Hi all! This chapter is relatively short. Next one will be long, I promise! The first part is rather fluffy, but comes with a purpose. The second part shows the plot thickening with some new added drama. I hope you guys like this chapter! I worked rather hard on it, and kept changing it. I think this version is finally 'post worthy.' :)

Thank you to waterisjustcomingoutofthesky for beta-ing both versions of this chapter, and of course for putting up with me when I turn into a wreck about writing :)

A Best Friend's Touch

Hermione held the dainty black evening dress to her petite body and sighed deeply, happily. After having second – and even third – thoughts about wearing such a slinky dress on a first date (instead of a more conservative choice like she usually would have chosen) she was finally ready to admit that Lacey had been right when helping her choose her attire for the upcoming evening…

0o0

Lacey rolled her eyes and pounded the outside of the bathroom door sharply, and loudly. "Honestly Hermione, you're being bloody ridiculous! Just come out, I want to see that dress."

"Don't swear," Hermione scolded softly from inside the bathroom, "and I just don't see the point in coming out, or wearing this dress tomorrow for that matter."

Lacey smiled softly. "Ah, but there is a point, the dress looks fantastic on you!"

"How would you know?" Hermione asked with crossed arms, "you haven't seen me in the dress yet."

"Precisely my point, now come out so I can see the dress! Then I can make a fair analysis on how it looks."

"But …"

"No buts Hermione, just please come out. If you come out, look at yourself more carefully, and have a second opinion, you may surprise yourself on how good you look."

Hermione groaned softly. "Alright, I'm coming out." Before she could leave the bathroom however, she took a final look in the mirror, and hesitated. She looked herself over critically, and felt the insecurities building up in her head. "Lacey… I don't know… there isn't really much to it, it's rather slinky, and in no way appropriate for a first date with someone I just met a few days ago."

Lacey sighed deeply; it was time to try a new tactic. "Hermione, remember when we watched that movie a few years back?"

Hermione mind clicked, immediately knowing which movie her best friend was referring to. "Yes. I suppose. But what's the…"

"And do you remember what we learned?" Lacey pressed on slowly, ignoring Hermione.

When Hermione did not reply for several seconds after the question was posed, she rolled her eyes. "Alright then, what did I learn?"

When Hermione did not reply for several more seconds, she pressed on in a more gentle fashion. "The lead actress made it clear that 'the little black dress' is an essential addition to every woman's wardrobe. It's an essential every woman own a simple – yet elegant – dress that can be used on any important occasion."

"Yes, but I don't see why I need to wear such a revealing and… sexy dress for a first date." The word 'sexy' was said in a nervous whisper.

"Hermione," Lacey began in a gentle voice, "I want you to listen to me alright? It's important."

Lacey took Hermione not speaking to be a good sign, and proceeded with the most gentle voice she could muster.

"Hermione, look, I don't know this bloke, but if what everything you told me on the phone is true, then you have nothing to worry about. I can already tell that he's crazy about you. Head over heels, even after only a few days of knowing you. And you want to know why?" Lacey waited for a few more moments. "It's because your confidence and you're attitude. I've always been jealous of you for that."

"Lacey, please," Hermione scoffed.

"And…" Lacey said, choosing to ignore Hermione's protesting once more. "You are beautiful. You are a beautiful young woman, and – for God's sake – you need to start embracing that side of you. I can already tell that he thinks you're beautiful. Why else would he try to drown you in a fountain while snogging you?" She asked with a small laugh. "Please, just come out. Not only so I can see, not only for the fabulous reaction he'll be giving you tomorrow, come out for yourself as well. Come out, and maybe you'll see what everyone has been seeing in you for years."

After a few moments of hesitation, the doorknob twisted slowly, and Hermione shuffled out of the bathroom wearing a nervous expression.

Lacey laughed, and clapped her hands together excitedly. "Finally!" She said with a sequel. "I thought you were going to make me force the door down!" She tugged on her hand impatiently and forced her in front of the long elegant mirror in the center of the hotel suite.

Hermione peered into the mirror carefully and tugged impatiently at the top of her dress. "It's so low in the front," she complained in a low voice, "I'm going to be pulling it up the whole night."

"Not if he takes it off fast enough," Lacey said with a small, cheeky smirk.

