AN: Thank you all for sticking with me.
FAMILY TIES
Chapter 21
STYLE AT THE MINISTRY
The main foyer and atrium of the Ministry of Magic was choked with spectators, dignitaries, employees, reporters and just plain curious wizarding folk. All summoned at the behest of Ivana Malkin, mistress of wizarding fashion for as long as anyone could remember.
The people were clustered around a long raised platform covered in a shimmering gold fabric that waved and gently rippled all on it's own. At one end of the platform was a large area that was enclosed with a curtain along with a magical barrier that prevented the curious throng from peering in.
Inside this enclosure stood the tall, regal Malkin dressed in shimmering purple. The older witch was barking orders all around...
"You dare.. skeeny gurl. Put dis over dat. Ju haf et on her backvard!" A pause, and then... "She may be Meestress of Hogvarts but I am fashioneesta. Tell her I say put et on!"
Gazing a practiced eye over the seemingly uncontrolled chaos happening around the area, the gray haired witch rubbed her hands together and whispered to herself, "Excellent..."
Days like this were what she absolutely lived for. Spying a commotion in the corner, she stated, "Reemember to breathe Dawn."
The young woman looked to be on the verge of hyper ventilating. Nodding to Molly Weasley, Ivana asked, "Vould ju help?"
In spite of the fact that she was just as anxious as the much younger woman, Molly stepped closer to Dawn and whispered, "Try to relax."
Wide mocha eyes fastened onto the red head's face as Dawn screeched, "RELAX? My future is on the line and you want me to RELAX?" The tall young woman wrung her hands frantically and babbled, "Where is Stick? She talked me in to this. This is her fault!" Seeing the witch in question, Dawn pointed at her, "This is your fault!"
Minerva was too busy fussing with one of Malkin's dressing assistants to even bother with a reply. All that did was aggravate Dawn even further. Looking around the enclosed area she grouched, "Where is 'Mione? You'd think my sister would be here!"
Feeling a hand on her elbow, she whirled around to find herself face to face with her mother.
"Oh Mum! I can't do this!" Jean Hooch smiled at her daughter, but it was her wife Rolanda that replied, "Yes you can Butterfly. You have more talent in your pinky finger than that pompous bag of bones over there."
Hearing this, Ivana Malkin shot Rolanda Hooch the universal finger which caused Dawn to burst into hysterical laughter and thus made her completely forget her fear.
At least for the moment.
Seeing what the assistant was doing to a growling Minerva, caused Dawn to stalk over saying, "No. It goes like this."
Malkin and Hooch made eye contact and winked.
Hermione sat in her office at the clinic totally absorbed in David Pennyworth's notes. As the days had passed, she had begun to formulate a theory on just what is was they were dealing with. Hearing a tapping on her door, she looked up to see Susan standing on the threshold, "Hey."
Dark eyebrow quirking curiously, the young healer queried, "Yes?"
Grinning Susan shook her head, "You forgot." She could see confusion on her employer's face, so she added, "Aren't you supposed to be somewhere?" She scratched her chin in an exagerated fashion and added, "You know, like a certain fashion show?"
"Oh shit!"
"Ju... skeeny gurl. Put zat over da shoulders!" Steel gray eyes narrowed as the tall witch spied her nemesis, "Rolanda Hooch! Do not sabotage dis show! I vill make ju vear bikini!"
Jean grinned as she helped her wife into her garment, "I'll buy that for a pound!"
Snickering, Hooch elbowed her wife, "That's galleon my dear."
"Whatever."
Reaching behind Jean, Hooch gave her left buttock a playful pinch. Laughing, Jean yelped and wiggled away.
Malkin watched this with eyes rolling and muttered, "Amateurs." She turned and marched in another direction barking, "Ju skeeny gurl, geeve dat to her and find the older seester!"
"Seester, I mean sister is here!" Hermione called as she stepped into the middle of the group.
"Where have you been?"
"Damn, I thought you weren't coming."
Hermione stared into the obviously distraught features of her baby sister. Reaching out, she pulled Dawn into a tight embrace and whispered in her ear, "I will always be there for you little sister."
More than anything else, having Hermione near seemed to do the trick as Dawn immediately turned around and started barking orders just like Malkin.
"Calamity averted just by your mere presence."
