The End: Five Years After

The house-elves did a good job in maintaining the rose bushes in the East Wing Gardens of the Malfoy Manor. Spring was about to leave and in its wake was the blistering heat of summer, but the roses were still at full bloom. Drops of water from last night's drizzle were like shiny diamonds adorning their petals.

Smiling sadly, Draco knew his mother would have loved to see her beloved flowers at their prettiest.

"Does Master Draco require Morty's assistance today?"

Glancing at the old house-elf, Draco politely shook his head no. Morty snapped his fingers and disappeared in an instant, leaving the silent blond alone to visit his mother's grave.

It had been three years now ever since Narcissa succumbed to her illness. The day of her death was actually a particularly hectic day for her son. Draco was away on a mission in France, Aurors needing his assistance to break through an old manor of a Pureblood family notorious for practicing the Dark Arts. At the same time, he was frazzled with unimaginable nerves with the news that Hermione was ordered by Healer Matthews to be bedridden until she delivered their son.

It was all too much for Draco when a letter had been sent to him, bearing the news of his mother's passing.

He had thought that after interacting daily with Lucius' portrait, Narcissa would overcome her illness. She did become well, often being lucid every time he visited with his small family. Her mother adored his two daughters and spent most of her frail days with them in her beloved East Wing Gardens. But Narcissa was tired – she had told him often that Lucius needed her now and she must leave him be.

And leave him she did, and Draco was distraught. The only thing that kept him from falling apart was his family, who supported him through the whole ordeal.

Draco finally reached Narcissa's grave and silently conjured a rose. One of his mother's request before her death was to be buried here and not amongst the Malfoy family graves. He therefore chose a spot near the first bush his mother had ever taken care of; she was particularly fond of this rose bush, having survived the trying times of the Malfoy family and continued to bloom despite all the hardships. He knew, even without Narcissa telling him, that she would be happy to be buried here.

"Hello, Mother," he whispered, placing a rose on her graveyard. He ran a finger across her epitaph that Rose had chosen - A flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all. She claimed it came from one of her favorite Disney movies; Draco thought it was undoubtedly fitting for his mother.

Emotions cracked through his carefully crafted mask. The pain of losing Narcissa was still fresh in his heart, despite all these years, and there was never a day he stopped missing her. He just wished that she was here right now, to tell him she was proud of him for all the achievements he garnered along the way.

He didn't know for how long he stayed; he figured it was already hours since the sun was already setting. Draco couldn't somehow bring himself to leave, however.

"I knew you'd be here."

He heard her more than he saw her and Draco didn't bother to turn around and face his wife. He heard Hermione's soft footsteps pattering through the grass until she finally reached his side. Her hand easily wove through his fingers as if they had always belonged there, and then worriedly peered up at him.

"How'd you know I will be here?" he asked, his voice cracking a little.

"Instincts," she said, a small smile on her face. "I heard couples developed that after being married for years."

Draco gave her a pointed look, prompting her to playfully roll her eyes.

"Tippy told me," she corrected. "I got worried when you haven't arrived yet for dinner." She shuffled a bit closer to him and gave his hand another squeeze. "You okay, love?"

Sighing, he sadly shook his head. "I miss her."

Hermione sadly frowned and looked down at the grave. "I know you do," she softly said.

They stayed in front of the grave for a few more minutes before Hermione had to reluctantly drag him away back home. The sun had already completely made its descent and darkness already shrouded the gardens.

Draco allowed Hermione to lead him away and didn't even protest when she side-along apparated them back home. His wife before insisted that with Narcissa gone, it would be logical for their family to move in the Malfoy Manor. But Draco resolutely refused, reasoning out that he didn't want his children to grow up in a house that still brought nightmares for both of their parents. Instead, they purchased a quaint house, large enough to scream Malfoy fortune but smaller than the manor, somewhere in Wiltshire. The Malfoy Manor was now merely tended to by the house-elves.

They arrived back in a quiet home since the children were all sleeping over in the Potter's house in Godric's Hollow. Draco didn't really mind the rare opportunity of having the house to themselves, but he was feeling particularly sad today and would have loved to cuddle his children for comfort.

