Chapter 22

NEVER GIVE UP HOPE IN ANYTHING YOU DO! :)

THE END! :)

This chapter wasn't in my original plan, this is dedicated to a dear fan of the story! :)

I had a fun time writing this story and I truly hope everyone had a good time reading it. :)

A BIG THANK YOU! To everyone who followed and left encouraging feedback. It meant the world!

Enjoy Chapter Twenty Two!

Let me know your thoughts so far! Trust me, it helps loads! :) Stay safe beautiful people!

HAPPY READING! :)

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2 Years After Marriage...

Draco hurriedly walked past their wedding portrait.

Hermione smiled brightly and Draco had his arm around her protectively, grinning as their friends threw flower petals at them.

They had a blissful marriage.

The deep void he had felt all his life was gone, it was replaced by warmth and love.

Despite the odds, they had survived.

He could clearly hear retching.

This was the second day in a row.

Stubborn bloody Gryffindor refusing to go to St Mungo's.

Draco had reached the end of his patience, he would carry her there if he had to.

Pushing the door open, he spoke softly, "Hermione, are you alright, love?"

Crouching down, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and held her hair up as she violently became sick again.

Getting to her feet, Hermione rinsed her mouth, used a spell to clean it further and replied miserably, "Hmm..."

Holding onto her head, she complained, "My head feels so heavy, and my mouth feels like something died in it."

Crawling into bed, she pulled the covers all the way to the top.

Draco sat down next to his wife and rubbed her leg over the duvet.

He said firmly, "No work! I'll tell Kingsley myself if you force me, I will take the day off myself."

He pressed urgently, "We need to go to St Mungo's. I'm officially worried, darling."

Smiling weakly, Hermione reached for Draco's hand.

"I want to do a pregnancy test," she told him seriously.

It had been on her mind to do it but somehow never got around to it.

He was pleasantly surprised, "Oh...you think?"

Despite her exhausted state, she replied excitedly, "It's a possibility. I'm late anyway."

Draco moved closer and placed his hand on her stomach, "You could be carrying my child right now?"

He was beside himself with happiness.

Pushing him aside, she sprinted to the bathroom and doubled over the commode.

She had been sick for days and her mood swings were nasty and unpredictable, all consistent signs of pregnancy.

Just the night before, she yelled at him for not throwing away an empty milk container.

He held said container and stared at her going at him, she then grabbed it from him, threw it away, hugged him and cried hysterically.

Draco followed Hermione to the bathroom and took out his wand eagerly, "Shall we do it now and find out?"

Too tired to argue, she muttered feebly, "Sure," they had to find out anyways.

He helped her up and placed her on the countertop by the sink gently.

Waving his wand over her, he muttered a simple incantation.

Dull grey mist surrounded her, turning bright red as it swirled around her and disappeared.

She was pregnant.

The biggest smiles split their faces.

It was the best news and they were beyond thrilled.

Pulling her to him, Draco held onto Hermione tightly, kissing her face and holding her again.

"Thank you, my love!" He whispered repeatedly against her hair.

Hermione looked at him curiously with a smile and said, "Thank you? You had a part in making this baby."

Breaking away, she headed for the shower with the parting words, "I think we need to go to a Healer now."

He was already pulling on a pair of jeans and a black shirt.

At St Mungo's..

The tall slightly handsome Healer smiled, "Ah the Malfoys."

His long hair was pulled back into a ponytail and he adjusted it.

Hermione smiled warmly, "Morning, Healer Corner."

"Good morning, Hermione," he replied warmly and ignored Draco completely.

"Michael, how are you?" Hermione inquired politely.

"Very well thanks, you look wonderful," Michael replied happily taking her hand to check her pulse.

Draco frowned, was he fucking invisible?

Clearing his throat, he said firmly, "My WIFE is pregnant, we came for the scan and possible delivery date."

"Could we possibly get another Healer who isn't a complete git?" Draco muttered not bothering to keep his voice low.

"Draco!" Hermione yelled, completely scandalized.

Michael laughed, "Malfoys never change. Arrogance is instilled in them."

Draco sneered, "Save it, Corner."

Michael hovered over Hermione, prepped her and sat by her side, "Are you ready?"

She nodded weakly, held onto her husband's hand tightly and gazed into his face excitedly.

Her nails dug in, she felt him flinch, she apologized and loosened her grip slightly.

Michael squeezed her shoulder confidently, "Let's see how it is."

Draco kissed Hermione's knuckles, his eyes glued to the screen.

"Oh...," Michael said in surprise.

He moved closer, cocked his head to the side and squinted at the screen.

Draco was losing his patience fast with this fucking moron.

"What?" He asked sternly not bothering to conceal his annoyance.

