Dear Child

Chapter 16

O Children

Epilogue

One year later

Lyra was toddling around the living on her chubby little legs. Hermione was sitting on the couch reading, but keeping an eye on her. Every since she learned to move - be it crawling and now walking - she hadn't stopped. Hermione looked at her daughter. Her dark, curly brown hair, that looked a lot more manageable than her own, and striking grey eyes made her beautiful.

Hermione heard the floo activate and knew that it was Draco. Ever since Lyra was born he had come to visit her. He had really taken to the little girl. Hermione was surprised and pleased. Even if he didn't want to be in Lyra's life, she was ready to take care of her herself, but she was happy that he wanted to be there for her. Not only for herself, but for Lyra. Who happened to be a daddy's girl, much to Hermione's chagrin.

Draco stepped out of the fireplace and brushed himself off. He looked up at Hermione and gave her a smile. His eyes scanned the room and found Lyra walking towards him. He bent down and held his arms out to her. She giggled and walked right into them. He laughed and scooped her up. He kissed her chubby cheek and walked over to the couch to sit next to Hermione.

"Hello," he said to Hermione.

"Hello," she greeted before leaning in to kiss him.

It still felt strange to kiss Draco Malfoy. Their first kiss was just that, strange.

XxX

Hermione came back into the living room and flopped down on the couch. She was exhausted. Lyra fought her the whole time she tried to put her to sleep. Hermione closed her eyes letting her aching head and tired eyes rest.

"Tired are you?" She heard him ask.

She cracked an eye open. "Of course I am, Draco. Waking up to a screaming baby every few hours would make anyone tired."

"I told you I'd stay to help you, but no, Independent-Hermione-Granger strikes again."

"Well, I can't rely on you all the time. I have to learn to do things on my own, too," she said closing her eyes again.

She heard him move from the chair and walk over to her. He sat down next to her on the couch.

"Granger, look at me."

She sighed and opened her eyes. His silver-grey eyes were glinting in the dim light in the room. His facial expression was serious.

"I'm telling you right now. I'm not one to skive off my responsibilities. I want to be here, Granger, for you and especially for Lyra. I'm here."

Hermione was taken aback by his words. She knew that he accepted his role, but she wasn't expecting this.

"Okay," she said simply because that's all she could say at the moment.

The next thing she knew was that Draco's lips were on hers. She was stunned for a few seconds before she kissed him back. It felt right. Hermione pulled back a moment later.

"I wasn't lying when I told you two weeks ago that I wanted the both of you," Draco told her earnestly.

"I know, but it's just...a lot to take in."

"I know, but I just wanted you to know."

"Thank you."

And he kissed her again.

XxX

After the day they kissed, Hermione and Draco had been taking everything slowly. It was strange to already have a child together and to be taking a relationship slowly, but it was what they wanted, each other; a family.

Hermione watched the two of them play together. It really was a sight to behold. Draco Malfoy laying on his belly on the floor playing with a 13 month old. And the good thing was that Hermione already had tons of pictures of this occurrence. No one would ever believe her without proof.

Draco looked up at her with that twinkle in his eye that Hermione associated with the happiness only Lyra and she could give him. It made her want to melt and that was something Hermione Granger didn't do often. But something about Draco Malfoy made her feel that way.

This was their routine now. Draco would come over to Hermione's flat after work, spend time with Lyra, have dinner, put Lyra to bed, and spend the rest of the night with Hermione. Sometimes Hermione and Lyra would go over to the Manor to spend time with Draco and Narcissa.

Hermione would often work from home and when she did go in she would leave Lyra with either her parents, Ginny, or Narcissa. Hermione never thought much about the woman before she found out that Lyra was Draco's. She steered clear of the woman, but now they were on friendly terms.

She knew that Narcissa didn't harbor the prejudices she often did before the war, but Hermione was still leery of the woman. She was great with Lyra. She had cooed over her the first time they met.

XxX

"Granger, it'll be fine. I told you my mother's changed. She isn't the same woman you met when you were a girl. And the Manor isn't the same place that..." ,he cleared his throat, "it's not the same place. Don't worry."

He took Lyra from her and proceeded into the house. Hermione looked around, her eyes taking in every detail of the large house. She hadn't been in the Manor since she was tortured by Bellatrix when she was seventeen. It didn't mean that she hadn't thought about it since then however.

Hermione followed Draco into the den where Narcissa Malfoy sat with her back ramrod straight and hands clasped on her lap. Hermione gulped. Draco took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

"Mother."

She smiled warmly at her son. Her blue looks darted over to the bundle in his arms.

"Hello Draco and Miss Granger."

"Hermione. You can call me...Hermione," she said lamely.

"Very well, Hermione. How are you?"

"Well, thank you. And you Mrs. Malfoy?"

