Well, here's the epilogue. I want to thank everyone who's reviewed and been with me since I started. This was the first time I ever actually attempted such a long story and been so successful. I love my reviewers and again, want to thank you all!

Disclaimer: you know, the usual...don't own it and all that.

Epilogue

The excitement in the air was tangible. Hermione had to seek some kind of refuge to keep from being smothered in it. The Boy Who Lived, The Chosen One, Harry Potter, was about to get married to none other than the spitfire that was Ginny Weasley. She was indescribably happy for two of her best friends, but she needed air to breathe. All of the wizarding world was holding their breath for this moment, and it seemed to be even more anticipated than the fall of the Dark Lord. Reporters were everywhere, and, as one of the Golden Trio, Hermione was just as hounded as Harry.

When she had arrived at the Burrow, she hadn't expected all the reporters. They were swarming the lawn, special spells having been placed on the house and the backyard to keep them from the wedding itself. She groaned and nearly turned back at the sight of them. Hermione would have to force herself through the throng just to reach the front door. As soon as the caught sight of her, the mob didn't make the job of getting through any easier. They nearly overtook her, and she squeezed her companion's hand at the sudden onslaught of people. It seemed the reporters only had eyes for her, however, and it took them a while to realize she was with Draco. He had to get their attention.

"Excuse me, but we have a wedding to get to." He didn't even raise his voice. Every reporter looked at him, shocked. Yes, their relationship was public, but it seemed to the public as more of a rumor, since Draco didn't really like the spot light, and didn't fancy flaunting himself to the world. They stared at the couple, too dumbstruck to come up with questions, and simply let him cut a path for them. They made it to the door unscathed and walked into the house. Molly Weasley was immediately upon them.

"Oh you're here! I do apologize for the throng out there. Bloody reporters always know everything! Come Hermione, the girls are all upstairs, helping Ginny get ready. Draco dear, the boys are out back, you should join them." Molly Weasley had been among the first to warm up to Draco once all the dust had blown over from the battle. The rest of the Weasley followed suit, and they became a kind of extended family to him, as they were for Hermione. It had surprised Draco at first, how accepting they were, knowing all the horrible things his family had done to the supposed 'blood-traitors.' He had apologized nearly a thousand times over, but Molly Weasley would have none of it, her maternal instinct kicking in when she saw the sincerity in his eyes before he uttered his apology, not to mention that he had taken a hit for Ron. Some of the other Weasleys gave him a hard time, of course, but Draco had not expected any less.

They parted with a chaste kiss, and Hermione could feel the excitement bubbling from Molly. Her only daughter was about to be married, to someone as wonderful as Harry, no less. Hermione sought her refuge upstairs, but soon realized it was more like going into the thick of it. All the bubbling excitement everywhere else seemed to culminate in Ginny's room, where all the girls were preparing the bride. She walked in and saw her friend standing before a mirror, Pansy and Luna fussing around her.

"Hermione! You made it!" She grinned ear to ear, fighting the urge to run up to the only sister figure she'd ever had.

"Of course Gin, I wouldn't miss it for the world. I am the maid of honor after all." They smiled at each other, but the sister moment was interrupted.

"All right then, Miss Maid of Honor, how about you make yourself useful? We still need to finish her make-up!" The two girls rolled their eyes at Pansy, another Slytherin who had been accepted into the Weasley clan, about to become a Weasley herself in a few month's time. While Luna worked on making last minute adjustments to the dress and Pansy worked on her hair, Hermione stood between Ginny and the mirror, working make-up. The girls worked in amicable silence, yet the anticipation was still thick in the air. Ginny worked hard not to hyperventilate. Within a few minutes they were done, all three proud of their work.

The three girls also had to get dressed quickly, putting on their matching gowns. Ginny had chosen light blue strapless dresses for her bridesmaids. They were relatively simple dresses, with a subtle sparkling design on the bodice. All three girls left their hair down, putting some work into making sure Hermione's was tamed. Their make up was also done subtly, not wanting to upstage Ginny's.

