Ch 21: Preparations

"I like the kind of people that get excited over the stars at night." - Unknown

000

(1 week later)

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"I vish I could stay to zee your dress," Lillion sighed as she folded her last garment. "But I vill vait for zee vedding."

"We may not find it today," Hermione pointed out. "You know how picky Narcissa is."

"But it is your choice, ja? Vill you not pick your own dress?"

Hermione grinned. "I will, if I'm allowed."

Lillion smiled back. She had seen firsthand how determined Narcissa was in making this wedding one for the books. Patting Hermione's hand, she closed her suitcase and said, "Zen I hope you both agree on zee zame von."

"You and me both."

Pulling her suitcase off the bed, Lillion looked around at the room she'd occupied during her stay at Malfoy Manor. "I shall miss zis place…...but it is time I go home. Zat is vere I belong."

Hermione felt sorry for the witch. She had been a witness to the pitiful good-bye she had given Harry. Right before the men had left to do a little practice shooting for their upcoming hunt, she had said her farewells to them. To Draco and Lucius she'd given her hand and a promise that she would be back for the wedding. But when she came to Harry, Lillion's stiff upper lip crumbled. Hurling herself into his arms, she'd cried into his neck and whispered, "I shall miss you zo much!" Harry had awkwardly patted her on the back and had given her a brotherly kiss on the cheek. Slowly letting go of him, Lillion had tried to smile, but it had come out more as a grimace.

Hermione looked at the sad lines still etched on the girl's brow. Letting her compassion guide her actions, she put her arm around the girl's slight shoulders and gave them a squeeze. "I can write to you, if you want me to. Keep you up on everything Harry's doing."

Lillion turned her golden eyes to Hermione's brown ones. "I thank you, but I vish it not. Vat vould be zee point? To him I am die Nichtigkeit. Nothingness."

"Oh Lillion, that's not true….it's just that…"

Lillion interrupted Hermione. "I am not zee brightest vitch...zat I know….but still, I can zee ven a man vants another."

Hermione sighed. "I'm afraid that ship sailed without Harry on board. Ginny is promised to Theo."

"Ja, I know dis. Harry's mind knows dis. But his heart?" She shook her head. "His heart does not."

Hermione nodded, knowing that Lillion had the right of it. The naïve girl before her who had come to the Manor untouched by sorrow was leaving with her first taste of a broken heart.

She would return to Austria a sadder but wiser witch.

000

After the Blumenthals had flooed back to Austria, Narcissa, Hermione and Ginny made ready to go to a magical fashion house in Britain to pick out a wedding dress for Hermione. They had asked Mrs. Granger to come with them but she'd declined. Apparently, the Grangers wanted nothing further to do with the wizarding world, including their daughter, who against their expressed wishes was marrying into the most notorious wizarding family in England. When Narcissa had heard about the ultimatum they'd given Hermione, namely choosing either them or Draco, she'd seen red. It took Lucius putting her into a temporary body bind to keep her from seeking retribution the same way she had with Rita Skeeter's predecessor, renown gossip columnist Ila Reillumup. After that woman had unwisely written a scathing diatribe against the source of the Malfoy wealth (calling into question the legality of the many family business ventures), Narcissa had turned the unsuspecting witch into a naked mole rat and had given her as a gift to a lonely widowed witch who lived in the Swiss Alps along with her twenty-odd cats. It was perhaps rather wicked for Narcissa to transform the cold-natured reporter into an animal with no fur who would be spending an enormity of time in the snow…..unless poor Ila wanted to try her luck inside the chalet with the cats. During her absence, no one bothered to ask about poor reporter; in fact, most had breathed a sigh of relief that she was gone. Two years later she re-appeared, only to retire from the paper. Rumor had her moving with her canary and greyhound dog to equatorial Africa in the Congo. Nothing else was ever heard about her except a tidbit where it was said she'd developed a deep hatred for cats, but often befriended stray field mice.

