(A/N: I would have had this update sooner but I was busy with some things. Yet while I was busy I was able to write up not only this chapter but two others which I will hopefully have up real soon.)
"Ooohhh, that is divine on you," squealed Lavender as Hermione showed off another dress. The squeeling seemed to get louder with each dress. Hermione hated to find out how loud everyone would get on the last one.
This last dress Hermione has a feeling was the one. It was a drastic change from the year before but that was one of the great things about it. The dress was a shimmer-y midnight blue with a light scattering of silver sequence across the front and then it spilled down the back. The sequence on the front looked like stars shining in the night and then the sequence in the back gave the dress the look of having a train with out there being one. It was the most gorgeous dress Hermione had ever seen. When she came out in it Lavender exasperated, "Hermione it's gorgeous!"
"Can I have it?" joked Parvati.
"You are defiantly going to have to get it," added Ginny.
"It looks that good?" asked Hermione looking in the mirror, "I am actually getting excited about this dress. It really does look good on me."
"So are you going to get it?" asked Parvati.
"I think I'm going to wait," answered Hermione as she stepped into the back to change.
"Why?" That is the dress for you!" argued Lavender.
"I want to be sure," answered Hermione.
"What? There is no other dress for you, right Ginny?" retorted Parvati.
"I think it's a good choice on Hermione's part, I'm doing the same."
"I think you are crazy the both of you!" answered Lavender as she and Parvati proceeded to check out.
"Thanks," whispered Ginny when Hermione stepped out of the dressing room.
"It's no problem," whispered Hermione.
"You sure? That dress was so you?" asked Ginny.
"Yes, the dress will be here next Hogsmeade weekend," reassured Hermione.
"All this shopping is making me hungry," suggested Parvati, "Why don't we head over to the Three Broomsticks to get some lunch then we can do some other shopping."
"Sounds perfect," agreed Ginny.
Once the clerk at the dress shop verified which room the dress were to be sent to the four headed to the Three Broomsticks.
"I have to say, I'm surprised that you're not wanting to head off and join Ron and Harry like last year," remarked Lavender.
"Ron and Harry are working on their papers," explained Hermione.
"In all honesty, you are hardly seen with out them," added Parvati.
"They're my friends," shrugged Hermione.
"You know that practically ever girl is envious of you," pointed out Lavender, "Especially after that report by Rita Skeeter did about you."
"What?"
"Yes, every girl in the school would love the chance to date Harry Potter, at least spend a day with him. You get to spend almost every day with him and are said to have been his girlfriend," continued Lavender.
"There never was a thing between us…" protested Hermione.
"Doesn't matter!" objected Parvati.
"Well, if you're not interested in Harry, then who are you interested in?" asked Ginny.
One name popped into Hermione's mind but she quickly dismissed it. "It's not possible."
"Hermione is dating Krum of course!" cried Parvati.
"That's another reason why girls are envious of you," added Lavender.
"Hermione is not dating Krum," answered Ginny, "Didn't you hear her say that they broke up?"
"What?" cried Parvati, "When did this happen?"
"I told you after the Great Feast," explained Hermione.
"I don't remember this!"
"You were too busy talking about the ball to listen," answered Hermione.
"When and why did you break up then?" asked Lavender as she and Parvati listened intently.
"We kind of did at the end of last year. I just didn't fee like we weren't well suited for each other. We still keep in contact though. I received an owl from him just before the start of term."
"What did it say? What did it say?" demanded Lavender.
Hermione sighed as she relayed the message. She knew it was going to be a long day, but she didn't know it would be this long.