The Art of War

“Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War

The boys were going to be left to their own devices. Hermione had let down her hair finally. There were even more waves to her locks, leaving them more manageable like this from an braid overnight. She went to shower before Draco woke up, not wanting to disturb his rest. Needing the space to get ready for tea that afternoon with Mrs. Malfoy, the Greengrass sisters, and Parkinson. Daphne was absolutely being made a bridesmaid, but she wasn't sure about the other Greengrass. Something didn't quite click between them.

Dressed in a silver and black dress with a sweetheart neckline with quarter sleeves that almost covered her scars completely, she let her hair fall in loose waves. Looking after Crookshanks, she almost laughed as the large cat hopped up onto Draco's bed and curled up near the foot of it. Well...at least she knew they actually did get along more than what those mirror conversations had offered her a glimpse into.

With her notebook of wedding ideas in hand, she went down to sit in the garden while she waited for tea. It held the incredibly rough sketches of her dress, and ideas for bridesmaid dresses. Down in the gardens, the breakfast she ate was light, nothing too heavy, as nerves fluttered through her. She had to hope that no other Howlers came through and that the rest of this would go off without a hitch. They had a little more than a month to get all of this ready.

Narcissa had handled everything. She’d personally invited the girls, taking the liberty of making a few extra calls. Though it seemed some feathers were ruffled from the impending marriage, leaving fewer options. It didn’t matter. Pansy and Daphne were more than enough. The others would have paled in comparison.

With a great big tent, she had installed sofas, a table, and cushions for them to enjoy. Blaise and Theo had helped her. Now, they were around but out of view. Looking at her pocket watch she knew four more minutes and the first portkey would arrive.

Hermione had been alerted when it was close to the time that she was meant to meet up with everyone. She sighed softly and stood up, looking out to the gardens and wishing she could disappear in the maze and find Petrus; she let that idea go before making her way across the grounds. There was a lot to do and several opinions to garner. She could at least admit that she hadn't ever imagined something as extravagant as this in her wildest dreams.

Sparkly was already a bit of an understatement for the dress. Luna's wish for it made it into the sketches partially because she promised and partially because she knew it would go well for their image. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Malfoy," she greeted politely, her notebook tucked under her arm and a small smile on her face. At least she and Narcissa seemed to be getting along.

“Hermione,” she nodded, testing out the name. “You do have a date set, and it will be awkward using the same name for each other soon enough,” she added as if to justify the sudden change. It helped that she had aided her son. Whatever had happened, he hadn’t made her privy to it. Not entirely. Only that Draco had been hurt badly.

"Of course, Mrs. Malfoy." She agreed easily enough. As long as the woman never asked her to call her mother, she'd be fine. That title was reserved for a woman that she wouldn't see again. Despite every desire to do so.

A first pop sounded, and Narcissa beamed. “Daphne and Astoria,” she easily greeted them, offering air kisses on both their cheeks. “Hermione and I were just discussing how delightful it was you could join us,” she supplied easily enough.

Daphne smoothed over her white-colored midi-length dress. Dainty, modest, and simple despite dripping in decadence with every hand-embroidered flower. “It’s our pleasure,” she smiled.

Astoria stepped forward, her dress hitting above her knee. A similar fabric with more youth to it. Her presence bolder. “I do apologize I didn’t see much of you the other night,” she supplied. “You seemed busy. I’m glad to remedy that in a more private affair,” she offered in apology to the brunette.

That first pop had her almost jump, but she turned and smiled at Daphne and at Astoria. Once again, Daphne seemed to carry a bit more grace and friendliness to her than she would have expected from one of the twenty-eight. Proved she shouldn't judge any more than they should. "Daphne, wonderful to see you again," she greeted brightly before turning to Astoria.

She truly was younger than all of them, and she could tell that from how she carried herself. But she had a level of boldness that almost reminded her of Ginny. "Of course. The other night was a bit of a whirlwind affair. I hope you enjoyed yourself, and it is wonderful to see you now," she offered back just as easily.

Poised, polite, and careful. Oh, so careful. She didn't know any of these women well enough not to be cautious.