Hermione's concerned voice cut through the tension, "Michael, what is it?"

Michael smiled brightly at the couple and pointed at the screen, "Well...there's the baby...and...there's the other one."

Draco leaned forward, "What?"

He gawked at the screen in shock.

Michael sighed, got to his feet, took out his wand and the equipment moved aside.

He smiled warmly at the expectant couple, "Congratulations, you're two months pregnant with twins."

Hermione's eyes widened in shock, her breathing hastened.

TWINS!

Draco found his voice first, his mouth dry, he struggled to get the words out, "Twins?"

Michael nodded, "Yes, it's still the initial stages, so It's difficult to determine the sex of the children but there are two."

Draco puffed his chest out and bellowed, "THIS IS FUCKING AWESOME!"

Hermione finally found her voice, "Draco, please keep your voice down."

He cupped her face, kissed her deeply and muttered between kisses, "Sorry, oh this is great!"

Michael averted his eyes.

Seconds turned to minutes and they were still kissing.

Fed up with waiting, the young Healer coughed

They broke apart and smiled sheepishly.

Micheal spoke directly to Hermione, "You need to come in each month to monitor the progress."

He turned to Draco smirked and spoke as if talking to a child, "Malfoy since it's twins, her diet, supplements will be more than the normal amount."

Draco was indignant, fucking Ravenclaw nitwit.

He bared his teeth and hissed, "I can take care of her."

Michael rolled his eyes and retorted, "Of course you can."

Hermione spoke timidly, "Michael is there a potion for morning sickness?"

He squeezed her hand and replied, "Yes, of course, It's a simple potion, one I'm sure Malfoy can manage."

Michael looked at Draco amused.

The former Slytherin was fuming.

He was close to hammering this prick into the ground.

Draco threw Corner a look of floating and spat viciously, "Give me the fucking ingredients."

With a laugh, Michael left them.

Draco rubbed Hermione's knuckles and said sternly, "We need a new healer."

She laughed, "Michael is fine, he makes me feel comfortable."

He shook his head and frowned, "I don't want a man who fancies my wife down in her business."

Hermione frowned, "That's revolting and Michael does not fancy me."

Back in their flat...

Draco poured a glass of orange juice and handed it to Hermione.

He had a permanent smile plastered on his face.

Hermione sighed, it was so cute and enduring.

He cleared his throat and asked, "Who do we tell first?"

It was an important and scary question, they had to make sure no one would get hurt or offended.

She thought long and hard and suggested with a twinkle in her eye, "Oh Merlin, how about we have a small party and reveal it?"

That way everyone found out together.

Draco grinned, "A very good plan!"

Lunch with besties...

Ginny bit into her sandwich, Harry absentmindedly popped a chip into his mouth and Ron stuffed his face with pasta, Hermione was on her third chocolate milkshake.

Her cravings were kicking in and right now it was normal and doable.

Chocolate, strawberries, and anything sour, Draco had been the best, tending to each and everything she needed without fuss.

She smiled at the memory of biting into chocolate-covered strawberries.

Snapping out of her daydream, she asked her best friends cooly, "Are you guys free on Saturday?"

A collective murmur of "Yeah, no plans," came the reply to her question.

She sucked the last bit of chocolate from the bottom of her glass and said brightly, "Dinner at my place then."

Ron raised an eyebrow, "What's the occasion?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes and fired, "Just shut up and show up at six pm."

They exchanged looks of confusion at her angry response.

Draco was at the club.

Hermione settled on the sofa and dragged the remote towards her with her foot.

She flicked through the channels, settled on an old movie and called her parents.

The second her mother answered, she said cheerfully, "Hi, Mum."

Julia replied lovingly, "Hello, darling."

Hermione bit down on her lip to keep from spilling the beans.

She said nervously, "Will you bring dad and come over to our place on Saturday?"

Julia replied cheerfully, "Of course darling, is everything okay?"

Hermione caressed her abdomen and replied happily, "Yes mum, everything is perfect."

She loved touching her stomach, she marvelled at the life growing inside her.

Draco would do the same every night before they went to bed, he whispered words of adulation to their unborn children.

At the club...

Theo and Blaise sat across Draco in the office above the club.

They enjoyed a drink and caught up on the latest news in Business and Quidditch.

Draco interrupted the conversation, "Are you fuckers free on Saturday?"

Theo replied first, "Yeah, what's up mate?"

Blaise joined in, "No plans so far."

Draco took a sip and said, "Good, dinner at my place at six pm."

They exchanged a puzzled look, "Why?"

He raised an eyebrow at the pair, "Do I need a reason?"

Blaise laughed and replied, "Drake, you always have a bloody reason but we will be there."

Draco got up, "I need to get home early tonight, you guys got this covered?"

