Is anybody out there? Is anybody listening?

Does anybody really know? If it's the end of our beginning…..

It's everything you wanted, everything you don't

It's one door swinging open and one door swinging closed…

Holding On and Letting Go…..by Ross Copperman

The Ending Had Already Been Written: Chap 2 - Final

Draco didn't give up on his and Hermione's relationship. He had cautiously approached OZ, Hermione's bookshop named after some Muggle fable. He had laughed when she explained how OZ meant the promised land, or the end of the rainbow, etc., because that's how she wanted her buyers to feel when they entered her shop.

Draco's visit had been fruitless. When he asked to have a private word with the proprietor, the clerk had been quick to explain that Miss Granger would be away from the shop for a while attending private book and paper auctions.

Draco asked the clerk what he meant by a while and was met with a shrug. "Miss Granger didn't give an exact time for her return. I do know there are at least ten different auctions on her agenda including several in Scotland and Wales, and several more in undisclosed locations.

Draco had left the shop despaired of ever getting the opportunity to explain himself to Hermione.

A month passed. Then two. Draco kept checking back at OZ, receiving the same answer each time. Miss Granger was away at auctions. If Draco hadn't seen the boxes that had arrived full of books from this auction, or that, he would have believed Hermione was in the backroom peeking out the curtain using auctions as an excuse not to speak with him.

/*/

Draco also returned to the Greengrass Mansion numerous times to confront Astoria. Each time, he was met with resistance from either Austin or Gwendolyn. The very last time Draco went to the mansion. He had broken down the door only to be met by Gwendolyn who told him Astoria was not in London and would only see him after he calmed down. Not before.

Draco left the mansion furious and helpless. He couldn't confront Astoria and correct the situation if she remained in hiding. He also felt hopeless knowing so much time had passed he didn't dare approach Hermione without answers. She would curse him on the spot.

/*/

During the next several months, Draco continued to visit OZ until the day the clerk handed him a note from Hermione. He was excited and frightened to read what Hermione had to say. His best hope was she would agree to talk with him. What he read was a disappointment.

Draco,

My clerks don't know whether you are a disgruntled customer or a stalker. You are upsetting them. I asked that we keep a distance between us. Of course, my request meant nothing. So I'll tell you as plainly as I can. Stay away from my clerks, my shop and me, or I will see that there are repercussions.

Hermione Granger.

/*/

Without any tangible proof of his innocence, and the demand to stay away by Hermione. Draco couldn't do anything else but move forward.

Through the last months, his parents had not tried to interfere. However, in recent weeks they had gone out of their way to try to get him to calm down so Astoria would see him. Narcissa went as far as telling Draco it was his duty to marry Astoria so the baby would be born a Malfoy.

Without Hermione, Draco let himself be forced into thinking there wasn't any reason not to do the gentlemanly thing. He would marry Astoria for the baby's sake, but he wouldn't touch her again even if she begged him.

Astoria's pregnancy was puzzling Draco. There were times after Astoria appeared back in London that he wondered why her stomach wasn't growing. According to his calculations, if he was the father, the baby should be ready to pop out. Whenever he questioned his mother, Astoria or Gwendolyn. They offered a standard answer. Astoria is a tiny witch, and, or, Astoria wears a glamour charm which she will remove after the marriage. Not being familiar with anything pregnancy related except the duration, Draco couldn't argue with those answers.

Resigned to the fact he and Astoria had made love just before splitting up. Draco believed a pregnancy, even an unwanted pregnancy, was more than possible, so he finally agreed to a wedding date estimating the baby might be born any day.

/*/

Instead of a huge, Malfoy wedding, Draco would only agree to a small, private ceremony. Even though he was taking a browbeating from his mother, Gwendolyn and Astoria, Draco stood his ground about the wedding as well as his decision not to share a bedroom with Astoria. He had also rejected the idea of a honeymoon.

In the face of Draco's determination, Narcissa did the only thing she could do. She accepted Draco' terms and had to be content that he and Astoria were taking the entire South Wing as their home.

There was more than enough room in the South Wing. Draco wouldn't have to see Astoria unless he chose to do so. Which was fine with him.

/*/

From the wedding on, Draco threw himself into his work while staying away from Malfoy Manor as much as possible.

