E i g h t  m o n t h s  l a t e r.

August 2000.

''Did she sleep yet?'' Amelie snuck up behind him, peeking over his shoulder to see the little life all nestled up in Malfoy's arms. Her voice was low, ''Tell me she didn't. I could use some Talia-time.''

Draco peered back at her, tilting his chin, and he settled a peck on the hand Amelie placed on his arm before his sight darted back to his daughter. He never took his eyes off of her for more than a second, and that mere second he didn't watch their daughter. He looked at Amelie instead. He couldn't stop looking at her either, ''She didn't. Not yet.''

He held Talia so close. She was so little. So tiny. So fragile. She wasn't similar to anything he'd ever fixed his eyes on before. She wasn't like anything else in their lives, ''But it looks like she's going any second now....'' Swaying his arms a bit from side to side, his body followed. He rocked her leisurely, steadily.

''Always in your arms,'' Amelie stretched up on her toes. Her hands splayed out over his spine as she settled her chin on his shoulder, ''She really is your little girl, isn't she?''

Draco huffed out a quiet chuckle. He loved when she did that, when she said it in the way she did, ''Our little girl,'' He was still quick to whisper, his eyes yet glued onto his daughter, ''She got your nose.''

''She has your eyes,'' Amelie said. A soft dash of laughter was heard in her vocals, and she left a kiss on Draco's neck, ''That speaks for more than a nose, doesn't it?''

Malfoy smiled as he exhaled feelingly. He didn't feel much. He didn't feel anything anymore, except them. His two girls. He never felt as much as he did when his wife hugged him.

''It sure does, but you're a Malfoy too now.'' Draco slowed his pace, rocking his daughter gentler now, ''She has your nose and your hair. Nothing beats that.''

She smiled at the memory. It was one of her best ones.

April 2000.

Draco placed a kiss on her stomach like he did every night before her eyes closed, and she hummed them all to sleep. Everyone still slept in their bed—all of them.

Atlas couldn't sleep if Draco weren't the one holding his hand as he faded into the world of imagination, and Teddy couldn't sleep if Amelie didn't have her arm over his chest. It was comforting, soothing to all of them.

A part of her believed that they needed it. All of them.

The world was lighter, much lighter, but something heavy still lingered within each and every one.

Atlas was nervous all the time. He was scared that the evil man would come back for them, and he missed their mother. Draco always calmed him when that happened. He ever so made sure to hug the little boy close and tell him all the reasons as to why their mother had to go. He didn't lie. Amelie wanted to lie.

She wished to lie and make up something for him to feel better, but Draco didn't. He told him the truth. He ever so said that they'd lied enough, all of them. Atlas deserved to know that their mother left Amelie to save her.

That it was either Amelie staying behind, hiding in plain sight, or her being taken away by the evil man. He told him how his mother saved them in her own ways, and Atlas loved hearing that. He loved sitting by the piano with Draco and hear all about his mother being a hero — because to Atlas, to him, she indeed was a hero. No grudge, no matter how much Draco resented their mother, he could never take that part away from Atlas.

''Do you promise he's gone?'' Atlas whispered, moving closer to the blond as Amelie laid beside them, listening, ''He can't hurt us anymore?''

Malfoy grunted a bit, shifting in his position as the covers followed, and he wrapped an arm around the boy, ''He's gone, little one. He can't hurt you anymore. He's gone, and we're safe.''

''Promise?'' His voice became thinner, ''Promise that we're safe, all of us.''

''We're safe, Atlas. I promise. I wouldn't let anything happen to you. You know that.''

''And mom is happy in heaven?''

Her heart ached. He always wished to make sure that their mother was happy in heaven, all the time. Narcissa usually took him out at night, pointing at the stars, and she found one in particular that stood out from the rest. They made it her star, and it made him happy. He would ever so bring Teddy and Draco out to show them every time he laid his eyes on that star.

He even told their little girl about the star. It was one of his favorite things to do, talk to their unborn child. He could talk to her for hours while Amelie was reading, for so long that it caused Malfoy to be jealous, and he interrupted them, taking over the conversation with her stomach.

''Your mom is happy in heaven. Do you want to check on her? Her star? See if it's there?''

''Yes!''

The bed rattled a bit as they got up at the late hour. Draco swiftly turned around, and he placed an elbow over the mattress to lean closer to her, ''I'll be right back,'' He mumbled, pushing his lips into her head, ''Don't fall asleep yet.''

It made Theodore groan in his sleep and bury his face into Amelie's hair as it spilled wildly across the pillow. He didn't let her braid it anymore. He wanted to nestle up close to it. He said it felt safe, feeling the scent of her when he woke up, gasping for air after a nightmare.

He had a lot of those. Nightmares. All the time. Every night.

The worst part was waking up, he said. He didn't like the wave of realization that came after the dreams he had. The nightmares were horrible, but the reality was worse. 

She held him every time that happened — Amelie woke up, and she crawled closer, placing her head on his chest, and that was enough for him to fall asleep again. Draco always noticed, and he tried to comfort her too. With a hand on her waist or her belly. And that was all she needed.

Malfoy returned shortly, with Atlas in his arms. He'd fallen asleep again.

''Is he alright?'' Amelie huffed out, turning around to face the blond as he slipped down below the covers, laying Atlas down next to the edge.

Draco leveled her, bringing her closer to him in between the sheets, ''He will be.''

''I could've gone,'' She said, tilting her head and placing a soft kiss on his chin, ''You don't have to do this every night. You need to sleep.''

''You'll do nothing,'' Draco held one hand on her stomach, the other one snaked underneath her neck, letting her rest on his arm, ''You're carrying my daughter, that's all you should focus on.''

''I know, but it's not fair to you—''

''I don't mind it, Amelie,'' He pushed his lips against her head, ''I don't mind looking after him. He's mine now, too, all of ours. It's as much my responsibility as it is yours.''

Amelie smiled, burying her nose into his chest, ''You take my breath away.'' She lowly spoke, not wanting to wake anyone up, ''I don't know how you do it, Draco. You went through this, all of this, just like we did. Still, you manage so much.''

''Amelie...''

''No,'' Her hand grasped at his upper arm, closing her eyes in the darkness, ''I am proud of you. I know you don't like hearing these things, but what you do for Atlas, every day, how you care for your mother — how you help Teddy. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of you and I—''

She hushed, breathing out heavily at the feeling in her belly. Draco frowned, arching back a bit from her, his hand on her jaw, ''What is it—''

''She's proud too,'' Amelie looked down between them, stroking her stomach, ''Here.''

She took his hand in hers and led it up to where their little miracle was kicking, ''Can you feel her?''

