Disclaimer: I own none of these characters. I just use them for own amusement and often make them do things JK Rowling would hate me for. Alas I thank her for letting me have my fun. I make no money off these stories. It's purely entertainment and no copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: Post war. Hermione is 23, young and carefree. At least in her spare time. She leads a double life, hiding her true self from her friends and colleagues at work. Deep inside, she's still struggling over the aftermath of the war, the loss of her parents, and a failed romance with Ron. She meets up with someone she didn't expect to meet, who is also fighting their own post war demons. None other than Draco Malfoy. What will happen between them? Can two enemies come together or will they still bear grudges over the past?

Authors note: This story is somewhat similar to another story I started but sadly lost the muse and did not finish. I wanted to tell a somewhat darker tale about loss and self destruction and finding oneself when the world as you once knew it no longer exists. I wanted a story about two people who are in pain and self loathing, coming together in mutual self destruction. I know it might sound terribly depressing, but I do like a happy ending. But I think these two characters need to work for it. So this story is what I really wanted to write. It won't leave my head, so I hope I can stop letting the romantic in me take over and do the story the proper justice. Rated M for a reason. No actual smut, but plenty of sexual situations. Mentions of rough sex and non consensual sex, but no actual non-con takes place. Bad language, drinking, smoking. It's a dark world, but I still believe in redemption. And that's what this story is ultimately about. Lyrics by Alanis Morissette, Three Days Grace, Poe, The Perfect Day, Lifehouse, Simple Plan, Kelly Clarkson, Richard Marx, Brad Paisley and the song Draco sings is by Ben Folds. Additional lyrics by Lower Than Atlantis and Muse.

Epilogue:

It was Draco and Hermione's wedding day and they were both ecstatic. Hermione was now around five months along in her pregnancy and they found out the baby was to be a boy. However they couldn't agree on the name yet, so they were still calling him peanut. They were both very stubborn when it came to naming the baby, and neither one would relent. But at some point, they'd have to come to an agreement.

"What name do you like better? Scorpius or Henry?" Hermione asked Ginny as they both got ready for the wedding in one of the empty rooms at the Manor.

"I like Henry better. But Scorpius sounds more like Draco's child. After all, he named that blasted scorpion that. It suits his tastes. Plus it is a constellation," Ginny pointed out.

"Well then how about Orion? I like that better, but only Narcissa shares my view. The baby will legally be named Peanut I think," Hermione chuckled as Ginny helped her put a flower wreath in her hair, with a bridal veil cascading down from the back of it.

"You look beautiful," Ginny exclaimed, getting tears in her eyes.

"Thank you. I can't believe I'm getting married today! You know Draco planned most of the wedding himself. He had very specific ideas and I have to say he's much more of a romantic than anyone would ever think," Hermione noted.

"You said he picked a song to play. Is he going to sing it?" Ginny giggled.

"No. He's not going to sing. Not this time. But it's all very exciting."

"You're lucky he wanted to plan the wedding, because Harry wanted no part in ours really. He just wanted to show up and say his vows and go on our honeymoon," Ginny laughed slightly.

"Speaking of honeymoons, when are you two going to the Bahamas?" Hermione asked, inquiring about their wedding gift to them.

"We're going in April. I still can't believe you got us that trip! But the bed and breakfast didn't live up to the romantic expectations I had. Not enough privacy!"

"Yeah, you mentioned that before when you got back. You couldn't be loud or else someone would hear you. Pity," Hermione smiled at her.

"At least you guys are doing something private. Staying at the best hotel in town," Ginny reminded her.

"Yeah, but we'll take a real honeymoon once peanut is born. I want to be able to enjoy myself thoroughly in all the ways. And I'm afraid this big belly gets in the way a little," Hermione patted her tummy.

"Plus you can't drink. And who doesn't want to sip cocktails on a beach? I'm looking forward to doing that with Harry," Ginny sighed wistfully. Then, "so is it really hard to have sex with peanut in the way?"

"No. well, a little bit now. But there are ways around it. Trust me. Draco still can't keep his hands off me," Hermione smirked.

"Lucky woman! If you didn't already have peanut I bet you'd be preggers after this wedding in a flash," Ginny assured her.

"What about you? You're not pregnant yet are you?" Hermione wondered, even though she already knew the answer.

