Kingsley, or whoever was impersonating him, was clearly under duress. He had not expected Audrena Parkinson to appear out of nowhere and accuse him of bribery. And quite possibly he hadn't expected the Goblet to choose that particular spouse for Pansy Parkinson either.

Hermione didn't have a chance to say anything as Malfoy pulled her hand to follow Ginny, Harry, Ron, and Daphne. Harry was leading them under the staircase, hoping it would help shield them from view. Knowing a pureblood family was ambushing the Ceremony didn't bode well for any of the Golden Trio or their friends and spouses.

Harry had his wand in hand as he ran, but Hermione knew it was useless. The anti-magic wards on the whole place were still there. She wondered how Mrs. Parkinson and her friends were able to get through. But as if to answer her, she watched the gold robed witches and wizards spring to action, wands drawn. They had shifted to guard all exits and were blocking any of the ceremony guests from leaving. They clearly knew her.

"This is insane!" Ginny shouted as she pulled on Harry's robes. He nearly toppled into the birch wand of a gold wizard, who snarled angrily at them all. They backed away slowly, realizing there was nowhere to go.

Someone yelled from across the hall and Hermione whipped around, seeing several other guests being shoved away from the patio doors. Three golden witches suddenly appeared to stand in front of each of the doors. And in that moment she hadn't realized Malfoy had been holding her hand the whole time, until he let it go.

"What? Malfoy! Where are you going?" she called, as she watched him dodge Angelina and George coming their way. For a split second, her mind panicked; he was somehow involved- but the high energy magic from before jumped to her fingertips where his hand had just been, as if consoling her.

He turned back, his eyes alert. He was crouching by their now abandoned table, Theo kneeling beside him. "We have to find Pansy before this gets even more out of hand," Draco stated, knowing the relationship between the witches was built on rocky foundation from the start. No one wanted to feel Audrena's wrath.

Hermione clenched her fists, trying to stop the feeling of his magic in them. "Don't do anything stupid," she called lamely, hoping whatever plan they had was at least well strategized. Ginny stared at her, eyebrows raised.

"Us? Please," Draco smirked at her before he and Theo were off. She huffed, looking around again. They were in no place to do anything. It was awfully frustrating. George and Angelina joined them suddenly, looking prepared for anything.

"Where did Pansy and Luna go?" Hermione asked the group, but Daphne and Ginny just shrugged.

"I thought I saw them run towards the bar, but I lost them somewhere around that group of Ravenclaws there," Ron pointed over the unpaired crowd, who were now huddling together near the Goblet, unsure what to do. Ron looked back at Daphne, who had huddled with Cormac and Ginny. He appeared like he wanted to put his arm around her but Cormac had beaten him to it.

Ron turned to Harry instead. "What do we do, mate?"

Harry ran a hand through his hair as he glanced at Ginny. She gave him a weak smile and she rubbed Daphne's arm. "I- I'm not sure. I was going to call the Aurors but I have no way of reaching them without the floo or my Patronus," he huffed, his eyes searching the exits and fireplaces. All the ones they floo-ed in were out in the entrance hall and every single mantle was now flanked by golden robed guards.

"Makes you think the death eaters were onto something with the whole dark mark thing," George mentioned, but Angelina hit him.

"Now's not a time for jokes, that woman looks livid," Angelina pointed to Audrena Parkinson, now seething. Her black nails dug into the railing like a harpy. Hermione eyed her, seeing the black dress that hung low on her neckline and the black hair so similar to her daughter's. She wondered if the man next to her was Pansy's father.

George shrugged. "So, what is the plan, oh almighty trio?" he turned to look at Harry, Hermione, and Ron with expectation. Ron frowned.

"Let's just-" Hermione began, seeing Harry run his hand for the third time through his hair as he started to pace. But she couldn't finish. She was cut off by the loud and sharp voice from the balcony.

"How does this even make sense Minister? This isn't what was supposed to happen and you know it," Audrina Parkinson bellowed. "We agreed to mix some of the bloodlines yes but we needed it to make the bloody children! It's the children we need dammit! And I will not have my daughter fulfilling some boy's backwards dorm room fantasy! Ugh!" she screeched. Her cherry colored lips curled in frustration and she glared at the imposter Kingsley.

Kingsley stumbled backward as he looked up at the woman, but caught himself before he fell into the chest of rings. He straightened and stood up with a smile, the perfect actor. He cleared his throat and straightened his collar.