Smiling as she heard the comforting brogue of her wife, she turned and stepped into outstretched arms.
"Stop dat Meenerva McGonagall! Ju vill wrinkle et!"
Rita Skeeter stood with the other reporters off to the side wondering what the hell was going on. She'd been working on a compelling piece of journalism based on information provided by George Weasley, when her boss had ordered her to the ministry atrium. Her eyes narrowed as a sudden loud throbbing melody began to play.
Everyone in the area started glancing about wondering what was happening. Moments later, the unmistakable eastern European accent of Ivana Malkin commanded, "STRIKE A POSE!"*
Music began playing out a seductive beat as suddenly the golden curtain at the back part of the long platform parted and none other than Rolanda Hooch stepped out clad completely in a black leather cat suit. Sporting her usual quiddich boots, the spike haired witch shot the crowd an ornery smirk as she strutted down what was now identified as a catwalk.
Skeeter grinned from ear to ear as Rolanda hammed it up. The Flying Instructor pointed and gestured at various members of the crowd. As she reached the end of the runway, she turned and stopped. Looking over her shoulder, Hooch wiggled her hips and winked saying, "You wish you looked this good."
The crowd roared their delight.
Skeeter threw her head back and laughed all the while her quick quotes quill was scratching madly at a bit of floating parchment.
Hearing the crowd roar, Madam Malkin hissed, "Eff Rolanda Hooch has sabotaged dis show, I vill dye her hair green!"
Dawn smirked. She thought Rolanda was awesome.
As Hooch approached the curtain, another person stepped out. The crowd whistled and hooted as a shirtless and barefoot Harry Potter started his strut down the platform.
Passing Hooch, he heared her whisper, "Show off!"
Grinning, he nodded. Yes he did want to show off his new physique.
Ever since seeing Minerva's body when they painted the boat house**, he'd felt completely outclassed. He wanted to do something about what he'd perceived as an inadequacy and in strict Potter fashion... did just that. Hence this newly sculpted muscular body that Ginny couldn't keep her hands off of.
He was wearing a pair of black denim jeans that hugged the form of whoever wore them. A fabric that Molly Weasley has suggested to Dawn.
And wear them he did.
The crowd wailed their surprise and delight.
A very pregnant Ginny Potter fumed as she heard the cat calls and wolf whistles as her husband showed off the jeans Dawn had designed. The red head paced back and forth muttering obscenities.
"Do not let dat deestract ju. Et means nossink!"
Ginny glared daggers into the gray eyes of Malkin who turned and stalked away mumbling, "Maybe et does." She looked up in time to see Minerva fussing once again, "Stop dat!"
The curtain parted and Harry stopped dead in his tracks as his very pregnant wife stepped out. He gulped as sky blue eyes narrowed and shot sparks. This was enough to get him scampering behind the curtain.
The crowd quieted a bit as Ginny stared fiercely out at them with one raised eyebrow. Hearing the beat to the music, she proceeded to march down the runway. She was modeling a shimmering white maternity robe that somehow enhanced her figure and not hide it.
The women in the audience started to cheer once they realized the function this garment served. They should not be afraid to show off their bodies.
As Ginny did as she lovingly stroked her belly.
Molly grinned as she peered out at the stage, "That's my girl!" She whispered feeling overwhelming pride and love for her only daughter. She turned just in time to see Ronald slip up behind Dawn and wrap his hands around her waist.
"Surprise!"
Dawn shrieked as she turned and hugged her boyfriend, "I thought you weren't coming!"
Grinning Ron pointed over to where the infamous "skeeny gurl" was fussing over Cornelius Honeyduke. The tall bald American had agreed to model something for Dawn and thus had closed the sweet shop for the day. That also gave Ron the opportunity to be there for the woman he loved when she needed him the most.
Corny was wearing what appeared to be a modified version of a muggle business suit only with magical touches. The garment was dark navy blue pinstripe with matching trousers over jet black ankle boots. The coat was made to fall just below the knee making it to appear almost cloak-like. Completing the look was a very muggle red tie.
All in all, the big candymaker looked hot. So did George Weasley as he stepped up beside Corny. His outfit was identical in style only done in an Irish green. The effect setting off George's hair color in stunning fashion. The only difference in his outfit was that he also sported a silky black cloak.
