House: Ravenclaw
Year: Pre-Hogwarts (Stand-in for sunsetandstars, Year 3)
Category: Drabble
Prompt: "Yeah, and that would be great if we could afford it."
WC: 487
Notes: Post-Hogwarts, Canon Compliant
This beautiful dress that I absolutely love is hanging on the door, taunting me. It's a short navy blue dress with sheer sleeves and silver jewels around the neckline. It is simple and elegant; I know it's perfect for me. Special occasions are fun because I can dress up for them. But…
"How is it?" Harry asks, interrupting my spiraling thoughts. Shopping has always been difficult for me. Not because I hate it or because it bothers me, but because I know that shopping means spending money. Mum made as many of our clothes as she could herself and we only got properly new clothes once or twice a year. Those trips were never just for fun. We always needed to go.
The price tag dangles about and I'm positively distraught. "Lovely," I say through bleary eyes. I love clothes shopping but I've always struggled shopping for full priced items. I have to work to hide my frustration that I've even considered such an expensive dress when I reply. "It looks great."
"Let's get it then," Harry says, relief very apparent in his voice. I know he's been waiting for well over an hour, but I can't convince myself to buy it. Scrounging up whatever pride I can find within myself, I stand straight up and open the door. Shrugging with a forced neutral expression, I shake my head.
"It is too expensive."
Harry rolls his eyes and gathers the dress despite my declaration and disapproval. I stand next to him, staring at my feet, while he checks the price. "It is a bit but it's fine. You'll wear it more than once. Let's go."
In the checkout line, I glare hard at the dress. Inanimate as it may be, I'm angry at it. Why does it have to be so expensive? Why do I have to like it so much? Why do I have to care about either of these things? "You should wear it to our engagement party someday," Harry suggests, shifting his gaze between the dress and I with a sly look in his eye. I guess that's one perk: we both really like the dress.
"Yeah, and that would be great if we could afford it," I snort.
Harry sighs. "Afford it? An engagement?"
"Just doesn't seem possible sometimes," I sigh. My family certainly won't be able to afford engagement after engagement, and wedding after wedding. At this rate, I've convinced myself I'll never marry because there'll never be money.
Initially, I have no idea what's happening. Harry bends down and I expect it's because he's dropped his wallet or probably a candy. He stores them in his pockets like Ron, which is a testament of their friendship, to be honest. Then he doesn't stand back up, so I nudge him with my foot. "Oi, coming back up?"
"Not exactly, not yet," he mumbles. It takes a minute to realize what's happening but as I do? Well, I'm in a bit of shock.