The end of the war brought many complications including the punishment of the Death Eaters. The Wizengamot and the Ministry held trials and all the people who had been part of either side of the war were questioned and inspected to prove their innocence or guilt.

Most of the Death Eaters were sentenced to Azkaban for their heinous crimes. The entire Lestrange family including Bellatrix, Lucius Malfoy, Antonin Dolohov, Yaxley, and the Averys were imprisoned for life, although Lucius had the connections that could eventually get him out.

As a former Death Eater and one of Voldemort's special knights before he betrayed him, Regulus was presented before the Wizengamot too. But his services in the Order to bring down Voldemort ensured that he wasn't sentenced to Azkaban.

The day their trial was arranged, the Malfoys were being trialed too. Eleanor caught sight of Narcissa Malfoy, holding young Draco in her arms. Her son was around the same age as Harry, both boys born to opposing households in the war, both facing the worst they could be dealt with.

Narcissa's features were even paler even though she had been pardoned. She never had the Dark Mark nor did she take part in any of the Death Eaters' killing sprees. She was forced to put up with it due to her husband's involvement and the threat to her life.

However, she couldn't plead for her husband's freedom and as a result, her boy would have to grow up labeled as a Death Eater's son. The Malfoys had truly been brought down from their high pedestal after that war ended in the Order's favor.

As the first series of hearings ended and people began to disperse, Eleanor couldn't help but follow Narcissa as she wanted to talk to her.

"Narcissa, wait!"

The woman paused, surprised that someone had called her. She turned to see Eleanor who had just caught up with her. Her eyes widened in surprise as she took in the young woman standing before her, the same woman she had helped escape from the Dark lord's clutches.

Her cousin Regulus was close behind her and seeing both of them safe and together left an inexplicable feeling in her heart. They were together but her husband was in chains, disgraced, and imprisoned in Azkaban for life most probably.

"Eleanor Troy," the name escaped her lips, and her eyes flickered to Regulus then looked back at her, "I hadn't expected to see you here."

"I'm sorry," Eleanor reached out and held her arms gently which surprised Narcissa further but she didn't pull apart. "I wanted to testify for your family but Professor Dumbledore refused. He said Mister Malfoy would have to face whatever the Wizengamot decided nevertheless."

"It's alright, dear, I know that," she kept her voice low as she didn't want their conversation to be overheard, "My husband chose his side and played his role. It would have been easier if he was let off but I won't stand in the way of justice. Neither should you."

Eleanor's gaze traveled to the one-year-old in Narcissa's arms, his platinum blonde hair and tight little frown making him look like a miniature version of Lucius Malfoy. However, his eyes were the same shade as Narcissa's; a light gentle grey that rendered an innocence to his features.

"His name is Draco," Narcissa remarked, and Eleanor looked up at her again.

"He's the same age as Harry," she pointed out and Narcissa nodded.

"Yes, he is," she replied, "I heard you and Regulus have adopted him."

"Yes. He is with Andromeda right now, her daughter adores him."

"Andy..." Narcissa closed her eyes briefly, reminded of her sister who had been disowned after she married a Muggleborn. She hadn't seen her since. "I hope she's doing well."

She felt the pain behind her words and knew how much it would have hurt her because she hadn't forgotten the pain of losing her sister before she time-traveled.

"Cissy," her voice was soft as she placed her hand gently on her arm again, calling her by the name she had told her to address her with affectionately. "You are not alone. We are here for you."

She blinked away the tears that were forming in her eyes. After the war, even the Malfoys' closest friends had turned them out because they had been disgraced. Yet Eleanor and Regulus were offering to stand with her even then.

"I... I appreciate that very much. I will come to Grimmauld Place soon, I must go now," her voice felt choked and she left shortly after because she could no longer control her tears. Narcissa didn't want to appear weak but she couldn't help it after receiving kindness from an unexpected place.

Regulus gently touched Elle's shoulder, indicating that they had to leave too. "We must go too, Elle. Harry will be waiting."

