-Kelly Clarkson, “Before Your Love”

“Stop bouncing, sweetie. Mummy can’t fasten your buttons when you’re bouncing around like a mad hippogriff.”

“Hippogriffs don’t bounce, Mummy,” the young girl replied matter-of-factly. “They fly…and bow.”

“Very good,” the mother praised. “But please stop bouncing.”

The little girl, with her chocolate colored curly hair, took one last leap and flew off her bed to the floor with a thump. Her mother fell over and began laughing.

“Emma!” Hermione cried, tears in her eyes, “Daddy and your brothers aren’t going to be happy with us…you know how they complain about girls taking so long.”

Emma giggled her four-year-old giggle and walked up to her mum. “You can button me up now. I’ve got the bouncys outta me.”

Hermione laughed, “Oh really? Well, good. Come here.” She sat Emma in her lap and began to fasten the many buttons of the dress with quick precision.

Emma yawned, “Why are we going to Uncle Draco’s anyway?”

“Because he invited us,” Hermione replied simply, “Mummy and Daddy really miss Uncle Draco, Uncle Ron and Uncle Harry. We need to see them again.” Hermione released her still bouncy daughter, “There you go. Hop to it.”

“You want me to go to war?” Emma asked, confused. “Back in war time, people said ‘hop to it’ in accordance for you to ‘prepare for death’.”

Hermione raised an eyebrow at her daughter and smoothed out her purple wizard dress robes, “Tell Elijah to stop teaching you Muggle American History, okay?”

Emma shrugged and began to bounce on her bed again. “SHOES! Mummy! I need shoooooes!”

“MUM!” Came a holler from down the hallway. “I can’t get this dress robe on! It’s all stiff!”

“OLIVER!” Hermione yelled, “Tom and Rupert don’t need to wear dress robes!”

A thirty-something looking Oliver peeked his head ‘round the doorway, “Really? Good, because I don’t want to wear them either.” He came inside the room and kissed Hermione quickly on the lips. “Emma!” He called jovially, “Hop to it!”

Emma fell onto her bed and stared at her parents like they’d gone mad, “Do you really want me to die? I’m only four.” She held up three fingers. Oliver walked over to her and pulled one more finger up before scooping her into his arms.

Oliver tickled his daughter, “We must tell Elijah that he isn’t to teach Emma any more Muggle American History during their lessons.”

Hermione giggled, “Well you know how keen he is on that since he went to Hollywood and got ‘discovered.’ He went positively bonkers to play Frodo in Lord of the Rings.” Hermione laughed adoringly.

“He did so well, too. It’s really such a shame all the fame went to his hobbit-sized head,” Oliver replied, heading for the door, “See you downstairs in a few minutes.”

“We’re taking the portal,” Hermione said, grabbing some shoes from a dresser and following Oliver out of the room. “So I’ll meet you in the portal room, down the hall, in a few minutes.”

“Lovely,” said Oliver, kissing Hermione again, “Come on, Em. Let’s go have a peanut butter sandwich. It’ll be ages before we eat at this picnic.” Emma energetically approved of this and could be heard squealing all the way into the large kitchen downstairs.

Hermione went into a rather large bedroom to find two dark brown haired boys fighting over a polished wand. “Boys!” Hermione cried, stepping inside the room quickly, “Boys.”

Both boys turned innocently to her before they began shouting things.

“Rupert took my wand!”

“No! Tom took MY wand!”

Hermione rolled her eyes and took the wand from her twin sons just in time to hear a baby cry in yet another room down the hall. She muttered a spell which revealed a name imprinted on the wand and handed it to its owner, who stuck his tongue out at Rupert with much glee.

In ten minutes, Emma and Oliver were waiting patiently on the couch in the portal room. Rupert and Tom, both eleven years old and about to begin their first year at Hogwarts, joined them soon after. Hermione was last, as usual, with one-year-old Daniel. (AN: Notice it’s Emma, Rupert, Tom and Daniel…in case you didn’t catch on.)

The Woods arrived at the new and much improved Malfoy Manner at the very prompt time of….fifteen minutes late.

“Hermione!” Harry hollered, running up to his friend. “It’s so good to see you! How long has it been?” Hermione and Harry hugged as if they hadn’t seen each other in years.

“It’s only been a week,” Hermione reminded him, “Remember, we saw each other last week at your game.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Harry replied, grinning. “Must have forgotten.” He scooped Emma into his arms, giving her a quick kiss then he ruffled the boys’ hair and took a sleeping Daniel from his father’s arms before giving Oliver a quick, brisk handshake. “Coach.”