Blaise nodded, "Sure mate, it's all good."

He apparated directly into their flat, he found his loving wife fast asleep on the couch with the TV on full volume.

The sight made his heart flutter, reaching over he switched off the Tv and bent to scoop up his witch.

She snuggled against his chest and mumbled, "I missed you."

He laid her down, covered her and kissed her forehead, "I love you."

The next morning, Draco leaned back against the plush chair in his office and called his mother.

Narcissa answered at once, "Draco, darling, how are you?"

They exchanged a few pleasantries.

He cleared his throat and asked politely, "Mother, we are having dinner at our place on Saturday, will you and Bernard attend?"

Narcissa asked her voice laced with concern, "Of course son, but what is this about?"

Draco sighed and replied, "It's just dinner mother."

The day finally over, Draco was in the car and on the way to pick up Hermione.

It was what he looked forward to all day, sometimes it felt good to forget about magic and take Muggle transportation.

He tapped his fingers on his leg nervously and asked, "Bernard, did my mother mention dinner at our place on Saturday?"

Bernard kept his eyes on the road and nodded, "She did, is everything alright, Draco?"

What the fuck was wrong with everyone?

Keeping his temper in check, he replied for the third time, "Of course it is, we just wanted to host a party."

He sighed in exhaustion.

The big announcement...

The doorbell rang, and Luna, Theo and Blaise walked into the flat and shoved over bottles of wine into Draco hands.

He thanked the group and went in search of his wife.

He found her in the kitchen arranging food and drinks.

Draco hugged her from behind, placed a light kiss on her neck and muttered, "Everyone's here, do you want to tell them or should I?"

He mused, "It's best to get it out of the way, this lot think we are either getting divorced or dying."

Hermione looked like she was going to vomit.

She wiped her brow and mumbled, "I'm so nervous and I don't know why."

He put his arm around her waist and winked, "I got this."

She raised an eyebrow. Merlin, what the heck was he going to do?

Grabbing a butterknife, he clicked it against his glass.

Everyone turned to face him, he had their undivided attention.

Flashing a flawless smile at everyone, he said happily, "So no doubt everyone's wondering what tonight is about."

Everyone nodded and exchanged concerned and surprised looks with one another.

"Hurry up, Draco," Theo cried out.

Luna covered his mouth.

Draco rolled his eyes, took a deep breath and said, "We have wonderful news to share with the closest people in our life."

He tightened his hold around Hermione's waist and placed a hand protectively over his wife's abdomen.

The women gasped in shock and squealed excitedly.

The men took a little time except for Bernard who smiled happily at the couple.

The older man's eyes clouded over with tears.

Draco beamed, "We are officially pregnant!"

He kissed a nervous Hermione and she cupped his face and returned the kiss enthusiastically.

There was a cry of congratulations and sighs of relief, as everyone made their way to wish the couple.

Draco raised his glass once more, "Also, it's twins!"

Theo shook his hand, patted him on the back and joked, "Blimey, you got some swimmers, mate."

Blaise rolled his eyes and elbowed Theo out of the way, "Congratulations mate."

Narcissa was beside herself with happiness, "Twins are rare in the Malfoy and Black bloodlines, but it is most wonderful."

"Oh, Darling!" Julia gushed and Richard hugged them both.

Ginny and Harry were ecstatic at the news, Luna and Ginny kept hugging Hermione repeatedly.

Ron hung his head and watched the happy couple.

This could have been his life, he thought miserably for a second and his eyes locked with Hermione's.

She seemed to be trying to read his reaction, he smiled, walked over and put his arms around her.

He whispered genuinely, "I am really happy for you."

Draco eyed Ron, they shook hands and stared at each other for a second too long.

Draco cleared his throat, "Thanks for coming, Weasley, I know it means a lot to Hermione."

Ron nodded and smiled at Hermione bubbling with happiness.

It was all he ever wished for her.

Later that night, they lay in each other's arms.

Hermione read a book on twin pregnancies, Draco looked over her shoulder at the book in mid interest.

Breaking the silence, he said, "At least we can have one child in each house."

Closing the book with a loud thud, she turned to face him, "They aren't even born yet and you're already thinking about houses?"

He frowned, "Of course, I would literally piss myself if both end up in Gryffindor."

Hermione shrugged, "They could end up in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff."

No fucking way!

Draco frowned visibly disgusted, "Arghh...no thank you."

Hermione laughed softly, it was hilarious that it mattered so much to him.

Snuggling up to her husband, she asked lovingly, "Are you happy?"

He put his arms around her and peppered his face with kisses, "I don't think it's possible to be any happier, Hermione."

She kissed him deeply, "I love you so much."

He muttered between kisses, "Always, Granger."

