Epilogue

He knew he probably should have told his two sisters the truth before now. But they had their reasons for keeping it a secret. And apparently Narcissa and Andromeda were well aware of the fact already.

The war ended a lot sooner than it had the first time around. The remainder of the Death Eaters were thrown into Azkaban, as the security had been increased ten-fold since the break out. Sirius, alongside Fleamont had greatly contested Fudge taking office, especially given what Hermione and Draco had told them about him, and instead elected Millicent Bagnold once more. Maybe they wouldn't be able to stop Fudge from being re-elected in the future, but they certainly would be able to stop him from having as much of an authoritative control over the Ministry, which could be bought by whomever had the larger bag of galleons.

For the first time in his life, he felt truly free. He no longer had to be the son his father had wanted him to be. No longer had to be on the run fighting for their freedoms. He no longer had to carry the burden of the future on his shoulders. Instead, he was simply free. He could pursue whatever career he wanted, love whom he wanted, and do whatever he wanted.

"I think it's time we talk," Andromeda said, pouring a cup of tea for Draco, Narcissa, and then herself. "Now that the war is finally over, I think it's time you told us the truth, do you not think?"

Draco took a sip of tea, trying to figure out what they would think if they knew everything.

"When did you find out?" Draco questioned, "Did you know from the beginning?"

"1972?" Narcissa clarified, "When you came back?"

"Yes," Draco nodded, "The day we were due to start Hogwarts."

"No," Andromeda sighed, "I realized something was amiss when you pressured me to talk to grandfather about Ted all those years ago. There was no way a child, no matter how clever you may have been, should have been as insightful as you were. You weren't even surprised that I was dating Ted, just that I was planning to run away. I don't think I put it together until a few years later when I was reading through the Black Grimoire to find a spell to determine the sex of my daughter before she was born so I could decorate appropriately. I nearly skimmed past it, but something about it caught my eye. I don't have any memories of a life without you in it, Draco. But you always looked like you were seeing ghosts when you saw us."

"I never understood why you didn't want me to marry Lucius," Narcissa admitted, "He had never been anything but polite to you. But I saw the shift in our marriage a few months in, and all of a sudden, I saw what you had feared. I was looking for a fertility ritual and I came across it. Does everyone else know?

"Grandfather and Fleamont Potter were the first to know," Draco admitted, "Hermione and I needed their help and we had no choice. "James Potter found out afterwards entirely by accident. We clued in the rest before the final battle, as we wanted them to know. I wanted to tell you, but it was unsafe. The fewer people who knew the better."

"I understand," Andromeda sighed, "So what changed? For us at least? I take it I never talked to Grandfather about my marriage?"

Draco shook his head, "You ran away from home. Mother never talked about it, but from what I put together, your parents insisted you marry Lucius. You didn't trust Grandfather to have your best interests at heart. So you ran away. Narcissa never forgave you because she thought you chose someone else over her and threw away your relationship with her, because you didn't care."

Andromeda took her hand, "It never would have been like that, Cissa," Andromeda said, taking her sister's hand in hers.

"I know," Narcissa breathed, "But I know why I felt that way. You never even told me you loved him, Andy, until you were ready to marry him. Would you even have told me?"

"I didn't know if you would have approved," Andromeda admitted. "I didn't even think Grandfather would approve. I owe you so much for everything, Draco."

Draco smiled, "You're family."

"What else?" Narcissa questioned.

"Sirius was kicked out by his mother after his fifth year of school. She tried to kill him. But he and Regulus were long estranged as Sirius never could accept his brother as a Slytherin. He saw it as confirmation that his brother would hate him and never want anything to do with him."

"Regulus looks up to Sirius," Andromeda argued, "Merlin, it's hard to imagine a world without the two of them being as thieves."

"Regulus was forced into becoming a Death Eater," Draco continued heavily, "Voldemort tasked him with a horcrux. He gave one to Lucius too," he said looking at his sister, "It's a piece of his soul that is stored outside his body and makes him immortal. That's what the diary you gave me was."

"Merlin," Narcissa breathed, "No wonder you seemed astounded when I gave it to you.

Draco nodded, "We were hunting them down, and you just handed us one. It certainly made our lives easier. Regulus knew it was dark magic and died trying to ensure it would be destroyed. Sirius thought his brother was a Death Eater until the very end; he never knew the truth. James and Lily Potter were hunted down because of a prophecy which named their son as someone who would destroy him. Sirius was thought to be their Secret Keeper but he switched with Pettigrew, and he betrayed them. Sirius spent twelve years there until he escaped when he saw Pettigrew close to a friend of Harry's. Bellatrix killed him."

Andromeda let out a sharp breath.

"Your daughter grew up to be a brilliant metamorphmagus. Sirius and Remus were never able to reconcile after something that happened in their childhood, and too much had happened between them when Sirius was finally out of Azkaban. Nymphadora married Remus and they had a child. But they were both murdered in the final battle against Voldemort. With your husband dead as well, you raised Teddy, their son, but you retreated into the muggle world, unable to stay in our world with everything that was happening."

