132A/N: I have never given birth before, so this is not accurate.
July 2002
He could feel the sun shining on his face and hear the ocean waves crashing against the earth as he tilted his head up toward the clear blue sky. There were lots of families around them, laughing and screaming with joy as Draco lay out on the beach. He turned his head to the side to find Hermione in a muggle bikini, lying next to him with her e-reader in hand. Merlin, he couldn't help but feel like he was the luckiest wizard alive to have this incredible woman, not only be his best friend but his wife. Feeling his eyes on her, she looked up from the novel she was currently devouring and gave Draco a wide smile.
"How are you doing, my love?" Hermione asked. "Is this too much for you? I didn't expect Hurghada to be so busy this time of day."
A sudden wave of nostalgia hit him as Draco realized he was finally experiencing the scene from his vision all those years ago after a night in the Room of Requirement, abet slightly different. For instance, Hermione was more beautiful than the cloudy premonition he recalled, and he could actually feel everything happening around him instead of experiencing vague sensations.
Draco shook his head. "It's no bother, Love."
Her smile widened as she put her device down, coming to roll on her stomach and drape herself across his chest. "We could always go back to the hotel. After all… it is our honeymoon…."
She trailed off, tracing her fingertips over his chest so that he could glimpse at the elegant diamond on her left ring finger, the jewel glittering in the sun like the star it resembled. It was the same band of silver with two sapphires flanking the Lonzenge cut diamond that he had custom-made for her just in time for their wedding three years ago.
He chuckled, "Second honeymoon, you mean…"
After being married at sunset in the Egyptian desert, they spent two weeks on a cruise that took them up and down the Nile, allowing them to explore the sites and embrace the culture before pursuing their higher education goals. And it was a lovely time, except for the fact that they were hardly alone. Most of their immediate friends and family decided to join them on the excursions, which made 'alone time' difficult to come by.
Even after their idyllic cruise, there was not much of an opportunity for rest before they started their respective programs. The Alexandria Institute certainly took their time with their acceptance letters, but they both eventually received them via owl not long after settling into the Malfoy residence near Alexandria.
Now, three years later, Draco was a freshly graduated healer and ready to move back to England with his wife. They had been away from their families long enough, and it felt only right to be back on the same continent with them. That didn't mean they weren't going to miss days like today, lazily sprawled on the beach in each other's arms and dreaming about what was ahead.
Once they were settled back at the manor, Draco would start his new position at St. Mungo's as a pediatric specialist. Even though he didn't need to work, Draco knew for quite some time he was going to become a healer and do something meaningful with his life. He had tried out different specialties while in school, but the one that called to him the most was working with children. He was patient and kind with all the young kids that came into the school for treatment, most naturally drawn to trusting him to heal their ailments.
Meanwhile, Hermione had finished up her dual masteries in Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures. She was eager to start her analyst position within the Department of Regulation and Control for Magical Creatures. Though, Kingsley had practically begged her to work on his re-election campaign instead and take a spot within his cabinet. As generous as the offer was, she turned it down to fight for her passions and create a fairer world for those magical beings.
"Hard to believe we will be going back so soon," she said.
Draco hummed. "It'll be good."
"And your mother was so kind to renovate the manor," Hermione mentioned. Her fingers were walking up his pale chest, stopping just shy of his neck. "Are you going to be okay going back there… after…"
"To be honest, I don't know," Draco admitted. "Malfoy Manor hasn't been my home since I left before my fifth year. Even when I was trapped there for a short time before my seventh year, it felt more like a prison than the place I grew up in."
She was silent for a moment, contemplating what he had divulged. "There's a power in that, I think."
"And what's that, my clever wife?" Draco teased.
"Reclaiming what was once taken from you. The manor was yours first until your father turned it over to Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Now, most of them are gone, and those still alive are in Azkaban and never be released. You- sorry, we could reclaim the property and make it our home."
"That's… an interesting thought," Draco admitted.
