Ordinary
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Sad.
Chapter 3
Harry and George exchanged worried glances through the rear view mirror over Hermione's comment.
"What problem?" Harry asked slowly, feeling that if he were to speak to loudly or quickly he would spook Hermione like a horse.
"We have absolutely nothing to wear!"
While Hermione's exclaimation left Harry speechless, it did however cause George to burst out laughing for the first time since the battle. The two teens looked over to George like he had grown a second head.
"Seriously Hermione?" George managed to get out. "You made it sound like the waitress was a Death Eater. Besides, we have clothes. It's not like we've been running around starkers or anything." Hermione shook her head at this point.
"Yes, we have clothes, but we have to fit in. We need to look like the part of the American teenager." She turned back to Harry once more. "Harry, when was the last time you bought muggle clothes?"
Harry thought about his past shopping trips for clothing. All he could come up with was shopping at Madam Malkin's for school robes. Thinking back, he couldn't remember ever buying muggle clothing.
"Never, really. The Dursley's always gave me Dudley's hand-me-downs. Once I got my Hogwarts letter, I only ever bought wizarding clothing."
"Exactly my point, Harry! You are still wearing your cousin's clothes and they are still far too big on you! Besides, all of the clothes we have left have been really put to the test this past year with out the proper washing facilities. I haven't shopped with my mum since before fourth year." At this declaration, Hermione got quiet, obviously thinking about the parents that will forever be lost to her.
In an effort to keep Hermione from following that dark train of thought at that moment, Harry replied, "You're right, let's go shopping."
The next day they came up with shopping plans. Their goal was to purchase clothing that they would need for school and being seen out in public as the proper American teenager in addition to the possible accessories they might need. Harry remembered using notebooks and pens in his primary school before he transferred to parchment and quills. Saturday afternoon found Harry and Hermione bidding George ado and heading to the mall.
The idea of the mall turned Hermione into more of a giggling girl than Harry had ever witnessed. His family had never taken him to mall in Surrey, so he only knew about what it would be like based on descriptions. Hermione, however, spent the ride telling Harry about all the times she had spent in Harrods with her mother and friends before going off to Hogwarts.
"Oh, Harry, you are going to love it! It's like a muggle Diagon Alley. There are all kinds of stores and everything just sparkles!" The gleam in Hermione's eye did nothing to quell Harry's nerves.
Once they parked and went through what seemed to be the main entrance of the mall, they were ready to execute the first part next part of their mission. Harry vaguely wondered when he would stop viewing simple things like buying clothes as a mission, but just shook it off and paid attention to Hermione. They decided to do what Hermione called "going native" buy studying the natives.
"By observing the cultural choices made by others in our cohort, we will be able to form educated opinions." Translated, they were going to stalk some teenagers around the mall and see what they bought. Harry thought this was a bit creepy and not the most brilliant way to make a first impression, but Hermione seemed so excited and he didn't have the heart to tell her no.
After walking past a book store (or rather Harry dragging Hermione past), pet store, and an electronic store that seemed to worship fruit, they finally came to a huge entrance to a store with a large marquee simply stating "macy's".
"Macy's?"
"It's a department store, Harry. They sell everything for both men and women, so it's a perfect place to start." Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the hint of exasperation in Hermione's voice.
"Just like old time," he thought.
The two teens walked through the store, Harry shocked at all the muggle merchandise while Hermione kept her eyes open for possible stalking targets. When the music changed over the speaker system from something soft and vaguely annoying to a harder beat, Hermione slowed them down.
"We're getting closer. Hear the music?" Harry felt like he was in one of those nature documentaries he saw when he was younger and looked around for zebra. While Harry mused to himself, Hermione grabbed his arm bringing them to a halt.
"Shh, hear that?" Harry strained to listen harder.
"Berry, if you touch one more polyester blend sweater set I swear to Prada I won't be held responsible for my actions!"
