AN: Here it is the last chapter of this story. I hope it doesn't disappoint. Just remember, I don't make any financial profit from this story but if you wanted to leave a review I will feel I got paid. Thanks for sticking with me through this journey. Sweet T

Peter and Penelope were granted leaves of absence from St. Mungo's due to who the patient was and the complexity of such a rare curse. Even Bill Weasley was granted leave from Gringotts once Narcissa made it clear to the goblins that it was in their best interest not to impede the efforts to cure the young witch. Even under house arrest the de facto head of Malfoy Enterprises still held sway in many ways and she was not unwilling to use that ability to get her way.

So many people were currently staying at the Manor that their small number of elves were very overworked. It was during this time that Headmistress McGonagall announced that Hogwarts was planning an 'Elf Find A Family' event. The war ended many families causing those elves to be displaced. Many had gone to Hogwarts for assistance since they naturally migrated to the largest group of elves available. Unfortunately, so many elves had arrived, that Hogwarts could no longer absorb them. Rather than turn the elves away, the Board of Governors of Hogwarts and the Headmistress set up a week-long event where elves and people were able to mingle with the hope that their magics worked together. During that week many elves found new families. Unfortunately, not every elf found a new family. After the week was over Headmistress McGonagall contacted many families that had not attended the event, including the Malfoy family, to inquire if they were interested in discovering if any of the remaining elves were magically compatible. Upon being informed that no one from the Malfoy family could leave to go to Hogwarts and why her concern for the young professor flared. Her concern flared as anger that she hadn't been kept informed of the seriousness of Mina's curse. She arrived at Malfoy Manor the very next day with over two dozen elves to see if any of them could help the Malfoys and their guests even, temporarily, during this difficult time. Surprisingly, seven elves were compatible with Malfoy magic, Peter was compatible with one and another one was compatible with Bill Weasley.

If Mina had been awake she would have been shocked to learn that she was compatible with two elves who came from the same pre-war family. When the elves' magic bonded with Mina's something extraordinary happen; Mina's magic strengthened. The first scan that was run after the elves bonded to Mina showed that the elves', Hezzy and Quinna, magics had fortified Mina's magic and slowed the progression of the curse. The following scan showed that being in physical contact with the elves strengthened her magic even more. The two elves were encouraged to sit and do nothing but hold Mina's hands for as long as possible. It was difficult for them to accept that doing nothing but hold her hands was actual help but they were able to feel her magic responding to their magic, growing stronger. With that understanding came acceptance and they were happy to stay with her and hold her hands.

It took a week before Mina was strong enough to talk with people for more than a minute or two at a time. The first time she woke up to see two unknown elves sitting in bed with her, each holding one of her hands, she was understandably surprised but didn't fight it as sleep quickly overcame her. When she was able to remain awake for more than a few minutes, she asked for an explanation. The elves exchanged a look and without saying a word one of the elves popped away for a couple of moments before it returned and tried to take her hand again. The elf chased her hand around for several seconds before finally capturing it and holding it in a tight grip to prevent her from escaping. Both elves leveled a stern look at Mina, who just looked curious at their determination.

Within five minutes she had a room full of people all smiling at her. "What happened?" she asked.

"We nearly lost you again, baby girl. Please stop doing that to us," Robert gruffly said in an attempt to hold his emotions at bay.

Michelle was standing next to her husband, holding his hand and rubbing his arm while tears ran down her cheeks and a smile graced her face. "Oh Honey. I'm…" she couldn't continue as she choked on a sob. She turned her face to bury it in her husband's side as he wrapped his arms tightly around his beloved wife.

Penelope was busily running scans and smiling; Peter was reading the scans mumbling "Yes, this is so much better. Yes. Oh! I like the looks of this." He turned to the group at large with a sigh of relief and a smile on his face as he nodded his head. The tension in the room dropped as everyone let out a breath they didn't realize they were holding just moments before laughter rolled through the group.

Mina looked on in confusion. "Can someone please tell me what is going on and why there are a couple of elves refusing to let go of my hands?" Mina asked.