Draco sucked in a harsh breath. This was always so sensitive to him, feeling his little girl. He was almost scared to hurt her when she was kicking. In the beginning, when Amelie started feeling her, Draco refused to feel it too. He felt like he was harming them, that he wasn't good enough, but from the second she took his hand and placed it over that tiny heart, all his worries faded.

He loved feeling her now.

With a hand on their girl, and the other one resting on her jaw, Draco looked at her. His Amelie. Even if life seemed to be everything but clear, he couldn't stop looking at her. She was as beautiful as ever to him.

''Marry me,'' Malfoy said, his eyes flickering across every detail she carried.

Amelie looked up. Her own eyes were wide in confusion, ''I thought we were getting married already—'' She scrunched her nose a bit, trying to be funny.

''Now,'' Draco breathed, taking her face closer to his, ''Marry me now.''

Amelie smiled against his lips, settling a gentle kiss on the upper one, ''It's the middle of the night—''

''It's always the middle of the night somewhere,'' He kissed her, slowly, her body pressed to his, ''I don't want to go a minute without you being mine like this. I want to marry you, now.''

Amelie angled her head, peering up at him, ''Right now? This second?''

''Right now. This damn second.''

She looked away, quickly and as she did, Atlas turned around, sneaking up behind Draco, ''Are we getting married?''

Draco winced back, nearly gasping out of fear, before he wrestled the boy down, playfully between him and Amelie, ''We are, go wake my mother up, will you?''

''Draco—''

''No,'' He gave her an honest look, his face calm. He was so sure about this, ''I'm yours, and you're mine and Amelie....'' He hugged Atlas closer, shooting a rapid nod towards her stomach, ''This is ours. Every chaotic piece of it. So why wait?''

''Exactly,'' Atlas laughed, and it caused Theodore to prop himself up behind her. His knuckles scratching his eyes, ''See, even Teddy wants to get married!''

''What is going on—''

''We're getting married!'' Atlas shouted now, his voice broke in a chuckle at Draco's hands gripping him and lifting him, ''Now! We can do it with mom, out with the stars! It's raining!''

Theodore looked terrified. His sight snapped between all of them, ''We're getting married? Right now? In the rain?''

Draco's eyes found Amelie's in the midst of the chaos, and they smiled. Both of them. Rain. It was raining, and nothing had ever been as perfect as this was.

Atlas ran his way to Narcissa's bedroom, and he woke her up, bringing her downstairs.

Malfoy halted in the doorway. His checked pajama pants hugged his waist loosely, the white t-shirt smeared to his torso. Looking back at the two best friends still lying in bed, ''Are you coming or am I doing this myself...?''

''Give us a minute,'' Theodore yawned, ''I need to steal her for a minute before she's all yours.''

Draco rolled his eyes, muttering something on his way out.

''What?'' Amelie sat up, her spine against the headboard, ''Is something wrong—''

''Are you sure about this?'' Theodore smirked, giving being funny a try, ''He's a murderer, you know? And getting married to one of those isn't really a Ravenclaw thing to do, is it—''

''Oh shut up—'' Amelie aimed a pillow at him, ''He did wrong in the past, yes. I don't excuse anything he's done, but poor actions don't make a bad person. He's a better person than I'll ever be.''

''There might be some truth to that— fine. You're right. He's an excellent choice. I'm sure he makes pretty babies. At least you'll have one pretty baby, Amelie, that should count for something. I already feel sorry for the person she chooses in the future—''

''You're on something tonight, aren't you?'' Amelie chuckled, shaking her head at him, ''I'm happy, Teddy. He makes me happy.''

''I'm happy that you're happy,'' He sighed, looking right at her, ''You make me happy. Seeing you happy makes me happy. Promise me that you won't stop being happy. I'm not sure I can handle you not making me happy.''

''Teddy...'' Amelie crawled closer, up in his lap, ''I'm sorry. I know you're sick of hearing me say it, but I am. I am sorry. You always have me. You'll always be my family.''

''You're my family,'' He stilled, breathing her in. He wished her this. He wanted her to have all the good things life could possibly offer, ''Thank you for being my family.''

Amelie hesitated, doubting her choice of words before speaking them, ''Does this hurt you? That Draco and I are doing this? We don't have to do this, Teddy. We can wait.''

He frowned, releasing a deep sigh from the back of his throat, ''It hurts, but I think it will keep hurting. I lost him, someone I thought I'd be with, and that will hurt. I think it will hurt until it just...doesn't anymore, until one day I wake up and I smile at the memory of him instead of crying.''

Her heart ached a beat. She felt pain as it rushed through her pounding veins. Talia gave her a kick for it, almost sensing that her mother needed some comfort. ''I won't do this if you're not okay with it, Teddy. It can wait. Nothing is as important as you are to us.''

''And I love you for that, soon to be Mrs. Malfoy, but this isn't your pain to carry. It's mine, and I'm handling it as well as I know how,'' Theodore paused, tightening the grip he had of her, ''I want this for you. All the good things, I want both you and Draco to have. You've been nothing but kind to me, even Malfoy helps me, and I want this for you. I really do.''

Tears began to pearl in her eyes, loops of ache scored through her. She still, after nearly a lifetime, had no idea what she'd done to deserve this boy in her life. He was more to her than anyone could live to be, and she was even more than that to him.

''I love you, Teddy,'' Amelie whispered, their bodies leaning against the other, ''You'll always have me. Draco and Talia won't change that.''

''I know,'' Placing a kiss onto her forehead, he wrapped his arms around her, ''I wouldn't have made it without you and him,'' He huffed a relieved exhale, ''But let's not ruin the mood, shall we? Let's get you downstairs to that serial killer you chose for a—''

Amelie squealed, a screech fled her chest as he lifted her in the air, ''Teddy—''

He didn't listen. He simply marched downstairs with her in his arms until they reached the backyard. The rain was pouring. The night was dark.

He halted, right in front of Malfoy as he narrowed his eyes in the blond's, ''Is this where I give her over to you? Considering you killed both her fathers—''

Draco scowled, rolling his eyes, ''She's already mine, Nott. Don't try to be funny, yeah?''

Amelie wrapped her arms around Theodore's neck, slowly sliding down from his grip until her feet touched the ground. She looked up at him, ''Thank you,'' She said, stilly, ''Thank you for being everything I didn't know I needed.''

He blushed. The brunet scratched the back of his head, before peeking up at Malfoy beneath his lashes, ''Shouldn't you tell him that—''

Clicking her tongue, she snickered a hushed chuckle, letting go of him as he stepped next to Atlas, bending down and lifting the boy.