"Call me Narcissa. It's only fair. And I'm doing quite well."

Draco sat on the couch next to his mother and Hermione sat in a chair nearby the Malfoys.

"This is Lyra," Draco said proudly as he looked down at the infant.

Narcissa looked at the baby in Draco's arms. "May I hold her?" She asked looking at her son and then Hermione. Hermione nodded and Draco carefully handed the infant over.

Narcissa cradled Lyra to her. She peered down at her, a smile slowly spread across her face.

"She's beautiful," Narcissa said not looking up from her granddaughter's face.

"Thank you," Hermione said quickly.

"She has the Malfoy trademark eyes, but she mostly looks like you Hermione."

Hermione smiled.

"I think I may love her already," Narcissa said.

And that was the day that Hermione learned to relax around Narcissa Malfoy.

XxX

Draco put Lyra down for the night and walked out into the living room where Hermione was finishing up her work. True to her word she transferred to the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. It was a lot better for her really.

"Put that away," Draco said as he sat down next to her.

"One second. I just want to finish this. Almost done!"

Draco rolled his eyes and leaned back against the couch.

Hermione sighed the document with a flourish and set it aside. "See, all done."

"Thank Merlin," he said as he grabbed her and kissed her.

"Is that all you wanted?"

"No, I wanted to spend time with you. I don't just want to snog you all the time, Granger."

She smirked, one that would rival his own. "Really? I don't buy that for a second."

"I don't just think with my cock you know."

"Then what else do you think with?"

"My heart."

"That's extremely cheesy."

Draco put a hand on his heart. "Granger, that offends me."

Hermione snorted. "Oh, I'm so sorry Draco."

"You should be. I don't know why I love you when you've been nothing but mean."

Hermione's eyes widened. She didn't hear what she thought she did, did she? She knew that she cared a great deal for Draco and she often though that she may even love the blond, but she didn't think he would be the first to say something like that.

"E-excuse me?"

"Yes, you heard correctly. I love you, Granger."

Hermione's jaw dropped.

"Close your mouth, Granger."

"Sorry. I just...I just thought I would be the first to say it."

"Surprise, surprise. So you do feel the same then?"

She nodded. "Y-yes. I love you, Draco."

He smiled that smile that she loved. It warmed her heart even more than his words.

"Would you look at that, Hermione Granger loves me."

She rolled her eyes. "I think it would be more unbelievable if people knew you loved me."

"And they will know."

"What?"

He smirked at her before pressing his lips to hers.

~-O-~

Five years later

(Lyra & James age six)

"Lyra! James! Get in here!" Hermione called through the house.

Moments later, the sound of tiny feet could be heard racing through the house at breakneck speed.

"Wash your hands you two," Ginny told them.

Lyra and James both sighed before walking over to the sink to wash.

"I swear those two are almost like twins," Ginny said.

"Well what do you expect? They were born only a day a part and they've been inseparable ever since."

Ginny smiled at the two children when they made their way over to the table. James, who looked so much like his father, but with Ginny's eyes, and Lyra, who looked like Hermione, but with Draco's eyes, were both adorable children.

"Where are Draco and Harry? You would think they would behave better than the children," Ginny complained.

"How can they when they're like children themselves. I'll go see where they are."

Hermione got up and strode quickly to the foyer and outside. She saw the two of them still on brooms. She sighed. She should have known. Hermione took out her wand and shot red sparks into the air.

She saw the men turn and start to land. They walked over to her.

"Well thank you for finally joining up. Dinner is ready. Your children are waiting," she said in her usual lecture voice.

Harry and Draco groaned. "Sorry," they both said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Just go inside. Wash your hands before you sit!"

They groaned again as they headed inside, Hermione on their trail.

She couldn't help but smile. They had been doing these dinners since Hermione and Draco got together. It was a sort of olive branch between them. Sure Harry and Draco were fine with the other, but Hermione was hoping they could be friends. And she supposed she succeeded. She remembered their first dinner.

XxX

Three years earlier

"So tell me why we're doing this again?" Draco asked Hermione for the third time that day.

"Because I want Lyra and James to be friends and it wouldn't hurt if Harry, Ginny, and Ron got to know you better and vice versa. It will be fine," she said before standing on her tiptoes to kiss her.

Once she pulled away he sighed. "Fine, but I'm not making any promises."

"Draco...you solved a case with Harry only a month ago. I think you're past this already."

He scoffed. "Granger, just because I worked with the bloke doesn't make us the best of friends. As much as you would love that, it's not happening."

She patted his cheek. "I love you, okay? Just don't be mean."

He grabbed her palm and kissed it. "I know. Easier said than done."

"Not if you just try."

"Fine. The shit I do for you, Granger."