"History can never truly be erased, but we could make it something better than it was in the past," Hermione reasoned.
Draco smiled and leaned down to press a hard kiss to her lips. "I love you more than you will ever know."
"There you two are! Welcome back!" Ron exclaimed as he barged through the front door of Malfoy Manor. The redhead gathered Hermione and Draco into a bone-crushing embrace while he muttered how much they were missed while living in Egypt.
"Mate, can't breathe," Draco joked after what felt like a prolonged period.
Ron pulled back, a sheepish look on his face. "Right, sorry about that." He looked over his shoulder and let out a loud whistle. "Oi! Everyone, get in here!"
"Everyone?" Hermione asked incredulously.
The couple had only just landed in their new home not even an hour ago, and already there was a slew of guest filling in the Entrance Hall waiting to be greeted. Not far behind Ron was Harry and Luna, who were gently guiding Aurora Runcorn.
"Uh, hello, Hermione. Draco," the former Slytherin nodded. "It's good to see you."
"You as well," Hermione answered. She cast a curious look between Ron and Aurora before the former Slytherin rolled her eyes. She held out her left hand, flashing a simple gold and round diamond engagement ring.
"Oh, wow!" Draco exclaimed. "Congratulations, Mate!" He patted Ron on the back while Hermione embraced Aurora, quietly welcoming her to the family. Aurora had tears pooling in her eyes as she thanked Hermione and then made the couple promise to visit the bakery she and Ron were opening up in Diagon Alley soon.
"You mean you're leaving the Aurors?" Draco asked in a tone of surprise.
Ron nodded. "It never felt right when I joined. More like… It was what Harry was doing, so naturally, I would follow. I'm ready to chase my own dream now."
Then, they shared a few more quick exchanges with Harry and Luna, during which Draco and Hermione learned the two had finally moved in together and were living in an isolated house in southern England. They charmed the property so that they could take in injured magical creatures, creating a private sanctuary of sorts. Hermione suspected she would be working very closely with them in the near future.
The next people to pile in were George and Angelina, followed by Fred and a heavily pregnant Daphne. Fred and George were still running the joke shop, while Angelina had accepted a temp job at Seeker Weekly. Her boss was responsible for exclusively covering the Holyhead Harpies and the Ballycast Bats, which was practically a dream. With her press pass, she was allowed to attend any and all games she wanted. As far as Hermione and Draco could tell, George and Angelina had not decided to tie the knot, but that didn't mean they weren't happy together, living their dream lives while coming home to one another in the flat above the joke shop.
Fred and Daphne had been more unexpected but had joyous news to share with them. Apparently, Draco and Hermione had just missed the drama after coming home last Christmas, only just now to find out the two had eloped on New Year's Day. The Greengrasses and the Weasleys had both been beside themselves, insisting that the two should have waited with a long courting period. However, once Daphne dropped the bombshell that she was pregnant, Mrs. Greengrass and Mrs. Weasley both agreed it was probably for the best that they didn't have a large ceremony. Instead, the money was used on a down payment for a home that they currently were racing against the clock to fix up before the baby arrived.
"Oh, you should see it, Draco," Daphne gushed, a hand coming to rest protectively on her bump. "It's a small little cottage in town near Ottery St Catchpole, so not far from the Burrow at all!"
He gave her a genuine smile. "I'm so happy for you, Daph. You are positively glowing."
She had tears pooling in her eyes as she reached out to squeeze Draco's hand. "I've never been happier in my life than I am right now." A beat of silence passed between them, the only sound being the laughter filtering in from the parlor as Daphne sniffed. "We made it, Draco. We're finally free of them."
Draco could feel his own eyes start to water as he returned the gesture. "Yeah, Daph. We made it."
Lavender and Parvati naturally made a grand entrance and air-kissed the sides of Hermione's and Draco's cheeks. After being bitten by Greyback, Lavender turned into a werewolf and was currently working with Remus and the rest of the werewolf community. On top of advocating for policy change, one of the many passions Hermione had on her list for legislation to draft once she started her new role, she also served as a fashion icon of sorts to the rest of the pack.
