Title: All This Time

Summary: Hermione and Harry share an intimate moment in the tent following Ron's absence. With Ron's return, however, Harry pushes Hermione away in an effort to save her heartbreak and she is forced to return to Ron. In the months following the war and with Harry's life no longer in danger, Harry is not willing to let Hermione slip through his fingers again. The question is: Can he win her back?

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work.

A/N: Here it is! The epilogue for All This Time. See you down below! x

Seven years later…

Harry's eyes fluttered open as he pushed through the hidden entryway to Platform 9 ¾. The familiar sight of the red training billowing smoke before him brought back memories of years past. He was instantly transported to his first time seeing the majestic hidden platform within Kings Cross. It was then that he looked down at Teddy who was bouncing with excitement to begin his first year at Hogwarts.

"Excited?" Harry asked as he maneuvered the cart Teddy was clinging to away from the entryway.

Teddy nodded. "After years of hearing about it? Yes!"

Laughter passed between the two of them just as a familiar whoosh came from behind him. They both turned to see Hermione with her hand on her protruding stomach, searching for them. Finally, her eyes landed on them and she walked over, instantly putting an arm around Teddy.

"Are you sure you have everything? Books, quills? Oh my, where's your owl?"

With a deep sigh, Teddy pointed to the cage where his barred owl was screeching. "Soren is right here. Relax, Hermione. You packed my things. Everything is here. Trust me."

"Okay. Okay." Her face softened as she hugged him close. "I'm just a little emotional. It's your first year away."

"And she doped up on hormones because of the baby," Harry pointed out.

Hermione's eyes narrowed as she looked at him. She pointed one manicured finger in his direction and said, "Watch it, Potter."

"It's not quite as threatening now that we share the name."

When he said that, a smile lifted Hermione's lips. He knew she couldn't stay made at him when he brought up their wedding. It had been such a beautiful, perfect day that any notion of it would fill either of them up with such happiness that a smile couldn't be helped. The wedding had been a small ceremony atop a hill with their closest friends and family. The day had been all about the two of them and it couldn't have ended up any better.

After the ceremony, they sat down with Teddy and asked him if it was okay that they adopted him as their own. With the added benefit of being able to keep his own last name, he accepted instantly and they established themselves as their own little family. It had taken some time to find a groove that worked, but with Andromeda's helpful aide they made it work for them. Throughout all those adventures, Harry didn't let it stop Hermione from succeeding in the way he always knew she would.

He had always said she was the brightest witch of their age.

With her promotion to a high position in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, she worked long hours and fought to rid the wizarding world of its old views on pure-bloods. She fought for equality among all those gifted with magic and was winning. But one of her greatest career achievements in Harry's eyes was the day she handed Teddy the translated version of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Tears had welled up in his godson's eyes as he realized he didn't have to rely on the two of them to read him his favorite story. If possible, after that moment, he fell even more in love with her.

And that was when he suggested they finally add to their family. Once they had their affairs in order, they did.

Harry placed a hand on her stomach, feeling the baby's slight kick at his touch. The couple shared a smile as Teddy, too, placed his hand out. The three of them were lost in their tiny little world until a familiar voice called out to them.

"Oy! Harry!"

Three pairs of eyes looked up to see Ron jogging towards them, pulling a pretty blonde along with him. Hermione's eyes lit up at their tangled hands seeing the sparkling of a diamond and she nudged Harry's shoulder. Stealthily, Harry slipped his hand into his pocket and placed the money into her hand. They had a long standing bet over when Ron would finally pop the question to the girl Hermione had pushed in his direction and by the looks of things, Hermione had won.

"Hi, Ron!" Harry called out with a wave of his hand. "Hi, Luna!"

The familiar face of Luna Lovegood smiled up at him, a pair of her Spectrespecs covering her eyes, as Ron pulled her along the busy platform. Eventually, the reached them and the group exchanged embraces before turning the attention on Teddy and his upcoming leave. Harry looked at Ron, who had his arm wrapped around Luna's shoulder as she explained the Thestrals and other oddities at Hogwarts.

