A/N — It's hard to believe we are finally at the end! A million thanks to everyone for joining me on this journey. The prologue for this story was my first real attempt at creative writing and this story wouldn't be what it is without all of you; I cannot express how much every interaction has meant to me. Every review/kudo/message encouraged me to work on my writing and share this story, and I'm beyond grateful for the support and kindness I've been given in this fandom.

The world's biggest thank you to my wonderful alpha/beta pair LauraArmada and PotionChemist for everything they've done throughout this writing process. You're amazing friends and I'm grateful to have met you!

24 hours after the final battle

When Hermione woke up the next morning, she could hardly open her eyes. She had sunk into a pile of luxurious blankets and plush pillows, a far cry from the extendable cots and thin cotton sheets the trio had used while camping for nearly a year.

Her limbs were tangled up with Draco's, his arms wrapped protectively around her as he held her to his chest. The seconds passed and she felt the soft beat of his heart against her cheek. She let out a deep exhale, feeling more relaxed in that moment than she ever had before. The smell of his aftershave danced in the air around her and she sank further into the feeling.

Home.

Draco's fingers nestled between her curls, tracing languid circles as his fingertips massaged her scalp. Prying her eyes open, she finally looked up at him, meeting his alert gaze.

"How long have you been awake?" she grumbled, shifting in bed and adjusting her arm, which had been bent at an uncomfortable angle.

His fingertips drifted down from her hair, past her ear, and down her jawline. He lightly pressed at the bottom of her jaw and tilted her head up to meet his. Dipping down, he placed a kiss on her lips.

"I don't think I slept at all," he admitted, his wandering hand now travelling the path down her neck to her collarbone.

"It doesn't feel real yet." She arched her back up towards his touch, her eyes fluttering shut.

Draco's hand reached the swell of her breast and he inhaled sharply as he found bare flesh.

Making a soft noise of appreciation, she hooked her leg around his waist and sat up, twisting her torso until she was straddling him. She felt his hardened cock against her thigh and smiled, her palms resting on his chest as his hands gripped at her thighs.

"Draco, maybe we should go get breakfast," she suggested, wiggling her hips.

His hands tightened their hold, steadying her. "Or, you can be my breakfast." His morning voice was huskier than usual.

"Haven't you had enough after last night?" she admonished, feeling the telltale sensation of heat blooming in her core.

"Granger, I will never get enough of you."

A loud crack caused her heart to skip a beat and she fell back onto the bed, bringing the blanket with her to cover herself.

Pinky was standing next to the doorway of the room, facing away from the couple. "Master Malfoy and Mistress Malfoy request your presence in the dining room."

Draco, who was visibly agitated by the cock-blocking elf, snapped back, "They take breakfast at dawn; that was hours ago."

"Apologies for the interruption," Pinky began, and Hermione felt her face flush. "Master Malfoy and Mistress Malfoy have been waiting for you since their breakfast."

Dragging a hand down his face, Draco threw his hand out to dismiss Pinky. "We will be down shortly."

Hermione, still clutching the blanket over her naked body, felt her blush travel down her neck. "Oh my god, they've been waiting for us for hours? Do you think they know we were—"

"I doubt it, but you shouldn't be concerned. Mother wants grandchildren and reminds me of that daily. I'll tell her we were practising."

As she pulled the blanket up over her head, a horrified squeak escaped Hermione. "Absolutely not! That's not funny! I could never look her in the eye again."

"While you're down there…" Draco began, and Hermione glared, immediately pulling down the blanket and frizzing her hair further.

Dissolving into laughter, he attempted to flatten her curls. "I wish you could see the look on your face."

Snagging the closest pillow, she tossed it at him.

"Darling, if you continue to check the clock every few minutes, it will only make time seem slower." Narcissa flipped the page of The Daily Prophet, scanning the articles retelling the Battle of Hogwarts and downfall of the Dark Lord.

The Prophet reported on an exceptionally powerful burst of unidentifiable magic which had incapacitated almost the entirety of the Dark Lord's army during the battle. As Aurors flooded the grounds, they worked with members of the Order to arrest the Death Eaters and their allies, sparing the Malfoys at the testimony of Remus Lupin.

