Graham Bulstrode stood awkwardly in the Longbottom library doorway watching as his daughter bounced about with the female member of the Golden Trio. It was surreal. His daughter had never been one to fly high. She was a quiet girl. She wasn't a beauty. She took after him, not her mother. Well, she hadn't been a beauty, but, now, she was lovely. Her friends hadn't taught her glamours. They'd helped her find colors and robes that suited her. He blinked and shifted from foot to foot, trying desperately to understand the changes coming at him like a blast array of stunners.

"Dad, come in." Millie grabbed his hand. "It's okay."

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were standing next to Augusta Longbottom. Alice and Frank Longbottom were bent over a long table arguing about something pictures on the glossy pages in front of them. Goddess, he missed his wife. She'd have known what to do.

"Welcome to wedding central." Alice Longbottom grinned up at him. "We've been looking at some pictures in these magazines. I had no idea there were so many options for flowers."

"Let Neville do the flowers. He's always looking for a reason to putter about in the greenhouses. He will do a good job of it." Augusta Longbottom grinned. "If you want the best that is. Our boy has the touch."

"Can we have Luna help him." Millie chewed on her lower lip. "She's so excited to do something, and I'd rather she stay away from the food and drink."

"Neville will curse you sideways, but it's a good idea." The Malfoy bride smiled at his daughter. "Luna will probably coax some pixie lilies to bloom just for your special day."

"No flowers are worth getting cursed." Graham stepped in front of his daughter.

"Neville wouldn't actually curse her. He'd just carry on about having to deal with Luna. It's what he does." Frank Longbottom shrugged. "The way this group talks takes some mild adjusting of the vocabulary."

Graham found himself shaking hands with Lord Longbottom and nodding. The man seemed perfectly in tune with his family. Graham felt a stab of jealousy. How did a man that had spent the majority of his children's lives in a coma find it all so easy?

"When the girls run with an idea, it's quite terrifying." Frank grinned at him. "But, what are we to do?"

"Pray." Alice Longbottom laughed openly. The other witches joined her. Even Narcissa Malfoy chuckled.

Graham blushed a bit, but he saw no condemnation in their eyes.

"I think you'll like it here." Alice smiled at him.

"I think I might." Graham managed to smile and look about the room. His wife had always been the one to handle social situations, but, with this group, he might be alright on his own.

Millie smiled at him, and he knew things were finally coming right in his world.


Harry didn't want to leave his home, but the world outside would intrude if he didn't emerge. Ron's owl had found him, and he didn't want to deal with the redhead here. It was all confusing enough. He stepped beyond the wards and apparated to Diagon Alley.

There was a large crowd gathered around the restaurant where Ron wanted to meet him. It probably wasn't the best place for a serious conversation. Harry sighed and trudged up the road toward The Bell.

"You aren't welcome here, Sir." Harry heard an annoyed male voice through the crowd. "Please remove your shield from the door."

"You can't turn me away. I used to eat here all the time." Ron sounded incensed, and Harry started to push into the crowd. "I've got money. I'm a bloody war hero. Why can't I come in?"

"You no longer have a name, Sir." The man was obviously trying to be kind. "Your honor is questionable, and you have hurt those I claim as family. If you continue to block our entrance I will be forced to call the aurors."

"You know me." Ron shook his head. "I used to come here with Hermione."

"If she speaks for you, you may enter."

Hannah's father looked annoyed. Harry knew the feeling well.

"Ron, let's grab something muggle side." Harry clapped a hand down on his old friend's shoulder. "Making a public spectacle of yourself won't help you."

Harry felt the shield fall and breathed out a sigh of relief. Ron looked more baffled than belligerent. Things were crazy enough without him throwing a fit like a deranged toddler.

Harry half dragged Ron through the crowds and The Leaky Cauldron. The odd looks and obvious pity from the crowds were disturbing. It was a relief to step away from it all into the muggle rush.

"I think you need to get used to the muggle side." Harry smiled. "On the bright side, it will give you a lot of options."

"Options?" Ron stopped. "You're trying to comfort me with muggle options?"

Harry dragged Ron off the main road onto a side street.

"I should have known you'd throw a bloody fit." Harry growled. "This so typical."

"Typical?" Ron seemed to expand as his rage grew. "A bloke, your best mate no less, needs a little help and you can't be arsed."

"We tried to help you. I forced Hermione into coming to that farce of a wedding." Harry turned and faced Ron square on. "So, she brought Malfoy and did some fancy magic. Did it change anything?"

"She's married to Malfoy." Ron clenched his fists and shook them wildly about. "She went off and married the ferret just to hurt me."

"She didn't tie herself to Malfoy for all time just to hurt you. Hermione doesn't do things like that." Harry rolled his eyes. "Really, do you even know her? Think before you blow."

Ron took several shallow breaths. He shrunk in on himself with each exhalation.

"She didn't need to make such a bloody scene." Ron took a deep breath and slumped against the sign post next to him. "She didn't have to be so perfect."

"You buggered it all up." Harry sighed. "I don't know much about this nameless thing, but I think you should worry more about yourself than Hermione."

"Too right." Ron frowned. "It's like half my magic is gone. I never should have listened to Ginny."

"What did you listen to Ginny about?" Harry frowned. "You can't blame her for your mistakes."

"It doesn't matter anymore." Ron shifted from foot to foot. "I'm married. Luna gave me this book about finding my honor. It's complicated, and I need Hermione to explain it."

"Pretty sure that's not going to happen." Harry shrugged. "Let's get that lunch. Food always helps."

Ron nodded, and Harry felt a stab of guilt. Distracting Ron with food wasn't the kindest thing, but it was effective. He looked over at his friend and wondered if things would ever feel right again.