"I'm not hungry," Draco said, realizing that Hermione was pulling him into their dining area. Hermione gave him a disapproving frown, but merely sighed and instead pulled him to the kitchens. Before he could question what they were doing there, she brandished out her wand and summoned a plateful of cookies and two glasses of milk.

"Cassiopeia and Scorpius will have a fit," he said with a small smile.

Hermione waved her hand dismissively, already clutching a cookie. "The Malfoy vault is large enough to buy them thousands of these blasted cookies," she grumbled.

Draco smiled, knowing that she was merely making him feel better, and helped himself with a cookie.

"Anyway, I actually have news," she said as soon as she finished her snack. After rummaging in her robe pocket, she pulled out an unmistakable Hogwarts acceptance letter.

"No," he gasped, eyes widening in surprise.

Hermione sighed and nodded her head. "Yes," she sadly corrected. "Rose got it this morning. She was beside herself with happiness."

"Of course she will be," Draco said, snatching the opened letter from her hand. His eyes perused the generic letter from Headmistress McGonagall and the lists of books Rose would need.

"It's really happening," Hermione said in misery. "I can't believe it."

Draco chuckled. "It's only a matter of time, Hermione. You know that," he said.

Before she could reply, he heard the fireplace loudly roar, signaling an arrival. His eyebrows furrowed in question, but Hermione merely smiled.

"We're home!" Rose announced, entering the kitchen with Scorpius in her arms, Cassiopeia closely following behind.

"Hey!" five-year-old Peia exclaimed, crossing an arm over her chest. "No fair! We want cookies too!"

Three-year-old Scorpius comically copied his big sister. "Yeah!" he supplemented.

"What are you all doing here?" Draco asked, bemused, as Hermione ushered their children closer and gave them a cookie each.

Passing Scorpius to her mother, Rose immediately sidled beside Draco and gave him a hug. "Mama said you don't feel well today so we told Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry we can't sleepover tonight," she explained. Peia pattered closer to him and lifted up her arms and wriggled her fingers.

Draco smiled and lifted his daughter into his arms and pulled her closer. He already felt loads better now that his family was complete.

"Anyone wants to watch 'Toy Story 3'?" Hermione suggested, a grin on her face. Three excited hands shot up in the air and Draco couldn't help but roll his eyes at their enthusiasm. "Okay, just make sure we have enough tissues for Daddy's tears, too."

Cheeks lightly reddening, he glared at his wife. "I didn't cry!" he loudly protested.

"Mmm-hmm, five years and the idiot still denies," Hermione said, childishly patting him on his cheek before ushering her children to their living room.

"I didn't cry!" Draco insisted, trailing behind his family, but all Hermione did was laugh.

__________

"I don't think James can come with us," thirty-year-old Harry Potter claimed, frowning at his wife. He gingerly placed his hand on the forehead of his five-year-old son, grimacing at the sweltering heat.

"Nooo," James softly whined. "I want to see Rosie board the train, Dad. I can come." His words were followed by a booming cough, tears gathering at the corner of his eyes from the strength of it. He stubbornly crossed his arms against his chest, cheeks inflamed and beads of sweat already forming on his forehead.

Ginny Potter rolled her eyes and pushed Harry out of the way. She mimicked Harry's actions and frowned, completely concurring with her husband. "I don't think so, young man," she tutted, securely tucking him under his thick comforter. Despite James' protests, he unconsciously snuggled deeper into the covers, his eyes already fluttering close from his high fever.

"I knew it," Harry said with a sigh as soon as James' eyes fluttered close. "We shouldn't have forced him to go to that daycare when the news of a fever outbreak reached us."

"Now, Harry dear," Molly Weasley said, sauntering into James' bedroom. "It is perfectly normal for children to catch a cold once or twice a year. He'll get through it." The older witch walked closer and fondly peered at her grandchild.

Then, to the couple, she said, "It is best if you go now. The Hogwarts train will leave soon."