An entire article was devoted to the magic of Hogwarts, it had been impenetrable during the battle and provided a fortified base for the light which they used to shield and protect the injured. Due to the coordinated healing efforts led by Theo Nott and Madam Pomfrey, the casualties and permanent injuries from the battle were minimal. Severus Snape's funeral was scheduled for the following weekend.

Lucius sighed, an uncharacteristic sound as he picked up his cane, set it down, and picked it up again.

Peering over her spectacles, she made a soft tutting noise before folding the paper and placing it in front of her. "Pinky said he would retrieve them. I am sure they will be down soon."

"Or they are busy sneaking out of Draco's fireplace to run away from his evil father and start a new life."

"That is absurd," Narcissa scoffed.

"It is probably somewhere horrid like Tuscany." He shuddered at the possibility as he set his cane back down. "Or Seville."

Draco led Hermione into the room, their hands laced tightly together.

"Mother," he greeted as they approached the table. "Father."

Lucius stood up abruptly, retrieving his cane again, looking down at it, and placing it back on the chair next to him. "Good morning."

After pulling out a chair for Hermione, Draco joined her at the table and selected a piece of toast from the plate of food sitting under a stasis charm in front of him.

The crunch made when he bit into the toast was the only sound in the room as the four looked around at each other.

"How did you sleep?" Narcissa asked in a polite tone. "I assume very little?"

Draco paused his chewing mid-bite and Hermione stilled, a blush settling high on her cheeks.

"Due to the excitement of ending the war, of course," she added with a hint of a smirk, taking a sip of her tea. "I'm sure you had many stories to share from your year apart."

Lucius finally sat back in his seat, a full English breakfast on his plate. Though they had been at the table since dawn, his meal had been hardly touched.

Hermione nibbled at a piece of sliced apple, looking at a loss for words.

"Miss Granger, I owe you an apology." Everyone's attention settled on Lucius as he started speaking. "The last time we met here in the Manor… I have no excuse. I do hope you understand it was a reaction, I did not understand—still do not understand—but I…" His words died away and his eyes glanced back down at his cane, as if he was considering holding it once more.

Narcissa cleared her throat, giving an encouraging nod to Lucius.

"I assume Draco has spoken with you about the work Narcissa and I did with the Order?"

Nodding silently, Hermione set her fork down. "Some. I'd be interested to learn more if you would be willing to share. I had little to no communication during the time I was away."

"I can tell you anything you wish to know. The last time that we met here in the Manor, I called you a name that I have since removed from my vocabulary. I know my word must mean very little to you at the moment but I hope that in time my actions will earn your forgiveness. This may seem abrupt, my…" he faltered, searching for the end of his thought.

"Change of heart?" Hermione offered.

"Yes, my change of heart," Lucius agreed. "But I have taken the years between our meetings to consider what my family would be without you and I find that I do not like the answer. I assume I would be on my way to Azkaban in chains at this very moment without your influence on my son."

Draco reached over to take Hermione's hand, his thumb stroking along her knuckles.

Narcissa's eyes rested on their touch, innocent yet intimate.

"Even though your son's magic and mine are bound, you did not have to accept me." Hermione's voice began quietly and strengthened as she spoke. "You did not have to risk your lives by betraying Voldemort and working as spies for the Order."

A single beat passed before Lucius looked at her. "I may have been misguided in the past, but my intentions have always been clear. I have always taken care of this family and I do not intend to stop now that it includes one more."

Hermione blinked away the tears that formed in her eyes.

"Miss Granger, I do believe you are the best thing to ever happen to this family," Lucius admitted.

She smiled softly before replying, "Please, call me Hermione. We are family, after all."

One month after the final battle

Theo's head popped into the doorway, looking expectantly at Draco. "I know you're busy doing"—Theo's arms waved around towards Draco—"whatever this is, but I'm here to collect you. You can't be late to your own birthday party."

Draco continued his pacing around the room, ignoring Theo. His hand ran through his hair for the hundredth time that morning and his pulse quickened as he looked over Theo's shoulder out the door.

