived with Molly and Arthur for the next several years, he and George had grown exceedingly close. Almost, if they did not think too hard on it, filling the space their missing twins had left for one another. Molly swore to Hermione—and so George had heard—that it was the family magic trying to help them both.

Whatever it was, George was glad for it. Gideon was able to live his life again.

Still taking solo trips every year on his birthday wherever his whim struck him, he came home one year in the mid 80's with a witch from Sweden. A few months later she was his wife and six months after that she gave birth to their first child. A little girl with her mother's blonde hair.

Now Gid took his family on holiday for his birthday.

"Dad! Dad!"

"Uncle George!"

George let out an oof and a groan as his seven-year-old daughter and blonde niece pelted into him, jumping on his lap and knocking all the air from his lungs. "Oi. Girls…" He coughed and gasped for air as they continued to clamor for his attention. "What do the pair of you need?"

When they both began speaking at once, practically shouting, George sighed and held up a hand. "One at a time, please."

They both sighed dramatically before Rose crossed her little arms and spoke. "Daddy, we want to go to the island after Mummy and Auntie Ingrid have the new babies. We want to swim with Cesar and Niles and if Mummy writes to Miss Narcissa, Lyra can come too. And Mister Severus said the next time we visited he'd teach us how to brew a potion since we're both ever so smart."

"Ever so smart, Uncle George."

"And since Michael and Daniel and Hugo all get to go to school, it's only fair, Daddy."

"She's right, it's only fair!"

Beneath their twin pleading pouts, George felt a bit helpless. "What about your little brother, Alice? He's a bit young for potion making, don't you think?"

She only rolled her eyes. "Fabian can stay with Auntie Molly if he wants a special trip. You know she won't say no. Please, Uncle George?"

Feeling the claws of defeat closing around him, George sighed heavily. "Don't you want to meet the new babies? Don't you think your Mums will miss you?"

"Daddy." His little Rose, her auburn curls swishing around her face as she shook her head at him. "Of course we'd meet the babies. We can go after. And besides. Mummy and Auntie Ingrid will be so busy fussing over the new babies they won't miss us for a few weeks."

George couldn't help the bubble of laughter at that. "A few weeks? Do the pair of you really think you could be away for so long? I don't think you'd last a week."

Their pleading faces only intensified. "Please Daddy? We need to practice for Hogwarts."

Tsk'ing, he stood, depositing the two girls onto the floor. "I'll suggest it. But," he added when they looked fit to squeal. "Not until after we've seen all your cousins and older siblings off to school. Not a word to your Mums until then. Got it?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Yes, Uncle George."

And then they were off, in search of Ginny and the younger Hermione, no doubt. Letting out a tired sigh, George turned to find his wife watching him. She smiled when he approached, reaching up to take his offered hand.

"I think I heard your Dad calling for you, Perce."

"Oh?" Looking around the room, he set his kneazle-cat down and stood. "Thanks for the help, Aunt Helen. I'll write to let you know how the project goes. "

She smiled after him as he wandered off in search of his dad. Alone, she slid her arms around his waist, getting as close to him as she could around her swollen belly. "So, what did the girls want?"

George laughed, pressing a kiss to her hairline. "They think they're entitled to a beach holiday after the new babies are born. Apparently they want to practice staying away from home for three whole weeks."

Hermione chuckled. "I'm sure Severus would love having two homesick little girls for so long." She tipped her face up for a kiss. "What did you say?"

"Three." She frowned in question. "You're to write Narcissa and invite Lyra." Hermione chuckled as he finished. "I told them I'd bring it up once all the kids were off. Maybe for one week." A tiny, unseen foot gave a swift kick, narrowly missing his sensitive bits. "Oof. I felt that one." He dropped a hand to her stomach.

Hermione had taken to motherhood as expertly as she had the Wizarding World. She was, unsurprisingly, amazing at it. They had had four so far, and somehow she still found the time for her muggleborn program.

Surprisingly, she had been wanting another baby for a couple of years. 'I'm only 34, after all,' she'd argued. When she'd been in heat during a full moon eight months previously, he'd had no willpower to deny her. Not that he'd wanted to.

"He's been kicking me like mad today." She pouted. "My poor ribs."

George snorted, gingerly rubbing her abused sides. "Another boy, do you think? Rose will be disappointed, she so wants a sister."

"Hmm." She pursed her lips, amusement dancing behind her eyes. "She loves being the spoiled only girl like Gin, too. But if she's that upset, we can always try again in a few years."

Scoffing, George shook his head and kissed her. "Really? Don't you have several arithmancy projects you're currently working on? And… didn't you promise Minerva you'd teach Muggle Studies at some point? If we keep having babies, when will you get to that?"

She tsk'd. "Please, George. I'm a witch. I could live another century. I've plenty of time to do both, and I've accomplished loads with babies underfoot. Minnie can wait another decade or two."

Feeling a rush of affection for his wife, George smiled. "So she can."

"And who knows," she brushed her hands across his chest, smoothing non existent wrinkles. "Maybe by then Michael or Daniel will be ready to take over Prewett Protectives and you can retire to the castle with me." She made a face, barely restraining a laugh. "Who knows, you could even take over teaching Charms for Flitwick. He has asked if you'd be interested."

"Maybe in a couple of decades."

They both laughed then and shared another kiss before children and kneazle-cats interrupted their moment.

A/N I hope this satisfied all of you as much as it did me. I am currently expecting my 5th baby so of course Hermione is going to be mom-bossing it up with her own large brood. I loved this story so much. I would like to mention, the inspiration for this story was actually the scene where George casts his patronus again. There was that meme maybe some of you have seen going around saying how he never was able to again after Fred because all of his happy memories were of him. That never sat well with me. He got married and had kids. You can't tell me that NO memories associated with either of those things were happy or powerful enough to produce a patronus. SO here we are. Thank you all so much and as always, please drop a comment. I have like 13k of a dramione written that will eventually see the light of day after my naruto obsession is out of my system. SO, maybe stay tuned lol