"Not yet! But it's only been a month and a half. And to be fair, we haven't tried yet. Harry's a chicken."

"Well it'll happen soon enough. I still can't believe it's happening to me!" Hermione exclaimed.

"I'm so excited for you. And today will be perfect. I'm glad that Draco invited his aunt Andromeda and little Teddy."

"Me too. His mother was shocked when she'd learned he'd gotten back in contact with her. But Narcissa said she was more than ready to make nice with her sister. She just never dreamed she'd want to make nice with her as well," Hermione explained.

"It's great that the family has expanded a little now. Draco can practice his parenting skills on Teddy," Ginny laughed.

"I know that's what Harry did. But he was dreadful at it. Remember when he lost Teddy at the supermarket because Teddy morphed into some Muggle he'd seen and Harry was beside himself with worry?" Hermione reminded her.

"I know! That's what's so hard about having a Metamorphmagus in the family. He can look like anyone! Or anything. He scared the crap out of me when he morphed into a wolf boy once. He said he was just seeing what his father might have looked like during a moon. He's very smart for a kid," Ginny told her.

"Peanut is going to be smart too. He has two really overachieving parents. I mean, Draco is a slacker now, but in school he was always competing with me to get the best marks. He just never tried hard enough. And I tried way too hard. Peanut will hopefully be somewhere in the middle," Hermione said thoughtfully.

Just then, Narcissa knocked on the door and opened it up.

"Are you two girls ready? It's nearly time!" she said excitedly.

"Just finishing up! How do I look?" Hermione asked as she stood up and modeled her white chiffon gown with an empire waist and ribbons flowing down the back. Along with the flower wreath on her head with the veil.

"Oh you look lovely! Absolutely stunning! And Ginny, you look lovely as well. I like the lavender on you," Narcissa smiled.

Ginny's dress was a long flowing number done in light lavender and she also had a wreath of flowers on her head, but no veil.

"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy," Ginny said politely.

"Please, it's Narcissa! Mrs. Malfoy was my mother in law. And let's not even go there," she chuckled.

Andromeda appeared then and walked into the open room.

"Oh you both look so amazing! Cissy did you give her the present yet?" she asked her sister.

"I was just about to," Narcissa said to her sister. "There's the old tradition where you're supposed to have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue, right? Well your dress is new, so we have that covered. But I have the something old, borrowed and blue to give you."

"Really? You didn't have to," Hermione said kindly.

"Of course I did! Now I know your wedding colors are lavender, but this bracelet has been in my family for generations. It's got a blue stone and it's very old and you can borrow it for the occasion. I thought it had been lost, but Andromeda had it the whole time," she explained and Andromeda smiled.

"I gave it to my own daughter on her wedding day to Remus," she grinned. "But for today, it's all yours."

"It's beautiful. Thank you. It doesn't matter if it doesn't match the bridesmaid dress. It's still stunning. I'm touched," Hermione let Narcissa fasten it around her wrist and they all admired it. It was a family heirloom, just like her rings. But of course she'd give this back afterwards.

For the men, Harry and Draco were gathered in Draco's old room. Harry couldn't believe it hadn't changed any since Draco was a teenager. But Draco insisted he was sentimental. And that was becoming more apparent the longer Harry knew him. But he had to give him some shit for the two stuffed bears on the chair.

"Bears? Really? You kept your stuffed animals?" Harry mocked him as he held the bears up.

"Shut up! You'd probably keep your bears too if you ever had any," Draco said grabbing the bears back.

"I don't know. I'm not really one for keeping childish mementos. But maybe you're right? If actually had any mementos from childhood, I might want to keep them," Harry shrugged.

"Do I look alright in this tux? I'm unsure about how I look in grey," he said noting the paler color of the suit made him look paler altogether. "I'm used to wearing darker colors."

"It looks good. It's not that light. It's still pretty dark. But the purple pocket hanky looks a bit girly," Harry said ribbing him.

"It was Hermione's idea. And you've got one too, so stop mocking me," he noted.

"True. And I think it's a little girly. But it's not my wedding," Harry shrugged.

"It'll all be over soon anyway. Did you get that godson of yours to change his hair to the right color?" Draco wondered.