Amelie spun around. Her nightdress hugged her bump perfectly. Draco couldn't tear his eyes away from her, if so, his life depended on it. He was breathless because it was perfect this way.

Nowhere in their relationship, in their time together and apart, had things been for the view of the world.

Their love was raw, honest, beautiful. It wasn't put on display for anyone around them. It was intimate, sincere, heartbreaking. This was the most perfect way for them to be.

''Are you sure you want to do this without her?'' Brushing her fingers over her stomach, she gazed down at it. Her clothes were stained in drops of water as they fell from the sky, ''We said we would wait for her. I don't want you to regret anything.''

Malfoy felt a twitch in the corner of his mouth and his hands landed on hers, holding their little girl together, ''I could never regret anything when it comes to you. I want to wait for her, but we have waited for this long enough, Amelie. All we do is wait for everything around us to calm down, but it never did, not until now, and I don't want to wait anymore.''

He took a breath, his hands moving to cup her jaws, ''I've lost you, over and over. Every time I've had you — I lost you, and I don't want to stall anything anymore. I used to tell you a long time ago, how you would always be safe with me, but I stopped. I stopped because I didn't believe it myself anymore.''

It felt like the world faded around her. It was only them now. She and him. Them. Always them. His hands were on her jaws, keeping her steady in a falling world.

''But I think I'd like to start believing that again. I think I can make that promise again because you are, Amelie. Both of you. Both of my girls. You are safe with me. You'll always be safe here. I'm yours, and you're mine, no matter what happens.''

She smiled, tipping the weight of her head into his palms. Her body caved to his, ''Your heart beats with mine,'' She whispered, remembering just how much she loved saying that, how much she'd missed it.

''Really?'' Draco shook his head, slowly and if it weren't for the rain pouring around them, she'd believe she was hallucinating, but she wasn't. He had tears in his eyes.

Amelie stretched up on her toes. Her palms pushed into his chest, and she kissed him, whispering against his lips, ''Really.''

A sob caught her ears, and she withdrew, still with his touch upon her body. She looked at the three people she nearly forgot was there, to begin with, ''I'm sorry—'' Narcissa sniffed, running the spine of her hand underneath her eyes, ''I think that was all you two needed. I don't think I need to say anything more than that I from now pronounce you, husband and wife.''

Theodore was crying as Atlas scowled at him, fiddling with his ear and probably thinking about what Narcissa would make him for breakfast in the morning.

Amelie looked at them, all three of them, as she smiled. The side of her head leaned against Draco's chest, "We did well, didn't we?'' She asked quietly, only for him to hear, ''All of this — all of them, we did good?''

''We did,'' He shut his eyes, kissing the top of her head, ''You did good, Amelie.''

She did. She never believed she could, but she did, with all of them by her side. They made it. They made it this far, and oh how she wished she'd known it was simply the beginning.

August 2000.

Draco laid her down in the middle of the bed before both of them settled on each side of her. They could do that for hours. Lay there and look at her. They couldn't get enough. They always looked at her or at each other, then smiled and looked back at her.

Amelie smiled, shyly and she nestled up to that tiny human that changed her life and brought so much light into it, ''She got the best of both sides then.''

His gaze landed on her, and he tilted his head, watching as Amelie brought Talia close to her chest and that tiny human would bury her nose into the fabric of her mother's shirt. Mother. Amelie was a mother now. He still couldn't believe it.

Talia cuddled up to Amelie like Draco always did when he had the chance to do so and how Amelie always strived for ease when it came to him. No matter when or at what point in their story — Amelie always buried herself in Draco's chest.

Nothing felt as safe as it did there, with his arms around her, his words whispered into her ear. Nothing was better than that.

But between Atlas still needing his sister more than ever, to Talia needing her mother, all the way to Theodore running into their room at night, sleeping in their bed. Amelie barely had a minute to spare that blond man her heart belonged to.

It was an uncertain world, she believed as she let the palm of her hand brush across her daughter's spine, the tips of her fingers tracing circles over the bronze hair she had.

Amelie adored that hair. It was long already. Narcissa bragged to Draco about that hair every day. She loved it as much as they did, not only because it was beautiful but also because it resembled hers. Talia had a little space, a tiny spot behind her ear that was blond.

It caused Narcissa to feel utterly proud of that little girl because she said she got it from her.

''Amelie,'' Draco muttered, tucking his hand beneath his pillow and propping himself up, ''Did we do the right thing? Moving back here? Do you regret it?''

His eyes crowded in worry. His voice riddled the same emotion.

She smiled, the corner of her mouth arched, and her glance fell to watch the tiny breaths her daughter was taking, ''I don't regret it,'' She whispered, still stroking her fingers across Talia's head, ''I like to think it all started here.''

Scowling a bit, he looked confusingly at her, ''What do you mean?''

''Us,'' She said, bluntly, ''It was where we fell in love, where we kissed, where I learned to trust you, where we lost each other, where we found each other again, besides—'' Amelie tipped her chin, placing a soft kiss on Talia's nose, ''It makes your mother happy, being back here and I wasn't much for the other house. I liked the library, but that was it.''

Draco held his breath for a second, doubting the fact that she indeed was real. That she was someone he'd earned a life with, someone he deserved. He still couldn't get it through his head.

''I like it here. I like your old room. I like that it's ours now,'' Amelie continued, hushed and low as her daughter began moving, she lifted the little heart to her chest, and she propped herself up against the headboard, ''I like that she gets to be here, to be with us here. Even if there was a lot of darkness here, I still want her to know how all of this happened.''

Talia calmed and fell back asleep over Amelie's chest as Draco warmly stared at them, ''You really thought about this, didn't you?'' He mumbled, ''Well, I like this room, but not for the same reasons as you. I remember that shower in the bathroom, and I remember this bed before Christmas—''

''Draco—'' She chuckled, softly, ''You took the greenhouse with you, and you're remodeling the library to look like that one in the house, how much—''

''Excuse you,'' His lips parted, nearly looking offended, ''She was made in that greenhouse, and don't think I would misremember that night in the library. Who would I be if I didn't—''

''Your daughter is right here,'' Amelie gave him a serious glare, shaking her head at him, ''Perhaps we shouldn't go into details about that.''

Draco rolled his eyes, arising from his resting position, ''Fine, but don't question the greenhouse or the library ever again, mother was quite happy when I—''

''Oh? So you are telling me that your mother knows the real reason you brought it over?''

Malfoy pushed his lips together, biting down his lower lip in hesitation, ''I—''

''I didn't think so,'' Amelie hugged Talia closer. Her little body was melting into her mother's. She stayed quiet for a bit, simply admiring the tiny soul as she slept in her arms, ''She's so perfect, Draco.''

