Another Christmas Story
-Arciere
A/N: Alright, so I know it's been AGES since I've written or updated, but I assure you that I am not dead, I've just been severely uninspired and super busy with the whole college scene. So, to my faithful readers, know that I don't dislike you or anything... I've just been very bad. I still love you all, and hope that you feel the same. At any rate, about this story: I was inspired by some of the recent fanfiction that I've been reading (yes, I still read all the time... I can't help myself. It makes me smile). This story is supposed to be short, and hopefully it will be finished before Christmas. I love Christmas, and love Christmas stories... So consider this my gift to you. Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to all of you.
Dress Shopping, or Backstory
"Honestly, Hermione, do we really have to go?" Ginny Weasley asked as the honey-headed woman pulled her out of her room and towards the floo. She tried to put all her weight into resistance, but Hermione knew better than to let her get the advantage.
"Of course. We have an obligation as ministry workers. Merlin, Gin, you act like you're going to our deaths; it's only a Christmas ball." Hermione turned to the redhead, smiling. Ginny was only glad that she'd had time to get properly dressed before her flat mate dragged her out of the room.
"The difference being?" Ginny asked, now walking with her friend.
"This is will be so much more fun than dying," Hermione answered, smiling more. "Now, put on your coat and come quietly. We're meeting Luna at the Leaky Caldron."
"You roped her into this too?" Ginny didn't hesitate putting on her coat; she was starting to look forward to the day, and having Luna along would keep Ginny from offing herself. Hermione loved shopping (it was a recent development following her falling out with Ron), and was prone to taking forever to decide whether or not a dress would do. Having Luna there would make the hours go by faster.
"Well, she'll need the proper attire too." Hermione stepped up to the floo and threw the powder in, calling for the pub. Ginny took a moment to fix her scarf and be thankful for dragonhide boots that the twins had given her for Christmas last year. They kept her feet warm and were easy to put on and take off. That would come in handy.
Ginny entered the fireplace quickly before she was surrounded by green flames, then stepped out into the Leaky Caldron. Standing tall and looking over some of the patrons, she soon noticed the ice-blond head of Luna Lovegood and the honey coloring of Hermione. Ginny nodded at them before all three moved towards the door to Diagon Alley.
"Morning Luna," Ginny said while Hermione tapped the bricks leading to the wizarding area of London.
"Morning Ginny. I can't believe Hermione got you up so early; normally your dead until after eleven, and here it is only nine."
Ginny smiled. "I protested. Heavily. Hermione knows that I enjoy the warmth of my bed on December mornings, but she brought hot chocolate, so I can't really blame her." The women laughed, knowing that chocolate was Ginny's weakness.
"Yeah, then I told her that we had to go shopping, and she actually put the cup down before it was finished and rolled under the covers! I had to drag her out and practically throw the sweater over her head," Hermione added. Luna giggled with her, while Ginny shot them both a wicked glance. Then she smiled and headed down the snow-covered pathway.
"We should get our dress robes first," Hermione said, ever the practical one. "Then grab the other things before lunch."
"I could go for that," Ginny said, her stomach rumbling a little at the thought of food.
"Do we want to go to Madam Malkin's for the dresses?" Luna asked, "I don't remember if she made dress robes or not."
"She does, but they're not exactly what we want for the ball. There's a newer shop, Celestial Robes, that's just down from Gringotts. I've never been inside, but I've seen the displays, and they're gorgeous. Plus, Iris told me that they only make one of each style, so we're guaranteed to be unique."
Luna and Ginny nodded their assent, and they continued walking. They were just passing Gringotts when they could see the shop. It was painted white outside, with large display windows with blue, sweeping fabric at the top and several mannequins. Ginny couldn't make out exactly what the dresses looked like, but she could see the colors. Her eyes jumped from emerald green to a rich coral, and then to a lovely blue. She was glad that Hermione was actually walking at a decent pace so she could savor the anticipation and the view instead of looking like a fool being drug by her crazed friend.
It only took a few minutes of walking before they opened the blue door and entered the establishment. It was lit romantically, instead of boasting harsh lighting that would make Ginny and Luna seem too pale. The dresses were displayed so that each could easily be seen and selected. The three smiled, glad they had come to this place first.
"Hello ladies," a woman said. She emerged from behind an employee door and moved closer to them. "My name is Hekate, may I help you today?" She looked from one woman to the other, her expression pleasant.
"We need robes for the ministry's Christmas Ball, and this shop was recommended," Hermione answered, naturally taking the lead. Ginny let her, long used to her ways. Luna looked at the dark-headed woman curiously before turning to the dresses.
"I'm glad that you chose us. Did you ladies have an idea of what you would like?"
