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2020-07-28
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Don't love just one

Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Summary:

The last chapter of this story!

Notes:

Holy shit, it's the last chapter. I can't believe it. I started writing this story eight months ago when I was in a dark place, and this story, along with others I started writing, helped me so so so much.

I know the first chapters are not really good, but I hope you can see the growth I went through with this story.

Thank you so much for reading this!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Hermione knew that something was wrong. The moment she felt the panic from Harry through the bond and nothing from Draco was when she knew the simple quest for the cup went wrong in so many ways. 

 

She had insisted on going with them, but Harry was right. It was dangerous for them to all be at the same place at the moment. Harry needed and wanted to keep her safe back at Hogwarts. 

 

She was persuaded when Pansy had asked her help with homework, but when the panic rang through the bond, she ran to the secret passage so she could go to Hogsmeade and make her way to her boyfriends. 

 

Hermione could hear Pansy behind her. She registered that Theo, Blaise, Ginny, the twins, and Luna also joined them before she even had left Hogwarts. 

 

Hermione paid them no mind. She just needed to go to her Harry and Draco. Nothing else mattered. 

 

When she came up at Honeydukes, the patron startled and yelled at her, but she silenced him with just one look. Then the rest of the gang came up behind her panting. She made her way to the streets and, for some reason, knew that something was about to happen.

 

When multiple people appeared with masks, she exactly knew that something must have happened back at Diagon Alley. 

 

She didn't lose any momentum and started casting curses, hexes, and spells against the Death Eaters that invaded Hogsmeade. 

 

Her friends at her back were battling just as ferocious as she was. She didn't know how much time had passed when she heard someone yell her name. 

 

''HERMIONE! It's Harry!'' 

 

She whipped around and blasted the nearest Death Eater against a building before she blocked him in with the stones of the building. 

 

Hermione rushed forward when she saw Sirius with a struggling Harry. It didn't seem that he was registering anything that Sirius was saying. She knelt on her knees in front of him, and she saw the anguish written on his face. 

 

''Harry! Harry! Please! Tell me! Where is Draco?'' 

 

A sob escaped Harry before he finally focused on Hermione. 

 

''They took him, h-his father-'' Harry couldn't get another word out before Hermione had flung her arms around him and pulled him into her warm embrace. 

 

''Shh, we will get him back. You remember, don't you? We have plans for this. We will get him back, Harry.'' 

 

Harry nodded against her shoulder before extracting himself a little. He brushed a little hair out of Hermione's face before frowning. There was blood on her face from the fight she had been in. It was just a shallow cut, but it was enough to enrage Harry.

 

He stood up suddenly. Hermione didn't expect it and almost fell down on the ground. But Sirius just caught her by the arm and pulled her upright. 

 

When Hermione looked around, it was clear that Harry just now registered the fight around him. Hermione took a step back, not out of fright for herself but more out of caution. She didn't want to interrupt Harry now. 

 

Harry's cloak started to billow around him until it suddenly transfigured in the familiar invisibility cloak. His wand was still in his hand, and Hermione could see that a ring had appeared on it with a single black stone. She probably was the only one who understood what was happening. 

 

Shadows started to disfigure around Harry and took the shape of soldiers around him. Hermione hadn't heard Harry speak at all, but it was clear that the magic was forming all around him with just a thought. No spells necessary. 

 

Hermione saw why they hadn't been attacked all the while she was standing there with Harry and Sirius. Apparently, all their friends had formed a kind of shield around them so they could pull themselves together. 

 

With just a flick of Harry's wrist, all their friends vanished from in front of them. Hermione looked behind her and saw the shocked faces of all of them, some bruised and bloody, but they were safe and alive. They seemed to want to protest, but Hermione put up her hand to ask for silence. 

 

It was clear that it would be no use. Draco had been taken, and Hermione had been hurt, how insignificantly as the wound was, Harry couldn't be reasoned with now. 

 

Harry seemed calm and collected, and Hermione felt a shiver down her spine when she understood. In front of her wasn't her boyfriend, the funny, sarcastic, playful Harry Potter. No, in front of her, ready to defend her and everyone Harry loved, was the Master of Death. The Death Eaters had been followers of Voldemort, but they had followed the wrong deity because it was spectacularly clear that the Master of Death was far more powerful than any witch or wizard that was now alive. Even Voldemort. 