"Bellatrix killed you," Draco said, voice shaking slightly, "Voldemort tried to kill Harry Potter and failed because of a horcrux that was inadvertently in him. You knew Potter was alive when you were sent to check but used the chance to ask if I was still alive. He told you I was, so you lied to Voldemort and said he was dead. Potter came back later and killed Voldemort and Bellatrix killed you for it. She killed Sirius, Nymphadora, and You. Half our family died because of her. I tried to save her in this life too, but she was too far gone."

"Merlin," Andromeda said, as she sipped her tea. Draco continued and told them the truth of why they had come back and Narcissa shook.

"I'm sorry, Draco," Narcissa said as she placed her hand on his, "You never deserved to go through all of this. I should have protected you better. You were in so much pain because I couldn't stand my ground against my husband in my last life. I should never have let you grow up in such an environment."

"You did nothing wrong, Cissa. This was not your fault," Andromeda spat out, "Draco did what he had to. It's upsetting that he endured so much pain, but he's done so much to change the world. I'm so proud of you for everything you've done for this family."

"I know," Narcissa breathed, "If I have a son in this lifetime, I will make sure he will grow up knowing constant love. I think it's better if Lucius does not know the truth, not for a while anyways. You've done so much, Draco. And we are so proud of you."

"The Black family died out before," Andromeda said softly, "You've kept our family united and strong. And we are all so grateful to you."

Hermione wasn't really surprised that James and Lily did not wait long to get married after the war had ended. The two of them were always meant to be together, in this life or another. And given the fact that Harry Potter was supposed to be born in 1980, she knew it was a matter of time really.

They were married nearly six months after the war, on October 1979, and Lily had asked her to be her Maid of Honour, as Sirius stood beaming as Best Man. She hadn't been able to help it, and she had sniffled through the entire ceremony.

As Lily walked down the aisle, with her father to guide her and her mother seated in the front row sniffling herself. And Draco stood as part of the groomsmen along Remus, Regulus, and even Severus. Marlene, Alice, and Mary had stood behind Lily, and despite her parents' insistence of asking her to include Petunia in the ceremony, Lily had refused. She had sent an invite out of politeness, but it had been returned with a refusal to attend and Lily hadn't given it a second thought. Not that Hermione blamed her, not after the way Petunia had treated her in the past.

She had been beautiful, in white robes that tailed behind her and her eyes had been on James the entire time. James' eyes lit up at the sight of her, and their vows were short and beautiful, filled with nothing but love for each other.

And when they were united by magic, Hermione cried softly.

After the ceremony, Draco had pulled her into a hug.

"It's really over," Hermione said softly, and Draco held her, leading her into a dance at the reception.

"We won," Draco told her as he caressed her face. "We won, Hermione. The war is over. Voldemort has been defeated, and magic is balanced. More and more muggleborns and half-bloods are claiming lines that we long thought lost. And we can finally breathe. There's nothing else to ensure happens."

"The Grangers had a son," Hermione said softly, "Sebastian Granger. My parents always did say they'd name me after Twelfth Night if I was a boy. Hermione Granger will never exist, not in this life time."

"Narcissa just found out she was pregnant," Draco sighed, "If it's a boy she'll name him Leo Draco Malfoy. There will never be another Draco Malfoy again either."

"It's going to be strange," Hermione said after a moment, "To see all those we once went to school with as younger than us."

"They won't be us," Draco reminded her, "Even if born to our parents. They'll never know another life other than one of peace. They'll never know the horrors we've faced. They won't have to live their lives with a constant threat over their heads. We'll get over seeing our friends as younger than us."

"I know," Hermione said with a smile, "They'll be happy."

He pressed his lips against hers and she melted into him.

It was over.

It was the end of November before the last remnants of the war had been cleaned up and Hermione could finally get in front of Wizengamot to make her first case on what she wanted to change.

And as the Lady Gryffindor, and newly names war heroine, she as well aware of the fact that she had an advantage in trying to get a new bill passed, or at least get her voice out in front of the crowd.

She damn well intended to make sure that she used her name and influence to be able to change the world for the better.

"Lady Gryffindor," Minister Bagnold said, nodding at her, "You have the floor to make the final proposal for your new bill, and afterwards we will vote on whether we wish to pass the bill, or not."

The discussions had already gone through the week before and it had been ground breaking. She had been so proud, unable to comprehend how far the world had come, and she knew that she must get this bill to pass today.

"I wish to push forward the Bill on Werewolf rights," Hermione said with a deep breath, "In which I wish to change their classification from 'XXXX' and 'Beast' to just be 'Being' as other magical creatures such as Veelas and Wizards are. In doing so, I wish to extend to them the same rights as Wizards in which they are not shown discrimination for their magical status."

There were a few shouts in the crowd, but not nearly as much given the Dark Faction had been greatly restructured in the aftermath of the war.

"I also wish for the Ministry to push forward a magical program in which the Wolfsbane potion is widely and freely distributed to werewolves as I feel like it would greatly affect the relationship between wizards and werewolves."

"Wolfsbane potion is expensive," Lord Vance argued, "What is the benefit of distributing it? Such a thing would cut deeply into the Ministry's budget."