Draco stepped up for this explanation, "Meet Hezzy and Quinna. You are now their family." The shock on Mina's face caused Draco to chuckle but he continued, "Their magic bonded to your magic and saved your life. The longer they stay in physical contact with you, the stronger your magic is getting. Which, by Peter's face of relieved joy, appears to now be strong enough to fight off the curse."

Mina gently squeezed the elves hands and smiled at them, "Thank you." The elves beamed with pleasure. "How did you ever figure out this would work?" Mina asked through a yawn.

"That can wait until you rest a bit more. You are still very weak and need more rest." Peter injected. "Do you think you could eat a little?"

Mina nodded even as her eyes still showed the extent of her exhaustion. One of her elves popped away and quickly returned with a tray containing a large bowl of fortified broth and a glass of pumpkin juice. "Yous eat now," the elf said as she suspended the tray near the bed and sat on the bed. She put Mina's hand on her leg to maintain contact and promptly started to spoon-feed the young witch.

"As soon as you finish as much of that as you can, you rest. We'll be in and out frequently to check on you and run scans," Peter announced before he ushered Penelope and Bill out of the room, commenting that they should study the latest scans.

Narcissa was saved from having to make too much of a comment by Andis who came to ask her something concerning the new elves. Narcissa gave Mina a small smile but a larger one was given to Michelle before she left to attend to whatever issue had arisen.

"You eat, baby, then sleep. We'll be back in a while." Michelle said as she leaned down and kissed her daughter on the cheek followed by Robert doing the same thing.

The only one left was Draco. He was sitting in the chair by the window, watching her being spoon-fed similar to how he had seen Hermione Michelle being fed. "Don't you just look...cute." He chuckled at her.

She couldn't imagine being considered 'cute' right now. Cleaning spells were good in a pinch as she learned while living in a tent, but she was desperate for a bath and to wash her hair. She felt weak and a little dizzy so she didn't expect that to happen any time soon. "How can you say that? I must look a fright!" She commented between the spoonfuls that were being pushed at her. "Tell me what happened."

"You are a fright but," he shrugged one shoulder, "still cute. I'm just really glad you are getting better. You could be puce colored and I'd think you were cute right now."

Around a large yawn she said, "Nice dodge on my question but when I'm feeling better, you are going to tell me how this all came about. Right now though I can barely keep my eyes open." As the elf tried to put another spoonful of broth in her mouth mid-yawn, she held up her hand to end the feeding. "Thank you, but I think I'm done eating." She smiled at the elf who smiled and disappeared with the tray but came back promptly. As the elf returned Mina was heard softly snoring having fallen asleep sitting up. The elves maneuvered Mina into laying down for better sleep before settling in for their continued vigil at her side.

Draco smiled, and glanced at the elves, "you put a sleeping draught in the broth didn't you?" The elves just smiled. He thanked them and left her to sleep.

When she woke up again it was late at night. It was dark outside and quiet in the house. She saw the elves were awake and watching her. "Hi. Isn't it terribly late? Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"We's been sleeping but you's awake so we's awake."

"I'm sorry, I don't remember who is who."

"I's Hezzy." Then she pointed at the other elf, "I's Quinna's mum-elf." Hezzy, the elf that had spoon-fed her, informed her.

"Is a mum-elf different from an elf's mum?" Mina asked around another yawn.

Hezzy nodded her head, "Yes. You's sleep now. You's very weak still. No more talk."

Mina smiled and nodded her head as she almost instantly fell back to sleep.

She woke late the next morning feeling better but was still desperate to clean up then eat. Hezzy sent Quinna off to arrange some easy to eat food while she helped Mina get cleaned up. A battle of wills took place as Mina wanted to clean herself up in the bath but Hezzy refused to let her out of bed. Mina offered a compromise by allowing Hezzy to bring a flannel and a bowl of hot water for a quick clean up. Mina fussed a bit because she wanted to do it herself but quickly realized exactly how weak she truly was. Hezzy shook her head at the stubborn witch as she finished giving Mina a sponge bath. She vanished the items back to the bathroom then took Mina's hand and held on, "Yous sick! Rest is most importantly. Let Hezzy and Quinna take cares for you!"

