Epilogue

Six Months Later

"Don't worry, Draco! Everything will be fine."

Draco was fretting again as Hermione finished straightening his green tie. He was dressed smartly in a black suit and vest, and Hermione was wearing a sexy white dress with silver heels. Around her throat she wore a diamond and emerald necklace, a Malfoy family heirloom that Draco had given her for her birthday last month.

Hermione had moved in with him right after Christmas, and they had been inseparable ever since. Her declaration of love had brought them closer than he ever could have imagined them being, and he loved her more every day.

She had finished her apprenticeship a month ago and was now a full-fledged healer at St. Mungo's. She worked long hours, but she always made it worth his while when she was home, and sometimes she had the week off. He enjoyed those days the most, when they would mainly laze about in bed, making love and reading together, or talking about little nothings.

He had gotten a kitten as well as a puppy after Christmas, and the two pets had become inseparable friends, filling the house with their mischievous joy. Hermione had called the cat Elizabeth, and Draco named the dog Darcy.

Right now they were preparing for Harry and Ginny's wedding, which was being held at the Burrow. Hermione had introduced Draco to Molly and Arthur Weasley, and while they were cordial, Draco could tell that they had reservations. For one thing, their youngest son was vociferous in his hatred for the Slytherin.

According to Hermione, Molly Weasley had been upset with her for dumping Ron, but had come around after about a year. Ron's recent behaviour of whoring around with a new woman every weekend had made Molly more sympathetic to Hermione too, and she was more willing to accept the young witch's relationship with Draco.

Still, Hermione thought he was fretting over being at the Burrow surrounded by Weasleys and Potter's friends, but he was really nervous about something else entirely.

He had known he wanted to marry Hermione after their first date, but it had taken her longer to come to love him. Now, six months later, he thought she was finally ready to accept the idea of him as her husband, of living together for the rest of their lives and having children together. He had gone through the Malfoy jewels weeks ago and picked out a ring he was sure she would like. He had thought long and hard about how to propose to Hermione, and had even secretly consulted her parents, who had been insightful with their ideas.

Both the elder Grangers and Narcissa had been delighted to hear that he was going to propose. Draco's mother was doing very well after her terrible stint in Azkaban. She still had nightmares, but she had recovered physically and her mental trauma was improving every day. It helped that Hermione lived in the same house and was always willing to encourage her. Narcissa loved her like the daughter she never had, and couldn't wait for grandchildren.

Hermione finished fixing his tie, then looked up into his eyes. "It'll be fine, Draco. Molly and Arthur have always been polite to you, haven't they?"

"Yeah," he admitted sulkily, not at all excited about being surround by Weasleys and Potter's friends all day.

She gave him a cheeky smile, as if she knew what he was thinking. "Thank you for doing this for me," she said, grazing his lips with hers. He leaned forward, putting his hands on her hips and trying to capture her mouth for a deeper kiss, but she pulled back with a laugh. "No, Draco! You'll ruin my makeup!" she scolded playfully.

He scowled again, but only in feigned anger. "Let's go," Hermione said. He took her arm, and they disapparated to the Burrow.

Molly greeted them when they entered the yard, seeming truly glad to see both of them. "I'm glad you could come, Hermione, Draco."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione replied. "We're so glad to be here."

Draco reluctantly nodded his agreement.

Molly linked her arm with Hermione's and led them towards the house.

A great white canopy filled the yard, large enough to fit a hundred people. Draco thought the house looked rather shabby and run-down, but the set-up for the wedding was lovely.

Potter came forward to greet them, giving Hermione a fond hug, and cordially shaking Draco's hand.

Draco and Potter had become closer after Weasley continued his despicable behaviour toward the couple. Potter and the ginger remained friends, but Potter had stood up to Weasley more than once in defense of both Hermione and Draco. Draco grudgingly appreciated the so-called Chosen One, and had reluctantly admitted to Hermione that he wasn't so bad after all.

They sat down to watch the wedding, but Draco paid no attention to the bride and groom as they walked down the aisle and then said their vows. Rather, he watched Hermione, imagining that it was he and she standing together with hands linked, promising themselves to each other for the rest of their lives, walking down the aisle together to loud cheers. Hermione had tears in her eyes as she watched her two friends united for life, and Draco hoped she would feel the same emotion when she married him.