"Draco…" Theo stepped into Draco's path, stopping him in his tracks.

"I mean, I know we are young and it's only been a few weeks since she came back, but gods, Theo, I can't think of a better birthday present than having her say yes."

Theo's arm slung around Draco's shoulder and he grinned. "There is absolutely no way she would say no. I'd bet my entire fortune on it."

"But what if—"

"No 'what ifs'. I've never seen anyone so obnoxiously in love as the two of you are. It's going to be okay. You will, however, have a grumpy witch on your hands if you wait any longer back here. She's been carrying around a massive chocolate cake for the past ten minutes waiting for you to come out so she can surprise you."

Nodding, Draco took one last deep breath before following Theo back out into the dining room.

Cheers of 'happy birthday' rang throughout the crowded room as the pair entered. Hermione lit the candles on a massive chocolate cake and thrust it in front of Draco as everyone began to sing.

Draco's eyes scanned the room, overwhelmed by how many people attended the party. In the corner were Dean and Seamus, belting the chorus with great enthusiasm; next to them, Blaise was sitting with Luna on his lap; around the table, Harry, Ron, Pansy, Amelia, Neville, and Ginny sang along.

As Hermione served slices of cake—giving a double portion to Draco—he joined his friends at the dining room table.

"I still can't get over seeing the two of you together." Ron shook his head in disbelief. "Feels a bit like a fever dream."

Digging his fork into the cake, Draco arched a brow and looked between Ron and Pansy. "I feel the same about the two of you."

"Blimey, if only you two had been together sooner, it would've saved us a lot of trouble," Ron mused aloud. "In second year we could've just asked you if you were the Heir of Slytherin and then Hermione wouldn't have taken the wrong hair for her Polyjuice and turned into a human-cat hybrid."

Having inhaled his cake, Draco was now caught between wheezing laughter and coughing for air. "You what?!"

Hermione dropped the serving knife and glared at Ron from across the table. "Seriously, Ronald?"

The room filled with laughter and conversation. Draco sat back in his seat and admired the moment, soaking in the feeling of belonging.

Draco felt Hermione's arms wrap around his shoulders as she placed a kiss on his temple and whispered in his ear, "This year is going to be your best year yet."

He smiled and leaned into her touch, his hand tucked away in his pocket, fiddling with the ring that was waiting inside.

This time, he finally believed her.

Two years after the final battle

"Oh, Hermione! You look beautiful!"

"The loveliest bride I've ever seen."

"I can hardly see you through the swarm of Wallenstiles!"

Ginny, Luna, and Amelia were standing in front of her in floor length pale pink dresses, holding bouquets of white roses.

"Are you ready?" Ginny grinned, offering her a sizeable bouquet of white and soft pink flowers mixed with greenery. "Your soon-to-be-husband had to make his own addition before I gave this to you."

At the base of the bouquet, tucked just between the wrappings of white lace, shone a shiny gold Galleon.

Hermione fought the urge to laugh as she looked at her bridesmaids. "I've never been more ready."

The weeks leading up to the wedding had been a whirlwind of details and excitement as friends poured back into town to attend the ceremony. Narcissa had teamed up with Hermione's mum and the two fussed over every aspect of the day from the colours to the catering.

All that Hermione had cared about was marrying Draco.

Her wedding gown had been designed for her by a magical dressmaker as a gift from Narcissa and Lucius—a Pureblood tradition for the parents of the groom. The romantic lace dress had been everything Hermione had hoped for and more—it had a sweetheart neckline, off-shoulder sleeves, and a low back. Paired with her veil and a train that was unreasonably long, Hermione felt like a true bride.

"We better get you out there. Draco's been impatient all morning and we've had to stop him from breaking into this room three times already," Amelia teased. "Is this the longest you've been away from each other since Hogwarts?"

Hermione tilted her head as she considered the question. "Actually—yes. Oddly enough, it was Lucius who insisted that we stay apart last night and this morning, some silly superstition."

"Speaking of tradition—did you sew in the names?" Luna's voice twinkled as she eyed the neckline of Hermione's dress.