"I'm not sure," Hermione said. "Perhaps we can browse for a moment?"
"Of course. Let me know if you would like to try anything on." Hekate smiled before moving away to rehang some dresses.
"She was nice," Hermione whispered. Then she moved towards the mannequins in the display windows. Luna drifted towards the wall of blue dresses, and Ginny wondered what color she'd look best in for the ball. Red was out, it clashed with her hair. Yellow made her feel weird, and metallic wasn't her style. She wasn't really a dress kind of woman, but the ones surrounding her were beautiful. She hoped she would find one that made her feel beautiful.
She hadn't had much opportunity to feel beautiful while she was making her mark in the ministry. After seven years with the Holyhead Harpies, Ginny had decided at the age of twenty-five to keep flying as a hobby and secured a place in the ministry's Department of Games and Sports. She'd been too busy getting the male pigs to take her seriously, despite having plenty of experience under her robes. They were occupied with the fact that she was a woman (a well-endowed woman who made them salivate). In an attempt to keep them staring, she'd traded her pencil skirt and sexy heels for khakis and flats. They still stared, but she noticed it was reduced.
Ginny frowned, more than a little upset that she'd given up looking good because of stupid men. She wasn't going to do that this time. No, she was going to look wonderful. She renewed her search, touching a pretty purple dress before deciding that it wasn't what she was looking for. She wanted something that made a statement, something that fit her perfectly and accented her attributes. She thought about that vibrant emerald she'd noticed when approaching the building, and moved towards the front to see it better. It brought her close to Hermione, who was looking at the coral dress.
"They're beautiful colors," Hermione said, rubbing the coral fabric together with her fingers, "but I don't like the cut."
Ginny had to agree. They were all the same style: large ball gowns. They were too fluffy for her tastes. "Perhaps there are other dresses in these colors? We could ask Hekate."
"Yes, there are other styles," Hekate said, appearing nearby. "What would you like to see?"
"I don't like all the fluff at the bottom, so something more fitted would be lovely," Ginny answered. "I like the emerald color best."
Hekate smiled knowingly. "The green would look amazing with your hair and freckled skin. Just follow me to the back, and we'll get you all fixed up." She turned to Hermione, "did you want to see more coral or blue dresses?"
"I think I'll just keep browsing for now, you can help Ginny first." Hekate nodded before leading Ginny away from the display windows.
They passed Luna, and the dreamy blonde smiled before turning back to her musing. Luna had just been considering colors. Blue looks good, but I always wear it, she thought. It's predictable. The guys in the obliviator headquarters thought she was predictable. They thought she was nice, quiet, and more than a little loony. They'd started calling her Loony at work, refusing her given name. She didn't like it, but was too polite to correct them. She wasn't loony, she was just curious. She was like that muggle girl, Alice, who was forever exploring and questioning her world. Sometimes Luna wished she had her own Wonderland to escape into. She wished that a mad hatter lived there and that he would wish her a merry unbirthday or ask her why a raven was like a writing desk.
She ran her hands through the different materials, but didn't really pay attention until a silky, wine-colored dress fluttered through her fingers. The material was soft and pliant, and Luna knew that it would cling to her willowy body and move enticingly. It was completely opposite of what she would normally choose, and she smirked at the idea of her walking into the ball and making her coworkers look twice. Luna looked around, wondering where Hekate was so she could get the dress from the mannequin to try it on. As if knowing she was needed, Hekate soon appeared from beyond what Luna assumed where dressing rooms.
"I had thought to offer this to you earlier, but thought you would find it on your own. I am glad that I was not wrong," the saleswoman said, flicking her wand to retrieve the dress. "Follow me, and we will have you in the dress. You won't want to take it off."
Luna smiled, her curiosity getting to her. "Has anyone else tried it on?"
Hekate shot a half-smile over her shoulder and shook her head, "it wouldn't be here otherwise."
They arrived in the fitting rooms just as Ginny was emerging with her dress on. The emerald color was a perfect complement to Ginny's fiery hair and cinnamon freckles. The strapless style was tightly fitted to the waist before flaring slightly outward from the hip. It was sexy and sophisticated, and Luna hoped that her dress would look equally wonderful.
"Would you zip me?" Ginny asked shyly, turning to give Luna access.
"You're so lovely anyway, but that dress…Gin, you have to have it."
Ginny smiled at her friend's comment, and turned slowly in the mirror. "You're absolutely right," she said.
"Yes, we will make the proper alterations while you put yours on," Hekate said, placing the silky dress in Luna's hands. The blonde nodded before disappearing behind the door of the fitting room.