“Harry,” said Oliver in a very business-like fashion. He clapped him on the back and followed Hermione and the two older boys across the lawn.

Draco was standing near a large Muggle grill wearing a “Kiss the Cook” apron while supervising his house elf do all the cooking. “That’s lovely, Dobby. Not too char grilled, there.” Dobby smiled happily and waved to Hermoine energetically. He lived with Draco, now, but still worked at Hogwarts.

“Miss Wood!!” Dobby cried, “Dobby’s so glad to see you, Miss!” Hermione hugged Dobby and then Draco.

“Tom, Rupert, you watch little Dobby here to make sure he doesn’t drop any of the meat into the ashes down below.” Draco slipped his arm around Hermione’s shoulders and led her away from the grill, griller and the boys, who were no doubt planning something. “I missed you, I’m so glad you came.”

Hermione hugged Draco yet again, “I missed you too. If we weren’t so darn busy at the Ministry…well, no work talk today.” She grinned, “Where are your little buggers?”

Draco chuckled, “Around here somewhere. I think Dumbledore went to teach them how to fly out back.”

“Where’s Angelie?” Hermione asked, searching the rather large crowd for a glimpse of her friend.

“Working,” muttered Draco, rolling his eyes, “As usual. That woman…is at Hogwarts even on a weekend.”

“HERMIONE!” Emerald cried, rushing up to them and throwing her arms around Hermione’s neck. “Harry told me you were here. Oh my, Daniel’s getting so handsome like his Daddy.”

Hermione laughed, “Thanks. We like to think he’ll take after Oliver in the looks department.”

Draco raised an eyebrow and smiled at her, “I should go find mine and make sure Sirius isn’t teaching them any escape tricks.” He kissed Hermione on the cheek, “We should talk later, okay? Before you leave?” Hermione nodded and watched him walk off.

“Wow, Draco sure does look good,” Emerald commented.

“Yeah,” Hermione agreed, “He sure does. I miss him like mad.”

“He misses you too. When he and Harry were at practice yesterday he couldn’t stop talking about you, apparently.” Emerald grinned suddenly, “Harry proposed to me last night!” She held out her hand, showing Hermione a large, sparkling diamond.

“Oh how lovely, Em!” The two old friends hugged. “Have you told Ron and Juliet?”

“They’re around here somewhere. I think they were with Remus and Sirius a bit ago.” She waved her hand around dismissively. “I think you should look out. I think Draco still has feelings for you.”

Hermione swallowed hard, “No. I doubt it.” She waved Ron over, “RON!” He sprinted across the lawn, with Juliet far behind, a large belly and a little one scrunched up on her shoulder. Both had flaming, red hair.

Ron and Hermione hugged briefly before Hermione started cooing over the “adorable little tyke” in Juliet’s arms. “My, she’s really getting big,” she said.

“So’s yours,” said Ron, grinning. “We just saw him with Harry, who’s playing the Uncle bit right up, I assure you.”

“I’m sure,” laughed Hermione. She tickled little Madeline Weasley and hugged Ron once more. “How’s the team? Oliver gives me reports, of course. He said you, Harry and Draco had a big falling out the other day over who was going to be the reserve seeker.”

Ron tipped his head back and laughed, “No way. We never fight.” He rolled his eyes in a ‘yeah right’ fashion before continuing, “We had to hire one…none of us liked the ones that tried out so I suggested Draco be the reserve seeker and Draco agreed. Harry wasn’t as swayed by my wonderful argument. It was bloody brilliant.”

“So who is the reserve seeker now?” Emerald asked, she was not only Harry’s longtime girlfriend (and now fiance), but a big fan of the Chudley Cannons.

“Draco is,” Ron replied, grinning. “I won them over in the end. ‘Course now we need a reserve beater…but no matter.”

“Hermione Granger-Wood!” Boomed a voice from across the yard. Hermione spun around and ran towards the big man with his arms outstretched. “I haven’t seen you for ages!”

“Sirius! How are you? How’s teaching at Hogwarts?”

“It’s wonderful, Hermione,” replied Remus Lupin, walking slowly up to them and giving her a quick peck on the cheek. “Simply wonderful.”

“We love it. We even got along with Snape for five minutes the other day,” Sirius beamed proudly. “He’s still got his knickers in a twist about Remus getting the DADA job last year…but it’ll work out in the end. Hagrid sends his regards, he couldn’t make it.”

“Oh,” Hermione said sadly, “Why not?”