Hermione's face immediately turned a deep scarlet as she shot Lacey a murderous look.

"All joking aside," she said with a wave of her hand. "I'm sure it won't be that bad. That dress looks amazing, it's a perfect fit." She began circling around Hermione with a critical eye and a raised eyebrow. Finally, after what felt like hours of inspection, Lacey sat down on the bed. "You look incredible love!" She said with a proud smile. "He's not going to be able to keep his eyes off of you."

"That's the idea isn't it?" Hermione asked with a small smile.

"How about his hands?" Lacey asked with a mischievous smile.

"Stop saying things like that!" Hermione scolded. A soft blush covered her face. She turned to look back into the mirror and her stomach flipped as she imagined Ron kissing her deeply, Ron looking at her in an amazed sort of way, like he actually believed that she was pretty.

The embarrassment of what she had just been thinking showed in her face. She tilted her head in a mirror, making herself look awkward on purpose. Despite what anyone may have thought, she had never seen herself as a beautiful person. Lacey, and her other girlfriends from secondary school were beautiful. Compared to them, she had always looked plain, nothing special, despite being told by countless people that she was beautiful. She had never minded however. She had always believed, and told herself, that there were far more important things then fashion magazines, and outer beauty.

Looking in the mirror now, the two girls saw two different people. Lacey saw a worldly, sophisticated, beautiful woman. Hermione saw an insecure, scared little girl. One who had never bothered opening a magazine, or learning how to apply make-up until it was absolutely necessary.

Lacey, seeing Hermione was having doubts, rolled her eyes and accompanied her in the mirror. "Stop it Hermione," she scolded gently, "you look incredible, I only wish I could be there when he first sees you."

Hearing this sent shock waves through her body. Her mind was immediately plunged into thoughts of different scenarios of Ron first seeing her in the dress. She finally lowered her arms, and began to see the dress in a brand new light.

The dress had a low V-neck bodice that showed off just the right amount of cleavage; just enough to catch Ron's attention, but still modest enough to be left to the imaginations. The bodice ended right under the bust area, the rest of the dress material clung to her body easily and effortlessly, ending right before the knees, and showing off just the right amount of leg. Looking more closely, she began to see the woman that Lacey saw, she was beginning to see the woman that Lacey saw, she was beginning to see someone worldly, sophisticated, and beautiful. The bushy-haired, bookworm little girl was gone. The little girl with large front teeth was gone. In her place with someone beautiful and confident. In her place was a woman. The dainty black dress covered any insecurity she had had in the previous few moments. It hugged her petite frame in all the right places, and accented every one of her curves perfectly.

Hermione turned around with a huge smile on her face. "I love it," she said in awe with a soft voice.

Lacey stood up from the bed and engulfed Hermione in a tight hug from the behind. "I know you would," she said, sharing a soft smile with Hermione in the mirror.

0o0

Hermione's smile grew considerably as memories from the previous day flooded her mind. She chanced a glance at the clock, and was shocked to see that it was five o' clock. She had spent almost an hour in her own thoughts. Ron would be there in exactly an hour. As she set off to begin to get ready, her body tingled with the thoughts of what the upcoming evening would hold, and promises of what was to come. She couldn't wait for Ron to see her in the dress.

Lacey stood quickly. Her legs were feeble and unstable. However – in her current situation – that was the least of her worries.

Right now she needed to think, she needed a plan, and she needed an escape. She needed a way out. And she needed them all fast.

She began running. Nowhere in particular. Running with one sole purpose in her head: getting away from the forest, and alerting the police. There was a maniac on the loose …

She began looking around wildly. There hadto be a way out.

Finally, her eyes fixed on a means of escape. A small one, a few meters away from her current position.

A small beam of light streamed through two tall willowing trees, just barely, but just enough to add a bit of light to the already dark and dreary forest.

She began to run again, as fast as she possibly could. The light clearance was her only means of escape, and in her mind – which was already warped with fear – seemed like the difference between her life, and her death.

She felt her heart sink, and her stomach drop, when she heard fast, lightweight footsteps coming up behind her, and a high pitched laugh coming from the same direction.

"Oh look!" The voice squealed with sick happiness, "the whore of the plan is trying to get away! Can't have that now can we?"