 

And the Master of Death was coming for Voldemort and his followers. 

 

Harry still hadn't let out a sound, but he pulled up his hood while he faced the remaining Death Eaters, they were standing around Harry in a circle, and they all had their wands raised and ready. 

 

As soon as the hood of his cloak settled on his head, Harry vanished from his spot. Many cries were heard, and one Death Eater fired a curse at Hermione and the rest of their group. 

 

But Hermione just knew that they were safe. It appeared she was right because just a few meters in front of them, the curse bounded off some kind of shield.

 

When Hermione looked back at the Death Eaters, it was as if they seemed to start to understand what was happening. And what was happening was that they were losing this fight. 

 

One Death Eater after another fell to the ground, not dead but stunned and bound. Some others tried to run when they couldn't disapparate, but it was no use. Within seconds all of them were incarcerated. 

 

Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She then carefully made her way towards the middle of the square where all the fallen Death Eaters lay on the floor. 

 

She felt some kind of fabric against her right hand and reached out. She then pulled the cloak off of Harry. His face looked blank, but Hermione could feel all the emotions coiling inside of him. 

 

He felt scared and afraid, but also angry. So much rage was inside him that Hermione almost didn't dare to pull him into a hug, but she knew that he needed her now more than ever. 

 

''We are getting him back.'' She whispered. He nodded but still didn't say anything. 

 

They stood there for a couple of minutes when they finally heard the familiar pops of apparation. The Aurors had arrived, Sirius and Remus went and talked to them. They were wary about Harry and wanted to take him in, but Hermione knew how bad of an idea that would be. 

 

''We need to go somewhere,'' Hermione whispered against his ear. 

 

Harry stiffened for a moment before nodding. 

 

Before Hermione could do anything, they were standing in Potter Mansion. Their home for the last couple of years outside of Hogwarts.

 

''Harry?'' She carefully asked, afraid to upset him. 

 

''We need a plan.'' Came the gruff response. 

 

''For Draco?''

 

''Yes, and to end Voldemort. Once and for all.'' He then pulled out the cup they had retrieved from Gringotts. 

 

They walked towards the library, where the rest of the Horcruxes were hidden. 

 

Harry took all of them out and then walked outside, with Hermione on his heels. 

 

''What is the plan?'' Hermione said because she had an idea what Harry was going to do. 

 

''We are going to attack him.'' He simply responded. Hermione only just held herself back from rolling her eyes. 

 

''So what? We are going to storm in?'' 

 

''Kind of.'' 

 

''Harry, I really need something more.'' She said, exasperated. 

 

Harry turned to her, put his hands on her face, and kissed her softly on her forehead. 

 

''I'm going to destroy the Horcruxes. Voldemort will be weak for a couple of moments. Then we use our bracelets to locate Draco and transport there. Then I will battle Voldemort, and you will get Draco out. No being the hero, nothing, you will get him and get out and be safe, are we clear Hermione?''

 

Hermione had tears in her eyes. 

 

''If you think that you will go after him alone, you are mistaken, Harry James Potter. Draco nor I will leave your side. You know this.'' 

 

''Mione, I'm the one that needs to take him out.'' 

 

''I don't care! You are not saying goodbye, we are going in there with you, and we will be with you until the end. Am I clear?'' Hermione's voice broke at the end, and she knew she was pleading, but she couldn't let him go. Not her best friend, her soulmate, her everything. 

 

Harry looked her straight in the eye, and those green eyes pierced her soul, but she wouldn't back down. 

 

Acceptance shone back with affection before Harry pulled her in for a kiss. 

 

When he pulled back, they were both breathless. Harry then turned around and destroyed the Horcruxes with one clean sweep of fiendfyre. The control he had over the spell was amazing, and Hermione could only look in awe. 

 

He then squeezed Hermione's hand and pulled their bracelets off before focussing his magic on them. Hermione looked on in wonder when it seemed to click in Harry's head. 

 

When he looked up, he kissed her again softly, he poured all his love and devotion into that kiss, and Hermione pushed her own love and dedication back, and together, they fed it into Draco's bond. 

 

''Let's get our Draco back,'' Harry stated simply before pulling Hermione with him into the darkness of the shadows. 

 


 

When Draco woke up, he knew that something had happened. There was a constant ache in him, everything hurt, and he felt bile rising when he tried to remember what happened exactly.