Astoria grinned, tucking a wayward brown curl behind her ear. “It certainly was a whirlwind,” she couldn’t help but think of that dashing quidditch player she’d cornered. A slight blush seized her cheeks. “I can’t say I didn’t,” she supplied. “You’re the guest of honor,” she added. “Shiny and new,” she couldn’t stop herself. “You seem to be adjusting well,” she complimented.

Daphne fought not to roll her eyes. Instead, she tensed. “What my sister is trying to say is, we hardly know anything about you, and it’d be nice to change that,” she translated. “Gossip only gives so much…”

Hermione couldn't help but raise a brow at that, and she couldn't help but feel a little weird about being called shiny and new. New to this circle, but she didn't exactly feel like she was shiny. Or new. Far too tired for all of that. "It is an adjustment, but well worth it," she said simply, trying not to chuckle as Daphne tried to correct or elaborate on what her sister meant.

Another pop and Pansy arrived in a little black dress. “Did someone say gossip?” She demanded, moving to kiss either cheek of Mrs Malfoy without ever meeting skin. “Ladies,” she looked between all of them, cutting the decorum short. There was gossip, and formalities were so tedious. “I heard a certain Magpie chaser had quite the hickey,” she pointed to Astoria, judging and yet somewhat impressed.

"Well, that is part of the point of our tea for the day. I hope to get to know you much better," she agreed. Though as Pansy popped in at the word gossip, she actually had to try not to laugh. If Pansy didn't have the best gossip of wizarding high society, she would likely know the most. "Good to see you again, Pansy," she offered.

But at the comment about the quidditch player, she glanced over at Astoria and tried not to laugh at that. Well. At least some things never changed for some women. They always gossiped, and they always flirted. The idea that they were so carefree when so many struggled, though? It made something twist inside of her.

Astoria gave a look to Pansy that met that challenge and blazed with a fierce want to riposte. "You can't trust every source," was all she gave with a shrug.

Pansy smirked, almost pitying her. "Well I did enjoy my interview with the team this morning," she drawled. A hickey. What child's play.

"Now now," Narcissa gave nothing away, long since lost the flush for such conversations. "Tea is best served scalding," she smiled, ushering them towards the table. At least the ladies weren't taking time to pour the tea, so to speak.

Hermione actually chuckled as she walked over to the table to take a seat, smoothing the skirt of her dress over her legs. The level of gossip wasn't something she'd taken part in since she was in school and never to this degree. Normally it was just who Ginny had been dating.

"What prompted your interview with the team?" She had no clue what any of them, save for Daphne working at St. Mungos, did any longer. Their lives had moved forward while she and others their age had fought in a war. Daphne at least seemed like she was attempting to do some good. She wasn't so sure about Pansy or Astoria.

"They're on a winning streak," she responded easily, settling in front of her teacup. "I mostly cover sports lately, not any less bloody than current affairs, but at least it's pleasant company," she smiled over her cup. It was easier.

Astoria gave a look as she drank that said, sure that's it. "Nastya was likely upset you got there first," she shrugged.

"Dolohov needs to be more flexible...with her time."

Daphne shook her head. "You're both ridiculous. We all know I get the best tea in my line of work," she smiled innocently. "I suppose we'll be seeing some enhancements on certain guests at the next event," she let the tidbit hang over her cup. "Can't attend the wedding of the decade without vanity gripping the upper crust," she chuckled.

"I see. I'm sure the company is rather pleasant. I can honestly say that I haven't been able to follow Quidditch nearly as much as I might have liked," she offered, giving Pansy a bit more of her interest. She was keeping mental notes of all of the names that were mentioned.

Raising a brow at that, she tried not to question things that apparently they had all known rather well. Looking over at Daphne, though, she raised a brow. "What sorts of enhancements should we be expecting?"

That was another thing that had her cringe internally. Of course that was becoming a fashion again. Magical and medical enhancements to do what would make them seem better than they were. It was vapid. It was conceited and vain—business as usual to anyone that didn't fight.

Narcissa sipped her tea. "Yes, what enhancements?" she asked. This was something she could use to shut down vapid housewives.

Daphne chuckled. "Rejuvenation is very popular right now, but so are breast augmentations. I'd say most of the older women have gotten a few treatments, and then a few...younger candidates felt a need for a little help. Some of it is very tasteful," she added, almost offering the service to Narcissa without actually doing so.

