Title: Performance Anxiety
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: G
Length: 1200 words (excepting headings)
Content notes: implied H/D slash
Author notes: I asked my friend to assign me a fandom, 6 characters, a word length, and a location without telling her what I was doing. She came back with Harry Potter, Hermione/Luna/Neville/Draco/Remus/Lily, 1200 words, and Buckingham Palace. The resulting drabble series fic is understandably ridiculous.
Summary: Anxiety runs high as the wizarding world takes to Buckingham Palace for the first time.




In the years following the war, Wizarding folk began to stress the dire importance of connecting with the Muggle world. Of course engagement with the non-magical community could not be completely overt because the International Statute of Secrecy was still important to the safety of both magical and non-magical people. Nevertheless, after lengthy council summits, magical officials decided that more collaborative relationships with Muggle leadership could result in increased appreciation and respect from both sides.

And that was why, at 7 o’clock on a Saturday evening, Hermione Granger was smoothing invisible wrinkles out of a cobalt gown and panicking as she prepared to meet the Queen.

It was also why Luna Lovegood stood, harp momentarily forgotten, with her lips pressed to Neville Longbottom’s temple, trying to soothe him as his face proceeded through an impressive succession of colors.

And finally, why Draco Malfoy fumbled with a ring box and peered out a rain-soaked window, searching the Impressionist landscape for his beloved, instead of preparing to emcee the evening’s events.

In short, the goal of better relationships between the Magic and non-Magic worlds was the reason they were all present at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Voldemort’s defeat.


Hermione
“Your Majesty,” Hermione intoned, dropping into a curtsy. Or rather trying to drop into a curtsy but only succeeding in fighting with her gown as a knee buckled. Maybe she should stick with a head nod. Yes, that might be better.

“Your Majesty.” A whisper. Too soft. She was diplomat to the Crown, not a timid school girl.

“Your Majesty!” No, not one of these greetings sounded right. How did one make the acquaintance of the Queen?

“Just shake her hand and say ‘Hello there, Betty!” had been Ron’s suggestion.

Why did she bother asking Ron Weasley these things anyway?


Luna
“You should probably have some water to calm your nerves.” Luna pressed the cool glass into Neville’s hand and smiled as she ruffled his hair. He was such a charming man and everyone would love him tonight if he could just relax.

“Do you remember the first time that you sang with me?” she asked.

Neville nodded and the ghost of a smile flickered on his green-tinged face before he dropped the glass on the floor. He scrambled after it and Luna recalled so many similar scenes in their school days.

Her darling: war veteran, classic crooner, and lovable oaf.


Draco
Draco turned abruptly from the window and strode to the dais where there hung dozens of silk screens, each depicting the face of someone who had perished in the struggle against the Dark Lord. Lily Potter and Remus Lupin’s screens flanked either side of the podium where Draco stood to review his notes.

No one could have anticipated that Malfoy would lead the ceremony to honor the fallen, but Draco’s avid participation in the talks advocating better Muggle relations had earned grudging respect.

Dating the hero of the Wizarding World probably helped, too.

“Where is he, Mrs. Potter? Professor Lupin?”


Hermione
“Ms. Granger? 20 minutes.”

Hermione wrung her hands as she started down the elaborate, cavernous hall. What if I say something abysmally stupid that ruins diplomatic cooperation forever? What if I can’t say anything at all because I’m just struck speechless?

She thought about what Ron had said before she left the car.

“Listen, I’m sure other people have fouled up meeting her before. Besides, what’s the worst that could possibly happen? You’re a witch, Hermione. If it all goes wonky you can always just Obliviate her or something, right?”

Ron Weasley gave the most useless pep talks in history.


Luna
“15 minutes, Ms. Lovegood. Mr. Longbottom.”

People had not seemed surprised when Luna wanted to play harp professionally, but for some reason they were confused when Neville began recording with her. She did not really understand why. Neville had a beautiful tenor range.

It was such an honor to be asked to play for the gala in celebration of the war heroes. They could finally share their music with their friends in person!

Neville nearly swooned, but Luna caught him by the arm and steered him gently toward the door, asking the staff person to direct them toward the stage.


Draco
“10 minutes, Mr. Malfoy.”

Harry insisted that all of the veterans of the war be honored equally. He refused any of the particular tasks that the Ministry’s team had suggested in their initial plans for the gala.

Instead, Hermione was escorting the Queen because she was the Ministry diplomat assigned to the Crown. Luna and Neville would provide a musical selection because no mere speech could do more justice to the occasion. Draco would emcee the event because he was responsible for the start of the talks on collaboration.

Well, fine. No spotlight. But where in blazes was the man?


Hermione
I can do this. I am a clever witch and I am more than usually decorous and I have prepared for this evening for weeks. Nothing is going to go wrong.

Suddenly spying the Minister of Magic with the Muggle diplomat just a little further down the corridor, Hermione’s breath hitched in her throat. If he was already in place then that must mean…

The sound of footsteps stopped behind her. Hermione turned, her eyes dazzled by the sparkling diamond crown.

I guess I could always just Obliviate her. Damn it, Ron Wesaley.

“Five minutes, Your Majesty. Five minutes everyone.”


Luna
Luna sat on the stool behind her harp looking out at the room. She flashed Neville a reassuring smile. He looked a little peaky, but he had nothing to worry about. How fun to get to sing for the Queen!

What a stunning room! What beautiful clothes everyone wore! The whole evening promised to be a lovely celebration of friendship.

Luna almost did not catch Neville’s movement, but she took her eyes off of the chandeliers just in time to see him faint dead away in his chair. Oh dear.

She lifted her wand to wake him.

“Five minutes everyone.”


Draco
What if he decided to skip the whole thing just to keep from diverting attention from the other veterans and guests? No, he would never abandon his friends that way.

Draco straightened his tie, taking a deep breath that escaped him in a frustrated sigh. He slipped the ring box back into his pocket and put aside all thoughts of his daring plan.

Then it was as if the air had gone out of the room. Harry Potter walked in, grinning as he greeted friends new and old.

From the podium Draco locked eyes with the man.
“Five minutes, everyone.”



Lily Potter and Remus Lupin exchanged glances from their silk screen portraits as they took in the scene.

Hermione Granger was at the Queen’s elbow. Luna Lovegood was reviving Neville Longbottom, her wand waving in intricate motions in the middle of a Buckingham Palace State Room. And Draco Malfoy was turning to grasp Harry Potter’s hand and whisper in his ear.

Remus chanced to whisper to Lily, “You know. I’m rather pleased if all our efforts resulted in a world where the greatest worries of an evening are performance anxiety.”

Lily smiled. Absurdity of the whole situation aside, she concurred.