"Now, now, Audrena," he laughed, as if it was just a little misunderstanding, "Don't you think if this upsets you that you should take it up with me privately? I mean, it seems a shame to put all these lovely magical individuals out of being paired with their future spouses. Think of the magic at state here," he mused with a chuckle, eying her more aggressively than Hermione had ever seen Kingsley act. "Think of the Wizengamot and all they've sacrificed."

The room had grown quiet, listening to the exchange.

She stuttered, blinking at him. "Take it up with you privately? How dare you, after all I did to help you!" she yelled. She threw her hair back, looking wild. "And you talk of sacrifices like I haven't given this my everything-"

"What the hell mother," It was Pansy who cut her off, shouting from somewhere near the back before Kingsley could speak up. "You helped?!"

Hermione's eyes darted around, disappointed not to hear anymore from Audrena. When she finally located Pansy, she gulped. Draco and Theo flanked her on either side, holding her back from running up the staircase. Luna stood beside them, neither smiling nor frowning. She just kept glancing from Mrs. Parkinson to her daughter and back again.

Pansy struggled against the boys' hold. "Pansy," Draco warned under his breath, "Don't bait her, of all the people..."

But it was loud enough for Mrs. Parkinson to hear. She screamed. "Ha! That is rich, coming from you, you sad little excuse for a death eater. You don't deserve to carry the Malfoy name and thank Merlin she won't have to either. At least there's that."

Malfoy looked livid. He started to let go of Pansy's arm leaving Theo to hold her back. Malfoy got two steps up when Blaise came out of nowhere and yanked him back down.

"Funny, for a second there my name was all you wanted. You know, last summer, when you were begging for one last chance," Draco threw the insult at her with disgust. His eyes flashed at the anger behind his words. Hermione could feel the jolt of quick magic under her skin.

Pansy's mother glared. "Oh shut up! If it wasn't for your purity I wouldn't have even tried. And you, you ungrateful girl," she turned on Pansy, "How could you do this to me, after all the time I put into giving you a proper upbringing? The least you could do was marry, if not the boys on your arms, the countless others with purity to spare. What you lack, oh you could have been saved from this wretched thing and you could have kept seeing your little whore on the side," Audrena sneered, her red lips twitched as the words left them. She eyed Pansy with utter distaste. "You never listen."

"Fuck you!" Pansy snarled back, "I'm so sick of your purity bullshit!"

Pansy's mother let out a howl. "Purity! Oh, you don't even know! You are the worst excuse for a daughter, mark my words this law will hurt you. So many of you!" she addressed the crowd, who cowered as they looked at her, "And I cannot wait to sit by and watch," she laughed aloud, the vicious sound reverberating off the high ceilings.

Audrena turned back to Kingsley, a small smile on her lips. "Don't think we're done here Minister," she spat and she turned on her heel. "You know this was not in the plan and I will make you pay. The outcome best still be reached."

With a wave at her entourage she materialized back into black smoke once more and was gone. The others followed.

...

The fake Kingsley took a second to shake his head clear of Audrena Parkinson's threats. He put his hands up to the crowd and smiled, as if trying to convey comfort but it just looked forced. He stopped when too many of the young witches and wizards eyed him distastefully.

He took the time instead to walk over to one of the golden wizards. He whispered something furiously in his ear and then went to speak with the Ministry officials and Wizengamot members.

They all looked more than shook up, several of them still gaping at the place on the balcony where the witch and wizards had been. The gentleman on the end of the row looked much like he had no idea where he was. Kinglsey (or Kingsley's imposter really) took special interest in him. Once Kingsley whispered to him, the man relaxed once more, almost too easily.

The gold robed guards seemed to ease up, but many of the exits and fireplaces were still being blocked. Their wands were away except for the few witches who took to repairing the windows. The icy chill began to dissipate and several of the fireplaces roared to life.

Wimberly Wilmont suddenly popped up out of nowhere. She had been hiding behind the pillar of white marble that held the Goblet and it had covered her quite well. Her violent red hair seemed to be drooping to the side but she took no notice. She brushed off her dress as she looked around for the Minister.

The crowd of young witches and wizards began to stir, caution hanging on every whisper and movement. Several Hufflepuffs stood up from beside the Wizengamot members; it appeared they'd run there for safety. Ernie was amongst them.

A couple of younger men eyed the spot Pansy's mother had just been. They were standing right under her place on the balcony and they quickly began to move to a different side of the room. Cho Chang and her friends looked around from the middle, shaken. Dean and Seamus were talking in hushed voices with the Patil twins, as they all kept glancing at Pansy and the Slytherins.

