The Replenishment Decree

“So, shall we meet again Wednesday evening for dinner?”

“Yes, let’s. We can keep each other up-to-date on any information we gather,” Harry agreed, not seeing the look shared between Dean and Draco.

They all started cleaning up the table from their brunch and moving plates to the sink before Filly and Pepper could come in and stop them.

“Just curious, has anyone checked the papers today?” Draco asked.

As it turned out, no one had. Hermione offered to collect them. Narcissa summoned the papers and pointed Hermione toward the owl room where she asked her to send Paionia off with a sickle to get them a copy of the new Witch Weekly.

“A sickle? Surely it’s less than that,” Hermione answered.

“I absolutely agree, however, I have a very strong feeling that this week’s release is going to be a Special Issue relating mostly to the Decree. It also behooves us to send more money than it’s worth and tip the paper cart so they treat Paionia well when she stops by.”

Hermione’s eyebrows went up as she nodded in agreement.

“Here you go, Draco,” Narcissa handed him the rolled copy of the Daily Prophet, allowing him to look at it with Dean first.

“Ha!” Draco burst out, laughing incredulously. “I think we’ll be okay, Dean. Thank you ever so much, Mother.”

Harry, curious, came up behind the other two young men and looked over their shoulders at the front page of the paper. Just then, Hermione came back into the kitchen and Harry spoke, “Well, well, well, ladies, two days in a row. Any plans for tonight? Going for three?” He, too, chuckled.

Hermione furrowed her brow and looked at Narcissa, who was also confused.

Draco dropped the paper onto the table between where the two women stood so they both stepped forward together to look.

“Oh, my,” Hermione said, shaking her head.

“We weren’t even doing anything,” Narcissa defended.

“I knew this would be the picture that was used if Skeeter had any say about it. You look absolutely gorgeous here, Narcissa. Rita could hardly keep her eyes off you.”

“When was that?” Harry asked.

“Oh, before the ceremony. Hermione and I had just arrived and spoken with Draco. As we were about to head into the courtyard, we realized Rita Skeeter was taking photographs of us. When we asked what she wanted she tried to pick a fight with Hermione and, when that didn’t work, she accused her of sedition. This photo in the paper was taken as we were walking away from that conversation.”

“What does the article say?” Harry was curious how Rita was spinning this to criticize Hermione.

Hermione picked up the paper to read it aloud, “Bustling with activity, Saturday afternoon in Diagon Alley was sunny, warm, and pleasant. Most people had no idea the place was rife with sedition and young people plotting the overthrow of our very own Ministry of Magic. This reporter, of course, knows the signs. When Harry Potter, boy wonder of Gryffindor House, is seen dining with Gregory Goyle, sidekick to Potter’s own schoolyard enemy, it should draw concern. Having much experience in the techniques required to track a developing story, this reporter sussed out that one would need to be in Hogsmeade at dusk for further information. When I arrived in Hogsmeade, I was immediately confronted with hostility, a sure sign that there was something to hide. The brain behind the so-called Golden Trio was standing in the middle of a Hogsmeade sidewalk, sharing an uncomfortable and awkward public display of affection with none other than Narcissa Malfoy (née Black). Though the ‘couple’ announced their ‘engagement’ in The Daily Prophet and The Quibbler on Saturday morning, it is clear to any reasonable onlooker that any relationship between the two mismatched witches is fake, forced, and serving nefarious purposes. When the witches were approached with a request for a friendly conversation, they reacted quite poorly. Miss Granger accused me of stalking her! Lady Malfoy resorted to childish name calling and further intimated I had no value as a human. The confrontation ended with the two witches stealing my wand, destroying my belongings, and laughing as they walked away, leaving me unprotected in the middle of Hogsmeade. All this while Lady Malfoy’s own child was participating in some sort of private rite in a warded tent with a large number of onlookers made up of peers and professors from Hogwarts School. The accompanying photograph was taken as the witches walked away and into the seditious ceremony. The crowd that entered, as witnessed by yours truly, was made up of other malcontents such as Blaise Zabini (child of suspected Death Eaters), Rubeus Hagrid (half-giant and former Azkaban inmate), Gregory Goyle (child of Death Eaters), Pansy Parkinson (child of Death Eaters), Seamus Finnigan (blew up the Hogwarts bridge), Minerva McGonagall in official looking robes, and more. Suspiciously missing from the Hogwarts reunion was Ronald Weasley and family, known supporters of the rule of law and the Ministry. One does wonder what ceremony could have centered around Draco Malfoy with all of those observers. Fear not, dear readers, me, myself, and I will get to the bottom of this.”