If she married him.

He still had to propose.

He waited with nervous anticipation as the newlywed couple cut the cake. He had let Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in on his intentions today, so they knew what was coming.

As soon as things quieted down for people to eat, Draco stood and asked for everyone's attention.

"Excuse me! I wonder if I could have a moment of your time."

Everyone fell silent and turned to watch him. But he was looking at Hermione. He went down on one knee before her, and opened the small box that held the ring. She put her hands over her mouth as her eyes filled with tears, clearly having figured out what was coming.

"Hermione Granger," he said in a voice that everyone could hear. "I have loved you ever since our first date. You are sexy, passionate, intelligent, compassionate, and caring. I'm the luckiest bastard in the world to have you as my girlfriend. But I want more. I want you as my wife. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to have children with you. Will you marry me?"

He only had a moment's agony of waiting, for it took a mere half second for Hermione to move her hands from her mouth and cry out, "Yes! Yes, of course I'll marry you, Draco! I love you too!"

She threw herself into his arms and he almost lost his balance as he hugged her back, feeling joy such as he had never known before fill him. The guests who had been listening in clapped and cheered, someone whooping. Draco stood up and fit the ring onto Hermione's finger. It was an emerald surrounded by a ring of tiny diamonds.

"I love it," she said, gazing down at it, then looked up at him with a twinkle in her eye. "Slytherin colours."

"Of course," he said with a cheeky smile.

They sat back down at the table to eat, and people came forward to congratulate them. Draco was glad to see that Potter's friends accepted him, even if the rest of the world reviled him. As long as he had Hermione, it was enough. He could endure anything with her at his side.

25 Years Later

This time it was Draco who had tears in his eyes as he watched his firstborn son marry Lily Luna Potter.

Scorpius Malfoy was the mirror image of his father, with his white blond hair, silver eyes, and sharp features; but he had Hermione's personality and spirit. Draco and Hermione had placed bets on whether he would be sorted into Gryffindor or Slytherin, but Scorpius had surprised them all by being sorted into Ravenclaw. Draco's younger daughter Jean, however, while the image of Hermione, was a true-born Slytherin. Draco found a kindred spirit in her, and Jean was always slyly getting the better of her older brother.

As the two young people said their vows, Draco glanced at the woman beside him whose hand he was holding. Hermione Malfoy had aged well, still beautiful at almost fifty, her hair without a tinge of grey and only a few wrinkles on her beloved face. And he loved her more fiercely today than ever before.

When the news of their engagement and subsequent marriage had reached the wizarding world, the Daily Prophet had finally had to give up their crusade against Draco, since it was clear Hermione was not enchanted or cursed. In fact, she gave a statement to the Daily Prophet after they married in order to make it clear. Andromeda had also been his champion, and the approval of both of them, as well as Potter, had gone a long way.

Hermione's parents, who sat on her left, were yet hale and hearty. Narcissa was still alive too, though frail. She sat at Draco's right, watching her grandson get married with happy tears in her eyes. His daughter Jean was on her other side, looking bored. Draco winked at her and she smiled back at him. He looked up to find Potter and Ginny in the front row opposite them, both with tears in their eyes too. He lifted a pale brow when Potter glanced at him, and the Boy Who Lived smiled back.

Sometimes he wondered what would have happened if his mother had never been ill. He would hate to wish such a trauma upon her; but without it, he would never have connected with Hermione again. He would have gone through the rest of his life never truly knowing her, miserable and alone. Maybe his mother's imprisonment had turned into a blessing after all. Narcissa certainly thought so.

As for Hermione, she had proved to be a fiercely loyal and loving partner over the years. He always knew he could count on her support and affection. Her sense and intelligence had given him much comfort and strength during the years of their marriage. He knew she would continue to do so until they died.

Turning his eyes back to his son, he saw the bright joy on Scorpius's face as he kissed Lily. And he knew his son would be just as happy as he had been. Hermione was a blessing he would never take for granted. Her love had made him into the man he was, and he thanked God every day for bringing her back into his life.

With a smile, he watched as his son and his bride walked down the aisle.

THE END

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