In lieu of a response, Hermione flipped the inside of the fabric out so Luna could see where she had handsewn her name and Draco's name in an infinity symbol with red thread.

"Perfect," Luna praised, clasping her hands together. "It's nearly time; the sun is just starting to peek over the hill."

The witches traveled through the Manor and down to the garden entrance, pausing in front of the door which had been transfigured into sheer white fabric. Taking a steadying breath, Hermione heard music begin to play and she took a step through the doorway, parting the fabric and exposing the gardens in front of her.

Narcissa had truly outdone herself, transforming the gardens into a wonderland of white and pink flowers lining the aisle that led to Draco. The guests all stood to watch Hermione as she clutched the bouquet in front of her; she followed the path down the white runner, her train and veil floating behind her, charmed so they would not drag.

Following tradition, Draco was facing the sunrise, his back turned towards Hermione. Off to the side, a band was playing string instruments, but the crowd and music faded away as she approached Draco, her heart hammering in excitement and anticipation.

Once she was three-quarters of the way down the aisle, Draco turned suddenly and the world slowed around her. His smile spread from his lips to his eyes and was warmer than the rising sun. He took several large steps, meeting her partway down the aisle.

"Dra—" Her protest was cut off by his lips capturing hers, his arms wrapping around her waist and lifting her up before placing her back on the ground.

"Beautiful," he murmured under his breath. "You're perfect."

"And you're early! You were supposed to wait!" she admonished with a grin, taking his offered arm as they continued down the aisle together.

"I'm done waiting for my witch." His eyes twinkled with excitement as he took in the sight of her from her natural curls pinned up with diamonds down to the heels Pansy had insisted that she wear. "I've been waiting for this moment my entire life and I'm not willing to wait a second more. I have half a mind to steal you away right now, but I think our mothers would combine forces and murder me for ruining their hard work."

He motioned for her to move into the circle of intent drawn under the arch of flowers. As she stepped into it, a warm tingle trailed down her body, signifying her pure intent to marry Draco. She set her bouquet down on the small table next to the arch as Amelia, Luna, and Ginny followed down the aisle with Theo, Blaise, and Harry before taking their seats in the front row next to Hermione and Draco's parents.

As practiced, Hermione and Draco faced the witch who was presiding over their marriage ceremony before turning to each other. Reaching across, she straightened his tie and winked.

During their first part of the ceremony, they retrieved their wands—Hermione had insisted her wedding dress have pockets, which Narcissa charmed to blend into the fabric—and together they levitated the seeds and dropped them into the pot, covering them with dirt and water.

"With the creation of your new life together, these seeds signify your commitment to nurture and grow your love with each day. Like these seeds, your marriage will need attention, love, and care to thrive. There will be seasons of cold, and seasons of warmth, and through it all you will always have each other."

Hermione could not tear her gaze away from Draco's; she fell into his grey eyes and the rest of the world disappeared.

Draco lifted an amulet on a long chain and placed it carefully around her neck before he accepted a small bunch of enchanted herbs from the officiant. With a quick spell, he lit the end of the cluster and began to follow the instructions as he swept it from shoulder to shoulder, across her chest and navel. Hermione lifted the amulet from her neck and repeated the process for Draco. This Pureblood tradition was intended to remove any ill will or bad omens from the couple, a remnant from the old days when enemies would attempt to curse new alliances.

The witch they had carefully selected to marry them recited ancient words that became ambient noise in Hermione's ears.

With a coy smile, Hermione opened her locket to show something to Draco before snapping it shut again. His eyes widened as they flicked from the locket back up to her face. It had taken her years, but she had finally filled her half of the locket he had gifted her the summer after their fourth year. She wrestled with so many options before settling on a carving of the Draco constellation, complete with diamonds where each star lay in the formation.

The officiant gave Hermione an expectant look and she realised that they were over halfway through her wedding ceremony and she could not remember a single word that had been said.