Mina smiled at the elf as she lay her head back. "Tell me the difference between a mum-elf and an elf's mum," Mina asked as she waited for Quinna to return with the food.

"Mum-elf teachs elfling with no mum," Hezzy answered as if it was common knowledge. Mina smiled and started to ask another question when Quinna arrived and insisted on feeding Mina. Hezzy placed Mina's hand on Quinna's leg to make sure contact was maintained, then left to inform everyone that Mina was awake and eating.

Slowly the large group of people filed in to see Mina. Hezzy was the first to return and reclaimed her hand. Next came Penelope and Peter followed quickly by Mina's family. Bill Weasley with Fleur and their daughter arrived just before Draco and Narcissa. Narcissa was floating a large vase of fresh-cut flowers in front of her. She floated it over to the side table near Mina.

Mina smiled at the flowers and took a deep breath, filling her lungs with a fragrance full of smiles and sunshine. "Thank you! They're wonderful!"

Narcissa nodded her head in acknowledgment as Peter stood next to her reading the scans Penelope had run as soon as she arrived. Peter was concentrating so hard on what he was reading, he didn't realize the entire room was holding their breath, waiting for the results. "Run them again, Clearwater. I want another set." His eyes never left the readout of the scans that hovered over Mina's head.

"Yes, Healer," and Penelope set to work.

"Peter?" Michelle asked, "What is it? You're scaring us. Has something changed?" The fear in her voice was obvious to everyone.

Peter took several moments before answering. He shook his head, "I'm just...amazed. The curse, it's nearly gone. Right now it's only in her left arm and shoulder. It's gone from everywhere else. If my..If I'm right, she should be cleared of the curse in about a day if this rate keeps up." He looked up with a smile on his face and practically shook with excitement. "Run them again in an hour. Let's see how much it changes to confirm. She will probably be weak for a while yet but it's looking exceptional!" Smiles had broken out on every face in the room.

The scan an hour later showed that Peter was correct. The curse was slowly losing ground. By the next morning, Peter confirmed that the curse was gone. The stitches were left in because she was still weak and they didn't know exactly how the wound would react now that the curse was gone.

Mina had been bedridden for 12 days but with the weakening of her magic causing her near death, she felt as though she had been sick for months rather than days. It took a few days after the curse was completely removed from her body before she regained a little strength. She started with simple movements while in bed and worked her way to walking slowly around her room then up and down the hall. The elves didn't need to maintain constant contact with her any longer but they were constant companions and an amazing support system. They helped her while she did her exercises in bed. They accompanied her on all her trips around the Manor and if she became too exhausted, they were able to get her back to her room in the blink of an eye. They knew when she was too weak to do certain things and were determined enough to prevent her from being too stubborn in her attempts to do too much too fast. Happily, it wasn't long before Draco was able to escort her on outings to the gardens.

They were sitting on a bench in the middle of what Mina decided was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. They were both silent, just enjoying the evening air with a small breeze blowing when Draco noticed her sigh and a pensive look on her face. "What?"

She turned to him with a question on her face. "What's wrong? And don't even try to tell me 'nothing'. We are way past where you can lie to me," Draco smiled at her.

"Oh, it's honestly nothing," she paused and he waited knowing she would continue. "The summer is almost over."

"Three weeks left," he agreed.

"I have a meeting with McG in two weeks and I'm worried about what she's going to say. I'm worried she won't want me to come back and teach. When she first offered us our jobs, I wasn't sure I wanted it. But now I honestly miss teaching. I don't want to do anything else right now. Not to mention where would I go?"

"Well, I had a meeting with her when she was here last time. I don't think you need to worry about her not wanting you back. All she asked me was how you are doing, do I think you can handle teaching this coming year with all you have been through and would I mind if you and I shared the same living quarters this coming year that we did last year."