Luckily for the Grangers, Narcissa had listened to her husband when he said to hurt the Grangers would be to hurt Hermione, who in spite of it all, still loved her parents. The best way to get revenge would be to leak news of the wedding to muggle society papers. Acquaintances of Hermione's family would naturally ask her parents about their daughter's auspicious marriage to a Lord, the son of the Duke of Wiltshire. And what could they say other than to admit they'd chosen not to attend? That they didn't support the marriage? They themselves would cause the downfall of their own social standing. The more Lucius talked, the more devilish Narcissa's smile became. At the end she thanked her husband for his good sense, but told him she could take it from there. She knew just what to do.

000

House of Branwen had a sister store in Milan, but the original was located in Notting Hill. It was the shoppe where England's most celebrated designers crafted their magic. Narcissa made sure they chose a time to go there when they would be seen by the most people.

"A wizarding store….. in Muggle London?," asked Hermione with a skeptical expression on her face.

"You'll find this one is special. It panders only to the upper crust," explained Narcissa. "Very limited clientele. But that said, as long as one is recognized as peerage, magical or muggle doesn't matter."

"Ugh," grimaced Ginny. "Stuck-up, snobby little shop filled with stuck-up, snobby people. This is going to be such fun."

Narcissa gave her a pointed look. "You are marrying Theodore Nott, my dear girl. You will be a part of this stuck-up, snobby circle whether you want to be or not."

Hoping to stop the comeback she could anticipate brewing in Ginny's mind, Hermione said, "Still….I'm surprised. Purebloods frequenting a store that serves Muggles?"

Narcissa looked a little shamefaced. "Yes, well. Personal prejudices have always been conveniently swept to the side when it suited one's purposes. Shopping with muggle aristocracy was always considered an acceptable compromise."

Standing behind Narcissa, Ginny could be seen rolling her eyes at that comment.

Ignoring her friend, Hermione asked, "But the designers….they are magical, correct?"

"Of course. But don't worry, my dove. I've already owled ahead and secured Adair O'Tierney as your designer."

Hearing that, Ginny quit making faces; instead, her eyes grew as big as saucers. "Adair? The Adair?"

Narcissa's eyes twinkled, amused at the gobsmacked expression on Ginny's face. "Yes, dear. She will be meeting with us today. And she will also be designing your bridesmaid dress. Did I not tell you that?"

Ginny slowly shook her head.

"Oh? Well, now you know. Is that all settled? We really should be leaving. You know how these creative types are….a bit high strung. Best not to keep Adair waiting. Don't want to start out on the wrong foot."

As the younger witches each took a hand of Narcissa's to side apparate, Ginny whispered to Hermione, "Can you believe it? Adair!"

000

Ginny kept up a steady stream of talking in italics and exclamation marks once they arrived at the boutique. On a continual rotation was "Oh...my! although Dear Merlin! was a close second. Beside her, Hermione was silent. Unlike Ginny, she had often shopped with her mother in the more upscale stores of London. Although not titled like the Malfoys, the Grangers were wealthy and could boast of a prestigious background with ties to several French families of pharmaceutical fame. That had meant nothing to Ginny, but Narcissa had been quite impressed with that fact when she'd first been told it. It was a fact she now fully intended to exploit when she made the Grangers rue their choices with their daughter.

"What do you think of this one?" Narcissa asked Hermione. She was holding up a princess gown eerily reminiscent of Princess Diana's wedding dress, the only difference was this one was a deep crimson red.

Hermione made a face. "Oh, please…..no. It's just too much. And besides, I would feel lost in that much fabric."

"As well as look like a walking tomato in all that red," Ginny sniggered.

Narcissa felt she might be in for a headache that afternoon thanks to Ginny's continual quips, but she only said, "Alright. Well….what about this one?"

Tired already, Hermione shook her head. Narcissa seemed determined to look at every available dress the store had while Hermione's measurements were being taken.

Nearby, Adair was listening quietly to the exchange as she studied Hermione. The fiancee of Draco Malfoy had rare qualities. There was something about her that was beguiling….a mysterious aura that enveloped the otherwise modern young woman. Adair was very much impressed. She didn't know how a muggleborn's magic could feel so old and established. Hermione had a positively irresistible charm! No premade dress would match this witch. A gown as unique as the girl would be needed.

