Epilogue

That Girl, The One

"Stop holding your breath." Draco whispered to Hermione who was almost blue and looked as she were about to vomit. He rubbed the small of her back and smiled encouragingly. She let out a huge amount of air as the elevator inside the ministry of magic stopped on the second floor. A few ministry employees exited and hurried off to their respective departments. Hermione looked over at her friends who didn't appear as nervous as she. Ron was sneaking pieces of candy out of his pockets and trying to eat them secretly. Harry was observing the letters flying around the ceiling with curiosity. Ginny was twirling a piece of her hair between her fingers absentmindedly as she shifted back and forth with impatience.

Hermione swallowed hard and whispered. "I can't do this Draco. I can't face him."

Her friends pretended not to hear and started a quiet conversation about Ginny's pygmy puff. Draco turned Hermione to him slowly. "You can and you will. You have nothing to be afraid of. It's been a month Hermione. After the testimony's we can put this all behind us." He conjured up a bouquet of tulips and handed them to her. She sniffed them and smiled weakly. The elevator creaked slightly as it passed level five causing Hermione to jump in fright. Draco squeezed her gently and spoke quietly. "You're the bravest witch I know Hermione."

Hermione's eyes filled with tears. "I just don't know what I'll do when I see him. I've been having terrible dreams Draco. Dreams about-"

"Level ten. This is our floor." Harry whispered to Draco.

They filed out silently and waited for Hermione and Draco to exit. Draco placed his arm around her shoulder and led her out of the elevator. As they walked along the corridor, their footsteps echoed loudly. "This is the one." Harry muttered again as he and Ginny opened the double doors. As they walked in quietly Hermione began to shake uncontrollably but Draco was the only one who noticed. "You can do this Hermione." He whispered as he tightened his grasp around her in fear that she may faint.

Harry guided them down the row of benches and sat in the front. There were already a few ministry employees seated in front of them who appeared to be in charge of the trial. Hermione had her head down since they had set foot in the courtroom and seemed to wince as an old wizard began the proceedings.

"This is a private trial. Due to the overwhelming outpour of owls and protests in favor of Mr. Krum's release we are not allowing any observers this afternoon." The man said addressing the five of them.

Draco stood and spoke confidently. "We were required to attend sir."

"Oh, excuse me. May I get your names for the record?" The man responded politely.

"I'm Draco Malfoy, this is Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ron and Ginny Weasley." Draco pointed down the row as he said their names.

"Draco Malfoy? Harry Potter? Ron Weasley? Why do those names seem familiar? Didn't we just get something on those names Abraham?" The man addressed a younger wizard to his left.

Abraham cleared his throat and rearranged his glasses as he shuffled parchment. "Yes Thaddeus, ah yes here it is." He cleared his throat again as he held up a piece of parchment. "Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley have been requested to attend a separate hearing regarding the charges of allegedly attacking Viktor Krum during the Quidditch World Cup."

"Ah yes. I remember. Now, we shall bring in the accused. Please bring in Viktor Krum." Thaddeus raised his voice and addressed a short and stalky wizard near a door. He nodded and opened it. Hermione whimpered as Viktor walked in with his wrists and ankles chained. His right arm was awkwardly supported by a sling and he was limping as if still in pain. He looked angrily around the room and immediately noticed Hermione being held closely by Draco.

He scowled further and took his seat in the middle of the room. Thaddeus peered down at Viktor and whispered. "What a shame." He raised his voice as he read from his parchment. "Viktor Krum, you are hereby charged with attempted murder on one Ms. Hermione Granger. How do you plea?"

"Not guilty." Viktor mumbled as he glared evilly at Hermione.

Draco scoffed loudly and shifted in his seat. "Yeah and Potter's my secret lover."

"Silence!" Thaddeus yelled towards Draco. Draco nodded and grimaced at Viktor.

"Now I understand Ms. Granger has agreed to testify first. I understand you have some useful information to show intent?" Thaddeus asked.

Hermione didn't answer. Draco squeezed her arm gently. "Yes sir she does. Come on Hermione. We're all here with you."