"Really? What...um..what did you tell her? About me I mean." Mina asked.

"I told her that you can handle it. You are stronger than most people I have ever met and if there was ever a problem, I would be there to support and help you as you needed me."

Mina smiled at him, "Thanks Draco. That makes me feel even better."

"Well, when I told her that you and I already had next year's lesson plans finished, she was beaming and almost...giddy. Well, as giddy as she ever has been. I think she was really worried about having to replace us."

"Replace us? You mean me, right?"

"No. If you aren't there, neither am I. I don't need a job." She raised an eyebrow at that information. "Between my trust fund and what I've inherited as well as the stocks and whatnot that Mother has been monitoring...I'm more than good. So what fun would I have if you aren't there with me? I'm much too selfish to do this without someone to blame it on if it doesn't work out," he laughed.

Mina laughed with him but also understood what he wasn't saying. She leaned her head on his shoulder and whispered, "Thank you, Draco."

Draco could tell that wasn't the only thing bothering her but didn't want to push overly much. "There something else?"

"I feel like I wasted my summer."

"Apart from you nearly dying, what do mean 'wasted'?"

"I didn't finish the Imperious Counter Curse. I never figured out why the time limit doesn't work on the numbing spell and I still can't find an answer to the Mirror Shield problem."

"You are unbelievable! Only you would think surviving a one-of-a-kind blood curse meant to…" he cleared his throat of the lump that had developed, "surviving that twice, as well as becoming the family to two familyless elves and helping my mother come to some sort of acceptance of the changes happening around her albeit indirectly, all that and you say it was a wasted summer." He shook his head at her.

She was quiet as she listened to him, letting his words sink in but he continued, "look at it this way, you have definitive proof that the numbing spell could save a life in an emergency. With Peter's backing, McG's endorsement and Mother's abilities with business, paperwork, and investing in general, you are at least 80% done with the patent process which should net you a hefty sum of money. When you have the other two figured out, you are well on your way to your own charms empire."

Mina didn't dispute what he was saying but being her practical self, she had to be honest, "all three of those spells are worth a fortune...once they are done but only one is mostly done. And when they are done, testing still needs to be completed before they can be widely used."

Draco smirked at her and rolled his eyes but he continued, "And you, my dear Mina, are one of only two people, my spectacular self being the other, who has ever apparated long distance, like halfway around the world, long-distance."

"Yea, I never realized that we couldn't or rather shouldn't apparate across a large body of water. Hey, whatever happened with the licensing thing you mentioned the other day? I never got the full story."

"Well, here's the gist: when I went to get your mother I realized I couldn't apparate her with Hermione Michelle so I went to the Australian International Portkey office. When they realized what I was telling them they basically arrested me for being in Australia illegally." Mina gasped. "Don't worry, it took a little time but it worked out. I'm glad your father was already here though."

She gave him a look that said 'spill it or else', so he did. "Long story short, I paid our fines and fees and got us licensed to apparate around Australia. We aren't allowed to just apparate in anymore. We have to use portkeys to get there and out again, have passports, which are being processed as we speak, go through customs, etc. But your parents now have a permanent portkey for their use. They still have to contact the portkey office to activate it and there is a fee for actually using it but they have it. They still have to go through customs, etc. just like us but it's there."

"I'll pay you back for the fees and fines and the rest. This summer has definitely had its ups and downs. I can't decide what was the best and worst parts of this summer so far," she leaned up and kissed his cheek, "but you Draco Malfoy are definitely one of the very best parts. Thank you for everything you've done for me and my family this summer. Having my parents and sister here has been wonderful."

He smiled at her, a light pink on his cheeks, "It has been pretty eye-opening, I'll give you that. And you, you bonded to two elves. How do you feel about that?"

"Odd. But I've had some pretty interesting conversations with Hezzy and Quinna. Have you ever wondered why elves are there for the calling no matter the time of day?"

"I've never thought about it but I'd bet you know," Draco was smiling at her.