000

"I don't care. I'm not going to wear that lace. It's too itchy! I don't want to spend the entire wedding ceremony scratching at myself like a monkey," Hermione complained.

"Oh….you mean like a wild monkey?" grinned Ginny mischievously, "scratching those urges?"

Hermione gave her friend a glare that clearly said, Shut up.

Taking the hint, the redhead turned her attention over to the emerald green velveteen cloak hanging up. Ginny hummed in approval as ran her hand over the soft luxurious fabric. It had been decided that Hermione would need something warm to wear on the traditional trek to the heart of the grove where the bonding would take place. Adair declared a wedding dress would not be warm enough for a crisp Halloween night. Hermione had taken one look at the rich green fabric and had fallen in love with it. She knew Draco would appreciate the color and what it would represent seeing her coming to him in it. Now they were deciding on the right color of material and lace for the bridal gown.

Beside the cloak, the beginnings of Ginny's bridesmaid dress hung. The underlying material was a soft pink, but Adair planned for most of it to be covered by amethyst crystals that would catch the moonglow. Ginny adored her dress. The color was perfect on her, closely resembling the flowers of Theo's mum's favorite bush. She couldn't wait for him to see her in it.

"What about this?" asked Hermione, interrupting Ginny's thoughts about her fiance's reaction to her dress. She held up a sateen material with a hand-painted depiction of the moon and stars on the border. In the middle of the material was a painting of the tree of life.

Ginny made a face and said, "Seriously? You'd look like an art project, 'Mione."

Narcissa tried for diplomacy. "It's unusual….but a little too…"

"Juvenile, " said Adair.

"I'm sorry dear….but I think Adair is right," said Narcissa. "At least for this occasion."

Hermione pouted. She had liked it, mainly because the soft material had felt good to her pinched and poked skin. "But it's….so soft."

Seeing Hermione's fallen features, Narcissa suggested, "I'm sure Adair wouldn't mind making up a sweet day dress with this material...perhaps something you could wear on your honeymoon?"

Hearing the word 'honeymoon', Ginny couldn't resist an opportunity to tease. Holding up some material for Hermione to inspect, she asked, "How about this? It's good and Halloweeny." She held in her hands a bolt of see-through black fabric with appliqued red bats and pink witches' hats.

"For heaven's sake, child," groaned Narcissa. "Put that away."

Hermione giggled. "Where did you find it?" she asked Ginny.

The younger witch pointed to the back wall. "Over there in the costume section." Seeing Hermione's raised brows, she said, "What? I was bored earlier. Anyway, I bet Draco would like it," she grinned evilly as she held up her hand behind the material to demonstrate its sheerness.

Hermione quickly turned back around, her face a brilliant shade of red.

"This is a love of a color, daughter," cooed Narcissa, as she determinedly ignored the risque nylon Ginny was displaying and instead held up a bolt of rich fabric for Hermione to look at. "Let's see it against you." Sure enough, the pale blue marvelously highlighted Hermione's coloring. But the heavy silk brocade was not what Hermione had wanted for her special day.

"It does look good on you," encouraged Ginny.

Adair looked on approvingly until she saw the glimmer of an angry tear threatening to fall from Hermione's eye.

"You don't like it, do you?" she asked her.

Hermione bit her lip, trying desperately not to become a bridezilla. She was so tired, already being fed up with the decorations and the tastings and the guest lists and everything that apparently one had to go through to marry a Malfoy.

"It's just….I had wanted something….different. Something extraordinary. Something that would make me feel beautiful. But...all this….," she motioned with her hand, "is making me feel like a trussed up Christmas goose. It's just not me!"

Adair took her hand. "May I?" she asked as she held up her wand. At first, Hermione didn't understand, until Adair pointed to her temple. Then she knew what the designer was wanting to do was to use legilimency to see into her mind as to what her dream dress was. As soon as Hermione nodded her permission, Adair gave her wand a flick. For a few minutes Ginny and Narcissa watched as the two in front of them appeared to be having a staring contest. Then Adair withdrew from Hermione's mind.

"I have just the thing," she gushed as she went into the back of the store to pull a bolt of material out of their couture line. "This shade will be divine with your skin tone," she assured the hesitant bride-to-be.

