Dress Shock
AUTHOR: Jazz E. Roisin
AUTHOR WRTTTEN FOR:Her-My-Oh-Knee
PAIRING: Luna Lovegood/Neville Longbottom
SUMMARY: When Ginny came to her with light in her eyes, after so many months of mourning Harry's death, Hermione couldn't turn her down when it came to one simple request. Now, as everyone prepared for the wedding, both Hermione and Mrs. Weasley have come to check on the bridal party. What will Mrs. Weasley's reaction be to Hannah Abbot's clear show of patriotism.
There were precautions they had to take. Nobody was fooled by the sense of security they had gained in the past few months. Despite the fact that not one Death Eater could physically harm them, thanks to Harry's sacrifice, using the ancient Amie/Amor Enchantment. In return for his admission of love Harry had died leaving them in a world of chaos and corruption. Order of the Phoenix members had been forced underground, and many of the students who had taken part in Dumbledore's Army were on a black list.
Not only that, but when Ginny had come to her, a radiant gleam in her brown eyes, one Hermione had missed every since Harry's death, and asked her to find a church, Hermione had submitted. It was nearly impossible to find a fully functional underground Seminary that would still magically bind couples together. The best Hermione could find for this day had been Saint Adelaide's Perish. It had taken pleading, and several Unbreakable Vows for secrecy, before Father Taylor had been willing to lend his sanctuary. It had taken even more work for Hermione to convince Pastor Emerson, a female pastor in her community to agree to bind them using Muggle traditions as well. Now, Hermione stood outside the Bridal Suite peeking through the door.
Although Luna's back was to her, Hermione could see her reflection in all three floor -to -ceiling mirrors. Her platinum hair cascaded down her back in waves. Woven into the curls were strands of gold tinsel that sparkled as the light hit them. Her face was framed by loose curls that sparkled with fairy dust, and the elfin made tiara in her hair seemed to reflect the light into shards of rainbows. From this distance her dress looked perfect, a combination of crème satin and lace. The style was quite interesting to Hermione. The skirt flowed like ocean waves, the lace sewed amongst the curves like foam. The skirt itself hovered just above her ankles. A thin wire, barely visible to the human eyes was tied around each ankle, and on this wire were glass bells. When Luna moved, turning slightly to look at herself from another angle the bells tinkled reminding Hermione of rain.
She had been so wrapped up in admiring Luna's dress that she hadn't noticed the bride was looking straight at her. Luna stepped gingerly of the platform, her silver shoes catching the light, or rather the fairy dust on them sparkling. "Hermione," she said in her soft airy voice, "thank you so much for finding this chapel."
Luna reached for the door handle pulling it open. She clapsed Hermione's hands in her own pulling her into a hug. That's when Hermione noticed the detail of the dress, the part she had missed from a distance. When they separated she looked over Luna's shoulder to see Ginny.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Ginny asked a gleam in her eyes. "I thought she picked a really unique design."
Hermione tried to suppress a nervous laugh. It was true that the dress fit Luna's body and personality perfectly. But Hermione's logic told her that the dress should be all white, not crème. When she thought about it, she did have to give Luna some props. The dress, like her tiara, was elvin made, which meant that the thread used to make the stars and stripes of the American flag, thirteen stars, Hermione noticed on closer inspection, and the noble cross and Union Jack of the British flag gleamed crème from a distance, hiding the intricate hand stitched patterns. It was only up close that someone would notice the colors of the flag patterns.
"It certainly is," she replied. "I was just coming to make sure that both of you know the defense spells we worked on."
Both women nodded. "It's so sad," Luna said. "that we can't even have a wedding without fear. But no worries I'm sure the Pugglewees and Nargles will stay away."
Ginny smiled at Luna. "And I'm sure that this will be one of the most memorable weddings. I wanted to thank you for tailoring this dress."
Luna was about to answer when a frazzled looking Molly bustled into the bridal room. She glanced at Hermione a grateful smile coming onto her face. "Thank you dear, this really is kind of you."
Hermione nodded, "It was the least I could do, after all Ginny refused to let the subject drop."
"That's the Weasley attitude," Molly said proudly.
She turned to take in her daughter and her mouth dropped open. She had seen Ginny in many dresses, but this one had to be the most stunning. She wore a silver pendant around her neck, which was held in place by a bright red ribbon that matched the dress. The dress itself had one strap, which angled down from her left shoulder , allowing for Ginny's other shoulder and neck line to be exposed. Lightly dusting her open skin was fairy dust which sparkled throwing the light in every direction. The skirt reached the floor in a flowing pattern of fish scales, and at each juncture the dresses skirt formed layers, which were sewn together with lace. She looked like a sea goddess in her firely glory, with small glass sea horse figurines woven into her hair. As Luna had, there were small wires wrapped around her ankles with bells on them.
"You look beautiful dear," she said. She gave her a small hug before turning to face Luna.
"Mrs. Wealey," Luna said. "I wanted to thank you for giving my father and I a home after ours was destroyed, we appreciate the kindness very much."
"Oh dear," Molly said. "You are nearly of age now, call me Molly." Privately, Molly thought that it was such as shame the girl's sixth year had been cut short, and that Hogwarts had fallen, giving Luna, and so many witches and wizards her age, marriage as the only way to secure a somewhat safe cushion. But it was at least comforting to know that she had chosen Neville. It made Molly feel less worried. She was about to hug her, and say how much Luna had grown, when she noticed that Hannah Abbot stood behind her. Molly had known about Luna's dress, so the flag patterns did not startle her. But she had not expected Hannah Abbot's ensemble to be so patriotic to say the least.
"Merlin's toe what are you wearing?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
Her outburst caused Ginny to blush. "Mum, that's her bride's maid's dress. I know that it's a little, shocking…but still."
Mrs. Weasley nodded. Hannah's dress was quite plain in design, with an empire waist and a skirt much the same as Ginny's. However, the dress was an old hand stitched British flag, the only color showing in it was the red. Mrs. Weasley shook her head.
"Well Hermione, we should be getting out into the audience, after all your are going to sing "Beautiful Soul." With that Hermione and Molly left the room.
After they were gone Luna said, "Oh, wouldn't you know it. Right before I am to walk down the isle I get nervous."
"Don't worry," Ginny and Hannah said, "it will be fine. You look amazing."
And with those words Hannah led the way as they began their procession down the isle.