A Shopping Trip

Hermione Granger

Let me tell you something… I'm not up to date on the latest fashions. I wear whatever is clean. Sometimes, things I think match, really just look stupid.

Shopping started out awful. Stella was so difficult! I felt like she was trying to sabotage my every move! "What about this dress?" I asked, holding up a cute black and white plaid dress.

"Ew!" Stella groaned. "That is the ugliest dress I have ever seen in my seven years of existence."

"Well, then you look for something!" I retorted angrily.

"I like that." She pointed to an expensive looking gown. It was also way too large for her.

"Stella, that's a women's gown."

"I don't care. I want it." She demanded.

"Excuse me?" I asked the sales person. "Does that dress come in children's sizes?"

"No." She replied.

"I WANT THAT DRESS!" Stella screamed.

"Stella!" I said firmly. "That dress doesn't come in your size!"

"I don't care!" She whined. "I want it!"

After several minutes of this, we got kicked out of the store. "I'm going to tell my daddy what you've done." Stella warned.

"Look, Stella, I can't help it if that dress isn't available in your size. Let's take a break and look for something for Luna to wear."

We went in a children's shop and Luna clung to a deep blue dress. It had gold stars all over it. "Hermione?" Luna asked meekly. "Can I get this dress?"

I looked at the price tag. There would be a ton of gold left over. "Sure, Luna." I smiled. She tried it on and looked adorable in the dress.

Stella seemed jealous, so we looked for her again. She found a black dress similar to Luna's—with a silver moon on it. I laughed at the irony… Stella means star in Italian and Luna means moon.

We bought the dresses, and Stella seemed to be nicer to me.

"I guess I should get a dress." I muttered. I hated shopping for myself.

The inspiration for my outfit came from a pair of earrings. We were in one store, and Luna held up a pair of earrings and said, "Hermione, I want to buy these for you." They were beautiful. They had red and gold charms that hung down. They looked like they came from India. I bought them for myself, and smiled at Luna's attempt at generosity. She was the total opposite from her older sister.

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"Hermione, that's a nice dress." Stella hinted. I wouldn't have noticed it… it was hanging from the very top shelf in the store. I wondered why Stella was helping me. Was the dress really ugly and unfashionable? Was she tricking me into buying something hideous?

But I must admit; I liked the dress. Its length was so long that it went down to my ankles. It wasn't totally modest, though. It had a halter-type tie in the back, and a low neckline. Even though it was November, I thought it was perfect for the occasion.

When I tried it on, I loved the way it fit. It was loose in the right spots, and tight in the right spots. Not only was it flattering, but also, wasn't too expensive.

"I'll take it." I told the sales clerk.

After we had the dress, Stella took me to an accessories store. I still mistrusted her. I wondered if she was trying to embarrass me and make me look terrible. I bought a gold purse to match the earrings, and a gold shawl. It was thick enough to keep me warm, but it also looked great with the dress. I also bought a pair of gold high heels. "I'm going to paint your nails red." Stella announced. That made me a little uneasy.

And so, we spent almost all the money on me! Stella dragged me to a beauty store and we bought some hair-controlling formulas and some magic make-up. It all applied itself, which was good, since I had no clue how to do it. My hair usually looked frizzy and puffy—not unlike it did during school. I hoped this stuff would improve matters.

Stella seemed to be more kind in general. I left Hogsmeade feeling like Stella was a changed person.

Merlin was I wrong.