"Not everyone can be gifted with strong genes," the matriarch said, summoning a small chocolate-covered strawberry.

Astoria nodded. Though her eyes spoke for most of her sentiments, her lips seldom smiled as it seemed customary for most pureblooded women. An avoided smile kept the lines of age away. "I'm more interested in the real information," she looked to Hermione. "All this chatter of the wedding, and yet, nothing has been stated. Anything you'd like to share, off the record, of course," she eyed Pansy pointedly.

Hermione could honestly say that didn't sound too surprising. Or too different than Muggle women. Not that she'd point that out to anyone at this table as she took a sip of tea. She let herself at least appear relaxed as she listened to that gossip.

The food was tempting, but she took her time to actually listen rather than say anything. Perhaps Daphne wasn't doing as many good works at the hospital as she had thought. It shouldn't surprise her. Many of them seemed quite focused on trying to outdo the others for good matches.

"And what is it that you'd want to have been stated about the wedding, Astoria?" It had her raising a brow without showing much on her face. Though she glanced over at Pansy a moment and then between the three women.

"Some details have been given in our interview, of course. Perhaps you're wondering about colors? Who might be at the wedding party? Details about the dress, perhaps?" It was leading, but she had noticed that leading questions were used by this crowd to attempt to contain the conversation in agreeable territory.

Pansy studied Hermione a moment, the same way one might study their opponent. "A date would be a fair start," she said easily. "And for the record, I don't deal in gossip in my career, that's just for fun," she looked pointedly at Astoria.

Daphne chuckled. "Ladies, we're friends; well, some of us are bound by family," she chuckled teasingly at Astoria. "I doubt we're leaving a good impression on our new friend," she soothed. "Though I think we all agree we'd love to help you with whatever you need," she said gently.

Astoria rolled her eyes at her sister. "I didn't inherit tact," she forced a smile. "Not all of us can be as modest and perfect as you Fee."

Pansy almost choked on her tea. "I think what Astoria is saying is perhaps we forgot our place in trying to include you in usual exchanges of the like. I can't imagine how life was for you, but you're here now, and I suppose we just want to make sure you feel...like one of the ladies," she offered an olive branch.

"August 5th," she said simply without elaborating further. It was short notice but she wasn't going to explain why that was either. She snorted slightly at that but offered the hint of a smile. "You did have a passion for gossip in school as well if I'm not mistaken. We all need our hobbies."

Whatever she needed. There were a lot of things she needed rather than wanted, and she was rather certain they couldn't help with nearly a handful of them. But clearly, there was some animosity or competitiveness between the young women.

Stealing a glance over at Mrs. Malfoy, she gave her attention back to the trio of women. "A lot different than it is now. I do feel included, so thank you. Might need a crash course in all of the gossip later from you, Pansy," she offered that bit of an olive branch as well. Pansy could probably tell her nearly everyone's secrets.

“With pleasure,” she almost purred the words. She had made it her mission to uncover dirt on everyone. It was why she enjoyed her life unmarried. Astoria, on the other hand, was only safe so long as Daphne didn’t wed, and that was just a matter of time.

“That doesn’t leave much time, but enough to make it count,” Daphne managed.

Astoria sipped her tea, much as Mrs Malfoy did. The matriarch she had looked up to was scheming. She could feel it.

Narcissa smiled. Finally, a pecking order was establishing itself. “I should go check on the advancement of menu options,” she offered the girls some time. “Try not to make me regret leaving you ladies unattended,” she half-chided.

"Excellent," she said with a bit of a smile before it was gone. Knowing what she could about others would help her here. Which made Pansy someone she would need to actually draw in a little bit.

Looking at Pansy, she shifted her notebook on the table. "Not much time at all...which is where I did want to ask a few opinions on dresses," she offered, watching reactions and trying to see who might actually be able or willing to do so without giving her faulty advice. She wasn't sure how far she could trust them. But Daphne seemed the most trustworthy so far. Pansy would likely boast she got to help with the wedding of the decade, but she could live with that.

Sipping her tea, she tucked one leg behind the other and nodded. "We'll behave, Mrs. Malfoy." As long as they did she would anyway.