She had a smug smile on her face, "Hezzy told me that when an elf's magic bonds to wizard-kind magic, they get a...a sense of that wizard." She looked at Draco and saw his confusion. "There is no other word for it; they sleep when you sleep, they're awake when you are. Their magic tells them when you are awake so they can be ready in case they're called. It lets the elf know where you are so when they're called they can find you. It lets them know what type of personality their wizard has and they adopt and adapt accordingly."

She took a dramatic pause just because she wanted to, "Now, the extra interesting part is that sometimes a young elf's magic doesn't bond with the wizard family magic they were born to. When that happens the elves, with the permission of the wizard family, find the elf a new home, one that is compatible with the elf's magic. That's what Hezzy is to Quinna. She is Quinna's mum-elf; a mentor or teacher. If the elf stays with the family where they're magic isn't compatible; dissension, disharmony, and discord occur." She watched Draco before continuing. "I told them about Dobby. They said that it was probable that he wasn't found a compatible family or," she had to be careful, this could get tricky, "his magic told him that a...um...I'm not sure how to say this but basically that your father needed someone to beat and since it's an elf's life to serve and protect, Dobby served. By serving as...in this capacity, he was protecting you and your mother."

She hurried on, "I knew Dobby really really liked Harry but I always thought it was because Harry got him freed. Hezzy says it was probably that Dobby bonded to Harry. Harry was a virtual slave to his aunt and uncle and he wanted Dobby to be free. So Dobby, having gained a sense of what Harry wanted, did what Harry wanted him to, but if Harry had ever called Dobby, Dobby would have been there. Dobby gave his life to save Harry and I think he was," pause for thought, "happy, I guess, to do it. I think that confirms that Dobby wasn't compatible with the Malfoy magic."

Draco took a few breaths before continuing the conversation, "I now know more about elves than I ever knew before. I'm not sure if I should thank you or not."

"Definitely thank me. It's just another thing we learned this summer to go with everything else we've been through."

"Well, you're right about that. We've learned a lot. Your parents...they have gone through a lot and done it with, Mother would call it 'grace and poise' but I think they both have backbones made of stone. And after some of the stories your parents have told me, I think they grew those the day you were born!" She tried to push him away but they were laughing together, "and they are going to be learning even more now. Who knew an elf could magically bond to a child who has yet to demonstrate any magic?"

"Probably Hezzy but certainly not me." Mina continued to laugh, "The look on mum's face when she came storming into my room carrying Hermione Michelle on her hip and an elf trailing behind her!" Mina pitched her voice to sound like her mother, "'Hermione Jean Granger! This elf said he's Hermione Michelle's elf which I understand, now, but he won't let me do anything for my own child! What in the bloody hell is going on?!' Poor Pattsle, he just couldn't figure out why she was upset. It's not his fault he bonded to a Muggle-born baby. But hey, Hermione Michelle will have the best protector, sitter, and teacher she could ever need. She will also have an easier time adjusting to the wizarding world than I did. I am going to make sure she knows everything she needs to know before she gets to Hogwarts or wherever she ends up going."

"Who's going to teach you all that stuff?" Draco joked.

"You, naturally." She smiled at him. "You know I've been thinking, Slughorn's idea was not entirely without merit." He raised an eyebrow in question. "This place is massive. You could easily hold a week-long quidditch or flying clinic here. Help those like Neville and me. I hate flying but maybe I wouldn't if I didn't have to learn in a group of kids that had been flying since they could hold a broom or be naturals like Harry.

"Maybe bring all the muggle-borns here before school starts to help them learn the basics. Or the older kids who might want a career in Quidditch for advanced work." Mina was getting into her idea, "Or have them here at the same time. Have the older kids work with the younger ones. One of the best ways to learn to be better at something is to have to teach it."

Draco was chuckling at her but his mind was already expanding on her idea. "You could hold advanced classes for the in-coming seventh years. Give them help with their N.E.W.T revision."

"Me? Who says I'll be here next summer?" Mina teased.