All three witches gasped when they viewed the pale taupe blush of the soft clingy material. With her wand, Adair lifted the material from the bolt and then twisted it into the form-fitting gown of Hermione's imagination.

"How exquisite," Narcissa uttered in a reverent tone.

"Is this what you wanted, 'Mione?" Ginny asked. She didn't want to give her opinion this time until she found out what her friend thought about Adair's interpretation of her mental image.

Hermione touched the material hovering in front of her. "It's….it's magic," she finally declared.

Adair smiled approvingly. "That it is."

Ginny gave her friend a thumbs up.

The wedding dress finally decided, Narcissa moved back over to the settee to take a sip of her now cold tea.

"Thank you, Merlin," she whispered under her breath as she stealthily slipped her feet from her high heeled, pointed-toe pumps. She hadn't known how much longer she could have taken standing in them.

000

"So...are there any rules to the game?" asked Ron as he leaned against the big oak tree. He and Harry were with Lucius as they waited for Draco to join them.

"Try to hit the bullseye….that's it," said the older man.

"Huh….if that's all...then this won't take long. Right mate?" he looked to Harry for confirmation.

"Eh….I don't know Ron. I think there's a bit more to it than that."

"Oh come off it. Even Auntie Muriel could hit a bullseye with her wand and she's 115 years old with cataracts in both eyes."

Lucius chuckled at the Weasley lad. He knew Ron's great aunt; she'd been a formidable witch in her day; and in spite of her current eyesight, could probably still outshoot the lot of them. He looked up when he heard footsteps approaching. Draco was not alone. Theo Nott was helping him bring the targets they would be using for their practice.

"Finally," said Ron in a teasing tone. "The swot and the snot have arrived."

Harry broke out in laughter at the familiar jibe. Draco laid the targets on the ground and promptly thumped Ron on his ear. "Can't you think of anything original? That's the same thing you called me and Hermione the last time we saw you." Turning back around to a still-giggling Harry he grumbled, "And thanks for the support, brother."

Laughing, Ron reached over to muss Draco's hair. "I could be your brother instead."

"Stop! Merlin, you're aggravating!"

"You say that as if it's a surprise to you."

"Obnoxious Orangutan."

"Pretentious Prig. Are we done trading insults now? You're making me snub my future brother-in-law." Giving Theo a hearty clap on the back, Ron said, "Now Theo-dorable here is just as much a swot as 'Mione."

"Would you please quit calling me that?" Theo grumbled.

Ron grinned. It was plain to see the influence the twins had on him. "Not likely to happen, mate."

Harry tried to hide his grin seeing Draco trying to pat his hair back down. "Better stop Ron, before they decide to use you instead of the targets."

Ron promptly put his long arms around the shoulders of both Slytherins. "Aw, I was just teasing. How about we kiss and make up?"

Lucius shook his head at the irrepressible redhead, It made him glad he hadn't had another son before Harry. Stepping into the pause, he said, "I believe it's time we start, lads. Draco, do you want to show the others how the targets work?"

In response to his father's request, Draco levitated one of the circular targets. Immediately, it began to hover in the air. A spiral was whirling on its front; within that dizzying spiral, a red bullseye rode the revolving circles, hopping randomly back and forth from an outer ring to an inner ring.

"Ah, now I see. Excellent!" said Ron approvingly. "The sneaky little buggers don't want to be hit!"

They all took turns seeing who could hit the moving bullseye first. They started up close, but in the end they were over thirty meters away from the bobbing little target. Then they tried multiple targets at a time.

"Oho! Did you see that? I hit two with one shot!" Ron crowed.

"Well, even a blind pig finds an acorn once in awhile," said Theo. Beside him, the others laughed at Ron's expression at being compared to a pig.

Right before dusk, the tired wizards decided to call it a day.

"Well, men….I believe Harry put us all to shame," said Lucius as he sat down on a fallen log, finally resting after an afternoon filled with shooting and good-natured teasing. Pulling out a silver flask from a pocket within his robes, he took a sip and offered some to the young wizards.