"Yes, don't worry. I told him that green wasn't right for the day so he went to purple. And he's your cousin too, remember."

"I know. But he doesn't even really know me. He knows you. He doesn't listen to me. What color is his hair normally?"

Harry laughed. "I don't know exactly. I think it's brown. He always changes it though. He used to change it with his moods as a baby, but now he does it of his own free will."

"Well I'm glad he listened to you. He didn't listen to me."

"Are you nervous? You seem nervous. You're pacing," Harry informed him.

"I'm anxious. There's a difference. I just want to do this already. Do you think the women are almost ready?" he asked curiously.

"You want me to find out?"

"Yes, please."

Harry exited the room, just as Lucius was coming to knock. Harry walked past him without a word, still not exactly chummy with Draco's dad. And Lucius walked in and saw his son pacing.

"I was nervous too on my wedding day. I was afraid I wouldn't live up to your mother's expectations. Of course our wedding was a grand affair. This wedding is so small, I can't even believe it's legal," Lucius sighed.

"Father, you don't need more than two witnesses to get married. So in essence we have extra people. Be glad you're invited," he said giving his dad a smirk.

"Ha-ha. Yes, well, I'm glad I'm invited too. I've said barely three words about this strange affair you want to call a wedding. And a pregnant bride. My goodness, if my parents were alive they'd be having heart attacks right now," Lucius told him.

"I know, I know. But they're not here. And you and Mum don't really care anymore, so it's moot," Draco reminded him.

"Yes, well, this isn't the wedding I would have planned. But it's not my day. I had my day, I suppose. This is for you. I just don't understand the bit where everyone has to hold hands," Lucius said distastefully.

"Just trust me when I say it's going to be beautiful. The reason you have to hold hands is to make a circle around us. With so few people, it just makes sense," Draco told him.

"But holding hands? That's just bizarre to say the least," he sighed.

"Father? Be quiet. Are you here for some other reason besides telling me you hate my wedding ideas?" Draco asked with exasperation.

"I was told that the women are ready. So I suppose it's show time. And really, who's idea was it to leave me alone with that little boy with the funny hair? Is it a joke? He keeps pulling my hair and laughing. He said I had girls hair," Lucius said with a his nose in the air.

Draco laughed at that. "Little Teddy is right. You do have girls hair. Especially when you put that bow in it, like you've done today. It's positively manly," Draco ribbed him.

"This is how my father always wore his hair. I thought perhaps someday you would too. But now it doesn't even look like you own a comb," Lucius said, running his hands through his sons hair.

"Hermione likes my hair this way. And speaking of Hermione, obviously she's waiting. Now if Harry would just get back we can get started."

"I'm back. And your father is right. They're ready," Harry said entering the room again.

"Perfect. Let's get on with this now," Draco said happily.

They had set the back garden up with thousands of blooming magical flowers. Some of them even sparkled like they had glitter in them. The garden was one of Narcissa's hobbies and she was quite proud of her flowers. And today they were the perfect backdrop to a wedding. Everyone filed out and stood there waiting for Hermione and Ginny to come walking out. There was no father to give her away, and no processional like at Ginny's wedding. It was just Hermione and Ginny walking together and all eyes were on the lovely bride. She took her spot next to Draco and everyone did as instructed and held hands forming a circle around the couple. Even little Teddy was cooperating for this as his Grand mum bribed him with extra wedding cake if he was good. So they all stood in a circle and this song was playing that put tears in Hermione's eyes. It was the song Draco picked out. It was aptly called The Wedding Song and it played softly.

"He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts, rest assured this troubadour is acting on his part. The union of your spirits here has caused Him to remain. For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name, there is love…"

Draco looked at Hermione and felt his own tears prick his eyes. He tried not to let anyone else see them though.

The song played on. "Well a man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home. They shall travel on to where the two shall be as one. As it was in the beginning, is now until the end. Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again, and there's love…Well then what's to be reason for becoming man and wife? Is it love that brings you here, or love that gives you life? For if loving is the answer, then who's the giving for? Do you believe in something that you've never seen before? Oh, there's love…"

The song ended and the wizard performing the ceremony began speaking. He said a lot of lovely words about Draco and Hermione coming together as one, along with peanut in the mix. He claimed a new family was being created right before their very eyes. And there wasn't a dry eye in the house, even if Lucius didn't think anyone saw his eyes get misty. When it came time for Draco and Hermione to say their vows, everyone was already in tears. Hermione went first.