With the birth of his child imminent, Draco's only concession was to have his mother give him a run down of Astoria's condition each day after work. So he was more than surprised when he received a call at St Mungo's from Gwendolyn Greengrass explaining that there had been a mishap as Astoria was delivering the baby.

"Mishap? Delivering the baby?" Draco had shouted into his mobile. "Why wasn't I notified earlier? How was she admitted to St Mungo's without me knowing?"

"To answer your questions. Astoria is not at St Mungo's, and you weren't notified because you aren't interested Draco," replied Gwendolyn crisply. "Astoria didn't want to bother the Prince of Malfoy Manor. However, your wife needs you in this time of sadness. She was at The Wales Clinic, but is now back here at Greengrass Mansion. If you have time, you may come see her." With that, Gwendolyn ended the conversation.

While Draco couldn't care less about Astoria. He had been excited about meeting his son. Now, there wasn't any son. The marriage and fanfare had all been for nothing. Even so, it was his responsibility to check on his wife.

/*/

Hermione couldn't avoid reading about the nuptials. No matter how small the venue. A Malfoy wedding was big news. She had read the articles with a heavy and angry heart. On the one hand, she had been so stupid. On the other, she had been wise enough to keep herself out of the spotlight. What seemed to have been ordained from the very beginning had come to pass. Astoria Greengrass had captured her wizard.

Hermione threw the newspaper in the trash, wiped her eyes then went out front to discuss reading material with her customers.

That same day, Hermione accepted her first date since Draco with Bulgarian bon bon Viktor Krum who had been after her for weeks to go out with him. Viktor was handsome and charming, and had grown into even more of a bon bon. Viktor wasn't the wizard of her dreams, but Hermione knew she could do worse. Besides, it was time she got on with her life.

Fast forward to the next article regarding the Malfoys. Hermione couldn't believe her eyes. Astoria Malfoy was in seclusion at Greengrass Mansion after the loss of her child.

Although Hermione was as sympathetic as the next witch, her first reaction was to wonder why Astoria was not in seclusion at Malfoy Manor with her husband. Then she caught herself. She didn't give two shites where Astoria, or Draco were laying their arses. Like she had done with the previous article, Hermione discarded it. This go round, she took the time to crumple it into a ball before throwing it into the fireplace.

/*/

Several months later, just by chance, Draco noticed the Winston house maid had turned up in the Manor kitchens on some random errand. The house maid's presence caused an immediate epiphany which Draco kept to himself, but intended to explore. One specific memory of the house maid in the same muggle shop he and Hermione were in had come crashing back. Draco remembered wondering if Astoria was having him followed. He had laughed it off as a ridiculous thought. Now, he wasn't so sure.

For his own satisfaction, Draco began making discreet inquiries. He had thrown around a fair amount of Galleons, but ended up with information which cleared up everything, but left a knot the size of a bludger in Draco's chest. He had been duped, cuckolded. The most galling part was he had lost Hermione for no other reason than a desperate witch wanted her way.

Draco collated the bits an pieces he had collected. On their own, the pieces meant shite, but together they spelled out deception. Not even for one moment did Draco believe Astoria was capable of pulling off a deception of this magnitude by herself. She'd had help. Of that he was sure.

After more digging, Draco discovered information which linked his mother, Astoria's mother, a despicable assistant at The Daily Prophet and Rita Skeeter to the plot.

Astoria hadn't been to The Wales Clinic either time she claimed and there wasn't any record of her being treated for pregnancy ailments anywhere. The more Draco found out. The more enraged he became. Once he had all the evidence in place, he was ready to confront each and every participant.

/*/

Draco's first stop had been the Greengrass Mansion where Astoria remained holed up since the alleged loss of the baby. Pushing past the ever vigilant Gwendolyn, Draco confronted his wife. Perhaps it was the look in Draco's eyes, or perhaps Astoria was tired of pretending to be the invalid. Either way, she fell on his mercy and disclosed every foul piece of a plot set in motion to keep him and Hermione from disclosing their relationship to the world, and her becoming Mrs. Draco Malfoy.

Draco sat there in amazement listening to the lengths the conspirators had gone to. More enraged than he'd ever been in his life, Draco kept himself composed as he demanded Astoria put everything right before he took matters into his own hands.

"I don't care how you do it." Draco shouted at the cowering witch. "You have two weeks. At the end of which, you and your family will not be associated with me in any way. You will no longer be my wife. You will no longer carry the Malfoy name, and every bloody Galleon you've received from me will be returned to my vault."

