DISCLAIMER: For the last time, I do not own 'Harry Potter'.

A/N: Well, here it is – the very last one. As always, this story is for Reeah. I would like to thank Callmemisstayla, Guest (you know who you are), Oober, British Beauty x, BunnyMooMooMonster, Neko Of Light, LoneWolfPack, Icecoatedsha, Guest 101, Deanne Ravenwing, CeliaSingsSongs, Gueast, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx and Hufflepuff Rules for their ongoing support. I'd also like to autocorrect for not going crazy on those names.

And lastly, I'd like to thank you for reading.

Oh yeah… should probably mention… I've started writing a sequel. ;)

BETA: My sister, Reeah Noseworthy.

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Epilogue – Eight Years Later

Draco

I groggily opened my eyes. A single ray of sunlight blinded me momentarily, before I shifted my head further up the pillow. My hands scratched through the sheets, searching. When they found no contact, I leaned over to see that the other side of the bed empty. Not again.

I slid from the bed, my feet surprised at the coolness of the floor. Habitually I glanced down at my right forearm to see the pale outline of the Dark Mark. The same as usual. Safe.

A slight chill prickled at my neck, pleasantly unusual for summer. Taking care not to make too much noise, I walked through the mansion, checking the usual rooms. The Morning Parlour was empty, as was her Office and the Drawing Room. A splendid glow covered Malfoy Manor, brightening with each room I checked. As I walked through the corridors, the portraits began to stir, waking from their slumber. When I glanced out the windows, I saw the albino peacocks strutting through the gardens, plumed heads held high and proud.

I approached the bust of Salazar Slytherin quietly, and lightly tapped on his shoulder to wake him. His stony eyes snapped open and he glared at me with a stare colder than his marble skin. "Have you seen the Lady this morning?" I asked politely.

"Actually, no." he replied grumpily, voice lathered in annoyance. "When one is sleeping, one tends to have their eyes shut."

I raised an eyebrow.

The statue pouted before rolling his eyes. "The Library… my Lord." He spat.

"Thank you," I said as I turned to the right.

The sunshine alighted the golden embellishments on the books that lines the walls. The library was a figure-of-eight shape, the shelves upon every wall and reaching all the way up to the glass ceiling. Enchanted ladders slowly moved along the walls. Sometimes the ancient, musty books would wiggle themselves from their place and fly across the room, positioning themselves in a new spot. The high arched window at the very end of the room cast light onto the sleeping figure sprawled upon the couch in a most hilariously undignified manner.

Ryuu Advena Malfoy had sunken into the comforts of the lounge, one foot resting on the antique coffee table, and the other hanging off the edge of the cushion. Her head leaned against the back of the couch, eyes closed and face soft. As always the stubborn curl had escaped from behind her ear and flopped over her face. One hand was dropped over the side of the couch, fingertips brushing the navy blue and gold carpet. Her other hand was loosely clasped around a small, black , leather-bound book that rested on her stomach, which rose and fell with each breath she took. A crimson blanket had crumpled to the floor, the top of it still partially clinging to Ryuu's calf.

I considered waking her, then thought better of it. If there was one thing Hogwarts had taught me, it was to never tickle a sleeping dragon. Especially not a pregnant one.

I sat down on the coffee table, idly flicking my wand at the crimson blanket so it jumped up and covered Ryuu once more. I gently reached towards her face, and as a routine tucked the stray curl behind her ear. Carefully, I manoeuvred the small novel out of her hands and looked down at the open page. Chapter Eight: Preparation, Location and Discovery. My fingers slid to the top corner of the page and folded down the paper to mark her place.

"How many times have I told you not to do that?"

I met Ryuu's eyes, which glinted in amusement.

I smirked and returned the book to her hands. She immediately folded the paper back, and closed the novel. "Must a caring husband be continuously battered by the minor annoyances of his nagging wife?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Pardon?"

"I was just remarking upon how beautiful you look this fine morning," I said smoothly.

She smiled brilliantly. "That's better." As gracefully as was possible for an uncoordinated pregnant woman, she shifted forwards and kissed me, leaning her forehead against mine. "Happy Birthday." She whispered.

I stared into her eyes which were so close to my own, and noticed it. "Thanks." I whispered back, and she withdrew, sitting herself upright. She placed a hand on her stomach as she spoke, a habit she'd accumulated even before she'd begun showing. "I've arranged a surprise party for you which I know you are aware of because Zabini spilled the beans. He and Reeah can't make it though, because they've gone to China to fill out their adoption papers. Twins, can you believe it? They sent an owl, I left the letter in your study…"

I rested my hand over her own and she stopped rambling. "Why didn't you wake me?" I asked.

Ryuu leaned into the back of the lounge, her face blank. "There was nothing to wake you for."

Our fingers entwined and she looked down at them distractedly. I kept my stare fixed on her expression, trying to decipher her thoughts. As usual, it was impossible. I sighed. "Did you take the potion Reeah prescribed?"

I could feel the cold touch of her serpent ring as she turned her head and looked into me. "I ran out. I'll just have to wait until she comes back from China." She untangled her fingers from mine and placed her hand on her stomach. "I'll be fine."

"I'm worried about you," I continued, holding her stare. "don't act like I have no reason to be." Ryuu's eyes glazed over and I knew she was revisiting one of the instances. I couldn't imagine what went through her mind when she was like that. I remembered waking to her screams, desperately reaching for my wand before I realised the threat to my wife took no physical form. On nights like that, I would hold her tightly as she began to wake, whispering words of comfort until I could hear her breathing return to their normal rhythm. And even then I didn't let go.

I snapped back into reality and caught sight of her face. She was avoiding eye contact, and slightly chewing the inside of her lip. Uncomfortable. Sometimes the night terrors didn't male her scream and she woke to walk around the house, reading books and singing to the baby to keep herself awake. Sometimes she would wake up, terrified and sweating, and forget what the dreams had entailed.

I reached for her hand; pale, smooth. I traced the lines of her fingertips and felt her relaxing, bringing herself back to the present. She squeezed my hand and spoke. "It isn't fair, Draco."

"What is it now, Princess?"

The corners of her mouth twitched and a small laugh escaped from her lips. "Don't call me that," she said methodically, before her eyes narrowed. "It's just – I don't see you waking up hysterically in the dead of the night…" she trailed off, clearly beginning to regret her words. Her hands quickly adjusted the blanket, which had managed to fall down past her waist again. She was right. I rarely experienced nightmares, and they were nowhere as severe as Ryuu's. Her nights were haunted by the past, whereas my darkness was laden with fears of the future. To this day, even though I knew it was impossible, I checked my Mark everyday when I woke, just to be sure. Ryuu and our baby were the only family I had left, and it was my duty to protect them, just like my father had always taught me. I quickly banished the memories of my father before they could grow any further.

Ryuu's hand closed over mine. "I know," she said, as if she'd read my mind.

The temperature of the room rose just enough to leave a pleasant touch of cold in the air. The sun rose over the treetops of the forest surrounding the Manor, and the light shifted as it moved through the glass. Ryuu closed her eyes and let the warmth soak into her pale skin, the stubborn curl protruding from behind her ear again. After a few seconds she opened her eyes again and looked down at the book, smiling as she read the title on the cover.