Astoria looked over the sketches and pulled out her purse to produce a short quill she kept there. “May I?” she asked, motioning for the journal.

Daphne raised a brow. “My sister does like to sketch outfits. She’s got a good eye for it.” Though she was reassuring she hoped it never got back to their parents. They hadn’t raised a seamstress with an attitude problem, or so his father would say.

Pansy tucked that information for later and turned to Hermione. “Sapphire and silver, then?” She asked. “Pulling on your engagement dress as a backdrop…I’m sure we can enchant the ceiling to mirror the night sky,” she mused.

A little surprised at that from Astoria, she gave a nod of her head. "You may," she offered with a faint smile.

"Nothing wrong with having a hobby," she offered to Daphne, trying to cover that. From what she could tell from how the women carried themselves, it was as if their own personal lives were backdrops while the men were meant to do more. She understood a bit more why Mrs. Malfoy had given her the Black grimoire to look over. Bellatrix hadn't let herself become a backdrop to her husband. One small thing to admire, she supposed.

Hermione nodded at that, taking one of the chocolate-covered strawberries. "Close. Sapphire, silver, and black. Felt like emerald was a bit too overdone and didn't want to go near crimson or burgundy." No Gryffindor colors. "Enchanting the ceiling would be perfect."

Pansy seemed to nod approving, a notebook and a sleek black quill jotting notes. “So Hermione,” she said the name with more respect than she ever had in her life. “What statement are you planning to make?” She asked.

Daphne perked, looking away from the slight adjustments her sister made to the sketches. “I think she’s asking what type of lady of the house you plan to present yourself as,” she supplied the translation.

That had her raising a brow as she glanced between Pansy and Daphne, letting Astoria work. The last thing she wanted to do was distract her as she sketched and made adjustments. "A very good question..." She murmured, keeping her expression calm.

What sort of statement was she planning on making? "An involved one, to be sure. Charity work and research funding. The rest I'm figuring out," she offered with a shrug. This wasn't the life she would have chosen, but she'd be making the best of it every step of the way.

Daphne paused. “Involved like in the war or on the sidelines?” She had a light tremor in her hand that calmed as she took her tea cup. “Not to pry,” she added, “but every color and aesthetic is going to be unraveled into messaging. Even your flowers will have meaning…” she tried to explain.

Pansy nodded. “She’s right. There’s a whole subtext and cues our parents and peers will latch onto.”

Hermione raised a brow at that, her finger lightly tapping along the side of the teacup as she thought about that. "....I'm honestly not sure." It was the most diplomatic thing she could say. Sidelines with certainty. But in the war? The idea of not getting revenge on Diggory dug at her. The man had made it so she would be stuck here. She'd make it his problem.

Daphne nodded. "We can work with ambiguity, focus on loyalty, and pride in floral arrangements. Should be enough to keep things positive," she smiled. "Lilies would definitely do the trick...perhaps Amaryllis, Gladiolus are the flowers of warriors..." She tried to remember her studies from her youth. "I can dig up the book I had when I was a child."

"Ugh, that big one?" Pansy shrugged. "With the purple cover and the silver filigree?"

Astoria wanted to gag thinking about it. "Don't bother, it's um...out of commission," she admitted. "Sounds like Pansy has one, though, and there's probably one here, too..."

"Ambiguity might work the best. Loyalty and pride being the forefront. Though keeping them in blues, blacks, and whites might be a little tricky unless we simply transfigure them," but then color had its own meaning. She wasn't overly familiar with flowers and their various meanings, but she was aware that they did have them, and the colors mattered as well.

Glancing between the three women, though, she had to briefly wonder what their educations were like at home, that they simply had the flower meanings memorized. She had the different medicinal properties memorized, but not this.

“The flowers are more important than color in a wedding,” Daphne offered. “Plus, you can always use textures and patterns in your settings to reinforce anything. Go heavy on the Malfoy crest, you should be golden.”

Pansy nodded. “Unless you’re a Black, it’s pretty rare for the extant line to figure,” she felt like she was quoting her mother. It had her pull a flask and spill a dash of whiskey in her tea.