His whole self softened. His breathing turned steady. He looked at them, his two perfect girls, for so a second until he stuck his arms between Amelie's shoulders and the headboard.

He dragged them closer, letting her lean on his chest as he kissed her forehead, ''She takes after her mother then.''

May 2000.

''I'm scared—'' Amelie breathed out heavily. It hurt. Her whole body ached as Narcissa stumbled up to her bed, bowls with warm water and towels in her hands, ''It hurts—''

She was cut off by her own scream. She was close. They were close. They were almost there.

Draco leaned over her, one hand gripping the headboard of their bed, while the other was squeezed so tightly by Amelie that he could faint. She was digging her nails into his palms, drawing blood with the hold she had, ''Soon, Amelie. It will be over any minute—''

''It hurts. It hurts.'' She gasped, her chin falling to her chest, pearls of sweat and tears rolled down her skin before her eyes flickered to his, looking up at him, ''What if I mess it up, Draco? What if I can't do this?''

He smiled softly and pressed a kiss onto her hair, ''You don't have to do this. We'll do it. You are not alone in this, Amelie. I'm right here. We all are right here. All of us.''

She nodded quickly as she pushed. Amelie pushed and cried. She sobbed and whimpered.

Narcissa was crying too.

The second it was over, and the very instant those tiny sounds filled the room, it didn't hurt anymore. Nothing hurt anymore. Everything they'd ever been through seemed like a star in a sky crowded with them. Nothing mattered anymore. Nothing but her. Their little girl. She mattered more than anything.

Amelie had been so scared. So scared since the night she lost her mother. Since they lost Adrian — she was so scared that something went wrong, but it didn't. Nothing was wrong because she was here.

Their little girl.

''You are so beautiful,'' Draco said, closing his eyes to stop the threatening tears, ''You are perfect, Amelie.''

He didn't dare to look at first. He bored his sight at Amelie, staring at what felt like her soul for minutes as she cried.

That was all she did. Amelie cried and cried. The silent sobs took over her breathing. The tears rolled uncontrollably. She was so happy, so, so happy. She couldn't speak. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. All she did was cry, cry and cry.

''Look at her,'' Amelie finally managed. Her voice was so thin yet sparked with more happiness than he'd ever heard her utter. She was so happy. So happy that she cried, ''She's perfect....''

Draco didn't. He just looked at Amelie. For moments he stared so lovingly at her. She made it. They made it.

''I don't—'' He cleared his throat, hesitating a bit more, ''What if I hurt her?''

''By looking at her?'' Amelie tilted her head against his stomach, peering up at his startled self. It looked like he could faint, ''You could never hurt her, Draco. She's yours. She's ours.''

He shut his eyes. Swallowing hard, one, two, three times before his lashes dared to peel open, and there she was.

His little miracle. Their miracle. Them.

She was theirs. Only theirs. They were his. Amelie and Talia.

His life would never be the same after this, after her, after them. He'd never felt love like this. He thought he had. He didn't think it was possible to love anyone more than he loved Amelie. If he only knew how wrong he was.

Malfoy hadn't even touched her, yet that bond of looking at his daughter was stronger than anything could ever be. There weren't words to explain it. Only tears. He cried too. He cried so much as he kissed Amelie's head.

''Aimee...'' She whispered, having their daughter on her chest, ''Talia Aimee Malfoy.''

He nodded. He didn't even hesitate as he nodded. It was perfect. She was perfect. They were perfect.

Perhaps the world wasn't as hopeless as he believed it to be. Perhaps it all would be alright now. He knew it would. With them, it would. Him, her, and their tiny heart.

September 2000

''Are you sure that you are ready for this?'' Amelie held so much concern in her eyes, her pupils swarmed with strain for her best friend, ''We don't have to do this yet, Teddy. It hasn't even been a year. It can wait—''

''I want to,'' His eyes stayed on Talia as she laid in his arms. She was growing by the day. She was becoming a real little human, ''I think I need to. I feel like I need some closure.''

She didn't want to push him. If Theodore felt like he was ready — then he was, no matter what argument Amelie came up with.

A funeral.

It was time for them to say goodbye. Ten months had passed since they lost Adrian and her mother. Since the world was easier and clearer. Since they won and lost. Since they lived and died. Since they broke and never knew if they would be put together.

''Atlas can use it too,'' He mumbled, breathing the scent of that little girl in. His eyes flickered to watch the property from the living room window, ''I know he said he wanted to wait for me, but it's not fair to him. He needs to say goodbye too. He loved Adrian. He loved his mother.''

Amelie nodded, striding up behind him. She let her forehead meander against his spine, ''I'll set it up then,'' She huffed out, her arms sheeting his waist, ''Tomorrow? After sundown? Draco promised Atlas that we'd do it when it's dark outside for the star.''

Teddy smiled. She didn't see it, but she felt it. He smiled so widely. His body rushed in warmth, ''He's not bad, Malfoy. That star thing is good for Atlas.''

''I think so too,'' Her lips pressed a kiss onto his shoulder blade, ''I think we all need it.''

''Tomorrow then...'' Theodore whispered, feeling more nervous than he thought he would.

_____

Atlas stopped. He halted for minutes as he stared blankly at the two graves placed next to the old ones. The skies had darkened, the wind scored cooly around them at that tiny forest glade.

Amelie had told him about Aimee and Pansy. He felt as if he knew them already. It felt good to him, knowing that his mother had someone to be next to when she couldn't be next to him, someone to comfort her when he wasn't able to.

The little boy tripped up to Pansy's grave, and he arched down, kissing the stone, ''I'm Atlas,'' He said, looking proudly at the rock, ''I'm sorry I wasn't here when you were. I think we would be friends.''

Tears formed in Amelie's eyes as they stood at a distance, watching over him. Teddy hugged Talia closer, leaving a kiss on her forehead.

Atlas repeated his doing with Aimee's grave, ''I'm sorry we didn't get to play together,'' A smile came across him, ''I think you would be funnier to play with than Talia. She only laughs at me because she's a baby. Draco says she doesn't understand.''

He placed a flower on the top of the stone, ''She has your name. That means you're important to us.''

Draco had to clench his jaws together and look away. It made him proud, hearing how wise that little boy lived to be.

'Adrian Pucey.

1979 - 1999

A beloved friend, soul, and fiancé.

Redemption in the most purest kind. '

''Adrian,'' Atlas snickered. He had to chuckle. He'd cry if he didn't. Atlas didn't want to cry anymore, ''I miss you. I miss you playing catch with me. No one lets me win anymore.''

