Moonlight Sonata

As they entered a second area of the garden, Hermione couldn't help but look at the people around them with hidden amusement. It was almost like she was at some kind of circus, everyone moving to congratulate them and “show off their tricks” like some sort of animal eager for a treat.

Not that she was completely confused by the matter – as a war hero and now a Malfoy, Hermione was a jewel of sorts. Her notice and acceptance would give the recipient passage into some of the most hallowed areas of high society.

Today had been the most beautiful of days, admittedly. After the line of well wishers died down, the music began, and Draco turned to take her hand.

“If I may have this dance, Mrs. Malfoy?” He murmured, a smirk on his lips.

“Oh, I don't know...whatever would my husband say?” She replied, a brow arching slightly. All she could do was gasp as he simply swung her into his arms and out onto the dance floor, and as they danced, she couldn't help but laugh. “You absolute rogue.”

“Of course.” He chuckled. As they danced, it was as though their world was perfect at last, and no one outside his arms existed to her. It was the most wonderful feeling, and he shared it.

Unfortunately, reality made its presence known as Eriko, watching in contentment on the edges of the dance floor, suddenly fell forward to the smooth marble, sliding a few feet to stop beside Hermione's skirts.

The world exploded around them as Draco whirled Hermione behind him, drawing his wand while the guests screamed and dropped to the ground for the most part. George dove through the crowds, tripping to his knees not far from his wife, as cracks of apparation resounded throughout the area.

“Hermione, what are you doing?!” The voice was shrill, and though Draco heard it from behind him, he did not turn. He knew that voice, and trusted it.

“My wand! It's in my garter, but these...bloody...skirts!”

“Oh for the love of Merlin!”

“Pansy?! What are you doing!? Oh.” Draco had to whirl around at that, blinking as he saw Pansy's hand coming from under Hermione's skirts, followed by the girl herself. A blink and shake of his head, turning back to face the area around them. Already, his and Hermione's friends had formed a circle around Hermione, Pansy, Eriko, and George.

“Is she okay?” Pansy whispered, dropping to kneel. Still, there was no attack, and the group was tensing even more. Why attack Eriko and disappear?

“I...I don't know.” George was panicing, and as Hermione dropped to kneel beside him, she brushed him away with an irritated mutter.

“Nott...tell me that isn't your father.” Draco hissed to the man on his left. The silence had him scowling, as dark cloaks drew nearer to the circle. “...is that Goyle?! Goyle, what the hell are you doing?!”

“My son finally saw fit to do his duty to his bloodline.” The dark figures had enclosed them, Draco tensing up as he realized wards had just dropped behind them. They were trapped – and no one could get in to save them if something went wrong. “It took persuasion...but it's not like he was ever one to do anything on his own...”

“He's under-” Harry began, cut off as Draco growled an acknowledgement. “...so, what do you think you're going to do, anyway?”

“In case you haven't noticed...we have you outnumbered two to one.” Nott's father commented, his arms crossed over his chest, wand tapping his chin. “...do you really think the odds are in your favor?”

“You had us outnumbered one hundred to one before – and we still won.” Ginny snapped in irritation, her back straightening as she glowered at the figures around them. “What makes you think you'll win this time?”

“...new techniques.” Goyle Sr. sneered, a smirk on his face. “...the moment one of us dies, the wards will kill everyone in them. ...we knew the lot of you wouldn't be able to avoid coming to aid the Mudblood and that Blood Traitor...”

“A trap, hm?” Hermione straightened, her foot beginning to tap the floor. “...then, since we're all going to die anyway, you won't mind telling us how you knew to take Eriko out.”

“The little bitch was telling the house elves not to worry about the wards, she would keep them up personally.” An unknown voice snarled from behind a hood. “Filthy foreigner...if not for her, this disgusting law wouldn't have been thought of...and once we slaughter you lot, they'll drop the whole thing...”

“Doubtful.” Harry's voice was less than interested, as he heard movement from behind him, and a faint hiss of metal coming out of a sheath. “A Pureblood attack on this wedding will only make them more determined to keep the law.”

“Besides, you're forgetting one minor detail.” Pansy growled at her mother, who was the one throwing slurs at Eriko.

“And what's that, you little Blood Traitor?” Her mother hissed.

“...Hermione is the brightest witch of her age...and you used a spell she knew.” Pansy smirked a bit, glancing over as Eriko got to her feet and the wards surrounding them dropped. “...and Eriko loathes appearing graceless.”

The end of her sentence was accompanied by a dagger thrown to kill. As Goyle's father dropped to the floor with the dagger in his throat, Goyle looked around in confusion, dropping to his face as spells erupted on all sides.

Soon enough, Pansy had stunned her mother, the last of the group standing, and was standing over her in rage, her wand shaking as she pointed it down at the startled face. “You are the reason I look bad...the reason I refuse to go out in public anymore. You and your stupid ideals! Get over yourself! And guess what! I'm getting married! To a muggle!”

As the Aurors burst into view, they blinked a few times, glancing around at the fallen bodies, and the heroes who were nursing random curse wounds. Eriko looked absolutely furious, and immediately rounded on the nearest Auror before starting to scream at him in Japanese, her body shaking violently as he began to back away.

Finally, the rant ended in a scream of rage, and she dropped to sit on the floor, her head in her hands, shaking as her husband gathered her into his arms, glaring at the man.

“You were supposed to be protecting her. Where were you?!” He snapped at the aurors.

“...we...assumed since they didn't attack at the wedding itself...” He stammered, falling silent under the ferocity of the glares he was receiving. “...Stop it! I wasn't even on security detail!”

“...get out of here.” Hermione was shaking, tears in her eyes as she held a handkerchief to a gash on Draco's arm, as he lay gasping for breath on the floor. “All of you worthless ministry fools...take them and get out of here!”

“Ma'am, we're not permitted to leave until we're sure you're safe-”

“Get out!” She screamed, leaving the group to stare in shock. “Get out of my house!”

Author's Note:

Still having weird troubles with the game, I just gave up for the time being. Thought I'd get this fun little chapter out before I went to sleep. Hope you enjoyed it! And make sure to read the proper note of agony and bordering-on-torn-vocal-chords into Hermione's last scream. It really gives it life. Til next time, everyone!