Hermione was a little envious of that whiskey, but she didn't let her gaze linger on it as she nodded her head. Gladiolus would be ones that could work. Lilies. She wished that this part didn't have to be overly complicated. But all of it seemed to be a test of loyalty and presentation.

"I see." She murmured. It wasn't like her family had a crest to feature in this at all.

Daphne gave Pansy a pointed look, which only had the brunette silently offer her some. The elder Greengrass shook her head, but it didn't stop Astoria from pushing her cup forward.

"I was so hoping for a refresher," she smiled.

Pansy perked her brow. "Eh, whatever," she poured her a serving and paused before looking at Hermione. "Team fun or no fun?" she smiled.

A sigh left Hermione's lips, but a smile curved her lips as she pushed her cup closer to Pansy. "Fun." She said simply. It was more helping her calm her nerves. There were a lot of things she still hadn't figured would matter to wizarding society she was going to have to get used to.

Glancing over at the sketch that Astoria was working on, though, she wanted to see what changes had been made.

Daphne sighed and shook her head. "Now I look no fun," she nudged her teacup as if throwing caution to the wind. She couldn't help but eye the looming manor, almost as if asking forgiveness.

"The humility is overwhelming me, sister; let me bask in it so that I, too, may be worthy of a man," she mocked. "Seriously," she shrugged. "No wonder you're still single."

Daphne flushed. "I don't want to rush into things, and I don't need to throw myself at every wand-wielding prick out there." She took her newly filled teacup and took a deep drink.

"You do you," Pansy said simply, not flustered in the slightest. "It's not a competition, and if it was, we're here to support the winner," she looked at Hermione. "What sort of dress are you thinking?" she asked.

Hermione took the teacup back and took a sip, her shoulders easing a little bit more. Just a little bit of whiskey to help with her nerves. This lot was used to having to try and compete for the few wizards their parents would approve of. And Hermione had gotten one of them. It made her a little more cautious. Just in case.

"It certainly isn't a competition," she agreed with Pansy and then thought about how to describe the dress. "Something with near-transparent flowing sleeves, still far too warm for anything too heavy in that way. Bodice with stones that will better match my ring," she explained a little, gesturing towards the notebook and letting the hand with the ring on it rest next to the notebook.

"Don't settle for anything less than real stones," Pansy nodded. "Transparent fabric, ballsy, I like it," she processed out loud. "Definitely setting the bar high. I like it."

Daphne looked over at the page Astoria had flipped to. "If you layer it enough, it'll remain tasteful; I doubt you'd go as transparent as Pansy," she chuckled.

"Listen, I was given assets, and I am not afraid to flaunt them," Pansy grinned without shame. "Similar fabric but darker for your bridesmaids, probably a blue to highlight the blacks of the boys?"

Astoria was working on the latest sketch, adjusting stones. "This part," she motioned to the waist. "I'd add stones here to balance out here," she motioned for the upper chest. Ripping a piece of paper, she cast a charm to make it semi-transparent and set to work to show the difference without altering what was there. "Like this, and then here," she pointed to the shoulders. "Single layer from each shoulder, like a cape in two parts."

"Transparent for the sleeves and over the skirt. Layered enough that it actually covers and hides enough to be modest and can support the stones," she explained easily enough. She nodded to Daphne and tried not to laugh. "Not sure if I'm bold enough to be too transparent."

Partly because there would be so many Death Eaters at the ceremony, partially because she was more modest than that, and partially because she still was adjusting to her body as it got what it needed. "Blue to highlight their black would work incredibly well. Only able to pick two bridesmaids to Draco's two groomsmen," she murmured.

Best to get that out of the way so there wouldn't, hopefully, be too much competition for those two spots. She leaned forward, looking over what Astoria was doing, before she took another deep drink from her tea cup. "That would work really well..." And would allow her arm to both be obscured and not.

"I know your seamstress; her charms are solid. If you want to make an impact, you can have her make it appear one way and then have it be this way once you reach that altar. Make it like the night sky, and have it fade with every step until it ends....here," she pointed to the last diamond at the base of her neck.

Pansy perked a brow. "You, if I ever settle, you're on the dress committee."

Astoria looked at Pansy. "If that happens, you can ask me to be your bridesmaid." She turned to Hermione. "I won't be offended. I wasn't expecting anything really, except tea," she sipped her cup.

