Chapter 2
Dazed and more than a little confused a shaking Hermione got up and checked in, pondering what had just happened. She decided not to tell anyone just yet, because since the death of Dumbledore the lines of light and dark had become even more blurred.
Exhausted she collapsed onto her single bed after letting Crookshanks out of his cage to explore and calm down. Soon, she fell into a troubled sleep.
2 Hours Later
A streak of red bounced onto Hermione disturbing her sleep and she screamed.
"Bullocks! I didn't know what to think when I couldn't find you Hermione!" taunted a laughing Ginny "You deserve a little scare you sleepy-head!"
"Ginny...that's not fair! I honestly forgot and I'm really sorry..."answered a shamefaced Hermione, she never forgot anything.
"Alright! Well it is only just 3 yet...But I brought butterbeer up...We need to talk I think! So? How was your summer?" asked a good humored Ginny popping open a two bottles. "By the way...love the outfit, but I think it looked better before you slept in it."
"Ha, ha, aren't you quick witted." laughed Hermione "My summer was a little dull, I wished I was at Grimmauld Place...but my mom and I got to really spend some time together...I even got a new wardrobe so I did have fun. What about yours? How are the guys?"
"Ron was just Ron, only as moody as a woman all summer,"answered Ginny. " Harry is depressed, had more nightmares, Mum finally had to torch all the Daily Prophets after she read them at breakfast because otherwise he would nearly make himself sick with worrying about everything. I did get some quidditch practice in, but Mum and Dad were horribly busy all the time and Ron and Harry got to practice to be aurors since they're part of the Order and I'm not."
"Ginny, has anything terribly important happened? My mum canceled our subscription..." probed Hermione.
"To be honest, I don't really know...I couldn't read anything and I wasn't allowed out of Headquarters all summer because it wasn't safe." recalled Ginny. "We even have Tonks waiting outside to go with us shopping so we can get our uniforms and the boys'...I've never seen the Wizarding World like this 'Mione, wait until you see." Then she bounced up and said "Come on, might as well get started now so we can get to Headquarters for supper, Harry and Ron have been frantic about you! Harry can't risk Hedwig anymore...poor owls, every time I tried to send anything they always come back so beaten up."
"I know, it's a wonder I got your letter at all!" mused Hermione. "What about the supply letters? I was worried when I never got one." As they exited the room and started down the stairs to meet the Auror.
"Families have been going into hiding left and right, I don't know who will even show up this year...McGonagall is getting the letters hand delivered. Mum told her that you were coming with us so she didn't have to bother, safer for your parents that way. She wants wizarding families to send their kids to Hogwarts because, right now, it is a hell of a lot safer than anywhere else. Dumbledore himself warded that castle and Flitwick has cast a Fidelius Charm on the whole place, but no one knows who the secret-keeper is. Not even Harry, I asked."
"Wow..." commented Hermione. "If Hogwarts is the safest place, I wish my mum could know it."
"Your mum does know it if she sent you back here!" greeted Tonks. "Hullo Hermione!"
"Hi Tonks, how was your summer?" asked Hermione. Eyeing Tonks' black hair and pointed nose.
"Full of dark wizards." answered Tonks knowingly nose waving up and down. "Lets go!"
They exited the Leaky Cauldron onto Diagon Alley after passing through the brick wall.
The Alley was oddly quiet, people rushed around in huddled groups, and no one walked leisurely alone.
"Odd isn't it?" questioned Ginny.
"It's so...nervous, like everyone is waiting for something..." answered Hermione.
"Yes, they're all waiting for Death Eaters to pop up. They're everywhere these days, Dark Mark's in the air almost as much as the clouds are...depressing really." commented Tonks.
They continued along in abnormal silence until Tonks handed Hermione her forgotten supply money. "When you didn't show up on time, I went to Gringotts' to see if you had withdrawn anything...good thing your parents gave us a spare key to your vault eh?" Tonks added.
"Thanks...where to first?" asked Hermione.
"Flourish and Blotts...we need a lot of texts this year." replied Ginny.
"Actually, I already got these Ginny, McGonagall thought this should be short." cut in Tonks.