Astoria sobbed hysterically, but Draco wasn't his mother. Her tears didn't affect him in the least. She and her co-conspirators had interfered with him and Hermione. Draco made it very clear. No tear shed by any of them would stop him from exacting retribution if they didn't put everything right.

Draco did stop to speak with Gwendolyn Greengrass. What he said to her wasn't pretty, but it had the desired effect. She agreed to help her daughter clear up what they had done.

There were others Draco visited that day. Most of whom cowered before Draco and his evidence. At the end of the day, there was only his mother left to confront. Initially, Narcissa denied any knowledge of either him being in a relationship with Hermione, or the conspiracy, but Draco wasn't about to let up. Narcissa had finally admitted that Astoria and Adriana Winston had roped her into a scheme.

Lucius returned to the Manor in the midst of Draco's rant, and quickly took Narcissa's side. Until he heard the facts. After that, he asked Draco to step aside.

"I understand you are upset Draco. However, I am the master of this manor, and I will deal with what has taken place. No matter what has transpired. Your mother is still your mother. I insist you treat her as such." Lucius paused to let his words sink in. Then he added his few last thoughts. "I will make this promise to you. This deception will not go unpunished."

Draco didn't care what his father said. His own blood had conspired against him. That was something he would not put aside, or forget. When Draco left the Manor that evening, he had made it clear he was walking away from his deceitful mother, and would not rest until every last person who had worked against him had been exposed.

/*/

At that moment, Draco knew he could bring all the evidence in the world before Hermione, but without corroboration it would be like shouting into the wind.

So he waited.

At the end of two weeks, London saw the biggest, blind story of the last two years emerge in print. Because several high level Daily Prophet employees were involved in the situation, the story was not been printed in The Prophet, but it had been printed in most other wizarding papers. Of course, the wealthy protected themselves. By the time the story landed in print, the true facts had been carefully manipulated. But anyone with half a brain knew to whom and what the story referred.

/*/

Draco wasn't blind or deaf. Even though Hermione wouldn't see him or allow him in her premises. He had kept tabs. He knew she was in a seemingly serious relationship with Viktor Krum. Still, he wrote an explanatory letter and inserted it into a packet outlining all that had gone on in the past ten or so months. Then he had sent the information to OZ in care of Hermione Granger.

After that, he waited.

And waited.

Finally, almost a year to the date all the shite had begun, Draco received a message with Hermione's return address. He was chuffed. He was elated. Above all, he was frightened. His feelings hadn't changed. His needs hadn't changed. All he wanted was for things to go back to how they were before all the bull shite.

He opened the envelope carefully, taking a deep breath before unfolding the message. All hope drained from Draco's body as he read Hermione's response.

Thank you for the information.

Hermione.

Draco checked the envelope to see if there was another page, but there was nothing. Hermione's complete message was written on the one page. Thank you for the information. That was it. Not even a salutation. He had worked hard to prove he wasn't some arsehole who had used her. All to no avail. Hermione had thanked him and nothing else.

As much as Draco wanted everything to fall back in place, it hadn't. Draco now knew there wasn't a chance in hell he and Hermione would ever have the life he had pictured.

Draco had carried himself well throughout the entire mess. He was a Head Healer at St Mungo's. He had to. However, after he received Hermione's one line reply. He fell apart. He appeared fine from the outside, but inside he was in shreds.

He and Narcissa came to terms. Out of respect for his father, Draco visited the Manor. He was even able to hold conversations with his mother, but it wasn't the same. The closeness they once shared was gone. Narcissa knew it, as did Lucius who held the hope that one day Draco could forgive his mother. Until then, they would live with the uneasy truce.

/*/

Time passed.

Draco finally began to date, but no matter how pretty or engaging the witch. There was always a problem. All Draco was doing was going through the motions.

One late night in his office while passing time, Draco tried to remember the last time he'd had an orgasm that brought him pleasure instead of just release. He couldn't really pinpoint a date. His life had become nothing more than a caricature of what it had been…..

….Until the day the Medi-Wizards brought Hermione into the emergency ward. She had been found beaten with a great loss of blood and internal injuries in the alley behind her shop. The explanation was she had fallen. Draco knew it took more than a fall to cause the injuries Hermione had sustained, but out of respect, he went along with the explanation.

