Chapter 27 – Shattered Disappointments

4 Years Later

Serena hurried into the store, holding desperately onto the boxes in her arm. Another line of boxes followed after her, enchanted and hanging in the air. She reached the counter where Eve was sitting and groaned. Eve looked up from examining her split ends and smiled apologetically. Serena walked behind the counter and dumped the boxes on top of it, while directing the trail of enchanted boxes down as well with her wand. Leaning against the counter, she took a deep breath and tried to relax.

"Tired already?" Eve asked sarcastically. "It's only 10:30." Serena rolled her eyes. The bell on the door chimed softly, signaling the entrance of a guest. "I'll take this one," Eve announced. Serena smiled gratefully as a young witch of thirteen appeared with an older woman closely following.

"Welcome to Lucy's Magical Wardrobe," Eve announced. "How can I help you?"

"I need a dress," The young girl stated rather obnoxiously. Serena wanted to roll her eyes.

"Well, you've come to the right place for that," Eve said. "What type of dress are you looking for?"

"My father is holding a dinner party. Sixty people are attending and I must look amazing. My mother told me green looks exceptionally nice on me, but blue brings out my eyes…" The young girl was saying. Serena drowned out their conversation, not wishing to hear any more of the girl's prattle. She sighed as the women disappeared into the next room, talking about possible dresses, and she idly played with the black onyx ring on her finger.

Four years, she thought, sadly. Four years had passed since she graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was 21 now, and for the last two years, working with Eve at her aunt's store in Diagon Ally.

The first year out of school Eve used to travel around the country while Heather had gone straight to working with her father at the ministry. She was still working there in fact. Serena had gone to work with her own father for a while, doing weird finance stuff, but eventually left feeling it had been too stifling. She then worked for a little at a tavern as a waitress but soon left there as well. Eventually she joined Eve at her aunt's store, thinking it would be on just a short term basis, but she had found herself extremely comfortable in the quaint, busy store in Diagon Ally. She honestly enjoyed working at the shop. There were constantly interesting people walking past the shop, not to mention the strange customers they often received. Lucy's Magical Wardrobe was an older shop and a smaller one. It was very personal and often tailored to the older crowd. Now and then they had younger customers like the girl visiting just now, but mainly it was adults. They carried a good amount of pre-made things like dresses, cloaks, and dress robes, but they also specialized in their creation as well. Many people would come there just to order something specially made.

Serena let her eyes trace over the warm, coral walls of the shop. She didn't think she'd enjoy working here as much as did, but even still, she wasn't completely satisfied. She felt like her life was on a permanent hold. She was waiting on the edge of a precipice; waiting for her life to begin, waiting for something to be pushed off, for something to happen; waiting for him. It had been four years and she hadn't had a single mention of him, not an owl or a letter. The summer after she graduated she dreamed of him coming for her. She spent the long summer nights filling her mind with idealistic thoughts of love and romance. But when the leaves turned crisp and the autumn chill descended, Tom was no where to be found. She was depressed for a little, having expected him and him never having showed, but after awhile she recovered. She was once again herself, giggly and energetic. But still, a small part of her had waited, was still waiting. After four years, she even doubted herself if Tom would ever come for her, but she didn't seem to be able to stop herself from wishing that he would. Maybe because life had been more interesting with him? He had excited her, fascinated her, and made her feel things she'd never felt before. True, he was a bit psychotic and obsessive, but in a weird way, she felt wanted. Yes she missed him. But she also felt so bored and unsatisfied with her life right now that if she didn't do something soon she'd probably hurt herself just to feel something. Sometimes she wondered if Tom had put her under his spell and then disappeared simply to torment her for the rest of her life. She smiled bitterly. It was something he would do too, the sadistic bastard.

The doorbell chimed and brought her out of her haze of thoughts. She looked up to see an older with, smartly dressed come waltzing in.

"Welcome to Lucy's Magical Wardrobe," Serena greeted her.

"I was here to pick up dress robes for my daughter," The woman announced.

"What was the name?" Serena asked.

"Blutestow," The woman answered. "Angela Blutestow."

Serena opened a small box full of index cards. She picked up a handful and scrolled through them.

"Ah!" She exclaimed, taking out the card with the correct name on it.

"She ordered the blue and black combination robes?" Serena said, waiting for the woman to confirm what the little card read, but the woman merely shrugged.

"I actually think these just arrived today," Serena said, milling over the pile of boxes she lugged up earlier. After a few boxes, she was successful.

"Here you are," Serena said, handing the woman the box. "It says that you've already paid."

"If that's what it says," The old woman mumbled, taking the box. Serena watched as she wobbled back through the hall and exit. With a sigh, she decided to go and see if Eve needed any help with the little witch. She had a feeling the young lady would be a difficult customer, and as she entered the next room, she found she was not surprised. A pile of dresses of varying colors lay on one chair, the older woman sat in the other one. The young girl was currently looking at a silver dress that Eve was showing her. Serena shook her head as the girl rejected it and demanded yet another dress, and Serena began hanging the dresses on the chair back up.

"I can't believe it took her a whole two hours to pick a dress," Eve said as they locked up for the night.

"Talk about being fussy," Serena agreed, as they gathered their belongings. Eve shook her head.