Hermione’s voice trembled as she finished reading, she was fighting back tears of fury and embarrassment. She expected harsh words from Rita, perhaps another article attacking her but not to the extent she had just read. Further, she was devastated to have brought the reporter’s wrath down on her fiancée. No one moved nor made a sound for a long, long few minutes.

“Well, she did get some things right. Even though she twists them all up, she’s not completely wrong,” Narcissa said calmly, “I mean, she was completely wrong about a few things, just not everything.”

“Mother, please, name one thing she was right about,” Draco rolled his eyes, trying to find a way to keep Hermione from crying, the young woman looked like she’d just been punched in the gut.

“We did announce our engagement in the Prophet and the Quibbler yesterday,” she smiled, rubbing her hand up and down Hemione’s back.

“Narcissa,” Hermione choked out, “she put ‘couple’ and ‘engagement’ in quotes. Like they’re not real. Like we,” Hermione pointed back and forth between the two of them, “are not real.”

“Okay then,” Narcissa continued, “I did call her names, worthless hag to be precise, and I said she had no value and I destroyed her property and we threw her wand across Hogsmeade and I laughed as we walked away from her. All of that is true. And all of those guests were there and the things she said about them were true. And there was a private ceremony in a warded tent officiated by Minerva McGonagall.”

“She was wrong about a lot, too, though,” Dean said calmly.

“I wasn’t,” Hermione tried not to cry, “I wasn’t really hostile when we first talked to her. And we weren’t faking anything, Narcissa. We aren’t uncomfortable or awkward together, are we? We don’t belong in quotes,” tears were streaming down Hermione’s cheeks and she could no longer stop them, her breath coming in gasping hiccoughs as she tried to control herself.

Narcissa wrapped Hermione up in her arms, squeezing her tightly. She had one arm around Hermione’s waist and the other hand holding the back of Hermione’s neck, trying to convey through touch how much she cared about the young woman. “Hermione,” she whispered, crying herself at the emotion before her, “Hermione, listen to me, we aren’t uncomfortable together. We aren’t awkward together. We aren’t faking anything. We don’t belong in quotes. We’re just a couple, getting married in three months, two weeks, and one day...but who’s counting.”

“We are,” Hermione whispered back. “I think maybe that’s been building since we ran into her yesterday.”

“Completely understandable.”

The women, still holding on to one another tightly, heard Paionia’s bell ring in the other room. “I’ll go,” offered Hermione, “she’s probably back with Witch Weekly.”

Narcissa took a moment to subtly wipe the tears tracks from her face before turning back to the gentlemen. “I apologize for my emotional display. I simply can not bear to see Hermione cry,” she confessed.

“And that is the biggest thing Skeeter was wrong about,” Harry said, “and it ought to be addressed. You two are one of the most natural couples I’ve ever seen, muggle or magical, and you don’t deserve the way she wrote about you.”

“Good grief,” Hermione exclaimed as she re-entered the dining area.

“What is it?” Narcissa was nervous.

“We’ve made the cover of Witch Weekly!” Hermione held it up for the others to see, on the cover was the photo montage from their Engagement Announcement with just one phrase underneath. “Just under the photos it says ‘the couple both feel a deep certainty in their souls that their match is just right’ and then it has what page you can find the apparent article on us in the new Special Section of Witch Weekly where they will be housing all things wedding related.”

“Oh, Merlin’s pants, this is getting out of hand,” Narcissa muttered.

Hermione handed the magazine over and told Narcissa it was her turn to read.

“Yes, fine, give it here. Let’s see, page RD1 - oh the front page of the wedding section, fancy.”

“Stop stalling, Mother, and read your article,” Draco teased.