Theodore wiped a tear off his cheek at the spoken words.

He continued down the path of stones until he reached the one he feared the most, and he inhaled so sharply, ''Mom...'' He let out with an exhale, ''Mom, mom, mom....''

'Athena Avery.

1955 - 1999

A striving mother and friend.

Hurting souls create beauty.'

Amelie looked away as Draco wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close.

''I found a star for you. It's mine and your star.'' He tried to smile. He was so brave, ''Draco says it's our star.''

Amelie held onto Malfoy harder, trying not to cry.

''I like that we have a star. It makes me feel less alone. I'm not alone. I have Amelie and Teddy and Draco and Narcissa — and Talia!'' It was a loop of joy that came with her name, ''Talia is the best. She's funny even if she's a baby. Amelie lets me hold her all the time when Draco isn't there. He's scared that I'll drop her.''

Malfoy bent back, raising a brow at the girl standing in his arms, ''Really?''

Amelie felt a curl on her lips, lengthening a bit on her feet to kiss his chin, ''Really.''

He rolled his eyes, amusingly shaking his head at her.

Atlas kept talking. He talked and talked and talked to his mother. He didn't stop until a yawn interrupted him, and Narcissa stepped forward, grasping at his shoulder and suggested that it was time for bed. She promised to take him back in the morning so he could have breakfast there, and he happily agreed, ''I'll see you, tomorrow mom,'' He slumbered, ''I miss you.''

It turned still for a moment. Only Talia's soft noises ripped through the gloomy air until Malfoy strode forward. It was time for him to say goodbye.

Draco took his hand to the rock, a hard grip around it, ''Thank you,'' He said, his jaws gritted as he looked down at the name. Never did Draco Malfoy think that he would be grateful for Adrian Pucey. But somewhere in all that hatred he held, he was. He was grateful, ''I'll see you around, mate.''

Amelie's heart ached. She knew how hard that must have been for him. To thank someone he had to save her from. It only caused her to love him more, to fall for him harder.

He stepped to the next stone. To the stone, her mother rested, and he swallowed thickly. A simple nod tipped off his head before he walked back to Amelie. His arms landed across her shoulders, and he dragged her in, kissing the side of her head.

''Thank you,'' She whispered, her nose brushing against his chest. He held her there, waiting for her to feel courage enough to take farewell.

She warily walked up to the stones, whispering to both Aimee and Pansy how much she missed them until she reached her mother's rock. Tears rolled instantly. It wasn't possible to hold them back.

''I'm sorry,'' She drawled the words, ''I'm sorry I couldn't save you.''

Amelie didn't say much more to her mother. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know how to shape the words she meant to form, but her silence spoke loud enough. She was sorry.

She was so sorry that she couldn't save her, but she could never be sorry for saving Theodore.

That boy was the reason she survived all the years she did. She wouldn't have aged a day if it weren't for him keeping her together, and now it was her, keeping him solid.

Amelie stepped to the side, and she kneeled. Her hand placed on the stone as she shut her eyes. Breathing in a heartbreaking breath, ''I miss you.'' She whispered, thinly, ''I know you would never believe me if you were here to hear it, but I do. I do miss you. I miss you so much. I miss how you made Atlas happy. I miss how you loved Teddy, and I miss how you cared for me. I miss the Adrian I knew was hiding in there all along.''

She took another breath, steadier this time, ''I'm sorry that you didn't get to meet Talia.'' Her voice broke at the mention of her daughter, ''She's perfect, Adrian. She's... She's everything. You would've loved her so much.''

Her fingers gently brushed over the stone, ''But I suppose you are here somewhere, watching over us. I hope you are. I hope you see what you did for us. The life you gave us.''

Theodore broke out in a sob behind her, and she was quick to turn around, gesturing with her arms for him to join her, and he did.

Handing Talia over to Draco, the blond settled a comforting hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Theodore caved into Amelie's arms, his head falling to her shoulder as they dropped to the ground.

Draco delayed for a minute, looking at the girl who robbed him of his breath. He wanted to make sure he could go, that she'd be okay without them there, but it wasn't needed. He saw how she hugged her best friend, and he smiled fragility. And then he walked away with their daughter in his arms. Leaving the two twin souls to mourn their own way.

Amelie held Teddy so tightly. Her whole body was in his lap as he hugged her. He kissed her head. He drained her of everything she owned. He needed her so much, so much that it hurt.

Everything hurt.

''I can't do this anymore—'' He sobbed against her. His teeth shattering. His soul shredding to pieces, ''I can't be here. I don't want—''

Amelie nodded, her fingers tangled in his hair, ''I know. I know, Teddy. We'll go. We'll leave.''

"I can't—"

"I know. I know you can't..."

He fell backward after a while, and she slipped down next to him. They stared at the stars as he calmed down. She twisted her wand at Theodore's demand, at the same time he did and the magic rising around them lightened up that little glade. Her birds with his dolphin.

''Only two?'' He looked confused as her patrons flew around them, ''Since when are there two?''

''I don't know....'' She felt an icing feeling tickling within. It made her scared, worried, ''There was four last time.''

''I know...'' His voice troubled, ''I'll have to look into that. It feels like it's counting down for something.''

Amelie peered up at him, her eyes wide, ''What do you think?''

''I have no idea....''

Quietness bothered them again, but not a heavy one. This was needed, so needed.

''Sometimes I just want to run away....''

''Like we said we would? All those years ago?'' Her head on his chest. Her body is on top of his. Their fingers intertwined. She took his pain away, ''Just run and forget everyone?''

''Exactly like that.'' His voice shook, his tone hesitant, ''I wonder what it would be like today if we ran.''

Amelie smiled, ''I think we'd be overseas somewhere, perhaps France? I've always loved France.''

''Italy,'' He murmured, fiddling with her fingers, ''Adrian and I always talked about Italy. Some little small town where I could open a clinic and practice muggle healing.''

It was a feeling in her chest that came with his words. Something she quite didn't know what it meant.

''That sounds nice.''

''It does, doesn't it?''

They laid there for hours. Out in the cold. Underneath the world as they were getting to know it.

_____

That feeling Amelie held within followed her all the way inside. Theodore went to bed. She didn't. She settled down out on the porch, on the stairs leading down to Narcissa's garden. It was far past midnight now. It was cold. Freezing in the early autumn breeze, but somehow she didn't mind it.

It felt good, being out there, breathing the world in.

Her head spun. It spun in circles about the conversation she had with Theodore before he left for bed. She couldn't get it out of her head.

''As your husband, I expect you to be in bed at this hour, Mrs. Malfoy.''