...

"Let me go. Now." Pansy seethed at Theo, going back and forth between glaring at him and trying to step on his toes. Draco shrugged out of Blaise's grip on his arm and went to help, but Pansy glared at him too. Theo released her instead, taking several steps out of the way before she turned on them.

"I want to punch you both, but since you really did keep me from clawing her eyes out in front of my wife and all these people I guess I should thank you," Pansy huffed to the boys, inspected her arms for any sign of bruising. Then she turned to Luna. "Sorry. Your in-laws are shit."

Luna just chuckled, playing with the ring on her finger while staring at Pansy. "It's probably for the best we write before we visit then."

"I'll say," Pansy gave her a wide-eyed, interested look before fixing a stray lock of hair and taking Luna's hand once more. "So, where are we sitting again?"

Draco stared at her, not sure if he should be impressed or laugh. "That's what you're going with? After all this?" He went to turn to Theo or Blaise for help, but came up short. Theo was looking anywhere but at the two bickering in front of him and Blaise couldn't take his eyes off the girls intertwined fingers. He was trying to hide his smirk but doing a very poor job of it.

"Well it was on my mind before we were rudely interrupted. Besides, I'd rather not go into family matters now, wouldn't you? Seems inappropriate at a Ceremony, no?" Pansy smiled at him with a nasty fake smile. He rolled his eyes at her, wondering if she was implying the comments made about his family too. Luna laughed.

Theo eyed Luna with the utmost intrigue and gave a smile. "I think we could all use a drink," he said, "it's the best way to deal with that," he motioned to the balcony where Audrena had just been and then back to Pansy standing in front of them.

…

When Hermione had finished shaking the bits of glass out of her curls, she worked with Ginny to get Daphne off the floor. The girl seemed in shock, eyes huge and watching the spot where Mrs. Parkinson had been. Her face had paled and the color hadn't returned. Ginny kept looking at Hermione, wondering what the hell they were going to do with her. Hermione took out her wand, deciding to try a diagnostic spell for healing, if the wards would allow.

The boys began righting several tipped tables and chairs, theirs included. Harry excused himself to speak with Kinglsey, shrugging when Hermione suggested that it probably wouldn't get him very far. He seemed to feel it was the right thing to do and, knowing him, he was probably doing it more to calm the crowd than anything.

When she watched him walk away, she realized the state of things in front of them. Windows were still shattered and the cold air was seeping in. Gold robed wizards were quickly repairing the damage. People huddled together in small packs still surrounding the Goblet. It sent a shiver down her spine. She turned back to Ginny and Daphne, wondering if Audrena was telling the truth and what she could possibly mean by the children and the plan.

They managed to get Daphne into a chair. The spell was no use and Hermione huffed angrily. Ginny went on to help Daphne regulate her breathing when Draco, Pansy, and Luna came shuffling through the crowd towards them.

She eyed Pansy, who looked nothing out of the ordinary as she continued to fume with every step. She was towing Luna by the hand and Luna didn't seem to mind at all. Hermione eyed them curiously and Pansy shot her a look. Hermione was about to open her mouth when Ron stepped in instead.

"What in Merlin's name was that all about!" Ron said, all too loudly. He stood with his shoulders square on the defense. George sighed before leaving Angelina's side for his brother's and walked up rather casually to stand at Ron's right.

Malfoy stepped out from behind the girls then, his eyes darker as they passed between Ron and Pansy. He stood up straight but aloof, head tilted in curiosity at what the Weasleys would do. Hermione had not remembered Malfoy being quite so tall…

Pansy blinked before letting go a scoff. "That thing up there? That was my mother, thank you very much. Mummy Weasley's sounding like quite the peach to you now, huh? Just be happy you didn't have to go home to that every holiday." She pushed past Ron and snagged the seat next to Daphne. She let go of Luna just before she sat, leaving the girl to float to the chair beside her. Luna didn't seem to mind.

Ron exchanged a nervous glance with George, who shrugged. He clapped him on the back in good humor before walking back over to Angelina.

"Daph, she's gone and I will make sure to get back at her for this," Pansy was saying, placing a hand on her friend's. Daphne turned and gave a smile, her shoulders relaxing for the first time that night. Ginny looked relieved and stood to join Hermione. Cormac took her place.