"You can still come with us, Mum," Ginny said. "Your other grandchild is about to leave for Hogwarts."

Molly stubbornly lifted her chin and resolutely looked away from her daughter. "I think James needs me here," was all she replied.

"I can get Mrs. Figg to take care of him while we're away," she pointed out. When Molly still resolutely stood her ground, Ginny sighed. "Mum. It's been years. Don't you think you are being too stubborn now?"

Molly's cheeks reddened in anger, and Harry took that as a cue to leave the mother and daughter alone.

"Rose would like it if her grandmother was there to send her off to Hogwarts," Ginny continued in a whisper.

Her mother pursed her lips, still not meeting Ginny's eyes. "I'm sure there would be a handful of people sending her off right now," she said. "I don't need to be there."

Ginny's heart panged in sorrow. Even though it's been almost eight years since Ron Weasley's death, Molly still had not fully accepted Hermione, and by extension Rose. She had tried desperately to reconcile her mother and her ex sister-in-law, but Molly always found a way to dodge away from such reunion.

She could see that Hermione was still hurt from all the ignorance of her mother. Ginny tried to drill to Molly that Ron's death wasn't Hermione's fault... that it was Lestrange's fault, and it was unfair for Molly to treat her as if she was the plague itself. But Molly steadfastly stood her ground and continued to refuse any forms of reconciliation with the brunette.

Ginny completely understood what Molly was feeling. Now that she had James, she could not fathom how life would be if she lost him, too. But she knew it was time for Molly to start moving on, to shove those ridiculous notions that Hermione was at fault, and finally accept her and Rose as family.

Sadly, it still seemed too farfetched.

"It wasn't Hermione's fault, Mum," she mumbled, exhausted from her mother's antics. Molly bristled and opened her mouth, about to most likely dispute her claim, but Ginny wasn't finished. "I'm sure Ron wouldn't like how you are treating her and his daughter."

This made Molly clam up and look away once more, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Gin," Harry quietly called, poking his head from the door. He worriedly looked between her and Molly, but Ginny merely shook her head. "We must go."

Sighing, Ginny nodded her head and wordlessly placed a kiss on James' feverish forehead. She also placed a kiss on Molly's cheek, her lips meeting wetness from Molly's tears, and silently walked out of her son's bedroom.

"She still needs time," Harry said, touching her elbow for comfort.

Ginny hastily wiped some wayward tears of her own and sadly smiled. "I just wish it will be sooner," she confessed. She released a watery chuckle and desperately tried to wipe her tears gone. "Oh no, I can't afford to be sad today! Rose will finally leave for Hogwarts."

Harry fondly smiled and opened his arms. "Come here," he beckoned. "I think you still have a few minutes for some comfort from your husband."

Despite her tears, Ginny brilliantly smiled and launched into his arms.

__________

"You're still not dressed?"

Luna Nott smiled serenely and looked up from the small sketch pad she was holding. "What time is it?" she asked as her husband sauntered closer and perched on the armrest of her chair.

"It's ten," Theo pointed out with a frown. "Rose will not forgive us if we did not see her off to Hogwarts. You do know how Mini Granger throws monumental tantrums, yeah?"

"Technically, she is a Mini Malfoy now," Luna corrected, her smile widening when Theo rolled his eyes.

"Honestly think she's a bad combination of everything," Theo tutted. "A Granger, a Weasley, and now a bloody Malfoy! I wouldn't be surprised if she'd be the culprit in case Hogwarts blows up this year."

Luna softly chuckled under her breath and held onto his hand. "I think Rose is a perfect combination of her parents." When Theo made a move to disagree, she held onto his hand tighter. "She's a force to be reckoned with, yes. Hogwarts must brace herself for her arrival."

She didn't miss the small, fond smile that flittered on her husband's face. The fondness Theo Nott had over Rose was undeniable; Luna couldn't wait to pop out their daughter so that he could fuss over her instead.

Theo absentmindedly placed his palm on top of her bulging stomach and peered at the sketch pad now lying on her lap. "What were you drawing anyway?" he asked with a quizzical frown.