"Gentlemen, ju are next!" Malkin stated pointing her wand in their direction. The next thing either man knew was that suddenly they were glowing.
"Iz nice effect."
George captured Rita Skeeter's eyes as he slunk down the catwalk. She nodded a greeting and watched as he did a flamboyant spin. She laughed as she heard Cornelius Honeyduke say, "You are such a ham!"
As George captured her eyes once again, he mouthed the words, "Meet me later." Nodding again, the reporter watched as the red haired man headed back up the platform.
Meanwhile Corny stopped at the end of the runway and stood in the sexiest pose he could think of. Slowly sticking his index finger in his mouth, he pulled it out and touched his backside. Making a sizzling sound, he turned on his heels and sauntered back up the runway adding just a little swish to his hips.
"Oh. My. Word."
"Do not cheekin out on me now Meenerva!"
Emerald eyes narrowed and appeared to glare a hole in the center of Malkin's forehead, "I have never "chickened" out on anything in my life."
With that, the Headmistress of Hogwarts stepped out from behind the curtain.
The crowd went wild!
Rita watched as the mighty McGonagall glided down the runway. That was the only way to describe the way the Headmistress moved.
The tall witch was clad in a form fitting pair of pleated trousers that were an inky black in colour. She was sporting an ivory coloured muggle style blouse with small buttons made from black pearls. Capping off the ensemble was the burgundy cloak that Dawn and Molly had made for the ebony haired witch previously.
Minerva wore it completely open causing it to billow in a very Snape-like fashion.
'Who knew Minerva had such nice curves?' Skeeter smirked at the thought. As the older woman stopped at the end of the runway and gave a mock salute, Skeeter added a thought, 'Or so sexy?'
The reporter cackled as audience members copied Cornelius Honeyduke's move by touching a finger to their own backsides and letting out their own version of sizzling sounds.
Raising an eyebrow, McGonagall turned and glided back to the golden curtain.
"Damn." Skeeter muttered as she fanned herself.
Hearing what sounded like a hissing sound caused Malkin to squawk like a chicken, "Vat has she done!"
Jean was peeking out to watch. Hearing Malkin, she grinned and stated, "Stealing the show!"
"Not quite."
Minerva had just entered the enclosed area and had heard was Jean had said. Taking her wife's hand, she gracefully turned and with Hermione in hand, muttered, "Now we steal the show."
Rita Skeeter cheered as McGonagall returned to the runway. This time escorting her lovely wife.
Hermione McGonagall was clad in the deep forest green cloak that Dawn had gifted her with a few weeks prior. She was wearing it open and producing her own billow as she also glided down the runway at her wife's side.
"How do they do that?" Skeeter muttered to herself. She noticed that the young healer was wearing an inner robe of a certain house colour. She grinned as Hermione paused and yelled out, "Gryffindor!"
Again, the crowd cheered.
Ivana Malkin placed a hand on young Dawn's shoulder, "Et appears dat ju are a heet."
Dawn cocked her head, a mystified expression on her face. Seeing it, the "skeeny gurl" came over and said, "She means you're a hit."
Malkin huffed, "She knows vhut I mean skeeny gurl."
"Skeeny Gurl", an equally tall witch with blue black hair and piercing black eyes leaned down and whispered in Dawn's ear but just loud enough for Malkin to hear, "I've been working for her for fifteen years and she still calls me that. She doesn't even know my name, but whenever she needs something. it's me she turns to."
Indignant, Madam Malkin hissed, "I do too know jur name. Et is..." She paused, thinking... "Et is...um.."
The thin woman straightened and smiled at Dawn, "I'm Ava Prince and I'm very pleased to meet you."
Malkin's eyes widened as she said, "Ava...Ava...um..." Frowning she grouched as she marched off, "Skeeny gurl vorks better."
Dawn reached out and shook Ava's hand, "I'm pleased to meet you."
Black eyes stared into mocha for a long moment as the tall witch smiled and replied, "Likewise."
Over in a corner, Ron Weasley stared at the woman shaking Dawn's hand, "Where have I seen her before?"
-to be continued
AN: Thank y'all for being so patient.
*Imagine Madonna's "Vogue" playing throughtout the show.
**see The Boat House chapter 10