Narcissa arranged the flowers in the vase and hummed as she considered the upcoming wedding. There was sure to be another waltz, most likely a more powerful one. The girls and their escorts would be holding the circle to repair the stones after generations of neglect. The Goyles hadn't renewed their bonds in five generations. Greg was the last of his line, so they had designed a spell to reawaken the bond. It would be interesting to see it work. She tilted her head and examined a stargazer lily before adding it to the bouquet. She didn't like the small part of her that was lost to jealousy. She wanted to work with the girls again.
Perhaps, more than stones could be repaired. Perhaps a second coven could make a debut. Andromeda and Alice would surely join her. Medora might. She tapped a green rose bud against her chin. The girls shared a magical affinity. She frowned. It took a great deal of trust to work magic the way they did.
She wanted her own coven, but it couldn't be assembled on a whim.
Kingsley Shaklebolt frowned down at the parchment in front of him. The wording was best described as flowery. It was quite obvious that the excessive verbiage was meant to lull him into agreement, but he'd been dating a Black witch for a while now. He'd grown used to subterfuge.
"They want me to limit the gathering of groups female citizens to less than four to aid in protecting the witches from attack by dark forces." Kingsley chuckled. "This is rather ham handed. Was Flint behind it?"
"Yes, sir." Percy shrugged. "I think he was somewhat aggrieved when Nott showed no interest in his daughter."
"A petty reason." Kingsley sighed. "We will need to get Malfoy, Longbottom, and Bulstrode in here."
"Might I suggest summoning Fidelia Flint and her son Marcus as well." Percy shifted his weight from foot to foot. "They have allowed his uncle to hold the seat as regent while Marcus pursues a quidditch career."
"Why isn't she holding the seat?" Kingsley put the papers down.
"It isn't common knowledge, but Marcus Flint saved her from his father. The man used cutting curses and flame whips on his family. She was badly scarred and prefers to remain out of the public eye." Percy sighed. "It was detailed in the paperwork filed at her husband's trial."
"Bring her in through my private floo." Kingsley sighed. "Assure her we will keep the number of guests to a minimum."
"I will arrange it all as quickly as possible." Percy bowed and headed out the door.
Kingsley glared at the papers on his desk. He knew trouble was brewing. The magical world seemed to race toward conflict constantly. They needed time to rebuild and time to rest, but it didn't seem to be likely.
He wanted to marry Andromeda and raise Teddy to be a strong and capable wizard. He didn't want to be Minister forever. He didn't want to build an empire. Was a quiet life, filled with love and friendship too much to ask?
Greg stared at the shield hanging over his fireplace. The golden boar on a field of green was unfamiliar, but Draco's elves had found it in the attic and restored it to its place.
His father's portrait had been removed and the family motto had been revealed once more. The letters had been spelled into the stone by some ancestor. Probably the one that had carried the shield as the curved under it perfectly.
Frangas Non Flectes
His Latin was not perfect, but Millie had told him it was a strong motto for their family. I may break, but will not bend. It seemed gruesome, but she'd talked about loyalty and strength. He liked the idea of raising his children to be honest, loyal, and strong.
He was so blessed to have a future.
His eyes tracked to his promised bride. He loved the way she twirled her hair around her finger. It was a simple thing. She did it at odd, distracted moments. His future wife, his Millie, would help him be the man she saw in him.
Dagda had blessed him despite his foolishness. He took a breath as he watched her read over the plans for a new ward scheme. Hermione and Susan had worked on it with her, so he knew it would be nigh perfect as possible.
"I think we should raise these soon." She licked her lips.
"Yes, raise them." He nodded.
"The wedding will draw attention, and we aren't allowed to make this place unplottable." She frowned. "Draco's father says he will pay for the ingredients. The new moon is three days away. It's a good time to erect the wards."
"Then we will do it." Greg smiled. "The elves have made the place beautiful again, but we will keep it that way. We will keep it safe."
Hermione smiled. It was the first time in days that she'd managed to have no plans. She rolled over and examined her husband. His blond hair was mussed, and his breathing was still deep and even. He'd come to bed well after her out of some sense of nobility. The temptation of the pomegranate seeds had pushed him to the edge.
"I know you're awake." Draco mumbled.
"You're not." Hermione curled her body next to his. "Just rest."
Draco wrapped her in his arms and tucked her under his chin before drifting back into his dreams. She felt the strength in him even at rest. There was something comforting in it.
She didn't care that they'd spent the day lazing about in their bed. She didn't need to work so bloody hard. They could have time to enjoy the sweetness of life. She pressed a kiss to the skin over her husband's heart and smiled at his grumbling.
Susan giggled and clasped Blaise's hand in hers as they slipped through the halls of the Ministry. They were going to get married. It would be simple and quick. She didn't need the hoopla of a big wedding. It wasn't for her.
"Are you sure about this?" Blaise whispered to her.
She nodded, but the twinge of guilt bothered her. It seemed wrong to be sneaking off to get married. Hermione had been impulsive, but she was avoiding the sadness of having no family to join in her happiness.
She stumbled and fell against Blaise's side.
"I think we should use your circle." Blaise held her close. "It doesn't have to be some big deal, but this feels wrong."
She looked up into his handsome face and saw the honesty in his expression.
"I want to honor your family. I can't win their approval, but it seems like stealing away to this place to join our lives together is wrong. I want to start this right. The Bones family is matriarchal traditionally. How can our daughter grow into the witch she will need to be if we screw this up?"
"There's no family left." Susan swallowed past the lump in her throat.
"Hermione, Hannah, Luna, and Millie aren't your family?" He stroked her cheek. "We have a small family. It's a family of choice. We can build the more traditional kind in time."
"On the right foundation." Susan nodded.
Blaise pulled her into a hug and she felt him chuckle as she sighed.
"Glad this didn't come to hexes." Luna giggled. "I was thinking tentacles and you don't care for seafood."
Susan pushed back from Blaise's embrace to see her friend leaning against
Theo's chest with her wand drawn. They both looked amused, but she had no doubt that Luna would hex her horribly if she continued down this path. A warm feeling bloomed in her chest. She wasn't alone. Blaise hugged her to him. She never really had been.
"Why don't we go to lunch and make some plans?" Luna smiled. "We can surprise the others with them."