Luna smiled and stared down at her drawing. It was of a young girl, with hair as dark as the night and stars weaving through her locks. She had Luna's eyes, though, but the nose and mouth were undoubtedly Theo's. Beside her, she heard her husband gasp.

"Is that -"

"Asteria," Luna simply said as she turned to Theo with a smile.

"Asteria?" Theo echoed. "Wait... you thought of a name for our child already?"

Luna nonchalantly shrugged and lovingly gazed at her drawing once more. "Asteria Nott," she continued. "She will be the brightest star in the night sky."

Theo chuckled and draped an arm over her shoulders. "You are awfully fond of all names and their symbols," he pointed out. "Sometimes, I still think that you just agreed to marry me because your 'Luna' matches perfectly with my 'Nott'."

His wife merely blinked her blue eyes at him.

"You're not even denying it?" he asked, amusement laced with shock. Luna smiled, prompting him to laugh once more and shake his head.

"It's one of the main reasons," she explained.

Theo sighed and pulled her closer to his chest. "I am sincerely hoping one of the main reasons too was because you love me very, very much."

For her response, she placed a small kiss on his neck, which he took as a positive sign. Grinning, Theo gestured at the sketch pad on her lap once more. "You really think she'll look like that?" he hopefully asked.

"I just combined our best features and drew her," Luna said. "I think... I think she will be beautiful." The blonde witch sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. "I can't wait for this... this pregnancy to end." She made a sour face and patted her stomach. "I miss painting. The smell of paint still makes me nauseous and it's bad for our baby."

"Soon, love," Theo murmured, dropping a kiss on her forehead. "Only a month more and we'll be a family of three then."

Theo then jumped down from the armrest and gingerly pulled his wife onto her feet. "Now, get dressed," he said. "We have to leave for King's Cross soon."

__________

"What did I tell you about barging in without knocking?"

Thirty-one year old Hermione Malfoy lifted an eyebrow. "I don't know," she said, perching on the couch in his study. "I don't really listen to you."

Draco rolled his eyes and gestured down at the papers on his desk. "I told you I'll be down in a minute," he said, neatly stacking the papers and putting them aside. "I just needed to sign some last minute documents. Then we can all go."

It didn't escape his notice how Hermione miserably slumped on her seat. Sadly smiling, Draco knew that this day was particularly hard for her. It was, after all, Rose's first day in Hogwarts. Hermione couldn't accept that her little girl was growing up too fast and she had no means of stopping it.

"She'll be all right," Draco reassured, reaching out for her hand. "Rose will be a force to be reckoned with. Hogwarts must be prepared."

Hermione lightly laughed and grasped his hand. Draco then proceeded to pull her closer, and didn't stop until she was perched comfortably on his lap. Hermione weakly protested, but thankfully settled down. Sighing, she leaned her head against his shoulder and whispered, "I don't know why I even feel like this. Rose is beside herself with happiness. I don't want to be a wet blanket."

"She's growing up too fast," Draco sighed, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Next thing you know, she'll be bringing a boy over for dinner."

"Nooo," Hermione whined, burying her head against his neck. Draco chuckled and tightened his hold on her.

"You still have two children to look after," he reminded her. "One still thinks she's the princess of the whole world. The other thinks a bumblebee is edible. I don't think they'll be growing up soon."

"I don't want them to grow up. At all."

"Mama! Dad! Are you two making babies again?" Rose Weasley-Malfoy's unmistakable voice hollered from the other side of the door.

Hermione's eyes widened in horror whilst Draco burst into loud laughter.

"Of course not, sweetheart," he replied, a wicked grin on his face.

"That's what you told me last time," Rose replied petulantly. "Then a week after, you told me you're carrying Scorpius!"

They both exchanged amused glances, knowing perfectly well that she was speaking the truth. "Is something the matter, Rosie?" her mother replied instead. "We still have an hour left before we go to King's Cross."