"If we distribute the potion then we are keeping the wizarding population safe," Hermione said calmly, "One of the main concerns is that a wolf can attack their own family, their friends, without an ounce of mercy. But if we give them the potion, we allow them to keep their minds. We allow them to not be at the mercy of the wolf. It will drop the number of werewolf attacks."

"And if they still attack a child?" Lord Prince asked, giving her the opportunity to fight one of the points she knew was still a big factor out of fear.

"Then it is the same as if any grown Wizard attacks a child. They are punished for pre-meditated crimes. And we bring down the law on them with full force. But those wolves are the exception. The majority of werewolves just want to be like the rest of them. I say we let them," Hermione said, addressing them all.

"We have each received a copy of the proposal," Bagnold said, as it was practise for each member to be given a copy of the bill and sufficient time to go over it. "Lady Gryffindor, please state any last arguments or conclusions, and we'll begin the voting.:

She took a deep breath, "Most werewolves did not want to be wolves. They were attacked, either accidently or with intent. However, we fear them because we do not control them. Perhaps if we sought to give them fair treatment there would be less discontent. We expect them to live in our world but will not give them a source of income. So they cannot even afford the potion if they wanted to. We are setting them up for failure, and when they inadvertently become what we fear, we blame them for it. How many brilliant minds are we losing because we deprive them of the chance to live their dreams out? Our world could grow exponentially if we only gave them the chance. Any one of us is capable of doing unspeakable things to another. And yet we don't, because we are aware that it is wrong. If we give them the potion freely, then they are given the choice not to act each moon and remain docile. But we must give them the chance."

"Thank you, Lady Gryffindor," Bagnold said, giving her a smile. "We will begin the voting."

She took a deep breath. The number of seats in Wizengamot had grown significantly after the war, with seats of lines long thought to be lost being filled once more.

"All those in favour of passing the Legislation to change the classification of Werewolves which would give them equal rights?" Bagnold asked, and she raised her own wand, and watched as Sirius, Lily, her father, and the other lords raised their wands.

"Thank you," Bagnold nodded, and the wands went down, "And all those who oppose the legislation?"

She watched as a few wands raised, and she held her breath.

"In a vote of 89 to 11 in favour of the Bill, the Bill to chance the classification of Werewolves from type 'Beast' to 'Being' has been passed," Bagnold said, and Hermione felt pride fill through her.

She walked down from her seat to where her family was.

"Hermione," Remus said breathlessly as she approached them, and pulled her into a hug. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank you enough for this."

"You're family, Remus," Hermione told him with a tender smile, "You never needed to ask. It always was a part of my plan. You deserved a far better life than the one you once had. And now you can."

"Thank you," he told her softly.

"What are you going to do?" Lily asked him with a grin, "Now that you can have any job you choose?"

"I think I want to teach," Remus said after a moment. "Someone did once tell me I'll be brilliant at it."

Draco grinned, "I never would have admitted it in my last life, but you were undoubtedly the best Defense Professor we ever had."

"And with Voldemort gone, the curse on the position has been removed," Hermione grinned.

Sirius took Remus' hand and Hermione felt her heart stutter.

"I wanted to wait," Sirius said softly, "I love you so much, Remus, but I wanted to wait until the bill passed to propose. I'd gladly take care of you for the rest of your life, but I know you'd be unhappy. And now that you're, in the eyes of the law, the exact same as us, I don't want to waste another moment."

He got down on one knee.

"From the moment we met, you've been keeping me in line. You've always understood what it meant to not fit into the role we were born to play, and you stood by my side through some of my hardest moments. I loved you from the moment I first heard you laugh. And I'll love you until my dying breath. Will you marry me?"

Remus looked speechless, and Arcturus smiled at the two of them.

"This is where you say yes, Moony," James said in a fake whisper, and Hermione laughed out as Lily hit him.

"Yes," Remus said after a moment, "Of course, yes, Sirius! I love you, Merlin it's not even a question. Of course, I'll marry you."

"Merlin, Lily it was a joke! Please stop," James winced slightly as Lily teared up. "Please don't cry."

"I can't help it," Lily said softly, "It's the hormones. They're all over the place."

Hermione beamed, as James had told her that they had found out a few days ago of her pregnancy.

"I say this calls for a celebration," Arcturus said, as Fleamont agreed.

"I know Euphemia is already planning something," Fleamont laughed, "Let's not keep her waiting, shall we? You know how impatient she gets."

Arcturus laughed, and Hermione felt lighter than she had in years.

Draco held Hermione's hand as they sat together in Gringotts, unsure of what would come out of the meeting.

Griphook walked into the room and Draco placed the objects on the desk in front of them, as he knew Griphook wanted to get straight to business.

"Much damage has been done to these items," Griphook said, as he picked up the diadem and examined it carefully.

"Lord Voldemort turned them into Horcruxes," Draco said. He had been sceptical of how the meeting would turn out, knowing fully well that the Goblins would only be interested in keeping the objects for themselves, even if they were able to repair it.