Theo arrived then, a tray of drinks floating behind him. He seemed to be looking for Cormac, but found him sitting with Daphne. He gave Theo a small smile. Draco took a glass off the tray in passing and Ginny pushed past her brother in her effort to get one too. Ron was right behind her, clearly annoyed.

Hermione dodged the tray and, feeling that Pansy and Daphne were both in better hands with each other, wheeled on Malfoy. She smacked him on the chest when he walked up to her and he stared back confused. "Are you always so stupid at the worst times? Provoking violent individuals in the middle of a party," she huffed.

He blinked at her before laughing and turning to Theo. "You know, when Potter does it he's brave, but when I do it I'm stupid," Draco said, "There's a lesson in equality here, I'm sure of it."

"Oh truly," Theo nodded chuckling. The two men clinked glasses as Cormac materialized by Theo's side.

Hermione fixed Draco with an angry stare and he felt the light pull of her magic in his hands again. He rolled his eyes.

"Audrena is and always will be severely self-centered around her own superiority to the point it hurts. I was just trying to save Pansy and everyone the grief and, hey, at least we have a lead now," he offered, sipping at his glass with a smile.

Hermione sighed and turned to get herself a drink. He had a point. When she returned a moment later, he was still smiling and she frowned. "I should have just levitated him up there with her," she said under her breath to Ginny, who laughed.

Draco perked up but gave a shrug. "Halfway across the room I had the right mind to consider you'd throw yourself at her too, always the war heroine and all. But then I figured, as the brightest witch of our age the odds of you showing some restraint should be much higher," he smirked and she smacked him on the arm.

"What? That was a compliment, love," he laughed. Theo hid his laughter behind his glass. Hermione's eyes were glaring and Draco looked away, feeling the spark of magic in his veins again and eying the ring on his finger with annoyance.

Harry was heading back over to them then, a hand running through his hair. Ginny hurried over to him and put her arm around his waist. He gave a weak smile. "Hello. No surprise, Kingsley just told me there was nothing to worry about. He already sent aurors after her, or so he says," Harry sighed. "Highly unlikely," he rubbed his forehead.

"At least we have something to work off of now," Hermione tried, although even her voice didn't sound reassuring.

"I just wish I could get a word out to my people," Harry's voice was anxious as he twirled his useless wand in his hand.

"The dark mark isn't looking so silly under the circumstances now is it," Theo said quietly and he couldn't even contain his own laughter.

Cormac looked at him, eyes wide with astonishment, while several of the Gryffindors were speechless. George was tapping Angelina on the arm and chuckling, as if reminding her he said it first.

But it was Draco who surprised them all. He started laughing. And it wasn't just the typical chuckle or spiteful laugh he sometimes gave when he was being sarcastic or pretentious. It was a real, genuine laugh. And it was lovely.

Hermione opened her mouth to say something but couldn't get her voice to work. Ginny looked at him like he was crazy but her eyes gave her away. She stifled her own laugh behind her hand and Harry nudged her. George leaned in and gave Theo a high five.

Hermione stood there, Draco laughing at her side just watching him with a little more awe than she knew. It was a sound she'd never heard before. She couldn't help but smile as a small wave of magic crashed through her veins. She blinked, confused.

A flash of silver caught Ginny's eye and she glanced at Hermion's hand, where the ring glowed on her finger. "Uh…" Ginny said to her under her breath, pulling Hermione by the elbow away from the group.

Malfoy had finally stopped laughing and the Slytherins were hearing a weak argument from Harry as to why the use of a mark like that would not be feasible. Ron and George were the ones laughing this time, much to Harry's chagrin.

"What is this?" Ginny said, holding up her hand to the shining silver.

Hermione's smile faltered. "I- what? I have no idea. Ernie said they were enchanted but…"

"And why are the rings enchanted?" Ginny said through gritted teeth. "That seems a little extreme, no?" she glared at her own and then looked at the back of Harry's head. He turned as if on cue and raised an eyebrow at her.

"What the hell. Don't tell me these things are connecting us somehow," she managed before walking away from Hermione and grabbing Harry's left hand. His ring looked much the same. The conversation the group was having was cut off as they watched her.

"What are you doing?" he said, confused. "I only turned because I felt-" but he stopped there, hesitant. He locked eyes with Ginny, unsure.

"You felt what, exactly?"

Harry had expected it to be Ginny asking. But as Hermione stepped up next to Malfoy, Harry realized it was her who posed the question. Malfoy looked at her curiously knowing why she asked. Mostly because, as he felt his own ring nervously then, he knew exactly what she meant.