"So what do we need still?" asked Hermione.
"Your robes, and Ginny's. Mrs. Weasley purchased Harry and Ron's yesterday." answered Tonks.
"But I thought..."Ginny started.
"Well, you can't know everything in times of war right? Right." snapped Tonks.
"Umm...are you okay?" prodded Hermione. "You seem...severely...off."
"Fine, nothing You-Know-Who's death couldn't solve!" quipped Tonks in a mood swing.
Ginny looked a Hermione and she raised an eyebrow. Hermione mouthed "Deaths?"
Ginny nodded and mouthed "Only survivor," Hermione's mouth formed an 'O' of understanding and resumed her indifferent stance. Tonks had been in a group of aurors, mostly newbies, who were guarding St. Mungo's a week before. All of them had died, save her, when a mass of Death Eaters attacked a single room with three injured sisters in it.
The group ducked into Madame Malkin's Robe's for All Occasions to pick up Hermione's and Ginny's school robes as well as two sets of dress robes as required by the unseen supply list. Ginny and Hermione, despite the circumstances, threw themselves into having fun shopping in an attempt to draw Tonks out of her dark mood. Since Dumbledore's death, the Weasleys had inherited a small fortune courtesy of the late Headmaster's will. Mrs. Malfoy had tried to have the will discredited or frozen to prevent the transaction, but there was no loophole to be seen in the magically undisputed document. So Ginny had her choice of any robes available and Hermione was more than happy to help out.
"Look at this one!" exclaimed Ginny.
Hermione laughed and said "Ginny, I don't think orange is really your color...what about this one?" as she held up a white gown with pink roses printed on the bottom of the skirt. It had a wide neck, a scoop back, wide straps and a pink corded belt, so it was daring, but classy.
"Is it too 'virginal' do you think? I am in 6th year...not getting married." asked Ginny biting her lip and feeling the fabric. She added "I do want simple...but not pastel, or pink I think."
"Hmm, I might have something for you," interjected Madame Malkin. She walked into the back of the shop and came back carrying something black. "I just got this in this morning, Chinese silk and charmed to fit anyone." she said holding it out. It was floor-length, not poofy but wispy with an overskirt of fine sheer black cloth and a slit to the knee on one side. A Chinese button collar in black and a deep rounded 'V' neckline. Right under the bust-line was a black, quilted ribbon. It was completed by a removable floor-length jacket with long sleeves and a straight trimmed collar in black satin ribbon. The dress was sleeveless and elegant it made Ginny's eyes sparkle.
"Oh! Can I try it on?" exclaimed Ginny.
"It's lovely Ginny," said Tonks emerging from the corner of the shop with a smile on her face. Ginny rushed into a curtained change room and when she materialized everyone was grinning. Ginny had definitely grown-up.
After changing out of the dress Ginny went over to Hermione and whispered "It's too much! I won't be able to get the other dress if I get this one...but everyone likes it!"
"Ginny, I have extra, I'll buy your other dress, okay? Your mum never needs to know." offered Hermione.
Ginny bit her lip and said "Are you sure though? I don't want to get in the way of your shopping."
"Gin, it's fine, besides mum gave me enough for 4 dresses...I guess she wants me to have some fun...why not spend it like I want?" asked Hermione. "I want to spend it on you and I'm having fun doing it so relax."
"Thanks "Mione!" exclaimed Ginny and hugged her.
"Welcome, now what do you think of this dress for me?" said Hermione with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Smashing! I never thought, are you sure? That one? I love the color!" rushed Ginny. Hermione was holding up a deep vivacious red gown with off the shoulder straps and a sweetheart fitted bodice. The front was gathered and landed about ankle level, while the back was long, gathered and dragged slightly on the floor to create a flowing elegant but sexy figure.
"Hmm, try it on Miss Granger" suggested Madame Malkin. "If you have good shoulders and a slender throat this cut is perfect albeit slightly bare...I think I may have the perfect fix for that though..." She swept to the front window showcase which held dazzling jewelry. She stood there the entire time that Hermione changed holding her chin and 'hmm'-ing to herself.
