Disclaimer: No I don't own anything mentioned in this story except maybe afew things that the voices told me to write down.
Dedicated to: 1. Bell 2. All of you who have waited so patiently for me to get my lazy ass up and to update.
Summary: Hermione goes shopping.
A/N: I know that I've been focusing on Hermione lately so I'll try to do Ginny's POV next chapter. Love you all!
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Shopping
Hermione sighed and sat back onto the bed. The job interview went fine, except for the fact that Hermione kept spacing out and thinking about the redhead whom she shared their flat with. What did Ginny mean, "Actually, I didn't really mind." ? Was the completely, seemingly, straight, Ginevra Alison Weasley flirting with her? Hermione got up and walked down to the bathroom where the troubling and stirring events had taken place. She replayed the feature again in her mind but still couldn't figure anything out.
She turned the nob on the faucet and water gushed out. She stared at it for a long moment, then cupped some in her hands and splashed her face to clear her thoughts. She looked in the mirror and saw her reflection. She wasn't the prettiest of girls, in her opinion, with her impossible hair and her freckles that scattered over her face. She turned this way and that, examining herself from all angles. She had a small stomach that showed, but wasn't undesirable. Finally she laughed, a sarcastic, angry-at-self laugh and walked back to the bedroom that had two beds on different side of the room. She walked over to Ginny bed and grazed the pillow with her finger tips. She smacked herself mentally. "Stop this right now Hermione!" A voice in her head said, "Stop it this instant. I won't let you fuck your friendship with Ginny up!"
The bookworm paced. Ginny was out at her work and would be home in only five hours time. Hermione grabbed a box of books and headed towards the future library of sorts. She dropped the box onto the floor just inside the door, and flicked her wand, transfiguring wooden shelves in several cramped but sturdy rows, and all along the walls. The wood was maple, not exactly the strongest material, but the prettiest, in Hermione's opinion. Then, with a set mind, she began to pack the shelves with her books, in order alphabetically, of course.
Hermione shelved books for hours, taking small breaks but only enough time to relax her aching muscles. Whenever her thoughts drifted anywhere except the task at hand, she would get back to shelving books. She found a small circular table which she set up in one corner of the small, yet cozy, room along with two, matching set, chairs. When she had finished shelving, she skimmed the book racks and looked for a book that she hadn't read in a while. Surprise, surprise, she couldn't find a single book that she hadn't read in the past month! She needed to go shopping.
Even though money was scarce, she had been specifically saving some for a trip to Flourish and Blots for some time and decided that today was the day. She had 16 galleons, 18 sickles, and 20 knuts to spend.
She decided to be a little daring in a black plaid skirt cut just above the knee, black combat boots that a friend had given her the year before, and a black tank top that had a blood red rose on the front. Hermione completed the outfit with a fake thorn-vine choker, and little black rose earrings. She wasn't usually one for dressing up, and the change in her dress style scared her. But she couldn't back out now. She took a pinch of floo-powder from a jar on the mantlepiece, stated, "Diagon Alley." And disappeared in a burst of bluish green flame.
She stumbled out of the fireplace and nearly fell over her feet but caught herself just in time. She walked out into the air of the wizarding street and sighed happily. There was the delicious smell of cinnamon rolls wafting from Cinny Bunsons Cinnamon Roll Stand and she could almost taste the lemonade from Lenny's Lemonade. Then she made a face at the combination of cinnamon and lemons. Giggling, she practically skipped to the book shop down the street. (A/N: I know, I know. Why is she getting so worked up about going to a book store? Bear with me... )
She entered the quiet shop and made her way through the shelves to the cash register. A pale, thin, sad looking man looked up and asked if he could help her. "Yeah," she said, "I think I have some new books in the 'Spell Chronicles' series on hold, my name is Hermione Granger." He nodded slowly and went down a long list.
"You have two of those, numbers seven and eight. Then you also have a book recommended by Madame Jansan the shop owner: 'How to Create New Spells' by: Emery Harrinson. Would you like to pay now or look around first?"
