Wedding Bells are Ringing

Chapter Two, Hermione: Dress Shopping

A/N: Hey! I haven't updated in a long time. I really wish I could update regularly like some people do coughlegolascrazy17cough, but…I just don't. As you've noticed. And sorry folks, but this is a pretty short chapter.

Since I have never gone shopping for a wedding dress, I would not know what it is really like, but I just kinda guessed. Feel free to correct me if I was wrong! Also, I did not describe dresses in detail (except for one).

Hope you enjoy this chapter! Please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do, however, own Amy, but she is insignificant.

I looked at Ginny suspiciously. She had pulled me around the corner as soon as we had stepped into the shop. It was in Diagon Alley, but I had never noticed it before, as when I was normally there the excitement of the approaching school year, rush to buy school supplies, and being exposed for the first time since the end of the school year to Ron usually proved too much of a distraction. Mrs. Weasley and Fleur were chatting with the shop assistant. A plump witch with brown hair pulled back into a bun, she looked exactly like the perky kind of person you would expect to find in a wedding dress shop. "What?" I asked.

"Now is the perfect time!" She hissed, a triumphant gleam in her eye.

"For what?" Brow furrowed, I looked at her sternly, trying to imitate Mrs. Weasley's intimidating glare. As it had absolutely no effect on the red-head I suppose I wasn't doing it correctly. She jerked her head to Phlegm, who had just tossed her silvery blonde hair imperiously. I groaned.

"Look Gin, I detest her as much as you do," I stated, trying to ignore the memories of Ron gazing adoringly at the half-veela and the sudden rush to do whatever evil things Ginny had in mind. "But Phle-Fleur," I said her rightful name forcefully. "Is going to marry Bill whether you like it or not." She sighed.

"Probably, but that doesn't mean I'm not gonna do everything I can to try to mess it up. Operation 1: Help pick out the ugliest wedding dress in the history of the universe." I gave the ceiling a look that clearly said, 'Oh Merlin!', but she ignored it. "You with me?" I opened my mouth to say that no, I most certainly was not with her, although part of me really, really wanted to be, when Mrs. Weasley cut me off.

"Ginny? Hermione? Come on," she called over to us. Ginny gave me a purposeful stare, then walked towards her mother. I sighed, then followed. The shop assistant, Amy, as her name-tag read, led us over to a rack of dresses. A mannequin stood near them, modeling a pretty white gown.

"How about this one, miss?" Amy asked, holding up an ivory dress.

"Eh." Fleur wrinkled her delicate nose. She walked into the racks, followed by Mrs. Weasley. Ginny turned to me.

"Now is the hour to act!" She dove into the sea of dresses, pulling me behind.

Three hours later, Fleur had tried on numerous dresses. She had found one she thoroughly enjoyed, and looked gorgeous in. It was had a white form-fitting, off-the-shoulder bodice that flowed out gently into a skirt that floated just above her toes. Soft silver spirals and designs were embroidered on the skirt. It was beautiful. After suggesting numerous not-quite-perfect dresses (she had failed to find one that was down-right ugly) Ginny had disappeared half an hour ago.

"Will this be the one ma'am?" Amy asked, ever perky, though Fleur the picky had undoubtedly made her day less pleasurable. Phlegm opened her mouth to speak, but Ginny burst in and cut her off.

She appeared to be out of breath. Trailing behind her was a dress that, though it failed to be hideous, was probably the worst looking wedding gown in the store. She held it up.

"What about this one?" she asked. The dress was powder blue with a thin layer of purple-silver gauze covering it. It was really rather pretty, but for a wedding…no. Definitely not.

Fleur took the thing from Ginny's grasp. I have to admit, the red-head was a much better actress than I. Her face actually looked eager, as if she felt she had finally found a wonderful dress. Anyone would feel bad about letting her down.

Mrs. Weasley opened her mouth, eyebrows creased, and sighed.

"Oh dear…" she trailed off at the look of innocent confusion on Ginny's face.

"Are you insane Ginny? Zees dress is 'orrible for a wedding!" Fleur declared and thrust the dress back at Ginny, who, I noticed with some satisfaction, looked dumbfounded. "No." I correct myself. Practically anyone would feel bad about letting Ginny down. "Zees ees the one." Phlegm turned to Amy and gestured to the dress in Mrs. Weasley's arms.

"All right." Amy smiled, apparently used to this kind of scene. "That will be…"

I followed Ginny towards the door as Amy, Mrs. Weasley, and Fleur discussed the price.

"Your evil plan failed." I grinned triumphantly.

"Shut up," Ginny said gloomily. "It was worth a try. And I had mum fooled…no thanks to you!" she glared at me and my smile faltered.

"Gin…"

"All right girls!" Mrs. Weasley bustled up behind us. "Time to get a move on." We hurried out of the shop and into the streets of Diagon Alley.

"Hello Ron. Harry." I smiled at the two of them as I arrived in the kitchen. "Tonks."

"'Lo 'Mione," Ron replied glumly and sighed. At least he wasn't fleeing for his life from my bush of hair. The humidity today was unbelievable and did not help my hair at all. Harry nodded at me.

"How was the shopping trip?" Tonks asked happily, handing me a cup of cocoa. She seemed much more cheerful than the two boys.

"Thank you, Tonks." I took a swallow, paused, and then swallowed painfully. I gasped in some air to help sooth my burning tongue. "Good. We found a very nice dress."

"What's it look like?" She inquired.

"What's your dress look like?" Ron nodded at me. "Something like you wore to the Yule Ball?"

"Well I don't have one yet, do I? Ginny and Gabrielle will be dressed in gold, I know that. Probably like my Yule Ball outfit, yes. Why?"

"Well…well…"Ron spluttered.

"It's okay, Romeo. No need to declare your undying love." Fred smirked as he and George entered the room. Ron's mouth moved frantically, but no sound came out. His ears were turning dangerously red; as I'm afraid my cheeks were as well. But there was a difference. Ron looked adorable whatever he did. I could barely look normal when I was totally calm.

"Hippogriff got your tongue?" George asked.

"And your arms as well? I noticed you didn't really use them in our Quidditch match."

"Why you!" Ron growled.

"Fred! George! Do not antagonize your brother!" Mrs. Weasley entered the room in the nick of time and glared at her elder sons. The twins exchanged glances, then sighed.

"Yes, mum." They trudged, defeated, out of the room.

"Sooooo…"I tapped my fingers on the table self-conciously. "I'm almost afraid to ask, but how did the match go?"

A/N: Zat ees ze end of this chapter. Fin.