 

Pain flashed through his bond when he tried to feel for Harry or Hermione. Everything came back empty. He instantly panicked, thinking that they maybe have died and the bonds were severed, but for some reason, it didn't feel exactly like that either. 

 

It was as if the bonds were blocked, not severed. 

 

''Ah, Draco, kind of you to join us in the land of the living.'' Came a raspy, slimy-sounding voice. 

 

Draco stiffened when he recognized the voice. It was the same voice that conjured the wall of fire that had separated him from Harry. The one and only asshole supreme, Voldemort.

 

He then heard several laughs all around the room and felt sick to his stomach, again. It was clear that he was in the middle of a lot of Death Eaters. He was in so much trouble. If he could get out of this alive, Hermione was going to kill him.

 

He looked up and around. He recognized several Death Eaters and sneered at them. Especially when he saw his father standing next to Voldemort. Seeming to preen that he was at Voldemort's right hand. 

 

''Finally, you have come to join us. I must admit, when your father told me he managed to get you undercover within Potter's friends, I was amused. Surely someone like Potter would understand that a Malfoy never could be trusted?'' Voldemort said with a snarl, Draco could see Lucius shrink on himself a little, but all the other Death Eaters just started to laugh loudly. 

 

He also heard the cackling of his aunt Bellatrix, but he ignored her as much as possible, just glaring at Voldemort. 

 

''It's pretty pathetic, isn't it?'' Draco responded. Voldemort seemed to try for a smile, but on his snake-like face, it just looked awful and bizarre. 

 

''That Lucius would tell his master such lies-'' He then made a tut-tut-tut sound and smirked when Lucius stood there shocked. 

 

Voldemort didn't seem amused anymore.

 

''What are you saying, child?''

 

Draco cringed a little because Voldemort called him a child, but he tried not to let it show. 

 

''I'm saying that Lucius sure can tell a lot of stories. Which are incorrect.'' 

 

''Draco! Think about it. You will be free. You can't possibly want to be with that mud and half-blood! Come back to your family, be a Malfoy again.'' Lucius sneered while trying to plea, but it was pathetic. 

 

Draco rolled his eyes and then saw his mother standing just behind Lucius. She seemed afraid and hurt, but he wasn't going to dwell on it now. He knew that this probably would be his last minutes, and he wasn't going to change for his father or mother. He had another family now. 

 

''You are with them, willingly?'' Voldemort said with a cold and detached voice. 

 

''I am with them because I love them,'' Draco responded with passion. 

 

Voldemort started to laugh loudly, and the other Death Eaters joined him. Without any warning, Voldemort then pointed his wand at Draco. 

 

''CRUCIO!''

 

Draco screamed out in pain while he wriggled on the floor. The pain stopped briefly, but before he could even pant out a relieved breath, it was back again. He could hear laughing coming from far away, it sounded like he was underwater, and someone was screaming. It took him a long time to understand that he was the one screaming. 

 

When the pain finally lifted for longer than a couple of seconds, he panted against the floor he was lying on. His muscles and bones screamed at him in protest, but he still tried to get up. 

 

''Are you sure you are a Slytherin? Because I only see a stupid Gryffindor responding right now.'' Came the taunt from one of the Death Eaters. 

 

Draco spat blood on the floor and looked up to glare at the man. But they were all laughing again. Even Voldemort let out a chuckle. 

 

''Tell me, Draco. How will the boy-who-lived react to your death?'' 

 

Draco looked up and straight into the dark red eyes of Voldemort before responding. 

 

''He will kill you.'' 

 

This caused another round of laughter and a big grin with pointy teeth from Voldemort. Draco shuddered from the sight. 

 

''I would like to see him try.'' Voldemort taunted, and Draco knew that his last minute had come. 

 

Voldemort raised his wand and pointed at Draco. Draco thought he should see his life flashing before his eyes, but when Voldemort began the spell that would end his life, he could only see his mother. 

 

His mother, who sprang in front of him with a scream and died on the end of the spell that was meant for Draco. 

 

Silence settled over the room when everyone took in the scene that happened in front of them. 

 

Draco could only look in horror towards his mother, who was now dead in front of him. He knew he was gaping, and he didn't know how much time had already passed. He heard a sob from Lucius. He didn't know if it was really heartfelt or if it was a play.

 

Then Voldemort screeched. He looked up sharply and saw Voldemort grabbing his head, and he screamed and screamed as if he was in pain. 