Harry remembered the first time Hermione had reintroduced the two: it had been at Ginny and Neville's wedding. After Hogwarts, Luna had gone off searching for strange creatures. Throughout the years she had become a famous wizarding naturalist with the rare species she identified. In her travels, she had kept in correspondence with Hermione and when she heard about the upcoming nuptials of two fellow Order members, she rushed home to attend.

Ron had been sulking in a corner, keeping a watchful eye on Neville who was snogging Ginny on the dance floor. It seemed as if some things never would change. That was when Hermione had approached, her arm linked with Luna's. Harry had noticed the light begin to fill his best mate's eyes as he took in her appearance. Her hair was no longer the straggly dirty blonde hair it had once been, but now it was set into elegance curls as it framed her face and bounced as she laughed. She still had her protuberant grey eyes which always lit her face with wonder.

Without any nudging, Ron had asked her to dance and by the end of the night he had secured a date. Within a few months, he had accompanied her on her travels when he wasn't helping his brothers' with their joke-shop. It seemed the more he fell for Luna, the more he was in Harry and Hermione's life. It seemed they were right, when Ron had found someone who loved him with her whole heart, the sting of betrayal would lessen.

"Are your parents here, as well?" Hermione asked, searching the crowd.

Ron nodded. "Over near the third card. Andromeda is with them."

"Grandma Dromeda?" Teddy asked excitedly.

"Yup! Let's head over."

When they turned into the bumbling crowd, all eyes were on them. Teddy shifted awkwardly under their gaze and tugged on Harry's jacket. "Why are they all staring?"

"It's not you," Ron stated without missing a beat. "I'm extremely famous. Haven't you seen my Chocolate Frog Card?"

Harry placed a both hands on Teddy as he guided him down the platform. He heard hushed whispers of his name and words of thanks as they continued walking by. Eventually, they reached where the rest of their extended family gathered. Mrs. Weasley and Andromeda were clinging on to their handkerchiefs as happy tears streamed down their face. They both hugged Teddy who promised to write them while he was away, only spurring on more tears.

Teddy was then nearly tackled by a blonde-haired little girl who grasped him from behind and pleaded with him not to go. Harry already knew who it was and it seemed his godson did too. He simply patted her hands that were tightly secured on his waist. "It's okay, Victoire. You'll come and join in two years and I'll have the place all mapped out by then. Then you won't have to worry about a thing."

"You promise, Teddy?" she asked.

"You betcha."

Hermione and Fleur smiled knowingly at the two children. They had been inseparable since the beginning and time only knew what was in store for them; though their family and friends had an inkling of an idea. Victoire and Teddy hugged and he placed a gently kiss on her forehead before turning once again to Harry and Hermione who stood holding on to his cart.

"What do you say we get this all sorted?" Harry asked.

Teddy nodded and walked with him to the closest car where a wizard in a red vest was loaded everything into the storage facility. Harry chuckled as he noticed the turquoise labels on all of Teddy's things. It was, no doubt, Hermione's way of making sure nothing would be misplaced. She probably charmed it to make sure no one but Teddy could open and view its contents.

Harry removed Soren off the cart and handed it to Teddy along with the carry-on the held his dress robes and the translated copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard that Hermione had given him. He placed an arm on his godson and helped him make his way back to where his family still stood, memorizing every move.

"Do you think my parents are watching over me?" Teddy asked in a soft voice.

When the boy looked up at him, Harry nodded. "They're always with you, Teddy." He pointed to his chest. "They're right here. Always. They live on through you."

Teddy mashed his lips together. "Sometimes I think I feel them with me but I don't want to make you and Hermione feel bad."

Stopping in his tracks, Harry knelt in front of Teddy and gripped his shoulders. "It's okay to miss them and love them and want to know them, Teddy. They're your parents. We would never think of trying to take their place. We just love you and want to be here for you." Harry's brows furrowed. "What's bringing all this on? Is it just because wish they were here?"