"What?" She shrugged when she noticed Draco failing to hide his chuckle. "Just because we turn into an overly large dog doesn't mean they can't have a sense of style."
Parvati had become a journalist for Witch Weekly and was writing, of all things, a sex advice column. Unsurprising that several citizens in the Wizarding World viewed many things, such as sex education, as taboo and often did not teach the topics. Hell, even Hogwarts didn't have a reproductive health education program. Hermione theorized it either had to be a very strong ward that kept all the teenagers from getting pregnant or Madam Pomfrey secretly handed out birth control options to those in need. Regardless, Parvati's column was extremely popular, and she rose to fame in her own right because of it. The two were very happy together and planning their wedding for sometime in the spring of next year.
Melinda Bobbin and Romilda Vane (along with her husband, who Draco could not be bothered to remember) entered next. Hermione and Draco shared some polite words, and appropriate head nods at the right time with the three when they shared life updates. Melinda had gone into her family's apothecary business, while Romilda was content to be a housewife to her rich, French husband.
When the three entered the parlor to join the rest of the guests, Draco turned to Hermione and whispered, "Who invited them?"
"I have no idea," she replied quietly, "But I have a feeling they are going to be trying to get an audience with us for the rest of the night to do some-" Hermione cleared her throat- "investing."
Draco nodded. "Makes sense.
Next through the door was Ginny Weasley, who was definitely a sight for sore eyes. She hugged both Hermione and Draco fiercely, her embrace stronger than ever before. She explained that after graduation, she started working as a reserved Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies and was loving every second of her professional Quidditch Career. She had high hopes that she might get moved up to the starting lineup within the next year, which meant her paycheck would go up, and she would be able to get a flat of her own.
"I'm sure that also comes with a fair bit of male attention," Hermione joked. "Are you dating anyone?"
Draco didn't miss the way Ginny tugged down her long sleeve. It would have been odd to him that she chose to wear something so covering when it was so hot outside unless she was hiding something etched across her skin. "No. I'm too focused on my goals right now to seriously date anyone."
"Oh, no worries! I'm sure you'll find a partner when the time is right."
Ginny nodded. "Agreed."
She didn't say anything else after that and went to join the rest of their friends in the parlor. The couple shared a concerned look, wondering what the redhead was keeping from them, when two very small voices squealed through the hallway.
"Day-co, Day-co, Day-co!"
"Ah!" Draco exclaimed. He crouched and held his arms out, letting Amaris and James fly into his waiting embrace. He tumbled back onto the ground, his laughter mixing with the squeals of delight coming from his younger pseudo-siblings. "Oh, how I missed you so much! Look how big you two have grown!"
James laughed. "We fly later?"
"Of course! We'll go super high and very fast," Draco cooed.
Amaris held her arms up above her head and screamed, "Zoom!"
"Oh, for the love of Merlin, Draco-" Remus shook his head- "Please do not murder my children."
"Relax, love," Sirius dismissed his husband's concern. "Draco will take excellent care of them. Besides, even if there is a bump or a scratch, he's a certified healer now. He can just fix them right up. Isn't that right, cousin mine?"
Draco laughed, accepting the awkward hug since James and Amaris refused to let go of him. "Absolutely, I'll take good care of them."
"We do now?" James asked, his eyes twinkling with delight.
"Later, sweet," Remus said, kissing the top of his son's hair. "When the party is winding down. Draco and Hermione still need to talk to people."
"Aww," both James and Amaris said at the same time. Their lips pouted in sync, the sight so adorable that Hermione had to hide her chuckle with a poorly concealed cough.
"Come on, kiddos," Sirius insisted, pulling one of the kids out of Draco's arms while Remus grabbed the other. "Let's go say hello to Nana. I'm sure if you ask her, she'll have the elves bring you cookies."
"Cookies!" the twins yelled at the same time.