Goblins worked differently than Humans. It had been one of the first lessons his father had taught him during a banking trip when he was five. They may create objects for wizards, but they never once gave up ownership in their eyes and always expected the object to be returned. It had been a lesson in making sure he never expected anyone else would see the world as he did and to always be cautious. And despite his father not having been the greatest while he had been growing up, it was a lesson that he had carried with him his entire life.

"I see," Griphook said, "Even if we managed to repair them, what do you think will happen to them afterwards?"

"I understand if you reclaim ownership," Hermione said softly, "You did create the objects. They do belong to you. But they are also a valuable part of our history. By allowing us to keep it, we'd be able to share their greatness with the world. However they do belong to you, and whatever you wish to do with them is of your own discretion."

Griphook didn't say anything, as he fiddled around with the diadem, and waved his hand over it, as it pieced itself back together slowly.

"You are different than most witches and wizards, Mr Black and Miss Potter," Griphook said. "Most of them see themselves as better than us. And yet the two of you see yourselves as equals to us. You do not think you can command us into doing what you require from us, nor do you demand us to do what benefits you. It is something we Goblins have discussed greatly, even before your visit today."

"We are all magical creatures," Draco said to him, "We just manifest our magic in different ways. How can we claim to be better than you when we all use the same magic from the earth? It would be hypocritical of us."

"You pushed forward legislation to change the classification of werewolves," Griphook noted, looking at Hermione, "And I have heard whispers of legislation to give more rights to house elves. Not to remove their bonds to wizards or witches, but simply ensure they are not mistreated, and treated similar to other magical beings."

"They do not deserve to be treated like slaves," Hermione said simply.

Griphook nodded, "It was why we determined that you be allowed to keep these objects, and do with them what you will," Griphook said, as he fixed the locket and the ring. "When we first found out about the objects, we had a lot of debates amongst ourselves. But the two of you are worthy of them. So we will give them to you as we know you will treasure them like we would."

"Thank you," Hermione breathed, as he watched him fix the cup slowly. "We will make sure they are well taken care of."

Griphook nodded, and the two of them left Gringotts with the former horcruxes. Neither of them had been happy about leaving the objects destroyed after the horcruxes were removed, and Hermione had come up with the idea of seeing if the goblins would be able to fix them, even knowing that there was a chance that they would take it for themselves.

"Well?" Montgomery asked as he and Xenophilius waited in her father's study with Lily.

"They gave us the founders items back after repairing them," Hermione said with a smile and Lily beamed.

"Of course they did," Montgomery shook his head, "They belong to us."

Draco knew better than to argue so he said nothing as he handed the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff back to him.

"Thank you," Xenophilius said softly as he received the Diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw. "We will never forget all you have done for us, Miss Potter."

"Merlin," Lily said as she traced the locket that Hermione handed her, "It's surreal to be able to hold this. To know Salazar Slytherin once held this."

"The four founders fell apart years ago," Hermione said softly, "I just hope we can stand united from here on out.

The others nodded at her, and Draco found himself alone with his fiancé after they had left.

He had proposed shortly after the war, not wanting to put their lives on hold any longer. For so long they had been bound by their mission, but now it was over. And they could finally live for themselves. She had cried slightly, but accepted as he placed the ring that he had carried with him for weeks before. A ring with a snake and eagle carved together on the band, and a large emerald in the centre with small rubies surrounding it.

"I want you to have the ring," Hermione said softly as she handed him the Resurrection Stone.

"It belongs to your family," Draco reminded her, "Or even Lily's. I am not related to the Peverell's."

"There's no one I trust with it more," she said softly, "I would misuse it, I think. I know we belong here, but a part of me died in that time. And there are so many ghosts I would call upon. But you would be stronger. You would not misuse the power of the stone. I want you to have it."

"Thank you," he said, as he kissed her forehead.

She slipped the ring onto his right hand and he could feel the power flow through him. While he had claim to the Wand and the Ring now, he was wary about using the power of either of the items. He knew that the magic could be corruptive, to drive one to do unspeakable things to obtain it's power. But at the same time, he was content with what he had. And while he would forever stand by Hermione's side, he had no inclination of ruling the world.

The Deathly Hallows would be in safe hands.

It was a beautiful crisp January day when Hermione stood in front of the mirror in her flowy white robes. She was nervous out of her mind, unable to bring herself to calm down.

"You look beautiful, Hermione," her mother told her as she stood behind her in the mirror. "Draco won't be able to take her eyes off you."

"It's time," Lily said, entering the room, before gasping, "Hermione, you look absolutely breath taking. You make a beautiful bride."

"I'm ready," Hermione said with a soft nod as she smiled. She exited the room and saw her father waiting for her.

"Are you ready, Darling?" Fleamont asked her, as they made their way down to the gardens of the Potter Manor where the wedding was taking place. "You know, if you wanted, I could always make up an excuse and you can get out of this."

She laughed softly, "I love him, Dad," she said smiling at her father. "I want to marry him.

Fleamont sighed, despite the twinkle in his eyes, "Both my children have grown up. James is having a child, and you are getting married. Merlin, where's the time gone?"

