Chapter 2

"Ron's always been a twat, Hermione. You know that." Ginny said with an exasperated sigh. She turned back to the racks of designer clothing, flicking through each hanger and appraising it with one of her many faces ('not bad', 'who in their right mind would wear this!', 'THIS. IS. AMAZING.'…).

"I don't know, he's just been acting differently. It's like we finally found each other by the time Harry faced Voldemort, blah blah you know the story. And then when we were both studying for ministry work, we had three years of bliss! And now…I don't know Ginny, once we moved in together he started to act like we were married, and that I couldn't do the stuff I did during training years."

"Ron's grown up, Hermione. It's weird how that he gave it all up cold turkey, but Ron's random like that. Here, try this on." Harry walked out of nowhere and handed her a dress. He then turned to Ginny and snaked his arm around her waist before dipping her into a kiss. Ginny giggled and Hermione fought the urge to stare and watch. They were very photogenic, always posing for pictures at the gala's Harry attended, but Hermione and Ron always declined. Harry had to be in the spotlight, he was the face of good, and every school or event that honored him, he felt it his duty to attend…and publicize to the nth degree. Ginny was a blossoming socialite, though her accomplishments were equally burgeoning. She had always been clever, but she had the attitude and assertiveness to get anything she wanted.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, giving him a quick hug once he had finished ravaging Ginny before jealous onlookers.

"Ginny told me that there were troubled waters in paradise with you and our third wheel."

"Shh. There's nothing wrong. We're still incredibly happy, and we still spend mountains of time together…its just, different. We have less time for each other and with Ron's differences with me going out and such, things are just a bit hard. But we'll work through them, I mean I've dealt with Ron for the past 11 years, he's not going anywhere.

"Which is why we don't worry!" said Ginny, cocking her eyebrow to her friend before turning back to the racks.

Harry nodded but stayed with Hermione.

"Here, try this on." Harry pushed an emerald green, thigh-length dress, sleeveless and fitted with a high boat neck, reminiscent of the 50s with a little more leg.

"Why do you keep passing me clothing? I've gained some style in the past few years, I'm okay on my own."

Harry smirked at her and still handed her the dress.

"Yes, you've improved, but you still don't adorn your body the way you should. You should be glorifying yourself, Hermione. You're immeasurably sexy, in case you didn't know. That's half the reason Ron probably doesn't like you going out. Guys might try and seduce you…" He chuckled.

"But I'm not going to-"

"I know! You're not going to do anything! You're never going to let someone seduce you! I know."

Hermione frowned. Harry and Ginny really did know her too well. She took the dress and walked into the changing room. When she walked out, wearing the green dress, she felt 100% better.