Fourteen months later.

Hermione and Draco's honeymoon was the best time of their lives. They travelled the globe, visiting every continent and exploring both the wizarding and muggle world. They soaked up local culture, explored museums and historical sites, relaxed on white sandy beaches, went scuba diving in clear blue waters, discovered pockets of peace and tranquillity where they could be alone and they even tried a few more adventurous activities like cage diving with great white sharks.

However, their trip couldn't last forever and even though they'd been in constant touch with everyone back home, the time came when they themselves had to return to Wizarding Britain. Not that either of them minded heading home, as there was a reason they'd chosen to return when they did. A reason they planned on sharing with their nearest and dearest at a surprise homecoming party Narcissa had arranged for them at the manor the very day they arrived back in England.

"I can't believe your mother is throwing us a party the very day we've come home," Hermione remarked to Draco as they got ready to go to the manor. They hadn't even fully unpacked and the penthouse still didn't quite feel like home.

"Just be grateful father chose to warn us," Draco said. "It would be worse if we turned up thinking it was just a quiet dinner and everyone was there."

"True," Hermione conceded with a nod. "And at least it means we can tell everyone our news together. We don't have to decide who to tell first and hope word doesn't spread to the people we haven't managed to inform."

"True, we can get it all over with in one go," Draco agreed.

"Get it all over with?" Hermione repeated in annoyance. "We're not delivering bad news, Draco."

"You know what I mean," Draco argued. "Telling everyone together means we don't have to keep repeating ourselves and answering the same questions."

"And what if some people don't take kindly to our news?" Hermione asked, nervously nibbling at her lower lip.

"Sod them," Draco replied vehemently as he wrapped Hermione in his arms. "We're happy, that's all that matters, isn't it?"

"It is," Hermione confirmed with a grin. "And I am happy, Draco. Happier than I've ever been."

"Me too," Draco whispered.

Sharing a lingering kiss, the couple finally parted and finished getting ready for their evening at Malfoy Manor. Since Narcissa had arranged a surprise party for them, they didn't want to spoil her fun, so when they arrived at the manor they acted as though they were just arriving for dinner.

"It's so lovely to see you both," Narcissa gushed, hugging both her son and daughter-in-law. "We've missed you."

"It's not like you haven't seen us since we left," Draco chuckled. In fact his parents had joined them for Christmas, and they'd met up a couple of times at Malfoy properties around the world.

"I know, but it's not the same as having you here all the time," Narcissa argued. "You are back for good, aren't you?"

"We are," Draco confirmed. "I've got a business to run after all. Blaise is dying to get building in Vegas. He's even found us some land to build on."

"And what will you be doing while Draco is building a hotel in Vegas?" Lucius asked Hermione.

"I was hoping the offer of joining the family business was still open," Hermione replied.

"I'm sure something can be arranged," Lucius replied with a smirk. "Why don't we discuss it over a drink. Let's go into the living room."

"A drink sounds good," Draco said, sharing an amused grin with Hermione as Narcissa gave Lucius an approving nod before turning to lead the way to the front room.

Following Lucius and Narcissa into the front room, Draco and Hermione braced themselves for their surprise greeting. Even Crookshanks was present, sitting happily in front of the fire. Although even though Lucius had mentioned Narcissa was gathering their friends, they were still taken aback by a couple of the guests, most notably Daphne and Ginny.

"Surprise!" everyone cried.

"Wow, how amazing," Hermione said, trying her best to seem genuinely surprised.

"You knew," Narcissa gasped before whirling on her husband. "You told them."

"Something may have slipped out," Lucius admitted. "Although I said to act surprised."

"I did act surprised," Hermione protested.

"Hermione dear, you're no actress," Narcissa chuckled, her annoyance quickly fading in the face of having her son and his wife back home.

"Surprise or not, it's lovely to have everyone here," Hermione said, giving Narcissa a genuine smile. "Thank you for arranging it."

"It's my pleasure," Narcissa replied. "Now have fun."

Narcissa's words seemed to be the signal for everyone to gather around Hermione and Draco and welcome them home. In the midst of all the well-wishers, Hermione lost sight of Ginny, so she was left wondering just how pleased the redhead was to have her back. She was also wondering the same about Daphne as she and Theo approached her and Draco.

