Chapter 2: No Use Crying Over Spilled...Coffee!

Ginny knew exactly what it was. But she was insanely curious how Hermione had come into possession of it. It was her Mother's ring, and it was on Hermione's finger! How did this happen?

Hermione blushed, "Oh, this. Well, I assume that you already know what it isÉ"

"Well, yes, I do. But how?" Ginny asked. "OH MY GOD! RON!"

Hermione blushed even deeper, "Well, actually...yes."

"Oh my God! I am so happy for you!"

"Really?" Hermione asked, sounding hopefull.

"Yes! Ron finally got some balls! And I love you, so you're more than welcome into the family."

Hermione looked considerably relieved at this, and much happier. When they finally got to Ginny's house Hermione looked up in wonder. She was about to ask Ginny just how she could afford all of this when Ginny answered without being asked. She went into a full explanation of her job, how she had got it, and how much it paid. They walked into the house and put Hermione's things down in the entryway.

"So, a grand tour is in order I suppose?" Ginny said, turning to Hermione. "This is the living room, the TV is on the wall there, and computer with internet access is there. You are more than welcome to use it as I don't think you brought your own with you. This is the kitchen and dining room. The fridge is there, help yourself to anything. I go shopping every Sunday afternoon, if you like to join me from now on I'd be happy to let you. Split the price?" Hermione nodded. "You can figure out everything in here, as they are mostly muggle devices, goodness, my Dad would go mad in here. Over here is the downstairs bathroom, no shower down here, just a toilet. This room here I am very possessive over, you are welcome to come in here and look around, but DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING. This is my office. That's about it for down here. Upstairs we go then? This is your room, you've got all of the basics in here plus a TV and a stereo. If you need anything else we can go shopping for them later. This is your bathroom, do what you like with it. You can decorate them however you like with magic, I'm not terribly picky, but if you do anything downstairs, please ask me first, as I have to live with it too. This over here is my room and bathroom. Please don't come in here without asking or knocking first and I'll give you the same respect. Only one more person for you to meet. Here she isÉ" As Ginny opened the door to her room a small black kitten raised her head up off the bed to look at the pair of them. The kitten immediately stood up and started mewing plaintively at Ginny, who reached over and picked the cat up and obligingly pet her. "This is Eris. Eris, this is Hermione."

Hermione laughed, "Only you would name your cat after the God of Chaos..."

"No, I didn't I didn't name her after a God of Chaos, she is a God of Chaos. Isn't that right Eris dear?" Eris simply mewed in response and purred contentedly. "She's a dear, really. She's good with other animals, so if you'd like to get one that would be fine."

"That's about it for the tour. Any questions?"

"Well, yes actually. You see. I don't have many clothes that suit me well, and seeing as you're a designer nowÉwell, could youÉhelp me? I want to be completely different when we go back to Hogwarts. I want to turn heads for once. I mean, Ron hasn't officially proposed or anything yet, we're just dating. And, I want him to be shocked too."

"Perfect! I do too. We've both changed so much from being away. As I work for who I do, and having started designing for them, I can get free clothing from any store in Paris. But, first, we need a makeover. And I know just who to go to. We'll start tomorrow. Now, I'm starving, can I treat you to lunch?"

"Of course. I've missed you Ginny." At this, her stomach gave an affirming grumble.

"Wonderful, go get your stuff! And I've missed you too." And the two walked out the door arm in arm, perfectly happy. Over lunch they talked and laughed like old friends. Ginny thinking about how much she could do to improve Hermione. It made her smile to think about her brother and how shocked he was going to be when he saw his "new" girlfriend. It made her laugh to think about it. At that moment someone bumped into her chair, spilling the coffee she was holding all over her front. She turned around to begin on a tirade when she looked into the eyes of none other than Draco Malfoy. She turned, smirking towards Hermione, who had smiled, stood up and come around to hug Draco. Ginny had heard what a great help he had been in the war, but was still ready to pay him back for everything he had done to her family and her. He asked Hermione who her friend was, and Hermione was about to respond when Ginny cut in, speaking in broken English and a strong French accent. "Excuse, 'Mione, who is 'dis who 'as made a mess of me?"

Hermione, catching on, said to Malfoy, "Do you speak French? My friend here doesn't speak English very well, and it would be easier for her if we spoke in French."