"Is it good?" I asked.

She nodded and passed it to me. The sunlight ignited the gold lettering: How I found Goltrups by Zacharias Smith. "I promised him that I'd already read it." She said mischievously. "He's coming tonight. And Dennis." I groaned and rolled my eyes. She scoffed. "Why do you disapprove of them so much?"

"Not them," I explained, eyeing her. "Him."

Ryuu held up her hands innocently. "What's wrong with Zach?"

I looked at her incredulously. "Besides the fact that he finds any excuse to punch me in the face every time he sees me?"

Ryuu 's smile was pressed. "Okay, so he's a little disgruntled that you married me," I scoffed at her euphemisms. Smith loathed me. "but he does have some credibility… you are a prick." Ryuu finished matter-of-factly.

I raised an eyebrow. "Thanks Princess. This is the best birthday ever." She grinned as I frowned and muttered curses under my breath. "Next you'll be telling me that you've invited the Pottys and the Weasels." I smirked to myself, but Ryuu's victorious grin was quickly shrinking and her cheeks were flushing strawberry red. She laughed shakily. I felt my eyes widen, and when I spoke my voice was low and menacing. "You didn't…"

She nervously smiled and hastily planted a kiss on my cheek. "Happy Birthday…!"

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Ryuu

Jonah's handwriting was beautiful. Whenever I received a letter from him I couldn't help but marvel at his print. I supposed that seeing as he was unable to speak, writing down his messages made his words all the more delightful to behold. Even though Jonah had a face that told me everything he was thinking, it was always interesting to gather his tone from his letters.

In the envelope he'd included two vouchers for an 'All-You-Can-Eat-Dinner at Tranquillitas Restaurant.' My mouth almost watered as I read the name of Jonah's restaurant. He'd opened it about six years ago, and a week after that it had peaked in the culinary world as the best place to dine ever. Jonah's food was indescribable. There was almost no desire to even try to describe how brilliant it tasted, because your mouth was too busy eating it. In the occasions when Draco and I had dined there, we'd gorged ourselves on meals until the point where it was both ridiculous and pitiful. Once we'd finished three courses of Mains, Draco had asked if I'd wanted to share a desert. I had replied with a yes, but also said that we should order two more deserts individually. Draco had just nodded in assent and called the waiter. By that time I was full but I knew that if I'd have stopped eating, I would've regretted it.

The most fascinating thing about the restaurant however, wasn't the magical taste of Jonah's food. All of the staff were mutes. The entire place was thick with the sound of silence. Even when the place was full, it was entirely tranquil. It was intriguing to watch the intensity of customer's faces as they used their cutlery as silently as possible, so as not to disturb the peace. The only noise in that building was the faint clinks of plates being put down on tables, and the muffled groans of delight as people ate the food. Draco commonly referred to the place as the 'Total Silence Restaurant' – a fair title.

I turned around, admiring the work the House Elves had done to the Dining Room. Century year old candles with long lost wicks were magically ignited, dotting the walls and table with golden light. The sprawling Dining Table had been shrunk to a more quaint size, and the rest of the room had changed to accommodate. Seven chairs were arranged evenly around the table, with a large space left for Hermione. The fireplace roared with an ordinary coloured fire, to take away the eerie green glow that usually lit the room. The portraits had been covered with curtains, so as not to comment on the guests' mannerisms. The table was dressed in a deep green cloth, decorated with silver thread depicting the leaves of a forest. Porcelain plates waited patiently to be filled, as did the ornate glass goblets. Silver cutlery flickered in the candlelight, casting distorted reflections of the world outside the mineral. The Dining Room looked so different from when I had first seen it, all those years ago. Not just the room had changed since then.

I made a mental note to remind Draco to reward the Elves for their handiwork. I would've myself, but I wasn't their Master. Draco had offered to assign me some of the Elves when I'd married him, but I'd declined. I'd never claim ownership of a House Elf again. Not after Tibbli.

I laid a hand on my stomach, and adjusted the long sleeve of my silk dress. It was warm in the room, yet a strange hormonal effect of my pregnancy left me constantly cold. My mother had said she'd had the same thing with me, and then japed that it was probably just my general hostility seeping out through her body. I smiled. Draco certainly found it frustrating. Whenever we left the Manor, he usually had to wear two jackets.

The door opened and Draco entered, looking handsome in his customary black. His silver eyes slid over the table as he approached, the scowl on his face hardly concealed. He wasn't looking forward to the dinner tonight. His gaze swept over me, pausing on the cone hat elasticised to my head. "What is that?"

"It's a party hat." I said sweetly, balancing on my tiptoes to place a green one on his head. "It's a muggle thing."

"Why do you make me endure such tedious get-togethers?"

"Why won't you admit that you withhold a secret friendship for everyone I invited?" His face went sour at that, because it was true. His mouth twitched but I raised an eyebrow and he quickly changed the subject.

"Your parents sent me a letter. And there's one for you from that horse-woman too."

"Her name is Copper," I chided.

"Her name is Roslyn," he responded, mimicking my tone.

I decided to let that one pass, but smirked as I thought of a new way to mess with him. "What did my parents say?"

Draco leaned against a chair, lip curled and eyes dark. "They wished me a happy thirty-ninth."

I burst into laughter, holding my hand over my mouth in an attempt to control myself. My father always teased that Draco acted too old for his age. Which was a fair mockery, seeing as Draco was one of the most powerful people in the world and only twenty-five. Plus he was a billionaire philanthropist with a dry humour and a petty sense of vengeance for any minor irritation that came his way. However, Draco was averted to the jokes entirely.

At my obvious amusement, Draco had thrown me a look of venom, but I honestly didn't care. "Oh, lighten up. He just does it because you're so awkward around them."

Whenever we met with my parents Draco always managed to squeeze in a few snide remarks that made him look astoundingly ignorant to muggle culture and affairs. My father wasn't any better. From what he'd seen of our lifestyle in Malfoy Manor, he seemed to perceive Draco as some kind of 'playboy.' Usually, by the end of these meetings, both my mother and myself had been reduced to at least three face-palms.

Draco shook his head at my fading laughter. "You should get back to work so you can antagonise your Department instead of me."

I sighed, my tone wistful. "I do miss my job."

The only thing that annoyed me about being pregnant was my leave of absence from my office. I was the Head of my Division, which meant I had to manage my team of a dozen people. As Draco commonly claimed, I was suited to the role of a leader. My team was both awe-inspired by my skill and fearful of my authority. The negative and positive balanced well though, and I was quite fond of my team. Because of this, we were one of the most efficient units in the Ministry and had brought back the former glory of the Curse-Maker Division in a matter of months.

But in fact one of the most satisfying things about my career was the rivalry between myself and the Head of the Curse-Breaker Department. I smirked. Whenever I created a new curse, Ron was always groaning and rolling his eyes; knowing that it would take him and his office weeks to fashion a counter-curse.

Draco idly tucked a ringlet of my hair behind my ear and I wondered if he knew how much I loved him when he did that. "Draco?"

"Yes?"

"What do you want for your birthday?" I asked guiltily.

He regarded me with satisfied surprise. "You didn't get me anything?"

"Well," I blurted, "you didn't tell me what you wanted."