 

Draco rushed forward, took his mother's wand, and kissed her on the forehead before starting to fight. He just knew that Harry and Hermione would be arriving soon, and he needed to be ready. 

 


 

Shadows crawled forward, and out of them stepped Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, ready for anything that would be thrown at them. 

 

Harry spotted Draco first, dueling with two Death Eaters while others crowded around a fallen figure. There were about ten of them in total. Make that nine because Draco just took one of them down. 

 

Harry flicked his wand, and the other Death Eater soared through the air before collapsing on the floor. 

 

Draco looked up, and relief and grief were the two emotions he wore on his face. Harry wanted to pull him into his arms, but he knew they needed to get out of here first. They needed to finish this war.

 

Draco rushed to them, and together they closed ranks and started attacking the remaining Death Eaters. It was ridiculous how fast the Death Eaters fell like they were puppets whose strings were cut. Even Voldemort took out some of the Death Eaters, mostly in his hurry to get to Harry. The bastard didn't care about his own followers. He looked like a wild man. 

 

After just a couple of minutes, only three people were up against Harry, Hermione, and Draco. The odds were tipping slightly in their favor.

 

Bellatrix was dueling Hermione, Lucius was dueling Draco with tears running down his face, and Harry was again facing Voldemort. 

 

They were driving the three of them apart, but Harry wouldn't let that happen. Shadows erupted behind the three, and Bellatrix and Lucius had terror written all over their face. 

 

''Potter! How did you learn this-this dark magic? You are not worthy of this power!'' Voldemort spat.

 

Harry did his best not to rise to the bait and focused only to manifest his powers to not be separated from Draco or Hermione. He could feel death all around him. Not that the Death Eaters were dead at his feet. No, he could literally feel the end of everyone's life in the room. And he could feel that Voldemort's was about on the end of his line. 

 

''Answer me!'' Voldemort bellowed before throwing a powerful curse at Harry. 

 

He couldn't block it in time, but he didn't need it to. In front of him, Death herself appeared, in all her shadowy glory, she looked eternal and powerful, Bellatrix shrieked, and Lucius whimpered upon seeing her, but they dueled further with Hermione and Draco.

 

Voldemort looked stunned when his curse was simply absorbed by the creature in front of him. He snarled but almost choked it back when his magic reached out and felt for the first time what this creature would be. 

 

''Th-that can't be!'' 

 

''Tom, Tom, Tom, are you seriously still trying to escape me?'' Death said in a distant voice but sounding reprimanding. 

 

Harry stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder. 

 

''You shouldn't interfere.'' He simply stated, Death looked at him and simply smiled. 

 

''Of course,  Master . I will let you back to it.'' She said with a slight bow before stepping back and collapsing into the shadows. 

 

Harry locked his gaze back on Voldemort, who was gaping at him with barely contained fury.

 

''You! How are you, her Master?! You aren't worthy! I was worthy! I was the one that should be her Master! I'm the Heir of Slytherin! She should bow for me!'' 

 

''Death bows for no-one.'' Harry simply said before he saw something move in his vision. He finally saw the last Horcrux, and quickly before Voldemort had time to react, he send a cutting curse towards the large snake. 

 

The snake spat out in a flurry of ash and dust before it settled on the floor. A cry of pain was heard in the air, but Harry paid it no mind. He focused back on Voldemort and felt a chill down his spine. This would be the end.

 


 

Draco felt drained. There was no other word for it. The bonds still hadn't healed all the way, so he couldn't feel his soulmates. He was glad that Harry used his magic so he wouldn't be separated from them. So he could still see them while he was dueling his father. 

 

His father was crying but still furiously dueling him. It was clear that even if the man was cruel, he had still loved his wife immensely. Even if he didn't care for Draco. At least, Draco couldn't feel the love. 

 

''Why couldn't you just go with the plan? It's your fault that she is dead! Your fault only!'' Lucius hissed. 

 

''Lucius, are you really that dense? Who cast the fucking spell?'' Draco snapped back, done with the abuse he had suffered for years. He would not let Lucius get the better of him. 

 

They dueled violently, Lucius was getting weaker, and Draco could feel it in his bones. His mother's wand was helping him. Even if it wasn't his own, it was still from the Black family, a family he felt more and more at home in. Sirius had given him a home, together with Harry and Hermione, and Remus, and Theo, Blaise, Pansy, they were his family. His mother was his family. She had sacrificed herself for him. Sacrificed herself for the greater good. And oh my god, he started to sound like Dumbledore.