“Winter Wedding for Bewitching Witches. Yesterday’s newspapers delivered an exciting announcement, the upcoming nuptials between Golden Girl Hermione Granger and her own lovely lady, Narcissa Black. I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to sit down with the two of them last night at another exciting affair and share a few words about their Announcement, their request to the Ministry to be allowed to wed, and their evening. After watching Miss Black and Miss Granger dance the night away, everyone could tell they were a couple completely absorbed in one another. When I asked them if they had kept anything from their Announcement or if there was anything else they would be willing to share, the couple agreed with one another that they had been forthright in what was printed in the paper. I reviewed their Engagement Announcement (p1) one last time and they were quite honest about one another. Don’t we all look for a relationship in which our partner has a deep certainty in his or her soul that we are the very best person to be with? Such a deep connection between the two witches was beautiful to behold. As our friendly conversation continued, I noticed that the two of them naturally gravitated toward one another, seemingly without even realizing it. They constantly demonstrated an emotional connection that some couples take years to master and had an innate sense of when the other would benefit from physical support - a hand on her back, an arm around her waist. When asked if they knew of any other upcoming weddings, neither witch could comment on anything other than their own on the twenty-first of December, the Winter Solstice. They did both remind me, however, that they had to ask the Ministry for permission to marry one another because, even though they’re together, the Ministry assigned them to different partners. There has been some speculation that we will see more witches and wizards marry without permission or assignment because they already know with whom they wish to spend their lives and they neither want nor feel they need Ministry permission to make that decision. It was an appropriate line of conversation considering we were at the unassigned wedding of Draco Malfoy and Dean Thomas. I was not invited in to witness the ceremony itself but I was invited to join the reception. The grooms danced together for much of the night, as did many of their guests. Looking out over the crowd, I saw very few assigned couples in attendance together. I did not, in fact, see Margaret Runcorn anywhere and she was the partner to whom Draco Malfoy was assigned. I did see Mandy Brocklehurst, Dean Thomas’ assigned partner and she seemed to be having a wonderful time with many of their school friends. She also looked completely unconcerned that her assigned spouse had just married someone else. Also in attendance was none other than The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter himself. He did not spend much time on the dance floor and, when he did, he danced with Luna Lovegood. I did not broach the topic of children with Miss Granger and Miss Black...saved that for the next meeting. And I do so hope to have another. I felt happier just spending time in the circle of joy those two created with each other. In case we don’t have the opportunity to speak again before your wedding, Hermione and Narcissa, I wish you an abundance of happiness with one another.”

Draco clapped his hands slowly, “And there you have it. Exactly what we were hoping for from last night.”

“How did that even happen? That’s like, literally, exactly what we wanted,” Hermione was astounded.

“You two are a force,” Harry laughed. “Your little barside chat with Adeline Adore must have gone perfectly.”

“It did go well, I guess,” Hermione agreed, looking down, trying to remember more of it.

“It did,” Narcissa smirked, nodding. “We were both tired and a little tipsy, I don’t think our conversation was quite so...verbose. I wonder if Miss Adore is angling for more interviews in the future.”

“If this is what she does with a few quick words, I would be inclined to grant her an interview anytime she asks,” Harry laughed.

Narcissa had to agree.

Draco had picked the Prophet back up off the table and was flipping through to look for any more information about the Decree. “Here we are, Trecus’ latest article. Huh,” Draco looked up at his mother and shook his head slightly, “interesting. It’s not much of an article today. It’s more of a list. Have a look.” He dropped the open paper back onto the table so everyone could see.

“Interesting is right,” Dean agreed. “So, we’re marked as complete now? I guess that’s good. It worked.”

“Sure did,” Draco tipped his head at his new, faux husband.

“And we’re listed as confirmed. Harry and Padma are listed as assigned.”

“Anyone new?”

“Oh, uh,” Hermione read the list again, “I’m actually not sure. Here, Cissy, let’s compare it to your notes later.”

Narcissa nodded and took that section of the paper and placed it with the parchment containing her research.

“Any plans for the day, gentlemen?”

Harry shook his head and was about to speak when he realized Draco and Dean were trying - very hard - to communicate silently with one another...it didn’t look like they were very successful. Finally, Draco rolled his eyes and spoke up.

“Actually, Mother, Dean and I are going to head away for a few weeks.”

“Oh?” Narcissa stopped moving.

“That makes sense,” Hermione chimed in, “I mean, if people think you got married yesterday, you should go on a honeymoon. Where will you be?”

“We’re going to start with a visit to Paris then travel to a few different areas in France ending on the French Riviera.”

“Oooh, Dean, let me know all about it! That sounds like a beautiful place to honeymoon,” Hermione said excitedly, reaching for Narcissa’s hand and hugging the other woman’s arm tightly to her chest.

“Mmm,” Narcissa hummed as she pressed a kiss to Hermione’s head, “I think maybe that’s the list we should be working on today.”

