The Golden Age: The Nineteen Years

Chapter 9 : Frantic Preparation

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this fanfiction.

Days had flown by for the Head Boys and Girls at Hogwarts, even though they all had their dates they had been too busy with schoolwork and planning the ball itself down to the last details to worry about their own attire, a fact that the girls only remembered when Ginny happened to overhear Ron complaining to Harry that he needed something new because those old dress robes were horrendous.

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"Hermione!!"

Hermione turned around to see Ginny looking frantic.

"Ginny! What is it!?"

"Our dresses! What are we going to wear to the ball! We're Head Girls and the Ball is days away!"

Hermione's eyes widened, then she turned back to her work and began scribbling frantically.

"I really have to get this Astrology work done, then, off to Hogsmeade. I'm sure I've got a pass somewhere from McGonagall for us to go there whenever. Oh, and we should drag our dates as well. Think you could tell them, oh and Neville and Hannah? I'll help a soon as I get this work done. Tell them if they've got work they can copy mine, no excuses this time!"

That assurance given, Ginny rushed off. Ron and Harry were overwhelmingly glad of the excuse to be able to look decent, Luna declined the invitation saying she had something already, and Neville and Hannah gladly said they'd go.

Not much longer the six of them were in Hogsmeade, the three girls going off in one direction, after pointing their dates at the dress robes store.

Harry chuckled and dragged Ron and Neville into the store. They quickly grabbed the nicest dress robes they saw, Ron's being the plainest in the store, and Neville taking the longest to choose. Harry had ones that were black with hints of white trim, Ron had chosen plain black ones, and Neville picked ones that were black with deep red trim. They ended up spending some time in Zonko's before beginning to head back to The Three Broomsticks, where they had all decided to meet. However, Harry noticed they were advertising new things in Honeydukes, so they all trooped in there. Neville spotted a candy Hannah had mentioned she liked, and the other two realized it was probably a good idea to get gifts for Ginny and Hermione also while they were there. They left with their arms incapable of holding anything else between candy and boxed robes.

Meanwhile…

"What do you guys think? I can't decide!"

"I don't know Hannah, I think the other one was nicer, the plain yellow one. What do you think Herminone?"

"I agree with Ginny, go with the yellow. House colors, and it looked splendid on you. I just can't decide between these though…I liked the blue dress I wore at the Yule Ball, I could always just wear that again, right?"

"Oh come on Hermione. Ron deserves…well, it would be funnier to see him shocked a second time, which means a different dress. Besides, this is a bigger occasion for Hogwarts. Blue did look terrific on you though, I think pink would do just as nicely though…Ooh! Hannah can you help me? You've got to try these on!"

Hermione stumbled backward as a stack of dresses were pushed into her arms and she tottered into the changing rooms to try them on.

Hannah and Ginny giggled outside as they waited, still poking through rows of dresses. Occasionally Ginny would pull a dress up for a "Ooh, that's nice, but maybe not." Or simply a face of surprise, from Hannah.

"Hey, Ginny, Hannah!"

The girls turned, their eyes slowly widening and grins stretching their faces.

"That's your dress Hermione!"

"You're got to get it Hermione, its gorgeous. "

Their friend met them with a smile and a twirl before changing back into her normal clothes.

Moments later Ginny squealed and ran to try her new favorite on in a different room and the two walked out at the same time with smiles and the three went to pay.

The Three Broomsticks was doing well that day. Tables enough for plenty more people, but it seemed Harry, Ron, and Neville, weren't the only ones who had taken a sudden trip for the ball. Many other people were relaxing with boxes and bags. The three took up a table near the edge of the room, leaving space at the table for the girls.

"How long to girls take to find a dress!? I swear we've been in here for way to long."

"I've no idea Ron, this is my first time going shopping for dress robes, mine had been handed down too. "

"They'll be here soon I bet mates, or we'll have to go looking."

"Sounds like a plan Harry. If it weren't for knowing Hermione'll help me with my History of Magic homework, I'd be back at the castle already to get the bloody thing done!"

"Hey guys! Sorry we took so long!"

Harry heard the voice only a second before he felt warm arms around him and saw long red hair out of the corner of his eye, and chuckled.

"Hey Ginny!"

Hermione sat down next to Ron and between him and Harry, Ginny between Harry and Neville, and Hannah between Ron and Neville.

"'Bout time you girls finished shopping! We've been here for-"

A sharp glance from Hermione, followed by a smile and her hand on his stopped Ron midsentence and he sheepishly stopped.

"Well then, since you guys apparently are tired of Hogsmeade, shall we head back to the castle? Homework to do, and you might want to think ahead and make sure all homework for the next few days are done so we all can enjoy the ball." Hermione picked up her bags, and the others followed her lead and the pairs headed back up to the castle.