Well, its been fun posting this story chapter by chapter and seeing the responses I've gotten. Thank you for all the great reviews. You've inspired me to continue writing Harry Potter fic. I've got a partial Idea for a sequel but, if I choose to do it, it won't be for a awhile. I'm currently working on two other Harry Potter stories plus a few others. I also have other, more complete, story ideas waiting in the wings so until I get some of this off my plate, it will have to wait. Thanks again, we'll talk soon.

Epilogue

Two Years Later

Harry woke early. The morning light was just starting to filter into the room. He loved the quiet at this time of day. It was in these moments that he contemplated his life. When he was a kid, it was usually the bad things that came to mind but nowadays it was only the good things, the best of which was lying next to him. Hermione jerked momentarily before cuddling back into him and moaning contentedly. They'd been married just over a year, yet he still woke up everyday excited to find her next to him. He never wanted that to change because he wanted to fill her life with all the love and happiness he could and make sure she never knew disappointment again. They hadn't visited Ron after that first time but received regular reports from Mrs. Weasley on his progress. There hadn't been much but the healers were still hopeful.

They had remained close with all the Weasleys including Ginny. Hermione again asked her to be her maid of honor and she accepted. Harry asked Neville to be his best man. The two started spending a lot of time together while helping with wedding plans and a passing acquaintance turned into a good friendship until it eventually became much more. They were now engaged and their wedding was in a few months. The two couples had become practically inseparable over the last year. Harry smiled to himself as he thought of his and Hermione's best friends.

He felt something bump against his hip and his smile got wider as he realized it was Hermione's stomach. She was just starting to show and had a small baby bump on her lower abdomen. He carefully reached over and lightly caressed his growing child, moving slowly and softly so he wouldn't wake its mother up. She gave out another soft moan at his touch but didn't stir. He felt a sense of wonderment at the thought of what his child would be like and what kind of father he would be. The only thing he knew for sure was that he or she would be born into a much safer world now that Tom Riddle and his followers were gone.

His thoughts turned to the last two years and he briefly remembered how he got here. A hug at a party celebrating her engagement to Ron caused a buried memory to surface and a misunderstood conversation that he'd overheard started him on a road to reclaiming a love he'd lost in his sixth year at Hogwarts just moments, it seems, after he'd first discovered it. Those two years apart were a blur to him now. They'd more than made up for the lost time but it was still a hole in their life together that would never completely close. It was time lost to them forever. Memories they will never have and moments they will never share because they'd been forced to share those years with someone else instead of each other. Still, they were together now and nothing or no one would ever change that again. They were too careful now and, as a result, didn't leave themselves open to be victimized again. They had become quite skilled in checking their food and drinks for contamination without anyone else knowing. One of them would draw everyone's attention while the other would surreptitiously cast a detection spell then let the other know it was okay by taking a drink or bite of whatever it was. It didn't matter who'd prepared it or how much they trusted them, they would never put themselves or anyone they loved at risk again. They planned to teach their children the spell before sending them to Hogwarts as well.

He felt his thoughts turning dark with thoughts of the past and decided to shake those thoughts away. Wanting to lighten his own suddenly melancholy mood, he did what he always did when he needed a pick me up. He looked at his wife. Her head was resting on his chest. Her head turned slightly up so he could see her face or most of it. Some of her hair had fallen over her face and obscured some of her features. He smiled as he gently pushed the unruly hair out of her face. It was still bushy but was much more manageable than it was during their first year at school. He started softly caressing her cheek once the hair was tucked behind her ear. It was the face that never failed to make his heart flutter. He didn't think he could handle not having her next to him every morning and hoped he would never have to find out. She moaned again and soon a smile appeared on her face. Her eyes fluttered and she looked up at him her smile widening.

"Morning," she said softly.

"Good morning my love," He responded.

She moved up and gave him a kiss before settling back down on his chest.

"Why are you awake so early?" She asked. "Is something wrong?"

"No," he answered running his fingers through her hair. "Everything's fine, in fact, I couldn't be happier. I just wake up early sometimes. It's peaceful, quiet and gives me time to think about things"

"And what things did you need to think about?" she asked concerned.

"Nothing," he responded. "I usually just contemplate my life and seeing as how my life couldn't get any better, I've only been thinking about good things like our family and friends, the baby and of course the most amazing woman I've ever known who blesses me every day by sharing her life with me. I'm truly a lucky man. I think about how I got this lucky once in a while so I'll never forget the reason I'm so happy."

She gave him another kiss and then snuggled back into him. Soon she was asleep again and he, his contemplation complete, felt himself following her back into a peaceful slumber. Just before he fell asleep he reminded himself one more time why he was so happy. 'I kissed Hermione,' he thought to himself then drifted off into a contented sleep.

The End