He lowered his hands to rest on my shoulders, his mouth twisting into a sly grin. His eyes flashed. "I see…"

I narrowed my eyes at his strange demeanour. "What?"

"Well," Draco began, his tone barely suppressing the effervescent glee behind his words. "It's just peculiar is all. I mean, you are Princess Analytical." I raised a sardonic eyebrow. "Reading people and finding things out is like second nature to you. Yet you need me to tell you want I want for my birthday." He smirked. "How strange…"

I looked at him with scorn, catching on to his train of thought. "Are you going anywhere with this?"

Draco grinned and pointed at his chest. "You can't read me. I'm the one person you can't predict."

"And the one person I can't get rid of…" I murmured in annoyance. Draco smiled and placed a hand on my stomach, face turning serious.

"You don't need to get me a present…" I unfolded my arms and allowed a smile. "Because," Draco said, "You're already giving me a son."

I rolled my eyes. "Draco, we don't even know what sex it is-"

"-Hey! That's our son you're talking about."

I sighed. We'd had this conversation countless times. Draco was convinced that our baby was a boy, but I wasn't so sure. Anyway, we'd decided early on that we'd leave it as a surprise and wait until the birth. However, Draco kept insisting he knew the truth. A part of me wondered if his words were more than just jokes and general curiosity. For generations, centuries, the Malfoys had always produced a singular child - a male heir each time. Traditionally, Malfoy Industries had always been managed by the Lord of Malfoy Manor. Well, to be fair, not much of Draco's marriage to me was traditional. Yet sometimes I still got the niggling feeling that Draco did want a boy. I liked the idea of a son, but a girl would make me just as happy. But did Draco feel the same? Stop it, Ryuu. I scolded myself. What are you thinking, of course he would.

The fire burned emerald as the first guests arrived.

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Draco

My hands slid from Ryuu's belly and I led her towards the fireplace. There, dusting cinders from their shoulders, stood Potter and his ginger wife. On my carpet. In my house. The couple looked around the room and caught sight of Ryuu and I simultaneously. My eyes locked and held with Potter's for a few moments before I cleared my throat and inclined my chin. "Potter."

"Malfoy." Harry replied lowly.

Ryuu and Ginny observed the intense scene from the sidelines before stepping forward to embrace one another. "Lovely to see you, Ryuu." Ginny said warmly.

"And you. Who's taking care of Teddy and little James?"

Ginny stepped back and shared a glance with Harry. "Mum is. Although as we were walking out, it sounded like James had already set something on fire."

"What a charming child." I said slickly.

Ryuu made a conscious effort to tred on my foot as she went to hug Harry. I hid the painful twist in my mouth with a small laugh and grimaced in Ryuu's direction, which made Ginny giggle. The ginger was quite potent at picking up our silent banter of glances and expressions. How annoying.

Harry smiled warmly at my wife. "How far along are you now?"

"Six months." She replied.

Harry nodded. "You look great."

Did I give you permission to look at my wife, Potter? My mouth twitched as I suppressed the urge to open it. Ryuu glanced at me with contempt as she thanked Harry for his kindness and Ginny smirked again.

Ryuu politely offered the guests a seat and placed me next to them at the head of the table. Harry and Ginny put on their party hats as the rich faire wine that they had gifted me began to pour itself into all of the goblets, save Ryuu's. In unison, Harry and I lifted our goblets, took a single sip and raised our glasses to prepare a toast. Just before we did, we noticed our random act of similarity and quickly placed our goblets back on the table, looking away in different directions.

"So, Ginny." Ryuu began, curiosity prickling at her lips, "What's the big news you wanted to tell us? Something to do with your team?"

Ginny shook her head, liquid brown eyes seasoned with mischief. "No, the Harpies are same as usual. We go on tour in August, making it back in time for the World Cup."

"That's great," Ryuu said supportively before pausing and raising an eyebrow. "We get free tickets, right?"

Ginny grinned. "Despite the fact that you're drowning in your piles of money; yes."

Ryuu smiled and held her hand over her heart, eyes misty. "I always believed in you."

Harry took another sip of the delicious wine and turned to me, adjusting his third and fourth eyes. "How's the business Malfoy?"

"Thriving; how's yours?"

Harry narrowed his eyes and Ryuu glanced at me with a look that could freeze over several small villages. "Still unemployed, Draco." Harry said evenly. "Children don't just take care of themselves."

"I'm sure that housewives everywhere agree with you-"

"-As will you," Ryuu interjected smoothly, emerald eyes widening slightly. "When we have our baby." She smiled pleasantly. "You mainly work from home, anyway."

"But Ryuu," I added, making my tone sound patronising as I raised my goblet. "Our son will be no trouble."

Ryuu had just opened her mouth to reply when a burst of sound and colour crackled in the fireplace. The tall red-haired figure of Weasley walked around the table, hands in pockets and head inclined towards the ceiling. Granger was with him, her enchanted wheelchair rolling smoothly around the table to stop in the space next to Ryuu. As my wife embraced Granger, Ron spoke, his blue eyes flickering from one wall to the next. "Blimey, this place is creepy. Like a bloody snake's den-"

"-Better than a weasel hole." I remarked with a sneer.

Ron looked over, noticing the table as if for the first time. His stare fixed on me and he nodded slowly, voice switching from colloquially conversational to closeted irritation. "Malfoy."

"Weasley."

Ginny laughed into the back of her hand. "Is that how you greet everyone?" she mused. She forced her face to go blank and nodded towards non-existent people, speaking in an exaggerated gruff voice. "Potter. Weasley. Minister. Wife."

"Of course not," I replied, when Harry joined in with Ginny's chortles. "I don't speak to my wife." They laughed harder and Ryuu smiled.

Ron took the seat next to Harry . Hermione took a glance at Ryuu's stomach and grinned. "Getting closer now… when are you due again?"

"September." Ryuu replied as the wine filled Hermione's goblet. "Around the twenty-fourth."

"Have you thought of any names yet?" Ron asked, tucking his napkin into his collar even though the food had not yet been served.

"You will have no contribution whatsoever into the naming of my son." I warned him.

Ron grimaced. "A boy eh? Just what the world needs… a miniature Draco-prat."

"Miniature Draco-Prat Malfoy – hmm…" Ginny leaned her head onto her hand in mock consideration. "It has a bit of a ring to it." Laughter vibrated throughout the table.

"We haven't been able to decide on a name." Ryuu confessed once the merriment had died down. "We're not sure what sex it is – so we could go with anything at the moment." At that, I began to open my mouth but Ryuu turned to Potter. "You've named babies before, Harry. Have any ideas?"

I will die before my child is named by Harry James Potter, I told Ryuu in a glance, but she ignored me. Harry leaned back in his chair. "Well," he began. "I named James after my father and Sirius, and I was thinking if I had another son I'd go with two people who protected me." His green eyes glinted as I took a sip of the faire wine. "Albus Severus."

