::21 March::

"I love my mother," Draco said, "She lived and died in defense of all people and my heart lies with her now. My brother, my father, my godfather and I are deeply wounded by her absence and I can only hope that no one forgets the great things she has done for wizarding kind." The black gloves that protected his hands from the icy wind matched the similarly dark clothes he wore. Harry had learned quickly that, at wizarding funerals, only the immediate family wore black and everyone else dressed in navy. Draco stepped down after finishing his speech. The mage took his place and spoke.

"Narcissa Caea Malfoy is put to rest," he turned to the empty coffin and chanted in Latin before the earth beneath peeled open.

The Malfoy Manor grounds were cold but the earth moved easily. Harry bit his bottom lip as the black marble box slid below the surface. It was carved by hand and decorated in ancient symbols for peace, forgiveness, easy travel, safety and eternity. Silver filled a deep set of marks, her name and years of life as well as words in Latin that Harry did not recognize. Her tombstone, ivory and gold, stood above ground and was magnificent. A pedestal supported a full size sculpture of her and two children. One, a babe in arms, was Chael and the other was a toddler who stood at her side, one of her hands rested on his head. That was Draco. Her head was tilted towards the sky and she glittered in the mid morning sun.

Statues like this covered the hillside and Harry saw women surrounded by five or six children and men who sat on thrones with great staves or scepters in their hands. All the statues were ivory and in perfect condition. There must have been two hundred statues and all of them were Malfoys.

Harry stood with the massive gathering to file past the grave. Draco, Lucius and Severus each placed flowers on the coffin. Four roses carved of emerald and silver decorated the lid as Harry went past. He wondered if Chael would remember his mother the way Harry remembered his, flashes of her dying moment…perhaps not and maybe the strong magic that ran in their blood would connect them.

::23 March::

"We have some news," Azriel said to the small gathering.

Zav sat next to Julian, looking around curiously. The boy spoke fair English and he knew something important was happening. Draco and Harry were sharing a bowl of oatmeal when Azriel spoke and they looked up. Severus, Chael, Violet, Blaise, Ron, Hermione and Theo turned towards them.

It was a Sunday morning and everyone sat in the Parlor eating a quiet breakfast away from the hectic Great Hall.

"What?"

"Julian and I have decided to move back to the Snow Manor to live and raise Zav," Azriel explained, "We want to get away from everything, the press and the madness of teaching and taking care of teenagers so we can be together and raise our son."

Everyone nodded slowly.

"We hate to see you go," Draco said.

"We're not leaving until the school year ends and we're going to recommend that Violet be taken on as the Defense teacher for next year. I really would like to stay but we agreed that it is better for Zav and for us."

Severus, who had hardly spoken since the battle, nodded. Even in class he only wrote instructions on the board and nodded or shook his head at students. The old snake turned to his breakfast, a scant portion of oatmeal and sighed silently. Everyone had noticed how thin he had gotten in the past month and how he had completely withdrawn.

Julian spoke, "I cannot imagine we'll never come back," he smiled, "When Zav is old enough we'll teach here again but at least for a few years we want to be together."

"That's understandable," Hermione smiled, "You two will be so happy together."

"We are," Julian grinned, "I can't wait to relax," they laughed.

"That'll be great," they agreed and discussed what the two would do with their retirement.

:: 4 June::

"Students," Dumbledore smiled at the masses of students as they sat waiting for the final feast. "This year has brought us many things, good and bad. The loss of two professors and the impending early retirement of two more," he smiled to Julian and Azriel, "But the addition of two children to our world brightens the future," he motioned to Chael and Zav. "The war has shown us that Hogwarts can stand together and defend itself and the accomplishments of our students in the war have been written into history as part of a great victory. The House Cup this year is awarded to Slytherin not because they have the most points but because their students have shown great growth and maturity this past year and we honor them."

Draco stood amidst thunderous applause to retrieve the cup.

"You have all done Hogwarts well and I am proud of every one of you for your contribution and growth during this year." He smiled and the students cheered, "Let us have a moment of silence to remember those who have passed on this year," silence fell and rested until, "Now, let us eat and be joyous!"

Harry was first to spear some meat from the whole cooked turkey that appeared in front of him. He smiled and allowed Hermione to serve him and Ron their steamed vegetables and stuffing. He gave them each slices of meat and potatoes while Ron dished out rolls and gravy. He happened to glance over at Draco and he was forcing food on Theo.

"Mione," he said, "What's wrong with Theo? He and Snape don't look okay since the war."

Hermione sighed.

"Right after the battle he would hardly sleep at all but he's been getting better. All he does now is smoke and read and write dissertations on defense, war tactics and the psychology of purebloods wizards and why they supported the Dark Lord."