Draco's voice came unexpectedly from the doorway behind her. He'd been standing there for a while, looking at her while she looked at the world. That was what Amelie lived to be to him, his entire world.

''Is that so?'' She rested her chin on her arms as they hugged her knees, ''Well, in this century, the husbands don't get to decide over their wife's.''

''Really?'' Malfoy rose a brow, smirking at the way she'd referred to him as her husband, ''Well, in that case — as your husband, I don't appreciate your best friend trying to hug me in his sleep.''

Amelie laughed out a chuckle, ''He did what?''

''Mhm,'' Draco groaned, walking up beside her and slipping down at the top stair, his legs on each side of her. His arms wrapping around her shoulders, ''I don't have a shirt on, Amelie, because I thought that I could comfort our daughter a bit by letting her be close to me, so imagine my surprise when a strong arm tries to hug me in my sleep.''

Her spine struck his chest, and she leaned back, looking up at the boy her heartbeat for, ''He's a good hugger, so I don't know why you are complaining—''

''Watch it,'' Draco mumbled. He leaned over her, pressing his lips into her forehead, ''That's not happening again, because if it is — I'll kick him out myself.''

''I'm still surprised that you let him sleep with us,'' Amelie smiled, yet she didn't feel too happy, ''It's been months. I didn't think you'd last a week.''

Draco rolled his eyes mockingly, ''I'm not lasting another week, between Talia, Atlas, and Teddy sleeping in our bed. I might go crazy if I don't get you alone anytime soon.''

Her cheeks burnt. Even after everything they'd lived through, he still made her blush, ''Then I guess we have to kick them out sometime soon, don't we?''

''Don't play games with me,'' Draco didn't believe a word she was speaking, ''But I do remember this backyard....'' He drew his tongue over his bottom lip, ''We have great memories out here—''

''Draco—'' She shifted around, her hand struck his shoulder, ''Don't say—''

His arms gripped her body in a swift movement. Before she realized what was occurring, he had her straddling his lap, ''What?'' He grinned, his chest flexed against her shirt, ''I might be both a husband and a father now, Amelie, but with you as my wife—'' His lips caught hers, kissing her slowly, ''Fuck— how can I not remember those times.''

''Draco—'' She breathed, her head falling back as he left soft kisses over her jaw, down her throat, ''We should—''

''Mhm?'' He hummed against her shoulder, his hands moved back and forth over her bare thighs, slipping underneath her skirt as he grasped at her waist, ''What? What should we do, Amelie?''

''We should go inside to our daughter....''

''Our daughter is sleeping.''

''Atlas might wake up.''

''Atlas is eight years old. He can manage an hour without us.''

''An hour?'' Her voice cut him off, making him arch back, ''You think you last an hour?''

''What the hell is that supposed to mean?'' Frowning now, he cocked his head, ''I last more than an hour— don't I?''

"Amelie, don't I?"

Amelie smiled, leaning forward as she pushed her lips to his, ''Maybe... I can't remember.''

''You can't remember—'' He sounded offended at her mockery, ''How can you not remember—''

''I'm joking,'' She chuckled at his change in behavior. Finding her joke funnier than she should've, ''Kick Theo and Atlas out and....''

Amelie slightly inched closer above him, causing him to tense. His jaws gritted, and his sight pierced through hers. Severity tore through his icing eyes, ''Amelie, don't.''

''I'll take care of you for more than an hour—''

''Done.'' He said even before she could finish her sentence. Draco lifted her up with him in a sudden move. Her legs sheeted his waist, ''I'll kick them out right fucking now—''

''Not now,'' She tilted her forehead to his, her hands grasped at his jaws as he carried her towards the door, ''I need to talk to you about something.''

Feeling as his heart dropped, he halted with her in his arms, ''What happened?''

''I need a favor....'' She was scared. He could tell she was, ''I need you to do something for me because I don't know how to do it, and I figure you do—''

''Anything.'' He stated, holding her tighter. He didn't want to let her down. He never had the chance of having her this close anymore. He missed her body against his, ''What do you need?''

''I need you to go to Italy for me.''

_____

She was standing outside the ruins of a house she once cherished. It started there. She and Teddy. They came up with most of their dreams within the walls of that little house, both as children and adults, ever since her mother took her there, together with his father and him. Her Teddy.

Lying on the beach not too far away, they would plot all kinds of plans. From how they could steal money from their parents so they could make it out of England to what sweets they would rob the pantry of. Nothing slipped their minds. They had it all figured out, always. At least so, she thought as she strolled down the overgrown path leading to the lake.

She had a lot of memories from him there too. Amelie adored that beach and the house standing on it. She had bought it for him once. It was the Christmas gift she'd given him. She didn't know how to buy it or from who. She simply donated money to a shelter for homeless wizards and witches after her father's passing, hoping it would cover the fact that she gave that house to Teddy.

Her feet sank in the sand. The wind dragged waves over the lake. It felt like a lifetime ago since she'd last been here. It was a different world now, yet the feeling of that very special place remained the same to her.

Their safe haven, as they used to laugh.

She didn't realize the value of those words until now, hoping that she would be able to come back there after a few years with her own children. A little bit stronger. A little bit wiser. A little less broken. A little bit more. Standing more solid in the sphere.

Talia. Her perfect little heart.

She couldn't help but smile at the thought of it.

Amelie could hear the crackling steps as they rushed up behind her, worry echoed in those steps. She'd caught them so many times before.

''Amelie?''

His voice was soothing yet so heartbreaking. She would miss it. She didn't think she could miss something before it was gone, but she did now. It was possible, and it ached so vividly within her.

''Amelie, what are you doing here? Why would you leave me that note—'' He heaved, catching his breath as he stepped up next to her, ''You scared the life out of me.''

She didn't look at him. She couldn't. It hurt too much. Everything hurt.

''Come with me,'' She whispered in the strokes of wind, reaching for her best friend's hand, and she pulled him with her, ''I need to show you something.''

Theodore frowned, looking around to see if she was playing some sort of tricks on him, but she wasn't. There were only them there. Them. It started with them, alone and confused. It had to end with them too.

She kneeled down where the grass leveled the sand. Once, what felt like another life, they sat exactly there, him and her. The time she realized that she was in love with Draco. Teddy helped her come to that realization. He always helped her, no matter what the cause seemed to be and no matter what prize that came with it.

''Do you remember our first time here?'' She asked, ''When we were kids?''

Theodore hummed, silently to himself as a shy arch grew upon his lips, ''Of course I do. How could I ever forget? It was the best summer of our lives.''

Tears pearled in her eyes, her chest filled with pain, ''Do you remember what I said to you that morning? When we found this beach?''