Draco was a little taken aback, "Wait, why wouldn't you be here?" He realized that she was correct, there was no reason for her to stay with him at the Manor next summer. She could be with her family in Australia or get a flat or even stay at Hogwarts. He didn't like any of those ideas so he continued, "I mean I wouldn't mind if you wanted to stay next summer. Mother has been decent lately and I'd like it very much if you did." He cleared his throat, "You know, if you wanted to, you are welcome to stay here with me and maybe we can put together your idea. If you wanted to." His rambling petered out.

Mina smiled at him, "I would like that."

"You would?" He smiled at her.

She returned his smile with one of her own, a small blush tinting her cheeks, "Yes, Draco, I would. But let's not get ahead of ourselves; we go back to work in three weeks so we have a year to figure it out."

They were both silent for several minutes while they enjoyed the company and the location as they watched the sun as it began its descent into night; each lost in their thoughts.

It was a short time later when Hezzy appeared before them. She had a scowl on her face and it was directed at Draco. "Miss being sick still. Yous keeps her out to long!" Hezzy crossed her arms and stared the young man down.

"I agree, Hezzy, thank you. We lost track of time but look!" She pointed toward the sunset. "It's beautiful." She patted the seat next to her, "Join us."

Hezzy looked dubious at the invitation but clambered up onto the stone bench and sat silently next to her new person. When the sun had dropped below the level of the trees Hezzy addressed Mina, "Done, now you come," she put her hand on Mina and popped them away without saying another word.

Draco's surprise at finding himself outside alone lasted only a moment before the laughter took over.

Mina didn't find it funny at all, "Hezzy! I was enjoying talking with Draco and you just stole me away! It was the perfect moment to find out if he liked me and now it's gone!"

"Mr. Draco like yous fine."

"As a friend, sure, but maybe," Mina murmured while keeping her eyes diverted and felt heat bloom in her face.

Hezzy stared at her as Mina's cheeks turned pink. "Oh, yous wanna make intimate with Mr. Draco! But yous been ill. Yous no make intimate with Mr. Draco 'til yous better."

"Hezzy! I don't want to make intimate with him, I just...I really like him and I wanted to know if he likes me as more than a friend." She sat down on her bed.

"Yous stupid," Hezzy said. Mina's head snapped up to look at the elf but her attention was diverted by Draco striding, with purpose, into her room.

It didn't take Draco very long to show up outside Mina's room. He was still laughing until he overheard the last part of Mina's conversation with Hezzy. He decided it was time to show his cards. He strode into Mina's room, "Hezzy's right, you're stupid." He kept his eyes focused on Mina. As he reached her he stopped and looked in her eyes for only a second before he cupped her face and bent down to steal her breath away with an inelegant, fumbling kiss. When her shock wore off, she stood up and stole his breath away as well as they found their kissing rhythm.

Hezzy quietly left the room when she heard people approaching Mina's room. She stopped Mina's parents from entering the room, "Yous not going in Healers Muggle Granger. Miss Mina is making intimate with Mr. Draco."

The Doctors Granger were brought up short by shock at what Hezzy said but they suddenly heard two people laughing in Mina's room. "Hezzy, we were just kissing! It's ok if they come in!"

Michelle looked at Robert with an "I told you so" expression but Robert's face was red in righteous fatherly indignation at his daughter kissing someone in her bedroom. To distract her husband from doing or saying something that would be detrimental to Mina's burgeoning relationship, she handed Robert his youngest daughter. She was laughing at him as she entered Mina's room.

Draco and Mina were standing next to each other still laughing with a slight blush to their cheeks. As Robert followed his wife into his eldest daughter's bedroom they could all hear him talking to Hermione Michelle, "You will not be dating until you are 50!" Mina and Michelle laughed at Robert as Draco's blush got deeper.

Michelle walked in laughing and smiling but Mina could see a bit of smug in her mum's smile. Even so, Michelle jumped into her reason for tracking them down. "We are coming to let you know that we are leaving tomorrow after breakfast."

"What?! So soon?" Mina was shocked.

