One week after
The week following the final battle was a mixture between celebrations and funerals. She could understand that everyone was trying to get back to normalcy, but she couldn't. Anytime she closed her eyes or had a moment to herself she would see Yaxley—not his smile, jovial laughter, or ocean blue eyes—but his lifeless body on the ground.
Today was the day they would be saying their final farewells to Yaxley and laying his body to rest.
Deciding she was as ready as she could be, she walked outside of the bathroom and into her and Draco's bedroom.
"Are you okay, love?" He paused before speaking again. "I know that's a stupid question to ask, but I'm worried about you," Draco whispered.
"I'm as okay as I can be. Hopefully saying a final goodbye and knowing he's in his final resting place will make it easier," she said as she tried to put on a brave face.
As she walked over to Draco, he stood up and gave her a hug, and walked them out the door to the manor's cemetery.
When they made it to the cemetery and found a place to sit, Hermione's brave face began to falter.
She had been to the funerals for the other Death Eaters that had died at the final battle, but this one was more personal.
As the service started, numerous members of the inner circle had gone up and told stories of growing up with Yaxley or all the times they had spent with him over the years. Hermione had opted out of speaking of their short but still meaningful relationship.
When the funeral ended and everyone began to walk away, she told Draco she needed a moment alone and would come find him when she was ready.
After Draco had left, Hermione got up from her seat, made her way over to Yaxley's headstone, and sat on the ground beside it.
"You know, you told me we would all make it out of this alive, and now I'm having to sit and talk to your headstone," she laughed. "It's just so unfair. Of all of the people that had to die, you were one of them," she murmured as she started to cry.
"I think I will miss your hugs the most, honestly. I may not have known you as long as the others, but you truly made an impact on me, Yaxley. You were there when I needed someone to vent to or calm my nerves when I was scared. I just don't know how I'm going to do this without you. It's all my fault." She sobbed.
Hearing a throat clear behind her, Hermione wiped her eyes and turned around her head to see Lucius.
"You know, he wouldn't want you sitting by his grave or blaming yourself." Lucius sighed before taking a seat next to her.
"It is my fault, though. If I had been paying better attention, he would've never taken his eyes off his own duel. He would still be here." She exclaimed angrily, tears streaming down her face.
"Hermione, Yaxley did what any of us adults would've done. We have lived a good chunk of our lives. You, Draco, Theo, Blaise, or any of the other younger members of the ranks haven't. You all have been fighting a war instead of having a normal childhood. If dying in your place meant the chance for you to live the life you deserve, any of us would've made the same choice he did," he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"Don't spend the gift he gave you blaming yourself or being angry. Live your life in his honor," he said softly.
"It just hurts, Lucius." She sobbed into his chest.
"I know it does, but it will get easier. That I can promise," Lucius said, looking off into the horizon.
Six months later
"Love, you need to hurry up. We're going to be late to Mother's dinner party, and you know how she is about these events." Draco laughed from across the room.
"I know, I know. I'm just doing the last finishing touches on my hair. You know how she gets when I show up to these events with my hair looking like a bird's nest." She huffed, casting a smoothing charm on her hair.
"Okay, I think I'm ready," she said, making her way over to Draco.
"Wow," Draco said, looking her up and down, "I will never get over how beautiful you are, love."
Kissing her on the lips, Draco grabbed her hand to lead her down to the gardens.
"Draco, if Cissy is having an event, why is it so dark out here?" She questioned as they walked down the path.
Draco flicked his wand, and the garden lit up.
Hermione couldn't believe her eyes—illuminating the garden were hundreds of fairy lights, flowers of every color were in bloom, and the entirety of the inner circle were standing in the center with smiles on their faces.
"Draco, what is all of this?" She said, before twirling around to face him.
When her eyes met Draco's, he took her hand and dropped down to one knee before saying, "Hermione Jean Granger, I know our love story is not the most conventional, but it just so happens to be my favorite. From the moment I met you at eleven years old, I knew without a doubt that you were the girl I wanted—my actions for the following six years may not have shown that—but I hope the actions I've shown you in the past year have shown you how much I love you. Over the years, I fell in love with you for a million tiny reasons, and I want to spend the rest of this lifetime discovering a million more."
"Will you marry me?" he asked, pulling a ring box from behind his back and opening it to reveal the most exquisite teardrop-cut diamond ring.
"Yes, Draco! I can't think of anything I would want to do more than spend the rest of my life with you." Hermione said, tears streaming down her face.
Draco slid the ring on her finger before getting on both feet and kissing her passionately, while their family and friends cheered in the background.
When they broke their kiss, they were swarmed by their family and friends.
After the congratulations were over, they had a lovely dinner outside followed by drinks.
"May I have a moment with your lovely fiancée, Draco?" The Dark Lord asked, smiling.