"Hello Daphne," Draco greeted cautiously.

"Draco," Daphne returned with a slight nod of her elegant blonde head. "I know I said our friendship was over, but we've known each other a long time and you're still part of Theo's life. I thought it would be best if we buried the hatchet."

"All of us?" Draco checked. "I would like to have you back in my life, Daphne, but I won't stand for anyone disrespecting my wife."

"You'll have no trouble from me," Daphne vowed. "I made my opinions clear when it happened, and while I will never be able to forget the way things happened, I don't want to dwell on them anymore. We've all moved on, and even I can't deny you two are more suited than you and Astoria ever were."

"How is Astoria?" Draco asked politely. It seemed odd to ask about his former fiancée, but it would have been even odder not to ask about her when Daphne had mentioned her.

"She's engaged. She's getting married in a few months," Daphne replied. "She's moved on, Draco. She's now with someone who worships her and would never treat her the way you did."

"I'm pleased," Draco said. "I never meant to hurt her, Daphne."

"I know," Daphne conceded. "But I think it's best if we don't mention Vegas again. Let's have a fresh start."

Draco eagerly agreed to Daphne's suggestion, even though he was very aware that nothing would ever be quite the same between them. As much as Daphne claimed to have moved past what had happened, Draco knew that she never truly would. After all, how could anyone move really past their little sister having their heart broken, and forgive the man who had broken it? Still, Draco wanted to try, and even if it made things awkward between them, he would like to have Daphne in his life once more.

Drifting around the room, Hermione and Draco caught up with their friends. They told stories about their travels, and listened to what their friends had been up to in their absence. And finally, Hermione found herself face to face with Ginny as she and Harry approached her and Draco. Although the first thing Hermione noticed was the small but distinct bump Ginny was sporting.

"You're pregnant," Hermione whispered.

"Nearly five months," Harry replied with a proud grin.

"Congratulations," Hermione offered, smiling at Ginny.

"Thank you," Ginny replied. "And I want to apologise. I was totally out of order before you left. I was so caught up in the wedding, that I blew everything out of proportion. I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted," Hermione said, hoping that Ginny's new attitude was genuine and she wasn't just apologising to keep Harry happy. "Let's just forget it and move on."

"I'd like that," Ginny said. "Welcome back Hermione, we've missed you."

A couple of minutes later, after Ginny had informed them she was expecting a baby boy and she and Harry had wandered off, Hermione exchanged a knowing look with her husband.

"Can you believe it?" she muttered. "This is all we need. It's all going to happen again."

"We'd never meant to upstage her before, and we don't mean to do it now," Draco reminded his wife. "We can't help it if she takes things the wrong way. But maybe it won't happen this time. Maybe her apology was genuine."

"There's one way to find out," Hermione said. "How about we do it now?"

"Lets," Draco agreed. Taking hold of Hermione's hand, Draco loudly cleared his throat and announced they had something to say.

"You haven't had another secret wedding, have you?" Blaise joked.

"No, I think two weddings is quite enough," Draco replied with a chuckle. "We just thought we would share the reason we chose to come home now."

"You mean it wasn't because you missed us?" George asked with a pout. "And here was me thinking you couldn't live without us."

"Sorry George, it wasn't your appeal pulling us back," Hermione laughed.

"So what did prompt your return?" Harry asked.

"We decided to come home because we're expecting a baby," Draco announced. "In six months' time, there will be a new addition to the Malfoy family."

As congratulations filled the air, along with Narcissa's delighted squeals of joy, Hermione caught sight of the thunderous look on Ginny's face. However, Harry whispered something to his wife and the look slid away to be replaced by a forced smile. Whether she would go as far as accusing them of trying to steal her thunder again, Hermione wasn't sure, but she did know that Ginny wasn't at all happy that hers wouldn't be the only new baby arriving in the coming months. Although Hermione was soon distracted from Ginny as everyone offered their congratulations and she found herself swept up in several warm embraces. It was good to be home, and surrounded by so many people who loved them.

