A/N: So... this is it. I do hope you all enjoyed the ride as I really enjoyed writing it.

Epilogue

Hermione looked into the eyes of her mate once more as they stood in the Weasley's front yard. He gave her a sense of serenity that she desperately needed. It had been a long and harrowing day. Today they were saying goodbye. It had been a three ring circus around England the day that Harry finished Voldemort.

People couldn't quite comprehend that he was gone for good. Then there was the aftermath of Harry's duel. He'd expended too much energy, sapping his core to the point that his body could no longer sustain his life. It was her worst fear. He'd survived the killing curse for a second time. He'd been victorious in his duel and killed the evilest wizard that the world had ever known. It was unfair that he would die after all of that.

She was thankful that she'd given him her blood. He wouldn't be human any longer but he wasn't gone forever. They'd endured an absolute shit storm in the days following as Harry's death was announced to the world. Then his reawakening.

Hermione and Draco were forced to come out of the vampire closet so-to-speak. It hadn't been a pleasant experience to say the least. The population was divided on how they should be treated. Some argued that they were heroes and should be lauded for their courage. Others wanted them exterminated for what they were, citing that they were too dangerous to be allowed to live.

It had been Harry himself who had put his foot down. Even though he was a vampire, the wizarding world still listened to him. He had led them out of the dark. He'd sacrificed everything for them. He'd given up his humanity for them.

He'd held a press conference and explained the entire situation to the masses. He explained that without the two of them, they would have never been able to defeat Voldemort, that their unique abilities were the deciding factor in his eventual defeat. He reminded them if Hermione hadn't given him the gift of her blood that he wouldn't be standing there in front of them. He concluded by telling him that he was thankful for his second chance at life.

Things died down a little after that but Hermione still felt the need to get away for a while. And so did Draco. After a highly publicized trail, Lucius had been sentenced to ten years in Azkaban for his crimes with an additional sentence of five years of house arrest to follow that. Narcissa had been pardoned for her help to the Order in organizing the final attack on Voldemort's forces. Hermione knew that the trials had been draining to her mate. He needed a break as much as she did.

Hermione blinked her eyes and returned to the present. She watched as Harry carefully hugged Molly goodbye and shook Arthur's hand. He needed a break more than both her and Draco combined. He was new after all. He'd been disappointed and happy at the same time to learn that Ginny wasn't his mate. He liked her but he didn't want this life for her.

Hermione patted her friend's back gently as he looked up at Ginny's window, regret etched into his features. "She's out there, Harry," she assured him as they prepared to apparate. "You have forever to find her. And once you do, she'll be your perfect match. Just be happy that it wasn't Delores Umbridge."

Harry shuddered under her fingers. "I would have found a way to off myself," he retorted. "There's no way that I would have been able to endure that."

Harry had been scared to go to the trial. He would have stayed away entirely if they hadn't subpoenaed him to testify. He was a mess the whole day, terrified that he would feel the pull with her. It was an ill-conceived worry. She repulsed him just as much as before.

"Let's go," Hermione said as she turned to Draco and linked her hand with his. "The world awaits."

Draco smiled and turned and linked his hand with Harry's. "Don't worry Potter," he drawled. "We'll try to keep it down, wouldn't want to offend your virgin ears. Besides, there are many tricks that I know that I will personally enjoy teaching you, since I am technically your Grandfather."

"No you won't," Hermione cut it. "I will not allow you to corrupt my child. Harry is good and he will stay that way."

Draco turned his smirk at her. "You forget, my sweet mate," he purred. "That you have to do what I say. You're mine and that makes Harry mine as well."

Hermione didn't get the chance to respond before she was pulled into the dark abyss by Draco as he apparated the three of them to the other side of the world. She would set him straight as soon as they landed.

Maybe.

~~~FIN~~~

End note: So... please let me know what you thought of the end. Personally, I thought it was a rather cute ending to a very dark story. Merry Christmas to those of you that celebrate. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.