A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Writing Club December

Amber's Attic: 24 - Propaghandi: Write about someone involved in social justice

Angel's Archives: 8 - Vanilla Cream Pie - (spell) Lumos

Winter Funfair

Southern Funfair – Magical Mistletoe – Hermione/Astoria

Eastern Funfair – Snow art: brown - Snowed In (Or by other stormy means), Pink - Falling to the ground, blue – Embarrassed

Word Count: 1413

The blizzard raged outside, shaking the windows of Malfoy Manor. Hermione paused in the doorway. She'd come to do an interview with Draco about the treatment of former Death Eaters after the war. The ministry had chosen her to conduct the interview because she was the best, despite the past between her and Draco. The windows shook again.

"I'm sorry you came all this way, Miss Granger. Draco's out at the moment," Astoria stated glancing out at the blizzard raging outside.

"Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about him?"

"I don't see why not. Why don't we take a seat in the living room? Would you like some tea?"

"I would love some," Hermione agreed. Astoria nodded and summoned an elf. "I know you don't approve of them, but they do make life a bit easier sometimes," she stated.

"It's not I don't approve of the elves themselves, it's the way they're treated. They're like slaves."

"Some are, yes, but ours, well, you made an impression on Draco, Miss Granger. Our elves are freed, but stay and serve of their own accord. They can leave any time. They still won't take any kind of payment, but instead earn points."

"What do the points get?"

"Choices of chores, bedding, clothing if they want it. Since it's not payment they're much more open to the idea," Astoria said with a shrug. Hermione smiled.

"That's very interesting, and please, call me Hermione."

"Very well, you may call me Astoria, Lady Malfoy does get to be a bit much. That storm is picking up," Astoria stated nodding to the window. Hermione looked. It was snowing so hard she could see nothing but white.

"It is. Now, I know things have been difficult since the war."

"A bit, to be honest. I never was on either side. Draco was forced into that life. He's not like that."

"He was a bit of a bully in school," Hermione reminded her.

"We were all a bit something in school, I seem to remember you being a know it all teacher's pet, now look at you. You work for the ministry, are trying to make sure people get fair trials and since you're here about Draco, I'm guessing you're trying to help him too?"

"Yes, I am. I just want to make sure that he's being treated fairly."

"Good," Astoria stated as the lights went out. Hermione blinked and looked at her host.

"The storm?"

"It must be. I've never known a storm to this though," Astoria whispered calling an elf. "Go see what's wrong with the lights, please."

"Yes, Lady Malfoy," the elf stated disappearing. Astoria glanced around the darkened manor. Slowly she rose and took a few steps.

"Hermione, stay with me, I don't like this," she whispered drawing her wand. Hermione nodded and did the same. Both witches stood in the middle of the sitting room.

"Lumos," Hermione said and frowned when a ball of light didn't appear from her wand.

"Lady, the magic of the house, it's gone," an elf announced. Astoria's face paled.

"The wards?"

"Are gone."

Astoria sank back into the chair she'd just vacated.

"What would cause that?"

"There are only three reasons for wards to fail, Lady. The death of the Master of the House, someone more powerful destroying the magic, or," the elf paused glancing to the window. "or a magical storm."

"Thank you, go make sure the other elves are safe," Astoria ordered. Hermione stood next to the chair.

"Are you alright?"

"I don't know. You heard Tower, three reasons."

"It's more likely the storm, Astoria. I'm sure Draco is fine," Hermione whispered. Astoria nodded looking up at Hermione.

"Yes, you must be right. With the wards gone, we're exposed though. Without magic, the floo network won't work and there's no apparation either."

"We have feet and can walk out the door," Hermione reminded Astoria.

"In this storm?" she asked rising again and walking to the front door. She threw it open only to have a mountain of snow fall inside. Hermione rushed over and helped her shove it closed again.

"We're trapped here, with no defenses."

"I'm afraid so, Hermione. I'm terribly sorry."

"For what? You didn't create this storm. You had nothing to do with it, it's just bad timing, honestly. What should we do for now though?"

"Fortify the manor's defenses. I'm sure you know a few Muggle ways to do that?"

"I do, although most of them won't stand up to a wizard or witch using magic."

"I know, but if we don't have magic because of the storm, anyone trying to attack us might not either."

"Alright, first we need to block the doors. The snow's doing a pretty good job of that so far, but putting a few heavy things in front of them won't hurt. Do the windows have any kind of shutters or anything?"

"No, they're all decorative. I don't believe the Malfoys ever thought of ways to defend themselves without magic."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Because pure-bloods can be idiots relying too much on magic?" Astoria asked with a giggle. "There was one time my older sister wanted a blue dress, and instead of just going to buy one, she turned one of mine blue. It was still too small, so she tried to enlarge it. The whole thing ended up in tatters."

Hermione laughed staying close to Astoria. She honestly didn't think the pair was in danger, but it wouldn't be wise to split up anyway.

"I guess growing up without magic, it's almost second nature to try to find a nonmagical solution to things."

"I wish I could do that. I mean, the minute there's danger I have my wand in my hand. I know there's other ways to deal with things."

"What kind of danger?" Hermione asked.

"People saying things about Draco. There was almost a fight last week, someone called Draco a Death Eater, and then tried to attack him."

"That's horrible!"

"I know and I get hassled a bit too for marrying him. Hey, I saw on the telly that Muggles fight with their fists, and I know you punched Draco once, could you show me?"

"There's really not that much too it. You make your hand into a fist and punch," Hermione said.

"Show me?" Astoria asked. Hermione took Astoria's hand, curled it into a fist, and showed her how to throw a punch.

"Now, you have to be careful because you don't want to break your fingers, see, if you hold your hand like this you'll do more damage," Hermione explained. Astoria tried and tripped over the rug, falling to the ground while pulling Hermione with her.

Astoria giggled looking at Hermione. Hermione laughed realizing just how it would look to anyone who walked in on the pair. Astoria glanced around, as if making sure the elves weren't around. She quickly pressed her lips against Hermione's. Hermione froze for a moment before returning the kiss, knowing there was absolutely no way this could go anywhere. Astoria was Draco's and Hermione, well, she couldn't steal Draco's witch.

The pair broke apart and both quickly got to their feet. Hermione giggled blushing brightly. Astoria glanced down at the floor.

"Um, I think... um, maybe that wasn't supposed to happen?"

"I agree, but that would be one way to distract an attacker," Hermione stated looking at Astoria.

"How about we both forget that happened? I mean, I love Draco, and I would never..."

"I understand, look, the storm's starting to dwindle," Hermione said pointing to the window. The pair could now see a small bit of the grounds.

"Oh, the lights!" Astoria exclaimed as suddenly the whole manor was filled with light. "It looks like the magic's back. We made it!"

"Yes, we did, I should get going. Have Draco contact me if he'd be interested in being interviewed? I know it's going to be hard for the both of you for a bit, but hopefully the ministry can do something."

"I will, it was nice seeing you again, Hermione. And... um..."

"I taught you to throw a punch, nothing more," Hermione stated knowing she would never forget about the kiss, but knowing she could never admit it happened.

"I'll go get the floo powder for you, it's so much safer than apparating in this weather. Good bye, Hermione."

"Good bye, Astoria," Hermione whispered as she flooed to her office at the ministry.