"I know," she said, throat closing, "So much has happened over the last few years, and now I have an entire lifetime in front of me to do whatever I wanted."

"You've done so well," Fleamont told her, "And now it's time for the rest of your life to begin."

She nodded, as the music began, and she walked down the aisle slowly. She could see Regulus and Sirius standing proudly beside her fiancé, as James and Lily stood on her own side. It had been irregular for her to have a man in her party, but her brother was everything to her, and she couldn't think of any one she preferred her brother who had been there through her entire life. He had tried to be unmoved by it, but she knew that her request had moved him.

Her eyes landed on Draco, and she felt her breath catch in her throat as she saw him.

She couldn't even believe at one point in her life, she had been ready to push Draco away and focus only on their mission. Merlin. She didn't even think she'd be able to imagine her life without Draco in it.

"You look beautiful," Draco breathed, and she smiled at him softly.

"We are gathered here to celebrate the union of Hermione Euphemia Potter to Draco Cygnus Black," Arcturus said, preceding over the wedding. His own parents, despite their disapproval over Voldemort's fall, had known the way the world was shifting, and had smartly gone along with it. They sat in the front row, alongside his sisters and Hermione was happy that his family was here to support him. Even Lucius sat beside his pregnant wife, looking in on approval.

Nymphadora had walked down the aisle as their flower girl, throwing flower petals over right and left, and giggling as she ran down the aisle. She had turned her hair blonde for the occasion, but decided to take on Hermione's curls, and Hermione had been speechless by the gesture.

"Draco?" Arcturus asked, asking for his vows.

"I've loved you for as long as I could remember," Draco said, and despite their past life not having been mentioned, she knew he was talking about their first lifetime. "Merlin, part of me couldn't stand you at first for constantly being better than me. But I learned over time that I didn't hate you. You were everything I've always wanted to be, and I learned I loved you instead. And over the years I grew to love you even more, even if I knew we had greater priorities. But the war is over, and we remain. And I want the two of us to live a long life together and find a new mission to embark on."

She sniffled slightly as her heart felt ready to burst, "I love you too, Draco. I wish I could say I loved you as long as you loved me. But I certainly fell for you along our mission. And Merlin I was so stupid in what I pushed you away for, but you showed me that our life can be far more than just what is expected of us. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

She could hear her brother crying from behind her, despite the fact that he was trying hard to hide it, and Sirius looked as if he felt the same way.

Arcturus cemented their magic as they were bonded together, and she felt her lips pressed against his.

She was his, as he was hers, and together they would face whatever else life threw their way.

Harry James Potter was born on July 31st, 1980, and he was the tiniest baby she had ever seen in her life. Granted, she hadn't exactly seen many babies in either lifetimes, but Harry was so small, and every part of her wanted to protect him from what would come.

"He's perfect," Hermione said softly, smiling at James as Lily grinned at her son while lying in the hospital bed. "He's so small and perfect."

"He's brilliant," Draco grinned. "In another lifetime I would have made some sort of snide remark or the other. But he's brilliant."

"He's going to wreak so much havoc on Hogwarts," Sirius grinned and Remus shook his head at his husband.

"Don't put any ideas into my son's head," Lily demanded, "He's not old enough to be up to mischief. Do not turn him into a Marauder before he's even old enough to walk."

"So you're saying we can teach him about pranks after he can walk?" Sirius asked, eye's widening and Lily groaned.

"Merlin knows you would have regardless of my protests," Lily sighed.

"Which is why we want to make you the godfather," James said, grinning at Sirius. "My son was always so serious in his last lifetime. And I know he'll never know that world this time around, and I want to make sure he doesn't grow up with the weight of the world on his shoulders."

"He won't," Hermione said firmly, as she cradled Harry gently, "He'll never grow up knowing the pain he knew in that life. He'll grow up filled with love and family. He'll grow up knowing nothing but happiness. Of that I promise you."

"Which is why we want you to be his godmother," James said looking at her and Lily nodded in agreement.

She felt a tear slip down her face, "Are you sure?" she asked, unable to comprehend the situation fully.

"Hermione," Lily said softly, taking her hand, "You've already done so much for our family even before Harry was born. You made sure he'd grow up in a land of peace. That he'd grow up with his parents. You've done so much for him already and I have no doubt that you'll continue to protect him throughout his life. There is no one else we would trust as his godmother."

"Thank you," she sniffled, and Draco placed a hand on her shoulder, as she handed Harry to Sirius.

She twirled the ring that rested on her finger that Draco had placed there a few months ago, as her hand fell to her own stomach. Her child wouldn't be in the same year as Harry, but he or she would grow up surrounded by family. Instead of her growing up with Harry, older and bossing him around, it would be her child with him.

The world would be different for their children, better, and she knew that it was because of them. And she knew she would fight the rest of her life making sure their family had a better life than the one they would have had otherwise.

They had just passed James and Lily's second anniversary as October 31st, 1981 approached, and Hermione couldn't help but feel tense.

James and Lily had moved into Godric's Hallow into a property that had been in the Potter family for generations. Euphemia had cried at the thought of her children moving out, but she knew that they were growing up and it was time for them to move on.