I choked on the delicious drink as I felt the laughter bubbling on my tongue. Albus Severus Potter! Never had a heard a name more ridiculous. I coughed, trying to control myself as the table was completely silent. Ryuu's eyes had widened and her entire face was unnaturally still. I saw that she too, was trying to stop herself from bursting into hysterical fits of laughter, and her cheeks flushed red. I raised a napkin to my mouth, smirking behind it and 'coughing'. Every face at the table had turned to Ryuu, who suddenly realised the reaction she was supposed to have and stitched on a withering smile. Slowly, I watched her mind look for the right words before her mouth twitched into action and she cleared her throat, nodding towards Harry.

"It's pretty." She whispered, her voice strained from suppression. "But - um…." She trailed off.

"Ryuu," I cut in, regaining my composure and lowering the napkin. When I spoke my voice was smooth and sincere. "I would like to name our son Severus Albus."

She blinked at me with derision. Harry jolted upright in his seat. "Hey, those are my names! You can't do that!"

"Wouldn't dream of it," Ryuu said quickly. "You can have Albus Severus, Harry." She glanced at me with a don't make me laugh look, a smirk shifting on her lips.

"In that case then," Ron began. Oh, here we go. First Potter and now Weasel. He idly tapped the glass stem of his goblet and regarded Ryuu with an almost sympathetic stare. "What about Luna?"

"Oh, I wanted to name my daughter that!" Harry blurted and Ginny regarded him with wide eyes.

"How many children are we having?" she asked incredulously. Harry shrugged.

Ryuu hadn't moved. She looked down at her plate for a moment, one hand on her stomach before shaking her head. "No. I wouldn't name the baby that." Her voice sounded distant. "Luna was my sister. I just… wouldn't feel okay if I named my daughter after her."

There was a short silence- before Harry broke it. "Then, can I have Luna?"

Ryuu rolled her eyes and smiled in an exhausted kind of way. "Yes, you can have Luna." Harry smiled as he straightened in his seat, and when he caught my raised eyebrow he simply shrugged and sipped his wine, pleased with himself.

"So, anyway." Hermione cut in, "how is the baby?"

"Aguamenti" Ryuu tapped her empty goblet with her wand and it filled with water. She took a sip, glancing over at Hermione and shrugging.

"Is something wrong?" Ginny asked after a short pause.

Ryuu's palm rested on her stomach and she exchanged a glance with me before speaking. "Well… it's just, the baby hasn't been moving around a lot… at all."

A silence thickened and curdled at the table. The men turned their attention to the goblets of wine placed in front of them, and Ginny and Hermione shared a glance. The red haired woman slid her untouched wine closer to her husband and cleared her throat awkwardly. "Have you felt anything yet?"

Ryuu's face went blank and she slowly shook her head, eyes shining. As I glanced around at the expressions of the guests, it was clear what they were thinking, and I could see that Ryuu had noticed the same. I slid my hand across the table and clasped Ryuu's palm, breaking the quiet. "Physician Thompson said it was a small baby, but perfectly healthy." Ryuu smiled in time with me.

"I suppose I can deal with having a son that's a bit short." I added, to stir her into speech, even if it was arguing.

"Hope it's a girl." Ron said, inspecting his cutlery as if he was checking to see if it was laced with poison. Or perhaps he's never seen silver before. "It'd confuse the hell out of Malfoy."

Repressed laughter circled around the table, but I spoke over them, snarling at Ron. "You can talk Weasley. I'd be curious to see what kind of child you and Granger produce." I let go of Ryuu's hand and leaned back in my chair, leering. "A wild bush of ginger hair over large walrus teeth."

Everyone burst into guilty giggles, except Ron, who shook his head in disgust. He turned to Ryuu, blue eyes icy. "Why did you marry such a prick?" he complained.

"Why did you marry such a walrus?" As soon as Ryuu had said it, she slapped her hands over her mouth and stared with wide eyes, the shocked silence of the dinner table ringing throughout the room. Hermione laughed first, much to my surprise. Ryuu began to mutter her apologies, but Hermione waved them away with a nonchalant hand. Harry was the next to quiver with chortles and his wife quickly followed suit. After a long pause, Ron grinned and raised his glass towards Ryuu, accepting the cutting remark.

"I apologise sincerely for my wife's awful behaviour," I said with mock disdain. "Ryuu, I thought I'd explained this to you – no longer can you be rude to our friends like this." I scolded with a smirk.

Ryuu was bright red and shaking her head, hand still covering her mouth. "Merlin save me," she whispered, beginning to smile. "I'm turning into a Malfoy."

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Ryuu

Zach and Dennis arrived just before we were about to give up on them and serve dinner. A welcoming smile spread across my face as I went to greet them, but I paused, continuing to stare at them from my seat. My mouth went slack in disbelief as I really noticed it and I gasped.

"What is on your face?" I said to Zach.

Zach froze, raising his eyebrows over the rectangular frames of the random glasses that now resided on the very edge of his nose. "Umm…" he began, "skin? A nose? Two eyes-?"

"-General unpleasantness." Draco chimed in. Zach's lip curled and his hand twitched as he regarded my husband. Draco raised his goblet in a 'what are you going to do about it?' sort of way.

"Malfoy." Zach spat as greeting.

"Smith." Draco responded.

Ginny giggled.

"I meant," I began, directing Zach's attention back to me. "Why are you wearing those glasses? Are you suddenly blind?"

"Only with stupidity." Dennis said cheerfully. He gave me a hug in greeting and took his seat next to Ron.

Zach came forward and planted a kiss on my cheek. My eyebrow was still raised in question and he shrugged as he moved towards the end of the table – the last seat which had been left as far away from Draco as possible. "I just thought I'd try them out," he said. "I'm a writer now, and spectacles make me look more sophisticated."

"In the way that a chimp can look classy if you give it a top hat." I muttered, and Hermione giggled.

"I think glasses are sexy." Ginny stated and Zach smiled, throwing me a smug look. Ginny smirked and looked over to her husband. "Right Harry?"

Harry adjusted his own glasses, turning redder by the second. He laughed shakily as Ron's expression changed; his lips pressed together, his ears blushed and his eyes widened in a way that suggested her would rather be anywhere other than here. I latched on to the awkwardness with no mercy. "So tell us Harry, what kinky sex games do you and Ginny get up to with your glasses?"

Harry's complexion was now more crimson than Gryffindor pride. "Th-that's… I don't know what you're talking about." He babbled.

Ginny leaned over to me and stage-whispered. "I'll tell you later."

"What?" Harry said, green eyes wide as a startled rabbits'. "No, you'll be telling no one anything."

Ginny blinked innocently. "Of course not, I wouldn't tell a soul," she recited, brown eyes flitting over to Hermione, who glanced guiltily at Zach, who threw a cautious look at Dennis, whose gaze slid to Draco from over the top of his goblet. Draco looked over to me and winked. Harry watched this channel of eye contact and turned his head aside from Ron, who was submersing himself in the succulent escape of the faerie wine.

Dennis decided to slice through the intensity with a gift wrapped box. "Happy Birthday," he wished Draco as the gift floated down the table, stopping over Draco's plate.

"Are we giving out presents now?" Ron asked, a grin stretching across his face and eyes shining. Before I could answer he'd already sat up straight and gestured urgently towards his wife. "'Mione, pass us the bag." Hermione straightened her long skirt and twisted around, hands reaching behind her wheelchair. She produced a small beaded bag , which Ron accepted form her in a manner of barely controlled joy. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, but was distracted from the Weasley's unusual behaviour when Dennis asked Ginny about her big news.

