Here it is, the epilogue!

Thank you all for your patience and for taking the time to share your thoughts and impressions. Your input has been so fantastic!

Enjoy!

Eight weeks later, at Malfoy Manor, Hermione walked down the aisle again. This time there was no big wedding. The only guests in attendance were Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione's parents. There was no showcasing, suffocating tulle of a dress either. Her white gown was elegant, yet understated. She fingered the engagement ring on her fourth finger, moving it to her right hand. On this day, she only wanted to see the wedding band that Lucius would shortly place on this finger.

Wanting to memorize every second of this moment, Hermione took in her surroundings as she walked the short distance to the altar. The gardens of Malfoy Manor had never looked more romantic. Floating lights twinkled in the boughs of the trees. A white tent with canopy sheltered their small wedding party. The air was sprinkled with the scent of honeysuckle and champagne. Never had Hermione felt more confident than she did in her decision to marry Lucius. He was no longer a secret forbidden infatuation, but the man she was forever in love with. His love and support cancelled out the years she spent with Draco and his self-centeredness.

As she reached Lucius, she saw her emotions mirrored on his face.

Could happiness ever be painful in its intensity? she wondered as her eyes settled on his. He smiled at her.

Hermione kissed her father on the cheek and released his arm in order to take the hand Lucius extended to her.

"You are breathtaking," he whispered into her ear as they turned to face the minister.

He squeezed her hand and she returned the pressure, sneaking a peek at him out of the corner of her eye.

The minister droned on the importance and meaning of marriage, then the moment to exchange the vows finally came. Lucius and Hermione turned to face earth other. He took both of her hands in his.

His eyes shone with love as Lucius recited his vows, "I, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, take thee, Hermione Jean Granger, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part; and thereto, I plight thee my troth."

She smiled at him before saying her vows, "I, Hermione Jean Granger, take thee, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part; and thereto, I give thee my troth."

Lucius nearly leaned in to kiss her when the minister stopped him, reminding him that the exchange of rings was required first.

Lucius placed a ring on her finger. "With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all thy…" He shook his head at his mistake. "With all my worldly goods I thee endow. This is my solemn vow."

When the minister pronounced them husband and wife, it took a while for his words to sink into Hermione's head.

Her husband. Lucius was now her husband. It was almost surreal.

"My wife," he whispered circling his arm about her waist before dipping his head to softly kiss her. When she kissed him back, Hermione could have sworn she was floating on air.

They signed the certificate to make their marriage official and then joined their guests for intimate dinner celebrations before setting out on their drive to Lucius's favorite retreat in Deeside, where they planned on spending their honeymoon.

"It was a beautiful wedding, wasn't it?" Hermione said, enjoying their long drive. One of her favorite pastimes lately has been simply driving around with Lucius. She loved being alone with him in a confined space, gliding over the smooth concrete. Sometimes she wished their journey would never end. But not tonight. Tonight, she couldn't wait to get there.

"It was," he agreed, keeping his eyes on the road. "You distracted me to the point where I offered to share your worldly goods with you instead of my own."

She grinned at him. "And I purposely left out the part about obeying you."

"Oh, I noticed. I'm not too fussed about it though, I know what to do to get what I want from you."

She swatted his knee. "You're such an arrogant arse."

"And you love me for it."

Hermione gave his knee a gentle squeeze. "Yes, I do. We're stuck with each other now."

"I can't think of a sexier predicament."

Hermione stared at the road ahead. Now that the ceremony was over, she couldn't wait for their honeymoon to finally begin.

The small cottage stood out against the star-lit night with its dark silhouette. As Lucius turned into the driveway, the headlights illuminated the building, glinting off the windows beside a net of vines that weaved its way along the side of the house.

Hermione looked at Lucius.

"We're here," he softly said.

He rushed around to her side and helped her step out of the car before swooping her up into his arms and carrying her through the threshold.

Soft candlelight was the only light source as he carried her swiftly through the house to the bedroom. They softly laughed at his rush. The weeks of abstaining were clearly making them both impatient. But despite his impatience, he gently layer her down on the bed and stepped back to admire her as her dress spread out about her. Kicking off his shoes, Lucius climbed onto the bed, nearly falling over in his hurry. They both laughed again. Hermione admired how the contours of his face were highlighted and shadowed by the flickering candlelight. Their lips met for a short, excited kiss.