"Draco Malfoy… I never thought I'd be standing here today becoming your wife. There was a time when that notion was ludicrous but a lot can change in a lifetime. And with you, I feel like we've lived many lifetimes together. Perhaps not always as lovers, but enemies too. For in this life, we were both. And yet, here we are together now. I love you and peanut more than I've ever loved anyone. And I want to spend the rest of my life loving you and being your wife, your partner and the mother of your children. May we always be as happy as we are now. I love you," she said her heart full to the brim with love for this man.

Draco didn't even know if he could manage to speak after what she'd said, but he tried his best.

"Hermione, I never in a million years saw the two of us joining as one either. But here we are. And it's the most natural thing in the world to love and be loved by you. I've made many mistakes in my life, but falling in love with you wasn't one of them. You made me want to be a better man, and so I tried very hard to become the kind of man you'd respect and love. And now there's our peanut, whom I already love with all my heart. We've built a family together already and today just makes it official. I've loved you since the moment we met again, and will love you beyond our physical lives into the afterlife, where I'll be waiting for you, should I go first someday. I'm so in love with you, I can't see straight. And I promise to be the best man I can be for our family. I love you forever and ever. Always. Until way after death. My love is boundless. And I thank you for having me as your husband," he told her, his eyes swimming in tears, but he didn't care.

He had a speech prepared, but it went out the window and he just said what was on his mind. But Hermione loved it. And she loved him. And everything was perfect. The old wizard who united them, bound their hands with a cord lightly and announced that they were tied together for eternity. Then he waved his wand and the cord turned into purple butterflies that flew off and he said may their love be as magical as this moment. By the time Draco could kiss his bride, everyone was in tears. It was a lovely and beautiful ceremony and everyone cheered when they were done kissing. It was short and simple and exactly everything they wanted. Everyone gave them hugs afterwards and congratulated them. Then Narcissa announced there would be a luncheon for everyone in the dining room. Everyone walked up towards the house and Harry patted Draco on the back.

"It was a great ceremony. I never knew you were so mushy," Harry teased him.

"Yeah? Well I am. Only Hermione knows it, but now you know it too. Don't go spreading it around," Draco laughed slightly.

"I didn't even cry this much at my own wedding," Ginny said as she walked between Harry and Draco and gave Draco a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm still crying," Hermione said, wiping her eyes. "It was the best wedding I could have asked for."

"Father? What did you think of it all?" Draco asked his dad who was walking ahead of them with his wife.

He turned around and hoped no one could see how red his eyes were. He never let any tears fall because he was too stoic, but they were definitely in his eyes. He looked at Draco and smiled for a change.

"It was wonderful, son. Congratulations."

"Thanks Father," Draco smiled at him.

"You're welcome."

And with that little exchange, Draco knew his father really did approve of his life. He might always give him a hard time, but he actually approved. And he was actually happy. And Draco hoped he'd be a better grandfather to peanut than he ever was as a father to him. Lucius had a second chance to get things right. And not everyone could say that. But Draco felt like he had a second chance too and he wasn't going to ruin it. He was a broken man when he met Hermione again, and she was a broken woman. Together they came together and made a whole person. It wasn't something that happened every day. In fact, most people were never so lucky. But they knew what they had. And they'd never let it go. Forever and ever, they'd be together. And today was just the start of the rest of their lives. And they knew it was going to be a good one.

THE END

Thank you to everyone who read this story until the end. It was a labor of love that started two years ago and then I lost my muse for a long time, but I just knew I had to finish this love story. I wanted a tale of two broken people helping to fix each other and fix themselves. I hope I pulled it off. And I hope everyone enjoyed it! Please leave comments to let me know what you thought and thanks for reading! The Wedding Song is by Paul Stookey and I fell in love with it when I saw it on a TV show wedding. I hope you liked it being a part of Draco and Hermione's big day. And what do you all think? Is Draco going to get his way with the baby name? Probably! Draco always gets his way! But I'll leave it up to your imagination. My job here is done. Farewell for now. I hope you'll read my next story, whatever it may be.