Harry smiled at the look of happiness on Hermione’s face.

“You two off soon, then?” Harry asked.

“Yeah, mate, we’re all packed,” Dean said, grinning.

“A word of advice, if I may?”

Draco looked at Narcissa and nodded.

“Even though it feels like you’re so far from here, our magical communities are quite intertwined. Anything you do in France will be reported here within a day. Please, please boys be smart and be safe. The last thing you want is to get tripped up by a foolish, drunken mistake on the Riviera.”

Draco stepped around the table and stood in front of his mother. Hermione stepped away to let them have a moment together. Narcissa reached out and grasped Draco’s hands, her eyes welling up with tears once more. “Mum, thank you for worrying about us. We will absolutely be careful. We aren’t going there to get drunk and pick up girls. We’re honestly going to some of the most magical locations in France’s history because they’re interesting and we’re going to wrap it up with a few days of lounging beachside and hanging out. I promise.”

“Thank you, my boy,” Narcissa placed a gentle kiss on Draco’s forehead and, when she released him, did the same to Dean.

“Have fun, see you in a few weeks,” Hermione said, hugging them each in turn.

Filly and Pepper came back into the kitchen and Filly let Draco know that their bags were already in Maison de Black in Paris.

“Alright! Then we’re off! We’re actually going to take the boat from Brighton just like you two did the other day. Sounded like a really lovely afternoon,” Draco said, hooking his arm through Dean’s.

“Have a blast,” Harry smiled.

And just like that, they were gone.

“Well, that kind of slows down our ability to network the resistance,” Harry chuckled.

“I have to agree with you on that, Mister Potter. Though it was a good plan for them to take a honeymoon.”

“Well, we can still track the couples being named by the Ministry and keep on top of that aspect of things. I wonder if maybe we should also send an owl to Miss Adore thanking her for her kind words?”

Narcissa looked at Hermione sharply, “Actually, that’s a great idea, Hermione. Stay on her good side.”

“Would you do it, Narcissa? Your handwriting is so beautiful.”

Narcissa rolled her eyes dramatically and laughed as she left the room to write out the message.

“Cissa! We’re going to the sitting room to get more comfortable!”

“Wait just a second, Hermione, you have a few letters here and Harry has one, as well! And I’d like you to come in here for them!”

Hermione and Harry looked at one another with furrowed brows but quickly followed Narcissa into the owl room.

“Oh, no,” Hermione said, seeing the Howler sitting on the ledge outside the window. “Narcissa, last time Rita started writing nasty articles about me I got loads of hate mail every day and a bunch of them were Howlers. Please, I can’t go through that again.”

“For today, we can put a basket outside the window to collect all of the current post that comes in. Tomorrow morning, when the Owl Post Office opens, we’ll go and get ourselves a post box. Then all letters being sent from owls other than our own will be delivered to the post box instead of directly to us.”

Hermione’s jaw dropped open. “What? You mean to tell me I suffered through months of hate mail, filled with the most abusive, vile messages I’ve ever read, for no reason? All I needed to do was get a post box? Why? Why wouldn’t a professor have told me that? Why would they let that continue? Do you know how-” but Hermione was interrupted before she could finish her sentence.

The Howler could wait no longer. It opened its mouth and shouted, “Miss Granger! I have tried repeatedly to get you to come over to The Burrow for dinner! We have a wedding to plan! I expect to see you at two o’clock today. On the dot! You are marrying my son, regardless of whatever rubbish you’re working so hard to get printed in the newspapers! Two o’clock! Do not be late! Mrs. Weasley.”

The three of them just looked at one another.

“Well, I never,” Narcissa finally said, appalled. “Who would be so demanding of another’s time? Does she think she owns you?”

Hermione couldn’t even respond, she just shook her head, her mouth opening and closing without producing any sound.

“Somehow, I don’t think a simply unavailable is going to work this time,” Harry said quietly. “Maybe I should’ve let you send your rant the other day. I’m sorry, Hermione.”

“What is this?”

“Mrs. Weasley sent a letter the other day, Wednesday I think, telling me to come over for supper and that she had questions for me regarding my ‘mealtime assignation’ the previous day. I had initially written a scathing response but, before I could send it, Harry suggested I cool off a bit. So, I simply sent one word, unavailable, and signed it H. Granger.”

“I think that was a better plan. Who knew she would continue to be so difficult?”