When he pulled back, laughter faded from his eyes as he took one of her hands into both of his.

"Have you ever regretted…?"

She looked up at him, guessing at the question he left unfinished. "Not for a single second." Her voice was soft, but full of certainty. "You do realize that if it were not for Draco, we wouldn't have had so many chances to be around each other? But no, I don't regret how it all turned out. How could I regret anything that led me to you?"

"At the risk of sounding callous, I'm glad it took us so dreadfully long. It'll teach us never to take each other for granted."

"Lucius, I love you so much that even the word 'love' is nowhere adequate enough to express how I feel. No words right now can capture how I could just burst from happiness."

His thumb brushed over her lips. "We don't need words, do we?"

She shook her head, expecting him to kiss her again, but he moved to the end of the bed. Hermione curiously watched him as he slid off her shoes and slowly massaged the arch of her foot before sliding his hands higher along her hose-clad thighs to the backs of her knees. Lifting the skirt of her dress, he dove underneath it, and she soon felt his lips on her thigh. His hands soon followed the suit, caressing and tickling the skin underneath them.

Hermione squirmed against him, trapping him in a sea of white.

"As fun as this is, I want to see you," she softly whined.

He materialized out of the world of silk and hitched the skirt up to her hips. Fingering the edge of her thigh highs, Lucius gently rolled them down and off, exposing each leg for him in turn. His eyes rested on the scrap of lingerie between her thighs, the dampness clearly evident through the thin white lace.

His gaze radiated with passion. She pulled his head to hers and kissed him. As ever, his lips robbed her of breath and reason. A subtle giggle escaped from her at the delightful realization that he was hers to kiss like this for the rest of her life.

"Is something amusing you?" he asked, nuzzling her neck.

She smiled. "It just struck me that I'll get to kiss you like this forever. Of all the things to be excited about marriage …" she softly laughed, "…kisses…"

"You are too lovely." He kissed her again. His tongue roamed into her mouth, tasting her as if for the first time.

Her hands came up to tug impatiently at the buttons of his waistcoat, then discarding it to the floor. She repeated the same process to the buttons of his shirt. It opened teasingly with every button to reveal more and more of his alabaster skin. The last button fell open and the shirt fell away from his shoulders. She sat back to survey him.

"Are you just going to sit there and stare at me?" he asked in bemusement.

Her face flushed bright red as she admitted, "I like looking at you." She wrapped her arms around herself.

Unable to mask the amusement from his eyes, Lucius reached out to her, caressing her hips over her dress, working his fingers over the fabric.

"Good, because you'll be looking at me for the rest of your life." He gave her a light peck on the lips. "But you're leaving me out of the fun. You're not the only one who likes to look."

Hermione rose from the bed and turned her back to him, so he could unbutton her dress and peel it down her body, leaving her in just her bridal lingerie. He turned her to face him. One finger reached out to the edge of her bra cups to brush the delicate skin of her breasts. She quivered at his touch. His fingers hooked into her bra straps. His dominant eyes stared into hers the whole time, radiating the heat that matched the burn inside her. With care and sensuality, he unsnapped the clasp and pulled the lacy material away.

With sudden ferocity, he dived toward her breasts, catching each nipple in turn in the warm, soothing caresses of his tongue. The passion he ignited threatened to consume Hermione as Lucius continued to kiss and suckle her breasts, nipping occasionally with his teeth. She yelped in surprise at the sensation of teeth sinking into her sensitive mounds. Her hands sank into his hair, holding him tightly to her chest, guiding his lips and teeth as he sucked and bit her to the tune of her blissful moans.

"I see you like that," he stated. She nodded.

"I love when you look at me like this," he said.

"Like how?"

"With that coy expression, as though you're still shy around me after all we've been through."

"I am still shy around you. Sometimes."

With concerted effort, he drew back from her. Still drinking in her body, his eyes dropped to her knickers once more.

"Remove those for me," he commanded her, unzipping his own trousers and reaching down to firmly stroke his cock.

She chewed on her lip, but didn't hesitate to comply with his demands, releasing her body to his gaze. Hermione turned her hips and ran her fingers through the waistband, teasing him as she slowly eased the material down. He continued to stroke his cock as he watched, enjoying her little show. At last, she turned on the spot and bent at the waist, peeling the wispy lace down her legs and letting them drop at her feet.

"I didn't know you were so limber," he commented as she looked back at him through the gap between her thighs with a cheeky smile on her lips.

