The next day they found themselves at Hogwarts tournament inauguration surrounded by almost all the people of magical London. Their old professors congratulating them, the new students keenly asking them about their adventures and their friends enveloping them in bear hugs, clearly ecstatic to seeing them after a long time.

"Welcome Hermione! Ah..Malfoy..good to see you. How are you holding up..you know..with the things.." Neville asked them.

"Everything is fine. And call my husband Draco, Neville. Or should I say..professor Neville?" She smiled, happy for her friend. "Neville is a professor of herbology now" she explained to Draco.

"Hey Hermione! Good to see you!" Harry and Ron hugged her, leaving Draco alone.

"Hey Hermione! You look great as always! If Malfoy troubles you just say the word, and he will be finished" Seamus added to the awkwardness in the air.

Sensing something has to be done, she called for all the people present in the hall and casting a 'Sonorus!' spell to raise her voice, she said "Hi everyone! I hope you all know I am married to Draco Malfoy now." There were collective gasps. "I wanted you all to know that he has been so supportive and a great husband anyone can hope to have. We never had Gryffindor vs Slytherin battles at home" Some laughed at this. Draco was dumbfounded, he just kept looking at her. "The point I am trying to make is, whatever the house you are in, it doesn't matter in the real life. Do good, be good and most important, please try being kind to whoever and whenever you can. After all we have had Dumbledore as our headmaster, the least judgemental person anyone could have ever seen. I expected a little more respect to my husband, I am sorta ashamed my own house friends failed to show it today" She finished, glaring at her fellow Gryffindors.

"That's better than any welcome speech I could have prepared" Professor McGonagall said, drawing everyone's attention. "Now for the Triwizard championship. This is very special since it is happening after nearly 6 years after the wizarding war. Let the games begin!" She announced. At that, many groups of people entered, the sports officials, the judges and the competitors.

"Draco, I am sorry. I didn't expect people to be still believing you are bad." She turned to him and said kindly.

"I am least bothered, Hermione. But did you see the 1st years? They were afraid to even shake my hand. What am I going to do to make it right? The kids are afraid of me, Hermione. How will I raise Emma? I am going to be a terrible father, I tell you"

"Draco, do you even realize what you are saying. 1st years have probably heard stories from their parents before coming here and obviously they are afraid of you. It will take time, but trust me, it will change. You are a healer now, remember? Keep doing good and you will be loved just like.." she quickly stopped.

He didn't miss it. Was she really about to say she loved him? "Just like what, Hermione?"

"Nothing. Where is Emma?"

He didn't press her further. "Thank God you asked at least now. Look slowly towards the entrance"

She did as he asked and all of a sudden she forgot how to breathe. Her parents were coming towards her, with Emma sitting happily in her grandfather's arms. They were crying when they saw Hermione.

"Draco..what is happening here?"

"What? They wanted to see their granddaughter."

"That means.."

"Yes, they are completely cured now, all the memories restored and intact. I know the healers told you to restore the memories slowly and you have not seen them in like forever but I wanted to try a memory restore potion, it will not give them any side effects and is very fast. So they were ready test subjects and I used them" he laughed lightly.

Soon she ran to them, embraced them and turned to Draco. "You are really saying you just wanted to test your potion so you used it on my parents?"

"Yes..?"

"Say that to others. I know the real you, Draco"

"Oh really? And what is the real me?"

"An uncontrollably sweet pumpkin pie. Come here" When he came near her, she held his face in her palms and kissed his forehead. "Thank you, Draco. Really" there were tears in her eyes.

He lifted Emma onto his shoulders and said to her, Hermione in his arms "She says I am sweet but she kisses me in the forehead..like some sage giving blessings..not fair, eh Emma? "

"And did I mention...you are very annoying" Hermione added, in mock anger.

"Only to you, my beloved wife"

"Just kiss her already!" This came from Luna Lovegood who had just entered.

Hermione disengaged herself from him, went up and hugged her sweet weird friend.

"Really, Draco? You went to her after me? How did your parents even accept this kind of horrible thing..nice catch Mudblood, how much love potion you used? Or any permanent imperius curse?" This string of abuse came from Astoria Greengrass walking towards them with a few other very familiar Slytherin faces.

When Hermione started to say something, Draco interrupted, "Do shut your ugly mouth, Astoria. In fact, I am lucky she accepted me, after all you were my ex. Thank God I can recognize genuine people now." He glared. Hermione flinched, having rarely seen such kind of anger from him up close.

He appeared to be headed somewhere but suddenly turned and added. "And one more thing. If I ever hear you saying that horrible word for muggleborns again, I will make sure you stay in St.Mungos for minimum 5 yrs"

Suddenly many things happened. One Slytherin boy, probably Astoria's boyfriend aimed a spell at Draco. Draco dodged it, gesturing Hermione not to get involved, and cast another spell, making the boy fall with a thud. They dueled, with Blaise and Pansy joining Draco's side and few others in the opposite side. Finally, however Astoria's side lost and she stormed away, fuming.

"She deserved it, mate." Blaise said, Pansy hanging on to his arm. She appeared to be smiling. "Sorry Hermione, go on enjoy the party. We will manage her." Blaise and Pansy said, waving at her.

Hermione walked towards Draco in a daze. Was she dreaming? Did Draco just fight for her? Did Pansy and Blaise just speak kindly to her?

"I am sorry you had to see me yell. I will never do that in front of our daughter, I promise" Draco said to Hermione, dropping his head.

"Nah..that's ok. Even if you do, she will then see me winning over you in a duel and you crying and begging me to rescue you. So she won't be afraid." She giggled.

"That's my girl. And that's why I lo.. that's why I married you"

"What were you about to say?

"Nn..nothing"

"Draco"

"Nothing. Now come on, we are supposed to kickstart the tournament"

Throughout the event, Draco carried Emma in his arms, explaining her the things, showing some little harmless spells, transforming things into funny animals, all the time making sure she is safe.

"I am jealous of Emma right now. Learning about Hogwarts this young."

"Ah honey, only you would say that. Jealous of your own daughter" He shook his head smiling.

"You called me honey" a little pink tinge appeared on her cheeks.

"Shouldn't I ?"

"Not so suddenly, no"

"Your cheek disagrees" He chuckled.

"Oh shut up!"

"Hermione..come closer"

"I know that look. We are surrounded by thousands of people and Emma as well. No"

"Hermione, please" He came a little more closer, making her nervous.

"Draco don't come any closer"

"Please..it's not like we haven't done it before"

"Draco, no is a no"

"Then after we get home today. I just wanna hold you close..feel your skin..kiss you so badly you are out of breath within seconds..then I will.."

Now her face just looked like a well ripen tomato, she could just feel the heat.

"Draco stop it! You are making me embarrassed"

"That's only the beginning, honey"

"Oh Emma..are you hungry..come here sweetie" She said to diffuse the tension, carefully trying not to touch any part of him in the process. But her devil husband purposely touched her cheek with the back of his palm, very slowly. Her eyes closed involuntarily, relishing the touch.

He laughed, breaking the spell and handed Emma over to her. Then flashing his trademark smirk of his, headed away.