Luna, Pansy, and Hermione stood back to get a good look at Ginny, giving her a chance to appraise herself in the mirror. She was beautiful. The make-up had been done more to Hermione's tastes, so it was subtle, bringing out her best features. Pansy had pulled some of her hair up into a small bun, the rest of it cascading down her back. Two strands framed her face, the red a stark contrast to how pale she was, along with the white of her dress. Luna had tailored the strapless dress to be snug in all the right places, making sure to work with Ginny's curves. It flowed from her waist, a small train dragging behind her. She charmed it to keep it from becoming uncomfortable and to prevent any unexpected wardrobe malfunctions.

"Guys…it's incredible…" Hermione could see the tears welling behind the redhead's eyes, feeling her own tears prickle as well.

"Ginny, you look beautiful." Luna's dreamy voice seemed to echo in the silence.

"Yeah, you clean up nice Weasley." They all smiled at Pansy's comment. "You really do look gorgeous. Potter's gonna have a hard time concentrating on the wedding."

"She's right Gin, you think Harry will be able to wait til the honey moon?" They all laughed at that, trying to dispel Ginny's obvious nerves. A knock at the door alerted them to Molly, who wanted a look at her daughter before the ceremony. The proud mother walked in, behind her an entire trail of redheads. Not wanting to intrude on the family moment, the three girls walked out. Pansy decided to wait outside the door for Ron, while Luna and Hermione went in search of their respective men.

The girls found them talking to Harry in another room. What they overheard made them smile.

"Come on Potter! You fought the darkest wizard of all time, fought against a Hungarian Horntail, had SNAPE as a potions professor…you can't seriously be this nervous about getting married." Draco was smirking at Harry, who was wringing his hands nervously. Hermione and Luna walked in, laughing.

"Harry, everything will be great! There's no need to be nervous. Think of it this way, you already know you love each other, marriage is just one step further." She smiled at her surrogate brother and hugged him. "Trust me, you'll be fine." She pulled back. "If it makes you feel better, Ginny's nervous too." Harry smiled at that. He sighed, nodding towards Hermione.

"Well gentlemen, I suggest we start heading to the ceremony. Wouldn't want to be late to your own wedding, would you Potter?" Blaise grabbed Harry by the arm, Luna grabbing Harry's other arm and the two of them, ignoring Harry's nervous and small protests, dragged him up to the altar that was set up in the backyard, leaving Hermione and Draco alone.

As soon as he had seen Hermione walk in earlier, he'd completely forgotten what he'd been talking about to Harry. Sure, she and Luna were dressed the same, but Draco only had eyes for Hermione. As soon as the others were gone, he immediately closed the distance between them, snaking an arm around her waist, placing his mouth by her ear.

"You look stunning, Hermione." He placed a kiss on her jaw, making her take a shaky breath. He smirked at the effect he knew he had on her. She managed to compose herself enough to respond.

"You don't look so bad yourself." He chuckled, a sound Hermione had grown to love. He smiled at her, and the look in his eyes was nearly suffocating. There was so much emotion in them, it stunned her every time he looked at her. She didn't think she would ever get used to the way he looked at her. After the battle at Hogwarts, they'd become practically inseparable. She'd moved into the manor with him, unwilling to go home to the empty Granger residence. Neither one of them wanted to be alone at all, so they decided the Manor would be best. They woke up beside each other every day, and yet Hermione could never get used to how he saw her.

The dread of losing her was ever present inside Draco, but not as disturbingly as before. He was no longer afraid that she would be taken from him, but more that she would see something she didn't like and leave. He treated every moment as if it were their last together, and this did not escape Hermione even for a moment. Especially now, at the wedding, Hermione could see that indescribable feeling in his eyes. She never felt the need to talk to him about it before, but now, more than ever, she saw his insecurity. She would have to bring it up soon, before something happened. Hermione was just as afraid of losing him, for the same reason as him. She knew his prejudice had run deep, knew that he had changed as well, but what if that irrational hate resurfaced somehow? What if, in an argument, he realized he didn't really love her? These thoughts terrified Hermione. Despite her doubts, she kept smiling, and he smiled back.

"We should get going. The wedding will start soon." Regardless of her words, Draco kissed her, carefully taking her chin with one finger, knowing he couldn't risk more. She smiled against his lips. "Really, we should go." Despite how light the kiss was, she sounded breathless.