"Of course, my Lord. I should probably go make sure Theo doesn't annoy Aunt Bella to the point of cursing him." Draco laughed before walking off.
"I have an engagement gift for you." The Dark Lord said softly.
"My Lord, you didn't have to get me anything." She blushed.
"A year ago, you told me that I was never to search for your parents, that they were to be left alone… But I searched for them last month and found them. My gift to you is the best mind healers that money can buy." He said nervously before continuing, "When Lucius came to tell me that Draco was proposing, I couldn't help but think that after all you've done, you deserved to have your parents at your wedding. I can't promise it will work but—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Hermione had shot out of his chair and wrapped him in a hug.
One year later
"Oh, Hermione, you look beautiful," Narcissa said, dabbing the tears from her eyes.
"Yes, yes, she looks great? Now, can we get this over with, I would like to get a drink," Bellatrix said, rolling her eyes.
"Thank you for helping me get ready, Cissy," Hermione said, giving Narcissa a light hug.
"Ahh, Bella, can you believe that in just a few minutes we will be Family ? You'll be Auntie Bella to a muggleborn now." Hermione smirked.
Bellatrix grimaced before grabbing Narcissa's hand and leaving the room.
Hermione looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She looked beautiful in her wedding gown—instead of the traditional white gown she opted for a black A-line gown with lace sleeves.
Hearing a knock at the door, she went to answer and was greeted to the sight of the Dark Lord.
"Well, don't you look absolutely dapper in your dress robes." She smiled.
"Thank you, my dear. I actually came up here to ask you a question." He grinned.
"Ask away, my Lord," she said, with a raised brow.
"Well, I know I'm not your Father…" He paused before continuing, "But I would like to walk you down that aisle in his place. I've been wanting to ask since you found out their memories couldn't be restored, but it never felt like the right time. You see, I've come to care about you like a father would…" he said nervously.
"Of course, I would be honored to have you step in as my father," she said, wrapping him in a hug.
"Well, enough of this emotional talk. Let's get you married." He laughed.
As they approached the ballroom doors, Hermione couldn't keep the smile off her face. After six months of grueling wedding planning with Narcissa, it was finally happening.
Nodding her head to the Dark Lord, the doors opened. As they slowly walked down the aisle, she wasn't paying attention to anything other than Draco.
When they made it to the altar, Draco shook the Dark Lord's hand before taking Hermione's and leading her up the steps to stand in front of the officiant.
After vowing their unconditional love to each other in front of their closest family and friends, they completed their soul bond.
"I now pronounce you 'Mr. And Mrs. Draco Malfoy', you may kiss your bride." The officiant said.
"I love you Mrs. Malfoy," Draco whispered before passionately kissing her.
Five years after
"A little bit longer, love. You're doing so good," Draco cooed brushing the hair out of her face.
"Okay, I need one more big push, Mrs. Malfoy," the mediwitch said.
Fifteen minutes later, they finally had their son and daughter in their arms.
"Draco, before I fall asleep, go get your parents and my dad," Hermione said exhaustedly.
When Draco came back in, followed by his parents and the Dark Lord, they surrounded Hermione and the children.
Draco picked up their daughter and walked to his Mother, smiled and said, "Mother, I would like you to meet Lyra… Lyra Narcissa Malfoy."
Narcissa's eyes started to water as she gently took her granddaughter. "She's beautiful, I love her so much," she said quietly.
"And who might this little guy be?" The Dark lord asked softly.
Hermione smiled before saying, "Orion Corban Malfoy."
As Draco, Narcissa, and the Dark lord sat across the room holding the babies, Lucius sat next to Hermione.
They sat in silence just watching the others hold the babies. When Hermione looked over to Lucius, she noticed his eyes were full of tears.
"You okay, grandpa?" She asked quietly not to draw the attention of others.
"Oh, you know…the room is just dusty. I'm more than fine," he said, while wiping his eyes.
Sixteen years after
As they watched their children board the Hogwarts express, Hermione couldn't help the nostalgia that washed over her.
"I can't believe they're already off to Hogwarts," Draco sighed.
"Me either, but I'm excited for them to have this adventure," she said, giving him a watery smile.
After watching the Express pull out of the station, Draco grabbed Hermione's hand side-along apparated them home.
Later that night, they sat eating dinner with their family and friends, anxiously awaiting news of what house their children had made it into.
Hermione smiled as a doe patronus came bounding into the dining room. Everyone went silent waiting for it to speak.
" It seems your children both take after their parents, Lyra was sorted into Gryffindor and Orion was sorted into Slytherin." Severus Snape's voice drawled from the doe before it disappeared.
As everyone cheered and drank about the sorting, Hermione couldn't help but take a moment to herself. She couldn't help but be thankful—every horrible thing that happened to her led her to this moment—surrounded by the people she loved.
Maybe 'the dark side' wasn't so dark after all.
The end.