After Sirius and Remus disappeared into the parlor with their children, Hermione and Draco said hello to Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbot. Neville had been working as an apprentice with Professor Sprout, and Hannah was working in the Wizengamont as a secretary. The two seemed very happy, but no plans to take their relationship to the next level were on the horizon.
Shortly after, Percy, Molly, Bill, and Fleur came through the door. The French witch was holding a small bundle in her arm, a tired but happy smile on her face as she passed it to Hermione.
"She's only nine weeks old, but she is so alert," Fleur said.
Hermione hummed and sang to the newborn in her arms, a look of pure adoration on her face as she rocked the baby girl. "What's her name?"
"Victoire," Fleur declared proudly. It was very fitting, considering she was born on the anniversary."
Draco nodded. "I agree. And I'm sure she will be a champion in her own right."
Bill smiled, his face showing the look of a proud first-time father as he put his arm around his wife. "She will be in Gryffindor, that's for sure."
"Or she might decide to go to Beaubaxton, like her mother," Fleur gently corrected, giving her husband a teasing look. "Either way, she is perfect."
Reluctantly, Hermione handed the baby back over to her mother and waved bye to her as they went into the parlor to join the rest of the guests. She had a look of longing on her face that didn't disappear until Draco took her hands and kissed them.
"What are you thinking, love?"
She bit her bottom lip, gazing into Draco's eyes. "You haven't changed your mind, have you?"
Draco raised an eyebrow at her. "About what?"
"About… Children. You still want to have kids, right?"
Her question, though not entirely out of the blue, had caught Draco completely off guard. He had to admit; it was a natural line of progression for Hermione to think about children. They had been married for three years now, and after being bombarded with tiny humans…
"Of course I do, Hermione. But, you know, we can wait as long as you want," Draco insisted.
"I know…"
"Seriously, there is no rush. We are only like what… 22?"
"Going on 23," she corrected, "But Draco…"
He shuddered. "And after what I saw in my internship with Andromeda and in school… Hermione… labor is no joke."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm well aware, Draco. I am a woman."
"I'm serious! It's traumatizing! Not only what that little bean will do to your body, but the recovery is long…"
"Draco!" Hermione raised her voice, cupping his face so that he was looking at her. "What if we become parents sooner than we think?"
He blinked, not entirely comprehending what she was saying. "How… soon?"
"Maybe… seven months?"
He felt all the oxygen leave his lungs, and his heartbeat start to race uncontrollably and… was that the world that was spinning, or was it his vision starting to see double?
"Draco?" She shook his shoulder. "Oh, Merlin, did I break you?"
"I… I…" Draco shook his head. "Hermione, are you sure?"
Her eyes watered as she gave him a soft smile. She took his hands in hers and gently guided them to her stomach.
"Yes," she whispered.
He blinked again, his hands shaking slightly against her stomach. His eyes didn't leave her abdomen as he sunk to his knees. "Hello, baby! I'm you Daddy, and I can't wait to meet you."
Hermione giggled, a hand coming to rake through his fringed platinum hair. "They can't hear you yet. I'm only about two months along, but come mid-January of next year, we're going to be parents."
Draco gazed up at her, a look of wonderment mixing with the tears pooling in the corner of his eyes. "We're going to be parents," he repeated.
She guided him up to stand, her eyes never leaving his as they continued to stare at one another. The news had certainly been unexpected, but it was the best gift Draco had ever received. He leaned his forward against hers, nuzzling his nose against Hermione's. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Hermione whispered. Her breath ghosted against his skin as her lips searched to claim his, but the sweet moment was interrupted by the sound of something crashing and Sirius screaming. "We should probably go in and entertain our guests."
"Hmm…" Draco nuzzled against her face. "Do we have to? You know our mothers organized this whole thing against our will."
"Do you want them to break our house?"
Draco shrugged. "I'm sure between Narcissa, Andromeda, and Molly; they will have everyone in line."
"Even so-" she leaned back, tugging on his arm toward the parlor- "but we can't be rude."