"Of course." He smirked at her, winking, trying to dispel his own fears through the way she blushed. Without anymore hesitation, they left the room and took their places. Hermione's eyes left Draco only when she saw Ginny begin to walk towards them. She looked to Harry, to see the expression of love etched in his eyes, an expression she'd come accustomed to seeing between her two friends. What struck her was that she'd seen the look somewhere else as well, very recently. Draco's eyes had reflected that same look just moments before. It had been clouded by something else, but it had been there, she knew it.

It was the perfect backyard wedding. Molly's gardens were as beautiful as ever, the sun shining above them, casting an incredible halo around the bride.

The ceremony continued without a hitch, Harry and Ginny exchanging vows, provoking tears from many of the females present, Molly in particular. Before they knew it, it was time for the reception. Harry and Ginny were having their first dance as a married coupled, Molly and Arthur joining them on the floor. They started a trend, and all the couples, including Draco and Hermione, went onto the floor.

It was a slow song, one that Hermione didn't recognize. Draco, on the other hand, hummed along to it. Leaning her head on his shoulder, Hermione closed her eyes and listened. His breathing was steady, like hers, but his heartbeat was erratic. He was nervous. Why?

"Draco?" His humming stopped, and he waited a moment before responding. She could hear his heart speed up.

"Hmm?" He held her closer, taking a deep breath, taking in the feel of her in his arms. She found herself at a loss for words, unable to say what she wanted. She pulled back a bit, and found herself in his gaze again. Something in his eyes triggered what she wanted to say. With worry present in her own eyes, she spoke.

"Your eyes…why are you afraid?" He was taken aback by her question, by the mentioning of his eyes. Draco understood what she meant, though. She really is clever, isn't she? Of course she would notice. He smiled at her, but the smile was a sad one, and didn't reach his eyes. He kissed her forehead and placed her against his chest again.

"Losing you…I thought you knew that." She heard his heart skip, mimicking her own.

"But the war's over…"

"But there are other dangers…" She heard the tone in his voice, how it trailed off.

"Like what? No one could take me from you…"

"I keep waiting to wake up and realize that every moment spent with you was a dream. I'll wake up, and be back in sixth year…with my impossible task in front of me." He paused, unsure of how to word what he was really afraid of. Hermione didn't realize she was holding her breath. "Or that you'll realize you still hate me." She felt her heart break at the thought. I could never hate you.

"No Draco. I'd never hate you." She chuckled, realizing that her fears were similar. He looked at her, confused.

"I don't see the humor, Hermione."

"It's just…I can't see how you would want me. It terrifies me that maybe one day you'll realize I'm below you…a Mud-"

"No!" He nearly forgot they were in the middle of a dance floor, remembered at the last second, and his rebuttal came as a harsh whisper. "Never, and I mean never refer to yourself like that. You're purer than any of the bigots that thought they were." The ferocity with which he said this, despite that it was whispered in her ear, was evident and sent a jolt of electricity through her. Her breath caught, eyes widening. He pulled back again, examining her eyes. A moment later, their lips met, and Hermione found herself forgetting where they were. Reluctance riddled the kiss, from both sides. Unsure of how long they'd been like that, they pulled away. Draco kissed her forehead.

She sighed, finally resting her head against his chest again. He wrapped both his arms around her, still swaying with the music. Draco continued to hum as if he had never stopped. Hermione slid her hand along his chest, tracing the scar she knew hid beneath his clothes, physical evidence that he risked his life to keep her. "I love you Draco." Her conviction was set, he could feel it, and allowed himself to respond without hesitation.

"I love you too. I always will." He tightened his embrace, and Hermione knew he was there to stay. He would never abandon her, nor would she abandon him.

Well, that's it! I thought about ending it with Draco and Hermione's marriage, but I wanted to try something different from the ones I've read. Again, I love you all for reviewing!! You guys really are the ones that kept me going!! It will be a while before you hear from me again, since I've been thinking about a new story, this one a bit more A/U...alright, ALOT more A/U, but I don't really know if I want to write it yet. In the meantime, please feel free to peruse my other fics! Yes, it's shameless advertising, but I'd appreciate the reviews! In particular, please check out Memoirs of a Death Eater.

How's about one more review? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the over all story...you know you want to...one last review? please???