“Thank you,” Harry said, posture relaxing.

Narcissa transfigured a decorative little bowl she had sitting on the desk into a basket and placed it on the ledge outside the window.

“There, now the post will go in the basket and we need only check when we wish. Come, let’s go relax in the sitting room. Do you want your other post now?”

“I guess so,” Hermione said, her voice laced with stress.

“I’ll take mine, as well,” Harry answered, “I think it’s from Mrs. Weasley, also.”

The trio made their way into the sitting room, post in hand for each of them. As they made themselves comfortable, each of them started reading.

After a few moments, Harry let out a groan of irritation.

“What is it, Harry?”

“I’m just disappointed. I’ve always loved Mrs. Weasley, she treated me like another son but she was never as kind to you, Hermione, as she was to me and I wish I’d taken that more to heart when we were younger. Turns out she’s a raging hypocrite.” Harry handed his letter off to Hermione to share with Narcissa.

“So, it’s okay for you to defy the Ministry and wait to marry Ginny but I can’t? It’s okay for Padma to without her assigned partner but not Ron?”

“Darling,” Narcissa said, her voice syrupy sweet, “I’d like you to accept your invitation from Molly Weasley.”

Hermione looked at Narcissa with wide eyes.

“And Harry and I would love to join you all this afternoon,” she continued.

“Yes. We would.” Harry said, determination lacing his tone.

“Are you sure? She’s going to say horrid things to us both, I’m sure,” Hermione said nervously.

“I’m sure she is, as well, which is why I think we should both go. Be prepared, though, that even though other people who have seen us together comment about how good we are for one another, Mrs. Weasley will never feel that way. I would hazard a guess that even after we are married she will still continue to pretend we aren’t together. Her opinion, of course, has no bearing on us, dear. I have dealt with much, much worse than Molly Weasley’s insults and so have you. Hermione, you aren’t just the brightest witch of the age, you’re also one of the most resilient women I’ve ever known. You were tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange and came out stronger, braver, and more determined than ever. You can face Molly Weasley.”

Hermione, a look of wonder upon her face, hugged Narcissa tightly, unable to speak around the lump that had formed in her throat.

Settling back into the loveseat beside one another, Narcissa turned her attention to Harry. “You, however, are going to have to be a bit more vocal with her than you’d like, Harry.”

He sighed and nodded, “I know you’re right. I just feel guilty about it.”

“It’s crucial for more than one reason. Most importantly to me, it’ll help Hermione if you remind Molly that you’re choosing to defy the Ministry and do what’s right for your relationship with Ginny. Second, it helps us convince more people to defy the Ministry if you convince Molly and Arthur. Ask them if they’re hoping for more boys or another girl with their first pregnancy. If they don’t plan on having three more children then they, too, are defying the Decree.”

“Brilliant,” Harry smirked.

Narcissa nodded once, sharply, and went back to opening her own post. “Oh! Andromeda says our Announcement yesterday was beautiful and that we’re both quite welcome. She also invited us for tea tomorrow.”

Hermione blushed and leaned into Narcissa to read the letter in her hand. “Tea with Andy and Teddy tomorrow would be lovely,” she said quietly. “You know, Narcissa, we still haven’t chosen a location and we have to owl that back to Madame du Beaumont today.”

Narcissa dropped her post on the decorative table next her and turned to Hermione, “I have a thought on that.” Hermione nodded, a small smile gracing her features. “Have you ever heard of Achnagairn Castle? It’s in Scotland.”

“I haven’t, no,” Hermione shook her head.

“I have,” Harry said quietly. “Some celebrity got married there a few years ago. I heard it on the muggle news.”

“It’s stunning,” Narcissa said. “And the best part is that it’s actually owned by a magical couple so we would be able to rent out the whole castle and grounds and they would hire a magical catering company and waitstaff and everything so we wouldn’t have to worry about the Statute of Secrecy or anything.”

“We have about an hour before we need to be at the Burrow. Can we pop up to Scotland to see it?”

“Absolutely, I can Apparate just outside the grounds and we can talk to Amalia and Samuel. Harry, you’re welcome to join us,” Narcissa offered.

“Yes, Harry, please come! Then we can all go to Ottery St. Catchpole together.”

“I hate Apparating,” Harry chuckled, “but I’d be happy to go with you.”

“Great! I’m going to quickly send a note with Ulysses that we’ll be at the Burrow at two and then we can go!” Hermione said, smiling.

