Chapter 10: Saying Yes to the Dress

A/N: I already knew what Hermione's most important gown she would ever wear in her life looked like. And since Designer Extraordinaire Pansy Pakinson was still in town...

And no, Hermione is not being presumptuous. Draco explained in Chapter 2: Putting a Ring on It, that he bought the ring one month after they got together. And now it's gets more specific, he went out the day after Chapter 8: Moonlight Tryst happened. This gorgeous man is always one step ahead of his woman, but she always catches up!

Just thought I'd put it out there since I was thinking of that in the shower!

Pansy Parkinson became an overnight sensation. The reviews were fabulous. People were contacting Draco left and right trying to get Pansy's information. A few celebrities already booked meetings with her for their own events. But I had her to myself and felt like we were back in high school, looking at the red carpet looks worn the night before. Pansy was already an accomplished seamstress taking Home Ec and by the time we were Seniors, she made her own Prom Dress. We had found almost every news clip and video of the Premiere that Draco and I was in. We squealed when we saw that someone actually took a pic where you could see me about to step out of the limo and my gorgeous green Manolos were clearly in view. The dress looked stunning. Pansy corrected me and said, "The dress looked stunning on you!" My favorite pic was one where I was in front of Draco facing him. He had an arm around me, and he was kissing my cheek. You could see the fabulous back of the gown with it's hand-dyed green ribbon.

She decided to treat herself to one more week out here and I was more than happy to have her company. Pansy had tried to refuse payment for the dress, but Draco insisted. He told her to add up her time and labor and charge what it all was worth. She gave him an amount and he paid her double. Pansy had some serious cash and wanted to hit all the stores she dreamed of shopping in before she went home.

I told her, "Before all the new clients start rolling in, could we start working on the dress I hinted about when I first called you?"

Pansy's eyes widened and said her signature, "Oh my god! Did my dress cause Draco to propose?"

I laughed and shook my head. The other day, when I was putting away some socks, I saw a little velvet box tucked under them. She covered her mouth and said, "Whoa..."

"I swear I didn't open it, I just quickly and quietly closed it because he was home at the time."

Pansy said, "Yes, definitely, let's get started". She went to get her sketchpad and pencils.

I had a very specific look in mind. I wanted to look romantic. And what better than a Jane Austen inspired gown. Of course it would be white, but the exact shade I would defer to Pansy because I knew she would make sure I would look my best. I wanted the signature low, square neckline and empire waist. She was quickly sketching and said, "Wow Hermione, this looks just like you", and she turns her sketchpad around for me to see. I tell her, I'm not finished and describe to her what I want over the skirt. I tell her I want a sheer overlay that would flare out like a mini-train. On it I would like tiny clusters of hand sewn beads that formed Draco's constellation over and over the fabric.

Pansy whistled and said, "Damn girl, you really put some thought into this. I absolutely love it. But how long of a train are we talking? The dress is going to be easy to sew, but the beading...that's going to take a significant amount of time. Do we have that much time?"

I shrug my shoulders. Later on as I look back in hindsight, I'm glad I had talked to Pansy when I did. Draco would propose four months later and then we had six months to plan the very small, very intimate wedding. Pansy would be there as my Maid of Honor while Harry was my Man of Honor.

Anyway, back to the present...

Pansy said we need to go to Draco's home office. She scanned her sketch in and then uploaded it to a drawing program. She added an overlay to the skirt and enlarged it. She opened up another screen and googled Draco's constellation. "Wow, it's pretty like him", and she winked at me. She made a copy and transposed it onto the overlay. She worked on the scale. Then she said, "Okay, not as bad as I thought. But how long will the train be?" I tell her I want it to just skim the floor and she sighs in relief. She says, "I will probably look into getting help with the beading.

I tell her not to spare any expense.

She says, you know you will have to come home for a fitting or two. I will not transport this dress until it is done!"

I tell her I definitely would. Besides. It was time to wrap up some loose ends at home, like moving my things out of the apartment, bringing things here, and possibly putting the rest in storage. Draco and I were definitely doing this forever thing. I smile to myself at the thought. I also wanted to go to the Library and see my former colleagues.

I hug Pansy and she says, "What was that for?"

I tell her, "For always being there for me, especially during this most incredible time of my life". We both look like we want to start ugly crying so I bring up something that would definitely not bring up any tears. "So girl, tell me about Premiere night and what happened with Neville. I know you snuck in early that morning".

Pansy does a Draco smirk. "I will tell you all about it in the car. The fabric for your wedding gown is calling my name!", she says as she squeezes my hand.

A/N: I think there is a Pansy and Neville story in there somewhere...what do you think?