From Venice with Love

Here is the last chapter. A HUGE thank you to all my reviewers- I loved reading evrything you had to say. I am writing an epilogue, it will be a week or two, however. It was very hard to end this story, I love the setting and characters very much, but all good things must come to an end. Once again, thank you all!

Hermione stared in shock at the still form of Lucius Malfoy. Narcissa dropped her wand to her side and began to cry.

“What?” Pansy’s hysterical voice came from Hermione’s right. “How could you-“

Hermione grabbed Pansy’s wand from her with one hard tug. “Stupefy,” she said, and Pansy fell to the ground. She turned to face the older woman in front of her who was sobbing heavily.

“He was a good man,” she said, more to herself than Hermione. “Before that…thing poisoned his mind.”

“I’m sure he was,” Hermione said softly, touching Narcissa’s arm. “Thank you, Narcissa,” she said gently.

Narcissa nodded, and her sobs began to subside. “No child should grow up without its mother,” she said. “Besides, Lucius never would have let Dante live.”

“No, he wouldn’t have,” Hermione said.

Narcissa took a deep breath. “We need to send an owl,” she said. “Let them know everything’s alright.”

“You’ll need to stay with us,” Hermione said. “You killed a Death eater. You’ll need protection.”

Narcissa nodded. “Would that be alright?” she asked.

“Of course, I know Draco and Dante would love it.” Hermione smiled. “And so would I.”

“Pokey!” Narcissa called and the elf popped beside her. “Please bind Ms. Parkinson and then have tea served for me and my daughter-in-law on the terrace.”

“Yes, Missus!” Pokey squeaked.

“Why don’t you wash up Hermione? I’ll send the owl and meet you on the terrace.” Narcissa smiled through her tears and left the room.

Hermione went into the bathroom and washed her face. When she came out Pansy was bound and lying on the bed, still unconsious, and Lucius’ body was gone. She walked downstairs to where Narcissa was seated sipping her tea calmly as if nothing had happened. They hadn’t been sitting long before there was a commotion downstairs and suddenly Hermione saw Harry burst through the terrace door.

“Harry!” she jumped up and ran to him.

“Hermione, are you alright?” He hugged her close and Snape, Remus and Moody quickly followed behind him.

“Yes, didn’t you get Narcissa’s owl?” she asked.

“We did,” Snape said sourly. “Moody thought it was a trap.”

“She’s the wife of a Deatheater!” Moody said brusquely.

“Not anymore,” Hermione said quietly. “She saved my life. I trust we’ll be able to hide her with us?”

Harry nodded. “Where is the body?” he asked her quietly. Hermione shrugged. “You’ll have to ask the house elves. Pansy Parkinson is bound in the upstairs bedroom though.” Moody and Remus went back inside, presumabley to locate the elf and Pansy and Snape went over to Narcissa and began to speak softly to her.

“Harry, where’s Draco? Did he stay at Grimmauld Place?” she asked.

“No. Once we got the owl that Lucius was dead he insisted on coming and bringing Dante.”

“Where are they?”

“He wouldn’t say in case it was a trap. He said you’d know where to find them.”

Hermione thought for a moment and smiled. “I do,” she said quietly.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The sun was sitting low in the sky and the last warm rays of summer touched her face as Hermione walked. She could feel by the air that autumn would be setting in on Venice soon. As she walked memories filled her mind of last summer, of how it had changed her life. She glanced towards the water as she went, remembering her first water taxi ride with Draco. How different she was then! She smiled as she let go of the girl she had been and embraced the wife and mother she was now. Looking forward, her eyes surveyed the square. She looked over towards the small café she had spent hours at and immediately her eyes caught sight of blonde in the setting sun. The sunlight reflected of the two blonde heads as she sped up to reach them. Draco sat facing away from her, holding a cup of coffee and chattering to Dante, who was strapped into a high chair beside him. Dante was babbling back at his father happily. As she reached the table Draco turned and met her eyes.

“You’re okay,” he said quietly and she nodded. “Mother?” Hermione nodded again. Dante looked up and her and grinned widely and toothlessly.

“Hello, baby,” Hermione leaned down and kissed the small blonde head. “Mummy missed you so much!” As she moved to stand back up Draco captured her lips with his own, briefly.

“Coffee?” the waiter was standing there expectantly. Hermione shook her head and the waiter walked away.

Draco stood and Hermione picked up Dante, hugging him close. “I thought we’d take Dante to see the Bridge of Sighs” Draco said leading her towards the gondolas. “We missed it last time around.”

Hermione smiled at her husband. “That would be lovely,” she said, and, taking his hand, they walked towards the water together.

THE END