Theo rubbed his chin. His research project cum wedding gift was proving to be more of a challenge than he'd imagined it would be. There were songs of the Dragon Lord and his Lady. He knew that there were some stories floating around the dragon reserves. There were a few brief accounts of them that were written centuries after they were gone, but there was next to nothing from the time period.

It was decidedly odd. They had lived as Merlin rose to help form the foundations of wizarding society. It was common to record the great lovers' stories. Tristan and Isolde, Arthur and his Queen, Nimue and a lot of men, they all had multiple texts devoted to them. The Dragon Lord and his Lady had next to nothing.

Theo looked over his notes.

He knew the Dragon Lord founded the House of Malfoy. Perhaps he should ask Lord Malfoy for access to his library. Maybe the stories existed there.

If all else failed, he'd pursue his quarry into muggle records. At least, he had a better idea of how to dress.

He glanced up from his work when he felt Luna cross his wards. The warmth of her presence made the world seem a kinder place. He couldn't fight down the smile. The research could wait.


Susan looked at the cursed item on her desk. It was a slap dash bit of nonsense. Anyone could deal with it. She frowned up at the woman across from her. Her skin was smooth, and her scent was enticing. There was no doubt the witch was Blaise's mother. It was all there in the set of the eyes and the generous lips.

She'd set up this appointment and been willing to pay any price for it. The goblins were extremely happy, but Susan couldn't forget that this woman had appeared in her foe glass. Ignoring the urge to cancel the appointment, Susan leaned back in her chair and sprawled casually along the dragon hide. It was her territory after all. Blaise's mother was beautiful and conniving. of that, there was no doubt. Susan considered playing along with the plot, but it would set a dangerous precedent.

"If you wanted to meet me, dinner would have been easier and significantly less expensive." Susan smiled. "I am sure Blaise would have been happy to set it up."

"Blaise is a dear boy, but he has perfected avoiding anything that approaches maturity." Medora of the multiple surnames smiled at her, and she blinked. It was like looking into the sun. "I wanted a chance to get to know you. After all, we will be family soon enough."

"Presumptuous." Susan tilted her head. "We haven't made any decisions."

"You will. You're not the kind to run, and my son isn't a fool." The witch settled back into her chair gracefully. "He was spared the ravages of our heritage, but he knows that you are his future."

"The ravages of your heritage?" Susan shifted in her seat. This seemed wrong. Blaise's mother was spilling his secrets before he'd grown comfortable enough to tell her himself.

"My grandmother was a nymph. Beyond the libido issues, there are a host of other problems. I have difficulty making friends with women. Men are frequently demanding, but I must have a companion even though my mate is gone." Medora sighed. "She was blessed to find her mate and have several children. My mother lived a long happy life with her mate. I lost mine to that half snake madman."

"The war took far too many people from us." Susan leaned forward. "I am sorry for your loss."

"Blaise is all I have left. I know he sees me as an interfering ninny, but I need to keep him safe." She focused her eyes on Susan and they flashed amethyst in the light. "You are his witch, so you'd best get used to my ways. I promise to annoy you for many years to come."

"I look forward to it." Susan grinned. "Just bring me something interesting to play with. This wasn't challenging at all."

Susan flicked her fingers at the badly cursed necklace and smiled when it glowed with a blue light. Medora grinned at her. They shared a moment of understanding.

"I do aquire a fair amount of dangerous baubles." Medora shrugged elegantly. "I'll be sure to save them for you."


Draco was watching the elves plant a knot garden in an elaborate swirling pattern. The property was expanding each day. His lonely tower was a castle with outbuildings and a small elven village.

"They're expanding our demesne." Hermione wrapped her arms around him from behind. "I wonder if they're excavating and restoring or if they're just creating it."

"I was happy with our snug little tower, but this feels right." Draco turned around and pulled her close. "I think we should renew the wards again soon. This expansion might be stretching them thin in places."

"Listen to you." Hermione snuggled into his chest and her hair tickled his chin. "Being so protective. The war is over. Well, planning these weddings might be a kind of torture. My father has gotten a hold of some bridal magazines."

Draco nodded and decided to keep his own counsel. There was no need to step into the fray that was wedding planning. He really didn't need to piss off his father in law. The wizard had taken to having a daughter with joy and ferocity.

There were rules he'd learned over his life. Most of them were rubbish. He'd learned that the hard way. There was one that had risen up through it all.

The one rule more important than all the others was the simplest. That which you love more than your own life must be protected. He pushed back from her and stared down into her beloved face.

She traced his jaw with her fingers and drew him down for a kiss. He knew she'd stand between him and any threat. He knew she loved him.

His Hermione.

He lowered his lips to hers gently, just a brush against hers. Her breath caught and, her fingers tightened the tiniest bit on his sides. The warmth of her love had changed him. She'd uncovered all the parts of himself that he'd had spent years trying to eradicate. His life was rich with family and friendship now. All the parts he'd hollowed out to survive were renewed.

She glanced up when he pulled away. Eyes sparkling, lips parted slightly, she was a vision. Lovely. He felt their bond wrapping around them. Her magic teased along his skin drawing his up to join it in a swirling dance. Magic from the land rose up through them to join in the celebration.

A vision of vast stretches of green and the shadow of a dragon in flight leading him forward toward a giant ring of standing stones took root in his mind. There was weight to it. He wasn't a seer, but something in this was true. He saw the stones closer than before and Hermione stood in their center waiting for him.

The vision faded and left him back in the arms of his beloved.

He pressed his lips to hers again and felt her arch up into him. Her curves met his hard plains. There was such sweetness in her touch.

As they sank to the ground, he heard the flap of wings. The flash of silver in the distance was a comfort. The world wouldn't intrude on them. He stroked a hand along her side. Hermione buried her fingers in his hair and pulled him closer. The world faded away, and there was only her.