"Yes well Ms. Granger, please take a seat up here. You will be required to answer the questions yourself you understand?" Hermione shuddered and stood on shaky knees. She took a deep breath and walked over to a chair set up only feet from Viktor's. She tried not to look at him but her eyes let fear take over.

She glanced his way as she started to sit but then jumped as Viktor spit at her then yelled. "Whore!"

Draco jumped up but was quickly restrained by Ron and Harry. Thaddeus spoke in a baffled tone. "Mr. Krum! Really! How inappropriate! Are you alright Ms. Granger?"

Hermione seemed to straighten up and regain her composure at this. She stared daggers at Viktor as she suddenly realized how unbelievably pathetic he was. His attempt at spitting on her seemed to make her grasp the fact that he could do nothing more than that now. She almost seemed fearless of him now. She leaned over and whispered to him with hate. "A whore? Hmmm maybe you should know something then. I guess you could call me that seeing how Draco was my first…And my second, third, fourth, and oh goodness I've lost count now."

Viktor tried to charge at her but the chains kept him restrained tightly. "Ms. Granger! Now, please wait for the questioning!" Ron and Harry gasped as they looked at Draco in shock. Draco shrugged and smiled.

Hermione ignored Thaddeus and continued. "You know what else you should know about me Viktor? I'm in love with him too. And he loves me. It's amazing how different life can be when you're in a loving relationship. He actually lets me speak my opinion. Can you imagine that Viktor? He cares what I think. He's nothing but a perfect gentleman and doesn't think I'm too skinny or that we should have children right away." Hermione looked at Draco lovingly. "Although I wouldn't say no if he asked. I'd be proud to have his child-"

"Ms. Granger, while we're all very happy for your new found love…We still have a trial to commence. Are you ready to answer the questions?"

"Please excuse me sir. I'm ready now." Hermione sat more confidently as they asked her to replay all the events that took place at the World Cup. As she answered the questions she seemed to be telling a story about someone she once knew. Someone who no longer existed. She even shook her head in astonishment a few times as they asked her to discuss the abuse leading up to that night. She couldn't believe that she had actually allowed all those terrible things to happen to her. She couldn't believe she let it go on that long. Hermione had no clue who that person was that had put up with all his abuse such a short time ago. They then called up the rest of the group to hear their testimonies.

As Ginny answered the last question and sat back down, the wizards stepped out of the room to discuss their verdict. They were only gone for five minutes when they returned in complete silence. A few of them including Thaddeus had grim expressions as they looked at Viktor. "Mr. Krum, you have been found guilty on the charge of attempted murder against Ms. Hermione Granger." Viktor slumped in his chair while Ginny squealed in delight. "You have been sentenced to fifty years in Azkaban at which time you will be up for parole. Take him away."

Draco kissed Hermione happily as she sighed in relief and stood with her friends. Thaddeus gestured for them to sit and shuffled for the parchment Abraham had been reading earlier. "Yes, in regards to the other hearing." He ripped the parchment in half and tossed it in the air. "We realize that you were trying to save Ms. Granger's life. Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, I do disagree with how badly you injured Mr. Krum but we have still dismissed the case. You're free to go."

Ginny kissed Harry happily as Hermione and Draco hugged. They headed for the elevator and out of the Ministry of Magic. As soon as they hit the street they were met by thousands of protesters with enchanted signs that read. "Set Viktor free!" "Free the Seeker!" "It was self-defense!". They were chanting. "We want Viktor! We want Viktor!"

"Goodness." Hermione mumbled.

Suddenly the crowd recognized Hermione from the picture in the Daily Prophet and started yelling profanity at her. "It's her! It's all her fault! She's to blame!" The angry protestors began to rush at them rapidly and threw dung bombs along the way.

Draco pulled out his wand but Harry stopped him. "There's too many Malfoy. Quick! Apparate to Hogsmeade everyone!"

They apparated as soon as a stuffed doll that eerily resembled Hermione was ignited and tossed in her direction. Once they were safe in Hogsmeade, Hermione let out a loud cry. "All those people! They hate me! They probably wish I would have died!"

