Hello, darlings. My muse and I reached an accord to finish this story and the new idea. Hooray for the ability to multitask. This chapter is a little on the short side because that's where I wanted to stop it. I hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading, and as always, I own nothing.
Chapter 24 Even more dress shopping and engagement parties.
Wanting to include Viktor's family, Hermione invited Nikolina to go muggle dress shopping. She suggested Britta join them, too, as she had asked the Bulgarian teenager to be one of her muggle bridesmaids. "Ginny will be my maid of honor, and Luna and Katie will be the other two. I wanted to make sure and include Viktor's family."
The younger woman clapped her hands while hopping up and down, "Yes! Yes!"
The bridal shop clerks welcomed them into the salon, offering tea, champagne, and finger foods."I am Beth, and this is Nina. What are you thinking for a dress?"
"Um, I want a full skirt, a halter style top, and a long train, but something easy to bustle." They nodded a went to find different gowns for her to try. Hermione turned to Ginny and Britta, "We should also look for your dresses. The colors are wine and cobalt. Find some you like and you can model them for me. I'm going to look around, too."
Helen turned to Nikolina, "Martin will help your husband and sons get tuxes closer to the wedding. Have you started looking for your Mother-of-the-Groom dress, yet?"
"My what?"
"The mothers of the bride and the groom wear fancier clothes than the rest of the guests, a form of honoring their position in the couple's lives. I can take you shopping if you like."
"That would be greatly appreciated, thank you."
"We're family," Helen patted the other woman's hand. "Someday you'll help me."
The clerks returned with several selections. Hermione tried them on, finding flaws with all of them. "Would something tight around your neck bother the scar there?" Beth asked.
"No, it isn't sensitive, why?"
"There are a few halter tops that have choker tops. That might fix some of your complaints."
"And cover most of your scars," added Nina.
Hermione shrugged, "They don't bother me." She held up her arm, showing where Bellatrix cursed the word on her arm and doodled with the knife. "I survived the psychotic bitch that did this. That makes me strong. I don't care if they show or not."
Beth nodded, "I have the perfect dress. I'll be right back."
Ginny picked up a dress, "I'll model my favorite selection while we wait." She emerged from the dressing room the tulle overskirt shimmering when she moved. The wine colored dress had a halter top with a collar and sweetheart neckline. Britta grinned, "Forget my choices. This one, Hermione, this one."
Helen nodded, "It should look flattering on all of them."
"And it will echo your dress if you like this one." Beth returned. She helped don the full slip to fluff the skirts properly. "Our in house seamstress can sew in a bra for you if you want." She dropped the dress over her head, straightened it, and fastened the buttons. "Were you planning on a veil?"
"Yes, and I always fancied the idea of a tiara, maybe."
"Your colors are cobalt and wine?"
"Yes."
"I have just the one. Wait here." The girl returned with a thin tiara about five centimeters tall. She turned Hermione around and pulled her hair back into a bun before setting the veil combs in place. "Nina is having your family close their eyes, you do the same. No peeking, we want a big reveal." Hermione complied and allowed the other woman to guide her to the viewing salon. "Alright, everyone, open."
Awed by her reflection Hermione barely registered the gasps from the others. Thanks to the slip, the full skirt billowed out gently from her hips. Iridescent ribbons woven into the tulle overskirt shone in the light. Silver sequins and crystal beads created a small v-shaped belt at the top of the tulle. The decorations covered the bust dipping into a line towards the belt and continued up to the collar creating long connecting straps. The cut-out had a sweetheart neckline creating an inverted gemstone shape. The sapphire and diamond tiara sparkled atop her head.
"You won't need a necklace, just some earrings," quipped Ginny breaking the spell.
"And maybe a bracelet," Helen stepped over her daughter tears standing in her eyes. "Oh, sweetie, you look stunning."
"You are a vision," Nikolina told her.
Britta beamed, "Viktor will forget to speak English."
Ginny snorted, "I'm betting he forgets how to speak period." She laughed, "But what do you think, Hermione?"
"I love it. This is the one, my dress. Except, is there a way to get the veil tulle to match the skirt?"
Nina nodded, "We can order one from the catalog when we place the order for your dress."
"Yes, please."
Beth assisted her to change while Nina wrote up the sale. They emerged from the fitting room to a heated argument between the mothers.
"Traditionally the bride's parents purchase her dress."
"Yes, but you have already footed so much of the cost. Vanko and I wish to help."
Hermione sighed, "You know you don't have to argue. I can pay for my own dress."
"Over my dead body," retorted her mother.
"Absolutely not, Hermione, that's obscene," Nikolina told her.
"Then a compromise, Mum and Dad pay for the ceremony and my dress. Mama and Tate pay for the reception and the wedding party's formal wear." The older woman looked at one another stubbornly, "Or," Hermione spoke in a flat tone, "Viktor and I pay for the whole thing ourselves."
"Unacceptable," Helen replied. Hermione smirked. "When did you get so sneaky?"
"Several years of outsmarting a hair-eating reindeer with a curl obsession."
"There's a story there," Ginny remarked.
"Not one that you are getting right now."
"Nikolina frowned, "Your compromise is superior to your alternative." She turned to Ginny and Britta, "With Hermione's approval, secure your gowns, and one for Luna." Hermione nodded to them.
"What size does she wear these days?" Ginny wondered.
"She's still a bit slimmer than you or me, so go down a size from yours."
Beth spoke up, "We can order her one in both sizes, the store can absorb the unneeded one into the inventory."
"Thank you," Nikolina replied.
For the engagement party, Hermione chose a pine green cocktail dress and matching heels. She cast cushioning and balance charms on them. Viktor chose an emerald tie, so they coordinated but did not completely match. "Is Annika coming with Harry?" He asked her.