 

A pained shriek made them both lose focus, and Draco saw the snake turn into ash, and he knew from the anguished look on Tom Riddle's face that it was almost over. They had almost won.

 

He turned back to Lucius, and he took in the bleak look on his face. Before he could say anything, Lucius sank down on his knees and dropped his wand. 

 

''Do it.'' He said with pleading eyes. And this side, this side of his father he had never seen. 

 

The pleading look was enough to throw him before he understood what Lucius was asking. 

 

''I will not kill you!'' Draco snarled before he bound Lucius as tightly as possible with the ropes from his wand. 

 

''You should! You should kill me!'' Lucius yelled from his place on the floor. 

 

''I'm not like you!'' Draco snapped back. It was silent for a moment, at least in the bubble Draco now felt he was in with Lucius, glaring at each other. The others in the room were forgotten for a moment. 

 

''That was the problem all along. Wasn't it?'' Lucius said with venom. Draco reeled back as if slapped. Before fury took over. 

 

''I never saw that as a problem! I'm glad that I'm nothing like you!'' Draco growled before silencing his father with a flick of his wand. 

 


 

Cackling, there was no other word for it. The bitch was cackling in glee while dueling with her. 

 

''Iny, mini, miny, mo, where did the mudblood go?'' Bellatrix started. Hermione threw another hex her way, but Bellatrix simply blocked it. 

 

''The mudblood went left, then the mudblood went right, and then the mudblood would cry.'' A blast forced Hermione a step back, but her gaze was unwavering, and her determination was over the roof. 

 

''Do you know why the mudblood would cry?'' Bellatrix sang while the manic glee shone in her eyes. 

 

Hermione still didn't respond and just kept dueling, countering every attack Bellatrix threw at her, and send her own hexes and curses Bellatrix way. 

 

''Because the mudblood was about to DIE!'' Bellatrix shrieked in glee again. Hermione ducked and rolled out of the way of the last spell, which had been green. She could've died if the spell had hit her. That much was clear. 

 

A scream was heard, and Hermione saw the snake crumble to dust. She then saw Draco bind Lucius and knew it was almost over. 

 

Bellatrix also seemed to understand in what kind of predicament they were in, and she became desperate. 

 

''My lord! My lord!'' She started to shriek, her eyes wide and fearful. For the first time this night, it seemed like Bellatrix understood that she could lose. 

 

Bellatrix then did something Hermione didn't expect. She turned her wand to Harry. The next moment everything seemed to flash in front of Hermione's eyes. And one sentiment kept echoing in her mind. 

 

Keep Harry safe, keep Harry alive. My best friend and my first and last love. 

 

She shot a look at Draco and saw in the second it took to make up her mind, the anguish in his face, the pleading that she shouldn't do this. 

 

She reached out through the bond to both her loves to send them one last message before throwing herself in front of Bellatrix's wand. 

 

I'm sorry. I love you. 

 

''AVADA KEDAVRA!'' 

 

She expected darkness, she expected cold, and maybe some kind of afterlife with her dead relatives. 

 

What she didn't expect was to be looking into those green eyes that she loved so much, but instead of black hair and masculine jaw, she saw hair as red as fire and a loving and warm expression on a feminine face. 

 

Hello Hermione, you have no idea how lovely it is to meet you. The girl that stole my son's heart. 

 

The voice sounded in her head, Hermione already had her suspicion about who it was in front of her, but now it was confirmed. 

 

She also stole my son's heart, but it's clear how much they love each other, all three of them. 

 

Hermione looked around and found Narcissa standing next to her. Completely at ease, and even with a small smile on her face. 

 

I do, I love - well, loved, them so much.

 

She responded. Tears prickled in her eyes, and she let out a small sob. 

 

I left them

 

Two arms encircled her, and she held on to Lily. Crying when reality hit her. She died to protect Harry. She left Harry and Draco. She never wanted that. She wanted to grow old together. To bond fully with them, to have a full and happy life, to have children with both of them. 

 

You protected him. You did so well, Hermione.  Narcissa said while combing her fingers through Hermione's hair. 

 

I'm going to miss them so much.

 

You don't have to.  Lily whispered. Hermione pulled back to look at Lily Potter. 