With her right hand, she took Draco's right hand, and with her left, his left. Together, they formed a figure eight, matching the embroidered names inside her dress against her heart. Retrieving a strip of periwinkle blue cloth which had come from Hermione's Yule Ball dress, the officiant turned to the pair of mothers in the front row and beckoned them forward.

Narcissa and Jean stood on either side of the couple, holding the strip of delicate cloth between them.

"On this day, the day of your union, we bestow upon you a mother's blessing." Jean's voice swelled with emotion as she looked between the pair.

"We bless your marriage with love." Narcissa gave a soft smile, winding the fabric under their hands.

Jean took the ends of the fabric and looped them around their wrists. "Fidelity."

"Trust." Narcissa tucked the strip under itself and tugged.

They continued with each fold and intricate knot, the fabric passing between the mothers.

"Growth."

"Fertility."

"Unity."

Narcissa tightened the final knot, her hands rested over Hermione and Draco's clasped hands.

"Happiness."

Behind them, the sky lit up with all shades of orange, red, and yellow, the beams of sun breaking over the hill. Each placing a kiss on the cheek of their child, Narcissa and Jean returned to their seats.

"The Bride and Groom would like to share a few words."

Draco's thumb stroked her hand from under the fabric as he exhaled a deep breath. "Hermione Jean Granger, you have given me more than I could ever give you back in a thousand lifetimes. You showed me light in a time when all I could see was darkness ahead of me. You gave me love when all I deserved was hate. You taught me that if you have even the smallest chance at happiness, you take it. Since the moment I took my first breath, I've been yours and I'll be yours until the end of time. I vow to love you beyond reason, to buy you any book you could ever want, knit a hundred lumpy hats, to drive you mad every Quidditch season, and kiss you endlessly. I choose you today, tomorrow, and forever."

Happy tears filled her eyes and trailed down her cheeks as she laughed at his teasing expression. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, you are the best man I've ever known. You have the purest heart and never cease to amaze me with your boundless ability to love. I vow to always make sure that your dreams are fulfilled, that you receive all the love and happiness in the world and that you get the life you deserve to have. I promise laughter and chocolate until your stomach aches, I promise adventures and travel. I promise to love you until it hurts; you are the best of all this world has to offer. I'd do everything again, every moment of it." She took a shaky breath. "I loved every moment of it. On this day and every day before and every day until the end of time, I choose you."

"Do you, Draco Lucius Malfoy, take Hermione Jean Granger as your wife, your equal partner in this life and the next?"

His eyes misted as he nodded, squeezing her hand in his. "Yes—I do."

"Do you, Hermione Jean Granger—"

"I do!" She grinned, biting her lip as she looked up at Draco.

"—take Draco Lucius Malfoy as your husband, your equal partner in this life and the next?" the officiant smiled, looking between the pair.

"I do," she repeated, blinking away her joyful tears.

With a wave of the officiant's wand over their hands, the fabric faded away. Draco wrapped one arm around her waist and cupped her cheek with the other, dipping her low before pressing his lips to hers.

"You may kiss your bride," the officiant added with a laugh as Draco continued to lavish her with kisses.

Hermione felt her magic dance in her veins, overwhelming her senses. Behind them, the seedlings sprouted and bloomed into flourishing camellias, glowing in the light of the rising sun.

As their guests raised their wands, forming an archway of golden sparks, the newlyweds made their way back down the aisle hand in hand as husband and wife.

They continued down the path with their hands still clasped together. Hermione tossed Draco a look. "You do realise that we share a vault, there's no need to keep giving your Galleon back to me."

"Your Galleon," he corrected with a smirk. "And as my witch loves to say, it's the principle of the matter."

Laughing, she said, "Maybe I have been rubbing off on you too much."

As they approached the doorway that led towards the Manor ballroom, Draco suddenly extended his arm and stopped her in her tracks. "Granger, Pureblood tradition," he murmured, sweeping a hand around her waist and pinning her to the doorframe. "Can't walk through a doorway without a kiss, otherwise the marriage is cursed."

As he pressed himself flush against her, her head spun. His hand rested gently on her waist and he kissed her sweetly. His touch felt like a good book and a fireplace on a cold winter's day.