"That and…" Teddy's face dropped to his feet.

Harry put his hand under his chin. "And…"

"I called Hermione Mom this morning."

"I see," Harry stated. "How did you feel about that?"

Teddy's eyes looked away as he answered. "It felt right and that's why I feel so bad. My parents probably think I'm replacing them. That I don't love them anymore."

"No, they don't," Harry answered, his voice dripping with honesty. "You never asked me why they gave me custody of you."

"I never thought about it." Teddy met Harry's eyes. "Why did they?"

"Because they knew I would love you the way they would and because I lost my parents when I was a baby, too. I wasn't given the kind of love my parents would've wanted growing up. It wasn't until I came to Hogwarts and met my real family," Harry's eyes drifted to the group of people awaiting them, "that I felt that love. The kind of love I give you. That Hermione and Andromeda give you, as well as, the Weasley's. You're father once told me, when I asked what would happen to you once he was gone, that you would have me to remind you of him."

Teddy's eyes searched Harry's before he asked, "He said that?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, so don't feel bad about thinking of Hermione and me as your parents. We would never replace them. If anything, we'll answer anything you want to know or remind you of things they've done and how brave they were."

A moment of silence passed before Teddy whispered, "Thanks, Dad."

As he fought back tears and the pride swelling his heart, Harry wrapped his arms around Teddy. When they were done, they once again walked towards the group so that Teddy could say his final goodbyes. The train sounded and Teddy let Hermione and Harry wrap him up in a loving embrace. Hermione kissed his temple as she whispered, "I love you, Teddy. Be safe and write to me as much as you can."

"Don't think your headmaster is being too hard on you," Harry chimed. "McGonagall has your best interest at heart."

"I love you both!" Teddy walked off and climbed into the train.

They searched the available windows until Teddy appeared behind one, waving at his family as the train pulled away. Harry wrapped an arm around Hermione as she placed her head on his shoulder. Together they waved goodbye until the train disappeared from their view.

"The house seems so empty without him," Hermione said as she pushed her dinner around with her fork.

Harry reached out and placed his hand atop hers. "It'll get easier."

Pointedly, she looked at him, a playful smile on her lips. "Did it get easier when we were apart?"

"After I reminded myself you were happy, yes."

"Liar," she laughed.

Harry picked up their plates and put them in the dishwasher. When he turned around, he saw Hermione staring off into space in the direction of the chair Teddy had always sat on. With slow steps, he walked over to the radio and put the music on. He smiled when he realized the familiar song playing on the radio.

Hermione looked towards him with happy tears filling her eyes. Harry was in front of her in a second, hand stretched out and waiting for hers. Without questioning, she put her palms in his and he helped her out of her chair. They swayed together in the dining room as the music enveloped them in an old memory.

All this time we were waiting for each other
All this time I was waiting for you
Got all these words, can't waste them on another
So I'm straight in a straight line running back to you, yeah

Oh, running back to you
Oh, running back to you
Yeah

Oh, I would travel so far
I would travel so far
To get back where you are

All this time we were waiting for each other
All this time I was waiting for you
Got all this love, can't waste it on another
So I'm straight in a straight line running back to you
Straight in a straight line running back to you
Straight in a straight line running back to you
Straight in a straight line running back to you

When the music faded, their bodies still swayed along already knowing the dance they were preparing to do. Before his lips found hers, she breathed, "I'm so happy you came back to me, Harry."

He touched his forehead to hers. "I'll always come back to you. Always." He leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers. He mumbled against her lips, "I love you, Hermione."

And she responded, "I love you, too."

A/N: And there we have it! The ending of All This Time!

I want to thank everyone who reviewed and read along with this story. You have no idea how much it means to me. You're loving reviews and support pushed this story in a direction I hadn't anticipated. What started out as a smutty take on a hysterical tent meme about what went down in the tent turned into a beautiful, loving story about two people finding their way back to each other. Talk about story development!

Anyways, thank you for taking this journey with me and I hope to return to the Harmony bubble as soon as I can. Love ya! x