 

What do you mean? They aren't going to die, are they?  Hermione asked with a panicked voice. 

 

No, they aren't going to die, but you aren't going to stay here.  Spoke another voice. Hermione spun around and saw Death standing just behind. She reached out with her hand to Hermione. 

 

You protected my Master. Because of that, I will give you this chance at life as a gift. Besides, my Master is a clever man, but he would be lost without you.  Death gave her a small smile, and Hermione let out a startled laugh. 

 

Are you sure?  She needed to ask. It would be such a cruel joke if it wasn't true.

 

I'm sure. You need to get back now.  Hermione reached out to take Death's hand before Narcissa spoke again. 

 

Tell him I'm sorry, please.

 

Of course, I will.  Hermione said with a nod. 

 

You are an amazing witch, Hermione, and I'm honored that you will bond with Draco and Harry. Please give him the family and home I couldn't give him.  Narcissa was crying now, and she looked a little afraid as if Hermione would deny her.

 

I have no other wish. I will love him for the rest of my life.  Narcissa nodded and looked relieved to hear that. She gave Hermione a watery smile. 

 

Hermione couldn't help herself and turned one last time towards Lily. 

 

I promise to give Harry the same, of course. 

 

Lily laughed. Tears shone in her eyes, but she gave a warm laugh. 

 

I didn't expect anything less. Please tell Harry that we love him, and tell Sirius and Remus that we love them too. Prongs misses his Padfoot and Moony. 

 

Hermione started to laugh and nodded before taking Death's hand. 

 

It was like she came up for air. She gasped out with wide eyes and shot up. Only to be restrained by two arms around her. She sagged a little when she felt it was Draco who was holding her. 

 

''Mi-Mione?'' Draco stuttered with a broken voice. 

 

Hermione put her hand on his cheek and nodded. Draco then pulled her into a fierce hug that took her breath away. 

 

Hermione pulled back when she remembered what happened before she died. 

 

''Harry? Is he-''

 

''I'm here, Hermione,''

 

Hermione whipped around and saw Harry standing a little awkwardly a couple of meters away. When she really looked at him, she understood why. He was bloody, but it was clear that it wasn't blood from himself. Behind him lay the corpse of Bellatrix. Hermione looked around when she couldn't see Voldemort. But she decided that it wasn't important now. 

 

She held out her arms, and he dived into them and clung to Hermione. She could feel him shaking apart in her arms and held on as strongly as she could. She then felt Draco's arms encircle them both and took a deep breath in relief. She was where she belonged, next to her two amazing boys, in their arms. 

 

''How?'' Draco muttered after some time. Hermione really couldn't tell how long it was before someone broke the silence.

 

''Death, she gave this as a gift because I protected her Master,'' Hermione answered before remembering who she had talked to. 

 

Harry gave some sound of approval but was still in Hermione's arms. Afraid to let go and lose her again. 

 

''I saw someone, when - when I was-'' She faltered for a moment, but Harry and Draco seemed to understand. 

 

''Who did you see?'' Harry whispered hoarsely. 

 

''Your mom's.'' She whispered back. Both of her boys stiffened for a moment, but they needed to hear this. 

 

''They told me that they loved you both so much. Draco, your mother, said to me that she wanted me to tell you how sorry she was for what had happened. She wants you to have a full and happy life, and she wants me and Harry to give it to you.'' Hermione told them. Draco gave a raspy breath and seemed to be lost for words for a moment. It was clear that Narcissa had given her blessing. Finally. 

 

''Harry, your mother, was so kind, she was the first one I saw. She told me that she loved meeting me, the girl that stole her son's heart, and that she loves you. She also told me to tell Sirius and Remus the same. And that Prongs misses his Padfoot and Moony.'' 

 

Harry gave a strangled laugh at that and only hold on tighter. Hermione stroked his back until he finally relaxed a little. Draco also hadn't let go and had his face in Hermione's curls. 

 

''What happened after?'' Hermione asked softly. 

 

Draco let go slowly, and Harry did the same. It seemed like Harry didn't want to look them in the eye, but Hermione was having none of that. She tilted his face towards her with two fingers under his chin and raised an eyebrow. 

 

''You know that we wouldn't think any less of you, Harry, we love you. Please, tell me.'' 

 

Harry took a deep grounding breath and gave the smallest smile she had ever seen. But still, it reassured her that he believed her. 