The door opened and a frowning eleven-year-old Rose entered the room. "I can't find Sir Ginger," she murmured under her breath, her cheeks coloring in embarrassment. Draco tried his very best to hold in his sniggering, but Rose had caught on and glared at him. "What? He's... he's cuddly."

"Well, if I recall correctly," Draco said, eyes alit with amusement, "you told me last night that you're too old for bedtime stories. I didn't know you're still attached to your furry, little toy."

"He's not a toy," Rose protested, stomping closer. Much to Hermione's amusement (and Draco's disgruntlement), Rose clambered up onto her mother's lap, who was still sitting quite comfortably on Draco's lap. "He's my first friend. Of course, I should bring him to Hogwarts with me."

"I placed him in your trunk," Hermione finally said. "I figured you'd want to bring him."

The redhead smiled brilliantly and gave her a kiss. "Thanks, Mama," Rose replied. "You're the best."

"Ugh, can you both get off my lap now?" Draco protested. "I can't feel my legs anymore."

Rose giggled and jumped down. Hermione slipped off more gracefully and smiled at her husband.

Suddenly, a loud wailing resounded in the whole house. Loud footsteps pattered into Draco's study to reveal a distressed five-year-old Cassiopeia Malfoy, followed by a sheepish three-year-old Scorpius Malfoy.

Tutting, Hermione bent down and carried her crying daughter into her arms. "What did Scorpius do this time?" she said, shooting a stern look at her youngest child. Scorpius, terrified, ran quickly to his father to save him from his mother's wrath.

"Scorpius broke my crown, Mama," Peia wailed as Hermione wiped her tears away. "It's my bestest crown!"

"Is that true, Scorpius?" Draco asked with a frown, sternly looking down at his son on his lap.

The toddler, who looked exactly like him, stared down at his hands. "Sorry Daddy," he murmured, as tears welled up in his eyes and he started to sniff.

"Mmhmm, and what you should tell Peia?" he urged.

Scorpius petulantly looked at his big sister and said, "Sorry Peia."

Peia stuck out her tongue and looked away, prompting Hermione to sigh and Scorpius to start crying.

"All right, all right, children," Draco declared, scowling when he could feel a headache already forming. "Peia, I can fix your crown after we send Rosie to Hogwarts. Scorpius, quit crying – Malfoy men don't cry." His son vigorously nodded and wiped his face, his eyes hardening in childish conviction.

"I'll miss this family," Rose announced with a grin, looking at each and everybody in the room.

"Is Rosie really going away?" Peia asked, already appeased by her father's promise.

"Yes, love," Hermione answered, placing her back on the ground. "Speaking of which, I think everybody should start preparing now. We will soon leave." Directing her eyes at Rose, she said, "Will you help them get ready, Rose? Your dad and I will be with you in a moment."

Rose nodded her head and both grabbed her siblings' hands. Draco couldn't help but smile at the picture they made, his heart warming at the sight of all his children. Darting a look at Hermione, he could see that she sported the same look as he did. Draco sighed, wondering what he had really done in his life to deserve her and the beautiful family she had given him.

Once their children were out of earshot, Hermione's face morphed into exasperation. "I changed my mind," she declared. "They should grow up soon, all go to Hogwarts, so that we can finally have some peace and quiet in this house."

Draco chuckled, noting how her eyes were twinkling, and pulled her back on his lap once more. "You don't mean that," he stated matter-of-factly. Glancing quickly at his wall clock, he noted that they still had thirty minutes to go before they leave their house.

"So..." he said, a suggestive smirk growing on his face. "Since we still have time, why don't we -"

"Don't even think about it, Malfoy."

"Even for only ten minutes?"

"No."

"Five?"

Hermione laughed and shook her head. "Merlin, aren't you tired of taking care of three boisterous and energetic children?" she inquired, amusement in her eyes.

"Well..." he said, sheepishly smiling. "I actually want six."

"SIX?!"

"I'm just kidding, Hermione," Draco said in reply, grinning at the horror on her face. "Three is bloody handful." Then, as an afterthought, he added, "But you know, maybe..."

"Absolutely not!"

Draco merely grinned.