Daphne looked at her sister gently. "Any of us would be honored," she said. "Either way, you have us to help."

That actually had her blink a few times, and she nodded her head. That would be perfect. Each step revealing another stone along her chest and along the bodice. It would certainly make a statement. And she honestly felt that would have the papers talking more about the ceremony for a while.

"You're rather brilliant, Astoria," she praised with a smile before she glanced at Pansy and Daphne. "I was hoping to ask both women who were in my year. If you'll both accept," she stated, then glanced over at Astoria. "I appreciate you not being offended."

If she had to keep it do bridesmaids with the women she would rather have, it would have been Ginny and Luna. And then there would have been more than a few hurt feelings.

At least this part was all falling carefully into place.

Pansy nodded. "I'm in. I would rather be next to Zabini, then I can wear my six-inch heels," she supplied. "Plus Nott probably wants a rearview, in case I try to offer to push said heel into his eyeball," she smirked. "It's an ongoing thing. I won't actually do it, but he doesn't know that," she smiled wickedly.

Daphne shook her head. "Nott is nice, I don't know why you antagonize him."

"He's dreadfully dull," she quipped. "And yours for that evening, fancy that."

Astoria almost snorted as she made notes and added sketches to her work for the seamstress. "We both know that ship won't sail. But the longer my sister avoids engagement, the longer I enjoy sweet, delicious freedom, and that..." she sipped her tea. "Is priceless."

"The man is rather tall," she chuckled. At least she knew that Zabini and Parkinson got along. Didn't they gossip together back in school? Maybe it would be a great evening for them to catch up and drink. There was that. "Well, I certainly appreciate you not actually getting one of the groomsmen bloody for the ceremony," she offered a small smile.

These women were something else. But she antagonized both Zabini and Nott. Though she did owe them for informing her of what was happening to Draco. Perhaps she'd be a little less hostile for a little while. Make their lives easier. For a little while.

"So your family is insisting on having Daphne married before you?" She asked curiously, adding more tea to her cup this time and taking a sip before she ate a few more finger foods.

Astoria nodded. "She's the eldest, if I married first, others would think she was defective or what have you," she rolled her eyes. "Some traditions are dumb, not that I particularly want to break from them. There was one, but that ship sailed," she shrugged.

Daphne reached out to her sister. "I'm sorry," she said honestly.

"If it was meant to be, I'd be the one saying sorry, sis, you know me and making father grow that nice shade of...aubergine, is it? I think I might have it as a highlight when I do wed," she half jested.

Pansy shook her head at their antics, her short hair bobbing against her cheeks. "No blood on your wedding," she vowed.

"Well, I'm realizing just how many traditions are still observed," she chuckled slightly and shook her head. Some traditions were absolutely dumb. Though she did briefly wonder which wizard had nearly gotten Astoria's attention.

Hermione didn't know what to say to the sisters or what condolences to offer there. She'd pay attention, though, and try to see if there were any wizards that did catch Daphne's attention. Help her sister out a little bit. Maybe. She did have to keep seeing these women, after all.

"Thank you, Pansy." There would be enough hatred at her wedding that she'd prefer to avoid bloodshed.

"Though you may want to remind the boys about the no-blood thing," she added.

Daphne cringed. "I'll have my bag stocked just in case. Never know when someone will damage themselves," she muttered.

Astoria shrugged. Either way she'd be drinking in a corner, finding her next move. "I'd say lace their drinks, but that might be badly seen, so don't do that."

"They'll be reminded. As long as everyone behaves, there shouldn't be any bloodshed," she said with a shrug.

She actually snorted at that and shook her head. "I think they'll be well-behaved enough. If I don't remind them, Draco certainly will."

Glancing down at her ring, she adjusted it on her finger a moment. The fact she hadn't knocked the damn thing against anything was impressive.

Daphne smiled. "Behavior or not, people get hurt," she supplied. "And this is your day," she reminded the brunette. "Don't let anyone take it away from you," she smiled. "And if they try, sic Pansy on them. I'll make sure they're in decent form to go home."

Astoria chuckled at that. "Have you both been having tea with Ms Zabini?" she asked.