"Oh right," she said easily, leaning her chin onto the back of her hand. "Yeah, I'm pregnant."

"WHAT?!" Harry blurted, dropping the wine goblet that his wife hadn't touched. Ginny smiled at his shock and turned to him, sliding her hand into his.

"I only realised a few days ago. I noticed I was getting a bit big, but I just thought I'd had a big lunch." Ginny shrugged at the wide staring eyes of Harry, Ron, Zach and Dennis. Hermione was beaming. "But then I realised I was late. I figure I'm about three months along, which means I won't be able to go on tour with the Harpies." She frowned slightly before doing a sideways nod and smiling at the still bewildered expression on her husband's face."So… what do you say?"

Harry's mouth was still hanging open and he quickly closed it. He grinned and planted a kiss on his wife's cheek, laughing. "I love you so much." He then quickly placed his hands on Ginny's belly. "Boy or girl?"

"Boy." Ginny nodded. "Definitely feels like a boy." She rolled her eyes at me, smiling. "Another one."

There was a few minutes of the usual baby-talk, where everyone congratulated the couple and wished Ginny good health. Ron hugged his younger sister and his best friend. Zach made a snide remark about the terrors of babies and Dennis covered it over with a compliment towards the Potter's current children. Harry declared Albus Severus as a winning name, and when the timid silence erupted, I quickly added: "You can call him Al, for short." That seemed to get everyone out of the awkward stupor and back into casual conversation.

Ron asked Dennis about work. "I only recently came back from Australia. Had to go to the outback to find the best kind of eucalyptus trees. It's going to take me weeks to prepare the wood for magic. It needs to be specially conditioned before it can be made into wands. But that's the easy part," Dennis sighed. "You have no idea how hard it is to find unicorn hair on the market these days."

''That's because they're going extinct." Hermione added sadly. "Unicorns are like butterflies -they tend not to live for very long. But I suggested to my boss that we should make a sanctuary for them, somewhere where they can be protected for a few years."

"But you're the only female in the Protection of Magical Creatures Department," Harry said. "You'd have to round up all of the unicorns single handedly."

"True," she replied. "But it's worth it, don't you think?" Her brown eyes glinted.

A few years ago, when Hermione had first applied for a position in the Protection of Magical Creatures Department, I'd been a bit confused. Hermione was extremely intelligent and her talents could've been used for higher purposes. But she hadn't lost her high aspirations. She'd personally confided her plans to me.

Ever since the war had ended, Hermione's ideals of equality in the magical world had only flourished. Years ago, when I'd asked about her new career she'd explained to me about S.P.E.W - an anagram that I still deemed ridiculous. We'd discussed the Ministry Of Magic Classification System of 1811, and how Centaurs had been placed into the category of 'beast'. Hermione considered this to be unfair, seeing as Centaurs were capable of human intelligence, and no matter how many times I pointed out that the Centaurs had refused to be labelled as 'beings' because they didn't want to be classed as equal to vampires and hags, she was too stubborn to listen. "Centaurs are incredibly smart creatures," she would always say. "They're perfectly capable of understanding wizarding culture and merging into society."

"But it isn't about what they can do, Hermione. It's what they will do," I would argue back. "I completely agree with you. Centaurs are treated like animals when they should be considered humans, but things aren't going to change unless they can somehow get over their pride and decide for themselves to become a member of society, follow wizarding law and comply to the Ministry. Which won't happen."

However, Hermione remained determined. Although we could debate for hours about Centaurs we were completely on the same page about werewolves. Hermione had organised several campaigns over the years to secure rights for werewolves and establish their promotion from 'beast' to 'being'. The Minister strongly supported her arguments, but he wasn't the only person who had a say in this matter. I admired Hermione and all her hard work immensely.

I flickered back to the present and looked over to Draco, curious as to what Zach and Dennis had gifted him. He'd unwrapped the present to reveal a small, thin photo frame. I couldn't see the picture from where I was sitting, but Draco's eyes were locked on the photograph inside. His silver stare gleamed with emotion and I was taken aback. "Where did you get this?" His voice was heavy, and as smooth as his face.

"Colin." Zach answered, arms crossed over his chest. He regarded Draco with a slight smirk.

Dennis smiled at my earnest face. "I was looking through some of his old photos and found a few from your wedding."

"But we hired him, same as Dad." I said, "he gave us all the photos he took."

"Not all…" Zach began.

"…The focus was a little off in this one." Dennis finished.

I held my hand out to Draco and after a slight hesitation he passed me the frame. As my eyes met the scene, I felt myself being transported back to the moment captured. A crowd blurred about us, talking amongst themselves, sipping champagne and nibbling on appetisers. I stood beside a pillar decorated in blue roses. I looked beautiful in my fitted white dress. I picked anxiously at the white laced sleeves, searching the mess of people for any sign of him. I smiled absently at loved ones and colleagues who passed me by, well wishing and complimenting. All of a sudden he appeared from behind me, and stood at my side. For a millisecond we stared at each other, before embracing into a passionate kiss. I remembered the feeling that had enveloped me at that second. A feeling of love, happiness, safety. It was our wedding day, and I was finally married to him; Draco, who for too long I hadn't believed I'd be allowed to love.

"Wow, that's a good photo." Hermione said from over my shoulder, as the couple in the picture broke apart and grinned at each other.

"Let me see," Ginny demanded and I passed it over the table to her and Harry.

Harry pointed at the scene. "Oh, there's Ryuu… and that's Draco there, and-" he broke off, eyes widening as Ginny smiled. "Oh…" he concluded.

"Problem, Potter?" Draco sneered.

"Not really." Harry replied, leering in response. "I'll probably just never quite get used to you putting your tongue down my friend's throat."

"And I'll never get used to you, considering my wife to be your friend."

As Harry's eyes began to narrow and I prepared to place my face in my palm, Ron cried out enthusiastically. "Our turn!" His blue eyes sparkled as he practically jumped out of his seat and handed Draco a large cardboard box with holes stabbed into the lid. The box made a strange scratching sound as Ron placed it before Draco, and it seemed to move around inch by inch, independently.

I eyed Hermione suspiciously, who blushed and quickly picked up her goblet to hide her uncomfortable twitching mouth. What's going on? I mentally questioned Ginny and then Dennis, but everyone else seemed to be confused as I was. The box was more than peculiar, and Draco could see that too. He anxiously placed his hands on the lid and raised an eyebrow at Ron. "Is this full of Dungbombs, Weasley?"

Ron shook his head, but his compressed smirk seemed to suggest that something more mischievous was afoot. "Open it." He said in a tone that hinted at a dare.

Draco regarded the box once more before hesitantly, lifting the lid and carefully peering inside, obviously expecting some form of explosion. There was a few seconds of suspense as Draco looked down into the contents of the parcel, his expression completely blank and unreadable. Then, he calmly placed the lid back on the box, took a deep breath and lunged from his chair, wand in hand as he chased Ron around the room yelling obscenities. "WEASLEY!" Draco roared, firing hexes that Ron dodged as he dashed madly in circles like a hunted hare, grinning and laughing.

