A/N: Hope everyone had a good weekend! My family and went to a park on Saturday that was filled with poke-stops so we played PokemonGo for a few hours with the kids. Lots of fun!
Here's a new chapter for you all to hopefully help brighten up those Monday's blue's.
"Come on, Ginny? Please?" Hermione pleaded. She was sitting on the edge of the bed that was in the room Ginny and Harry were currently using at the Headquarters. Ginny was folding laundry as she looked up to her friend and sighed, "I really don't know, 'Mione… Harry and Draco made it very clear that we not leave-"
"But it's Christmas next week and I haven't had a chance to go shopping once!" said Hermione exasperatedly. She played with the necklace around her neck and sighed, "I just need to get a few gifts, that's all. And if we go together, we'll be fine. I'm sure of it."
Ginny bit her lip, contemplating. "Well.. I guess I could always drop James off at my parents and you and I can slip out for a few hours."
Hermione squealed with delight as she jumped to a standing position and gave her friend a tight hug. "I love you, Ginny, did you know that?"
"Yeah, yeah. Let me just finish up these clothes and we'll head out. Can you go and get James ready for me?"
Hermione nodded, walking out the door and calling out, "Jaaaames! Wanna go to see your Nana and Papa?"
Ginny giggled as her son enthusiastically shouted "Yes! Cookies!" knowing that he'll be too filled up on the treats to eat dinner tonight.
Hermione and Ginny exited the the toy store, their arms laden with bags from their recent purchases.
"I swear, James is gets more and more spoiled each year," Ginny said, shifting the bags in her hand.
"Well, I am his godmother, it's my right to spoil him," Hermione said knowingly. "Why don't you use your wand and shrink these so they're easier to carry around? Then we can go into Flourish and Blotts."
"You know," Ginny said as she placed her bags on the ground and rummaged through her purse for her wand, "Harry said your wand was perfectly safe to use. I don't know why you left it back at headquarters."
"I know, I know. I guess I'm just being overly cautious," Hermione said as she placed her now shrunken wears into her coat pocket.
As the two of them set their sights on the bookstore, they passed the Apothecary store. "Oh, I need to go into here." Ginny said, "Mind if we make a slight detour?"
Hermione shrugged, "Sure."
The girls walked in and the bell chimed. Theo poked his up from behind some shelves, "Ah, good afternoon Mrs. Potter, Miss Granger," he said with a smile, walking up to them. "Anything I can get you ladies today?"
As Ginny pulled out a list of ingredients she needed, Hermione roamed the shop. As she passed the stairs that led up the living quarters, she heard footsteps thudding lightly, whispered conversation and a thud, followed by a slew of cursing. Raising a brow, she glanced at Theo, pointing up the stairs, "Um. I think someone is up there?"
Theo nodded, "Yeah. One of my buddies is helping me brew some potions. It's pretty crowded up there so he probably banged his knee into something… again," he said chuckling. He walked over to the stairs and called up, "You still alive up there?"
An irritated voice called down, "Yeah, I'm ok. But bloody hell, you really need to clean up around here. I can barely walk a few feet before running into something."
Footsteps sounded on the stairs and Goyle appeared, "I think you have a hoarding problem," he said, glaring at Theo and rubbing his knee. He finally noticed the two women in the store, looking at him peculiar.
"Oh, um… Hi," he said awkwardly. "Sorry to interrupt..."
He turned to go back up the stairs when Theo laughed, "It's fine, Greg. How's the potion coming along?"
"Fine, I guess. I appreciate you letting me make it here," he said.
Theo waved a dismissive hand, "It's no problem. Plus, you're helping as well since you're making it in bulk for me to stock up with. The Morning Sickness Potion is really popular."
"Morning sickness potion?" asked Ginny, "You have some?"
Theo nodded, "Yes. Well, we will later today once it's done brewing. Probably a couple hours. I'll set one aside for you," he said, giving her a wink.
Ginny smiled gratefully at him, "Thanks, I appreciate it. Mine's been pretty mild so far, but if this pregnancy is anything like my first, I'll get hit with it in a few weeks."
Hermione started feeling uncomfortable and antsy, whispering to Ginny, "Are you almost done? I'm feeling a little… claustrophobic in here," she said lamely.
Ginny nodded, "I just need to pay for these and we can head out."
"Ok, I'm going to step outside and get some fresh air," Hermione said on her way to the door.
Once outside, Hermione took a few deep breaths, calming her nerves. She leaned against the stone wall, her eyes closed, until she heard the bell chime and Ginny walked out. "Ok, ready," she said cheerily. She noted how pale Hermione seemed, "Are you ok?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes. I just.. Well, I guess I'm just not comfortable in such tight spaces with too many people."
"Oh.. ok. Well, let's head to Flourish and Blotts, hm? It's not nearly as small and since it's during the week, it shouldn't be crowded either."
Grateful, Hermione nodded, hoping that going to one of her favorite stores will cheer her up.
"I'm starving," said Ginny, as they left the third shop, "Can we please stop for something to eat?"
"Let's try that new sandwich shoppe, the one by Honeydukes?" Hermione suggested.