She couldn't help but shake her head and laugh.

Harry, Ginny, and Ron arrived moments later. Hermione greeted them all. She took James from Ginny and sat down with him. The two women cooed over the baby while Ron, Harry, and Draco stood in one spot several paces apart.

Harry turned to look at Draco. "Hello to you, too, Draco."

"Hello, Potter, Weasley."

Ron inclined his head to Draco. Draco had been a bit leery around Ron after the whole incident. He knew it wasn't his fault, but he couldn't be too sure. He was an ex-Death Eater for one and if Ron was weak enough to get impersed then he wasn't going to take that chance again.

"Draco," Hermione called from across the room.

He looked up from his staring match between the two men in front of him. "Yes?"

"Can you grab Lyra. I'm sure she's up from her nap by now."

He nodded and stiffly walked out of the room and up to their daughter's room. She was indeed up as she was squirming in her crib.

"Well hello there," he said reaching down into the crib to pick her up. He kissed her cheek. "Your Aunt Ginny and Uncles Harry and Ron are here. Believe me, I don't want them here as much as you, but nothing I can do about that. But mummy insists that daddy be friends with them. I don't mind your Aunt Ginny, she isn't so bad, but the other two. And please don't fall for James. I would be heartbroken and disgusted."

Draco turned around when he heard a giggle. Hermione was standing in the doorway with a smile on her face.

"I only came because I thought you were having trouble with her nappy again, but lo and behold you're in here pumping her little head with slander."

Draco smiled. "That was only one time. I've been proficient ever since. And it isn't slander. It's the truth. You'll see."

Hermione shook her head. "Oh hush. Come on then."

They both walked out of the nursery and back into the den.

The night passed without incident, which pleased Hermione. The men were quite civil to one another and that's all Hermione could ask for at the moment.

Once the guests were gone and Lyra was in bed, Hermione hugged Draco. He hesitantly hugged her back.

"Thank you," she said, her voice muffled by his shirt.

"For?"

"For being polite."

"You owe me."

She moved her head from his chest. "And what do I owe you?"

"Marry me," he said seriously.

Hermione moved farther from him. "What?"

"You heard me. This isn't how I planned to ask you, but during the night I thought about it. I want all of this, you, Lyra, and even your friends. I want a life with you."

Hermione smiled up at him. The most brilliant smile Draco had ever seen. "Yes Draco Malfoy, I will marry you."

XxX

"Where's Ron?" Harry asked once they were all seated around the table.

"Oh, I think he said that he was taking Demezla on a date. I think it's the date," Ginny said emphasizing the the.

"Really? He's finally got his s-h-i-t together and going to finally ask the woman? Took him long enough," Draco said.

"Draco! Don't spell words like that. And we all know that they have been through a lot. With the whole thing with Ron being involved in the case and it's been up and down since then," Hermione said.

They all did know how up and Ron and Demezla's relationship had been over the years. They had been engaged before, but it was called off because Demezla still had issues with him. Hermione and the others still didn't understand why they tried, but if that's what Ron wanted then there was no talking him out of it.

"Mummy? Can James and I have cake?" Lyra asked.

"Did you both finish your veggies?"

The two nodded enthusiastically.

"All right. If your daddy or Aunt Ginny or Uncle Harry will cut you a small piece, then yes."

"But Aunt Mione," James whined.

"James, don't complain," Ginny admonished.

He crossed his arms over his chest still displeased that they were only allowed a tiny piece.

Draco laughed and ruffled his already chaotic hair. "Stop pouting, James. You've had sweets all day."

"I know, but I want more cake."

"At least we're getting some anyway," Lyra said.

"You're very right, Lyra," Harry said smiling at the child. She smiled back.

"Fine," James finally conceded.

The adults laughed at James. He was a huge sweet eater like his parents.

Hermione heard a "mama" from the next room. Hermione stood from the table and walked into the next room where her two-year-old son was in his playpen. His little arms lifted when he saw Hermione.

"Mum," he squealed.

"Hello there Sam. Have a good nap, baby?" Hermione asked as she picked him up.

"No," he giggled.

Hermione kissed her two-year-old son on his cheek. "I love you, Sam."

"Luv yew."

She smiled at him and carried him into the kitchen where the others were. As soon as Samuel saw Draco his arms lifted automatically.

Draco smiled and reached for his son. He took him from Hermione and tossed him in the air. "Hello son."

Hermione shook her head. She loved her family.

Samuel loved his father so much it was ridiculous. They looked so much alike, the only difference was his dirty blond hair and his beautiful brown eyes. She couldn't help but smile as she watched Draco and her friends interact with the children. It made her think about when she told Draco she was pregnant.