"I do. Oui." He replied. "Je veux faire des excuses pour se cogner dans vous. Y a-t-il une manire que je peux lui faire jusqu'ˆ vous ? Est-ce que je peux prendre tous les deux vous au diner ce soir ?" ("I want to apologize for bumping into you. Is there any way that I can make it up to you? Can I take both of you to dinner tonight?") He asked.

"Ce serait gentil, merci. Voici mon numero de telephone, appellent si vous plait dans environ une heure avec toute l'information et nous vous rencontrerons lˆ." ("That would be nice, thank you. Here is my phone number, please call in about an hour with all of the information and we will meet you there.") Ginny replied quickly.

"Merci, je serais enchantŽ. Mon ami et moi vous escorterons deux dames ˆ Lauren ce soir. Je dois aller maintenant, je vous verrai tous les deux ce soir." ("Thank you, I would be delighted. My friend and I will escort you two ladies to Lauren tonight. I must go now, I will see you both tonight.") And with this he kissed both of their hands, nodded, and left.

Ginny looked over at Hermione and gaped. "We're going to Lauren! Oh my God! We need our makeovers today!"

"Lauren? Who is Lauren?" Hermione asked bewhildered.

"Not a who! Lauren is a place, the most prestigious restaurant in Paris, if not in the world! We need to go shopping! Now!"

And with this Ginny left some money for the bill and the two girls left the restaurant. As soon as they had jumped into the car Hermione's phone rang. It was Ron. As she talked to him Ginny picked up the phone and called her friend Janelle. "Janelle!...Hi, it's Gin...Hi, I know you've got the day off, but I need a huge favor. Can you take care of my friend and I?...I'll explain when we get there...Really! I owe you so much! See you soon!" Ginny looked over at Hermione to tell her where they were going, and found her crying. "'Mione, baby, what's wrong?"

"Ron broke up with me. He found someone else. He's left me." She looked like someone had just slapped her in the face. She never cried. She looked down at the ring on her finger, and slowly took it off and handed it back to Ginny. Ginny, nodded, understanding flowing between the two of them.

Ginny leaned over, kissed Hermione on the cheek and said, "Cheer up, the makeover's happening today, and Draco's friend may be cute." Hermione smiled at this, thinking how much more lovely this makeover was going to be, she wanted Ron to regret this day for the rest of his life. By the time they reached Janelle's salon Hermione was in a considerably better mood. Ginny walked into the salon, hugged Janelle, who immediately asked what the occasion was. Ginny laughed "well, for starters, Hermione here and I are going to Lauren's tonightÉ" At this Ginny was cut off by a scream from Janelle. "Yes Jan, Lauren's. No, I can't take you. A quite handsome man accidently spilt coffee on me earlier and to make up for it, offered us dinner with him and his friend at Lauren's tonight. So, we were planning on coming to see you tomorrow, but here we are. We'd like complete makeovers. I personally would like to be something other than little Ginny Weasley for once in my life. And Hermione here, well she's just been dumped by my asshole of a brother, and she'd like to knock his socks off when we go home in a month. Shall we start with her?"

"Yes! Oh, how I love complete makeovers! Lets see, for you Hermione dear, I think we need to lighten up your hair and bring some layers up around your face. We'll straighten it for the night, but I think like it curly for a day to day basis. We'll give you both a facial, manicures, pedicures and full makeup. You will have to pay for anything you buy from us, but, otherwise all of the services are free." At this both Ginny and Hermione opened their mouths in protest, but Janelle cut them off. "No! I don't want to hear it, they're free! After all of the clothes you've given me Ginny, this is the least we can do. I have brought in Frederico to take of you Ginny, you know to trust Fred, he's taken care of you before." With this Janelle led a very bewhildered Hermione away into one of her back rooms and began to tend to her. Fred came out of the back and took Ginny by the hand. He also took her into a back room, covered the mirrors and took her to get her hair washed. Ginny knew that the covering of the mirrors was what Janelle and her employees did during full makeovers, this was to achieve the greatest dramatic effect later. Ginny picked up her phone, hit the speakerphone option and dialed Jacquelyn, her boss.