Lacey began to pick up speed; the clearing seemed closer than ever. Different thoughts were surrounding her head. The main one was screaming 'Run! If you get to the clearing, everything will be fine.'

She had lured Lacey into the woods a short while ago. She had pretended to have been looking for car keys. Her appearance had been unkempt. Long, tangled, blond hair. Hazy, unfocused, dark blue eyes. Tattered dirty clothes. She was the last person who should have been anywhere near such a posh hotel.

That should have been her first clue.

But still, she had gone with her, followed her into the forest. That had been her first mistake.

As soon as they had gone deep enough into the forest, the woman had let off a high pitched chilling laugh. One that cut through you as sharp as a knife.

"Look what we have here," she had said in a low voice, "what a pretty pretty little girl." By this time, she had begun to circle her, like a vulture. "My boss was right you know." She continued in the same low chilling voice. "You're very lovely." She reached a hand out to stroke Lacey's chin roughly. "You're going to work out perfectly."

She had then pulled a long stick out of her pocket, and had jabbed it into the side of Lacey's neck painfully. She smirked and murmured a word under her breath. Crucio.

Pain ripped through her like a knife ripping through her flesh, tearing her apart. She let out a loud scream, it was the worst pain she could remember feeling. It was probably the worst pain she had ever felt.

There was a twisted relish and glee in the woman's laugh. "Scream louder! Scream louder!" She had crooned. "No one is going to hear you."

She had grabbed Lacey by the hair and forced her down to the dirty forest floor.

"H-how is that p-possible?" She had asked in a scared whisper.

The woman had stopped in front of her and knelt slowly. Lacey could smell cigarettes and tobacco on her breath. "Magic girlie." She whispered with a sinister smile.

"T-there's no s-such thing," Lacey had said in the same terrified whisper. "Please let me go, and no one will ever have to know you did this, I'll go quietly."

Begging had no effect on her; she seemed to take a sick pleasure out of seeing Lacey beg for her freedom.

"Do you really want to test your theory?" The woman had said. "Hmm?"

Her voice was beginning to get louder, until the point where she was shouting, and her loud voice was bouncing between the trees. "Do you really want to test your theory that there's no such thing as magic?"

Lacey had shaken her head quickly. Terrified of what the woman would do to her if she further questioned her.

Then she had left her. Left her to let the pain sink in. Left her to find her means of escape, only to hunt her down like a wild bore when it looked like she had a prayer of escaping the dark forest.

That was where they both were currently.

To Lacey's fear and horror, the woman caught up with her stealthily. She felt her scalp burn as she yanked her hair back with a force. She felt her flesh crawl as the woman brought her face close to hers.

"Where are you going?" She asked with a menacing smirk. "Weren't you listening to me? Whore!" The word whore was spat at her harshly, making it sting even more.

"We want Hermione Granger," she continued on in the same low tone. "And you're going to help us…"

Lacey's stomach let off a violent lurch as the woman began to roughly pull her back into the dark forest.

Tears began to prickle her eyes, but she refused to let the fall. She refused to give the woman that satisfaction.

Before succumbing into the darkness of the forest, a large amount of fear plunged through her heart like a dagger. She found herself closing her eyes, and hoping that the last thirty minutes of her life were just a cruel dream…

Whew! A complete one eighty with that chapter! It has its purposes, I promise you that much.

I really enjoyed writing about Hermione with the dress; it was a lot of fun! A lot of writers tend to write Hermione as perfect and flawless, but I believe that is not the case. She is a normal nineteen year old girl with insecurities, and flaws. Ron's reaction to her dress in the next chapter will definitely ease a lot of those insecurities ;) I realise the conversation that Lacey had with Hermione is better suited between a mother and her daughter, but, seeing as it can't happen, a best friend is just as good :) Points for anyone who can guess the movie I mentioned in the first part of this chapter!

As always, reviews would be lovely! I worked rather hard on this chapter, and changed it a bunch of times. I would love to know what you guys think about it, and I would also like to know what you guys thought of the direction I'm taking this story in. So, please review! What did you like? What did you not like? Etcetera etcetera. Review! The official 'first date' chapter is the next chapter I promise!

Cheers!