The occupants of the table watched these proceedings with wide eyes and a shocked silence. "It's finally happened…" Harry began. "Malfoy's actually trying to kill Ron."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALFOY!" Ron yelled in delight as he ducked under a curse that I could've sworn looked green. "I saw it and thought of you!"

Draco snarled and chased him towards the fireplace, wand forgotten and fists intent on pummelling. "Curse you, Weasley! I swear on my family that I will steal your firstborn son and raise him as a Malfoy, and then when he's come of age, I'll send him back to you and he'll punch you in the face!"

"He really put a lot of thought into that, didn't he?" Ginny commented casually, as Harry hurried over to the box and looked inside. Once he had, he keeled over, squirming on the floor in uncontrollable laughter. Ron jumped over him as he narrowly escaped a lunge from Draco. Ginny followed her husband's lead, and also took a look inside the box. I joined her, and when I saw what was inside, I felt myself blanch.

Staring back at me with beady black eyes was a pure white ferret.

"Whoa," Ginny smiled as she reached down a hand. The ferret sniffed her fingers curiously, before scampering up her arm and onto her shoulder, encircling its tail around her neck for balance. It nudged her forehead against her ear playfully and Ginny giggled. "He is so cool."

"Actually," Hermione interrupted, pointing at the ferret. "Malfoy is a she."

"You named it Malfoy." Zach said, smirking. He leaned back in his chair and continued to watch Ron and Draco's mad race around the Dining Room; Dennis looking on beside him, mouth agape. "Today is a good day," Zach proclaimed poetically. He swallowed some wine and lifted his goblet high, as if in toast.

I groaned as I looked over the scene. Red-faced Harry paralysed with silent chortles; Ginny stroking the ferret; Hermione sipping idly at her wine with a smile on her lips; Draco trying to kill Ron and Zach sitting back to enjoy the show, with a terrified Dennis looking at me for help. It's always so nice to have my friends over for dinner, I thought, before I felt it.

It wasn't painful so much as it was unexpected. I gasped as I placed a hand on my stomach, frowning in confusion. I staggered slightly, grabbing a hold of Draco's chair to steady myself. Instantly, the room went silent as I felt it again, more persistent this time. Before I had fully realised what was happening, Draco was at my side, face serious, a hand on my shoulder. His eyes searched mine. "Ryuu? What's wrong? Are you okay? What happened?"

"It's the baby," I began, and his jaw locked. "It just kicked." I managed to say, although my voice sounded distant.

The room seemed to sigh in relief and there was a rush of movement as everyone got to their feet and came towards me. Draco grinned at me, and placed a hand on my stomach, muttering in disbelief as the baby kicked again. "Lemme through, lemme through!" Zach said as he too, placed a hand on my stomach. Hermione wheeled her chair closer and felt the baby as well, followed by Harry, Ron, Ginny and Dennis. I stood there, stock still as everyone held a hand on my stomach, smiling and whispering to each other excitedly.

"Umm… okay." I said awkwardly, "You can all just go ahead and touch me then…"

It was only when I voiced my discomfort that everyone seemed to realise what they were doing. There was a symphony of "Oh, right," and "Yeah, sorry…" as the crowd moved back to their seats until only Draco remained, and I couldn't help beaming at him as he looked at me. The food appeared on the table and the guests began to eat, but my husband drew me a few feet aside to mutter to me in private.

"So, everything's okay?" Draco asked, still a bit concerned.

I raised an eyebrow. "Of course. What, did you think I was going into labour or something?"

He adjusted my party hat, which had gone slightly askew. "Well, there was no way I could've been sure…" he murmured.

"Draco." I said, lowly. "Do you see a baby?"

He laughed at me, before breaking off into a snarl. His eyes flickered back to Ginny, who still had the ferret coiled around her shoulders. She handed the creature a small cube of cheese, and the ferret nibbled at it, long bushy tail swishing back and forth. "We're not going to let him get away with this." Draco stated, tone sinister.

I lifted my hand to his face and turned it so he was looking down at me once more. "Of course we won't…" I smirked wickedly. "We'll teach it to hunt weasels."

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Draco

When the dinner had concluded, and I noticed Ryuu beginning to yawn, I politely began to usher everyone towards the fireplace and the fuck out of my Manor. It took some time, and a few of them tried to give me a 'birthday hug.' Whether this was from the effects of the wine, or their misconception of friendship was unclear, but - entirely for Ryuu's sake of course – I accepted.

It was only when I'd pulled the party hat from my head and turned back to face the Dining Room that I realised Ryuu was gone. I glanced around the darkening room, eyes scrolling over the slumbering ferret curled up in the centre of the table, until I noticed the window. She was standing just outside, on the pavement that encircled the Gardens. The stars twinkled above her, and the moon glow highlighted her pale skin. The breeze ruffled her golden hair, and I watched her fold her arms over her chest. She's cold again.

Shrugging off my jacket, I walked out of the Dining Room.

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Ryuu

As I stood outside in the chilling breeze, I decided that stars were my favourite thing about the natural world. They were simply so beautiful. Silver lights peppering the ink black curtain of night, pinpricking the endlessness of the universe. No wonder humans have always wondered, I thought as I lifted my hands to my shoulders in an attempt to get warmer. The breeze was barely present, and the night didn't posses the sharp nip of cold that it usually would have, but I was still freezing.

"Here," Draco's voice slid into my ears as he hunched his jacket over my shoulders. I turned to face him, surprised to see his white, button up shirt.

"You haven't got a second jacket?" I remarked questioningly.

He raised his eyebrows. "It's not even the slightest bit chilly, Princess."

I sighed, annoyed at how fragile I must seem and slid my arms into the sleeves. "Don't call me that," I pestered out of routine.

And, out of routine, he chose to ignore me. "So what brings you out here on this fine summer's night? Sick of my company?"

"Naturally," I chided, "but there's a bigger reason than that." I looked back up at the stars, placing my hands over my stomach. "It's in your mother's family tradition to name children after star constellations. I figured we could get some ideas."

"I thought we were going to go with Severus Albus."

"Well," I sideways nodded, in mock consideration. "It's not as bad as Albus Severus." We laughed to ourselves for a moment, before stopping the chuckles with an immense surge of willpower. I sighed. The name was truly hilarious, but I felt sorry for the poor child. "So," I began, changing the topic. I pointed up at the sky. "Do you know any constellations?"

"Of course I do." Draco said, "And I have been thinking about a few for the name." I raised my eyebrow inquisitively and he pointed into a far off place in the sky. My eyes followed his finger onto a cluster of stars that I couldn't picture into anything. "What about Scorpius?"

"No." I said without a seconds hesitation.

"What's wrong with Scorpius?" Draco argued.

I looked at him with an expression of disbelief. "Scorpius Malfoy? Draco, why do you hate our child? What are we supposed to nickname him? Scorpy?!" I shook my head. "No. Not a chance. Besides, we aren't even certain it's a boy."

"What else could it be?" Draco asked, turning me to face him.

"A girl." I said with derision. "Ever considered that possibility?!" I snapped, shrugging my shoulders out of his hands.

