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Pride & Prejudice & Leprechauns	By : Refictionista Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 4178 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Nothing from the wizarding world of Harry Potter is mine, and I make no profit off of my writing. The fact that this story is on this site obviously implies that I am a fan writing fanfiction.

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The next day, Luna came over a full hour before the socially acceptable time for receiving visitors, but Hermione made no comment. To Luna, time was an arbitrary and whimsical notion.

“When exactly does the day end?” Luna had asked one day when questioned about this belief. “Is it when the moon comes out while the sun is still up? What if there is no moon? Is it when the sky turns pink and purple, and, if so, then what is the exact shade? No, time is an illusion, and to wizarding kind doubly so.”

This was why Hermione loved Luna so very much. Luna’s wit and wisdom were beyond measure, so much so that her reasoning was often elusive; however, Luna nearly always came out ahead in reasoning with her dream-like ways.

“So you are engaged to Mr. Weasley,” stated Luna matter of factly, whilst the two witches worked together on their separate needlework projects.

“I suppose,” said Hermione. “Maybe.”

“Well,” said Luna, “according to the banns posted in this morning’s Daily Prophet, you are.” She set aside her stitching to reach into her reticle, then she held out the paper.

“What!” cried Hermione, snatching the news sheets from her friend’s grasp.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weasley are pleased to announce the upcoming marriage of their son, Mr. Ronald Bilius Weasley, to Miss Hermione Jean Granger, daughter of Muggles. The couple’s engagement comes as no surprise to friends and family.

“Daughter of Muggles!” hissed Hermione. “This is not to be endured. My parents are Muggles, but they have names!”

“As all parents likely do,” said Luna, “but technically this wording is also correct.”

“I... I honestly have no words to describe my anger,” said Hermione.

“Are you angry at the younger Mr. Weasley?” asked Luna.

“Heavens, no,” said Hermione, “this is obviously the work of his mother. She has been most persistent on an engagement between the two of us. She likely had the wording of the announcement ready the moment he came home and told her that I said yes.”

“Oh,” said Luna, “you said yes then.”

“Well, not exactly.”

“How very odd,” replied Luna, turning back to her embroidery.

They were then interrupted by the arrival of a proud looking snowy white owl carrying a letter in its beak.

“What a lovely owl,” said Luna. The owl, apparently understanding the diminutive blonde, made a slight bow. Luna curtsied in return, and the owl hooted back at her in pleasure.

Luna took the letter while Hermione gave the bird a small treat. Luna then read aloud to Hermione.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Our mutual friend, Blaise Zabini, has talked of nothing but your description of the elusive nargles you are so sure live in the gardens of Malfoy Manor. If you are not so compassionate as to dine today with us, Lady Malfoy and I shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day’s sermon from a secondhand source can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on receipt of this, provided you wish to discuss magical beasts and where to find them.

Yours ever,
PANSY PARKINSON

“Oh, how wonderful,” said Luna, “Blaise is showing an interest in nargles, and he’s quite right.”

“Right about what?” asked Hermione.

“The Malfoy Manor’s garden is known for their magnificent silver birches,” said Luna dreamily, “which usually have mistletoe attached. As you know, mistletoe is often infested with nargles.”

Hermione was saved the necessity of asking what nargles were by the arrival of Ron and Harry, who had come to luncheon. Luna flitted about the kitchen, happy to visit Blaise and discuss the nargles with him again. When she finally left, she was practically dancing out the door, twirling and humming happily. Harry seemed amused to see their friend so happy while Ron rolled his eyes at the idea of Luna visiting a group of Slytherins in their den.

“The very idea of visiting that place is nothing but bad luck, indeed!” said Ron more than once, as if he had never had a bad thing to say about the Malfoy family before. Till the next morning, however, he was not aware of the foreboding of his contrivance. Luncheon, once again hosted at the Granger household, was scarcely over when a house-elf from Malfoy Manor brought the following note to Hermione:

MY DEAREST ‘MIONE,

I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting cursed by a four leaf clover when we were searching for nargles, as they are known lately to infest clover patches, as you know. My kind friends will not hear of my returning till I am better. They also insist on my seeing Healer Jones, therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me, and, excepting a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me.

Yours, etc.

“Well, my dear,” said Ron, when Hermione had read the note aloud to the group, “if your friend should have a dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in the pursuit of finding nargles.”

Harry and Ginny both frowned. “No one is afraid of her dying,” said Harry quickly, looking at Hermione. “Witches do not die of little mischievous curses. She will be taken good care of. As long as she stays there, it is all very well.”

Hermione, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her; however, the wards surrounding Malfoy Manor prevented her from Apparating, thus, walking was her only alternative. She declared her resolution.

“How can you be so silly?” cried her fiancé, “as to think of such a thing, visiting that ferret’s home! They despise Muggle-borns. You will not be fit to be seen when you get there.”

“I shall be very fit to see Luna, which is all I want,” said Hermione as she set off.

Hermione walked alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace in order to avoid any clover, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within view of the manor, with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.

She was shown into the morning parlor, where all but Luna were assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal of surprise. That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Lady Malfoy and Pansy; and Hermione was convinced that they held her in contempt for it. She was received, however, very politely by them, and in Blaise's manners there was something better than politeness—there was good humor and kindness. Draco said very little, and Lord Malfoy nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion, and doubt as to the occasion justifying her coming so far alone. The latter was thinking only of his breakfast.

Her inquiries after her friend were not very favorably answered. Luna had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish, and not well enough to leave her room. Hermione was glad to be taken to her immediately, and Luna, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience from expressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal, however, to much conversation due to the lump of salt around her throat, and when Pansy left them together, could attempt little besides expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Hermione silently attended her.

When breakfast was over they were joined by Pansy, and Hermione began to like the other witch herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude she showed for Luna. The healer came, and having examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught a violent curse, and that they must endeavor to get the better of it; he advised her to return to bed, and promised her some potions. The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head ached acutely. Hermione did not quit her room for a moment, nor were the other ladies often absent; the gentlemen being out, they had, in fact, nothing to do elsewhere.
When the clock struck three, Hermione felt that she must go, and very unwillingly said so. Lady Malfoy offered her the carriage, and she only wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Luna testified such concern in parting with her, that Lady Malfoy was obliged to convert the offer of the chaise to an invitation to remain at Malfoy Manor for the present. Hermione most thankfully consented, and a house-elf was dispatched to the Burrow to acquaint the Weasleys with her stay and bring back a supply of clothes.
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Pride & Prejudice & Leprechauns