DAY 1: BEGINNING

Hermione's P.O.V:

Going out of my way to get something for Harry is obviously the right choice to make. If he were to pick something of his own, who knows what monstrous clothing he might pick! He wouldn't even know which shop he'd have to go to to find Masquerade type clothing. Lastly, I just want to find something that I'd like to see him wear! Ah yes, evil me.

After classes, I went over to a shop named, "Theuderic's Whimsical Masquerade Wear". It has all the dresses, suits, masks, etc., anyone could ask for! I was rather ecstatic, you see. It was my first ever time going to a shop like this one itself.

"Welcome, young one! How shall I assist?"

"Oh, well, I think you might have heard already but Hogwarts is having a Masquerade Ball. I heard from others that you're the best to come to for outfit choices. Me and my friend, Harry, are rather indifferent about choosing wear. What do you think, sir?"

"Oh my, well firstly you don't need to be so formal with me! Just call me Mr. Theuderic. Secondly, costumes like Masquerade Ball wear have their own personality. I rather the costume to fit the wearer's personality and type since it's more mysterious like that, right? True friends would know it's you by your costume alone- it's a sign of what they really are to you."

I was rather astonished by his sayings. I didn't know something so simple could be so complicated. A flame lit in my eyes as I smiled brightly at the rather old man in front of me.

"Honestly you are just like Mr. Ollivander! He talks all about his items as well like they're their own person. Anyways, shall I give you a description of what Harry is like so you can get an idea of who he is to me?"

Mr. Theuderic only smiled and chuckled softly at me, nodding to my question. He soon enough offered me a seat near the inside window, making it more comfortable for me to talk on about Harry.

It felt like I went on and on for hours about Harry. Though, it seems that Mr. Theuderic listened to me all the way through it. I told him of our adventures and how Harry saved many people from doom itself. I told him how he was a bit popular with the girls- but really they only wanted him for his fame. Mr. Theuderic nodded and laughed with me when I found things funny about Harry. He seemed genuine in listening to me wholeheartedly.

After around 20 or so minutes we're done, I sighed and smiled at him. Thanking him for listening.

"Oh, no problem. It wasn't troublesome at all, really. I have all the time in the world to hear your stories with your friends. Anywho, let me get out something that might fit him well. You'll be the only one who knows it's him when he's done putting it on. All your other friends will have to know themselves if it's him or not by his costume."

Mr. Theuderic runs off to the back of the shop. I could only hear shuffling and boxes moving from within the back. He must really know what it is that'll fit Harry. I wonder what it is?

After countless minutes, Mr. Theuderic comes back with a lace-up packet, it was rather tiny. With only a rather happy face on, he chuckles and walks up to me with the box.

"Is the suit that tiny? I don't think you got the measurements correctly... Mr. Theuderic."

"Suit? Tiny? Ah, yes, you don't know anything about my shop. I should have guessed! The 'suit' can fit anyone who tries it on, automatically getting their measurements correctly. Secondly, you shouldn't just think of it as a suit! There can be men that wear other types of clothing pieces than a suit. For Harry's formal wear, I picked a specific dress for him-"

"Wh- dress? I don't think he'll be very comfortable wearing that. And why a dress of all things? Isn't there a suit for him that resonates with his personality too?"

"Oh no. When I have an idea of who that person is- I know exactly what will resonate with them. For Harry, it's this dress."

He shoves the packet a bit into my hands, rather exciting for me to open it. Still a confused face, I open it slowly and see only darkness within the box.

"Come on now! Reach your arm down within it!"

I was hesitant but did as I was told, reaching my arm down a narrow box. I touch something that felt rather silky and pull out a big dress. It had a golden tint around the edges of the dress and the rest of it was covered in a beautiful blue/grayish silk. It had arm sleeves but didn't go all the way up and stopped around the top of the biceps.

"This looks... amazing."

It really did feel like Harry. Well, not feel but had this tone to it that resonated with Harry.

"Pull the rest out now, come on!"

He encouraged me onward and I laid the dress down, pulling the rest out. There were platform boots that had a split between the heel and bottom foot part. It was all black and would seemingly look nice or sexy on Harry. I carried on and pulled out a nice pair of black half-palm gloves. Next to last was a Vintage Black and Golden Crystal Crown or Tiara. This would make it feel like Harry was the bride at a wedding! Interesting, really. Lastly, was an Elegant Faun Masquerade Mask.

It all fitted perfectly together but it still got me wondering... wondering about the mask. Why a Faun of all things? I once read in a book about Roman Mythology that a Faun is one of the Lustful Rural Gods. Its look represents Half Human-Half Goat. Very confusing.

"Well, does it represent him? Do you know it's him when you look at it?"

Mr. Theuderic's hands were knotted, waiting anxiously for my answer.

"Uh- well... yes, I do think it's him but I have one question about the outfit."

"Yes? And what is that?"

"Well... the mask is of a Faun and I was wondering why it is of that? I haven't known Harry of being lustful, Mr. Theuderic."

"Ah, you don't know that for sure though- am I correct? Harry could be one of the most lecherous people you know- who knows really? It's Harry's personality that gave him this mask. Not me nor anyone else."

Only nodding to his response, I finally thanked him and paid-up both for my dress and his. I'm just worried that Harry might not want to try it on at all or even wear it to the ball! Sighing, I step out of the shop and see Draco with his father walking up to the shop. Draco gave me a glare then ignored me the rest of the way.

Though... even though it seemed like a 'father-and-son' date to pick out his wear, he seemed very uncomfortable with his father there.