Not 100% happy with this but I felt some nice warm fluff was needed.

~8~

Epilogue A Picture Of Family

Her hand fondly on Lucius's arm the pair slowly walked down from their bedroom to the study a little crowded these days from their growing family but it was still home. Their non-identical twin sons Hyperion and Scorpius may have made small apartments from the empty space in the largely unused Manor but they always came to dinner. Despite being thirty four and in Hyperion's case with a grown son of his own they still wanted bedtime cuddles with their father and Lucius always indulged them. Gently Lucius's aging hand pushed open the door to study, despite a few more lines and his hair more white then blonde nothing had really changed about him. Her own hair still brown and her face more lined than it used to be she was still Hermione Granger and he still Lucius Malfoy. They walked in and smiled at the scene before them. Crowded on the mish mash of settees and a wing back chair in between the branches of the large Christmas tree stood in the corner was their family sitting and screaming in surprise a lop sided banner hanging up on the wall all to celebrate their thirty fifth anniversary. Aside from the sheer number of Malfoy's nothing in the study after all their years together had changed the desk was still against the wall covered in a thin layer of dust the seating still arranged as per need and the carpet had seen better days but it was home. Hermione was sure she could see a black sock peeking out from under Lucius's chair.

"Thank you."

Lucius said truly touched and forever amazed at his family and the love they showed him every day. Smiling unsure of what to say the two lowered themselves into their favourite settee the one positioned closest to the fire. There was a pop of a champagne cork as Scorpius did the honours a flute of sparkling champagne was soon thrust into everyone's hands.

"To mum and dad."

Called out Hyperion raising his flute in a toast to his parents; the rest of the family quickly following suit.

"Hyperion and I would just like to say a few words."

Scorpius added pulling his shorter rounder twin up by the shoulder and walking them both to stand in front of the small crowd of eight. The Elderly Drs Granger along with wives and fiancés also invited to help celebrate and share the joy that Lucius and Hermione had found in each other.

"Congratulations on making this far and we just want to say that you two are our inspiration and with every day that passes Penelope and I wish we could be more like the two of you. When I was younger and all the children at Hogwarts made fun of me for being short, fat and a Malfoy you always knew what words to say to make everything better you always made time for me. When I came home that January weekend and informed you that I had married Penelope and we were dropping out of school with only my arithmancy NEWT I took the summer before between us to start a family neither one of you shouted or cursed at us. Instead you listened to our plans and supported the two us both in our commitment to each other and when I was starting to get the athrimancy contracts and starting Malfoy and Malfoy. Every time when it got too much with little Orpheus you were both there to help us out whether it was to babysit or with constructive criticism. But you never once criticised us for starting a family so young.

I just wanted to say not just happy anniversary but to tell you both just how much you mean to me and how important you are to the family and how we could not wish for a better Patriarch and Matriarch."

Hyperion said proudly, Hermione dabbed her damp eyes with Lucius's handkerchief she discretly liberated from his robe's pocket as she listened to her little boy tell them just how much they meant to them. She never cared for anniversaries she knew Lucius loved her and she him but it was so sweet of the boys pulling everyone together to celebrate and what made her day was learning just how much they meant to their wonderful family.

"Mum, dad when I was little and you were teaching me and hype our letters and numbers and it became clear that Hype inherited the brains everyone else but you two and Hype made me feel bad about being thick. But you always encouraged me no matter how remote my chances and when I wanted to publish the little adventure stories I started writing to amuse Hype when we were all alone because until Penelope no one wanted to be our friend you did everything to help. I wouldn't have anything if it wasn't for you mum suggesting I use the pen name Antonius Scorpio to get my stories in Wizarding Adventures and Crime Capers magazines.

And dad when I told you about my crush on Clarissa you stood behind me even when everyone except family thought I was a dirty letch for wanting to court Orpheus's school friend. It meant so much to have someone in my corner and thank you for all your advice, now we are engaged and I hope when we get married we have a marriage half as good as yours."

Scorpius said rubbing the back of his head messing up his neat long brown hair a stark contrast to Hyperion's blonde. Hermione was in tears her head buried deep in Lucius's chest as he rubbed her back in a gesture of comfort.

"To mum and dad for showing us that no matter how bleak your past, how difficult anything may seem you always have a family and a bright future to look forward to."

Penelope called from her seat raising her glass for another toast to her parents in law.

Everyone stood and once again congratulations were shared, Hermione's mother crying in her husband's arms as she could hardly believe her little girl had been married for thirty five years all to the arrogant Wizard they still couldn't stand.

"Thank you my children you have made an old Wizard so very happy, we had no idea how much we meant to you and just how much you respect us for what we have done. But every marriage is a partnership and if it were not for Hermione I would still be alone in darkness. I would have nothing and live each day trying to make it my last, I was saved from the darkness by every one of you sat here in this room. From my dear sons to the grandson I thought I would never have and the wonderful women who accepted me into their lives as their father in law and son in law.

Hermione you are my beautiful queen, massager of aching joints and roller of cigarettes. I love you so much."

Lucius said almost overwhelmed by the joy and love surrounding him. The real him, the Lucius Malfoy who gave the whole family such happy memories. The sons who rebuilt their broken family and the Witch who never left his side and when the going got tough she stayed with him, listened to him and most of all loved him. He had failed at many things in his life but not this marriage. He had all the treasure that he needed.

"I love you too Lucius."

They kissed each other deeply not caring for the crowded study only for each other. They broke apart smiling fondly at each other not caring for anyone save themselves.

"Family picture."

Someone called out with a groan the family save the Dr Grangers all descended on the settee closest to the fire. Draco and Scorpius being the tallest stood behind the settee in the middle looming over the back of the settee, Hyperion took his place next to his twin standing behind the lower end of the settee. Orpheus stood next to his uncle Draco while Penelope and Clarissa perched on the ends of the settee one next to Hermione and the other next to Lucius. Daniel Granger lined up the shot with the old fashioned Wizarding camera and with a bright flash from the bulb the moment was documented forever.

~8~

The next day Hermione and Lucius visited the garden and placed a wreath of poppies on the memorial description it may have been December instead of November but it didn't matter. And then they walked away content that the fallen knew they had not died in vain. That change really could happen even if it was just one couple in the middle of a memorial garden in London.

~Fin~

Final thoughts

Writing this I can hardly believe that In The Garden is over. It may not be the first work I posted or the first work I finished but it was the first piece I started to write and four versions later it is finished. It is a strange thought to know that I will never write another word to this story save perhaps for a one shot set in the same universe if inspiration strikes. I really hope everyone who read enjoyed this and even if you did not I thank you for reading anyway.