''I'd do anything for you, Teddy. It's you and me.'' He smiled at the memory. She didn't.

Her head fell to his shoulder. Her knees hugged to her chest, ''I didn't know what that meant until a couple of nights ago,'' Her voice was on the far edge of cracking already, ''I didn't know what I meant with those words. I always knew that I wanted to protect you from everything, but I didn't know what.''

''Amelie?'' His voice was shaking now, ''What do you mean?''

The tears didn't falter as she whispered, ''I know what that means now, Teddy. I know what I meant by that.''

Clearing his throat, he wrapped an arm around her. He brought her even closer, ''And what is that?''

She cried. She cried so quietly. He felt it. He could always feel her, ''I have to let you go.''

It felt like the world stopped spinning. Like the clocks stopped ticking. Like the world wasn't even there anymore. It was fading from underneath them.

''No—''

Theodore stood up, brushing his palms off from the soil they were seated on.

He spun around, looking at her with eyes so blank. Numb. He felt numb.

''I—'' A sob ripped through her vocals. It was hard to breathe, ''I never saw it that way until the night of the funeral. I didn't realize how much this life broke you.''

Theo's jaws clasped together. His skin paled.

''I didn't realize how much I broke you, and I know you'll say that I didn't—'' Amelie stood up now too. Her body matched his. Holding inches away from each other, ''But I did. You gave your whole life to me, Teddy.''

He swallowed so hard. The bitterness in his mouth didn't go away. He swallowed again.

Still there. He tried to swallow a third time, but it was the urge of a cry that pained in the back of his throat—a lump of something so hurtful.

Amelie didn't wipe her tears. She let them fall.

''Ever since we were kids, you set me above everyone else. Your friends, school, your morals and values, your family—''

''You—'' He shattered in a cry, pinching his eyes shut, ''You are my family.''

''I am,'' She nodded slowly. She didn't doubt that for so a second, and he was hers. He'd been her only family, ''And I always will be. I will always be your family, Teddy.''

''Then—'' He stuttered, shaking his head as the messy locks spilled wildly over his forehead, ''Why are you doing this? Why are you saying—''

''Because I can't give you what you deserve. I have tried. I have tried giving you everything, but I only end up hurting you more. I can't see you hurt anymore, Teddy. You don't deserve this life. You deserve so much more than this side of the world can give you.''

He didn't answer to that. Theodore Nott didn't answer because he knew. He knew that somewhere in those words she was speaking, Amelie was right.

The world they were living in, their world had never failed anyone as much as it had failed Teddy.

That wasn't something that couldn't be denied, nothing that could be shoved away and forgotten about.

''I wish I met you in another life,'' Amelie spoke, her eyes crammed with tears. She couldn't stop them, ''I wish you didn't have to go through all of this for me, but you did. You dedicated yourself to me, you sold your soul for me, and I don't know how else to give it back to you.''

Theodore didn't want to listen. He didn't want to hear the words of honesty as they rolled off her tongue. He didn't want to do anything anymore, ''I don't want it back. I don't want it. I want you. I can't live without you.''

''And I can't live without you....'' She whimpered, taking a tripping step forward, and she buried herself into him, ''But it would be selfish of me, so so selfish to keep you here where everything was taken from you. I can't do that to you, Teddy. I can't let you give up the rest of your life for me to be happy when you're not.''

Amelie truly believed that she had felt the worst type of pain in her life. That she'd hurt in all the ways a human can hurt, but nothing could compare to this. Nothing was able to level the ache her heart held at this moment. But she couldn't let him do this.

Theodore Nott had given his life to mend hers. He'd ever so ripped himself to pieces for her to stay intact, and she knew, she knew in the bottom of her heart as it shattered, that he would keep doing it.

Theodore would keep sacrificing himself for her, bend himself inside out for her and her family. Their family. She couldn't let him do that anymore. She couldn't be that selfish. She couldn't keep him fastened with her when she knew that it would drown him. He lost everyone at the expense of her, and she always let him.

She always let him because she loved him too much to let him go. She couldn't imagine a life where he didn't stand next to her, where he wasn't a part of her. And that was where she accepted it, in the most heartbreaking time.

Where she let herself accept the faith as it so clearly glimmered in front of her — she had to let him go.

''I don't want a life without you.'' He placed his chin on the top of her head, ''It's us, no matter what. I promised you that.''

He didn't want to face the truth. It was so bright and so clear. He wouldn't be happy here. He knew he wouldn't, but living a life without her being the biggest part of it would be worse than not being happy again.

He didn't know how to live if he wasn't living for her.

''I know you did, and that's—'' She smiled into the fabric of his shirt. Honey. Teddy always scented like honey. Warm and mild. Kind and loving. Home. He smelled like home, ''That's why I'm setting you free. I don't deserve that promise anymore. You do. You deserve to make that promise to yourself. It's you, Teddy. It's always been you, and it will always be you to me, but to you — to you, it needs to be yourself.''

He sobbed out. The wind stilled around them. It felt like the world was accepting it too. Like the universe was giving them their blessing. Like it knew that he'd served his part. He had fulfilled his duty.

He saved her.

Theodore Nott saved Amelie Avery, and he was free. He earned every last piece of good waiting out there for him.

Theodore Nott had earned his peace.

''I feel like I'm betraying you for even considering this. I feel like I'm—'' He pressed kiss following kiss into her forehead. He held her as he'd never held her before, ''I feel like I'm giving up on you, and that you're giving up on me. Please don't give up on me.''

A bitter curl claimed her lips, and she smiled. Amelie smiled, ''I'm not giving you up, Teddy. I'm setting you free.''

She was. She was letting go of her needs, of her wishes, and of the safest part of herself. She'd do it again, over and over. Amelie would, and she did. All for him. Her Teddy.

It was a moment of silence. A tick of serenity. A minute of ceasefire. It was them. It was calm. It was safe. It was over. They both knew it was, and it was the most bitter yet beautiful moment.

They were letting each other go, slowly and a bit at a time.

For years. For fourteen years, they had held onto each other. They had fought. They had brawled. They had struggled. They had battled. They had lost. They had grieved. They had mourned. They had won. They had conquered. They had saved. They had prized. They had cherished. They had loved.

Never had the world seen a more platonic, ethereal, and beautiful love as the love they shared for the other. It had always been them, and in many ways, it would always be them. Amelie never realized that her heart beat with his too, and his — his beat for her.

''Am I—'' He sniffed, breathing so unsteadily, ''Are they—''

''They are coming, all of them, if you want to see them.''

He shook his head, ''I can't, Amelie. Tell them—'' He swallowed another sob, ''Tell them I love them, please.''