As extensive as her injuries first appeared to be, it hadn't taken long for the healers to fix Hermione up. The third day after she had been admitted, Draco came to work intent on stopping by her room, but she had already been released. Glancing through Hermione's file, Draco saw a special notation. The healer noted that Miss Granger had been advised her internal injuries were such that she probably wouldn't be able to conceive a child.

Sighing, Draco filed the folder away and went about his work. Two days later, Draco heard news that Viktor Krum had been arrested and detained in Bulgaria for various offenses. The charges as well as the resulting trial were held in secrecy with the final disposition sealed. However, those who were paying attention knew Krum was judged guilty of something as he had been relieved of his managerial position with the Bulgarian Quidditch Team.

Draco knew in his heart that the woman who once cared for him had been attacked by her lover. Even though that thought had caused him great distress, it wasn't his business, so he filed the hurt away just as he had the record.

Then Draco tried to move forward with his life once again.

/*/

The witches came and went. As Draco approached the big 3-0, he still hadn't found a witch with whom he wanted to settle down, or love.

Narcissa had once approached the subject of him finding a suitable witch and settling down. Draco hadn't bothered to answer. One withering look from him told Narcissa all she needed to know, so she had immediately backed off. As far as Draco was concerned, there was nothing he wanted to discuss with his mother.

/*/

Just before his birthday, Draco decided to stop in OZ to find a particular book. In the back of his mind, he hoped to see Hermione and maybe have a nice chat. It hadn't worked out that way. Draco was waited on by a very knowledgeable twenty something wizard who sold him the one book along with two others.

On his way out of the shop, Draco asked the young wizard to give his regards to the proprietor then handed him his business card.

"I will most certainly pass Hermione your regards. Thank you for your purchases."

Once outside the shop, Draco let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding in. As much as he wanted to see Hermione, he was somewhat glad he hadn't. Even after all this time, Draco wasn't sure he would have handled a conversation with Hermione all that well. His wound had scabbed over, but was still very raw on the inside.

Draco spent his birthday evening with several of the healers from St Mungo's and actually had a good time. His colleagues were impressed that their always stoic colleague had managed to dance with several of the witches present. The party broke up at 1:00 a.m. only because it was closing time at the pub.

After all the goodnights and see you later, a tipsy Draco decided to clear his head by walking to his flat. As he neared his flat, Draco could make out a figure sitting on the steps. Immediately clear headed, Draco rolled his wand down his sleeve so it was easily accessible. When he got closer, Draco thought he was seeing the impossible. The person sitting there reminded him of Hermione, but that was idiocy. Hermione Granger didn't want anything to do with him.

His eyes hadn't been playing tricks. It was Hermione sitting there apparently waiting for him.

She spoke first. "My clerk gave me your business card. Thank you. I stopped by to wish you Happy Birthday hoping you wouldn't turn me away before I could get the words out."

For a second, Draco was speechless. Then he found his voice. "Although you've missed by a bit. I'm glad you felt comfortable enough to stop by. It's been years."

Draco stammered a few more words before Hermione stood.

"It wasn't my intention to leave you speechless. I've said my belated happy birthday, so I'll be on my way."

Draco realized the witch he'd been missing all this time was about to walk away again, and he reacted. "Don't go. May I offer you a cup of coffee or tea?"

Hermione hesitated. "I don't want to intrude. I didn't mean to hold you up this long."

Draco managed a smile. "You aren't intruding Hermione. It would be my pleasure to have you accept my invitation. Come on through."

Draco extended his hand and Hermione used it as leverage to stand.

"I would actually like a cup of coffee." She replied pulling a bag out of purse. "It will go well with my little gift."

Draco broke out in a wide smile as he recognized the McBurger bag. "It's been a long time since I've had fast food. It smells heavenly. Thank you."

/*/

The first half hour of their conversation was a bit awkward. However, when the conversation waned, they would take a bite of burger or a sip of coffee. When the food was finished, they began to talk.

As they became more comfortable with each other, the conversation turned to topics they both thought would never be discussed between them again. Still, the atmosphere remained light. Then Hermione made a statement which seemed to take all the air out of the room.

"I cannot have children."

"Excuse me." Draco replied thinking he hadn't heard Hermione correctly.

