Title: Trial along the Journey
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 670
DramioneDrabble's Halloween2011 prompt 7: candle, manor, Veela
Notes/Warning: slight violence
Hermione surveyed Malfoy Manor with some pride. The decorations were festive in amber and marmalade colours; gold and silver and crystal glinted from all points in the rooms; her guests were pleasant and having a good time, dressed to the nines in splendid robes. She would never have imagined such a scene belonging to her during her years at Hogwarts, but the years after the war had found them all changed.
She had become interested in Draco when he'd decided to take the Healers' courses during uni. She had watched as he struggled to regain honour for his family name. She had finally helped with his volunteering. They had grown a rapport together, slowly into friends, and even more slowly into courtship. His wit was still impeccable - dry and to the point - but she could handle it, and she gave as good as she got. Not too long ago they had married, which had given the final boost to his social comeback. She didn't mind; she liked the pretty affairs and was glad to be working on something positive to bridge the gap in blood statuses.
Surveying the room once more, she noticed Draco talking to an unknown blonde. The woman was dressed as a white peacock, which would have fit in with their garden, and she was swaying from side to side in time with the music. Draco seemed entranced.
A little too entranced.
Hermione walked over to them. "Excuse me, darling, but I need to have a word with you about the new goblin regulations for Muggle currency exchange, if you don't mind. Draco?"
He wasn't turning to look at her. He wasn't acknowledging her at all. This was completely off.
"Excuse us, miss," she said to their guest, then attempted to pull Draco away.
He fought her. "No, I have to stay here. I need her."
"What you need is a good swift kick in the crotch," Hermione returned, yanking even harder.
"No, he is mine," the woman hissed. She began to dance more seductively, undulating her hips and running her feathers along Draco's skin.
"Oh, no, you don't." She took out her wand and started throwing hexes.
When the first landed, the woman screeched. So did half the women in the room.
Hermione kept pulling her husband back, but she happened to glance around and saw most of the men had starstruck looks on their faces, especially the ones closest to them. Then, she knew … Veela. The creature's appearance changed, her head becoming more bird-like and her body becoming dragon-ish in shape and texture. She looked hideous. The other attendees not under the thing's influence were screaming and running about, upending trays, knocking over candles, trying to pull their partners away, or calling for the Aurors. The party was in a shambles.
With great anger at the chaos, Hermione began firing off more deadly spells. The Veela fought back by flinging fireballs at her. She cast shield charms on herself and Draco, hoping her guests would have enough presence of mind to do the same. The creature shrieked some more. Flames scorched the walls; garlands of autumn flowers toppled everywhere.
Once the Aurors came in and subdued the creature, carting it off to the Ministry's Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Hermione took in the destruction of her home. Most of the physical damage could be fixed, but the overall mood was depressed. What worried her most, however, was the shaken look in Draco's eyes. He looked so guilt ridden, almost the way he had during the war. She dismissed her guests, thanking them for coming and apologising profusely for the interrupted gala. They seemed to understand and not hold it against her, but with Wizarding society, one never knew for sure.
It didn't matter. Now was not the time to worry about such things. Now was the time for cosseting her husband. With any luck, they would be able to put this night behind them and continue their journey forward through life.
A/N: And that concludes this year's Halloween challenge 2011. I hope you liked them all. Thanks for reading!