"Given the news you just gave me, I think we can disappear for a few days while I shag you senseless," Draco teased.
Hermione couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "Later, my love. For now, I believe we have people waiting to talk to us some more, and you have two little kids that you promised broom rides to."
He huffed playfully. "Fine. I guess…"
"Good boy," Hermione joked, pulling him toward the parlor once more.
"Oh, you will pay for that one later, witch," Draco chuckled.
January 2003
Hermione's groan of distress echoed through the halls, her hand resting on her stomach as she leaned back in the wheelchair.
"It's okay, Hermione. We're almost to the room," Harry tried to encourage her, though his voice was laced with panic.
"Harry," Hermione huffed, "Shut. Up."
He winced as she let out another long moan of pain. "Sorry."
"Where… where is… my husband?" She asked in broken puffs of air. "The contractions… their getting… stronger… OW!"
"Ron's finding him," Harry informed her. "Here we are…"
Hermione didn't hear what anyone was saying around her, too consumed by her labor pains to pay attention to her best friend or the two nurses. She barely registered the fact that they were guiding her out of the chair and onto the bed.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Granger-Malfoy. Healer Granger-Malfoy will be here shortly," the nurse assured her.
She groaned again. "He better be! Or I'm going to murder him myself… AHHHH!"
"I'm just going to check and see how dilated you are, Mrs. Granger-Malfoy," the other nurse said.
"My contractions… are… five minutes apart," Hermione moaned again, the agony of labor only increasing.
"Isn't there a pain potion you can give her?" Harry asked.
"Seven centimeters," the nurse announced. "I suspect you will see your baby within an hour or two as long as their head starts crowning."
Suddenly, the door to her room opened. "Hermione! I wasn't expecting you until next week."
"Andromeda!" Hermione yelled. She tried to sit up, but Harry pushed her back down onto the bed. "The baby… is early… Draco…"
"On his way," Andromeda assured. "He got called for an emergency treatment, a child with a broken arm that needed some mending."
"Of course… he did!" Hermione groaned again, tears streaming down her splotchy, red face. She could barely open her eyes through the pain as she looked helplessly at Andromeda. "He will be here, right?"
"Oh, darling!" Andromeda rushed to her side, patting her arm reassuringly. "He'll be here soon." She looked down at a clipboard and then waved her wand to cast some diagnostic spells over Hermione. "The little one is moving right along. In fact, I think they'll be crowing here in the next hour or so."
"About… time…" Hermione gasped. "I just want the baby out of me!"
"I know, darling. How about I get you a pain potion?" Andromeda offered. "And maybe some ice chips."
Hermione couldn't nod her head quickly enough. Oh, how she was longing for sweet relief from the constant suffering that had now taken over her entire body. She was sore and tired, and all she wanted was for her husband to hold her hand and kiss her sweaty forehead while their child tried to make its way into the world.
She had finally let go of Harry's hand and managed to relax further into the bed, her head lulling to the side of the not-too-fluffy pillow covered in scratchy cotton material. "I just want today to be over."
"It's going to be okay, Hermione," Harry said.
"I know… I know… it's just-"
Her words died in her throat as she heard the unmistakable sound of a wrapper crinkling. Hermione's eyes shot open faster than the wings of a golden snitch as she turned in her bed to find Harry had just opened and was beginning to chop down on a s'more's granola bar. Her lips salivated with the desire to taste the sweet and crunchy combination melts in her mouth, a feeling which was quickly converted to rage when she remembered she could not eat until after the baby was born.
"What. Is. That."
Harry paused mid-bite; his eyebrows raised in confusion at her harsh tone. Slowly, he lowered the bar out of his mouth and into his lap. "Hermione? Are you alright?"
An ire like none she had ever felt before burned hot and furiously in her core, spreading hotly throughout her entire being like Fiendfyre. How dare he eat in her presence! How dare he open up something that looked so delicious with mini marshmallows and chocolate when all she could have to eat were pathetic ice chips.