 

''When you fell, I lost control. My magic lashed out, and it blew Draco out of the way. I froze Voldemort. I don't even know how I did it. It was just that I thought that Voldemort didn't have priority at that moment.

I then turned to Bellatrix, who was gasping for air. My magic knew that I wanted to end her, so it lashed out so she couldn't fight back.'' 

 

He fell silent for a moment, and Hermione and Draco both put their hands on his arm.

 

''I ripped her apart with my magic, quite literally. I couldn't control it. She had taken you away, and she needed to be punished.'' 

 

''I understand, Harry. If I had been as powerful as you, I would have done the same if it was one of you.'' Hermione said, determined. She then glanced at Draco. 

 

''It was that you had it covered. That's why I rushed to Hermione's side. Otherwise, I would have done the same, love.'' 

 

Harry's shoulders sagged like all the fight went out of him at that point. 

 

''When I knew for sure that she was dead, I turned back to Voldemort. I only needed one simple spell, and he disintegrated, just like the snake. The Horcruxes were the only thing keeping him on this plane. The body he had made was nothing when the Horcruxes were gone.'' Harry explained then. 

 

Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She then pulled Harry in a kiss before doing the same to Draco. 

 

''You did it. You vanquished him.'' 

 

''I didn't do it myself. We did it together.'' Harry immediately protested. 

 

Hermione rolled her eyes but let herself be pulled into another hug with her two boys. 

 


 

Epilogue

 

Harry wandered from the Great Hall towards the dungeons. He saw several students who all nodded their heads at him. When he reached the classroom he was looking for, he barged in without knocking. 

 

''Potter, you are quite the drama queen when you want, aren't you?''

 

''I have no idea what you're talking about, Black,'' Harry responded with a smile before pulling his husband in a kiss. 

 

It has been ten years since the end of Voldemort. The first couple of years had been disorienting. Everybody wanted something from him, Hermione or Draco. The silver trio that ended the Dark Lord. It was irritating. 

 

But it was also six years since they had been married officially. Hermione had looked beautiful, Draco had looked stunning, and Harry had even admitted that he himself had looked pretty smart. 

 

Now Draco was working as a Potion professor at Hogwarts while Harry was teaching DADA. 

 

Hermione always had been more ambitious and had taken over after McGonagall, first teaching Transfiguration, and now youngest Headmistress since the start of Hogwarts. Harry and Draco had never been so proud when she was promoted.

 

Draco hummed into the kiss before pulling back with a smile. 

 

''Have you heard anything from her?'' 

 

Harry let out a sigh and shook his head negative. 

 

''No, you know how she is. She is so level-headed that if we let her show how much we worry, she would hex us into next year.'' Harry stated, but it was with a fondness. 

 

Hermione was now eight and a half months pregnant. The baby could come at any moment. 

 

''Ginny told me that Scorpius and James are driving her crazy and that she expected me to pick them up as soon as possible,'' Draco said with a smile when thinking back to the message he had received on his desk during lunch. 

 

Their first two sons were amazing and the best friends, well, they were twins, so it was expected. Being five years old and knowing that their sister could be here any moment was enough to make sure that everyone in their vicinity knew not to say anything wrong about their family. Their little sister was under their protection, and with their developing magic, it was clear that nobody should hurt her. Even if she wasn't even born yet. 

 

And they had quite the mischievous streak, Sirius and Remus were, of course, delighted. The Weasley twins tried to babysit as much as possible, but Hermione was quick to let them know that she would hex them if they turned their children into copies of themselves. 

 

''Are you ready to go then? Hermione expected that her parents would leave after dinner.'' 

 

They made their way to the floo in Draco's office and flooed to Ginny's and Blaise's residence. 

 

Two five-year-olds hurtled themselves at their legs. Harry lifted Scorpius in his arms and placed a kiss on his head. Draco held onto James's hand. 

 

When they expected the twins, they hadn't thought that they would look different when they would be born, but Hermione had explained to them that it is possible for twins to look nothing alike. And that even for twins, it is possible to have two fathers. It had happened a couple of times in history. Because two eggs were fertilized with two different sperm cells. 

 

James was almost a copy of Harry, only with Hermione's brown eyes, so he looked even more like James Potter than Harry had done. 