"No, she has her sister's wedding."
"On a Friday evening?"
"Why not? Apparently, it is quite a bit cheaper," she shrugged. "We had a garden wedding, who are we to judge?" Having no answer to that, Viktor shrugged. "Also, she doesn't feel comfortable enough to be surrounded by muggles, let alone rich ones in a confined space."
"Why don't I get a pass?"
"You've been around both muggles and rich people. You are a rich people."
"And if I mess up?"
I will blame it on the fact you are a dumb jock." He stared at her, clearly stunned. "I'm joking. You'll be fine."
Due to the extremely public nature of the venue, Hermione borrowed her father's Lexus for the evening. Harry perched in the backseat, occasionally kicking the seat in front of her. "Are we there, yet?" he asked in a fake whiny voice.
"Young man, if you don't stop I will turn this car around."
"Good," he kicked her seat again.
"I will pull this car right over," she threatened.
"I'll be good," he promised in a chastised voice.
"Is this some muggle car ritual?" Viktor asked in an amused tone.
"Kind of," Harry admitted. "Bratty kids bug their parents on long rides."
Hermione pulled up the hotel valet station, "Our stop, gentlemen." She unfastened her seat belt. "Harry, hand me my handbag, please?"
He passed the thin black patent leather clutch to the front seat, "Not carrying your beaded bag?"
"This is my beaded bag. I transfigured it."
"Why does this not surprise me?" Harry wondered aloud.
"I am going to ignore that." She climbed from the car and handed the keys to the waiting valet. "If you change the radio station you're a dead man. Last name Krum."
Viktor grinned at her, "Still love hearing that."
"I love saying it," she beamed back.
"I'm going to be sick," Harry joked.
"Not on the upholstery, if you please," Hermione replied in an airy voice.
Following the signs in the lobby, they found the second floor balloon easily. It seemed Malloy Thatcher's grandfather was Margaret Thatcher's cousin, a fact the family seemed very proud of. A portrait sat in a place of prominence near the head table. Cassius found them soon after they arrived. He noticed Hermione's attention on the painting. "Somewhat ghastly that. Mallory threw an absolute fit, but her parents and grandparents insisted.
"Yes, well, what can you do?" Hermione asked lamely.
"Exactly. Come meet the future, Mrs. Warrington."
"Of course." Hermione, Viktor, and Harry followed him through the mingling crowd. A strawberry blonde with wary curls brightened when they approached.
"Cas," she greeted, kissing his cheek.
"Mallory, allow me to introduce my boss, Hermione Krum, her husband, Viktor, and our friend, Harry Potter."
"Oh, wow, Cassius said you'd come, but I never really believed him." She shook her head to clear it, "I mean, hello, thank you for coming." She shook their hands.
"Thank you for inviting us," Hermione thanked her.
"If my parents had any idea how famous you were they'd have dragged you over to pose next to that eyesore." She jerked her head towards Thatcher's portrait.
"Look on the bright side, tomorrow we elope and you don't have to wear her wedding dress," her fiance reminded her.
"You're kidding?" Hermione laughed in shock.
"No, that's part of why we're eloping."
"Good call," Harry told them. "And congratulations."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter." Mallory smiled at Cassius, "I've grown rather like them." She looked back at them, "Enjoy yourselves. We need to mingle."
"Certainly, and don't forget, once we're done with the latest project you get paid weeks for your honeymoon. Don't even try and argue." Hermione told him sternly, "I'm the boss, I win."
"Just nod and say thank you," Harry told them. "If you argue,
she'll be unbearably smug when she wins."
"Thank you, Hermione." Cassius embraced his petite employer.
"You're welcome. Not like Viktor and I won't be on our own, and Katie and Adrian, as well."
"Still, paid vacation after less than a year? Very generous."
"We do expect you both for our bonding."
"Miss an old druid ritual? Never?" They all laughed.
The evening was in full swing when Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher made their way to the table where they sat. "Hello, are you friends of Cassius's?"
Harry stood, extending his hand, "Yes, I'm Harry Potter, this is Viktor and Hermione Krum. Hermione is Viktor's boss."
"Thank you for coming. Splendid to meet you." Mr. Thatcher shook hands all around. "Such a shame Cassius has so few friends and family able to embrace his new life. My noble ancestor, Margaret, was a great advocate of embracing all cultures."
"A wonderful legacy to be sure. Will you be attending the ceremony tomorrow?" Hermione inquired sweetly, knowing the couple was leery of magic.
"Um, we will. Though we may have some duties regarding Margaret's foundation afterward."
"Of course," Hermione smiled innocently. "It was lovely to meet you. Mallory is a wonderful woman."
As they sat back down Harry looked at her suspiciously. "What did you do?"
"What makes you think I did something?"
"I know you."
Viktor laughed, "Harry is right. You did something."
"Fine," she huffed, "I may have placed a small hex on the word Margaret. When they say it they will start hiccuping uncontrollably for five minutes. Eventually, it will register in their subconscious and they'll mention it less and less."
"Brilliant, scary, but brilliant." Harry joked.
"Why thank you. Consider it a wedding present for Mallory."
The next afternoon Hermione, Viktor, Harry, and Annika flooed to the Ministry. In the atrium, they met Katie, Adrian, Ron, and Moira. Together they made their way up to Terence Higg's office. Cassius and his parents waited, greeting the group warmly. "Mallory and some of her friends just arrived. She said her father couldn't stop hiccuping this morning." Harry snorted and Hermione smirked. But before anyone could inquire the bride arrived. Higgs began the ceremony, keeping it brief, but still heartfelt. It reminded Hermione of her own first exchange of vows. She hoped Mallory and Cassius remained happy with their choices.