Draco embraced her and kissed the top of her head. "It will all be forgotten soon Hermione. You'll see. Once they hear what really happened tomorrow in the Daily Prophet. They'll be singing a different tune when they read it. I promise." Hermione nodded as she wiped away a tear.

The next day, Sunday was warm and sunny. It had been raining so much lately that Draco demanded they had to get out onto the grounds and breathe the fresh air. Hermione agreed but wasn't really looking forward to it. She had spent the passed month in and out of the hospital for check ups and hypnosis. The healer at the hospital sensed extreme emotional damage and ordered five sessions of intense hypnotic therapy. Hermione didn't mind as they actually seemed to cleanse her mind. Viktor was becoming more and more of a faint memory every day.

She and Draco walked out onto the grounds hand in hand. Draco bore a mischievous look as they walked beside the lake. "Something on your mind?" Hermione asked suspiciously.

"Oh just you…As usual." Draco said as he brought her hand to his heart. "Close your eyes." They had just stopped at the beech tree where they had a handful of emotional memories already. Hermione eyed him with curiosity and shook her head in protest. "Please Hermione? For me?"

Hermione smiled and closed her eyes. She waited patiently as she heard Draco mumbling some sort of incantation under his breath. After a few minutes she heard him whisper. "Okay, you can open them."

"Draco! It's wonderful! However did you conjure it?" Hermione gasped as she looked all around her. He didn't just conjure a bouquet of tulips. He conjured an entire field full. They were surrounded by thousands of tulips in all colors. The garden of tulips stretched from the beech tree to Hagrid's hut and up to the stone steps. Hermione's eyes watered as her voice cracked. "They're wonderful! You're wonderful!"

"Hey, hey. This is supposed to be a happy moment. Don't cry Hermione."

"I'm sorry it's just that everything about this. About you! It's all absolutely perfect Draco! I'm terrified to accept that this fairy tale is real! I'm afraid that I'm going to wake up from some wonderful dream and we'll go back to hating each other. I couldn't bear to live like that again Draco."

"You don't have to. I need to ask you something." Draco kneeled down and removed a little black box from his pocket as Hermione took a step back and gasped. "Maybe you'll never accept this fairy tale, but will you accept me as your husband? I've never loved anyone else Hermione. It's always been you. You're that girl. You're the one. I changed Hermione. And I changed for you. You're the one that I want to be sweet, loving, and faithfully romantic with. You're the one I fell madly in love with. I want to learn things about you backwards and forwards. Marry me Hermione. Make my fairy tale real."

Hermione squealed and bounced up and down as Draco slid the ring on her finger. "Yes! Yes! I'll marry you! Of course I'll marry you! I love you Draco!" She jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. Draco spun her around and they toppled over into the tulips. They kissed and talked for hours about their plans for the future. They stood and walked hand in hand towards Hogwarts as the sunset around them.

Two years later:

Draco had just returned home late as usual as the ministry had him working insane hours. He could smell Hermione's wonderful cooking all the way from the end of the driveway. His stomach rumbled as he approached the door. He walked into the kitchen finding his beautiful wife leisurely chopping up ingredients for a salad. She looked up and smiled. "There's my seeker. I've missed you."

Draco walked up to her and took her into his arms. "And I missed you. I tried to get out earlier but we were interrogating a high profile dark wizard and-"

"How many times do I have to tell you that it's okay? What you do at work is extremely important. I know you'll be home when your day is done. Now go wash up…They'll be here any minute." Hermione said and shooed him out of the kitchen as he stole a carrot from the salad bowl.

As Draco exited the bathroom and walked down the stairs he heard the doorbell ring. "I'll get it!" He opened the door and scowled. "Potter…Still can't take the hint? You know I can't stand you."

Harry grinned. "You're just jealous that I got that bloke to confess in two minutes after you had a go at him for five hours."

Ginny smacked Harry's arm. "Oh stop it Harry! Well are you going to ask us in or am I going to have to take you down where we stand?"

Draco beckoned her in dramatically. "Mrs. Potter." He then grumbled. "And I guess you can come in too scar head."

"Thank you ferret boy." Harry said as he chuckled.

