Disclaimer: One last time, all is JKR's.

Epilogue

It was two years before they met again. Draco was in Diagon Alley picking up some shower supplies for Alexa. How he had gotten roped into such a girlie chore was beyond him, but he supposed it was his baby, too, as Alexa reminded him over and over again every time he grumbled about helping her. He hoped Goldstein would have to help Story when Alexa finally shot out a kid. She'd better do it soon, too, because Pansy was already on baby two, and Draco knew Alexa couldn't stand to be upstaged by the likes of Pansy Parkinson Nott. He grinned at the thought of his baby. Story was due in two months, and for him it couldn't come soon enough. He wanted to know the sex, but Story was adamant that it be a surprise. Draco secretly thought it was a boy.

He was startled out of his thoughts by the sight of her - Granger. She was emerging from a bookstore (of course, he thought ruefully) and from the looks of her, Weasley was finally starting his own brood; her stomach looked bigger than her hair, which was saying a lot. He watched her from a distance for awhile before bracing himself and walking over to her.

"'Morning, Granger," he addressed her pleasantly, making her jump. He saw brief panic in her eyes before she relaxed and gave him a small smile.

"Malfoy," she greeted him. "You scared me."

"Not my intention, I assure you," he said. "Let me help you; you look a bit weighed down."

"Thanks," she said, allowing him to take her bag. "Ron would kill me if he knew I was shopping by myself, but I'm bored! Ginny's home with her boys, and Mrs. Weasley didn't have time today, and-" She stopped, as if suddenly aware that she was rambling to Draco as if they were friends. She looked confused, unsure of what to do. He grinned at her, trying to put her at ease.

"Here, let me buy you some tea," he offered. She nodded uncertainly and let him lead her to Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble, a new outside cafe. She sat down with some effort, still looking at him warily.

"I understand what you're saying," Draco said, after he had ordered them two herbal teas. "Story's an absolute bear; she wants to do everything for herself and refuses to accept that she can't."

"I heard you were expecting, congratulations," Hermione said. "How far along is she?"

"Seven months."

Hermione groaned. "Tell her to talk to me in another month. I'm so tired and fussy all the time that it's no wonder Ron practically keeps me locked in the house. I've only been off work for one week and I'm already driving him crazy."

"Now, how could you drive anyone crazy?" he teased. In truth, he was acting far more comfortable than he felt. It was very strange to be sitting with her in the open. Regardless of everything that had happened, it wasn't as if they had ever been friends.

Their tea arrived and they sipped it in silence. No one appeared to think it was odd that Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger Weasley were sharing a drink, but Diagon Alley wasn't particularly crowded that day, for which he was grateful. He didn't want to attract attention.

"You're looking well, Granger," he said finally.

"I'm a house, Malfoy," she said flatly. "But thank you. So are you."

"Do you mind if I ask?" Draco said suddenly. He hadn't meant to bring it up, but his curiosity would not allow otherwise.

"No Jean," Hermione said, blushing. "Not since that night. I'm in therapy at St. Mungo's. That helps."

"So am I," he admitted. "We must be there on off days."

"Do you talk about me?"

"Some," he said. "I've got other issues, though. Story says she's noticed a big difference since I've started, so I'm keeping with it."

"I told Ron," she said. "Not about you, but about Jean herself. I don't think he could have forgiven that, and he probably would have killed you."

"Then I appreciate it," he said drily. "But you told him about her?"

"Yes, Harry and Ginny, too," she replied. "He was really upset for me, but he's been great. He doesn't bring it up - even when I'm acting a little cuckoo, he never throws it in my face."

"That's good," Draco stated. "I, of course didn't mention any of it to Story. I just said I was having some problems dealing with my past and wanted to talk to someone. She was really relieved. Apparently, I was acting like quite the nutjob for awhile, too."

"My therapist said it's not unusual for people who've suffered great stress," said Hermione. "I talk about it to him, and it helps keep me sane. You really helped me, too."

"I didn't do anything, Granger," he protested. "God, if you had any idea what was going through my mind then, you'd know not to thank me."

"I have a pretty good idea," she said. "You were messed up, too, she was poisoning both of us. I think, since you were there when it happened, when she happened, she latched on to you, and you reacted to that. I don't really want to talk about it, though. Is that all right?"

"Of course, I'm sorry-"

"No, don't be," Hermione assured him. "You had a right to ask, and I'm kind of glad I'm getting to thank you now."

"I really wish you wouldn't. I'm pretty ashamed of the way I acted and treated you."

"You saved me," she said simply. They sat quietly for a few more moments, before Hermione reached over and took Draco's hand. She gave it a little squeeze, and then rose to her feet.

"Good seeing you, Draco," she said. "I better get back. No, don't get up. See you around?"

"You bet," he answered, watching her waddle off. His tea got cold while he sat looking after her; finally he rose, leaving a few galleons on the table.

"Bye, Hermione," he whispered, and then apparated home to his wife.

A/N A little neat, I know, but I am a fan of the happy ending, and I wanted to make this story DH epilogue compliant. Thanks for reading!