“Bunch o’ liars,” muttered Hagrid, walking gruffly up to their small group. “I’m here.” He smiled kindly at Hermione and they huggged. “Good t’ see ya, Hermione.” She smiled at him in response.

“Hello Hermione!” A voice yelled, red hair bobbing up and down as a short person made their way into the group of very tall wizards. Ginny gave her friend a big hug. “I just saw Daniel! He’s so big now!”

Hermione smiled, “Yeah, he is. How are you, Ginny? Where’s Seamus?”

“Right here!” Seamus called, flicking some hair out of his eyes, and huffing as he semi-dragged a little red haired boy behind him. “Come here, Casey.”

Casey Finnigan waved to everyone around him before his father picked him up and put him on his shoulders. “He’s getting really old,” laughed Sirius. “How old are ya now, Case?”

“Five,” said Casey shyly. He seemed to have inherited everything from his mother’s side of the family. Except he had Seamus’ eyes and mischievous grin. Fred and George, both single and loving it, ambled up to them soon after. Sirius, Remus and Ginny took Casey to find some food.

“How’s Quidditch on the opposite side, Seamus?” Hermione asked, grinning.

“Just dandy, except your husband’s team is killing us.” He laughed, “Hey Fred, George.”

“’Lo Seamus,” said Fred, handing him a flyer, “This is for the opening of our shop in Hogsmeade. We’ve finally got it all ready.”

“That’s brilliant!” Hermoine said sincerely. George and Fred both smiled at her. “Any girls around?”

“Birds? Nah,” said George, shrugging. “Bachelor-hood is all it’s cracked up to be. Trust us.” He winked and walked off to find his brother, who was trying unsuccessfully to get away from Dobby. Dobby seemed quite pleased to see him as well…and hadn’t stopped talking for at least ten minutes.

“Hermione Granger,” said a whimsical voice from over Hermione’s left shoulder. She spun around quickly and gave her old Headmaster a large hug. “It’s so wonderful to see you.”

“Dumbledore---”

“Albus, please, Hermione,” he grinned that ominous grin of his. “I take it you are well?”

“Very well, thank you.”

“We miss you at Hogwarts, Hermione.”

“I miss you as well. How’s Professor McGonagall?”

Dumbledore leaned down to her and whispered, “Very well, indeed. Seems she and Severus are…having some times together.” He winked and straightened, “I daresay they might turn up here if the school is all set for the day.”

Hermione giggled, talked with Dumbledore for a bit and then rushed to tell Harry and Ron the news of their two “favorite” professors.

The small groups soon fell away as everyone sat down to eat. Hermione, Oliver and their four children sat with Draco and his two kids: Ryan and Arissa, both of whom are four years old.

After the meal, Draco pulled Hermione aside as everyone was getting ready to depart.

“Hermione, there’s something I need to tell you.” Draco said, in a hushed whisper. They were far away from everyone else so he continued, “I love you…I need you to just know that.”

“I do know that,” she replied, cocking her head and staring at him with much confusion written across her face.

“I just…I want us to be friends…you know? Just…I want us to see each other more. I miss you so much. When we broke up, I lost my best friend, but then I got you back and I nearly died…and then….”

“Don’t rehash, okay?” Hermione stopped him. “Please?”

Draco nodded, “I love you, Hermione.”

“I love you too, Draco. You know that.”

Draco smiled, “I do know that.” He hugged her, “Promise me we’ll see each other more.”

“I’ll make more of an effort to come to Oliver’s games…and your games.”

“That’d be great,” he smiled and hugged her again.

****

Sirius Black married Madame Hooch after three years of ‘courting.’ They are expecting their first child soon. A son, to be named Harry.

Remus Lupin married his longtime love, Arabella Fig and moved to Hogsmeade, where they live happily and contently. Remus still hangs out in the Shrieking Shack on particular nights.

Dumbledore retired and moved to Bermuda. He will forever be known as the greatest Headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen. He checks in regularly with his favorite students of the past through using his newest invention: a magical flying lemon drop shaped boat.

Seamus and Ginny had seven children. Each of which had flaming red hair. An eighth is on the way, and it is quite possible it might come out with sandy blonde hair. Seamus has his fingers crossed. He did try to magic one of the newborns to have sandy colored hair…but he blew himself up in the process and Ginny reprimanded him to the fullest extent of Ministry law.

Percy and Penelope Weasley are both very well off at the Ministry. Percy, the Minster of Magic, even lets his hair down from time to time to take Penelope and their single child, Rufus, on vacation.