Hermione repeated herself and elaborated. "I cannot have children. When I was attacked, something inside me got broken."

"Hermione," Draco called softly.

With tears clearly welling up in her eyes, Hermione pushed on. "It's alright Draco. The time has come to get it all out. I was so angry and hurt when that first article appeared in the paper. We were days away from announcing our relationship. All kind of things went through my head. Not least of which was you being an intentional bastard. I couldn't maneuver through any part of my life because you were supposed to be there. My salvation had been to concentrate on finding books for the shop. For a time, I must have attended every book auction between here and France. Attending auctions and being away from London, kept me from ending up in the mental ward of some hospital. I remember how ironic it was to be living something we had previously joked about. Slowly, I came back to myself. I was preparing myself to contact you so we could talk and I could walk away with my pride intact. However, just when I thought I was ready. Your wedding announcement was published, leaving me to crawl back into a shell. It was also the point in time I tried to get on with my life. Viktor had been constantly after me to go out with him. Rather than do nothing, I accepted his attentions."

"Hermione." Draco pleaded. "You don't have to revisit all that. You've read the material I sent. We both know what happened. Why upset yourself?"

"You're right Draco. I just needed to get some things off my chest. I will say I did want to speak with you after I received the information you sent, but I was too embarrassed over not giving you the benefit of the doubt. In addition, Viktor thought it best if I left well enough alone. The truth is I let myself become a battered woman just to have a wizard by my side. Disgusting, I know. But that's what I did. That's it. I've gotten it all out. If we ever have another conversation, it can be all sunshine and roses."

Hoping to lighten up the atmospheres, Draco squeezed Hermione's hand and pushed her hair back from her face. "Long hair becomes you. I think this is the longest I've ever seen it."

"I haven't had it cut since…. For a very long time. I've tied up enough of your time. I'll just say good night, rather good morning. It was nice to be able to hold a normal conversation with you."

Hermione stood. Draco stood.

"Shall I walk you out?" Asked Draco.

"There's no need. I nearly lost my mind, but most of my magical capabilities have remained intact. Goodbye Draco."

Draco followed Hermione to the door anyway, thinking he had to try. All she could do was say yes or no.

"May I take you out to dinner?"

/*/

Hermione bowed her head for a second giving silent thanks to Merlin before turning back. She needed this. She wanted this. If the chemistry between them was gone, so be it. But she had to know. "I'd love to have dinner with you. Perhaps next week."

Hermione had agreed. The old flutter immediately reappeared in Draco's stomach. "If you don't mind, I'd like us to set a date now." Draco replied, staring into Hermione's eyes. "How about Sunday? You may choose. Shall we have brunch, then spend the day getting reacquainted, or shall we have dinner then spend the night getting reacquainted?" Realizing what he'd said, Draco tried to explain. "That last part didn't come out quite right. I hope you know what I meant."

Hermione gave Draco a smile and a nod. "I know what you meant. I'd prefer dinner. It's been so long. I'll have to find a nice dress."

"I still have the coral dress." Draco revealed in a low voice. "I know how much you loved it. I couldn't leave it laying there on the floor in shreds. I took it to be repaired, hoping I would be returning it to you in short order. Things didn't work out that way, but maybe this time will be different. Do you still live in the same flat? I'll have it sent to you today."

This time, a wide smile appeared on Hermione's face. "I still live the same flat. I can't believe you have the dress. Thank you so much. By the time I realized it was gone, I figured I had thrown it out in a fit of pique with a load of other things."

"Nope. You didn't throw it out. I don't feel right about you going outside to Apparate. Come back inside. It will only take me seconds to adjust my wards so you can Apparate from the flat."

Five minutes later, a very happy witch left the company of a very happy wizard. No matter how it worked out. They were getting the chance to try again.

/***/

When the coral dress arrived just as Draco said it would, Hermione actually hugged the garment to her chest.

/*/

Draco had two surprises for Hermione on Sunday. The first surprise consisted of him turning up with a bouquet of six orange roses, remarking he was sure they should be onto orange by now. The second surprise consisted of Draco taking Hermione to Malfoy Manor to meet Lucius and Narcissa before they went to dinner. The introduction, while not overly warm, had gone reasonably well. Which was fine by Hermione. She would be dining with Draco. Not his parents.

