AN: I own nothing you recognize. This is JK's playground, she just allows me to play here every now and then.

Thank you so, so, much for reviewing, following, or adding to your favorites.

Well, here it is, and like Boyz II Men said, it's so hard to say goodbye. This has been over 3 years of my life here on FF, and, although not how I originally planned, has been one of my more favorite stories to write. A big, fat thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read this. When I first started writing, I didn't think many people would be interested in it, but you guys have proven me wrong, and for that, I thank you.

The quote at the end is one I've enjoyed for many years. I, like a lot of people, do not enjoy change, and have a hard time accepting when things do change. So, when I still worked at the café, my boss' wife printed that saying on a little piece of paper and gave it to me, and I still recite that every now and then when I'm feeling overwhelmed.

So, one final time, while I go pig out on ice cream and cry - Go! Read and enjoy!

AN - NOV 24 - Huge, huge thanks to RAV3N R1PP3R for catching the mistake in this chapter. I hadn't noticed, but Harry's wife's name was Amanda, when it's Andrea. :)

Epilogue

Five Years Later

"Could you watch Nicholas for a moment, Mother? I'd like one more dance with my gorgeous wife." Severus said silkily, smirking at Hermione.

"Better yet, why doesn't Nicholas just sit here with me while you dance with your mother?" Hermione asked, glaring at her husband. "Because the next time I stand up, it's going to be for one of two possible reasons: either I have to pee, again, or we go home."

"Well, that's a smashing idea, Hermione!" Eileen said, getting to her feet. "Severus, come dance with your old mum." she said, grabbing his elbow and nearly dragging him to the dance floor as he rolled his eyes.

"Mummy, can we go home yet?" Nicholas asked from beside her, about to fall asleep in his piece of wedding cake.

Hermione reached over and smoothed his curls away from his face with one hand, pushing his plate away with the other. "Not yet, sweetheart. But soon, alright?" she asked. "Tell you what, how about you ask Uncle George to take you inside to Aunt Audrey for a rest, and Mummy will come get you when it's time to go home, alright?" she suggested.

Nicholas nodded tiredly, and made his way over to George, who met Hermione's gaze and nodded, carrying the sleepy toddler into the Burrow. Knowing her son was in good hands, Hermione let out a deep breath. At just over eight months pregnant, there was no way she was planning on getting back on the dance floor. Kicking her heels off under the table, she leaned back in her chair and put her hands over her growing belly as she took the opportunity to observe her family.

In the middle of the dance floor was Ron, who looked quite dapper in his black dress robes. Her arms around his neck, the newest Mrs. Weasley looked absolutely taken by her new husband, as well as gorgeous in her fluffy wedding dress. Hermione had to admit, even if only to herself, that when she set Ron up with Mallory, she didn't think they'd make it this far. But, she was extremely pleased they did. Those two, despite the odds, were more in love now than they were before. She just couldn't wait until Mallory was pregnant, and Ron got to understand the joy of having children.

Shifting her gaze to the right of the newlyweds, she laughed at Harry and his wife of six months, Andrea, as they danced. Poor Andrea grimaced as Harry stepped on her toes for what was probably the tenth time since they started dancing. Hermione was glad Harry had someone who reminded him that he was worthy of being loved for who he was, and not what he did. And, she was also glad that in about seven months, Harry would finally get his wish to be a father. Andrea had confided in Hermione earlier that she was, in fact, having twins, so his joy would be doubled. And Hermione couldn't be happier.

Spotting Ginny sitting at the front table, Hermione smiled as her sister in law nursed her newest nephew, a mini-Draco, in fact, Scorpius Draco Malfoy. Ginny had been thrilled to find out she was pregnant again, and even more thrilled when she found out she was having a boy. As much as she loved Seraphina, who was being spun around the dance floor by her father, Ginny desired a son. Draco, also, had been over the moon to find out he was having a boy this time around, and now, with two replicas of him and Ginny, he was proud as one of the peacocks that used to guard Malfoy Manor, and often boasted that his children were the most beautiful in the world.

Then, her gaze caught sight of Sirius, who was paying attention only to his fiancée, the one and only Duchess. The two had ran into each other last year in Diagon Alley, and resumed their relationship. After a whirlwind six months, Sirius had proposed, shocking everyone. He, Sirius Black, the notorious bachelor, was taking himself off the market, and didn't mind one bit. He often said he thought Duchess was his soulmate, and made no secret how much in love with her he was.

Thanking Merlin he was happy, she smiled at Charlie as he held his sleeping daughter in his arms while he chatted with Bill. After their talk, he had committed himself to Naomi, and to moving on from Rosalie. Naomi, once she had heard the story, broke down in tears, and told Charlie that she liked him too much to let him go, and they would move at his pace. Three years later, the two wed in a secret ceremony in Romania, and the following year, little Rosalie came along, a name Naomi insisted on upon learning they were having a girl.

High pitched giggling caught her attention, and she smiled as she spotted Tonks pulling faces for the children, including their own two. Teddy, who took after his mother with the metamorphmagus abilities, and their other son, also a metamorphmagus, Andrew, who went by Andy, like his grandmother, only with a Y instead of and I. There was Victoire, who was a copy of Fleur with red hair, Dominique, another copy of Fleur, but with blonde hair, and little Louis, who was a younger version of his father. Then, there was Fred and Katie's children, Roman and her sister Janet, who looked more like their mother than Fred. George and Angelina's children, Roxanne, Jonah, and Allie, who was named after their friends Alicia and Lee. Percy and Audrey's children, Molly, Lucy, and Tiberius. Where they got that name, nobody knows, but everyone has their fingers crossed the next one, due in around three months, doesn't have such a creative name. Then, at the middle of it all, was Hermione and Severus' three year old daughter, Serena.

Serena was a complete surprise. Severus had taken Hermione on holiday to Italy for their anniversary. Hands down, Hermione knew Serena was the best souvenir from that trip. Although Nicholas would say she was annoying, everyone knew he loved his baby sister, and everyone also knew that she adored Nicholas. When she gets upset, he's the only one who can cheer her up. While Nicholas favored Severus, Serena was strictly Hermione, and even her mother's nose and curls. She inherited Severus' eyes and hair color, but other than that, she was a mini-Mione, as Harry liked to call her.

Molly and Arthur caught her eye next as they waltzed gracefully around the floor. Going on forty years married, and more in love with each passing day. Lucius and Helena intersected them, and Hermione smiled as she watched her mother's face light up with laughter as Lucius and Arthur began dancing together.

"Hermione?" a voice squeaked from her right.

Turning her head, she smiled at her father-in-law. "Yes, Filius?" she asked.

"Are you alright, dear?" he asked, sipping his champagne.

Hermione gazed once more at her family before giving him a teary nod. "I'm just perfect, Filius." she said. "Everything's the way it was meant to be." she whispered.

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow.
Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."
― Lao Tzu

One last time - Review please.

XOXO - Onyx Obsidian