"Jacqui! Dearest! It's Ginny!...I need a favor...I'm going to Lauren tonight...Yes, Lauren...My friend and I need clothes...You know my measurements, and I can have 'Mione's taken here...Yes...Here, talk to Fred, he'll tell you the look he's going for, and then I'll give you over to Janelle for Hermione...You will! Thank you! Soon as you can please...Can you have them brought here?...Merci Jacquelyn!" The phone was promptly handed over to Fred who quickly rattled off in French the look he was aiming for and then it was sent over to Janelle and Hermione. So, now that clothing was taken care of, there was only one detail left to be settled. But Draco would not call her back for another half hour or so. And she had decided to let Hermione talk to him about the details. With this, Ginny allowed herself to relax in the talented hands of Frederico. When her hair was completely cut and colored she was sent for a manicure and a pedicure from Janelle while Hermione was sent for a waxing and a facial from Frederico. Ginny soon followed for the waxing and facial. Then Fred went on to apply the makeup. He obviously knew what color the dress was going to be, as he didn't hesitate when it came to color. He applied layer after layer, and just when he had finished Ginny heard the front door open and the distinct voice of Jacquelyn come through the front door. She made to stand up and greet her, but Fred grabbed her by the shoulder, telling her that he wasn't done yet. She sat back down, and Fred started to work on her hair again. Curling, straightening and pinning. Only when he was done was she allowed to go and see Jacquelyn. She was sitting in the front of the salon and gasped when she saw Ginny. Ginny was then handed a dress bag and a box of shoes and was told to go change, Apparently Hermione had already received her gifts, as there were no more when Ginny was given her things. Ginny pulled her dress out of her bag and gasped. Her dress was a deep turquoise, made completely of tulle. It was a halter dress with a deep V-neck with a draped waist. She pulled it on delicately and saw that it fit tightly through the torso, waist and hips and draped elegantly to the floor. It fit perfectly, and she knew that it had been made just for her. She pulled out her shoes from the box that was left for her, and she sighed in content. They were black, strappy heels. Not that she really needed the height, but she loved them anyway. She walked out into the lounge of the salon and twirled for the delight of the three onlookers, and then she turned around, "where's Hermione?"

"I'm right here Ginny." Ginny turned and looked at her best friend and her jaw dropped. Hermione's hair had been lightened to a light auburn-brown and where Fred had left Ginny's hair curly and let it flow down her back freely, Hermione's had been straightened and pulled back and knotted elegantly. She was dressed in a form-fitting light pink colored satin and chiffon mermaid style dress that had a V front and back. It fit Hermione's form beautifully. Her shoes were made of satin and were the same color as her dress. At this point, Janelle walked them over to a mirror and uncovered it. The two friends saw themselves for the first time and gasped. The transformation was amazing. They bought all of the hair products and make-up that they would need to keep this look up and thanked Janelle many times. Jacquelyn handed Hermione a purse and gave a set of full length, black, satin gloves to Ginny. Ginny had the jewelry they would need at home. Hermione looked at her and said "We've only got 45 minutes until the car will be sent for us at your house, we should get going." With that the two girls left for home. Ginny pulled out her jewelry box from her dresser and pulled out a necklace, earrings, and ring for Hermione. The necklace was a thin, platinum chain with made up of a row of circular cut diamonds and a larger pink sapphire. The earrings were in the same style, and the ring was a platinum band with a large pink sapphire and two smaller cut diamonds on either side. Ginny's jewelry, on the other hand consisted of several diamond bangles that went over her black gloves, a simple emerald drop pendant, and short drop earrings with emeralds and diamonds. They each looked in the mirror, placed sticking charms on themselves so that their hair and makeup would stay put throughout the night, and made their way back downstairs.

Hermione looked at Ginny and asked "So, are you going to be French all night?" She smiled, alluding to their earlier encounter with Draco.

"No. Besides, I think I may like Draco. Might as well let him know who I am, right?" Ginny replied, looking, slightly nervously, at the door.

"Yes. You two would make a beautiful couple. I wonder who his friend is..." her musings were interrupted when the doorbell rang. Looking nervously at one another, the two girls got up and walked towards the door. Ginny opened it, and the driver led them to the limousine sitting in front of her house. Ginny looked over at Hermione and said, "Call me Gin tonight, in fact, call me Gin from now on, I like that better than Ginny." Hermione nodded as they both stepped into the limousine .

A/N: I know it's all moving a bit fast and a bit out of character in some parts...but I did say that this is fluff