__________

A wave of nostalgia hit him as soon as he went through the barrier. Old students returning for another year in Hogwarts were clustered together, excitedly yammering about their summer vacation. The younger, newer students had tears in their eyes, clinging to their parents as they said their last goodbye.

Draco grinned, remembering his first day in Hogwarts too, and how he was trying his best to hold himself together under his father's scrutinizing gaze. But he had really been nervous that day, and distressed that he would not be able to see his mother anymore. Narcissa had shed a tear, despite Lucius' strict disapproval of showing emotions in public, but hadn't spoken a word about it.

"Dad," Rose whined from behind. "You're in the way."

Chuckling, he stepped aside and let his family come through. Rose gave him a weird look and instead looked around, in search for a familiar face.

Draco watched in amusement as Peia twirled out of the barrier, her tutu bright and shimmery. A tiara sat atop her curly, blonde hair while clutching a toy wand that was too sparkly than the normal one. She announced that she was a 'Fairy Princess' for the day and proceeded to say made-up spells to make everything 'bright and shiny'. She looked every bit like Narcissa, except for her curly hair that she undoubtedly got from her mother.

"Mama! Train!" Scorpius blubbered in excitement as he and Hermione emerged out last. He started to make train sounds and Hermione, obvious delight in her eyes, joined in with her son.

Draco sighed and smiled. He loved his family very much.

"Uncle Harry!" Rose suddenly exclaimed as she barrelled towards the bespectacled auror. Harry effortlessly lifted her in his arms, even twirled her a bit, before placing her down on the ground.

"Do you like my wand, Uncle Harry?" Peia then asked, smiling prettily up at him.

"Aww, aren't you a delight?" Ginny cooed, crouching down to pinch the giggling blonde on her cheek.

"Potter," Draco greeted, catching up to his daughters. "Weasley."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Really, Draco," she said, putting enough emphasis on his given name, "would it hurt you to start calling us by our given names?"

"Never, Weasley," Draco said with a smirk. Then, to Harry he asked, "you didn't bring James with you?"

Harry made a face. "He contracted flu from some of his playmates in the ministry daycare," he explained. "We had to leave him at home to spare the other children here." A chuckle escaped from his lips. "He made a fit that he wouldn't be able to see his favorite cousin board the Hogwarts train, though."

He looked back at Ginny and grinned. "Nervous about the match this weekend, Weasley?" he drawled, raising an eyebrow when Ginny lifted her chin in confidence. "I still believe the Tornadoes will win against the Harpies."

Ginny, after James' birth, chose to retire from Professional Quidditch and instead applied in the Department of Magical Games and Sports in the Ministry of Magic. She was still a fan of the Holyhead Harpies through and through.

"You wish, Malfoy," she spat, playfully throwing a glare along his way. "After Birch's retirement, the Tornadoes are losing every match they played."

"Hey!" Rose butted in, pouting in return. "They may have lost Captain Birch, but the Tutshill Tornadoes are still the best! You just wait this weekend, Aunt Ginny. The Harpies are going down."

Harry laughed boisterously beside his wife while Draco smirked and slung a hand over Rose. "I've never been prouder of you, Rosie," he said, placing a kiss on top of her head.

"All right, all right, enough Quidditch talk," Hermione tutted as she finally caught up with them, a widely smiling Scorpius perched against her hip. "Rose needs to board the train soon." She passed her son over to her husband, and gave both Harry and Ginny hugs for greeting.

"Are you excited, Rosie?" Ginny then asked, reaching out for her niece. She ran a hand through her curly hair and smiled. "Your cousins are already waiting for you to be sorted to Gryffindor."

Draco snorted. "As if," he said. "She's definitely a Slytherin."

"Gryffindor!" they all exclaimed in unison, even Peia and Scorpius joined. Draco scowled and frowned petulantly at the eleven-year-old, waiting for her to back him up.

But Rose, with a sweet smile on her face, reached forward and held her father's hand. "Sorry, Dad, but I'm with them," she replied, her smile turning apologetic.

