Disclaimer: Defo no JK but who's excited for Fantastic Beasts?
A/N: Just want to say that I'm not giving up on this story- if I get serious writers block I will go away and wait for my creativity to return from it's holiday. Probably not going to be uploading every week but I promise to try as hard as I can to get the wonderful word "Complete" up in the description 3
Chapter 6
As the small assortment of people entered Diagon Alley, Hermione thought back before realising something very important.
"Erm… Louisa? I haven't got any money!" she whispered to her mother.
"Don't be silly, Hermione! You are a Riddle now, anything you want is yours. Besides, your father's paying, we can't have the next heir looking like a mudblood now, can we?" She said, continuing until the reached the entrance to knockturn alley.
The bright autumn light shining on Diagon Alley was replaced by twirling fog illuminated by tall street lamps. The cobbled street was obviously named for a reason, for even in the morning light, it seemed to be winter and not even the sun could penetrate into the dark corners. Shadows lurked beside signs indicating to shops selling everything from the deadliest of potions to the evilest of items. Strolling to the far end of the Alley, Louisa and Narcissa turned to face a shadowed purple door way. Looking up, Hermione read the sign; Tremania's Robes Est:1258.
Flickering candle-light lit the cramped shop. Dresses lined the walls and a plump old witch stood behind the counter. Seeing them enter, she hurried forward before dropping into a bow.
"Lady Riddle, Lady Malfoy, such honour to see you again," she gushed, obviously trying to please the ladies.
"Yes hello, I need you to make 4 new school robes, a couple formal robes, some very pureblood dresses and some casual wear. Nothing muggle like. I also require your finest shoes, size 5. 3 pairs of boots, 6 high heels, 3 school shoes and that is all. We shall return in 3 hours to retrieve them. Add it to the Riddle card. Understood."
All through Louisa's speech the short witch took many notes and when finally finished nodded her head.
"Draco, Blaise, do you need anything?" asked Narcissa, turning to the two boys.
"Not that I know of," said Blaise.
"Er.. yes, I need the matching robes for the young lady's dresses," said Draco, indicating to Hermione. While Narcissa and Louisa looked pleased, Hermione was confused. The quintet left the shop and once on the front step, Hermione asked Draco why he would need matching robes.
"Well obviously, now you are a Pureblood your rating will have risen,"
"Rating?"
"Oh you know, how desirable you are. Once you are announced there should be a flurry of betrothal contracts. You're smart, beautiful and now you aren't a mudblood anymore, families may wish to approach you with marriage opportunities. By wearing matching robes it shows you are not "on the market" as such," He replied, not knowing the fury about to face him.
"What? So now I have pureblood, I am finally desirable. What, before was I not good enough for anyone?"
"Well you seemed good enough for Weasley, and no one of any value would ever go out with such poor blood traitors,"
"Ronald is my friend you heartless pig! I happen to actually "be on the market" and I would NEVER want to be with someone like you! And I thought we could be friends," Yelled Hermione, before turning and running back down into Diagon Alley.
"Draco you idiot, you've just pushed her straight back into the loving and capable arms of her old friends," chastised Narcissa. Her and Louisa then marched down the street, determined to finish Hermione's new shopping before hopefully calming her down.
Draco turned to complain about how he didn't do anything to Blaise, before noticing he had hurried after Hermione.
"Great, abandoned in the alley," he mumbled before following after his mother.
o0o0o0o0o
Hermione tore into Diagon Alley, running all the way to what she knew was the only place she could calm down. Seeing her destination, she sped up before entering the shop. Back before her 3rd year, Hermione had stumbled across an old second hand book store, hidden away amongst the hustle and bustle of the other shops.
Inside, she had met a kind old bookkeeper who, while getting closer to his end, kept his love of books very close to his heart. Together they spoke for hours about all sorts of books and Hermione revealed she had always wanted a little store like this one. Upon meeting someone who shared his book interests, he had confided into the young girl that he didn't know what he would do should he pass before finding someone to care for his store. Hermione immediately said she would take the shop, should he pass after her final year at Hogwarts. They had grown to be friends and Hermione knew she would be safe there.
"Mr Hamalfield, Mr Hamalfield," Hermione called when she entered the shop.
"Miss Granger? Why, I didn't think I would be seeing you till christmas!" He exclaimed. His smile soon fell when he saw her tear stricken face.
"Child, don't cry, come and sit. Should I ring for Miss Weasley?" He asked, guiding her over to the small corner she had named Book End.
"Could you please."
The summer before her 5th year, Hermione had brought Ginny to her safe haven after things with her parents got really bad. Ginny had spent quite some time their, helping Mr Hamalfield take care of the shop during the summer.
Mr Hamalfield hobbled over to his victorian magiphone and brought it over to the sad witch.