Just as Draco was about to close the door a hand flew out to stop it. "Is it me or can you smell Hermione's cooking all the way to the other end of the block? Merlin, I'm starving."

"Weasley, come to empty our fridge again? Oh, I didn't see you Lavender. Maybe he'll behave himself tonight." Draco beckoned them in and they all headed for the kitchen.

Hermione began pouring wine for everyone with a mischievous grin. Draco looked at her curiously. "Don't you remember what happens when the little Weasley gets drunk? We just replaced the coffee table!"

Ginny punched Draco in the arm. "I'm not going to get drunk you evil little prat! And it was Harry actually. He tried to dip me but tripped sending me bum first into the table."

Draco saluted her. "All the more reason to hate him….Thanks for that."

Hermione sighed nervously with a smile. "Well if you'll all have a seat, dinner will be served in a moment."

Ron practically jumped into his seat. He stuffed a napkin hastily into the collar of his shirt and quickly grabbed utensils in each hand as he stared at Hermione with a gaping mouth. Lavender scoffed. "We just ate a few hours ago for goodness sakes Ron. Calm down."

Ron looked at her with a baffled expression. "Calm down? I've been dreaming about Hermione's cooking all week. We don't come here enough!"

"Yeah you do!" Draco shouted quickly but then winked at Lavender. As Hermione served dinner Harry, Draco, and Ron shared their experience with the dark wizard they had interrogated at work that day.

Harry sighed as he wiped his mouth. "Actually, I hate to admit it but he only cracked when I started in on him because of how harsh you were Malfoy. He was about to confess just before I asked him the question. I'd love to steal the glory on that one but I just can't."

Ron had a turkey leg in each hand and spoke with a mouthful. "What about my questioning? He was squirming like a little pixie for a moment there wasn't he?"

Draco waved his hand in the air. "You must have been dreaming about my wife's cooking at that moment because all I saw him do is smile at you….I may actually remember a wink. Didn't you see a wink Potter?"

Harry nodded in agreement. "I think he may have fancied you a bit Ron."

"Sod off you two! He did not!" Ron shouted in between swallows.

"Alright, alri-" Draco stopped as he noticed tiny bubbles floating around him. He squinted to make out what they were. "Hermione?" He squinted again. Draco realized that he was looking at bubbles that were in the shapes of rattles, pacifiers, and strollers. "Hermione are you?….Are we?"

Hermione nodded happily. "Yes Draco."

Draco jumped out of his seat and ran to Hermione whispering in disbelief as he knelt beside her. "We're going to have a baby? You're pregnant?"

Hermione nodded again as tears streamed down her face. "I'm already three months along. I didn't even know! Ginny made me take a test."

Draco looked at Ginny with tear filled eyes as she shrugged. "Well, I just wanted to see if you had actually knocked up a filthy little mud blood."

Draco chuckled. "I guess I did….And I enjoyed every minute of it."

"Okay that's enough for me!" Harry said jokingly as he stood and hugged Hermione. "Congratulations Mione. You're having Draco Malfoy's baby. Draco Malfoy. Did you hear me Hermione? You're married to Draco Malfoy…..Who would have thought eh?"

Ron shouted as he stood. "Alright that's enough! Do you have to say it so many times! You're going to make me throw up all that wonderful food she cooked. Hermione, you're not really going to have Malfoy's baby are you? This all has been an evil drawn out plan to play a joke on him right? You're not actually married right?"

Hermione laughed as Draco shook Harry's hand and then Ron's. "Sorry Weasley, it's real." Draco leaned over and whispered into Ron's ear. "So seeing how she's taken, you might want to hurry up and marry Lavender before she moves on."

Ron shook his head with a mixture of sadness and glee. "I guess you're right."

Draco, Harry, and Ron went outside to celebrate with cigars as Hermione, Ginny, and Lavender discussed the pregnancy by the fire. Hermione glanced over through the window and watched Draco as he talked with her two best friends. Her stomach flipped when she saw him laugh and pat Ron on the back. She smiled in delight as she could tell Harry was teasing him about something. She loved the way he smiled. She loved the way he laughed. She loved that she was carrying his child. She loved everything about her Seeker.