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Six months later, another gathering was being held at Malfoy Manor, this time to celebrate the arrival of Draco and Hermione's son, Scorpius. Even though the couple now lived in a new house, only a few miles away from the manor, Narcissa had insisted on throwing the party on the day her grandson left the hospital for the very first time. So after a brief stop at home, Draco and Hermione brought Scorpius to the manor so he could meet everyone.

Scorpius was the undisputed star of the party, and everyone wanted to hold the adorable baby. Even Blaise, who wasn't the least bit ready to settle down, was enamoured by the small boy. And even Ginny, who initially hadn't been very receptive to Hermione's pregnancy, had gushed over how adorable the youngest Malfoy was. Since having her own son, James Sirius, Ginny had changed completely and rather than resent Hermione's pregnancy being so close to her own, she'd embraced it and was already talking about their two sons being the best of friends.

"My son is going to be best friends with a Potter, isn't he?" Draco asked with a sigh, watching as Ginny and Harry introduced their own baby son to Scorpius.

"I think he just might," Hermione replied with a grin. Personally she loved the idea of her son being so close to Harry's.

"Damn Red's change of heart," Draco muttered under his breath. "I think I preferred her when we were at odds with her."

"I prefer this," Hermione said firmly.

It would have been very easy to hold a grudge against Ginny, and at times Hermione wondered if she'd forgiven her too easily for everything she'd said, but having Harry in her life meant a lot to her and there was no denying that it was easier now things had calmed down with Ginny. Besides, life was too short to hold grudges and Hermione loved her life far too much to be worrying about the past. She had everything she ever wanted, so why couldn't she be the bigger person and forgive Ginny for what had happened in the past.

Although there was one part of the past that needed addressing, and when they finally managed to get hold of their son, Draco and Hermione slipped away from the festivities and made their way out into the gardens. Arriving in the rose gardens, the couple sat down on the bench that was part of the memorial for their lost child. The other part of the memorial was the rose bush, which was looking very healthy and was blooming with enchanted roses that changed colour as the mood took them.

"We've brought your little brother to see you," Hermione said, directing her words to the rose bush.

"And we've brought you to see this place," Draco said to Scorpius, who was happily lying in his arms. "This is where we remember your lost brother or sister. They're not here with us, but I know they're going to be watching over you. You my boy, have a very special guardian angel."

"And don't ever forget it," Hermione added. "You've got a big brother or sister, who if they were here, would have loved you so much. We never forget them, Scorpius. They're always with us in our hearts."

"I have a present for you," Draco said, carefully reaching into his pocket and removing a small box, which he handed over to his wife.

Opening the box, Hermione found a delicate silver charm bracelet, already fitted with five charms. The first charm was a ruby lioness, the second charm was an emerald dragon, the third charm was a sapphire scorpion, the fourth charm was an amber cat and the last charm was a crystal angel.

"Our family," Draco said quietly. "And we can add to it in the future."

"I love it," Hermione said, fastening the bracelet around her wrist and stroking the tiny angel charm. "And thank you for including everyone."

"I love you," Draco said, wrapping his arm around his wife as she slid closer and snuggled up beside him and Scorpius. "And every day I am grateful that Blaise wanted to go to Las Vegas. Without it, we might never have found our way back to each other."

"I like to think we would have," Hermione said. "I like to think we were meant to be together."

"Of course we were meant to be together," Draco replied. "It's how it always should have been. You and me together."

"Forever," Hermione whispered.

"Forever," Draco agreed, placing a gently kiss on the top of his wife's head.

After everything they'd gone through to find themselves back together, nothing was ever going to tear them apart again. They were right where they belonged. Together. Forever.

The End.

A/N – Thank you all for reading Serendipity, and I hope you all enjoyed it. As always, the support I receive while publishing my stories blows me away and I am grateful for every comment I receive, no matter how small. So thank you for reading, and keeping me writing and publishing.

At this point, I had hoped to be able to deliver news on the third part of the Darkness trilogy, but I have to admit that I'm still struggling with it, and don't yet know when it will be ready to publish. In fact, I don't have any more longer stories finished at the moment, but I do have a few shorter stories, collection pieces and one-shots to be getting on with, so I'm not going to just disappear.

Until next time, thanks for reading and I hope to be back soon.