Draco and Hermione - Between the living and the grave

23. Epilogue

Chapter 23

'As we come to the end of the school year, we look back on so much that has changed,' Minerva stood at the table in front of her, in the great hall in front of all the students. All four house flags were hanging from the room with candles lighting the entire roof.

She had her hands together in front of her as if she was praying before looking each side of her at the new, and old faces of the other professors.

She looked out Over the room with a proud smile. 'The dark lord is dead, and this time no one died fighting him. And while that is a proud moment in itself I would like us to take a moment to remember those we did lose in the first battle.

'Albums Dumbledore, Fred Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks, Severus Snape just to name a few and... for a short time, Miss Hermione Granger.'

Everyone turned to look at Hermione who was sitting at the Gryffindor table with her friends Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Dean and Seamus.

Hermione blushed, looking down and a genuine smile gracing her features before she looked over her shoulder at Draco and her precious daughter who was sitting over at the Slytherin table clapping along with everyone else who had joined in.

Draco nodded at her with a smirk and a curt nod as Mackenzie was standing on the seat clapping hard at her mother.

'Alright, Settle down now!' McGonagall yelled across the room as the room slowly died down and everyone took their seats once more.

'If Miss Weasley, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley didn't do what they did that night, things would probably be much, much different.

Now. While most of you will be saying farewell to our seventh years for good this time around, it won't be long before a young Miss Malfoy will be joining us here at Hogwarts.'

McGonagall looked over at Mackenzie who grinned broadly. It had been 6 months since Voldemort was defeated and in that time Mackenzie had grown so much that she already looked like she was eleven years old.

Her hair was cascading down her back in bushy brown curls just like Hermione but her eyes were big, and stormy grey just like Draco, she was a perfect mixture of both parents.

It was the night before the Hogwarts express left to go back to London and exams were done and dusted.

'So with that. Enjoy your final feast seventh years and... congratulations everyone!'

As she sat back down there was chattering, clattering from knives, forks and spoons being picked up and excited laughing as people moved about other tables.

The next morning everyone was beginning to board the Hogwarts express. Draco and Hermione were walking hand in hand toward the train and Mackenzie was running along further down to Lilly who stood with Ginny and Harry at one of the open train doors.

Ginny looked toward them and waved, calling and waving them over to join herself and Harry.

'Please tell me we're not going to be sharing a cabin with them the whole way back!' Draco moaned as he grabbing Hermione around the waist and pulled her into him. 'I want some alone time on the train with you Granger!' He whispered pulling her into a tender kiss which she gave into for a moment.

Pulling back she raised an eyebrow. 'I think some alone time can be arranged,' she smirked as she winked at him before pulling away and running over to her friends.

Draco walked b hind Hermione, not letting it show that he was definitely checking out her behind.

Damn she's sexy! He thought to himself as he finally reached Hermione and the two other people he now considered friends.