"Thanks, I'll look then come back to pick them up and pay for them." Hermione smiled. The man smiled sadly and nodded. Why is he so sad? She thought as she walked away. She headed for the newly published books section and found a small book by one of her favorite authors, Miranda Goshawk, and a silver journal. She studied the journal for a while, then pulled out her wand and tapped the book three times. A list of all the spells that had been used on this journal appeared. There were only three: A lock so that only the owner could read the contents, a page binding spell so the pages wouldn't fall out, and an anti-staining spell. Hermione smiled grimly, she had learned that spell after Ginny had been possessed by Voldemort in her second year. Ginny... No, stop it! Stop thinking about her gorgeous red hair and her long, pale legs and her- dear goddess! Hermione thought.
She hurried back to the cashier and payed for the journal, her three books on hold, and the book by Miranda Goshawk that she had found. Her total was 14 galleons, 12 sickles, and 13 knuts.
She hurried out of the shop and carried her burden over to Cinny Bunsons Cinnamon Rolls. She bought a half dozen, she would take the extras home for breakfast with Ginny tomorrow. She tucked the remaining money into a small black shoulder bag, shrunk her books and the cinnamon rolls, and stuck them in with the money. There, she thought, now I have my hands free.
The five-month anniversary of Voldemort's defeat was coming up and the ministry had made some cuckoo law about having to give one gift to someone else on that day, to sow kindness and remembrance for all those who were killed. So, Hermione decided to get all the shopping over with now. I wonder what Ron or Harry want? Then she remembered their situation and decided to get Ginny something. Amazing, she though sarcastically, you can think her name and not get the hots for her!
Hermione decided to get something cool but not romantic. She had 2 galleons, and 6 sickles left. Great she thought, so now I'm buying people cheap gifts! She sighed and walked down the right side of the street looking in windows and fingering her purse. Finally, as she was about to give up and go home, she passed an antique store and decided to look around. She remembered that Ginny loved jewelry and so she walked to the dirty glass case and peered in through the top.
"Hello, dear." A cracked old voice sounded. "How may I help you today." An old woman wearing a maroon shawl and a too big navy blue skirt came hobbling out of the back room. Hermione jumped, then explained that she was looking for a gift.
"It's for my girlfriend. I mean not girlfriend girlfriend, but she's a girl and she's my friend." She finished lamely. The old woman smiled widely showing just a bit too many teeth.
"I've got just the thing, wait here." She said. Hermione did. After a few minutes, the woman came shuffling back carrying a small black box in her hand. She set it o the counter and opened the lid. Inside on a velvet cushion, lay an opal pendant in the shape of a teardrop. "I seem to have misplaced the chain but I'm sure I have something in one of these racks over here that might suit your friend." Hermione only stared in awe at the beautiful stone. It gleamed in the dim light and sparkled when she brushed it with her fingers. The old woman's smile got even bigger. "This peace belongs to your friend, it tells me so."
"How much do you want it for?" Hermione asked, dread forming in her stomach.
"How much do you got?" The woman asked.
"Only two galleons and six sickles. Even if I could afford the stone, I wouldn't be able to get a chain for it."
"The price of the pendant is exactly two galleons and two sickles." Hermione looked at her in shock and was about to protest that such a lovely gem be sold at such a pathetic price, but the old woman cut her off. "You were honest with me about how much you have. Most people would pretend to have only a little when really they are rich because they are greedy. If you want it. The stone and a chain of your choice are yours for two galleons and five sickles." Hermione gaped then nodded soundlessly. The old woman smiled again, her wrinkles squishing together in a warm and friendly, but slightly eery way.
Next thing she knew, Hermione was standing out side with one sickle in her pocket but feeling happier than she had ever before. She hesitated, then tucked the sickle under the door mat to the shop, and walked away to the floo-station to go home.
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A/N: Yay! My longest chapter yet! I'm so proud! gg Review please.