Draco rolled her over and pinned her down gently, "I wonder what the sex policy is while pregnant."

Hermione put her arms around his neck and pulled Draco closer, whispering, "I think it's fine."

He frowned and said, "Remind me to ask that insufferable excuse of Healer next time"

He deepened the kiss and moved to kiss her neck.

She moaned and gave herself to him.

11 years later...

Hermione whispered urgently in Draco's ear, "How did you manage to twist McGonagall's arm to get us to witness the sorting?"

He looked scandalized, "I am a fucking Malfoy! And on the Board and I donate thousands of Galleons to maintain this school."

He grinned, "I also asked nicely and bought new Quidditch uniforms."

Hermione grabbed his hand and gestured for him to be quiet, "Shhh...here we go..."

Draco frowned, "Woman...you asked..."

She placed her hand over his mouth, "Ssshhhhhh..."

A new Professor called out the names, while McGonagall and the rest watched from their seats.

A string of first years was called and finally, they were in the K's.

"Kiara Nymphadora Malfoy!" The young witch called out.

Hermione dug her nails into her husband's hand.

"Ow...Hermione, let go of my hand," Draco hissed.

The twins were remarkably close but different in about everything else.

They were both brilliant, had minds of their own and their ambitions were different as night and day.

The young witch exchanged a look with her brother and nervously went up on stage to sit on the stool.

Hermione and Draco watched as the hat was placed upon their daughters brown-haired head.

They swallowed...

Kiara closed her eyes and thought, please be like daddy.

The little girl was talented, she took after Draco in every way.

The Sorting Hat spoke...

"Oh...intelligent, fiercely competitive, an aptitude for mischief, loyalty to love and friendship...hmmm..."

The hat thought for a second and shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"

Draco beamed, "That's my girl!"

Kiara was relieved and excited; she made her way to the applause of the Slytherin table.

She smiled warmly at her brother.

Scores of First Years took their turn under the Sorting Hat.

Some nervously waited to be sorted into their houses, which would be like their family in the years to come.

They tensed again as their son's turn came.

Hermione watched her son with desperate eyes.

Draco watched, his heart beating fast.

"Matthew Noah Malfoy!" The young witch called out loudly.

Their children really did have such Muggle names.

He was more nervous than his sister.

The child had been dreading this moment.

Uncle Harry said the hat would consider his opinion.

The blonde-haired miniature version of Draco walked up on stage and took his place on the stool.

"Hmm...," the Sorting Hat spoke.

"A bright mind, a good heart, brave but above all, undying loyalty!"

"I know exactly where to put you."

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Noah sighed in relief, he wanted to follow in his mother's footsteps and house.

Hermione almost clapped loudly.

Draco smiled proudly, "And that's my boy!"

Smiling excitedly at his new housemates, Noah joined the Gryffindor table.

The twins locked eyes over the tables and exchanged happy looks.

Kiara gave Noah an encouraging thumbs-up.

"Well, we each got one," Draco laughed happily.

Eyeing the new teacher, he nudged his wife, "How come we didn't have hot teachers?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and frowned at him.

Draco pulled her to the side, "Let's go say bye to the old bat and leave."

She was in a world of her own.

She lightly touched the stoned wall and sighed.

"Granger..." Draco tried to interrupt.

Hermione choked back a sob and replied, "I've missed this place."

He touched the walls himself and grinned, "Hmm...if these walls could talk."

"Draco!" Hermione scolded.

He shrugged his shoulders, "What? It's true! If I recall correctly, the potions room, the library, Room of Requirement, prefect's bathroom and need I mention the Heads dorm."

Looking outside he added, "And the lake."

He grimaced and regretted his words at once.

Draco quickly said, "Oh sorry, that wasn't with you."

Hermione threw him a disgusted look and frowned.

She shook her head and told him fondly, "You are so bad."

The good memories together floated in front of her and she beamed happily

He tried to pull her close, but she pulled away.

Draco tipped her chin and reminded his wife of fourteen years, "You were right there being very bad with me."

Looking at the exiting children, he became serious, "Come on, I don't want the kids to know we were here. Let them send us owls with their exciting news."

Nodding, Hermione followed him through the side entrance.

They paid their respects to the Headmistress and hand in hand made their way along the corridors.

"Granger?" Draco asked a twinkle to his grey eyes.

"Hmm...?" Hermione replied still looking around her.

He leaned closer and drawled seductively, "Do you fancy a quicky in the Room of Requirement?"

Hermione pushed him away, "You are unbelievable."

Managing to pull her close, he whispered against her ear, "Is that a yes or no?"

She bit her lip and replied hotly, "That is a definite maybe."

They exchanged a quick kiss and walked hand in hand out of the castle.