"Well, at least she bought an expensive one," Serena said, shutting the door behind them. She waved her wand over the door to insure that it was locked. Finished, the two girls headed home across the narrow streets. They shared a house together with Heather, a few blocks from the shop. Normally they walked, trying to get at least a little exercise, but it wasn't hard for them to apperate there either if necessary.

They entered their small apartment and unloaded their things by the door.

"Eve, what are we doing for dinner?" Serena asked as she took off her robe. She heard Eve grunt across the room.

"I have no idea," Eve said, walking over to the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of wine. Serena just rolled her eyes.

"I think we have some pasta we can cook…" Serena said, joining Eve in the kitchen. After a little while of scavenging, they had a pot of water boiling and a sauce simmering in a saucepan. Serena was adding some spices to the sauce when the door opened and Heather walked in with a groan. Serena smiled, looking up from her cooking.

"I hate work," Heather said. "I should just quit and get married." Serena and Eve laughed.

"Yes, but then you'd have to put up with a husband," Eve said. Heather sighed.

"I guess work was bad," Serena said, pouring in the noodles.

"Just horrendously boring. But never mind, I don't want to talk about it," Heather said, sitting down with Eve at the table. Serena enchanted the meal to cook by itself and joined the two girls at the table. They sat for awhile talking before dinner was ready. They all took out some pasta and poured on the sauce before going back to the table. Once dinner was over, the girls stayed up late, drinking wine and chatting about silly things.

"So how's it going with Fredrick?" Serena asked. Eve smiled.

"Fine…" Eve answered.

"He hasn't proposed yet then?" Serena asked.

"No, but maybe soon…" Eve said hopefully.

"He will," Serena assured her. Eve blushed in the dim light and took another sip of wine. They were silent for a few minutes.

"And what about John?" Serena asked Heather. She shrugged.

"Oh he's fine," Heather said. "But what about you Serena?"

"What do you mean?" Serena asked, feeling herself blush.

"It's been like four years since you've actually had a real date," Heather said. "What's up with that?"

"Yeah?" Eve asked, joining the conversation. Serena's cheeks burned. What could she tell them: she was waiting for someone who would never come?

"I guess guys just aren't interested," Serena muttered, looking at the table.

"Serena that is such crap!" Heather cried.

"Well I guess I wouldn't know. What else am I supposed to think? It's not like anyone's asked me out or anything," Serena said.

"They would if you'd talk to them," Heather said.

"Oh, so I ignore them now?" Serena asked.

"No, but it's not like you pay them any attention when you do, " Heather retaliated. Serena just rolled her eyes. "What about Harry?"

"Harry Livingston?" Serena asked.

"Yeah, he's attractive. I'll talk to him for you," Heather said.

"No," Serena said.

"Why not?" Eve asked.

"He's attractive and nice and filthy rich," Heather said.

"And he comes from a good family," Eve pointed out.

"You guys sound like my mother," Serena said, shaking her head.

"And she agrees with us," Heather said. "We've talked to her about it."

"You have?" Serena cried. "Why?"

"What's wrong with him?" Eve asked.

"Nothing, I just don't…." Serena muttered.

"Oh come on Serena, what are you waiting for?" Heather asked. Serena sat for a moment and wondered. She knew what she was waiting for, but now that she had been called out, she wondered if it was worth it. Was it worth it for her to live her life waiting for someone who would never come? True, she had promised him, but she was 21 now and had already waited 4 years. How much longer could she wait for him? She certainly didn't want to die alone all because of some stupid high school relationship. Harry Livingston was attractive. Maybe it was time for her to move on.

"Fine," She said sighing. "You can talk to him for me." The two other girls smiled with triumph. They sat a little while longer before deciding to go to bed.

The next morning the girls got up and showered and then ate breakfast before leaving for work. Eve and Serena strolled through the cobblestone paths, peering in through shop windows and admiring the sales. Once they reached their own shop, they unlocked the door and turned the "OPEN" sign around and prepared for another day of work.

The door chimed causing Serena to look up from her work. She blushed as she saw Harry Livingston walk into the store, a small bunch of flowers in his hand. His dirty blonde hair was a mess, and his blue eyes laughing.

"Serena Haesley," He said, letting his eyes scroll over her and causing her cheeks to turn even redder. "You look as beautiful as ever."

"Harry," Serena said, rolling her eyes. She got up and walked around the counter to greet him. He handed her the bunch of flowers in one hand, while kissing the other.

"Harry these are so nice!" Serena cried, looking over them. "But you really didn't need to." He shook his head cutting her off.

"I have just spoken with our dear friend Heather and we've decided I should take you out for lunch. We haven't really had a chance to speak in a while and you look as if you could use the break." He said. Serena glanced around the empty shop. Eve was in the back, sorting new fabrics.

"Let me just go tell Eve that I'm going," She said, walking into the other room.

"Eve, I'm going out for lunch," She said. Eve looked up from her work.

"By yourself?" Eve asked her. Serena smiled.

"No…With Mr. Livingston," Serena corrected her. Eve's mouth opened, surprised.

"That was fast…" Eve said.

"I know," Serena said.

"Well, have fun," Eve said. "And don't be back too soon."

"Bye," Serena said, shaking her head. She met Harry at the front of the store.

"Are you ready my dear?" He asked. Serena smiled. Was she ready?

"I think so," She said. "I think so."