I felt like I needed more interaction with Lavender, and some other characters are coming in soon as well. I don't dislike her as a character. I'm also dragging out to the first date. Sorry, next Chapter, I swear on my cats' lives! This was a fun and I think necessary filler.

Also, the "invention" that Fred is working on in this chapter is not my own creation, but I loved it in another story, so if you are the original creator of that particular invention, please let me know and I will credit you or delete it if you wish. Just wanted to borrow it, because it is a great idea!

Enjoy!

Ch. 7: Preparations

The week passed evenly, not too fast or too slow. Angie was in Tokyo for a good portion of the week for her tournament, so George was at the flat all the time. That was helpful in a way, Fred and Hermione didn't get too close for comfort so soon. After Harry and Ginny, George was the next one to find out about their relationship. He found out less tactfully though, as he walked in on them on Tuesday evening, snogging in the kitchen. He was supposed to go get takeaway for supper and had forgotten money. When he returned, he was bearing Champagne, claiming the need to "celebrate this new relationship!". Hermione wondered how Molly had survived the two of them growing up as her hair changed colors rapidly from the spiked Champagne. George called it "twin's girlfriend initiation." Hermione had made a mental note to ask Angelina what Fred had done to her during her initiation. Otherwise, the week went off without a hitch. They all went to work and spent their evenings together, not too much different than before, until Friday that was. Earlier in the week Hermione owled Ginny and gave her the details of the date. After scheduling the afternoon before the date to go shopping, per Ginny's request, Hermione was dragged to 3 different clothing stores in Diagon Alley, ending up at Madam Malkin's.

"Ginny, I still don't understand why I have to buy a new dress for this?", Hermione whined as she was shoved another dress.

"Because it's a date and I said you need one. Besides, we need to find your color. Every girl has one. Most colors look good on you, but there's always some better than others." Hermione was watching Ginny, trying to figure out how one girl, could be so much like a boy and a girl at the same time. She was talking and browsing time when Madam Malkin herself came forth from the dressing room area holding a beautiful red fabric. It was very fall-like, almost a maroon tinge to the color.

"If you don't mind Miss Granger, I think this would do nicely for you." Madam Malkin said. She ushered the girls to the raised platform near the ladies' dressing rooms and went to work silently. Like Mr. Ollivander and his wands, Madam Malkin has a specialty for finding the style best suited to the witch or wizards shape and personal taste. Hermione looked down and watched as her new dress took shape.

It had cap sleeves, and appeared to button down the tidily-pleated bodice to the waist where a fabric belt wrapped and tied. The skirt was flowy and fell to just above the knee. She finished off the look with a white wrap trimmed with lace to wear over it when it was cool out, and classic white pumps. It wasn't flashy, but neither was Hermione herself. It seemed like a modern twist on an old-fashioned look.

Ginny gave a round of applause. "It's beautiful on you Hermione! Not too overstated and simply perfect in color and style for you. Thank you so much, Madam Malkin! We would have been here all day if not for this." The woman simply smiled and nodded. When Hermione put her own clothes back on, they went to the counter to pay. Hermione went for her beaded bag and Ginny pulled a small bag from her purse. "No, I was instructed to pay for this. Harry insisted." She quickly took the coins from her purse and deposited them into the cashier's hand. "He told me I'd have to be fast to get it paid before you could truly argue about it. He said it was the least he could do for you with everything you'd been through together. I think he may be the only person who sees you as more of a sister than I do." She took the bags from the counter and handed them to Hermione, who was trying desperately to come up with an argument.

"He doesn't have to pay for this, Gin. I can buy my own dress." Hermione stared blankly at her friend, who just laughed.

"Hermione, it's already paid for. Besides, Harry has more money now than he'll ever be able to spend probably. Wouldn't surprise me if I'm not Lady Potter in December, instead of just Mrs. Potter. He just wanted to do this for you when he found out about it. We're also buying your dress for our wedding, no objections, because we're buying everyone's suits and dresses for the wedding party as our gift to them. Anyway, what are you planning to do hair and makeup wise for this date with my brother tonight?" Ginny knew to change the subject, or for the rest of the afternoon Hermione would be trying to come up with reasons why Harry shouldn't pay for anything of hers.

"Well actually, I wasn't sure what to do with my hair, since it's so wild. That wasn't really something I was ever good at. Do you have any ideas?", she said as they made their way back onto the street.

"Actually, I do. I can come back with you to the twins' place and help you get ready. If you don't mind her too much, I can invite Lavender too. She's really good at hair and makeup charms." Ginny threaded her arm through Hermione's and she looked at her questioningly.

"Sure! I think we can use all the help we can get with this mop!"

-Page Break—

A hour later, Hermione sat in a chair, magazines scattered everywhere as Lavender performed a miracle on her hair. A small braided section pinned back and the rest falling in soft curls, Hermione couldn't believe her eyes when she saw her reflection. Lavender then taught her the charm so she could do it any time she wanted to.

Ginny started on her makeup, just simple foundation, eyeliner and mascara. "Don't need to overdo it. If I know Fred, he's probably going to do that all on his own." Ginny laughed as she finished off the mascara.

"Don't overthink it, Hermione." Lavender said. "It's just a date. Besides, it's going to go great! Now let's see this dress I keep hearing about!" It was nice to not be worried about anything for a change.

-Page Break—

Fred was surprisingly calm. He sat in the back room of the shop, working on a new product. He and George had decided to expand an adult line after the Wonder Witch products took off so well. These were a variant of the Patented Daydream Charms, only they were an Adult Fantasy version. George had the idea a few weeks ago and they were almost ready to test. As he stirred, he thought about tonight's date. He'd already laid out the clothes he planned to wear. Since it was Muggle London, he was going with dark brown trousers and a white button- down shirt. He thought it would be simple enough and still nice for a first date. Ginny had cleared it when the girls came back to get ready. He eyeballed the clothes sitting on the chair by the wall.

'Suppose I should get ready, it's almost 5.' Dinner was at 6:30 and he was going to walk her to Muggle London since it was pleasantly warm today. He was also getting dressed in the shop because he wanted to 'pick up his date'. He'd retrieve her when Ginny and Lavender left. He hoped she wasn't having first date jitters. When he heard Verity start to close up, he locked the storeroom door and changed. As soon as he felt presentable, he went up to the door of the flat. He hadn't been there but a minute when Ginny and Lavender came out into the hallway.

"She looks great, Fred!" Ginny said, and nudged him as she went by.

"Have fun, you two!" Lavender called over her shoulder as the girls went down the stairs.

Fred took a deep breath. He knocked thrice and the door opened.

'Merlin's beard! She's bloody gorgeous!' He looked her up and down, shoes to hair. "You look beautiful, Hermione.", he said when he finally found his voice. That was a great color on her.

She blushed fiercely. "Thank you, Fred. You look pretty great yourself." He did. His shirt fit him in all the right places, emphasizing his arms and chest in particular, and his trousers made him look even taller than he was.

Fred grinned and offered her his arm. "Shall we?"