"Soon? Hon, we've been here all summer! We have to get back to work. As generous as Narcissa and Draco have been, we do have lives and jobs back in Australia."

"I know, but, I've...I've loved having you here," Mina said as she hugged her mum trying to hide the tears shining in her eyes.

"And we have loved being with you as well, Baby Girl," Robert added.

"Well, do you need help packing and stuff? Getting the portkey setup?" Mina asked.

"Got it all done. Pattsle has everything packed and ready to go and Narcissa has already arranged the Portkey-thing."

Robert tried to hand Hermione Michelle to her mother but she was intercepted by Draco. He took her to the other side of the room and sat down on the floor near the bed and started to play games with her. She was laughing and smiling and talking non-stop to him.

The three Grangers just stared in awe at the pair. When Draco felt their eyes on him, he turned his head to stare back. "What?" he asked before he decided to ignore them and re-focused his attention on the child before him.

The three Grangers focused back on each other. "I want to take those stitches out and make sure it's healed," Michelle said.

"I had forgotten about those, to be honest," Mina said. "I wonder if I can use a vanishing charm on them."

"Hon, find out on something that isn't your arm, ok? Let's get started, shall we?"

After the stitches were removed, Draco examined Mina's arm, amazed. It had sealed and healed. They had added a scar minimizing potion from Peter that had been placed under the bandage so the remaining scar was not recognizable as the hated word.

The week before Draco and Mina were scheduled to return to Hogwarts, there was a break-through in the development of the Mirror Shield. Quinna was helping Mina organize her things for packing when he noticed her notes on the Shield. He mumbled something about 'missing the out'. Mina's head snapped around and ask what he was talking about as she quickly crossed the room to him.

Quinna, startled by her quick movements, dropped the notes and tried to disapparate but Mina stopped him. "You aren't in trouble, Quinna. I just don't understand what you were saying. Please tell me."

Quinna nodded and pointed at the notes. "No 'OUT' listed." He picked up the parchments and handed them to her while nodding.

"No out," Mina was confused for a moment until she followed what he was pointing at and noticed what he was talking about. "Quinna! You are a genius and I am an idiot." She hugged the frightened elf and ran from the room to find Draco.

After looking for Draco in all the places she thought he might be and having no luck, she finally found Narcissa in the study. "Excuse me, Lady Malfoy?"

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Do you know where Draco is? I can't find him and I have something to talk through with him." She held up the parchments nearly crumpled in her hand.

"He's gone to Gringotts on family business." She noticed as Mina's face fell, "Is there something I can help you with?"

"No, yes. Well, it's just that Quinna pointed out something on the Mirror Shield and I wanted to talk it through. It can wait. Thank you."

"Would you care to tell me about it? I may be able to help."

"You don't mind?"

Narcissa indicated she should come in and sit. "Andis." The little elf popped in. "Tea for Miss Granger and myself. Thank you." Andis popped away but returned before they were both settled in their seats.

Narcissa poured out and handed Mina her cup. When Narcissa relaxed back in her seat with her cuppa she began, "Tell me what has you so excited."

Mina explained what she had learned from Quinna and her thoughts on where the 'Out' rune needed to be placed in the spell. She was looking for Draco to help her test the spell.

"And the arithmancy? What does that tell you?"

"It was inconclusive."

"So you want to test where the best place is for the rune. Logical. Shall we?" Narcissa stood and a surprised Mina followed her.

They both cast the shield on themselves with the rune in a different location in the spell. Over the next hour, they tested a variety of spells against each other; nothing physically dangerous but tricky and complex.

When Draco arrived home from Gringotts he asked after Mina. Andis told him that Mistress and Miss Mina were casting spells at each other in the study.

Draco blanched and raced through the house, terror filling him. When he threw the door to the study open he saw his mother, wand drawn, standing over a prone Mina. "MOTHER! NO!" Draco shot a stunner at his mother just as he heard Mina yell at him to stop. It was too late and as the spell rebounded and hit him square in the chest, the shocked faces of the two women was all he saw before the force of the spell sent him flying arse over tit into the wall.