Clenching his jaw, he tenderly admonished her, "You are terrible for teasing me like this. I'm about to explode here." He gave her bum a playful smack.

She let out a shocked shriek of delight that seemed to excite Lucius even more.

His hands tightly gripped her bottom. "I'm going to devour you tonight."

"Bon appétit."

Another coy smile seemed to hurl Lucius over the precipice of control, abandoning himself to his primal cravings. He bent down behind her, his teeth connecting roughly with the tender flesh of her thigh. His low groan caused Hermione's whole body to tremble. Spreading her legs apart, he buried his face between her thighs.

"You are intoxicating," Lucius moaned, smacking his lips in appreciation.

His tongue delved deeper into her succulence as though unable to get enough of her. She squirmed against him in impatience. The deeper his tongue pressed, the more she wanted. He pulled back from her, brushing his lips over her labia before probing back into the tight skin of her slit.

"Lucius! You are … too good. I want … more," she moaned out between squeals and sighs.

He nipped at her sensitive lips and racked his teeth over her inner thigh, causing Hermione to redouble her moans. Then he settled back onto the edge of the bed, gripping her hips and spinning her on the spot to face him. She could barely look at him, her vision blurry. She was nearly unconscious from his oral onslaught.

Lucius idly caressed her thighs, his fingers trailing down to tickle the backs of her knees through the nylon material. His urgency dissipated for the moment.

"What is it?" she hoarsely asked.

"I'm taking my time to burn the image of your beauty into my mind. I want to remember you like this forever."

Without further ado, he seized her by the hips again and pulled her towards him. With a half gasp, half whimper, Hermione was settled onto his swollen cock, sinking unceremoniously down his entire length.

"I can't believe you did that," she chided him.

He swallowed a growl. "I couldn't wait."

"So much for your infinite patience."

"I never want to go this long without being inside you again." Lucius took picked up her body and held her up as he raised his hips to thrust up into her relentlessly, mercilessly, and with total abandon. His thrusts may have been wild and rough, but his caresses on her body were tender and adoring.

Casting her down onto her back, his hands seized her thighs, spreading her wider for him. A deep, rumbling laughter sprang from his chest, conveying his pleasure and amusement.

"Lucius, please … more," she begged him, calling him back to claim her as his own again.

He obliged her by sheathing himself deep inside her again. A gasp tore through her throat when he filled her once more. With his hands on her hips, his eyes aflame, Lucius thrust into her. Hermione felt reborn and invigorated with each movement. Her heart, mind, and soul expanded and soared with the love she felt for this man. Lust possessed him entirely as he drove into her with vigor, pinning her to the crisp, fresh sheets that she fisted with his every move. His hands had a life of their own, mauling her splayed body with his expert and precise touches, coaxing her into delirium, filling the room with her unmeasured groans and rasping breaths.

Fire raged inside Hermione. Every inch of her body was primed for the feverish climax. His face descended to her body, his lips joining his fingers in electrifying and exciting her senses. It seemed as if the years of frustration and pent up desire were released with each thrusting motion, signifying the beginning of their new life together. Their chests pressed together, sleek with a sheen of sweat as their lips wrestled together, swallowing each other's moans of pleasure. The gyrating rhythm of their bodies slowed as they basked in mutual adoration of each other. However, the peaceful state was short-lived as their ardor increased. Lucius savagely gripped her hips again as his breathing became harsher and deeper. He rose above Hermione again. She closed her eyes as her inner walls clenched around him and careened over the edge. Lucius continued to desperately thrust into her as Hermione writhed beneath him, struggling frantically to fill her lungs with air. Her mouth fell open, but she couldn't make out her own words. His teeth raked over her nipple as Lucius succumbed to his own demanding orgasm, his body becoming rigid over hers. He continued to hold her tightly as she received pulse after pulse of him inside her.

Then their lips met once more, reaffirming everything words were too inadequate to convey.

"How's that for more? Was it sufficient for this hour, Mrs. Malfoy?" he asked her after what seemed like hours later, though only several minutes in reality.

She laughed. "Only for this hour, Mr. Malfoy. I may require an encore performance later."

"Anything you want." He kissed her cheek, drawing her to him. "For you, I'd do anything."

"I don't know what to expect from the rest of our marriage, but the honeymoon is fantastic!" Hermione exclaimed, moving to rest her head on his shoulder.

