The quartet walked out of the Leaky Cauldron and into the streets of Muggle

London.

"Where to first, Ladies?" Draco asked.

"Herrod's!" Ginny exclaimed, pointing to a very expensive looking department store.

"All right." Severus said, lightly scoffing.

"What kind of clothes are you going to buy, Gin?" Hermione asked her girlfriend.

"All kinds. I think that we each need to get a new bathing suit. And then shirts and skirts and dresses and pants and shorts and-"

"Ginny. Really, we really don't have a lot of money."

"I have 500£ from doing a muggle paper route this summer."

"Are you serious? I had a job doing a paper route this summer too. But I guess my neighborhood pays better. I have 600£. I'll loan you 50 though, so we can get the same amount."

"You don't have to. I could never pay you back."

"I don't care if you pay me back or not. Consider it a Christmas present."

"Are you sure?" Ginny asked, biting her lip.

"Yes. I'm sure." With that, Hermione dug into her purse and pulled out a crisp 50 pound note.

"Thanks, 'Mione."

"Any time." Hermione shrugged it off.

"Lets get shopping!" Draco cried sarcastically.

"Ok, lets get the girls' shopping done first. Then they can't complain while we buy gear for the trip." Severus said, putting his arm casually around Hermione's shoulders. She turned pink and leaned into him. Draco and Ginny exchanged looks.

"Lets split up. That way, the girls can't talk about their choices." Draco said, winking.

"Fine. Lets go." Ginny said.

"I guess I'll take you then." Severus said as Ginny and Draco walked off. "Where to first?" He took his hand off her shoulders and ran it through his black hair.

"How about to Ann Wiberg?" Hermione said, pointing to a very punky and EMO store below them.

"Sounds good." They got on the escalator and went down.

"Hello, welcome to Ann Wiberg." The salesgirl said as they went in. She looked Severus up and down and practically salivated. Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him towards a rack of pinstriped pants.

"Thanks, 'Mione. I needed that." Severus whispered to her. She smiled and nodded.

"How about these?" She said, holding up a pair of grey pants with white pinstripes.

"They would look nice on you."

"They're on sale too." In Ann Wiberg they picked up a pair of pinstriped pants, a black sweater, a black and pink plaid skirt, a pair of black fishnet stockings and a black purse with a blue 'h' on it.

"You want me to shrink those?" Severus said when they got out of the store.

"Yes, please." He shrunk the bags and Hermione tucked them into her pocket. "That's amazing."

*With Ginny and Draco*

"I am going to buy you something very nice, Ginny." Draco said as they wandered into Chanel.

"Why?"

"Because you're my best friend." Draco said, looking into her eyes, "So I am going to buy you something very nice. I'm not a Malfoy for nothing."

"Aw, gee, thanks." Ginny said, "How about this bag?" she held up a shockingly orange purse.

"It's the new pink." The saleslady said, "But it would clash horribly with your hair, dear. I would stick to black. You can't wear colors."

"Excuse me?" Draco spoke up.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy? Good to see you."

"I want the best of everything for Miss Weasley. Get it." She scurried off.

"You shop here often?"

"Yes. Even in the muggle world my father insists we have the best. The name Malfoy means something everywhere."

"Oh, your not vain." Ginny said.

"No. I am just realistic. I would trade it in a heartbeat for what you have." Draco whispered.

"Would you?" she asked.

"I would." Draco leaned close to Ginny, brushing his lips softly against hers.

"Here you go. You would look wonderful in this color blue. It matches your eyes." The lady was back.

"I think that you blew your opportunity to get sales from me. I'm sure Mr. Malfoy would have bought a great deal of merchandise here though. Have a nice life." Ginny said, grabbing Draco's hand and leading him out of the store.

"What a witch." Draco giggled.

"You can laugh! Praise the Gods!" Ginny cried, flinging her arms around Draco.

"Lets go down there." Draco said, pointing to a little vintage shop a few stores down.

"That looks like more my type." Ginny said.

*With Severus and Hermione*

"Oh, I love this place, Sev!" Hermione cried as they walked into the little vintage shop.

"Pick out something." he said.

"What?"

"I want you to have a memento of our trip to London." He said simply.

"You better not do this every place we go."

"I can if I want to. I'm not exactly poor."

"Ok. I have enough clothes to clothe a third world country. I want something little and pretty."

"There is a third world?" Severus said incredulously.

"Muggle saying." she said. "Why don't you pick something out for me?"

"Oh, fine. Are you finally tired of shopping?"

"Yes." Hermione said, wandering to the case with antique jewelry in it.

Severus picked up a little silver ring with a gilt and enameled lion and snake. The lion was enameled in black with little diamond eyes. The snake was enameled in dark blue with little black opal eyes. This was perfect for Hermione.

"Hermione. I am going to get you something and when the time is right, I will give it to you, ok?" Severus said, holding the ring in his closed fist.

"Oh, no. Give it to me now." Hermione moaned.

"Fine. Let me pay for it. Go on out of the store."

Hermione walked through the racks of stuff and stumbled upon Ginny and Draco standing in a corner, kissing.

"Um, Gin?" She said. Ginny and Draco both looked up. They both tinged pink and

Ginny wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Ginny lost something." Draco said.

"Right. And you had to get it out with your tongue." Hermione laughed. "Come on outside. I don't care."

Ginny laughed and fallowed Hermione and Draco out to sit on a bench.

"I am just going to accept. I don't even want to understand." Hermione said, giggling

"Understand what?" Severus asked, handing Hermione a small purple bag.

"Draco and Ginny. As a couple." Ginny laughed even harder.

"Nice work, Draco." Severus said, shaking hands with Draco.

"Severus!" Hermione said, wacking him lightly on the arm.

"Lets get out of here." Draco said, "We have to get to the travel agency before 2

o'clock."

"Ok...fine." Ginny said as Hermione took her hands and pulled her to standing.

"Are you going to open it?" Severus whispered to Hermione.

"Yes. Of course." She opened the bag and drew out a little gold velvet drawstring bag. She opened it and pulled out the lion and snake ring. "Oh, Gods Severus!" She breathed, slipping it onto her finger. "Thank you so much!" She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Her left leg just seemed to pop up out of it's own accord.

"Hurry up. Draco and Ginny are almost out the door, dear."

"Thank you." she breathed.

"I love you, Hermione Granger."