Disclaimer: Me no own.

Ch. 10

Retail Therapy

While Draco found himself learning the ins and outs of the Muggle automobile, Hermione was participating in a much more pleasurable activity…

"Oh yes… right there… just a little bit harder…ahh…perfect!"

Hermione moaned in pleasure, and as she sat up and wrapped the towel more firmly about herself, she nodded her thanks to the masseuse that had just finished her session.

"Heidi, you are such a marvel at this. I feel more relaxed than I ever have. Thank you so much for fitting me in at the last minute." Hermione smiled, and Heidi smiled back.

"It was no problem, though it would probably be better for both of us if you made an appointment with the receptionist on the way out." She laughed, and Hermione joined in saying, "You know I think I will. I'll get the works. I haven't had a decent manicure and pedicure in ages."

Heidi agreed, "You should definitely get the full package. It comes with a rejuvenating facial that is just the thing for tension headaches. And I know you get those."

Hermione nodded ruefully, and slid herself off the table and headed towards the changing area at the back of the room, still talking to Heidi over her shoulder.

"These last few days have been so stressful. Everything is just happening so fast. I have so much to tell you."

Heidi nodded sympathetically. The two girls had become friends over the years and Heidi knew everything about Hermione, except that she was a witch.

Hermione came out from behind the changing curtain and she looked at Heidi, "Hey, aren't you supposed to go on a lunch break about now?"

Heidi grinned mischievously, "Actually not for about another twenty minutes, but I don't have another appointment until one…"

Hermione winked at Heidi and said, "Well, I think I'm going to go try that new Mediterranean food place down the street; I'll probably sit outside."

"Yum. You know I absolutely love chicken kebab sandwiches and hummus. But I only have a short lunchtime so I wouldn't be able to order it and wait…You know I think I need to take the towels out to the laundry room now."

Hermione laughed out loud and the two girls parted ways in the corridor with Hermione quietly saying, "I'll have iced tea and hummus waiting by the time you get there."

Heidi nodded and dashed off towards the laundry room while Hermione settled her bill up front and walked merrily out of the salon.

. . . . . . .

Hermione sat at a table for two outside the restaurant, sipping an iced tea and enjoying the sun. She scanned the street every now and then, looking for a sign of Heidi; unfortunately, Heidi was not the person she saw fast approaching her.

Draco walked down the unassuming muggle street, passing a few establishments that looked interesting. All in all however, he was rather unimpressed until he saw the Garden Grill, which appeared to be a nice middle-eastern restaurant with a terrace in front.

Upon approaching the front of the restaurant, however, he saw something much more interesting…

"Hermione Granger, why, long time no see. It's been what, twelve hours?

Hermione found herself in a state of paralytic shock. This can't be real. This can't be real. Run. Hide! Do something!!!! Her traitorous body however, simply smiled at Draco and said, "Well, fancy seeing you here Malfoy."

Has the Mudblood flipped her lid? At last! No…it must be a trick of some kind. She was certainly not pleased to see me last night.

Draco decided to take Hermione's statement at face value, for the moment.

"Yes, I haven't exactly been here before." Draco then noticed the other drink on the table, and the place setting for two. Hmm…it would appear that Granger has a lunch date…

Draco assumed an apologetic expression, "I do hope that I'm not interrupting anything..." He trailed off leaving Hermione to answer the unasked question.

Hermione blushed faintly before firmly scolding herself. What on earth are you doing blushing about Draco Malfoy? What does it matter? Now tell him that you're waiting for a fabulous man and send him on his way so he doesn't bother you again.

Hermione groaned at her inner voice and mumbled a "Yes, Mum" under her breath before realizing that Draco was still standing there and obviously waiting for an answer.

All set to send Malfoy on her way, she opened her mouth and …was shocked at what came out of it.

"Actually, I'm just meeting a girl friend of mine. She works at a salon up the street and…what exactly are you doing here Malfoy?" The last part was said with a bit of malice as Hermione realized that she had been chatting civilly with the cave man that had dragged her off last night.

"Whoa there Granger. Don't get all pissy with me. I was just walking up the street, trying to figure out how on earth muggle life works."

Hermione arched an eyebrow, peering quizzically up at Draco. "Why would you need to know about…" she lowered her voice to almost a whisper, "muggles?"

Draco rolled his eyes at her lowered voice. "Please Hermione, they probably just think it's some weird new slang. And I need to know about Muggles because I'm being forced to interact with them."

"Hmm…well," here Hermione paused as if weighing a huge decision, which she was. "I suppose, I mean, if you wanted, I could teach you?"

She blurted the last part out so quickly that Draco had to take a minute to decipher it, however, when he finally understood, he was all too eager.

"That would be great!" A little too late Draco tried to play off his excitement, "I mean, yeah, sure. That would save me a lot of trouble."

Hermione looked down the street just then and she caught her friend Heidi walking towards her, thankfully she hadn't spotted Hermione yet. "Alright, fine. But you need to leave now."

Draco nodded but then thought a second, "But, Granger, how am I supposed to reach you?"

Hermione had already started to regret her offer, and Draco's question gave her an idea. She could get out of this and still come out looking like the good person…

"Call me…I'm in the book, now go! Please!" Draco walked quickly away, mind whirling in confusion…

Call her? How would one go about doing that? Am I supposed to just shout out her name? And what book? How can she be in the book? I don't understand!

Draco walked away, still contemplating the madness of Hermione's statements; and Hermione waved Heidi over to their table.

"Heidi! I'm over here! What took you so long?"

. . . . . . .

Hermione waved goodbye to Heidi as they walked in opposite directions from each other. Heidi went towards her job, and Hermione simply wandered aimlessly, processing the advice Heidi had given her.

"Don't worry about Ron, dear. He will get over it, and you will too. Now, don't look at me like that! I know that you cared for him, and the end of a relationship always comes as a shock."

Hermione had waved off her words, and Heidi continued. Now, about this Draco fellow, who sounds pretty darn hot by the way, just be polite and cool the next time you see him. That is, if you ever do see him again, London is a pretty big city. Now you go and have some fun! Go shopping; buy yourself some pretty new things. And call me later!"

With that, Heidi had walked into the salon and left Hermione where she was now: standing in front of a clothing store, and wondering if she should go in.

She gathered up her courage and straightened her shoulders, and walked through the doors, into the abyss of feminine clothing.

. . . . . . .

Hermione dropped onto her couch, her packages falling around her. She was utterly exhausted. Who knew revamping one's entire wardrobe could be so tiring?

Somehow, once she had begun her buying frenzy, she had been unable to stop. Clothing littered her room, pants, skirts, shirts, shoes, and purses were strewn about from where they had fallen out of overstuffed shopping bags. Even better than that were the accessories. Hair clips, makeup, everything a girl could want; and yet, Hermione was still not satisfied.

Even if Ron was clingy and possessive, it was still nice to have someone to hang out with in the evening. She briefly entertained the idea of dropping by Harry's and seeing if he wanted to get dinner, but quickly pushed it aside as she remembered it was Harry and Ginny's anniversary.

Well, I do have to have dinner sometime. I'll just get dressed and go. Hey, I can use my new clothes!

Hermione put on a pair of jeans and grabbed one of her new purses, transferring her wallet into it as she walked towards the door.

As she twisted the doorknob, her telephone rang, startling her a bit. She waited a second, wondering if she should answer, but the desire for human companionship won out.

She walked over to the phone quickly, and picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hello?"

"Is anyone there?"

A voice finally answered her.

"Oh! Wow, um…hello Draco."