Chapter Twenty-Two: A Not-So-Typical Visit to Hogsmeade
The Dream Team went to a robes shop located off the main road near the
residences, as opposed to the one next to Zonko's Joke Shop, which everyone was going to,
naturally.
They looked up at the white, freshly painted building, with its sparkling clean
windows, deep emerald curtains, and new green sign that hung from the front. It read, in
large, spiral, golden letters, "Spencer's" and then below it, smaller, in the same print,
"Proud Makers of the Finest in Wizarding Robes since 1607."
"Wow, this place is old," said Ron.
Hermione turned to him. "No, Ron, this is a new building, the store moved off the
main road a few years back. They are supposed to make the best robes, from what I've
heard."
"From who?" asked Harry.
She turned her gaze to meet his green eyes. "Wouldn't you like to know? Let's just
say she's an experienced shopper."
Harry looked at her, exasperated, before opening the door for the three to go in.
When they walked inside, a bell rang, and a sales-witch came out to greet them.
"Good afternoon. Is there something I can help you with?"
Hermione looked around. There were racks of robes in ever color; it seemed in all
shapes and sizes, and certainly all prices ranges. "Yes, actually, there's a very formal
event, a ball of sorts, coming up, at Hogwarts, and I was wondering if you would have
something for that sort of occasion here."
"Of course, dear. We have robes for all occasions. I daresay you would look
splendid in something sparkling. In black, or midnight blue perhaps… I have just the thing."
"Well, actually, I was hoping for something with a bit more… color…"
"Trust me; you'll love this one…"
The witch disappeared, leaving Hermione and Harry at the front of the shop, where
they glanced at all the different robes on the racks. The sales-witch came back several
minutes later, with a tape measure. The tape measure started to take Hermione's
measurements, and Harry smiled as he recalled his first experience with magical measuring
tape, so long ago, in Daigon Alley, when he'd gotten his wand…
"Alright, come with me… You'll want to try this one on for sure…"
The witch led them towards the back of the store, where the fitting rooms were. She
opened one for Hermione, and said "it's already in there, deary."
The sales witch looked at Ron and Harry. "Dress robes as well?"
The two nodded in unison, but then Harry's eyes widened.
"Alright, wait here." She disappeared again, and came back, with robes of royal blue
for Ron and crimson for Harry. "These should be perfect."
"But ma'am, I'm sorry; we aren't sure what color our date's robes are..." Harry
started.
The witch put up a hand. "Trust me." She handed them the robes and directed
them each to fitting rooms.
The bell rang, signaling the arrival of another customer. The sales-witch left and
went to the front of the store.
Ron and Harry tried on their robes, and stepped out, to look in the mirrors.
"Wow, these fit perfectly, Ron. How about yours?"
The redhead nodded. "These look very expensive. There's no way I'm going to be
able to afford this."
A few minutes later, the door to the fitting room opened, and Hermione came out of
it. Harry gasped. She looked incredible. The dress robes fit her perfectly. It was a one-
piece, with the bodice being very form-fitting, shaped like a halter, with a v-shaped waist,
and a bell-shaped, very poofy skirt. It was black, velvet, but with sparkles in it. Indeed, it
seemed to be enchanted, imitating the stars shining in the heavens at midnight on a
moonless night. She had on a tiara of sorts, which sparkled like the gown, and made her
look like a princess.
"Wow… That looks amazing, 'Mione…" Ron said.
She blushed. "Thanks…" She pause, seemingly pondering something. "Do you guys
think Draco will ask me to go with him to the ball?"
Harry looked at her. "Of course he will. He'd be a fool not to."
"You mean he hasn't asked you yet?" asked Ron.
She sighed and nodded.
"Then he will, don't worry. He's just probably assumed that... Besides, he'll love the
dress. No guy in their right mind wouldn't."
The sales-witch came back. She smiled. "See, I told you the robes would be perfect
for you. You're taking them, right?"
"Yes…" Hermione and Harry started, but were interrupted by Ron.
"Erm, I can't. I mean, I'm going to look on the sales rack for something else,
ma'am."
The witch looked at him. "You didn't?"
"Oh, no ma'am, it's nothing like that, it's just that surely I can't affor--" he stopped
and looked down.
The witch surveyed the redhead standing before her, embarrassment evident, from
head to toe. "Weasley, right?"
Ron raised his eyesbrows. "Yes. How--"
"The hair and freckles, dear. Pay me what you can, and don't worry about the rest."
She smiled.
Ron's eyes opened wide. "Oh, but I can't. I mean--"
"I insist. Now change and let me wrap those up for you."
The three teenagers paid for the robes and made their way back to Hogwarts, where
they went up to Gryffindor tower, putting away their new robes and wondering about the
curious shopkeeper.
Draco looked at the robes shop. His original intent had been to go to the one next to
Zonko's on the main road, but somehow, he had let his mother talk him into coming here.
He read the green sign in front of the building. Yes, that would be it.
He walked in, noting the chiming of a bell as he did so, admiring the deep green
décor around the windows. He looked around. There were neat little racks of plain robes,
in all colors, and more formal dress robes against the walls. He was admiring one of the
displays when he heard the door chime behind him again, and saw the backs of three
people as they walked out.
"Oh, how may I help you, dear?"
Draco turned around to see a somewhat short sales-witch standing behind him.
"Actually, I'm here looking for dress robes."
"Hogwarts, right?" she asked.
"Why yes..."
"I've already had some students come in here."
He nodded, as she looked him over.
"I have just the thing for you, why don't you follow me?"
The witch led him back to the fitting room, and disappeared. She came back two
seconds later, with black robes.
Draco looked at her, skeptically. "I think my date wanted me to wear something
more colorful, I mean --"
The witch gave him a knowing look. "Don't worry, Mr. Malfoy, I'm sure these will be
just fine."
Draco was about to tell her to shut her face and let him decide just what would be
fine, but something stopped him. Just how did she know his name?
"I made your mother's wedding robes, and your father's as well, dear."
"Alright," he said, somewhat hesitantly as he went into a dressing room.
When he stepped out, and looked in the mirror, he was amazed at what he saw. The
robes fit him perfectly, and were made of a peculiar velvet material that was soft to the
touch. They were black, but there was something that made them stand out, that made
them different from the other robes he had seen.
The sales witch's voice brought him back to where he was. "So I take it you'll want
me to wrap those up?"
"Yes, please, and thank you."
"Sure."
When the witch went to ring up the items, she looked at Draco, and then took out a
corsage and matching boutonnière of white roses and baby's breath. She said, "You'll want
to get your date a white rose corsage. Don't worry, these are enchanted not to wilt."
He looked at her questioningly, but decided to make the purchase anyways. He
thanked the witch for her time, and then made his way to another shop. There was still one
thing left for him to get.
Author's Note:
Yay!!! Another chapter added (oh yeah, and there's one more after this)
Squeals with delight! I finally got my AP scores... And I got fives on both my exams!!!
Does crazy dance around her house until her mother looks at her menacingly, suggesting she will
not hesitate to commit her to an insane asylum. I got fives!!! I'm so happy :). Sorry, I had to
share that with you guys. (Only sophomore in my AP Stats class, and I got a five... Oh yeah!!!
And in Spanish, too. That one was slightly harder, hehe)
Okay, enough of that. Hope you liked this chapter, the game between Ravenclaw and
Slytherin comes next, so Read on, and Review when your done, please.
Thanks for your time,
E. Caddy Compson (persephoneia)