Secrets
Chapter Twenty-Two: Shopping in Luxury Lane
(Disclaimer: I own no HP titles, ect ect…)
A/N- Only because I love everyone sooooo much, I'll put out this chapter before I leave. Take note that I'm writing in a hurry and that I only have a limited time to critique it. It seems lately I'm gotten a lot of flames… -tear- Please, if you don't like my story either don't tell me or say it in a supportive way… But thanks a bunch to those who do appreciate my FanFic- I work very hard on it. Oh, and sorry if the chapter's a little boring, but next' chapter's going to KICK BOOTY!
Also, I'm NOT putting in lemon in this story. I am, however, thinking of writing a sequel and then possibly putting the lemon in there. If you agree, please say so in a review!
-Sigh- ONE more thing- I feel a need to tell you this- Draco is the only sixth year that can Apparate. His father, being a loyal Death Eater and dragging his son along with him for experience, taught him.
Much love,
-Belle
XxX
"Mistress Granger?" I heard a small squeaky voice say through the darkness. I cracked open an eye to find Dobby's outline in the dark.
"Yes, Dobby?"
"Master Malfoy told me to come and wake you and to prepare you for the shopping today." Dobby said.
I groaned and turned over, stuffing my head into my pillow, willing my eyes to stay open.
"I'll be down in a-"
But Dobby had jumped on top of me and was now hopping up and down like an excited child.
"You- must- get- up- now!" He breathed between jumps.
"Okay, okay!" I said, sitting up as Dobby jumped to the floor. Dobby pulled open the curtains shielding me from the sun and ripped them open, blinding me for a few moments.
"Mistress Granger must get dressed!" Dobby exclaimed. He threw me an outfit from my closet and turned around, knobby hands over his tennis-ball eyes.
As I changed into my clothes, I asked Dobby, "Dobby, I thought you worked at Hogwarts- why are you back here?"
"I have returned to Mistress Malfoy!" He replied excitedly. "She offered pay, but Dobby refused! It is an honor for Dobby to work for the Malfoys' now…"
"I see…" I turned around, fully clothed, dressed like a muggle. "Dobby, why am I dressed like a Muggle?" I asked, examining my tight jeans and sequined tank top.
"Because you and my Master and Mistress are going to Paris to shop." He bowed very low. "Dobby is honored to escort Mistress Granger and Master Malfoy to Lavish Alley."
"Dobby, you can call me Hermione," I said kindly, walking into the bathroom and brushing my hair. "And what's in Lavish Alley?"
"Only the finest merchandise in the Wizarding World! Dobby knows that it has everything in Diagon Alley- only much much nicer."
"Oh."
XxX
An hour later the four of us –Narcissa, Draco, Dobby and I- were floo-ing to Lavish Alley. I was very excited to find a luxurious dress, but not too eager to use up the Malfoy fortune. As we stepped out of the store we floo-ed into, I couldn't help but gasp at its glamour. Almost all of the stores were decorated in white marble and had light sparks coming out of no-where showering down on you.
"Welcome, my love, to Lavish Alley." Draco said, putting his arm around my waist and walking my down the red brick road. "You'll go with my mother to buy a dress and whatever else you need, and I'll take Dobby with me to find a suit."
I smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Okay." I looked into his eyes. "I love you- be careful, okay?"
"Right, love you, too." Draco walked off, Dobby skipping merrily behind him.
"Okay, Hermione darling, let's get going!" Narcissa sang, linking arms with me and pulled me into an expensive store filled with gowns called 'Demirta's Dresses.'
As we entered, a tall and thin pale looking old lady came out from behind a rack and walked up to Narcissa.
"Narcissa! How wonderful to see you again!" The witch exclaimed. "Here to pick up your special order?"
Narcissa suddenly looked nervous, but closed her eyes, let out a quick breath and looked back at the storekeeper. "No, Vonda, I'm buying an evening gown for Hermione here." Mrs. Malfoy said, smiling and pointing to me.
"Hermione? Hermione Granger? The Hermione Granger?" Vonda asked, seemingly shocked.
"You-you've heard of me?" I asked, confused. Not many people know me- not including strangers.
"Of course! Who hasn't? You're the secret behind Harry Potter's success, and I right?"
"Oh, uh, s-sure." I said. It technically was true… for the most part…
"Well, let's find you a dress, then!" Vonda waved us to follow her deeper into the store. "What's the occasion?"
"Hermione's 16th birthday!" Narcissa said, giving me a friendly pat on the back. "Sweet sixteen!"
I smiled. I was being sort of shy for some reason and was letting Narcissa do all of the talking. I really had nothing to say in the first place…
"Okay then, let's see…" Vonda began shuffling through a bunch of elegant dresses hanging on a rail to my left. I watched her draw out an emerald strapless one, followed by a black haltered one; ending with a white long one. "Try on these three and we'll go form there."
She escorted me to a changing room and I locked the door. I tried on the green one first, seeing as it reminded me of Draco. It was made of a glittery material that was slightly itchy on the inside. I stepped out, into a room with mirrors on almost every wall and took a look at myself.
"Oh, Hermione! You look gorgeous!" Narcissa cried, running over to and standing at my side, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I loved that dress, the emerald in it really brought out my eyes. The sides were fitted and complimented my curves- something those Hogwarts robes could never do. The only part I didn't like was how it had a straight bottom- not one I could twirl around in.
"I think I'll try on the other ones- just to make sure I'm not missing anything." I said and hurried back into the stall. I tried on the black one next, buttoning the halter behind my neck. Before I headed out, I heard Narcissa and Vonda talking amongst themselves.
"So, is she the one you specially ordered the you-know-what for?" Vonda asked.
"Yes, and I'm sure she's going to love it!" Narcissa whispered back excitedly. "She'll be so happy."
I then decided to walk out, making a mental note to dwell on their conversation later. I stepped onto the small platform and twirled around, my dress mimicking me. When I was about to say something, I found it was very tight around the chest and made it difficult for me to breathe.
"So, Hermione, what do you think?" Vonda asked.
I merely coughed and shook my head, running back in the cubicle.
The last dress I tried on was the white one. At the bottom it faded into black and fell to the floor, hanging loosely from my waist. The top didn't have straps hanging from my shoulders, but from just below. ((A/N- Think Jasmine's top from Aladdin.)) I hurried out and onto the platform, knowing that this dress was the one.
XxX
A/N- Okay, short chapter, but I'm going to end this and 24 chapters. I promise it'll get better, so don't hate me! –Cries- But I'm leaving tomorrow from my house at 6 in the morning and my flight leaves at 7:30. Fun, right? I'll miss yall!
I love and appreciate all of my faithful reviewers!
Belle