She knew logically that nothing would happen on this night, but it was hard not to be worried. This had been a turning point in the war, the day James and Lily Potter fell, and Harry had become the Boy Who Lived. This was the day that had gone down in history as the day the war had ended. And even if the war had long since ended, she couldn't help but worry.

It was why James had invited them all over to spend the night, knowing fully well Hermione would be tense on the night her brother and sister-in-law once had died.

"It'll be fine, Hermione," Draco murmured as he held their ten-month-old, Scorpius carefully.

"I know," she said softly as Lily handed her Harry when the kettle went off. "I know."

"We could have gone out to a pub," Sirius reminded all of them, "Then we wouldn't have been at home at all and any worries you had would long be gone."

"That's a little difficult when you have children," Remus said, carefully cradling their newborn son Andromeda had acted as a surrogate for them, given the fact that Hermione was recovering still from her pregnancy and Lily was too busy chasing around their son for another child at the time. And while Andromeda didn't want to raise any more children, she had no problem in offering to carry their son Rigel Arcturus, for them.

"Then we clearly haven't tried hard enough," Sirius argued, despite knowing that there was no way that any of them would find themselves in a pub any time soon.

"Hi Harry," Hermione said as she held her fifteen-month-old godson carefully. It was still a bit strange to her at times to see her former best friend as a baby, but she knew deep down that this wasn't her Harry. This Harry would never know the world that her Harry had.

"Hi Aun' Hermy!" Harry chirped as he cupped her face tenderly. She grinned at the nickname he had given her, unable to say her name, and James had made fun of her for a week before realizing that he had called her 'Hermy' before he had said any variation of Dad.

"They're all so tiny," Regulus said sniffing slightly and Lucinda glared at her husband, smacking him lightly.

"Aun' Hermy, candy?" Harry asked her softly, knowing fully well what day it was, and knowing what it meant.

She grinned as she pulled out a chocolate frog for her godson and handed it to him.

"Scorpy?" Harry asked, looking at his cousin and wondering if he needed to share.

"Scorpius is a little young for chocolate," Hermione told him with a smile, "As long as your Mum says you can eat it then it's all yours, Darling."

"Mummy?" Harry said, as Lily entered the room, looking at her pleadingly.

"Oi what about me?" James looked indignant, "Does my opinion not count?"

"Mate we both know that if Lily doesn't approve then it doesn't go," Draco said with a laugh, "If it were up to you, your son would already be pulling pranks."

"It's bad enough that James got him a broom," Lily sighed, "He's already broken several vases and terrified the cat."

"Where is Algernon?" Remus questioned.

"He preferred to be outside," James grinned, "Where all the excitement is."

"We do have news," Lily said with a grin after a moment. And James beamed at his wife as they stood together, "I'm pregnant."

"I'm happy for you," Hermione told them both with a smile. She felt a pang of bitter sweetness, as a part of her wondered if Lily Evans had been pregnant the first time around. Had she died with an unborn child in her stomach? Was it yet another thing that Voldemort had taken from Harry?

"Congratulations!" Draco grinned, and Sirius clapped James on the back.

"I better be the godfather this time around," Remus teased.

"Of course," James boasted, and Severus complained at the exclusion.

She was about to make a teasing remark, but she heard a knock at the door and she tensed, as Draco took her hand.

Lily stood to answer it, and she knew she shouldn't be tense, but she couldn't help it.

"Trick-or-treat!" she heard a chorus of kids cry out and Lily interacted with them, handing out candy.

"Aun' Hermy okay?" Harry asked her, looking worried at her tenseness.

"Just fine, Harry," Hermione smiled, and she knew it to be true. Everything would be okay. Voldemort was long dead, the Death Eaters all were locked up with no chance of escape, and the world had been peaceful for the last two years. "Everything is fine."

She supposed she should have seen this coming really. In hindsight, she had always been worried that the day James Potter got angry at her for keeping knowledge of the future a secret would come.

It had been why she had been so terrified of telling him the truth in the first place. And how could she not be, when she knew she was keeping such a large thing from him? The fact that she wasn't actually his sister.

But a little less than two years after James and Lily were supposed to die in the old timeline, the day finally came.

"You!" James roared as he entered the Potter ground where Hermione and Draco had been visiting with her parents. The children were currently napping, but she wasn't worried that he would wake them up with all the noise.

"I take it you didn't care for the final movie?" she asked, struggling not to laugh as James and the boys returned from their showing of the final movie in the original Star Wars series.

"You knew the truth!" James said dramatically. "You knew that Luke was related to Darth Vadar. And more importantly you knew that Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa were related, and you never bothered telling me! I was rooting for them! Do you know how disgusting it is that I was rooting for them when they were related this entire time?"

"Well to be fair, Luke did kiss his sister," Hermione pointed out. "Clearly the filmmakers wanted you to fall for that trap and you did."

Lily laughed at that and kissed James on the cheek. "It's okay, James," she told him softly, "I think you would have been far more upset if Hermione ruined the plot for you."

