At Malfoy's Request

Twenty

They were standing by a window. Draco had his hand against a glass that was barring him form the room. He didn't like the feeling of something barring him from anything but he let that thought rest. He continued to watch the witches and wizards inside of the infant infirmary as they handled the tiny ones with tenderness and care. He wondered briefly if he could be that tender.

"I suppose congratulations are very much in order?" he heard a voice on his right say. He turned to see the Boy Who Lived standing there, his hair ruffled in its usual way and the lightning bolt scar a little less vibrant against his skin.

"Potter. Come to argue with my wife some more?" Even he realized how foreign that sounded coming out of his own throat but he quite enjoyed it.

"No, actually. I've come to apologize to both you and Hermione." Harry said taking a step forward.

Soon the two of them were both looking at babies on the other side of the glass and finally Draco spoke again. "She is beautiful isn't she?" He pointed to a very pink baby girl who was sucking her fist.

"She is," Harry agreed.

"We named her Artemis after my great great grandmother Artemis Black on my mother's side."

Harry nodded. "I think Sirius would have loved that."

"This is very odd don't you think?" Draco continued to look at his daughter. She yawned and wiggled a bit but never opened her eyes. "The idea of life bringing people together."

Harry smiled a little. "It is indeed, Malfoy." He paused for a second. "I want you to know that I will never think that you're good enough for Hermione. That however, doesn't mean that you should stop trying to be."

The two men turned and sized each other up. "And I want you to know that I will never understand the connection you have to my wife. She is just that you know, my wife and I plan to love her for as long as she allows."

"Just know that if you ever break their hearts, Voldermort won't be the only name that ever made you quake in your robes." Harry smiled, but it was a smile full of promise.

Draco stuck out his hand. "I'm glad you came Harry. She's missed you a great deal."

The two men shook hands and then struck a conversation on every topic imaginable. They talked about Quidditch, and who was going to win the cup that year. They talked about how much they missed the thought of Albus Dumbledore and of years gone by at Hogwartz, when life had just been as simple as going to class.

And this was the beginning of something new. Something that had sprung out of hate.

And a few days later when Draco crawled into bed he recounted his story to Hermione Granger Malfoy. Their baby was sleeping in a crib that floated a few feet away."You and Harry. Bonding over the birth of our child. Will wonders ever cease?" She snuggled up against him and felt him kiss her hair.

"He's right. I'll never be good enough for you Hermione, but you are the only woman I want. That I've probable ever wanted. All those years ago at Hogwartz, I was to stubborn and to damn proud to do the right thing."

She looked up at him and hushed away his fears. "Draco. You are who you're supposed to be now. I want more children with you. I wouldn't say that to a man who wasn't good enough for me. I love you and you don't have to say it back because for the next fifty or how every many years, you'll show me."

She snuggled back into him before he turned off the lights. "I love you Hermione."

"I know," she mumbled sleepily.

"Also, I'm going to kick Harry's ass in quidditch later on this week. Him and Weasley. Maybe I'll bring that chant back."

Hermione rolled her eyes and turned over onto her side. "Stop planning how you're going to embarrass them and feed Artemis when she starts crying in an hour."

Draco Malfoy smiled a genuine smile. He was fortunate to have what he had. A wife who loved him and child who had his hair and eyes. He was indeed peaceful.

Author's Note: It has been a long road but the journey is done. Thank you all for the long ride and for your patience. This story has meant a lot to me over the last few years. I hope you enjoyed and maybe one day I'll write another HP fanfiction. I love you all, for the good reviews, for the bad reviews and for those who just read. Always, my love, Niki!