"I'm starting to think you're making these traditions up," she accused with a scrunch of her nose. "I didn't see Bill or Fleur do any of these at their wedding. I'd ask Theo if they're real, but I wouldn't put it past him to pull something like this on Harry this summer."

"I absolutely am not making these up." He pressed a hand to his chest in faux shock. "I'm appalled you'd ever accuse your husband of such a thing."

A shiver of delight ran down her spine at the word. "Well, your wife knows you."

His eyes darkened, flicking down to her lips and back up to meet her gaze. "Say it again."

The corner of her lip raised as she leaned in closer and whispered, "Your wife—"

This time, his lips caught her by surprise, the heat of his kiss all-consuming, flames licking at her stomach and the burn building in her abdomen. "Fuck the reception." His voice was low. "Let's grab the Portkey and start the honeymoon early."

"Seriously, how old are you two now?"

Amelia and Luna were approaching the Manor, the rest of the procession following shortly behind.

Hermione's head leaned back against the doorframe with a grin as Draco stepped away from her. "Really brings you back to the Hogwarts days, doesn't it?"

Sharing a look with Luna, Amelia laughed behind her hand. "Do you see what I had to put up with? Years of therapy, I tell you."

"It really is good that they're joining lips before walking through doorways," Luna mused, fiddling with her bouquet. "You never know when a Yenaling is going to attach itself to you. They're notoriously difficult to remove."

Draco threw out both his hands, palms up as he tilted his head to Hermione. "See? Didn't make it up."

"You said it was a curse." She raised her brows.

"The curse of the Yenalings," he quipped as she rolled her eyes.

"Hey, lovebirds," Ginny called as she turned the corner, the groomsmen trailing behind her. "As fun as it would be to watch you snog for the next three hours, I think you should go into the ballroom and start the reception."

Draco's hand rested on the small of her back and she lowered her voice before adding, "We have an entire month to explore Paris for the honeymoon. I think we can spare a few hours and put those dance lessons your mother made us take to good use."

"Oh, my beautiful wife. It's adorable how you think we will ever leave the hotel bed." He smirked, his hand drifting lower down her back as he led her into the grand ballroom.

Three years after the final battle

"What are you doing?"

Hermione heard the smile in Draco's voice before she ever saw it. "Oh hush." Reaching behind her, she handed Draco the extendable ear she had been using and grinned. "You can't say you're not curious how it's going."

The two pressed their cheeks together as they both listened into the ear.

"When did you even buy this?" Draco asked in a quiet voice.

"Fred gave me a handful as a thank you when I distracted Molly so he could sneak Katie Bell out of his flat after Ron's wedding," she replied with a wicked grin.

Holding a finger up to his lips, Draco tilted his head closer to eavesdrop through the door.

"I tried to find my way around but I was lost and I didn't understand what to do," a pitiful voice responded to a question Hermione hadn't heard. "I saw the way they laughed at me for asking."

Hermione felt Draco tense up next to her.

"Melanie, sit up straight," Lucius' low voice commanded in a gentle tone. "Listen to me, you belong in this world and you will not let anyone talk down to you. Those boys were ignorant and wrong to laugh at you. No one is born knowing everything, and they are no exception. Raise your head up high and walk with confidence, and if they give you any trouble, tell them that Lucius Malfoy will hear about their actions."

A soft sniffle made its way through the ear. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy."

"Excellent work today, class. I am pleased to hear that you have collected your school supplies for the upcoming term and explored Diagon Alley for your first time. Miss Hermione is leading your next lesson on formal letter writing and owl etiquette—"

A series of groans echoed through the room and Hermione covered her mouth to suppress a laugh.

"Now, now, children. Letter writing is an integral part of Wizarding society and will benefit you greatly." His voice lowered down to a whisper as he added, "If you are on your best behaviour for Miss Hermione, I'll have Teeny bring strawberry ice lollies after class."

The groans were swept away and replaced with exclamations of excitement from the children.

Hermione began rolling up the ear and tucked it away in her bag. "The students really do love him."