Sunday dinner worked out fine as well. Draco and Hermione spent the entire time talking forward. What had transpired between them in the past, never came up. It was a fresh start. A new start. They both had high hopes of continuing their prior relationship yet starting a new relationship as well. Sounded mad, but Hermione and Draco knew what they meant.

Draco and Hermione finished their meals as quickly as good manners allowed. Why would they linger over a three course meal when she was as hot for him as he was for her? Their time could be spent much more productively. The only real decision to be made was which flat.

/*/

Over the next several hours, Hermione and Draco who knew they couldn't make up lost time, gave it a roaring try. Their first sexual encounter of the night started off wrong when Draco tried to push himself in with one stroke causing Hermione to cry out.

Draco jumped away in a panic then began apologizing.

Hermione grabbed Draco's hand explaining it wasn't his fault. They would just have to take it slowly until her body adjusted itself to his size. Which he did. Their second and third attempts at sex went well, but Draco couldn't stop whispering his apologies.

Hermione simply held him tight as she met his every move.

/*/

As they laid there in each other's arms, Draco whispered that he had another surprise for her if she answered his question correctly.

Hermione raised up to look him in the face. "I'll play. What is the question?"

"Will you be my one and only witch with the intention of becoming my wife?"

Hermione who was excited as well as sad answered truthfully. "I'll gladly accept your attentions. However, I must remind you of my very serious issue. I'll never be able to give you even one child."

"Through no fault of your own Hermione." He reminded her quietly. "I would have loved to have a son to carry on the Malfoy name. If that's not possible, I can live with it. It will be you and I against the world. You've answered my question. Your surprise will be on the society pages of tomorrow's London Gazette and Wizarding Daily.

Hermione could and couldn't imagine what Draco was up to, but she could wait. Snuggling up against Draco, Hermione murmured how glad she was that all had gone well between them.

Draco kissed the top of her head then kissed her lips before replying. "The moment I saw you sitting on the steps to my flat. There was no question. I knew I had to try to get you back."

Hermione snuggled even closer to her wizard, offering a soft reply. "Thank Merlin."

/*/

Monday morning, the society pages of the Gazette and the Wizarding Daily announced in a half page ad London's newest celebrity couple. Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger. Hermione couldn't stop smiling the entire day. The chance that had slipped away from her two years ago had come back around. For that, she was very, very glad.

/

Six months after the society pages announced Hermione and Draco coming out as a couple. The papers printed a second announcement. This time they announced the Malfoy-Granger engagement.

\*\

The following April, Hermione and Draco made the papers once again. This time, they not only made the society pages, but the front page as well. Narcissa and Lucius had seen to it. The Malfoy Wedding was the biggest and most important wedding of the season.

\*\

Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy made headlines off and on over the next year. A vacation. A charitable deed. Renovation of OZ. A promotion to Director of St Mungo's. Anything and everything Hermione and Draco, or Hermione, Draco, and the in-laws did, was news.

\*\

If it was possible, Draco and Hermione's love grew deeper with every passing day. The only hiccup had come when Lucius found out there wouldn't be any grandchildren. He had taken Draco aside and ranted at him for a solid thirty minutes before falling into a chair due to sheer exhaustion.

Draco had then quietly and privately explained to Lucius what had happened to Hermione during the time his own mother had conspired against him leaving Hermione on her own.

Lucius was livid someone had put his hands on a Malfoy, but his anger was over knowing it wouldn't have happened if Draco hadn't been under siege.

Lucius wasn't the only family member upset about Hermione's inability to have children. There were times Draco would arrive home to find Hermione huddled on the couch all teary eyed. Each of those times, Draco lovingly took Hermione in his arms to console and assure her. The episodes, as Draco called them, did lessen as time went by.

One evening, Draco came home to find Hermione huddled on the couch. This time, her eyes were gleaming and she was holding out what looked to Draco like a wizarding pregnancy test.

"Look at this love." Hermione crowed jumping into Draco's arms. "It's real. I wanted to wait until I was absolutely sure. Look at my test."

Draco was astounded. Taking the test stick from Hermione, he held it up in front of his eyes. "This is real. This is phenomenal. How?"

"My OB healer explained that my attack caused enough damage to make it appear my tubes had closed up as they were healed. However, I never lost the ability to produce eggs. Along comes you with that strong Malfoy sperm, and voila. Egg and sperm met. I felt my body changing, but I didn't want to mention anything until I was sure. Today, I am sure. We are pregnant. We are past the danger stage, and we are a little over three months along. I am so excited."