Hermione typed in Ginny's number and after 3 rings, she picked up.
"Hello?" said a voice through the other end.
"Hi, Ginny? It's Hermione, I've had a little bit of an emergency, can you come through? I can get us back to school in time for the opening feast," Said Hermione into the little speaker.
"Sure, hold it out," said Ginny as Hermione set the phone upon the floor before taking a couple steps back. Just after they returned from their fourth year, a young wizard called Geog Hafton invented the new Magiphone. Much like the muggle invention except it could also act a bit like a portkey as it can transport you to wherever the person on the other line is.
A whiz and a pop signified Ginny's arrival and suddenly there was the witch in question. The two girls quickly embraced after not seeing each other since the start of the
summer. Settling into the small chairs, Hermione began to tell her tale that began that morning.
o0o0o0o0o
When Blaise Zabini awoke that morning, he had no idea that he would be wandering down Diagon Alley, looking for a girl ,who yesterday should have been considered an enemy, in an attempt to cheer her up. Checking most of the shops in the street, he tried to think about where Hermione would go. His first idea was to double check Flourish and Blotts but as he walked towards it he noticed a small brown shop with a book sign hanging over head. Deciding to check it out, Blaise entered, to find exactly what he seeked.
o0o0o0o0o0o
"So... Your entire life has changed since 9 o'clock this morning? That's rough," said Ginny, scootching closer to give Hermione a well deserved hug.
"Yeah and I just don't know what to do, after Harry and Ron find out, they'll kill me. You may be my only friend left." Just then, a voice made both girls jump.
"You can make that two if you want," said Blaise, standing there awkwardly.
"Hey Blaise," said Hermione, moving up so he could sit down.
"Yeah, Hi,"
"Hi to you too, Jenny? Genie? Weaslette? Red-Head? Ginger-Ninja?," At this, Hermione looked at Blaise with a withering look before all three burst out laughing at the ridiculous nicknames.
"It's Ginny, and I would appreciate not being named after my hair, even if it is fabulous,"
"So would the Dark Lord's daughter and Dark Lord's daughter's best friend like to accompany me back to my manor for some snacks before we head to school?"
"WHAT? You are the child of You-Know-Who? Get out my shop you devil child!" screamed Mr Hamalfield, who had been stood behind the counter, quietly keeping an eye on them as soon as the boy had entered.
"No, please, it's still me, Hermione!" But he wouldn't listen and instead continued to push them away to the door.
"No devil child could have MY shop, you are hereby banned you… you… you creature," He yelled some more, before slamming the door shut. Ginny gently pulled Hermione (who was breaking down) into her arms. Mouthing to Blasie to get them out of there, he walked over to the crying witch.
"Come on Hermione, let's go," whispered Blaise, gently guiding her towards a floo system heading for Zabini Manor.
.
o0o0o0o0o
"What do you mean she's gone?"
"Tom, relax, she'll come back, I have faith in her,"
"Where? I can't lose her again, Louise! I just can't!"
He suddenly stood up from his seat by the fire in the dark office of Riddle Manor.
"That's it- get all of the inner circle looking- I want her found and brought home safe! Start with Malfoy Manor and if she isn't there, check the Zabini's place... " he began before being interrupted.
"I don't think she would have gone to Malfoy Manor,"
"Why not?" Tom questioned.
"Her and Draco had a bit of a disagreement, resulting in her…. absence," Louisa said, preparing for the outburst she knew was coming.
"MALFOY!"
o0o0o0o0o0o
"Hi there, Harry, have you seen Ginny anywhere, I'm afraid the nargles may have gotten her," said a whispery flowing voice from the door of the compartment.
"Hi Luna, no we haven't seen her since we got on the train but I'm sure she will be fine. Did you have a nice summer?" Harry asked politely, smiling at the unusual girl while unwrapping a chocolate frog.
"Oh yes, me and Daddy tracked down a wild niffler. What about you, Harry? Ron?"
"Yeah, me and Harry…"
"Harry and I," interrupted Harry.
"Pardon,"
"Hermione's always saying it's 'Harry and I'"
"Yeah, Harry and I did some quidditch and stuff,"
"Luna, have you seen Hermione anywhere?"
"God! What is it with you and Hermione? Give it a rest Harry, she's probably realised that she hasn't read enough and has gone off to find a quiet place to read! Nerd," Ron mumbled the last bit under his breath but apparently not quiet enough for Luna.
"No Harry, I havn't" replied Luna before glaring at Ron and stomping away.
"Mental, Luna is," Ron commented, annoying Harry, but he knew everyone else seemed to be going missing so he just carried on chomping on his chocolate frog.
o0o0o0o0o0o
"Welcome to Zabini Manor,"
A/N Hope you enjoyed :-)