"Throw it away," she ordered.
"What?" Harry gasped. "But… Hermione… it's just..."
"If you want to prevent a third wizarding war from happening and the rise of another Voldemort, then I suggest you do what I say. Right now, Harry James Potter!" She took a deep breath. "Throw. It. Away!"
"Alright, alright!" Harry raised his hands in surrender and walked toward the trash can, tossing the barely-eaten granola bar into the tin. "There."
Hermione huffed, a fresh wave of tears pouring from her eyes so hard that she didn't notice her mother enter the room.
"Oh, thank Merlin, you are here!" Harry exclaimed. "I don't know what happened. One minute Hermione was fine, and then she started yelling at me to throw away a granola bar."
Kathryn raised an eyebrow at the Auror. "You mean to tell me you tried to eat in front of a woman actively in labor when she can't have anything."
"Oh," Harry stated. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Right, well, I'm just going to go… maybe wait in the waiting room."
"I think that's a good idea, Harry," Kathryn said gently.
All too soon, Draco barged through the door, his hair disheveled and robe spattered with blood. "I'm here. I'm here. So, sorry, love. My patient broke their arm, and the bone pierced the skin-"
"-I don't care, Draco!" Hermione cried as another painful contraction ripped through her body, tears still streaming down her face as she turned toward her husband. "Just… hold my hand. Please."
"Anything," Draco swore. He interlaced their fingers with one hand and used his other to soothingly push her hair, damp with sweat, out of her face. "I love you so much, Hermione."
She let out a stuttering breath. "I'm so scared."
Draco nodded. "I know, but you are so strong. Our baby is going to be here any moment, and it's all because of you."
She shook her head. "I can't do this, Draco. I can't."
"Yes, you can," he retorted gently. "You are the stronger person I know."
"It hurts!" Hermione wailed. "Damn it, I'm in so much pain! And I can't eat anything… and… Harry tried to devour a granola bar in front of me!"
"You did what?" Draco glared at the door where Harry was trying to make a hasty retreat. "How could you? I should hex you right now."
"I'm sorry!" Harry yelled. "I didn't know!"
"Harry… Maybe go and make yourself useful and see where Andromeda is with the pain potion?" Kathryn suggested.
"That-" he pointed his finger- "is an excellent suggestion. I'm going to go do that."
Draco rolled his eyes at Harry, the wizard darting out of the room with lightning speed, before turning back to Hermione. "I'm sorry, love. Is there anything I can do for you? Want me to massage your back?"
She whimpered pathetically and nodded. "Please make it stop, Draco."
As carefully as he and Kathryn could, they helped Hermione sit up so that Draco could rub firm, soothing circles along her spine.
"Soon," Draco promised. "It'll be over soon."
"Alright, Hermione," Andromeda announced as she came back into the delivery room. "I have a pain potion and an extra-large glass of ice chips for you."
"Thank you," Hermione answered weakly as she accepted the proffered vial. She chugged the purple liquid with vigor, nearly choking on the contents.
"I'm just going to do a quick check, and then- oh!"
Draco and Hermione both froze, looking at Andromeda with concern, while Kathryn had a knowing look on her face.
"Oh? Oh, what?" Draco nearly spat.
"It's time," Andromeda announced. She waved her wand and sent a Patronus to her nurses, informing them that Hermione was crowing and the baby was coming.
There was a flurry of people around her bed, but she never took her eyes off the two constants that were keeping her grounded through the pain. With Draco on her left and her mother on the right, Hermione gripped their hands and squeezed so hard she might have been cutting off circulation.
"Okay, it's time to push mom. On my mark!"
Andromeda did a small countdown, her timing perfect to coincide with Hermione's contractions.
"Go again, and then you can rest," Andromeda urged.
With all her strength, Hermione willed her body to release the pressure on her pelvis, to push her baby out into the world so she could hold the tiny human that had been growing inside her. Despite the assistance from the pain potion, the experience was single-handedly the most excruciating thing she had ever experienced.
