Millicent tried to figure out how she'd wound up shopping at Diagon Alley's newest boutique with this group of witches. Hermione had masterfully moved through an interview with the mousy reporter. She'd brought everyone into the conversation at some point. The food had been wonderful, and the company surpassed it.
The warmth she felt in the presence of these women baffled her. Her magic never allowed her to relax. The sense of danger she always felt had made her an aggressive child. Her only comfort came from her familiar. The other girls in Slytherin had been terrifying, but this group of women was the opposite.
They flowed around each other with quick touches and playful ribbing. She was happy to be pulled along in their wake. She watched as Luna and Hermione giggled over something across the room. Her usual companions never giggled. They were more likely to mock her and leave her feeling hurt and bewildered.
"Those two giggling almost always means trouble." Hannah smiled at the pair fondly. "They're brilliant and half of what they talk about eludes me, but they don't understand limits. They spent several months trying to work around Gamp's Laws. They made some decent discoveries. Then I walked into Hermione's workroom to find them both comatose with luminescent skin."
"How?" Millie glanced toward Hannah.
"They won't say." Hannah frowned. "Which means they'll try again eventually."
"Hermione handled that reporter like a Slytherin. My family would be so proud if I could do that half as well." Millie plucked a green dress from the rack. "I knew she was smart. Greg speaks kindly of her, but she's more."
"After the war, she was a wreck. She couldn't take crowds and the Ministry wanted to use the Golden Trio to help stabilize society." Hannah took the dress from Millie and put it back. "I think she would have realized how wrong Ron was for her if she hadn't been forced to cling to him to survive the aftermath."
"My father wasn't powerful enough or rich enough to be courted by either side." Millie shrugged. "But they searched our house and fined us for having a dark item or two tucked away in the attic. I remember being thankful my life wasn't front page news."
"Well, it's about to be. Try blue. That green doesn't suit you." Hannah handed her a gown made from a deep sapphire silk.
"Pansy told me I looked best in that green." Millie examined the blue dress.
"She lied." Hannah patted her on the shoulder, and glanced toward Susan. "Put the dragon hide gown and robes back, Susan. This is Ron's wedding not the Curse breakers ball."
Susan tossed her a two fingered salute and returned the gown to its spot.
"I thought Hufflepuffs were supposed to be nice." Millie shook her head and watched the redhead carry an aubergine gown over to the dressing rooms.
"We are. Everyone thinks we're the weak house. The common thoughts about the houses are very one sided. Slytherins play power games. Gryffs are always tilting at windmills. The Claws are so lost in their own minds they don't notice the world." Hannah smirked. "Sure that's part of the story, but, nice as we are, be afraid of the Puffs. We don't need a cause or power. We just need to see a friend in trouble."
"Good Godric, Luna." Hermione hissed drawing both their attention. " I can't wear that. It's made of actual Acromantula web. I might as well go naked."
"Looks like it's time to spring into action." Hannah grabbed Millie's hand and towed her over to Luna and Hermione. These women were nothing like the girls she'd socialized with before.
"What are you thinking?" Hannah bumped her shoulder against Luna and pulled Millie fully into the group. "Alluring, but no shame? Want to show Ron what his extracurriculars cost him?"
"I want Ron to have his day, but I want to twist the curse a bit if you know what I mean." Hermione shrugged. "Plus, I want Augusta and Draco to approve."
"Why not Neville? He's your brother." Millie blushed and looked down. She had yet to learn her place in this group, but they made her so comfortable that she was just blurting out questions.
"Nev doesn't worry about Hermione's clothes." Hannah grinned. "Ask him about the Yule Ball sometime."
"I look like a giant, flouncy bruise." Susan joined the group and twirled around in the deep purple gown. "This is not me."
"Lovely and sophisticated?" Luna snickered.
"Charming and feminine?" Hannah chuckled.
"Refined and elegant?" Hermione slung an arm around Millie. "What do you think, Millie?"
"I wish I could look half as good in any set of robes." Millie sighed.
"You've been sold a transfigured toad." Susan rolled her eyes and grabbed Millie's hand. "You are lovely. Let's find your dress first. Then we can let the others force me into the silken prison they call fashion."
"The robes one wears have as much power as a good glamour." Millie smiled. "My mum used to say that all the time. Nothing ever looked very appealing on me though."
"You aren't built like a wraith." Hermione smiled and patted her shoulder." A lot of the robes out there won't suit you. They don't suit any of us but Susan. She can wear anything."
"I think we should all wear blue robes." Hannah picked up a periwinkle under robe and held it up. "Not the same blue or even the same style but still something."
"Millie's already ahead of you." Susan nodded toward the blue gown over her arm. "I want to wear an aquamarine shade to match my aunt's hair combs. Guess I'm going girly."
"I want to wear the palest blue we can find." Luna spun in a circle releasing a stream of delicate bubbles from her fingertips. "I intend to be effervescent."
"Hermione has to wear something in a cobalt." Hannah nodded.
"You're dressing me?" Hermione shook her head. "I'll only wear it if its sleeveless. I think my lovely new tattoo will draw some attention."
"Do you think you could get your Grandmother to wear navy?" Luna smiled. "Mrs. Weasley will hate it."
"One should only wear warm colors to a wedding, Hermione." Hannah mocked the Weasley matron. "Those blue gowns aren't suited to a proper bonding ceremony."
"I lived through it once, I don't need a reminder." Hermione shook her head vehemently. "She's a terror. Lavender can have her for a mother in law with my blessing."
"Have you met your mother in law?" Millie took a deep breath to hold off the panic attack caused by thoughts of Narcissa Malfoy.
"A time or two." Hermione's smile didn't reach her eyes. "She is not the most gracious of hostesses."
The other witches all touched Hermione gently in silent support, and Millie flushed as she recalled the tragic events of the war. These girls were so kind, but they were smart too. She dropped her gaze to the floor.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." She pulled her shoulders up by her ears. "Narcissa Malfoy scares me. She's everything a proper Slytherin witch should be. I know that, but I don't want to be like that. She's always moving in circles inside of circles. I'm not powerful or smart, not like you lot. You can handle her."
"Firstly, you are one of us. We've decided. Secondly, she's a Black. They're born to intimidate." Hermione smiled despite the sadness evident in her eyes. "Andromeda is the nicest witch you'll ever meet, but ten minutes in her presence makes you feel insignificant. I think it might be an innate talent. Sirius worked hard to dispell it, but it was there."
"Draco has it, too." Millie nodded. "He can walk into a room and own it without even noticing."
"Let's see if it works at the wedding." Hermione smirked. "I'm actually looking forward to this. Draco at the Burrow, it should be an event to remember."