Redemption

a/N: It's been a long journey, everyone, but we've finally reached the conclusion of my first fic, Redemption. The tale of Draco and Hermione and their adventure to redeeming one another has been with me since November, and I'm in awe that it's finished. It feels like forever and at the same time as though it's happened in an instant. I want to thank all of you for reading, reviewing, and taking a genuine interest in my writing. It means a lot to me, and I hope you all stick around for the other Dramione-related fics I'll be writing in the future. You're all wonderful, and so without further ado, I bring to you the epilogue of Redemption. Thanks for sticking around, and your comments are always appreciated xoxo.

Epilogue

Six months later

"Oh, Harry, you're being ridiculous, the wedding was beautiful," Hermione scolded, the slightest hint of a smirk twitching on her lips. She pulled a stray strand of hair behind her ears, playing with the hem of the lilac dress Ginny had originally picked out for her Maid of Honor, tailored slightly to accommodate Hermione's new figure. Harry, despite his protests that the wedding had been a failure since he'd practically tripped over himself when he went to stand at the altar and wait for his then bride-to-be, couldn't seem to wipe the huge grin from his face as he stood next to his wife. Ginny, decked out in a stunning white satin wedding gown, clung to Harry for dear life, and Hermione couldn't help but giggle at the sight. They were so inexplicably happy, and she knew that they deserved it more than almost anyone else she knew.

Absentmindedly, Hermione rubbed her stomach, her fingers playing with the fabric of her dress as she scanned the reception area with starry eyes. Soft music was playing throughout the room, and guests were either seated at tables eating the catered meal that Molly had helped prepare, or were on the dance floor, swaying to the beat with their significant others. The scene was so undeniably happy that Hermione couldn't stop the sigh of content that escaped her lips. It was a beautiful sight; it had been a beautiful wedding.

"How far along are you these days, 'Mione?" came the booming and genuinely-curious voice of Ron Weasley. Hermione jumped slightly, startled by the sudden address of her name, and turned to face her friend, one hand resting on the bump on her stomach.

"A little over four and a half months," She answered, smiling genuinely. She had been pleased to discover that Ron's odd behavior gradually began to disappear once it was well-known that Hermione and Draco would be staying together. She could only hope that her friend had moved on not only from his grudges, but from his determination for them to once again be more than friends, as well. Ron seemed pleased enough when she'd announced her pregnancy, as had Harry and Ginny. Despite their dislike of her husband, she could at least appreciate that her friends were supportive of her decisions. It was more than a lot of people could say.

"Is he still treating you right, 'Mione?" Ron asked quietly; sternly. Hermione arched one brow at her friend, as if to communicate that his question was completely inappropriate. Ron managed a half-hearted shrug, realizing a lost cause when he found one.

Just then, Ron seemed to glare at something just outside Hermione's view and mumbled to himself, waving a half-hearted goodbye in her direction before sulking off to join George and Charlie. Confused by his sudden change in demeanor, Hermione's brows furrowed and she turned around, noticed a grinning Draco Malfoy standing behind her, his hands stuffed in his pockets. She smiled widely at him, grateful that her heels gave her an appropriate boost in height as she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. Her mouth lingered on his for a few moments before she pulled away, maintaining their proximity.

"You took an awful long time going to get a drink of water," She mumbled, fixing his tie and licking his lips.

"Yeah, well I smelled Weasel and decided I didn't particularly desire the stench of rodent leaping on me," He muttered in jest, winking at her. Hermione managed to roll her eyes and scoff, but took his hand in her own nonetheless. Draco laced their fingers together and led her to the dance floor, gently guiding her through the throng of people. The tender way in which he'd handled her ever since they'd discovered she was pregnant was enough to make her heart ache; the realization that he truly cared washing over her each time.

She loved her husband just as she loved her soon-to-be child, and together she knew the three of them would make a brilliant family.

Once they'd reached the platform, Draco took the hand that wasn't laced with Hermione's and placed it against the small of her back, pulling her close. He laughed when he felt her protruding stomach press against him and his gaze flickered downwards before moving to settle on her hazel brown eyes.