Draco grabbed Hermione then pulled back. "I'm not hurting you am I?"

"No love. You aren't hurting me." She said shaking a finger in Draco's face. "Please don't start treating me as though I'll break. Your son and I will never turn away from your embrace."

As overwhelmed as Draco was, he managed a cheek to cheek smile. "My son! I'm having a son?" Grabbing Hermione again, Draco pulled her to him. "Thank you my love. Me and my strong Malfoy sperm thank you. Your news has made me happier than I ever thought possible. May I share our good news with my father and mother?"

"The baby and I are out of the danger zone. There's no reason why we can't inform Lucius and Narcissa they will be grandparents in six months or less."

\*\

From the moment Lucius and Narcissa learned they would be grandparents, they began fixing up what they called The Nursery at Malfoy Manor. Hermione thought it was a sweet gesture, but remained adamant that neither she nor her son would take up permanent residence at Malfoy Manor. Lucius and Narcissa couldn't get Draco and Hermione to move into the Manor, so they did the next best thing. They gifted the expectant couple with a property of their own aptly named Malfoy Estate. It was much smaller than Malfoy Manor, but there was more than enough room for Narcissa to have her own quarters when she visited for extended periods of time. In the end, it all worked out fine.

When she was six months along, Hermione sold OZ in order to have more free time to devote to her pregnancy. Draco thought it was the best decision ever.

By the time Hermione was eight months along, Scorpius Draco Malfoy had every conceivable thing a baby would ever need, times three. His gifts filled one entire room at Malfoy Estate.

\*\

Scorpius' birth caused quite the commotion that year. Reporters and photographers had descended on St Mungo's like flies only to be sent away by Security Wizards Draco and Lucius had in place for that very reason. The first photo of Malfoy the younger and his parents didn't appear until a month after his birth. Draco made certain the vile staff at The Daily Prophet got nothing. No photos. No interviews. Nothing. After that first photo, almost every subsequent photo of Scorpius included his grandfather.

Lucius amazed everyone who knew him by walking around with a constant smile on his face.

\*\

If it had been crazy when Scorpius was born, it was manic two years later when Portia Hermione Malfoy, the first witch born in the Malfoy line in over a hundred years was born. Draco and Hermione had to put their foot down to keep Narcissa and Lucius from throwing parties to introduce their granddaughter to every wealthy witch and wizard in Europe.

\*\

Hermione and Draco had their boy and girl. From there, everything settled down and the Malfoys lived their lives as any normal, wealthy, wizarding family.

\*\

For their fifth anniversary, Draco had planned to surprise Hermione with a trip to the Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel in Udaipur, India which had gotten a glowing recommendation from a fellow colleague at one of Draco's Director's conventions. However, much like their last four anniversaries. Hermione had declined to leave her children for any extended period of time.

Draco knew Hermione's stubborn mindset when it came to Scorpius and Portia, so he didn't argue. He simply adjusted his plans to something closer to home and shorter in duration. As Hermione didn't have any problem with a short stay away, Draco made a two night reservation at Hotel Heritage Bruges in Belgium.

Draco had to rearrange some things, but everything was set by the time he and Hermione took their portkey to Belgium. Draco allowed the hotel room to be opened by the bellman, but asked him to step away so Hermione could enter first.

Hermione had gasped in surprise. The entire suite had roses of different colors situated throughout the rooms. To Draco, the roses looked amazing. He had specifically requested certain colors. There were reds, yellows, oranges, greens and salmon. All meaning something different. However, after tipping the bellman, Draco entered the suite to find Hermione standing in the middle of the room crying her eyes out.

"What's wrong love? I thought you would like this. They…"

"They are a reminder of all that was good between us, and all we almost lost. I love them."

Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione and led her to the sitting room. "Sit." He said, guiding Hermione onto the small couch. "Key words are, almost lost. We were apart for two years, but our love remained intact, and we are here together celebrating our fifth anniversary. I set our room full of roses to remind us that the ending written by others was only half the story. You and I will finish the rest. Happy Anniversary my love."

"I know that." Hermione replied smiling through her tears. "It's just that I've always been such a sucker for roses. Happy Anniversary to you as well Mr. Malfoy."

The End