Pansy smiled earnestly at that one. "That's a wonderful idea. She has the most wonderful-looking staff," she licked her lips. "To be that rich and in charge...mmmm."

Hermione was very aware of people getting hurt. It made her think of her fiance up in the manor still recovering. He should be a lot better today as well. At least, she hoped so. "Well, I'm sure Pansy would love to take care of them. What with her six-inch heels," she murmured, shaking her head. How did that woman walk in those?

She often forgot that Ms. Zabini was widowed several times over. With her husbands having died under mysterious circumstances.

Pansy merely nodded. It would be her utmost pleasure to dispatch someone causing trouble. "Does that make me your maid of honour?" she asked, feigning innocence. "Which also means, I get to plan the bachelorette..."

Daphne shook her head. "Consider the crowd before you...do you."

"Relax, I got this, Draco will have a perfectly unharmed and unviolated bride," she promised. "Who will have had a blast, thank you very much."

Hermione actually lifted a brow at that and tried not to laugh. "...Nothing crazy, Pansy.....but fine. Yes. Maid of honour. Since you'll be threatening people with your heels at my wedding....better be very unviolated. Draco has been quite...protective."

Without even meaning it, she smiled just a touch more softly at that. Overprotective? Certainly. But him promising no harm would come to her had been sweet. Even if she wasn't sure he could really promise that.

"So Friday, girls trip, I'm sure Malfoy owns some castle or coastal place we can steal for a weekend of planning, scheming, and partying?"

Daphne mostly listened but nodded. "I'm free most weekends," she agreed.

Astoria shook her head. "I can help Mrs Malfoy with whatever she needs," she offered Hermione. "If you want to get away."

An entire weekend. With her bridesmaids. It almost had her shudder. But this was part of the role. Socializing and learning from them. "I suppose. I'll talk to Draco."

The fact she wanted him to say no on her behalf was a little pathetic. She should revel in the chance to get away. Most of her life would be tethered to this manor before long.

"Great," Pansy said. "Now, I do hate to drink and dash, but there's a match starting in an hour," she rose from the table and kissed the air on the side of Hermione's cheeks. "Tell Cissy I was oh so very sorry to leave, and see you this weekend."

Astoria felt a streak of jealousy. "We probably need to head back soon. We don't want to take your whole day away. This was nice, though," she offered gently.

Daphne smiled at the kinder version of her younger sibling that seemed to be emerging. "You have a lot to do," she said knowingly. "Anytime you need support, I'm an owl away."

Returning the air kisses to Pansy, she gave her a nod. "I'll absolutely tell her. And I'll see you soon." She offered before looking at the Greengrass sisters with a smile. "This was...We'll have to do it again soon. Especially once I get dresses figured out for the pair of you," she gestured to Pansy and Daphne before offering a smile to Astoria. "Might let the fashion expert look over it first."

It was in her nature to try and include others, and while she knew that being firmer was going to be necessary, she had noticed a bit more warmth between the three of them than she would have expected.

Astoria smiled. “Any time you need someone for a fitting, let me know,” she offered, giving Hermione her journal back.

Daphne stood to bid her friend farewell. “If you need anything, reach out.” It was perhaps broad, but friendships were broad. She hoped the young woman knew she wasn’t alone.

Hermione offered a smile to them both as she took back her journal. "I certainly will. I'll see you soon," she offered.

Even if that idea made her anxious. When was the last time, not counting her engagement party, she had been to any sort of party? Bill and Fleur's wedding?

Narcissa had felt the departures in the wards, and made her way towards the brunette. "Did you have a productive time?" she asked gently. "I've had the staff hard at work to give you sample menus and table concepts based on your colors. Linens, sashes, the small things that might get overlooked. They'll be left in your study whenever you're ready." Narcissa didn't want to overload the girl, but where she had had months to bite-size everything, her son and his bride didn't have that luxury.

Finishing the last of her tea, she moved to stand up and gave a nod. "Very productive. Thank you for facilitating this. I'll go look at those in just a moment and make selections." She didn't have time to really dwell on any of it. And as long as it made a statement, she didn't care. This would be nothing like what she actually wanted for herself, but she'd play her role the way she was meant to.