He smirked. "And the first night is not even over yet."

Hermione looked at their hands, entwining her fingers with his. "I love you."

He took her hand in his and kissed it. "And I love you."

Hermione couldn't believe how everything in her life had fallen into place. As she began to drift off to sleep, she instinctively began to fight it, not wanting their time together to end. Then she remembered that there was no need for that; their time together wouldn't end in the morning. From this day on, they would finish and start each day in each other's arms. From this day on, they would only be a touch away, just as they were always meant to be.

"Looks like we made the news," Hermione said, handing her copy of Witch Weekly to her new husband over breakfast.

He skimmed the article and smiled.

MARRIED AT LAST.

By: Leanna Skylar.

Five years ago a certain photograph at the Queen's Cup polo tournament started our favorite speculation about the true nature of the relationship between Miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Lucius Malfoy. Who could really forget the way Mr. Malfoy swept Miss Granger up onto his prize-winning stallion at the end of the tournament? Many a hearts went aflutter at the way the usually stoic wizard gazed at the young witch. More of the same ardent moments were further captured on camera. From Queen's Cup to the Henley regatta, from charity balls to hunting weekends, those two couldn't keep their eyes off each other, giving our discerning readers a lot to ponder and analyze. As most of you will remember, your faithful correspondent had a theory back then about how they must have been carrying on a secret romance. While majority gleefully agreed, we had a few loud naysayers (e.i. a certain Mrs. Clifford from Leicestershire). Today Witch Weekly is happy to announce that the wedding bells have finally rung at Malfoy Manor on Saturday, and that Miss Granger is indeed the new Mrs. Malfoy … the new Mrs. Lucius Malfoy.

That, however, wasn't the expected outcome all of us were publicly led to believe. For many months, Miss Granger had been supposedly affianced to another Malfoy … Mr. Draco Malfoy. As to why the couple thought it was necessary to trick everyone with this false engagement is something that we can only speculate about as the sources close to the couple have refused to comment on the issue. Perhaps it was a clever ruse to throw us all off and offer the lovebirds the privacy they have become so accustomed to during their courtship. Whatever the truth of it is, we're sure it's not the last time those two will keep the public guessing! It's surprises like these that make life interesting and make us all hopeful that true love really can conquer all.

All of the staff here at Witch Weekly would like to join me in offering the most heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds and wish them a long and happy marriage.

Hermione sat down onto Lucius's lap and passionately kissed him. "Now everybody knows we belong together."

He clasped his arms tightly around her. "Who cares what they think? I'm just happy to have you all to myself."

At his words Hermione started to fidget, unsure of how to break her recent suspicions to him. "Lucius, do you remember how at the hospital you said you almost wished for a certain event to be true?"

"What are you … Oh, you mean about you being with child? Darling, I didn't mean to imply that I wanted you immediately pregnant. I'm perfectly happy with it being just the two of us. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"But what if I told you we were already at that bridge and that we have a little souvenir from France?"

His eyes misted as he stared at her in awe.

"Do you hate the idea so very much?" she asked in a small voice. "I just … I thought you might be pleased … you said you wanted us to have kids … someday."

Lucius closed the gap between their bodies and kissed her. Hermione pressed her lips firmly against his, intensifying their kiss. His kiss was soft, yet demanding. One of his hands moved lower to rest protectively on her abdomen. He slightly pulled away and lightly bit down on her bottom lip. She moaned in response, effectively granting him full access to her mouth. His tongue leisurely explored her, brushing against her own. They pulled apart. Lucius's uneven breaths fanned her face. Hermione looked into his eyes, still awaiting a confirmation that he was happy with the news she'd given him. She looked into his beautiful, expressive eyes; she could lose herself in them forever.

"We're really going to have a child?" he asked, rapidly blinking.

"Yes." She nodded. "Are you happy?"

His voice was hoarse with emotion. "Completely."

"I suppose you'd like another son."

"I don't really have a preference. I already have a son, I wouldn't mind having a little girl running around."

"Do you think the world is ready for a female version of you?" she teased him.

"The world may not be, but I am. Are you?"

Hermione nodded again. With him, she was ready for anything. Together they could face all the challenges and obstacles that life would inevitably throw their way. Together they were ready to start the greatest adventure of their lives.

Their story continues in Meant Forever! Check it out :)

Off to update my other Lumione stories. Hope you liked this short one.

Hugs,

Lana