Just as she pushed open the door, her gaze caught on the glint of gold in the light. The plaque next to the entrance shone under the sunlight, reading Malfoy Magical Integration Academy.

"Mister Draco! Miss Hermione!" Scraping sounds filled the room as the kids pushed away their chairs and ran to greet their teachers.

"Are you here to tell us more stories?" Benjamin asked Draco with wide eyes, bouncing on the tip of his toes.

Isabelle gasped and threw out her hands. "Yes! Another one about the young wizard and little witch! Oh, I love them."

The corner of Draco's mouth twitched up as he glanced at Hermione. "Miss Hermione has a great lesson prepared for you all…"

"Mister Draco, when I was in Diagon Alley buying my supplies, I saw a book in the shop and you were on it!" Edward declared. "My mum didn't believe me when I told her it was you!"

Draco's hand raised to adjust his tie, loosening its hold on his neck. He looked at a loss for words so Hermione stepped in to answer.

"Mister Draco created the cure for Dragon Pox," Hermione gushed, leaning closer to Edward as if she were sharing a secret. "He's the youngest Potion Master in all of Europe."

A grumble came from beside Hermione, and Draco looked embarrassed as he added, "It wasn't just me. Theo Nott was my co-creator. Having a best mate who is on the fast track to be head healer at St. Mungo's comes with some benefits."

"We want a story!" Abby linked arms with Isabelle, the two batted their lashes up at Draco with doe eyes. "We completed all of our reading from last week and you said that if we finished our work then you would tell us another story."

Hermione caught him looking at her from the corner of her eye and she failed to hold back her smile. "Go ahead. I suppose owl etiquette can wait a few more minutes."

Draco tapped his finger on his chin thoughtfully, pretending to think for a moment before beginning. "Let me tell you the story of the time the young wizard felt like he didn't belong in a new world. He went to meet the family of the little witch and it was the first time he ever talked with Muggles..."

Five years after the final battle

The warm sunshine beat down on Hermione's bare shoulders as they walked through the grounds of the Manor. Her sundress swayed in the gentle breeze. After a long and brutal winter, the snow and ice had begun to melt away, revealing buds about to bloom in the gardens.

Draco left the path, weaving through the bushes nearby and emerging with a single bloom. "Looks like spring has finally come, my love. Your favourite season."

"Yes." She tried to steady the tremble in her hands as she placed them protectively on her stomach. "New beginnings."

He looked from her hands to her nervous smile, a question in his eyes that he did not dare to ask out loud.

The flower dropped to the ground from his fingers.

Giving him a tear-filled smile, she nodded in confirmation with a shaky laugh, her curls bouncing against her shoulders with the movement.

Releasing a shuddered breath of disbelief, he fell to his knees, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his lips to her stomach. "I already love you beyond words," he whispered, resting his cheek on her belly and closing his eyes. "I promise to always be there for you, to work every day to be the best dad, and together we will drive your mum mad."

Her laugh rumbled against his cheek as her hands tucked into his hair.

Jumping up from his knees, he picked her up, spinning in circles and making her laugh, her dress twirling around them. "We're having a baby!"

"We're having a baby," she confirmed, her chest swelling in happiness.

In a moment of panic, he stopped and placed her on the ground so gently it was as if he thought she was made of porcelain. "Is the baby okay?! I didn't shake it—did I?"

Suppressing a laugh, she shook her head. "The baby is fine—more than fine. She's perfect. See?"

With a wave of her wand over her belly, a glowing orb appeared, pulsing with the baby's heartbeat.

Draco's chest deflated with loss of breath as he stared at the orb, unblinking. "She?"

"What?"

Meeting her eyes, nearly golden in the sunlight, he grinned. "You said she."

"I mean—I don't know for sure. I haven't gone to the healer. It's just a feeling."

"We're having a girl!" Draco exclaimed before dipping her into a kiss with one hand resting on the small of her back and the other tucked in her hair behind her ear.

"Amelia might not be happy with us, but we should probably reevaluate our baby names."

Ten years after the final battle

"Have you seen Ari?" Draco asked, accepting two glasses of lemonade from Pinky and passing one to Hermione.