 

Scorpius had brown hair, but it was just as straight as his father's was. His eyes had the silver coloring from the Black side of the family. Making Draco and Sirius extremely proud. 

 

''Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! What did you teach the class today? Did you speak with Uncle Nev? Because Uncle B had told us that Uncle Nev would be a daddy too!'' James rattled off to Draco. 

 

''I hadn't talked to him yet, but I knew that he would be a daddy too, yes.'' Draco chuckled.

 

''Why didn't you tell me?'' James looked properly shocked by the news. Making Harry muffle his laughter in Scorpius's hair. 

 

Harry looked at Scorpius and saw the pensive expression on his son's face. He was just about to ask what was wrong when Ginny came into the room. 

 

''I'm sorry, guys, Blaise didn't know that you hadn't told them yet.'' She said with an apologetic expression. 

 

''No problem, we were so focused on Hermione and the pregnancy that we just forgot.'' Harry quickly said. 

 

Ginny brightened by that and gave them both a kiss on the cheek before ushering them out of the house with a clear message that Hermione was waiting for them. But Harry knew better. She was glad that she would have breathing room without the twins. 

 

When they walked into their home, they were greeted by Pansy and Luna. 

 

''Auntie Pansy! Auntie Luna! Did you know that Uncle Nev will become a daddy?'' James asked immediately, making Draco and Harry laugh. Scorpius was still silent in Harry's arms, and Harry threw a quick glance at Draco before walking out of the room to talk to his son. Pansy and Luna were happily responding to James and hadn't seen him leave. 

 

Harry walked into Scorpius and James's room and sat slowly on Scorpius's bed. 

 

''What's wrong, Scorp?'' Harry asked softly. 

 

Scorpius frowned and shook his head before looking into Harry's eyes. 

 

''Mommy is in pain, but she doesn't think it is bad.'' He said in a petulant tone. Harry tried to hide his shock, but he knows how sensitive Scorpius was to the emotions of everyone in the family. So even without having seen his mother, he knew that something was wrong. Harry squeezed down his panic, knowing that now was not the right time. 

 

''Shall we go check on her then?'' Harry softly said. Scorpius nodded and climbed out of Harry's lap before running down the hall. 

 

They walked into Hermione's office, she had a scowl on her face, and Harry almost walked back out until he heard her take a shuddering breath. 

 

''Mommy!'' Scorpius said before running to her side. 

 

''You are in pain.'' He then said with a trembling voice. 

 

''No, no, love, I'm n-'' She took in a sharp breath and hold it for a moment before breathing out harshly. Scorpius started to cry, and Hermione took him in her arms to soothe him. 

 

''Mione, love, are you having contractions?'' Harry carefully asked. Hermione looked startled for a moment, not having realized that Harry was there. 

 

''I thought that it was simply Braxton Hicks contractions, so I didn't want to make a fuss.'' 

 

Harry took a deep breath because, of course. 

 

''Love, let's take you to St. Mungos. They can check what is happening.'' Harry tried to be level-headed, but he was internally freaking out. By the glare he received from Hermione, she could feel it through the bond. 

 

''I'm fine!'' She said before letting out a whimper. 

 

Scorpius looked at his mother and frowned. 

 

''Mommy, you always tell us not to lie. You're lying. Mommy's shouldn't lie.'' He declared. 

 

Hermione pursed her lips before nodding. 

 

''You are right, honey. Could you get James, and daddy, then we will go to St. Mungos.'' 

 

Scorpius nodded very seriously before running out of the room in search of his brother and daddy. 

 

Harry rushed to Hermione's side and took her face in his hands. 

 

''Can I get you anything? Are you ready? Are we ready?'' Harry asked in a hurry. Hermione let out a chuckle and gave him a quick kiss. She then holds out her arms so he could help her up. 

 

''It's remarkable that you can defeat a Dark Lord but are freaking out about the birth of your daughter.'' 

 

''Oh, I was freaking out when  we  defeated him too,'' Harry responded with a smile. 

 

Hermione rolled her eyes and let her husband lead her towards the hospital. 

 

After sixteen hours, the world could welcome another child to the Potter-Black house. The newest member was a beautiful girl that was named Narcissa Lily. 

 

Love was flowing freely through their home and bonds. 

 

All was well. 

 

Notes:

Thank you so much for reading this story! If you have reached the end, I hope you have liked the story as much as I have loved writing it!

<3

xx MBlack93

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