I had started writing the Epilogue last Friday, and decided this morning to scrap it. It was a bit depressing, and I don't want to be depressed today. Thank you all so much for reading!

Epilogue

On the third Saturday in August, Zoe Malfoy celebrated her second birthday. Following her nap, she crept downstairs and stood near the back door to watch the party being planned. Balloons and streamers decorated their small backyard while her grandparents set trays of food on the picnic tables. Knocking on the sliding glass door, she caught her mother's attention and received a smile in return.

Hermione Malfoy made her way to the door and pulled it open. "Hi baby," she greeted her little girl. Picking her up, she tucked blonde curls behind the little girl's ear before kissing her forehead.

"For me, Mama?" Zoe asked, attempting to grab a balloon as Hermione stepped off the porch.

Draco took her from Hermione's arms. "All for you, sweetheart," he replied.

Pansy and Blaise arrived a short while later with their four year old son, Vincent. Raised by Blaise, the little boy saw only him as his father, and often favored him over his mother. He was a sweet child with dark hair and his mother's eyes, and he had learned to parrot Blaise's personality.

Draco put Zoe down and the happy little girl ran to the newly arrived family. Despite the age difference, the two children got along almost as well as their parents did, and Draco had noticed that Vincent was often quite protective of his daughter.

"They're going to get married one day," Pansy predicted, easing herself into a chair.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "She's two. Just let her be two," she replied. "I'm not ready to discuss the union of our children just yet."

"Next thing you know she'll be asking when we're having baby number two so she can marry off her unborn child as well," Draco added. Pansy caressed her swollen stomach and grinned at him. "Maybe we'll spite you and let Zoe be an only child."

Behind him, Narcissa scowled. "Stop that, the both of you," she chastised. "I swear, sometimes the two of you are more immature than the actual children."

The pair exchanged a pleased look while their spouses seemed less than amused. "Look at them," Draco commented. "Always pretending they're so superior to us because my mother finds no fault with them."

Grinning, Hermione kissed him. "That's because Blaise and I have no flaws," she replied. "Now, go help your father finish the decorations. Harry will be here soon, and we both know the minute he shows up, the both of you will disappear."

Blaise offered to help, and the pair did as they were told. Sitting down beside Pansy, Hermione sighed tiredly. "It hasn't even started, and I'm ready for this party to be over," she confessed.

"Remind me again why you insist on inviting Ginny Weasley to these family events," Pansy requested.

Rolling her eyes, Hermione stated her exact reasoning. "Ginny Potter is invited because Harry is still one of my closest friends. I know you don't like her and Draco doesn't like her. Hell, half the time I don't like her. But, as my husband so astutely puts it, couples are a package deal. I can't invite Harry and not allow him to bring his wife."

Shrugging, Pansy called over Hermione's mother. "Do you agree with that, Mrs. Granger?" she inquired.

"No," Helen replied. "While it's the right thing to do, I can't say I wouldn't make the exception this once. That girl continues to go on and on about how Hermione should have married her brother. It's been a decade since they broke up, mind you. And if I hear her say that Zoe would be cuter with red hair, I might slap her."

The younger women giggled at her candor. "Should we ask Narcissa for her opinion as well?" Pansy wondered.

Hearing her name, the elder witch turned around to face them. "Hermione did the right thing," she stated sternly. "End of discussion."

Vindicated, Hermione called Zoe to her. "Yang-Yang brought you a pretty dress. Why don't you let her dress you," she suggested, sending the little girl off with her grandmother.

"What the hell kind of name is Yang-Yang?" Pansy wondered.

Hermione shrugged and got to her feet. "No idea," she replied. "She just decided that's what she was going to call Narcissa. Her first words too. Naturally, Lucius refused to let her dictate his name, and taught her to say Papa. Mum's still upset that she's called Gigi. Doesn't think it's as cool as Yang-Yang."

"I've always appreciated that your parents let Vinnie call them Gigi and Grandpa," Pansy said. "Makes it seem like he's actually got grandparents."

Smiling, Hermione patted her shoulder. "You're family," she replied with a shrug.

With the decorations complete, the food set out, and Zoe dressed, all the party needed now were guests. As they slowly filtered in, Zoe eyed the presents with enthusiasm. "She's her mother," Helen whispered to Narcissa each time their granddaughter asked if they were all for her.

"Really? She sounds so much like Draco," Narcissa replied with a smile. "Just last Christmas, he asked the same thing."

The two women had become fast friends despite their awkward initial introduction five years earlier. They had bonded over wedding planning, taking over the affair despite Hermione's protests. When they learned that they would be grandmothers, the pair was on hand to offer advice and suggestions, and took turns helping Hermione while Draco worked. Their friendship didn't revolve only their children's relationship though. They shopped together and discussed recipes, much to their husbands' amusement. The men were often left to their own devices while their wives spent time together.

"You doing alright?" Draco asked, wrapping his arms around his wife who stood on the deck.

Turning her head, she smiled at him. She had been surveying their blended group - Gryffindors, Slytherins, muggles, and the magical. Their friendship, it seemed, had created a harmonious blend where there had once only been animosity and prejudice.

"Never better."

The End