Ron frowned, "Really?"

She nodded.

"Blaise has done nothing but sleep and eat and act like a fool," he said and looked over his shoulder at the smirking Italian.

Harry nodded too, "Draco's been himself…more concerned about Snape but himself as usual."

The trio looked to where the Potion's Master and five-month-old Chael sat eating.

The past few months were hard, beyond the publicity and appearances Harry found himself at, classes were as hard as ever. Since the end of March Harry had been to Diagon Alley, the Ministry and the rest of wizarding London at least ten times for dedications of plaques, statues, celebrations and speeches. Harry had met with the High Sorcery Confederation and the Grand European Council of Magic for official briefings on the war and interviews with some of the highest ranking wizards in the world. There were numerous photos from these events and they were usually very good. Hermione had started a scrapbook for them. Often Harry would stand, flanked by Ron and Hermione, with Dumbledore, Remus and the Chief Auror, Pirus Nico, in the background. There was one specifically where Draco stood very close to Harry, both looking straight at the camera and smirking ever so slightly. It was framed and sat on the mantel of the fireplace at Draco's Dublin Manor.

The meal finished and Harry found himself immediately drawn to Draco. He linked their hands and in the crowd no one noticed. They walked together to Shag Terrace and soon enough they were joined by their friends.

They sat down, laughing in the warm evening air. Blaise and Theo lit cigarettes and Draco stole drags every once in a while.

"This year," Draco began, "Has been frightening, painful, amazing and perfect."

They nodded, "I'm so glad that things," Harry paused, "Worked out for all of us."

Blaise smiled and lit another cigarette with the last of his first, "Do you suppose we'll ever find the answers to our unanswered questions?"

"Like whom the next Keeper is."

"And what exactly happened to Narcissa."

"And what will happen to Snape-"

"-and Julian and Az."

"I wonder where Pansy is," Theo said and there was a pause while everyone nodded.

"I still want to know what happened to Roua and the Death Nymphs."

They nodded.

"What about Lucius?"

"I haven't heard from him since the end of March." Draco said.

"I assume he's alive…" Hermione said and the others shrugged.

"I bet we'll find out eventually," Ron said.

"I think so." They agreed and sat in silence and smoke for a few minutes.

::Platform 9 ¾::

"Come on," Draco held out his hand to Harry and they stepped off the train together.

The boys smiled to one another. They made sure some of the Malfoy's elves had claimed and were loading their luggage before they began towards the entrance to the muggle world. In the way stood Lucius, leaning heavily on the snake-head cane that used to be merely for show. He looked older, thinner and in pain.

"Draco," he said and his voice was hoarse, "My son, please, come here. We need to talk."

The blonde approached his father, "Lucius, what do we have to talk about? You hate me and you hate that I love Harry. I-"

"Draco, please," Lucius interrupted him, "I do not hate Harry or that you love him, please, hear me out."

"Okay…"

Lucius limped forward and reached his hand out, "I'm so sorry, son, for everything. For endangering you and your mother for so many years and for being such a horrible father, I'm sorry for threatening you and for not accepting you and your love and your life. I really…I nearly died and I had to say I was sorry before I died. I did not get the chance before the battle so I had to tell you now."

"Why were you at the battle to begin with?"

"My Dark Mark burned," he said, "So I came to the school and I found myself in the middle of a war zone."

"Why didn't you just leave then?"

Lucius sighed, "I said that I would help fight against the Dark Lord and missing the single battle of the war would not help my position as accused former Death Eater. I wanted to help, I wanted…to do some good for once."

"And…you do not hate me?"

"No," Lucius shook his head, "You don't hate me?"

"Sort of," Draco admitted, "In time I won't."

Lucius smiled softly and turned to Harry, "Mr. Potter? I suppose I have to apologize to you too," he held out his hand, "You're a fine young man and Draco cares about you. I would like to invite you to be part of our family as long as he wants you with us and, I am sorry for everything that has occurred between us these past six years."

Harry smiled, "Thank-you Mr. Malfoy, I would love to be part of your family."

They smiled.

"This year has turned us all into someone new."

And it had.

Fin

The support for this fic has been incredible, all the positive feedback and the amazing reviews and readers, you've made me love this fic and appreciate everything so much. I hate to end it but the sequel "Keeping You the Same" is well underway and I hope to have it up and going by mid to late January and Azriel and Julian's sequel (by popular demand) "Inexplicable" ought to be going to February.

Thank you all so much

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You've been amazing and I could never ask for more, you've surprised me and I can't express my gratitude and joy. This has been an amazing journey and your support and loyalty mean the world to me.

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