"Perfect," said Ginny as they walked towards their destination. The new shop featured many different types of sandwiches and it only took Ginny five minutes to pick one out. Sandwiches in hand, they found a table and sat down, nearly groaning with pleasure as both of their feet were tired from walking all afternoon.
"This was a good idea," said Ginny as she bit into her turkey and cranberry sandwich.
Hermione nodded, biting into her B.L.T., "These are delicious."
"Hey, look, it's Nott and Goyle. And some woman.. I think.. I think it's Bulstrode?" Ginny said, surprised.
Hermione turned in her seat to see who Ginny was talking about, "Hm, I guess it is. She looks good; different from back in Hogwarts."
Millicent glanced up at them and gave them a curious look. Hermione smiled briefly before turning back in her seat and continued to eat her lunch.
The Slytherin trio finished before the girls and as they passed by their table, Theo addressed Ginny and told her that the potion was ready and she could stop by when she was done with lunch.
Thanking him, Ginny finished her sandwich and began working on her crisps.
"Do you just want me to meet you at Honeydukes while I go get that potion? So you don't get claustrophobic again?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes, please. There were a few things I need to get there anyways. Draco has quite the sweet tooth so I was thinking of filling up his stocking with lots of treats."
Ginny smiled at her friend, "You really like him, don't you?"
Hermione nodded, "I never thought I'd see the day where I would be falling for Draco Malfoy, but.. Here we are."
Ginny put a hand to her heart, "You're in love with him?"
Hermione shrugged slightly, blushing, "Maybe? I don't know... I'm pretty darn close to it, if I'm not."
"Have you and him… you know…?" she wiggled her eyebrows at her friend, causing Hermione to let out an embarrassed giggle.
"We've... Well, we've done some stuff, but.. I'm still not comfortable doing, uh, certain things quite yet," she said, looking away and biting her lip.
"Hey," said Ginny, placing her hand on top of her friends, gaining her attention, "Considering what you went through, I'm surprised that even 'some' stuff happened. But you take all the time you need. If Draco really cares for you, he'll wait."
Hermione nodded, "He's actually been very cautious about anything we do, making sure I'm comfortable and asking permission and stuff."
"Well, he just earned another slice of cake for dessert tonight," said Ginny, making Hermione smile.
The two friends finished their meals and made their way out of the shoppe.
"I'll meet you here in about ten minutes, ok?" said Ginny, motioning to Honeydukes.
Hermione nodded, "Sounds good."
As Hermione entered Honeydukes, her senses were overcome with the amount of sugar in the air. Grabbing a small basket, she made her way down the aisles, grabbing treats she knew Draco would like. The candy store was empty, save for Hermione and the young woman behind the counter. The bell chimed and she heard the girl gasp. Hermione looked to see who was at the door and was surprised to see Harry and Ron. She glanced back at the girl behind the counter, fixing her hair absently, trying not to make eye contact with the two gentlemen. Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed to herself. She thought it was silly how girls still love to try and impress Harry and Ron, even though they're both already taken.
Hermione walked over to her two friends and smiled, "Hey you two. What are you doing here?"
Harry shrugged, "Just felt like getting some sweets for the office."
"Yeah," said Ron, nodding.
"I'm getting some Christmas treats for Draco," Hermione said, turning her back to them and walking down another aisle. They followed close by, not saying much and hairs on Hermione's neck began to rise.
She turned slowly, eyeing them. "Harry… what's the password?"
Harry looked dumbfounded, "Password?"
Fear shot though Hermione like cold water being poured on her. She forced a smile, and laughed, a bit too loudly, and said, "Just kidding."
Harry and Ron chuckled as Hermione turned back around, making her way quickly to the front. Hermione's hand shook as she placed the items on the counter. She needed to get out of there without raising too much suspicion.
"Did you find everything you were looking for?" asked the girl, glancing between Hermione and looking shyly at Harry and Ron, who were still standing behind her.
"Um, yes, thanks. How much do I owe?" Hermione said, getting her money bag out of her purse. The girl rambled off an amount and Hermione placed a handful of coins on the counter, before grabbing the bag of candy quickly. "Keep the change," Hermione said, turning around, nearly running into the men behind her.
"Well, I'm done in here.. I'll… see you both later? At… at Harry's, right?"
Both nodded. "We'll walk you out," said Harry, taking a hold of her arm.
Ron moved to her other side, grabbing her other arm. "Yeah, don't want to leave you by yourself for fear of you getting kidnapped again and all."
Hermione whimpered as they nearly dragged out the door. Once outside, Hermione jabbed her elbow into Harry and stomped her foot onto Ron's, both letting her go in surprise. She dropped her bag and ran quickly, only to be hit with a silent stupify, causing her fall and hit her head on the concrete. Her vision blurring, she saw the two men tower over her, scowling. "Come on, mudblood," the Ron look-alike said, "Time for some more fun."
Hermione shook her head, making her even dizzier, "No...please...no"
The Harry look-alike picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. The two men looked around to make sure no one had seen them, then disaparated with a pop just as an irritated Ginny came walking around the corner, missing them by mere seconds.
A/N: Don't kill me for the cliffy!