Chapter 24 – Shop until you drop
Laura felt so much better after her little snooze and it did help she had her boyfriend, George Weasley beside her. She still couldn't believe they were now girlfriend and boyfriend, nor how George had reacted to her being sick. He totally surprised her in a good way. This made her fall for him even more. George refused to leave her until her parents returned.
"What about Fred?" Laura would keep asking George.
"He'll be fine. He'll be helping Mum around the house no doubt." George answered.
Laura did feel guilty about splitting the twins up especially after George had just got Fred back.
"Laura please don't feel guilty. Fred will be fine. He's old enough to look after himself." Laura wasn't so sure.
George had told her the times they were apart were the times they both got hurt. The first being when George got his ear injured and the second was when Fred nearly died. Laura shuddered.
After a shower Laura felt so much better and changed into jeans and a printed t-shirt along with white converse for her shopping trip. George had been glued to the television which he had never ever watched before. He was watching one of Laura's favourite programs which oddly enough was called Sabrina the teenage witch.
"It would be so cool if we had taking cats." George commented as her black cat was chatting away to Sabrina.
"And they'd probably pretty annoying too." Laura added with a slight giggle as the cat was arguing with Sabrina.
Both Laura and Sarah had owls but they were being looked after by their Grandfather in Ireland.
"When we move back into our flat above the shop I'm getting one of these." George stated pointing at the television. "Actually can you take me shopping in muggle London someday and show me all these amazing muggle gadgets?"
"Of course I can, one problem though, you'll need muggle money." Laura answered slightly confused.
"Ah I never thought of that. How did you get your wizarding money?" George wondered. "We took some of our muggle money and they changed it for us in Gringotts." Laura replied.
"I shall do that then." George spoke.
"Or I could lend you some. My grandparents gave me and Sarah some money before we started at Hogwarts in our accounts." Laura explained.
Laura continued to get ready as George watched the television in awe asking her 101 questions about muggle items.
"So I have to get Fred and me a television and a CD player and a video player." George stated. "And one of those comduter things they have downstairs."
"A computer." Laura corrected him giggling. "Don't worry I'll help you get kitted out in all the gadgets. I think you and Fred might like a Playstation which you can play loads of games on." George's eyes lit up.
"I have one back in my house in Ireland so you can see if when we bring it over."
Laura's parents returned from the new house and Sarah didn't waste any time in telling Laura all about it.
"It's amazing. We'll have our own rooms, there's a massive garden with a pond. Laura you'll love it." Sarah chirped excitedly then showed her older sister some photos of it.
"Oh I like it." Laura replied as she looked at them.
"I think I better get going. I'll meet you outside the hotel at 6:30pm." George said standing up getting ready to leave.
Laura secretly didn't want him to leave. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then he disappeared. Laura finished getting ready then her and Sarah went to meet Hermione, Ginny and Luna outside the hotel. They set off into London to hit the shops.
But firstly they stopped to get some lunch in a cute little cafe. This gave the girls a chance to have a good old gossip. Ginny now knew about Laura and George.
"Fred was sulking around when he came back from dropping you two off. I think Freddie is a tad jealous that George has got himself a girlfriend and his ex-girlfriend doesn't want to know." Ginny spoke.
"I think there's something bothering Fred but I can't quite put my finger on what it is." Hermione added.
"I think he's just been through a traumatic experience and it's affecting him more than he's letting on." Ginny said.
"How has it affected you Laura?" Ginny asked. "Have you been having bad nightmares or anything?"
"Not really thank goodness. I think because I missed so much of the fighting and seeing you-know-who it hasn't affected me too badly. I still get death eaters in my dreams though." Laura answered.
Luna hardly said anything just sat daydreaming.
"Do you know what I think, I could be totally wrong though. I think Fred's heartbroken that Angelina didn't want to get back with him but also I think there's someone else he likes but can't have her." Ginny said looking at both Laura and Hermione.
"Not me, no way!" Hermione protested looking shocked.
"Look ages ago I heard him and George talking and I heard your name mentioned Hermione. I couldn't make out what all was said though." Ginny answered.
"That's ridiculous he was probably giving off about me or something." Hermione answered.
The girls finished up their food and gossiping then left to hit the shops. Ginny loved muggle London as the shops were far better and did better clothes. They had a lot of fun going into the various shops and trying on clothes. Laura had her camera to take loads of snaps of them in the various outfits. In one shop the five girls tried on pretty dresses and posed in the fitting rooms for loads of photos.
"We'll have to do something for my birthday at the end of June." Laura stated posing in a long, one shouldered pink gown.
"How about you have a prom themed party?" Ginny suggested.
"These dresses would be perfect." Hermione added swirling around in a knee length lilac dress.
Ginny jumped up and down excitedly clapping her hands in glee.
"Yes, yes that would be amazing." she chirped.
The dresses weren't too expensive so they decided to purchase them anyway. Laura, Hermione and Sarah dragged the girls into The Disney Store. The three muggle girls had been brought up with Disney movies.
"When we move into our new house, you are all invited around for a Disney movie night." Laura suggested.
Ginny and Luna both thought this was amazing and couldn't wait. Luna in particular fell in love with the cuddly toys in the Disney store asking Laura and Sarah 101 questions about who they were.
Purses a little lighter and weighed down with shopping bags (which they had made lighter with a simple spell), the five girls returned to Laura and Sarah's hotel.
"That was so much fun." Ginny stated flopping down onto the chair.
Laura's parents appeared to tell the girls the good news that the house they'd seen earlier was now there's.
"We can start moving in any time." Anne said.
"We have some decorating to do so we'll go around tomorrow and see what way you want your rooms done." John added.
"Mrs Jones I have an idea, well as muggle decorating takes a lot of time, why don't we give you all a helping hand." Hermione suggested.
"Yes we gave Grimmauld Place a face lift when we first moved there with the order." Ginny added.
"You know what girls I think I shall take you up on the offer, I've never been much good with painting or wallpapering." John answered.
The plan was that the family would decorate the new house then fly back to Ireland and start moving all their belongings over. Laura's parents left the girls in peace so they could start getting Laura ready for her date with George. The nerves began to build up inside Laura's stomach while Ginny used her wand to put loose curls in Laura's hair.
Hermione and Luna were sat discussing colours with Sarah for her room.
"Ginny you're ok with me and George dating?" Laura asked.
"Of course I am. George has a heart of gold. I actually trust George more than Ron, no offence Hermione." Ginny answered.
"None taken." Hermione said.
"Honestly I'm fine with you dating George and Hermione dating Ron but they both know if they hurt either of you they'll feel my wrath!" Ginny stated.
"Luna we're going to have to get you a boyfriend." Sarah spoke looking up from the magazine she'd bought.
"Oh no I'm ok thank you. I like being single." She replied
"I thought Neville had his eye on you Luna." Ginny spoke.
"Neville is a great friend of mine but that's about it really." Luna replied modestly.
The girls continued to gossip about boys, make up and colour schemes. Laura and Sarah were so thankful for the three girls. Sarah was even going to the cinema with Hermione, Ginny and Luna while Laura was on her date.