"No...I believe I'll pass," Draco declined. Offering it next to Harry, he declined as well. But Ron and Theo each took a turn with the container.

"I do love a good whiskey," murmured Theo after a pull at the bottle. "Ogden's Special Reserve?"

Lucius shook his head. "Too strong for the season. You want it in midwinter. This is from Thornberry's collection. Bramblebury Brandy. Just the thing for an autumn afternoon."

Ron held the liquor against the roof of his mouth to savor the flavor. A distinct taste of apples with an undercurrent of maple pudding gave the drink a smooth, almost sweet taste. Swallowing, he smacked his lips in appreciation.

"More?" asked Lucius. Theo shook his head, but Ron nodded, smiling.

"Do you drink often, Nott?" Harry suddenly asked.

"Harry," Draco hissed reprovingly.

Theo's brow rose at Potter's abrupt and somewhat rude question. "No more than any other man," he replied evenly. "Why?"

Harry's eyes shifted down to the forest floor. "I used to. More than I should. I told myself it was to give myself a respite….a little escape from the constant pressure I was under." Looking back up, Harry admitted, "But after a while, it became more. I started liking it too much. It….it…"

"Harry….you don't have to..." began Ron, suddenly serious.

"No, Ron. Let me say it," he pleaded. Looking into Theo's steady blue eyes, he said, "I put Ginny through too much. She saw me drunk. Too many times. It was wrong. She didn't deserve that from me." Looking down again at the leaf-covered ground, Harry muttered, "And she doesn't deserve it from you, either. That's all."

Theo was silent. He knew it took a lot of guts for Harry to confess that to him. "No, she doesn't," he agreed. "Potter….er, Harry," at this the raven-haired boy looked up. "I...I promise you. I will show Ginny proper respect."

"He will Harry," Ron said gently. "I've seen him. He treats her like a bloody queen."

"Good."

In the pause after Harry's comment, Lucius said, "It will be nightfall soon. Shall we see if the ladies have made it back?" He slowly rose from his position on the log and said, "Harry? Coming, my boy?"

"Er...you all go ahead. I think I'll stay out and see the first stars." There was no way Harry wanted to be in the Manor to watch Ginny and Theo together.

"I'll stay with you, Harry," said Draco.

"No, please go. Hermione will be upset if you're not there."

"But I don't want you to be alone...She'll understand."

Ron snorted at that. "Are we talking about the same witch I know? Go on, Bridegroom. I'll stay with Harry," he volunteered. Sitting down beside Harry, he said, "It'll be just like old times, eh Mate?"

Harry picked up an walnut lying beside him on the grass and threw it as far as he could. Satisfied with the distance, he answered, "Yeah. Just like old times.'

000

AN: Thanks to the wonderful daswhoiam for sharing with me the star quote for this chapter. This chapter was a simple one, but I felt it was needed to show plot progression of plans, relationships, etc.

Narcissa is a woman to be feared! Don't mess with those she loves. Daddy Nott, are you listening? Speaking of, I know I said Terrell Nott would make an appearance in this chapter, but I felt like I needed to end this where I did. Next chapter will definitely show him spinning his webs.

Also, I wanted to drive home a theme that the Weasley children are all jolly at heart, not just the twins. Ron's still the strong wholesome character I showed in the earlier chapters, but now that the burden of Harry's welfare has been lifted off his shoulders, his fun-loving side is more apparent.
PS: did you notice Ginny being more lighthearted in this chapter? The burden of Harry is off her, too. She's still a bit immature in some ways...but she's growing. And...I think Theo may be good for her. What do you think?

I read on a mythology site that Branwen is the name for the Irish goddess of love and beauty.

All the dresses Hermione tried on are on my Pinterest board, Starlight. You can find Ginny's and Narcissa's dresses there, too. Special thanks goes to fashionistas daswhoiam and JuliSt for giving me their opinion and insight regarding Hermione's, Narcissa's and Ginny's gowns. I know there are probably many words I could have used to describe these dresses, but honestly? I have no clue what they would be. (I don't speak fashion) LOL
So, thank you, thank you Juli, my sweet fellow beta-buddy and D-girl, my Star Trek Next Gen sister. I love you both!