I began to step away, but he clasped my hand and brought me closer, enveloping me in an embrace. I was still seething with anger, but I remained in his arms and simply waited for him to release me. "I'm sorry." He whispered, and I felt my rage begin to ebb away. Damn my mood swings, I thought in annoyance. I'm trying to prove a point. But despite my irritation towards him, I found myself relaxing into his hug. And then I was speaking to him in a tone that wasn't angry.

"I just… don't think it's a boy. And I'm not just saying that." Draco drew back, so he could look me in the eye. I adjusted his jacket around myself and continued. "She feels like a girl to me."

"Well," Draco started carefully, knowing that his words were skating on thin ice, "Whenever I talk to him, I feel like I'm talking to a boy."

My fingertips stroked over my stomach again, and I considered. Draco did talk to the baby almost every night. Sometimes at such length that I would drift to sleep. He called it Little One, and often ranted to it about some cutting prank that Harry or Ron had done to him. He usually finished his conversation with a distinct mantra of: 'Because that's what Weasleys (or Potters) do.' I supposed that Draco had as much of an argument as I did when it came to the gender of our child. Although I'd agreed to leaving it as a surprise, the suspense was killing me. I wanted to know, and from the look in his eye I could tell that Draco did too.

He tucked a ringlet of my hair behind my ear. "Why don't I book an appointment with Physician Thompson tomorrow, and we can find out then?"

I felt myself pouting. I knew what the night ahead was going to be like. Constant remarks from both of us with inferences of being correct and the other being wrong, until we eventually fell into a relentless tennis match of: "It's a girl," and "No, it's a boy." If only there was a way we could find out now, I began to think, when the idea struck me. I bit down on my lip and looked up at Draco, the thought ticking over in my head. His eyes narrowed. "What is it?" he asked suspiciously.

"Well…" I blurted, before pausing and shuffling my feet. "There is a way we could find out now."

Draco's frown deepened as he heard my tone. "What do you mean?"

I cleared my throat, feeling like a horrible mother. "I just… well I was thinking," I slowly circled my palm over my stomach and let the words tumble out. "You're a master at Legilimency. The baby's mind is developing now. Maybe you could - take a look." The last words caught in my throat as Draco's eyes widened and his mouth twisted in disgust.

"Are you suggesting that I invade the premature mind of my unborn child?!" he gasped.

"No, not invade!" I retorted, hurt. "Just… kind of… peek." As I said it, I heard how horrible it sounded and hated myself a little.

Draco shook his head in astonishment. "That's insane."

"Audacious," I agreed.

"Ludicrous."

"Preposterous."

"Atrocious."

"Mental." I finished, nodding. "Want to try it?"

"No." Draco said sternly. "No, Ryuu. I'm not going to encourage your sick, twisted methods."

"I know how crazy I sound," I placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heart beat beneath my palm. "But just hear me out, please." His face relaxed, but his eyes remained stony. I didn't blame him. Draco had been both a victim and an inflictor of Legilimency, and he knew the effect it had on people.

"Okay," I started. "Now, I'm not saying you should force your way into the baby's mind. Isn't there a way where you can just, ease in – without causing confusion or pain?"

Draco shrugged. "I don't know. I've never heard of that before. Legilimency is a method of attack." The wind picked up and I shivered, moving closer to him to steal some of his warmth.

"Well, why don't you just try it?" I whispered, glancing about as I heard an owl hoot.

He regarded me with an expression of mild surprise. "Well, if you're willing to volunteer…" he said with a smirk flittering across his lips.

I blinked stupidly. Damn. I hadn't thought about the repercussions of that statement. Many a time Draco had commented that he wanted to understand how I thought, and I had just provided him with a prime window to catch a glance at my mind. But I couldn't back down now, not when his eyes were glinting like that. In a matter of seconds, this situation had become a challenge, and my pride was too big not to accept. "Fine." I replied resolutely, and I caught Draco's eyes waver in a slight hesitation. He didn't want to hurt me, but I was willing now.

"Alright then," he replied. He placed his hands on my shoulders and moved me closer. His arm hooked around my waist to support my back and he placed his other hand beside my face, his fingers touching my left temple. I felt a shiver of uneasiness prickle through me as he murmured. "If you feel too uncomfortable, just say so and I'll stop, okay?"

I nodded.

"Look at me." Draco said clearly, and I stared into his eyes. "Clear your mind. Relax." A few seconds of silence passed before Draco spoke again. "You're not relaxing."

"Sorry," I murmured and took a deep breath in, trying to calm myself. Blanking my mind was more difficult than I'd imagined. I was fully aware of the fact that my thoughts were about to be accessed by someone other than myself. My mind had always been a safe place for me, a place where I could get away with anything. And I didn't like the idea of anyone, even Draco who I trusted with my life, prying through it.

Suddenly, Draco leaned close and kissed me. It was a gentle kiss, and I was automatically relieved of worry. When he retracted and I looked in his eyes, I knew I was safe. Of course I was safe. With another deep breath, I felt myself relax and then-

I gasped.

Suddenly, I was blind. Everything that I had seen before; the stars, Draco, his eyes – they'd all vanished. It was as if my eyes were closed, but with a sort of finality. I knew I was unable to open them. I could still feel my body. I could feel the material of my dress against my skin, the brush of the breeze through my hair, the heaviness of the child inside me. I could still feel myself touching Draco, and feel his fingers at my temple. But I was deaf too. The sounds of the trees whispering in the wind, and the nocturnal animals hunting in the shadows were gone. A spark of panic began to flicker within me. I wasn't in pain, and even though I was aware of what was happening to me I was still unable to overcome the shock.

It's okay, I heard a voice say. You're doing well. So I wasn't deaf. I knew that voice. Draco. Of course… he was speaking to me in my mind. As soon as I'd recognised the voice, I could see again. But I wasn't so much seeing as I was watching. Watching memories. Waking up to see Draco beside me. His smile. His eyes. The feeling of his hand within my own. His expression as he wrote down important notes. The day we'd had a picnic in Paris, and I'd forced him to wear my incredibly feminine hat.

You still remember that? Draco said, amused.

How am I supposed to stop you from forgetting if I don't remember myself? I felt myself smirk. His laugh vibrated through my mind and then began to withdraw, until it seemed to be only an echo.

And then I was back. Still standing in the same position, with Draco looking down at me. I felt myself smiling, and Draco did the same. "That wasn't so bad," I remarked.

"No, it wasn't." he agreed, loosening his arm from my waist and placing his hands on my belly. His lips twisted. "But you recognise me, and trust me. It might not be the same with the baby."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, with narrowed eyes. "It knows who you are, Draco. Why do you think it kicked for the first time tonight?" Draco shrugged and I smirked. "It's because it heard you screaming death threats at Ron, and recognised its father."

He regarded me with a look of derision as I giggled, before returning his attention to my stomach. He took a deep breath and I watched his face focus. I waited patiently, watching his eyes as they began to harden in concentration. I felt a slight stirring inside, and knew again that it was the baby. A smile grew across Draco's face and he began to whisper what he was saying in the mind of our child.

"Little One," he started, and I felt the stirring increase. "It's me. I'm your father. You're safe with me, Little One. I'll always keep you safe."