Harry and Hermione turned the corner to see three teens arguing over a clothes table, one they recognized as Rachel from their dinner with Will. Rachael had a look of a kicked puppy while holding a pumpkin orange sweater with a pattern of what Harry thought to be little Scottie dogs. Next to her stood the most precisely groomed boy Harry had ever seen, and he had gone to class with Draco Malfoy. The boy looked to be their age with perfectly sculpted hair, perfectly ironed button down shirt that was tucked into his tight black jeans. However, his look perfection was tainted as he threw his hands over his face in exasperation looking at Rachael.
"Kurt, why don't you just chill and actually help her?" Standing next to who Harry assumed was now "Kurt" was a pretty black girl who looked fed up with her friends.
"She obviously isn't getting this on her own, so if we want to help her be fabulous sometime today, can we get a move on?"
Kurt sighed at his friend and said, "You're right, fine. I said I would help, and help I shall. Keep up Rachael, let's get you fabulous."
As the three friends moved around between racks looking through the clothing, Hermione beamed at Harry.
"This is our chance! Not only are they shopping, but explaining the theory to their practice! Quick, look like you're shopping so we can follow."
Thinking that he never had to do this when buying his school uniform, Harry dutifully followed Hermione following Rachael, Kurt, and the unknown third friend around the store looking at everything from sweaters to skirts to scarves. Just as the boredom was just about to set in, Harry felt a tingle on the back of his neck. He knew that feeling- someone was watching them. He kept up the façade of shopping while carefully looking at their surroundings with his head ducked down.
Had someone recognized them? He hadn't felt any other magical aura than Hermione since they arrived, so he was sure there was no magical person in the store. The sensation of being watched grew stronger and Harry knew if he turned around they would be right behind him. Very slowly he straightened up from the table he was pretending to look out (what was pantyhose anyways?) and spun around. Harry found himself about a foot away, looking straight at the face of the boy he had been following.
"So much for covert," Harry thought.
"May I help you?" Kurt asked, standing with his arms folded across his chest and one eyebrow lifted. Even though Harry was slightly taller, he still felt as if Kurt was talking down to him.
"Er.."
"Because it seems to me that you and your little gal pal over there have been following us around the store. Now while I can understand your probably overwhelming desire steal our fashion tips, I doubt that is what you want." Harry just continued to stare, unable to say anything. Kurt was right, after all, how could he explain that they were looking for fashion tips before Kurt sent for security?
"Cat got your tongue? I'm going to ask you again, why are you following us?" Even though Harry was starting to get annoyed by this guy, he couldn't help admire his guts standing up to a total stranger. But of course, how would this kid know Harry was capable of more damage than his skinny teenage physique gave him credit for?
"Harry, what happened to you-oh." Hermione had latched on to his elbow, obviously trying to encourage Harry to keep following the two girls when she saw Kurt had caught them.
"Well, Harry?" Kurt asked.
Just then Rachael and the remaining girl walked over.
"Come on Mercedes, I know Kurt will agree with me that wearing white tights under any skirt is acceptable for any budding young star." Rachael stopped short when she say Harry and Hermione.
"Aren't you two the ones eating dinner with Mr. Schuester last night?" Kurt raised his eyebrow at Rachael at this news.
"Well, I'm not sure about any dinner, but these two have been following us through the store for the past half hour."
Hermione took a quick breath and tried to explain. "I'm Hermione, and this is Harry. Will is my cousin. We just moved here last week and after seven years at boarding school realized we have absolutely nothing to wear and we wanted to make a good first impression, so we decided to follow you and find out what the average American teenager purchased." Hermione took a deep breath after getting all of that information out as quickly as she could. Kurt's scowl turned into a look of disbelief.
"So you were actually stalking us for fashion tips? Seriously?" All Harry could do was nod. Kurt glanced over at his friends who shrugged. Mercedes was the one to break the silence.
"Well then, you two decided to creepily stalk the right people. Hermione, you come with me and Rachael, Kurt you go with Harry and we will teach you everything you need to know."
As Kurt grabbed him by his upper arm and dragged him toward a sign that said "Men's", Harry wasn't sure if this wasn't one of his worst ideas yet. Harry's last thought before Kurt shoved a polo shirt in his hands was,
"At least there are no dementors."