"She ran off with William," Ron offered. "Wanted to show him the potion set that her Uncles Theo and Harry gifted her for Christmas."

Shading the sun from his eyes, Draco smirked. "She has a knack for potions already. Must take after me."

"Oh hush," Hermione admonished. "I received high marks in potions too, or have you forgotten?"

Pansy gave an exaggerated groan. "I'm too pregnant for this conversation. Suitable replacements would be, 'Can I rub your feet, Pansy?'; 'You're glowing, I've never seen such beauty.'; 'Oh, Pansy, you don't even slightly resemble a swollen Flobberworm.'"

Pansy scrunched her face up as Ron dropped a kiss on her cheek and murmured, "Veelas fall at your feet and wish they were as stunning as you."

Playfully swatting at him, Pansy settled back in her seat, her hands rubbing her stomach as she smiled. "I can't wait to move back home once Ron's latest case at MACUSA finishes up. It's hard to believe we've been living in the states for William's entire life."

Taking a long sip from her glass, Hermione shook her head. "I can't believe Scorpius and Rose get along so well," she marveled. "They act like they're the best of friends, but they were barely crawling the last time we saw you two. At least Ari was old enough to remember William from your last visit."

Ron laughed. "Crawling would've been impossible since you and Pansy put them in those ridiculous puffy snowsuits."

Pansy glared at her husband, her arms crossing over her large belly. "They were adorable, you're welcome. That picture of our little fluffy babies wiggling around in their matching snowsuits is one of my favourites."

"Yeah, Ronald," Hermione scoffed, looking back out at the yard, "they don't need warming charms when they can just become a marshmallow. They were so tiny and now our little babies are all grown up."

"They're three, that's hardly grown," Draco teased. "You can't veto a toy broom by saying he's too young and then turn around and call Scorpius grown."

A tingle ran down Hermione's spine as she pulled her eyes away from Rose back up to Draco.

"Did you see it?" she asked, breathless.

His brow furrowed as he frowned. "See what?" His eyes followed her gaze back to Rose and widened. "No…"

"Yes." Hermione grinned wildly, letting out an incredulous laugh as she set down her lemonade.

"What's happening? What is this?" Pansy asked, gesturing between Hermione's elated expression and Draco's look of panic.

Ron rolled his eyes. "I stopped asking that question years ago. They can have entire conversations like that. It's like their own secret language."

"We have something to tell you." Hermione turned to them, her hands clasped in front of her. "It's the real story of how Draco and I ended up together. I know you think everything happened after the Yule Ball, but actually, it had been going on for years by that point…"

Across the lawn, Scorpius chased after Rose, running as fast as his little legs could take him. "Rose! Wait for me!"

As he rounded the corner, he tripped and fell onto the hard ground below.

Tears threatened to spill over from the pain and shock. Sensing his fall, Rose stopped mid-step and turned around, running back to him.

"It's okay," she assured him, leaning down and giving his scraped knee a quick kiss. "You're all better."

Looking up at her with wide eyes, he forgot all about the pain of his fall as he handed her the half-crumpled camellia flower he'd been holding.

Her face bloomed into a wide smile as she accepted his offering. She took his hand in hers and helped pull him up.

Refusing to let go, Scorpius' hand squeezed Rose's and he smiled. "I'm all better now."

The young children skipped back out to play in the yard, hand-in-hand.

With a watery smile, Hermione looked out at their children before bringing Draco's hand up to her lips. "Those kids have no idea what's coming."

He wrapped his arms around her waist, tucking his head on her shoulder as he watched Scorpius and Rose play. "It's the first page—a new story."

They watched as Scorpius followed Rose around the yard as if an invisible tether connected the two. Hermione's eyes fixed on the small rune marking on Rose's ankle, barely visible.

Happy tears spilled down her cheeks as she leaned back against her husband, closing her eyes. "It's the best part."

A/N — I've posted a collection for drabbles in the Binding universe (I'll take prompts via Tumblr at curlykay if you have a drabble request). Charles, Amelia, family moments, honeymoon smut, your favorite binding romances and more to come! Thanks for reading!