She smiled again. Tears coursed from the brim of her eyes. She knew he'd say that. Amelie knew he couldn't say goodbye to them. It would hurt them all too much. ''I will. I will tell them.''

He nodded, taking a step back, ''Where?'' He wiped the sleeve of his shirt underneath his nose, drawing a hurtful breath, ''Where am I going?''

''There's a ticket and an address in your pocket. You'll find it when I'm gone.'' She said. It hurt to speak, her insides burning, ''Draco got you something... somewhere special.''

Malfoy did. He got Theodore everything money could buy.

He nodded slowly. It didn't feel real to him.

''And I'll check up on you from time to time, make sure you're alright if that's okay?''

He nodded again. He nodded as he looked at her. His beautiful Amelie.

''Just—'' Theodore saw how she brought her wand out, ''Just tell Atlas to choose healing. I've seen what that little boy can do, and he's going to be an excellent student. And make sure Talia doesn't end up too much like Draco. I can see that she's his little girl already and that, Amelie. Let me tell you that won't do anyone any good, and Narcissa. Tell her to water those roses over the winter too. She always complains that they die and she has to plant new ones, but they die because they're too dry. She needs to—''

He blurted, his breathing quickened, ''She needs to water them even when it snows and when it's freezing. And Draco... take care of him, Amelie. Take care of him like you always took care of me, and he'll be alright. He won't think he is, but he will be. ''

She cried out, and for the last time, she crashed right into him. Her body pressed to his, ''I'll tell them, Teddy. I promise—'' Her voice broke. She sobbed and whimpered, ''I'll tell them.''

''And you...'' He was crying too. It was impossible not to, ''You keep on saving the world, Amelie. Save it like you always saved me and let yourself be happy.''

He could barely speak as his palms cupped her jaws, and he bent her face up to look at him, ''You were never cursed, Amelie. You were just finding your way through it all. You were winning, and that's what you did. You won. You fought. We fought, and we won. I know you don't believe me....'' He brushed his nose against the spine of hers, ''But you're everything but cursed.''

''Thanks to you,'' She wept, feeling his thumbs as they dried her tears, ''I love you. I love you so much, Teddy. So much it hurts.''

''Thank you,'' He let his forehead rest against hers, ''Thank you for loving me. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for all the mess and chaos. We had the best time, didn't we?''

She let out a broken laugh. It was bitter. It hurt. It was over, ''We did. We had the best time.''

His lips brushed over her skin, pressing them hard against that little spot between her eyebrows, ''Thank you, Amelie. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being my everything.''

She couldn't breathe. She just cried, her eyes squeezed shut, whispering, "Thank you for giving me this life, for giving me all the good parts of it. You gave your whole life to me, Teddy, and now it's my turn to set you free for the rest of it.''

He kissed her forehead one last time. He lingered. He didn't want to let go. He didn't want to let her go. He had to. He knew he did.

''No one deserves those tears, love. No one. Remember that.'' He kept her there for minutes.

She smiled, remembering the last time he told her that, in his room back at Hogwarts, ''Except you.''

He remembered too, ''Except me then.'' He whispered and closed his eyes, and for a moment, a short one, it felt like that time again.

When it was them, and them only. He and her.

It was time. They knew it was.

Neither of them dared to look. They simply stepped half a foot apart. His hands slipping off her jaws, and he took her hand, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles, ''Do you promise to stay with me forever then?''

''Forever, Teddy.''

She pathed her wand up between them, still holding her fingers tensed around his.

''No matter what?'' He asked.

She opened her eyes, and she smiled at the messy strands of his hair. His tears. Him. She smiled for him, with him, ''No matter what.''

He nodded. He looked to be at peace. He was ready. He smiled.

Amelie put her hand over her mouth to muffle the heartbreaking sounds she let out, and she closed her eyes again, just like he did. Him. Her Teddy. Always her Teddy.

''Obliviate.''

_____

Amelie didn't say a word as she walked her way back to where the cabin once stood. She didn't even know if she breathed the way there. If she blinked. Numb. She was numb. She was numb because her Teddy was free.

''Amelie?''

Draco's voice was the only thing that broke through her trance. Her steps were heavy. Falling. She felt like she was falling, but not in a bad way.

She saw how he called for his mother, handing their daughter over to her, and then he marched towards her.

His arms wrapped around her just as her knees weakened, and he kept her there. Steady. He kept her steady as her world was caving underneath her.

''My beautiful Amelie,'' Draco whispered into her head, holding her so close to his chest. She could feel his heart as it beat, ''I'm so proud of you. You are safe now. You will always be safe with me.''

Her tears stained his shirt, and she looked up at him, ''Promise?''

''I promise. This isn't the end,'' He said, kissing the side of her head, ''We have the world ahead of us.''

She gazed over Atlas, Narcissa, and her daughter. Their daughter. Their reason. Their little girl. Their miracle. Them.

''Really?'' She asked, looking back at him. The tips of her fingers brushed along the curve of his jaw as he cupped her chin.

Oh, how right he was when he said that the world rested on the tips of those adorable fingers. Because there he was, on the tips of them, and she was on the tips of his. Their world. Them. Always.

He kissed her. Draco kissed her slowly, emotionally, and they smiled as the pearls of nature began to pour.

Rain. It was a clear sky. A hopeful one. It was raining.

''Really.''

Bitterly, she held that arched curl on her lips as the rain fell around them because she knew this wasn't just her story. It wasn't her fairytale or her happily ever after.

This belonged to all of them. Amelie, Draco, Teddy, and that was the beautiful piece in the most heartbreaking tell. That they all were a part of everything good in this world.

That the evil faded because they thrived. Never had the sphere seen anything like this, she believed — that more souls but two could be tangled as they were.

All three of them.

Amelie always thought that she was doomed from the beginning. That she was meant to tremble as she fell at the feet of the devil. That her life was meant to be given to the sinners in her life. If she only knew how wrong she was.

How she was always meant to find her peace. Their peace. Their heaven in their very own hell. How the world granted the best to those who earned it. And she did. They all did. They fought their whole lives to be free, and finally — they were.

They won.

She could live in peace now, next to the boy who managed to save her from it all. They ever so tore the world apart to keep each other in pieces.

His Amelie and her Draco.

Some said that Malfoy was menacing, dangerous — but he was her safe. And she — she lived to be his everything.

Amelie indeed lived to be everything but Cursed.

They all did.

The end.

_____

If this is an ending that suits you, then I suggest you leave this book here. <3

The next chapters are the four epilogues, and they will be hurtful. The end of this story might not be for everyone. <3