Augusta Longbottom felt the bile rising in her throat. Bringing her to this room was a slap in the face, an insult to her and her house. She'd known better than to come here.
She could feel the pain and agony of her granddaughter in the magical resonance of the room. Hermione had survived, but she had been profoundly changed in this room.
"Your granddaughter's strength amazes me." Narcissa did not smile warmly and close the distance between them as she entered the room. The woman had more sense than that. "I wanted you to understand why I have no objection to the match. This room gives testimony to her superiority."
"This room is proof of the depth of insanity and evil that Riddle encouraged in your sister." Augusta tilted her head up. This was no time to show weakness. "You had to replace the chandelier. Pity."
"It was a lovely thing, but the enchantment on it was destroyed." Narcissa sighed. "I had imagined that being blunt would serve us best, but there is no elegance in it. Shall we retire to the conservatory. The silver limes are in bloom. It is quite pleasant there."
"Any room would be an improvement." Augusta nodded her head stiffly. "It has been many years since I was in the conservatory of this house. Brax was my friend once upon a time."
"I didn't realize you were close." Narcissa glided along beside her.
"After the sorting hat was through with us, we weren't." Augusta sighed. "He was a delightful partner in my dance classes and a wily lad bent on mischief the rest of the time."
"I remember Amelia Bones was quite engaging as a young girl. I missed her rather horribly that first year at school. The sorting hat does tend to leave its mark." Narcissa frowned. "Perhaps we could do something to change that."
"I think we might be superfluous. Hermione and her friends seem to have plans." Augusta smiled. "There will be a large contingent of Slytherins at the Weasley wedding."
"How fortunate." Narcissa's face stiffened.
"Oh, I quite agree. I wish they wouldn't attend, but Harry asked." Augusta shook her head. "I'm certain Molly put him up to it without explaining. They both say no debt exists, but we know that isn't true. I doubt either Harry or Hermione are aware of it though. The Weasley family never saw fit to explain things to them."
"They traded on the magical debt between them?" The blonde shook her head. "Such a violation."
"Neville will deal with the immediate problem, but we might be able to work out a solution of a more permanent nature." Augusta took a deep breath. This was the first step. At least this girl didn't resemble her sister. It made all of this easier. "It is time for a class on our culture to be taught at Hogwarts. Why deny muggleborns the knowledge they need to understand our customs?"
"I was under the impression that they were not much interested in our ways." Narcissa led the way into the lush indoor garden.
"The war weighs heavily on my grand children's generation, but there are new muggleborns born every year. Why not try to put our best foot forward?"
"The board hasn't added a class in five hundred years." Narcissa shrugged.
"With the two of us championing the cause?" Augusta raised her brow. "Hermione might see it as a positive step. She seems to have a plan to reunite our community. I'm wearing a blue dress robe to the wedding as part of it."
"I would like her to look favorably on me." Narcissa bent to smell a silver version of the flower for which she was named. "I am not good at direct communication, but I will make an effort. Draco has made a wonderful choice in his bride. I wish I could have been there for the bonding."
"They are planning a muggle ceremony to honor her parents. Perhaps, you could assist in some way." Augusta hid her smile. If Narcissa Malfoy was willing to help plan a muggle ceremony, there was hope for their world.
"I know nothing about such a ceremony." Narcissa tapped her chin. "I would like to be of assistance, but I've no idea where to start."
"I think your desire to help will be well met." Augusta nodded thoughtfully. "Hermione is having a muggle ceremony, but the guest list will be magical. Her little coven is quite mixed."
"She has a formal coven?" Narcissa turned and grabbed Augusta's forearm.
"They don't name it as such, but it is. They work magics together and are quite close. The young Bulstrode girl fills them out to five, and they seem comfortable with each other in a lively and boisterous way."
"The last witches' coven existed over half a century ago." Narcissa sank onto a stone bench. "My mother said those magics were lost."
"Your mother was a bit of a ninny, my dear." Augusta sat beside the sister of the woman that destroyed her Frank and sighed. Hatred was so draining. She patted Narcissa's hand gently. "I think she was mistaken."
"About a great many things." Narcissa stared off into the green foliage. "I want to try following a different path. I will always be a Black and a Malfoy, but it is time to put aside prejudice."
Augusta studied the woman and put aside the last of her anger. The future shouldn't be held in chains by the past. Alice had always insisted that progress was a good thing. Augusta frowneda and felt a surge of guilt for how difficult she'd been in dealing with her daughter in law. Frank had stepped in many times, but she'd never tempered her vitriol. She looked at the sad woman sitting next to her and determined to be a better person.
"I think our Hermione will like you quite a lot."