James sighed, "She still lied to me," he said petulantly, pouting at his little sister, and Hermione shook her head at him.

"I always thought Han and Leia were better suited for each other," Sirius said with a wiggle of his brows. He took Lily's hand and kissed it gently and Remus rolled his eyes at them.

James didn't bother protesting, however, and simply looked at the two of them. "Perhaps I got it wrong this entire time," he mused to himself, as he looked at the group solemnly. "Maybe Lily never was meant to be the Princess Leia to my Luke Skywalker. Perhaps it was always Remus who was meant to be my Queen."

Remus raised his hands and took a step back, "Don't you dare bring me in the middle of this. I want no part in your weird love triangle situation."

Sirius pulled Remus into his arms, "I'm fine with this narrative. It still means I got the princess in the end."

Remus grinned back at Sirius and kissed him gently on the lips. "I love you."

"I know," Sirius beamed back at him and Remus shook his head exasperatedly at him, while the others burst into laughter.

It had been thirteen years since the end of war and Hermione honestly wasn't sure where the time had gone. And despite the fact that only some of their children were starting school today, getting all of them out of the house had been an endeavour.

Fleamont Potter had long since stepped down as the Lord Potter, claiming that he was too old for politics, and James, despite his unsureness, had risen up to claim the mantle of a Lord of the House, alongside Sirius, her, Lily, and Severus.

While the majority of them still pursued careers outside of politics, she had chosen to spend her time focusing on creating new legislation to bring their world to new heights. But still, she wondered at times if Draco or Regulus ever felt left out without their own Lordships.

However, Regulus had decided long ago that he rather enjoyed the Political game, and that it was something he wished to pursue. While her own dabbles with politics involved getting legislation passed for the betterment of their world, Regulus had decided he wanted to eventually run for Minister of Magic and had begun to work his way up the political later, starting first as an Auror, alongside his brother and her James. And four years ago, when he ran for Minister, he had won in a landslide; the man who helped bring down Voldemort, the man who had helped bring peace and balance to their world.

And Draco, Master of the Elder Wand and Keeper of the Resurrection Stone, had decided that he had not wanted to pursue politics in that sense any further, despite the fact that he had helped her every step of the way for whichever cause she had chosen to pursue. Instead, he had decided that it was time for him to finally pursue what he wanted, without his father or the war pushing him one way or another. And in doing so, he had started his own business, mass producing potions. Him and Severus had also produced the wolfsbane potion, to distribute to the Ministry of Magic. As the potion was rather difficult to make, Draco's company had the monopoly on the market, and despite the fortunes both of them had inherited, Draco had quickly become one of the wealthiest men in Europe.

Her parents had invited all of them over to the Manor before school, so their grandkids could all head over together; however, that hardly involved just hers and James' children. No, it also included all of the Black children and the Princes.

She supposed this was how Molly Weasley felt all those years ago, with children running around left and right and causing havoc.

And sure enough, her godson had befriended on Ronald Weasley on the Hogwarts Express, and (re-)united their family with the Weasleys, and thus bringing the chaos of the Weasley family back into their life.

Somehow, she wasn't surprised when Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter had managed to get into trouble during their first year of school, by trying to get into the Chamber of Secrets, given that Lily had refused to let her son know where it was until he was old enough to handle such a thing. And Poor Sebastian Granger, their new friend whom they had befriended after Sebastian had reminded him of his Aunt Mione.

And somehow, her godson had ended up in the Chamber of Secrets with no knowledge of how to get back up, and Sebastian had been forced to try creating a patronus, despite only knowing the theory of the spell to call for help.

Needless to say, Lily Potter had been displeased, and James, once he had gotten over his initial shock had laughed as he congratulated his son.

Unfortunately for her, her own children had been inspired by the event, and she knew that no matter what she tried to instill in them, she was certain that she would be hearing from Headmistress McGonagall on whatever mischief Scorpius had gotten into, alongside Sirius' and Remus' son, Rigel.

Merlin, she could only imagine next year, as her daughter, Lyra, Silas Prince, Rose Potter, and Regulus' daughter Aquila. She wished Professor McGonagall luck, because Merlin knew she would need it.

"I want to go too, Mum," Lyra pouted as she pulled at her sleeve. "Why does Scorpius get to go without me?"

"I know, Darling," Hermione told her daughter with a soft smile. As much as Scorpius took after his father with his blonde hair with her demeanour, it was Lyra who was her father's daughter through and through, despite her own unruly hair. "I felt the same way when Uncle James started school and I had to wait another year."

"It's not fair," Lyra sighed, "He's going to have so much fun with Harry and Rigel without me. What if he forgets about me?"

"As if I could forget about my baby sister," Scorpius scoffed, and James grinned at her. "I'll write to you every day, promise. And I'll be back before you know it."

"Promise?" Lyra asked him, seeming disbelieving of his words.

"Of course," Scorpius grinned, "Harry wrote to his sisters every day. He's probably going to do the same this year too, so I'll just go with him to the Owllry, right Harry?"

Harry ran his hand through his hair, looking slightly sheepish, "That was the plan. I know Mum and Dad like hearing from me too."