Hagrid and Madame Maxime have a lovely long-distance relationship. One of these days, Hagrid may get up the courage to propose to her. Fang is doing well, and taking classes on how not to be a coward…from Dobby the house elf.

Dobby is flourishing at Hogwarts, he loves every minute of it. He finally asked Winky to marry him and she declined. After much smashing of the ears in the oven, she said yes. They live in Hogwarts now, after Dobby moved out of Malfoy mansion. (Winky couldn’t handle not having to do any cleaning.)

Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall finally got married and retired from Hogwarts many years later. They are basically happy, and keep each other on their toes. They both became Godparents to Hermione and Oliver’s children.

Fred and George are the most successful twins in wizard history. They are currently dating Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell, respectively. Perhaps these girls will be the ones to tie the Weasley twins down. Or perhaps not.

Bill and Charlie Weasley are both happily married…not to each other, obviously. Charlie still works with dragons; Bill has settled down and is working a nice desk job at the Ministry…for now. His ponytail is still intact, much to his mother’s dismay.

Harry and Emerald, Quidditch star and Quidditch wife, lived happily in a very large mansion directly next door to the Malfoys. They had two children, a boy and a girl, and named them Lily and James. The Potters are expecting another child in nine months.

Draco and Angelie divorced when their twins turned five. Angelie moved out with the kids, Draco sees them on weekends. He lives happily in his mansion by himself and plays roughly for the Cannons. He has no regrets. Except for maybe letting Hermione slip away from him. He is a bachelor of 007 sorts.

Ron and Juliet lived happily ever after in a modest house that housed ten bedrooms, five baths and numerous servants. Their children, thanks to Ron’s tutelage on the way life COULD have been, are not spoiled. Ron is often stopped on the street when people ask for his autograph. He loves every moment of it.

Hermione Granger, head of the care of Magical Creatures at the Ministry and leader of S.P.E.W, now lives in a mansion next door to Draco with her husband, Quidditch Captain Oliver Wood, and four children. Emma, Tom, Rupert and Daniel see their Uncles as often as humanly possible. Hermione and Oliver are happier than they ever dreamed.

It seems life really can be fairytale perfect.

THE END.

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AN: Oh my, God. I actually finished it! WOOOOO! I think I like the ending…I hope everyone else does too. If I’ve forgotten to give you a recap on anyone’s lives, feel free to email me. I can make something up. LOL.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS!!!!!!! You’re the only reason I continued with this story in the first place. I don’t have time to thank you all personally, but you know who you are and I love ya for sticking with me!

So that’s it in the Oliver/Hermione saga. Rest assured, there will be more Hermione/Draco from me, though. Sooner rather than later, I suspect.

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SONGS:

1: Near Existence - “Only Hope” /Mandy Moore / “A Walk To Remember” soundtrack

2: Invincibility - “The Brilliant Dance”/Dashboard Confessional/The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most

3: Drowning - “Out of Reach” /Gabrielle/ “Bridget Jones” soundtrack

4: Crashing In - “1,000 Miles” /Vanessa Carlton/ “Be Not Nobody”

5: Where I Land - “Out of Trust” /Jeremiah Freed/ “Jeremiah Freed”

6: Floating On Air - “All You Wanted” /Michelle Branch/ “The Spirit Room”

7: Prepared - “Escape” /Enrique Iglesias/ “Escape”

8: No Regrets - “Castles In The Air” /B*Witched/ “B*Witched”

9: Time Takes You Away - “This Way” /Jewel/ “This Way”

10: Feeling The Strain of Serendipity - “My First Night With You” /Mya/ single of same name

11: Still Feeling The Butterflies - “For Me This Is Heaven” /JimmyEatWord/ “Clarity”

12: Plight of Jealousy - “Back To You” /John Mayer/ “Room For Squares”

13: My Heart Is In It - “Out of My Heart” /BBMak/ “Into Your Head”

14: A Little Bit of Everywhere - “Run To Me” /Youngstown/ “Down For The Get Down”

15: Still In Love Like This - “Miracles Happen” /Myra/ “Princess Diaries” soundtrack

16: Freedom To Run - “Run Away” /BBMak/ “Into Your Head”

17: Enchanting - “Before Your Love” /Kelly Clarkson/ “A Moment Like This”

If there were going to be a “On The Way To Infinity” CD…this is what it would look like. You know what would be cool? If I just burned Cds like that for me so I could remember my very first ‘well-liked and reviewed’ story. LOL. If I had time, I’d do that…ah well.