They left the Ministry, her hand linked through his arm, their retreating figures were a testament to all those who were recuperating from the war. Regulus and Eleanor were a couple that had been broken by the war to an unimaginable extent, suffering fates that were far worse than death. Yet they had found support in each other and were willing to rebuild their lives again, no matter how long it took.

They had taken the first steps already on that long journey of healing and were optimistic for the future that was gradually starting to light up for them.

***

Harry James Potter was a very peaceful child as he seldom gave any trouble to his adoptive parents. His addition to Reg and Elle's lives had made all the difference, giving them a strong incentive to move on and start afresh after the war.

He took some time to adjust with them though as he could no longer see the faces of his mother and father. But the familiar features of Remus and Regulus eventually filled up that void. He was too young to remember that night when his parents had been murdered and his memories were being formed with the people he was surrounded by currently.

So the first year with Harry flew away with all of them slowly adjusting to their new normal. They shifted to Grimmauld Place which had legally passed down to Regulus as the Head of the House of Black after Walburga and Orion's passing. Although the house held bitter memories of their past, Harry's presence helped them overcome it.

Thrust into parenthood without any experience, each day brought new challenges but the young couple was intent on passing every test and proving that the decision to place Harry in their care wasn't wrong.

Eleanor had put the soon-to-be two-year-old to sleep in the cot they kept in their room. Making sure that he was comfortable, she returned to the bed where Regulus was reading a book. Their life together was very much like any other married couple though the big difference was that in taking care of all their responsibilities, they had forgotten to tie the knot.

It seemed they had moved ahead and no one questioned it either. 

As she snuggled closer to Regulus, he placed his arm around her and turned to kiss her forehead gently. They were both tired from the day's tasks and needed rest.

However, Eleanor recalled that she had something very important to tell Reg. "I got Esme's letter today and she had news."

He straightened, realizing she had left the sentence incomplete intentionally. That news must be something that required his full attention. "Oh, how is she and what news does she have?"

"She's doing well and said she would come to stay with us for the weekend..." 

However, Reg knew better that the weekend visit wasn't the only thing she had told her. And he was right.

"Remus finally proposed to her."

There it was, the big news that had made Elle's green eyes light up and Regulus smiled to see her as such.

"He did? I was wondering when he would stop doubting himself and do it," Reg remarked.

"Yes, she was quite excited too and said yes immediately," she relaxed, resting her head back on his arm, "I am so happy for them."

He hummed in reply, looking down at the beautiful woman beside him who he loved with his whole heart and soul. Just as he was looking at her, realization dawned upon him and he let out an unexpected chuckle.

Eleanor opened her eyes and was surprised to see him laughing lightly. It had been long since she had heard that sound but it seemed he had just thought of something quite amusing.

"What's on your mind, Reg? I didn't make any funny faces just now..."

"It's not you, it's... Well, I just realized that in getting our lives back on track, we forgot the most important thing," he replied, his eyes softening to see her still trying to remember what he was talking about.

Indeed, all their responsibilities had clouded them so much that it slipped their minds. If Reg hadn't heard about Esme and Rem's engagement, perhaps he would never have recalled it either.

"We forgot to get married, Elle," he breathed and the surprise on her face morphed into an expression of disbelief.

"Oh... We did... How could we forget that?"

It felt somewhat funny that even though they had been engaged for such a long time, they had skipped the marriage part and started a family together. 

She laughed as well, leaning closer to kiss him delicately. His hands had fastened on her waist, holding her securely in his arms in a silent promise never to let go of her, no matter what life held in store for them.

"So, when should we get married then?" She asked as she gently broke off the kiss, her lips still lingering close for them to bridge that gap again.

"Whenever you want," he replied, "although I would never take away the spotlight from Rem and your sister. Let them get married first."

"As you wish."

She rested her forehead against his, her hands cupping his face tenderly. She was finally with the man she loved, held in his loving embrace, and safe from the terrors of war.

All her painstaking efforts in her life and in the paradoxical time loop had finally paid off. They were together and nothing could tear them apart.

Especially not Tom Riddle or rather Lord Voldemort who had met the fate he deserved for his vile crimes and his neverending greed for power.

***