XxX

Hermione looked herself over in the mirror. She looked beautiful. Her mother and Narcissa did a good job on her make-up and hair. She almost couldn't recognize herself. She turned away from the mirror and looked at the two women; her mother and her soon-to-be-mother-in-law.

"Thank you both so much," Hermione said sincerely.

"Don't thank us, Hermione. This is your day and you look perfect. Now, time to put on your dress."

Hermione smiled. It was her wedding day and it had been perfect thus far. She couldn't believe it.

Narcissa walked over with her dress. It was tea-length. It went down to her knees. She didn't want anything too overzealous and this dress was anything but. It was cream with lace from the neckline to the back of the dress. The waist was high and had an emerald green sash around the waist to give the dress some color. She wore satin cream shoes that had lace embellishments. She looked beautiful.

Her mother started crying already. Narcissa patted the woman on the back.

"Oh, mum. It's all right," Hermione said hugging her. "You know I'll start crying as well."

"I know, I know. You just look so beautiful."

Hermione smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

There was a knock on the door. Narcissa walked over to open it. Hermione's father walked in.

"Oh my Hermione, you look beautiful."

She beamed at him. "Thank you, dad."

He walked to her and engulfed her in his arms. "I love you and you'll always be my little girl."

"I know, dad. I love you, too."

He smiled again. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

Narcissa and Jane walked out before them. Hermione gripped her father's arm as they made their way down the hallway and outside. She watched as her bridesmaids walked down the aisle. She could see Draco standing there and her heart started pumping erratically. She wanted to run to now.

Once the music start, Hermione stood straighter and walked with her chin held high as her father led her down the aisle. Everyone was beaming at her as she passed them. When they finally reached Draco, a smile was plastered on his face. The butterflies in her stomach went crazy.

The stood at the altar as McGonagall presided over them. It was a lovely ceremony. Hermione cried a few times. She just couldn't believe it. Everything really was perfect. Once McGonagall told them that Draco could kiss the bride, Hermione launched herself at him. The kiss was chaste, but passionate.

They did it. They were married.

They made their way back down the aisle, smiling like crazy. Hermione blew a kiss to Lyra in Pansy's arms as they continued to walk.

Once they made it back inside with the doors shut behind them. Draco turned to Hermione and kissed her again. This time the kiss was all passion, nothing chaste about it. Hermione reluctantly pulled away after a moment. She was out of breath.

"Draco, I have something to tell you."

He smiled and caressed her cheek. "What is it?"

"I'm p-pregnant."

He continued to caress her cheek, but his eyes were large with shock.

"What? How far are you?"

"About four weeks."

"What? When did you find out?"

"A few days ago. I didn't want to tell you until now."

A smile slide across his features. "I can't believe it," he said quietly. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Draco."

They kissed again.

XxX

As they cleaned up that night, Hermione reflected on their lives thus far. Of course everything in their lives hadn't been perfect. They still argued about things, they still didn't see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, but that's what couples did. They argued; they got mad. And Draco and Hermione weren't any exception to the rule.

Once the kids were in bed, Hermione laid across their bed and closed her eyes. She felt the bed dip as Draco made his way over to her. She felt his hands rub her back before he started massaging it.

"That feels amazing."

"Of course it does," he chuckled.

Hermione groaned as he worked on her tense back.

"You know what I was thinking about?" Draco asked, breaking the quiet.

"Hmm?" Hermione hummed.

"Expanding our family."

Hermione's eyes opened. "Oh? Why's that?"

"I think Sam needs a little brother or sister."

Hermione laughed. "Oh yeah?"

"Yes. I thought we agreed that we don't want our child to be an only child."

"And she isn't. She has Sam now."

"Well, Sam needs to be a big brother."

"Is this going to be your argument for now on?"

He laughed. "Maybe. I think four would be fine."

"Four?"

"Yeah. We could handle that."

Hermione turned over on her back and sat up. "Well, I am pleased to tell you that you may get your wish."

"What?"

"I'm pregnant again. I just found out earlier today."

Draco launched himself at her. He kissed her soundly. "Really?"

"Yes Draco. Why would I lie about something like this?"

"I know you wouldn't, but wow."

"I know. I was shocked, too. We weren't even really trying. You have powerful swimmers there."

"What can I say, I have wonderful breeding."

"Sure. So you're really okay with this?"

"Yes, Granger. I'm more than happy with this."

She smiled at him before they kissed.

"I love you," he said between kisses.

"And I love you."

Author's note: Hello! Sorry this took so long. I have been busy with school. Well it is over. Can't believe it. Thank you all for sticking with me through this whole thing. You've all been lovely and amazing! I couldn't ask for better readers. I love you all!

Things that are coming up, I have to finish the Dramione fic I started before this one and I'm working on another one. Always busy. Well, I hope you stick around for more. And thank you all again!