"The kid's not even born yet and he's already getting in the way," He joked, a wry smile spreading across his features. Hermione laughed slightly, leaning forward and resting her head on her husband's chest as he gently swayed them to and fro on the dance floor. He smelled of cologne and lilac-shampoo, she noted, and an absent-minded smile played on her features as her eyes fluttered shut.

"Mmm, Draco?"

"Yes, love?"

"I went to speak with the doctor today about the baby."

She could feel her husband tense slightly; he always did that whenever she spoke about their child. It made her ill to realize just how concerned he was that something was going to happen to cause them to lose this child as well, and Hermione opened her eyes, lifting her head and pecking him once on the lips.

"It's nothing bad, I promise."

She felt him unhinge at her words, sighing in relief and casting his grey eyes down to settle on her brown ones. He stared at her expectantly, and Hermione flushed slightly when she realized she still hadn't communicated to him what she'd originally planned to.

"Alright then, what is it?" Draco asked, continuing to sway with her on the dance floor. The skirt of Hermione's dress billowed out around them, wrapping around her legs and his own as he moved the pair of them together in a rhythmic fashion. Idly, she wondered if either one of them were going to trip over the material before she snapped herself out of her thoughts, making herself to focus on the task at hand.

"Well, I wanted to surprise you. I know I should've probably asked or something first, and that you would've wanted to go with me, but I—"

"Hermione," Draco cut her off, glaring at her sternly. "What is it?"

"We're having a girl," Hermione whispered in a rush, her voice trembling. Her eyes filled with tears as she gazed up at her husband, waiting for his reaction. He stopped dancing, continuing to hold her close and gazing at her in astonishment.

"A—we're having a…" Draco managed, his words coming out a garbled mess as he struggled to remain composed in front of so many people.

"Yes, Draco, a girl," Hermione whispered, choking back a sob as she stared at her husband. She released her hold on his hand, cradling his face in her dainty hands and slowly guiding his face down to hers. She let out a slight sob before leaning up and pressing her quivering lips to her husband's. His lips remained frozen for a moment, but he soon melted into her and kissed her back, his hands wrapping around her waist and bringing her close. She didn't care that half the reception party was staring at them—didn't give a damn that they'd more than likely talk about her and her redeemed husband behind their backs.

Hermione had stopped caring what others thought of them long ago. All that mattered was him and her—all that mattered was right now.

When Hermione finally broke the kiss, lips swollen and panting slightly, she gazed lovingly at her husband and swiped the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes.

"Hermione," Draco breathed, licking his lips once. "What if I can't do this?"

Hermione gazed at him inquisitively, not quite understanding what he was trying to say.

"What if I—" He began again, sighing in frustration. "What if I'm not cut out for this? What if I make a shit father? You've seen my father; sometimes he means well, but he was just too damn overbearing. What if I suffocate our child the way he did me? What if I force her to act a certain way or believe a certain thing? I just…I don't want to be that person. I don't want to wake up one day and discover that you've packed up and left because you finally came to your senses and realized you'd wasted your time on me."

Hermione stared at him in silence as he spoke, her heart constricting painfully for her husband. Did he really believe that? Did he honestly believe he'd make a horrible father? She was caught between the urge to soothe his worries and smack him silly for even insinuating such a thing in the first place.

"You're not your father, Draco, nor will you be one like him," Hermione assured him sternly, holding his face tight in her small hands. Her eyes locked onto his and she nibbled on her bottom lip, praying to Merlin that one day he would understand that they were okay now—that nothing was going to happen to them.

"You told me once," She continued when she noticed that he hadn't responded. "That you wanted me to stay the night with you, because I always leave in your dreams."

Draco nodded stiffly, and she could tell by the flicker of emotion that passed through his silver eyes that he was recollecting the night spent shortly after his return that they'd made love on the couch.

"This isn't a dream, Draco," She said quietly, pulling herself closer to him. "And I'm not going to leave."

He remained silent for a handful of moments, as though he was digesting her words. Finally, he swallowed heavily and directed his attention to her once more, and his expression softened.

"You and I, remember?" He managed quietly, blinking twice as memories of their past overwhelmed him. He smiled at her—a gesture full of genuine warmth and happiness, and Hermione felt her heart pound in her chest. This was safe—this was home.

"Until our world comes crashing down," She responded softly, kissing him once more.

But as long as he was there, Hermione was quite certain it never would.