"You don't have to write to your parents that often, Mate," Ron tried to convince him, "Merlin knows that I don't."

"Ronald Weasley!" his mother said, aghast. "Just because you cannot be bothered to write to me does not mean that you should convince poor Harry out of doing so!"

"I write to my parents too," Sebastian admitted, as Leo Malfoy approached them. "They don't particularly understand everything I tell them, especially with the Family Magic, but I know they're proud of me for claiming mine."

She watched as Draco greeted his older sister while she fussed over Leo, and Remus tried to straighten out Rigel's robes.

"You're going to see me in a few hours, Papa," Rigel complained, "You'll be at the school."

"Which I'm jealous of," Sirius remarked, "He gets to watch you be sorted."

She grinned at them; with the passing of the Werewolf Rights Bill, Remus had taken up the position of Defense Professor at Hogwarts, and she knew from Harry's frequent letters, that Remus was their favourite professor by far.

"I want to go to Hogwarts!" Aquila Black complained, as she looked at Regulus, "It's not fair that Rigel gets to go."

"You're going to be going next year, along with your cousins," Lucinda said in exasperation. "Besides you still get to see your family here almost every day."

"At least you and Rosie get to go next year," Violet Potter complained, "I have to wait two whole years. It's going to be forever!"

"Which means you get to spend more time with me," Lily reminded her youngest. "Is that not something you enjoy?"

"I do!" Violet said quickly, "But I want to do real magic, Mum! I still don't even have a wand!"

"Well you, Irene and Corvus all can enjoy not having to write the essays for a while longer," Harry placated his little sister, as he referred to Irene Prince and Corvus Black, Regulus' youngest son.

"It's time to get on the train!" Molly said, as the train began to whistle.

"I'll miss you," Scorpius said as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I'll write every day, promise!"

"Get sorted into Slytherin," Draco reminded him, and she hit her husband gently.

"Get sorted into whichever house you feel fits you," Hermione smiled at her son, knowing fully well her son would join Gryffindor, and join his cousin in wreaking havoc on the school despite having only good intentions.

"I will," Scorpius grinned as he moved to hug Lyra, whom looked like she was trying very hard not to cry,

"I'll watch over them all," Remus promised them all with a smile as he boarded the train with them. Sirius had tried to convince him just to floo in like he did most mornings, but Remus enjoyed taking the train.

"Bye!" Hermione waved, as Draco wrapped his arm around her waist. The train began to pull away and she felt herself swallow.

Once upon a time, that was her with her now children going to school for their second year. But now the war was over, the world at peace, and magic balanced. And now she was in her thirties and had two children.

"They'll be fine," James said with a soft smile as Lily consoled her two daughters who were unhappy about their brother getting to go to school while they couldn't yet.

"Children are resilient," Molly remarked with a smile at them, "It's far harder on us to say goodbye to them than it is for them to go."

"How about we all go back to the Manor," Euphemia said, and Arcturus grinned at his sister. "I feel like we all could use some tea and sweet after that."

"Sweets?" Lyra asked, looking up at her. And despite not having dentists for parents in this lifetime, she had instilled the same actions in her children.

"Just this once is okay, don't you think?" Hermione asked her daughter.

Lyra grinned, as Draco placed a hand on her shoulder, as they all walked out of the Train Station.

In thirteen years, there hadn't been a single violent attack anywhere near Voldemort' levels in their world. Her children had grown up only knowing peace. Harry had grown up knowing nothing but love and compassion.

She and Draco had set out on a path to change the world as they knew it, and they had successfully managed to rewrite destiny. After thirty long years everything had come to an end.

All was well.

A/N: I can't believe I finally finished this story. This entire fic was one of the longest undertakings I have ever done, and just my outline for this story was 35 pages and 20k words long, not including the draft I had just to outline character details and plotline. Merlin. I want to thank all of you who followed this fic and for every single review/comment you made. It's been truly incredible to read all of your responses to every chapter and hear your thoughts along the way. And as most of our main favourite characters made it to the end, I couldn't bear to actually kill any of them off, and every time I thought about it, it felt wrong. Every single one of them has had their own struggles and I couldn't give them a satisfactory death.

Thank you so much for following me on this journey, as it gave me the chance to explore a world I haven't been able to with any of my other fics and write out a different world. It also gave me a chance to play with characters long gone in the post-war era and I'd love to explore similar concepts and alternative timelines in the future.

For now, I am going to take a mini hiatus, so I can have a break as I come up with a new story and plan out how I would like it to go.

And for those of you curious, here are all the children in Harry Potter's time, as I know there were quite a few to try and follow:

Hermione x Draco: Scorpius Black-Gryffindor (December 1980), Lyra Black-Gryffindor (1982)

James x Lily: Harry Potter (born July 31, 1980), Rose Lily Potter (April 1982), Violet Hermione Potter (1983)

Remus x Sirius: Rigel Arcturus Black (1981), Carina Black (1982)

Regulus x Lucinda: Aquila Black (1982), Corvus Black (1983)

Severus x Marlene: Silas Prince Born 1982, Irene (1983)