I considered if there had been a moment if I had loved him more than I did now. I slid my hand down over his own, as his eyes began to change, and I watched his face flicker. Then, to my utter amazement, a tear rolled down Draco's cheek. He blinked out of his Legimens state and back into reality. I squeezed his hand, concerned. "What is it?" I asked. "Draco, what's wrong?"

He stared at me with sparkling silver eyes and smiled. "It's a girl."

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The blonde girl with the green eyes was attentive.

Her Daddy sat before her, and he was speaking to her with an intensity on his face that Vipera hadn't seen before. Granted, she was very young – in fact, she could barely walk. However, Vipera sensed that what her father was trying to convey to her was of upmost importance, so she stopped playing with the stuffed griffin that her Uncle Harry had given her, and listened.

"Okay, Little One." Daddy said, quietly. "I want you to do something for me now, can you do this Vi? I want you to say… DAD-DY."

Vipera felt her head nodding as she concentrated on the words that she barely understood. "DAD-DY." Daddy said again, and the girl nodded. "Do you think you can say that?" Her father's eyebrow lifted twice rapidly and she laughed, a delightful little gurgle.

Her Daddy grasped her little hands in his own and Vipera tried once more to listen and repeat. "DAD-DY." Her father said again. She opened her mouth and tried to speak, but the action seemed to alien to comprehend. Her father narrowed his eyes for a moment. "Hmmm… okay, how about this? DRA-CO."

But that only confused the girl even more. Vipera was a very expressive infant, and conveyed her confusion by rapidly blinking in quick succession, her mouth firmly closed. Her father got the message. "Your right, that's a bit difficult…" once again, he thought. "What about… FATH-ER."

Vipera opened and closed her mouth but that word was too tricky. Her father smirked. "Okay then, try this. I HATE WEAS-LEY."

The small girl laughed again and her mouth began to operate. "We-we-weezzeeyy…"

The father's face flickered to panic. "No, no!" he quickly hushed his daughter to quiet. "Not that word. Say DAD-DY. Daddy. Go on, try and say DAD-DY. Say it before you say 'Mummy'." He finished. Daddy had always been a little annoyed that Vipera had inherited her mother's eyes. According to him, it made his child more like her mother than like him, despite the fact that Vipera had his straight white-blond hair.

"If you say DAD-DY." He continued, "I will let you play with Venator." Vipera loved the ferret, and clapped her tiny hands in delight whenever she brought home a limp weasel.

She wet her lips and really focused. She only dimly noticed her mother come into the room and say "Draco, what are you doing?"

Vipera took a breath and forced out the sounds, one syllable at a time. "DAD-DY. Daddy. Daddy!" she clapped her hands.

Her mother gasped as her father punched the air in victory. "You!" Mummy yelled, pointing a finger at Daddy. "You did this on purpose!"

"I did not. She just picked which parent she preferred and blessed her beautiful voice with their name."

"You!" Mummy leapt at Daddy, tackling him to the ground as he laughed. "You manipulative… horrid… snake Draco Malfoy! Poisoning our daughter's mind with your obscene methods!" She battered at him playfully, and he embraced her in a hug.

"Daddy!" Vipera exclaimed again. "M-Mu-Mummy!"

Draco and Ryuu looked over to their daughter, who was watching their not-so-parental display of maturity with innocent green eyes. The mother lifted the daughter into her own hands and eyed her husband with irritation. When he only smirked at her, she murmured "Prat."

"Purr-at." Vipera repeated clumsily, before correcting herself. "Prat."

The mother's eyes widened and Draco gasped, pointing his finger at Ryuu. "You, manipulative, horrid… snake-Ryuu Malfoy! Poisoning our daughter's mind with your heinous swearing!"

Vipera laughed at the expression on her mother's face; shock, mingled with the increasing flush of embarrassed pink. Her father joined in, kissing his wife on the cheek. Ryuu eventually smiled and tried to explain to Vipera that 'prat' was a bad word, but the girl was still thoroughly amused by the antics of her parents. Sometimes the girl thought they were incredibly silly, and other times they seemed to know everything. Yet they were constant, and the girl couldn't remember a time when they hadn't been there. Vipera grasped her mother's hand and looked down in surprise at the gleaming silver ring coiled around her finger. She could see the reflection of her face in the deep green jewel at the centre, and the girl remembered all the times she had noticed the ring. She wondered where her Mummy had gotten it.

Vipera smiled to herself as she noticed both of her parents' surprised faces at her behaviour. To the girl, that seemed like a question for another day.

THE END

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A/N: It took Hogwarts castle three months after the war to fix every last broken window. McGonagall became headmaster and the school opened again in 1999; two years after the war began – with many additional new staff. The graves were never removed from the grounds.

Luna's Order of Merlin Third Class still hangs in the Ravenclaw Common Room to this day.

Zach published fifteen books altogether. The novels were based on his discoveries of previously unknown or rumoured creatures from all over the world. Eventually, he took up teaching at Hogwarts as the Professor for Care of Magical Creatures.

Dennis mastered wandlore at the age of thirty and set up a shop in Hogsmeade. Zach often said that: 'he liked a man who knew what to do with wood.' Zach and Dennis never had children because they never wanted any.

Reeah Noseworthy became a very accomplished potioneer, designing her own line of potions under the label 'Noseworthy Co.' Her Headquarters are in Diagon Alley, but she posts her products all over the country.

Blaise Zabini joined the Aurors. He was responsible for identifying and capturing many Death Eaters still on the loose after the war.

The Zabinis adopted twins from China; identical. Blaise named the girl Olivia. Reeah (for reasons still unknown) named the boy Devachandra.

Harry Potter never really settled down into a career. He proffered to stay home and raise his new family.

Ginny spent a decade as chaser for the Holyhead Harpies. Then, she worked in the Department of Magical Games and Sports.

Hermione Granger became one of the most notable voices in the movement for Werewolf Rights in wizarding history. She became the Head of the Protection of Magical Creatures Department.

Ron Weasley's Curse Breaker Department was very successful, although he constantly felt himself in rivalry with Ryuu. Much to his dismay, Venator the ferret became adept at hunting and killing weasels.

Severus Snape was buried in the Hogwarts grounds. When he'd died, there had been a small vial full of blue-white smoky gas in his robe pocket with a label saying: 'For Potter ONLY'. The vial had been delivered to Harry immediately.

Jonah eventually married Pavarti Patil; who had always liked the strong silent type.

Copper was a steady hand of wizarding law and dedicated the majority of her time tracking down war criminals to bring to justice. Her life changed in the year 2022, when she met Grace.

Norman Gladde lived on the run. The Aurors had failed to discover his true identity, and the lifetime in Azkaban penalty on his hide kept him very careful.

Ryuu's escape from the Kennels resulted in a massacre now known as The Slaves Revolt. Over three dozen Death Eaters and Snatchers were killed. Dolores Jane Umbridge died that night. The Manager was never seen again. Exactly two hundred and eighteen slaves escaped that night, including the people with Ryuu, Jonah and Copper.

To this day, the death of Lucius Malfoy is believed to be caused at the hands of General Ryuu Veil. Only two people know the truth.

Ryuu and Draco lived happily. Vipera grew up fairly normally (well as normal as you can get for a Malfoy/Veil). The Malfoys had no other children – Vipera was the first female heir.

All in all, the war slowly ended, as all things do.