She toed off her flats, then quickly removed her turtleneck and jeans. The dress was a halter style and backless, but included a lovely support charm that Luna was grateful for. The material clung to her body, revealing her feminine shape and making it beautiful. She'd left her hair down that morning, and the cool air had given it a windblown wave that she liked.
She pushed the door open and walked out, the fabric moving with her long legs and showing them off. Ginny couldn't help arching her eyebrow at her friend. "Where did the blue go?" she asked, her sarcasm reminding Luna of her predictability and how she was breaking it.
"I thought the wine-color would look better, and no one will expect it," Luna answered, twirling in front of the mirror. It had been a long time since she'd been so vain, and she thought she deserved those moments of feeling exquisite.
"You look amazing, and I hate to ruin your fun, but we should probably go look for Hermione. She's probably having a hard time deciding." Luna took a last glance in the mirror before nodding. Ginny headed towards a room, and Luna noticed that the hem had been shortened to accommodate her friend's petite frame while allowing for heels. Luna felt like her dress fit perfectly, and Hekate didn't suggest any fitting details, so she went back to her changing room even though she didn't want to take the dress off. Hekate was right; no one could resist this dress if they'd worn it.
Hermione was having a hard time deciding. She thought that perhaps emerald or red would be best, since it was a Christmas ball, but Ginny had already taken the green, and Hermione had worn red to last year's ball. She looked at a gold dress, but remembered wearing gold to the last Christmas ball she'd attended at Hogwarts. She'd loved the dress, and loved the time she'd spent in it. But she hadn't seen Professor Snape in the years since then, and didn't want to ruin the memory.
White was too easy to soil, and cream or champagne didn't look right. Luna would probably choose blue, so what other colors were there to choose from? The coral color in the front had drawn her, but it made her think of blushing and all sorts of other intimate emotions that she wasn't sure she could handle yet. She'd only broken it off with Ron a few months ago, after finding him with another woman when she and Ginny had gone to a café for dinner. She smirked over the horrible hex the redhead had sent her brother that had him shaking and convulsing while she reprimanded him. The date had taken one look at Hermione, who had been furious and gripping her wand tightly, and run to the floo station. While Hermione didn't really blame her, she was angry enough to curse anyone who moved the wrong way. As soon as Ginny's curse had ended, Hermione had quickly cast one of the darker spells she knew, a pain inducing spell that freezes the recipient and then quickly thaws out, leaving the person feeling sharp stings of pain all over their body. Then she'd thrown her engagement ring at him before leaving with Ginny. They'd gone to Ginny's flat and immediately devoured a carton of chocolate ice cream. The night ended with Hermione staying over.
The next day, she had asked Luna and Ginny to help her get her things from the flat she'd recently shared with Ron. When they arrived, he was in their bed with another woman, and Hermione lost all rational thought. She'd cursed Ron with petrificus totalis before instantly porting the woman to the landing outside their flat. The sheets went with the unfortunate girl, leaving a naked Ron looking fearfully at his ex-fiancé.
"I was going to leave you the flat, but I think I've changed my mind. You're a right bastard, Ronald Weasley, and I cannot believe that I ever fancied myself in love with you. You are going to get out of my flat now, and if you're lucky, I'll send your things to the Burrow. You have exactly five seconds after I remove the curse, and if you're still here I will hit you with all the dark spells I know, starting with sectumsempra. Ron had gotten the idea and apparated as soon as the curse was lifted.
After another carton of chocolate ice cream—this time shared between three people—Hermione had asked Ginny to room with her, and had decided that she would be the better person and send Ronald his things. However, first she sent a detailed letter to Molly and Arthur, and hoped that they would continue the punishment she had started (she received a reply later that week from Molly, detailing the scolding and punishment his parents had given him).
After that, she'd concentrated solely on her work brewing for the Ministry and St. Mungos, and spending time with her girls. It wasn't until word of the ball reached her that she'd even thought of what she would do for a date. Thankfully, the ministry had announced that there would be no dates this year, that it was structured to be more like a stag and doe party with the sexes intermingling instead of committing the night to one partner. Hermione wondered if the ministry was secretly trying to foster relationships between coworkers in order to raise statistics of married couples and children since the end of the war. She could agree that they all needed a little more happiness in their lives, and let her questions fade away.
Now, the question was what dress would be best for her. She looked at all the dresses on one side of the building, dismissing them all and moving towards the opposite side. There was a pretty blue one, but again she thought of Luna. Hermione didn't much care for purple, since she'd worn it one year with Ron.
"Hermione, haven't you found one dress you like?" Luna asked. Hermione spun to see both the blonde and the redhead moving closer.
"Not yet," she answered, pulling a smile quickly to her mouth. Her friends noticed it didn't quite reach her eyes, and knew she'd been thinking about Ron.