Not even being under Bellatrix Lestrange's Crucio and then having her arm hacked compared to what it felt like to give birth.
"Okay, break time is over. Time to push again," Andromeda shouted. "On the count of three."
Hermione huffed, arching her back as she took a deep breath and grunted through the push.
"Yes, that's it, Hermione! Here they come!"
A loud, shrill scream filled the room, causing her and Draco to laugh with excitement. Hermione blinked through the sweat and tears, her body collapsing back against the mattress with exhaustion as she felt the pressure recede and the fluids gush out of her.
"We'll wait for the placenta to come, but would you like to meet her?"
"Her?" Hermione croaked, looking at Draco with so much love and adoration.
"We have a girl?" Draco gushed.
Andromeda nodded, coming around to the top of the bed with the newborn wrapped in a warm blanket The tiny body was still covered in blood, but Hermione didn't care. She held her hands out and wanted to hold her daughter as soon as possible. The little girl cooed and squirmed, not fully settling down until she was held protectively to Hermione's chest
Draco wrapped his arms around both of them, just looking down at his girls as he felt an overwhelming sense of unconditional love consume him.
"She's perfect," Hermione whispered. "But what to call you, little one?"
"I have a few names we could explore," Draco offered. "Cassiopeia? Persephone? Lyra?"
Hermione shook her head. "Do they have to be a constellation or from Greek Mythology?"
Draco shrugged. "It is a Black family tradition."
"What about something that has meaning to us? Like… I don't know… Rose? They're your favorite flower."
"Because they remind me of summers at the manor where I used to help my mother in the garden," Draco said.
"This is just a suggestion," Kathryn interjected, "But what about Rosalie? It literally means 'rose garden' in French."
Hermione and Draco looked at each other, a silent conversation flowing between them, before looking back at their daughter.
"Rosalie," Hermione whispered, testing out the name on her tongue.
The small bundle of joy squirmed in her arm, a tiny squeak of agreement chirping out from her round mouth.
"I think she likes it," Draco smiled, kissing the top of Hermione's head.
She returned his look with an equally wide smile of her own. "Rosalie… Lyra Granger-Malfoy."
He raised an eyebrow at her, a teasing smirk dancing across Draco's face. "I thought you didn't like a constellation name."
"Well…" Hermione drawled before she chuckled lightly. "Family traditions are important, are they not?"
Draco sighed, leaning down to peck her mouth. "Thank you. Thank you for giving me the perfect family."
Hermione raised one hand up to stroke his cheek. "No, thank you, Draco. Thank you for being my best friend all those years ago on the train and then falling in love with me. I couldn't imagine my life without you in it."
"And you will never have to," he swore. "Rosalie will grow up in both a magical and muggle world without ever having to face the horrors we endured. She will only know of two parents that love her more than life itself and will be surrounded by so many family members that will spoil and support her."
A fresh wave of tears poured from both their eyes as they turned back to their daughter, almost sealing the promise that Draco painted before them. When she turned back to him, she noticed his eyes were glassy, but not from the tears, a sign she knew all too well.
"What did you see?" Hermione asked when he blinked, coming out of the short vision. Since the end of the war, Draco hardly ever had visions, but occasionally they would pop up at the most random of times.
He didn't say anything, just giving her a secret smile as he leaned down and kissed her once more. "Let's just say," he said when he pulled back, "that the future is very bright and something worth living for."
Final Notes:
I cannot thank all of you enough from the bottom of my heart for following, reviewing, and sharing my story. I can't believe it's finally over and that this journey has come to an end. Special thanks to the people who worked as betas on it, from my sister, to TigerAndDaisy, and sleepstxtic. I could not have done this without your help.
With that me being said, most of my stories are now going to remain on AO3. The only exception is that my sister's one shot that I am writing for her birthday will be cross-posted here to Fanfiction because this is her preferred reading platform.
Anyway, again, thank you all so much for the love and support. Until next time!
Love,
Halli! :)