"Oh, thank Merlin!" Theo Nott suddenly exclaimed, jogging towards them, almost out-of-breath. "I thought we missed the train!"

"Hello, Uncle Theo," Rose greeted, giving him a hug. "Where's Aunt Luna?"

"Here, darling," a heavily pregnant Luna announced, appearing beside her husband. "Good luck on your first day in Hogwarts! I still think you'll be great in Ravenclaw."

"Gryffindor!" everybody announced once more, except Draco and Theo, who both made faces.

"Oh, Luna, you look radiant!" Hermione gushed, placing a hand against her bulging tummy. "How are you?"

The blonde prettily blushed and fondly stroked her belly. "Pregnancy is hard," she said with a sigh. "But I've felt worse. I miss painting, though. I still can't tolerate the smell."

Theo snaked a hand around her waist and gently pulled her closer. "You'll be back soon, my moon," he murmured, kissing her on the cheek. He also placed a hand on her stomach and grinned. "I can't wait for you to pop out my heiress! I'll be able to finally pass the throne and forever live in the Muggle world."

"I think retirement is still too farfetched when we have a daughter to raise," Luna sweetly said, turning her head to place a kiss on his chin.

"Anyway," Hermione said, catching everybody's attention. Then, to Rose, she added, "I think you should best get going, Rose." Hermione proceeded to usher her daughter towards the train. "You don't want to be late! I think I already saw Frank inside."

"Wait!" Rose said, glancing towards Draco. "Can I talk to you for a sec, Dad?"

Draco frowned and exchanged glances with Hermione. His wife merely shrugged her shoulders in return. "All right, Rosie," he said, allowing the curly, redhead to pull him away from their small family. "What seems to be the matter?" He peered at her closely, worried that something might have been bothering her, but she only shook her head.

"Nothing's wrong," she murmured, unable to meet his eyes. "It's just..." She darted a quick glance at her mother and sadly smiled. "Take care of Mama."

He looked at her in surprise. "You don't have to tell me that because you know I will," he replied, frowning at her words.

Rose released a watery chuckle and brushed a few tears away. His eyes widened, realizing that his energetic daughter was starting to cry. "Oh no, this is so stupid," Rose said, sniffing daintily and releasing a sigh. "It's just... this is the first time I'll be away from Mama for a very long time and..." Her breath hitched as she looked back at Draco. "Mama has been through a lot and I know that she's happy for me today. But... I can see her eyes, Dad. She's sad."

Sighing, Draco pulled her into his arms. "Of course your mother is sad," he said. "Her baby's all grown up and is finally going to Hogwarts. But that doesn't mean she isn't happy for you, too. Gods, I can already foresee her sending you her color-coded notes back in Hogwarts and lecturing you all about time management. She was a bloody swot."

"Shh, no bad words," Rose joked, giggling when Draco poked her on the side. "I told you this was stupid. I don't even know why I'm worrying about her on my first day!"

Draco grinned and pulled her away. "She's in good hands," he promised. "Your Dad's a wonderful babysitter."

Rose snorted and shook her head. "With me gone, I'm sure you'll still have a handful," she said, pointing to her younger siblings. Sighing, she launched into his arms again and murmured, "I promise to write letters to you. I think I'll try out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team this year, since they already allowed first years to try-out after Uncle Harry."

"You'll be wonderful in the Slytherin Quidditch team," Draco corrected.

"Oh, Dad," Rosie sighed, smiling apologetically at him. "You do know there's too much of a Gryffindor in me, right? I'm the daughter of two-thirds of the Golden Trio. The whole Wizarding World will have a heart attack if I'm Sorted in otherwise." When Draco made a face, she chuckled. "You don't have to worry about Peia, though. I think she will be your perfect Slytherin princess."

He shot a glance at his five-year-old, happily waving her wand around and capturing the attention of the adults around her. "Ugh, if boys start to swarm around her, I swear -"

"All she can think about are tutus and tiaras," Rose said with a laugh. "I don't think you need to worry about that yet."