"You're too analytical," Ginny said. "There are so many colors, so many styles. Maybe you should ask Hekate for a suggestion."
"Yes, she's brilliant. We've already got our dresses," Luna added.
"Oh, but I didn't get to see-"
"Don't worry about it Hermione," Ginny cut her off. "Now it's time to find a dress that you'll sparkle in. No more of this wallowing since we found Ron out. You're a beauty, and you're better than him, so let's get you a spectacular dress."
"If you do not mind, I think I have something that you will love in the back. Follow me." Hekate was leading them towards the back again, and Ginny had to wonder if the woman was giving them extra assistance and suggestions for a specific reason. Hermione stood still for a moment, as if she wasn't paying attention. Ginny shared a look with Luna before both women grabbed an arm and pulled the reluctant bookworm after the saleswoman.
"Don't question, just go. The worst it could be is that you have to try on another dress" Ginny said, turning back to her friend.
"Fine," Hermione answered, muttering something Ginny thought sounded a lot like 'harpies'. The redhead smirked.
The ladies pushed their friend into a dressing room. Hermione laughed at them, because they always knew how to bring her back from her occasional bouts of depression. She slipped her blue sweater over her head while the girls outside giggled over the looks they were sure they would receive at the ball. Hermione couldn't help shaking her head at them.
"I've spelled the dress to fit itself perfectly," Hekate said, folding a dress over the door.
Hermione turned to see it once her camisole was over her head. It was the same coral color, which made Hermione blush. "I couldn't possibly-"
"You will!" Ginny and Luna chimed. "Put it on and let us see, or we'll never let you hear the end of it! You made me get up early to shop, now shop," Ginny added.
"Fine… Harpies."
"And don't you forget it!" Ginny replied giving the door a sound thud. Hermione smirked.
She slid the fabric off of the hanger, noting the intricate corseting of the back in matching silky ribbon. There was no zipper, so she loosened the ribbons and pulled the dress over her hips, loving the soft, buttery feel of the fabric over her exposed legs. Using her wand, she tightened the ribbons and tied them, and realized that the full corset tie went to almost indecent areas. Almost. Hermione loved it. Thankfully, the dress had built in support.
"Well come out silly," Luna said, noticing the lack of fabric movement sounds.
"I think it's too small," Hermione answered. "It's tight everywhere."
"It's supposed to be then. Remember? Hekate said it was spelled to fit correctly."
Hermione resigned herself to her fate, knowing the harpies would pull her out soon anyway. She opened the door to Ginny and Luna's eager faces. For a moment, the witches were silent, and Hermione took it as disapproval. She started to turn to go back into the room, but her friends instead pulled her in front of the mirrors. Hermione almost didn't recognize the woman looking back at her. She was small, curvy, and the dress displayed her womanly figure like no other dress she'd ever worn before. The color was perfect against her slightly tanned skin and honey hair. The woman in the mirror was someone to be desired.
"I don't think that any man will survive the night; they'll all have heart attacks when we enter," she said quietly. The other women nodded their agreement.
A/N: So this is the first chapter... I decided that it would be better if I broke it up into separate pieces, that way it wouldn't be a bloody long script that would drive you all mad. There is more coming I promise! I can already tell you that our beloved bookworm will run into her dear professor, and that our other darling girls will be finding their 'dates' too. So please, if you liked it, review. If you had some criticism, review. And if you disliked, review! I love feedback, and hope to hear from you guys.
**I've received a few reviews asking about the memory Hermione has of Severus, and would like to clue you guys in as a whole. The memory refers to my story "Christmas as it Should Be", a short little one-shot about Hermione and Severus while she's a seventh year. I'll bring up the memory in later chapters, so you don't necessarily have to read the story to get it I suppose... but it's another sweet little Christmas story, which is part of why this story is called "Another Christmas Story".
Also, I have an update on Tear You Apart: I've re-read it a couple of times, and as per usual, I dislike. I have this problem: I can't finish stories because I go back and realize that they're terrible. Well, I promised to finish the story, and I don't make empty promises, so I am going to review the story and edit some chapters and work on a few things. I've got a little time now, so I'm really excited about getting back to the story I've been trying to tell you guys. There will be updates in the near-ish future. Next: I've decided that I cannot part Severus and Hermione, so I will be working on their relationship... And I might add a new character for our poor little Italian. These are just a few ideas I've been playing with, and nothing is for sure, but know that it isn't dead yet. I'm not giving up on Soren, and I urge you all to stick with her too. (You could also review me some more... You guys inspire me.)
So, here's to the start of a new year filled with some old ideas in a new light; have a Merry Christmas everyone, and a Happy New Year!
-Arciere
