Augusta Longbottom disillusioned herself and crept up towards the conflict between that pathetic Weasley fool and her Hermione. She'd wanted some excitement, and her granddaughter liked to cause a stir. Unfortunately, this situation was entirely out of control. The boy should have left well enough alone and been content with the gift he'd been given, but he'd given in to that Prewett temper.
It seemed the youngest boy had gotten a double dose of stupid along with the temper. Pity. Being poor and stupid was not a good combination.
What had Hermione ever seen in this boy? Obtuse minds were not attractive. He must have had some attractive features, but she simply did not see the appeal.
Hermione had found a better man. The Weasley boy was a passing folly. After all, mistakes in judgement happened.
She had made her own much smaller one. It wasn't a huge error in judgement, but she had to acknowledge it.
She glared down in the general direction of her feet.
The girls had talked her into robes less voluminous than her usual ones, and in her vanity, she'd bought a pair of high heels for the event. Stalking through the grass was far more difficult in the bloody things, but no one noticed her. She might not be quite as spry as she had been in the good old days, but she could disappear with the very best and twist a curse with ease. No one was going to hurt her family if she could stop it.
She watched the situation play out.
It was horrible to see Arthur sag. Having to break the bond between parent and child was beyond horrific, and he would find no comfort at home. Morrighan had more mercy than Molly Weasley, and his decision would be questioned repeatedly for every bit of that year and a day.
She took a deep breath and was about to drop the concealment charm when Hermione took off toward the battling Black sisters. Keeping her granddaughter safe was far more taxing than keeping young Neville in line. The girl took being a Gryffindor seriously.
She kicked off her shoes and took off after her young warrior woman. There was nothing else to be done.
Lucius Malfoy wobbled as he tried to free himself from the mass of bubbles coating his body. The blasted Lovegood girl was far more wily than he'd ever imagined. She'd winked at him as she emerged from the wards and covered him in sticky, immobilizing bubbles in the next moment. The vine she'd wrapped around the mess to secure him was awful. The thing seemed affectionate. It stroked the top of his head with its pale leaves frequently.
"They'll be fine, sir." Theodore Nott sounded sure, but the boy didn't understand.
"My whole world is in there. I can't protect them." Lucius let his voice out in a steady hiss. "If one hair on their heads is out of place, you will be the last Nott. Are we clear?"
"Male posturing is frequently the result of insecurity over genital endowment." Luna smiled broadly and leaned back in the grass. "We witches don't bother measuring our depths. Do you think we are missing out?"
Lucius closed his eyes and ignored Theodore's frantic efforts to stop the girl's inanity. The witch was not one to be quelled. He remembered that from her unfortunate stint in his dungeons.
"I should have brought some wine." Luna hummed. "Then we could lie back and listen to the music of the spheres."
"Next time, Luna." Theodore sat beside her. "We can do that next time."
"Do you think we will have to hold Lord Malfoy hostage at another wedding?" The girl sounded positively excited.
"Sweet Salazar, I hope not." Theodore coughed. "Draco might find it amusing once, but he won't put up with it again."
"Hermione's the one to worry about in that pair." Luna sighed. "She seems so sweet and logical, but then she does something wild and wholly out of bounds. It's the Gryffindor influence."
"She'd rush into a burning building to save a kitten." Theodore picked at a blade of grass.
"She'd manage it, too." Luna chuckled. "She's exceptionally good at making decisions in the thick of it all."
"She'd better be because Draco's going to be one step behind her for the rest of their lives." Theodore sighed. "He's a lucky wizard."
"So are you, Theo." Luna patted his hand. "Give it time."
Lucius fought the urge to yell at them. It would not serve him. He was not particularly intimidating in his bubble sheath, and it was not soothing to be looked at with amusement. He glared up at the vine as it patted his head.
Draco felt his stomach twist as his mother turned her wand toward Hermione. There was no way to stop her. She was lightening fast and at the height of her powers. Dread pooled in his stomach. He blinked and felt the world around him slow. He raised his wand and cast a shield charm. Hecate, protect her. His Hermione. His life.
He saw four spells collide in the air and set off a shower of lights. When the magic cleared, he stared, open mouthed, at where Hermione had been moments before. Seeing the silver dragon curled over her with its wings wrapped tightly around her body was a relief. It was also a measure of how bizarre his life had become. A dragon, real or not, was holding his wife, and he was happy. Goddess, he really was happy. That was quite a necklace the elves had dug up.
Hermione stood up and laughed as the dragon shrank down and curled into her hair like a coronet.
"Are we all done trying to protect me?" She glanced back over her shoulder at him and grinned. Bloody Gryffindor. "Four shielding charms, a dragon, and not a threat in sight."
"Maybe we wouldn't be overdoing it if you didn't run toward danger like a niffler to gold." Draco reached her side and pulled her up to her feet. He brushed her hair back from her face. "You've unleashed the monster that is your hair."
"Well, it isn't a rat's nest." Hermione pushed up on her toes and pressed her lips against his. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the tingle of her power as it brushed up against his.
"Where is the witch that threatened you?" His mother stalked toward them with long confident strides. "I will not have it. No dumpy, troll like creature will be harming you."
"But the non dumpy ones are okay, Cissa?" His aunt shook her head. "I should have realized you were offended by Lavender's sense of style. I wasted all that time and energy because I was sure you were coming here to put an end to your son's marriage."
"Hardly." Augusta joined the crowd. "Lady Malfoy approves of the match."