Draco glared at her warningly. "If boys start to swarm around you, I swear -"

"Dad!" she whined, her cheeks flaming into a lovely shade of red. Draco frowned, knowing she was mostly likely thinking about Frank Longbottom. His heart gave a painful lurch, dreading the day when she would really finally bring a boy over for dinner.

"Scorpius, though," Rose then said, a strange glint in her eyes. "Definitely a Hufflepuff."

"What?!" he exclaimed in protest. "No!"

"Yes," Rose giggled, pointing at his bubbling brother. "He's a dear, Dad. Everybody loves him instantly. He's friendly, and nice, and smiles all the time. Definitely a Hufflepuff."

Draco glowered. "He still has plenty of time to become the epitome of Slytherin," he snarled. "You just wait."

"We'll see about that," Rose grinned, yelping when he poked her on her side again.

The Hogwarts train then whistled, signaling its impending departure. A pang of sadness washed over his form as he looked down at Rosie, his daughter, and the fact that he wouldn't be able to see her being a bloody menace at home finally sank in.

"I promise to write always," Rose promised once more, sadly smiling up at him. "I know you'll be the one to miss me the most."

He playfully rolled his eyes but still gathered her into his arms. "Rose," he started, emotions clogging his throat, "I know that you're not mine, but I'll always be proud of you. Remember that."

Rose sniffled and nodded her head. When she pulled away for him, her eyes were still shining with tears, but there was mischief in her eyes, too. "Up, up?" she asked. "For old time's sake?"

Draco snorted. "Rose, you know you're too old for those, right?" he said.

"Aww, too late, Dad!" She then launched into his arms and Draco had no choice but to carry her in his arms.

"Rose," he protested. "You're heavy!"

Rose laughed boisterously and effortlessly jumped off from his arms.

"Bloody menace," he muttered, almost too fondly. "You should get onto the train now. I feel your mother worrying from here that you won't get there on time."

True to his words, Hermione was already looking at them anxiously. Rose giggled, pulled her father back with the adults, and beamed.

"Goodbye, family!" she said, opening her arms as Scorpius toddled and Peia twirled towards her. Both children were in tears, crying that they would miss their big sister.

Rose each gave goodbye hugs to the others until she reached her mother. Draco sadly smiled, seeing how Hermione was trying her best to hold in her tears. But when Rose enveloped her into a hug, whispered words against her ear, the brunette wasn't able to hold them in anymore.

The redhead hugged him again and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you, Dad. You know that, right?" she said, giving him a watery grin. "Take care of the family."

They all watched as Rose finally climbed onto the train. Draco could feel his heart wrenching and soaring at the same time, waving back his hand at Rose when the train started to move.

"I love you, family!" she hollered, enthusiastically waving her wand. "See you in Christmas."

They stayed until they could not see the Hogwarts train anymore. Harry, Ginny, Theo, and Luna all bid them goodbye and left.

"Anyone want Florean's?" Draco whispered, smiling forlornly at his devastated family. Both Peia and Scorpius' eyes lit up in excitement, jumping up and down and chanting their favorite flavors. Thankfully, their tears had abated.

He lifted Scorpius in his arms and held Peia's hand. Hermione was still gazing at the small, moving dot of the Hogwarts Express, tears in her eyes.

"Love," he called, touching her elbow to get her attention. "She will be all right, you know. No... scratch that. She will be magnificent. You don't need to worry about her."

Hermione sniffed and chuckled, brushing her tears away. "I just feel so emotional today, I'm sorry," she said, sidling up beside him. "But you're right. She'll be magnificent."

"Of course," he said, reverently nodding his head. "She's yours, after all."

Eyes shining with tears, Hermione gave him a smile that still managed to take his breath away. "And yours," she added. Draco made a move to correct, but she held onto his hand and smiled. "You might have not participated in her conception" – Draco made a face, undoubtedly thinking about Ron – "but she's your daughter now."

Draco mirrored her smile and squeezed her hand in reply.

As he ushered his family towards the barrier, Draco gave the disappearing dot of the Hogwarts train once last glance before finally going through the barrier.