The sudden silence was broken by the sight and sound of a large book falling from the shelf and landing on the ground next to an unconscious Draco.

Draco woke up in bed with Mina bathing his forehead with a cool flannel while she was talking. "What was he doing?! A stunning spell at his own mother. Honestly!"

"I was thinking I was protecting you." Draco groaned. Mina chuckled at him. "Next time I see you on the floor with a wand drawn on you, I'll just let you get attacked." He shook his head, "What happened?"

"You silly wonderful man." She leaned in and kissed him. "Narcissa was helping me figure out the last step of the Mirror Shield." She grew pensive, "You really hurt her, you know."

"The shield didn't work?"

"Don't be ridiculous! Of course the shield worked but having her son not trust her? Her son thought she attacked someone? Her son thinking her such a monster after everything...that was hurtful. She didn't say it, stiff upper lip and all, but it wasn't good, I could tell."

She saw Draco blanch as he tried to scramble out of bed only to fall back into it. "Calm down. She's not going anywhere and passing out at her feet again, it's what neither of you needs right now."

"I have to see her, tell her I'm sorry. Beg for her forgiveness. I saw her standing over you and I just...I lost it. It was like that day in the library. I was worried she'd lost her mind again."

Mina called Hezzy, "Where is Lady Malfoy?"

"Lady is in the garden," Hezzy replied.

"Thank you, can you please let her know that Draco is awake and he'll be joining her shortly?" Hezzy nodded and popped away. "Try standing up, slowly." He did, "Good, now drink this potion then go talk to her. You both have a lot to talk about. I'll be in my room when you are done. I'll tell you all about the Mirror Shield then." She kissed him and practically pushed him out of the door.

Later that evening, the three magicals sat around a formal dinner, dressed to the hilt an apology concession Draco agreed to for their last week at the Manor.

"Thank you, Miss Granger," Narcissa said. "Having you here this summer has been revealing. I might even call it an adventure. I have enjoyed getting to know you and your family. I believe I will miss you both during the upcoming school year. I look forward to seeing you at the Christmas Holiday."

"The Christmas Holiday?" Mina asked.

"Yes, I have invited your family to return for the Christmas Holiday so I assume you will be here as well."

Draco sat back and smiled at the surprised looked on Mina's face and the look of smug satisfaction on his Mother's.

Years later, Mina would proudly show her tattoo to anyone who asked to see it. Thanks to magic, each branch of the lovely cherry blossom on her left forearm had a name of someone who had helped her live and thrive through the adversity she faced that pivotal summer. Her parents were listed on the thickest branch with a sweet little twig branching off with Hermione Michelle's name on it. Draco was listed on the next branch followed by those who worked so hard to save her life that summer; Narcissa, Peter, Penelope, Bill and Fleur, Professor McGonagall as well as Hezzy and Quinna. Later, her children were added as a branch off Draco's name; each with a small cherry blossom.

She and Draco spent the first 5 years of their marriage as professors at Hogwarts. They were correct regarding the value of Mina's first three spells, they were each worth a fortune and became the foundation of their company. By the time Minerva decided to hand over the reins of the school to another, Mina and Draco Malfoy had amassed a fortune of their own and decided to retire from teaching as well.

GranFoy Charms was the go-to company for the most complex spells and charms, especially in the medical and security fields, across Europe and most of America.

Narcissa led the company in addition to her role as head of Malfoy Enterprises while Draco and Mina were teaching. After leaving his teaching career behind him, Draco apprenticed under Narcissa until he proved he was the best person to lead both companies when she retired. Mina focused her work life on what she loved to do most, discover ways to alter old spells and charms to save and protect lives. She also developed many new spells to improve and protect lives.

Hermione Michelle was well prepared to attend Hogwarts thanks to spending so much time every summer at Malfoy Manor visiting Auntie Cissa and attending the many different programs that Mina and Draco held in conjunction with the Hogwarts curriculum.

And to sap up the wrap up….

They all lived happily ever after!