As Hermione left the room, Harry watched Narcissa watching Hermione. “You care for her so deeply, so fast.”

“I truly do. It’s a little mind boggling sometimes but she’s just so...real. She’s honest and forthright and bloody brilliant. She’s so loyal and so trusting. I’m surprised myself at how quickly this has all become so serious but I honestly wouldn’t change it for anything now.”

Harry was quite pleased to hear such a strong statement from Narcissa about Hermione. It made him worry less for his best friend’s heart.

“Okay! Let’s go! Oh, and Harry, don’t worry. Narcissa Apparates differently than we learned and you hardly even notice it.”

“Really? I’m not going to feel like I’m getting sucked through a straw?”

“Really,” Hermione grinned, lacing her fingers through Narcissa’s as they made their way down the front path. “And she’s going to teach me how to do it, too.”

“Good, then you can teach me,” Harry teased.

“Oh. My. Heavens.”

“I know, it’s gorgeous. Let’s walk around to the front gate, security can ring Amalia and Sam.”

As Harry followed the two witches around the beautiful grounds of Achnagairn Castle he understood why Narcissa would want to marry Hermione here. The grounds were expansive and stunning, filled with incredible greenery and surrounded by stately old trees. The castle wasn’t really a castle per se, more of a grand, luxury estate but it would hold the hundreds of people the couple would be inviting for the ceremony and reception.

“Um, Narcissa?” Hermione said, very quietly as they walked.

“Mmhmm?”

“Where...um, where did you and Lucius...have your wedding ceremony?”

Narcissa stopped walking immediately and turned Hermione so they were face to face. She reached up and cupped Hermione’s cheeks. “Outside at Malfoy Manor. I hardly knew anyone present at the time and put absolutely no opinion or effort into the planning. This is completely different.” Narcissa leaned down and kissed Hermione.

“Sorry,” Hermione said, cheeks pink, “thanks for understanding.”

“No sorries, Hermione. None at all. They’re not needed.” Narcissa started walking again, her arm wrapped around Hermione’s shoulder and Hermione’s arm around her waist.

As the trio approached the security gate, an elderly couple stepped through and met them.

“Narcissa Malfoy? Is that you?”

“Oh, Amalia, it’s been too long,” Narcissa stepped forward and hugged the other woman carefully, “so long, in fact, that I haven’t even told you all the good news!”

“Well, tell us now! And then tell us why you surprised us with a visit instead of coming to stay for a week this past summer! We missed you and Draco,” the older man, Samuel it seemed, laughed and took his turn hugging Narcissa.

“The first bit of good news is that my marriage to Lucius has been dissolved.”

“Oh! That IS good news! Thank the stars!” Amalia clapped her hands and then turned to lead the group onto the Achnagairn grounds.

“But the better news - the best news, in fact - is that I’m getting married again. This time to a wonderful, beautiful, smart, capable, kind witch.”

“You, I presume?” Samuel reached out a hand to Hermione.

She nodded, a little flushed at all of Narcissa’s compliments. “Yes, I’m Hermione Granger and I’m the lucky witch who gets to marry Narcissa on December the twenty-first.”

“If you marry this girl anywhere other than our castle there will be hell to pay, young lady,” Amalia teased Narcissa.

Hermione and Narcissa smiled brightly at one another and met for a kiss.

“That’s exactly what they wanted to hear,” Harry laughed and introduced himself.

“I knew I recognized Hermione’s name; you two are a big part of the reason Voldemort and his followers were caught, right? You’re the boy who lived, aren’t you,” Amalia questioned.

“I am. But we would never have been able to do what we did without Narcissa’s bravery. She saved Hermione’s life and then my own at great risk to herself. She showed incredible courage.”

“She has always been pretty spectacular. Narcissa and our daughter, Elizabeth, were great friends at school and she’s had a place in our family ever since.”

Narcissa blushed and smiled, looking down for a moment. “You’re sure you’re available for a wedding on the solstice? We’re planning to invite a few hundred people.”

“We’re sure,” Samuel grinned. “The solstice is on a Monday, so there aren’t any muggle conflicts and we’re not going to be allowing any Decree formed partnerships to wed on the grounds here. You know there’s something different in the air at Achnagairn, we don’t want the government using that to pad their wedding statistics.”

Harry and Hermione’s eyes met, maybe the Rebellion wasn’t as on hold as they thought...