As Hermione exited the change room, Ginny exclaimed "I like it...but.."
"She needs this" cut in Madame Malkin placing an exquisite choker around Hermione's neck. "One hundred sixty-four rhinestones hand placed by the muggle designer. Magical isn't always enchanting as I always say, any witch could've magicked a necklace but it's so much more...classy when it's hand done. There!" Sitting on Hermione's neck was a 2 inch thick silver choker made up of black inlay and rhinestone set squares. From theses squares where several strands of clear rhinestones. One had a teardrop rhinestone in the middle and the last (and longest) strand had a string ending in a larger perfect teardrop rhinestone. It fell just above the beginning of the bust and it made the dress.
"Give you black heels and you're perfect!" exclaimed Tonks "The boots don't really...do it."
"Bloody brilliant," commented Ginny "Now for another one!"
"Girls? This way may be a little faster..." suggested Madame Malkin pointing to a large circular platform on which Hermione was currently standing surrounded by mirrors. "Suggest a style and we'll run with it."
"Why didn't we do this in the first place?" asked Hermione.
"You just seemed to be having fun that's all." answered Madame Malkin. "Now give me something to work with...we can charm the colors, just give me a style."
"Hmmm" said Hermione putting her hand to her chin. "I know! Something backless? Long with long bell sleeves?"
"Aesalon it may not be completely backless but we'll try it...yes!" exclaimed Madame Malkin and she pointed her wand at Hermione and muttered. Instantly the long red dress melted away leaving a long blue and silver accented lace-up gown. It was slightly poof but the skirt was too long, so it was pinned up with tiny clusters of silver beading at various spots all over to create a draping effect. The front was straight with a small 'v' cut in the middle and had beading along the top. Long sleeves ending in a silver edged bell that completely hid her hands, in fact the sleeves almost touched the floor. The bodice was fitted until just below mid-hip level where it dipped in the front and back. Silver lacing up the back from just above the hip was intricate and finished in a small elegant bow at the bottom with ribbon trailing down. "Do you like the color?" asked Madame Malkin.
"I..I.." sputtered Hermione.
"Can the silver be black?" questioned Ginny.
"Certainly!" replied Madame Malkin and pointed, a shimmer hit the silver in five points and seemed to burn along them changing everything silver to black. "Better?" she inquired.
"What do you think Hermione?" prodded Ginny.
"I like the silver better I think...sorry Ginny." said Hermione flashing an apologetic smile in the mirror to her. With a twinkle, the silver was back.
"Hermione?" asked Tonks "I don't know about those sleeves...it takes away from the dress a bit."
"You're right. Can you?" wondered Hermione.
"Yes I most certainly can." stated Madame Malkin, she pointed and the sleeves seemed to disintegrate. " I always did think Aesalon overdid his designs."
"So? What do you think Hermione?" asked Ginny.
Hermione smiled softly and announced "Perfect."
Ginny whooped and said with glee "My turn!" Hermione was changed back into her clothes and stepped off the platform. "I know what I'd like I think...I want to be seen as grown up! Nothing poof...but bellowing maybe. Bright and sleek...tassels, but not too many."
"Umm, alright than I'll see what I can do.." thoughtfully stated Madame Malkin then started muttering the names of different designers "Ptolemy...no no no...Arippa...no...Ronon?..Dowse!" She pointed and muttered quite excitably. Ginny was transformed, a sleek plain green gown with a wide neck to expose her shoulders and hugged to mid-thigh, then exploded out with crinoline.
"No no no, that'll never do!" lamented Madame Malkin and she tried again. This time the dress was a deep midnight blue with beading all over it. The fabric was velvet in an elegant tree design and shaved velvet elsewhere. The back was low with a long large knotted net-like ribbon cross. It had a deep 'V' neck and the straps were net as well with long tassels hanging down the back off each shoulder. "Is it bright enough for you? Or would you prefer another color?" asked Madame Malkin.
"No, I love it!" yelped Ginny.
After Ginny was changed and paid for her dress, she wandered over to Tonks on the other side of the shop to browse a little longer while Hermione paid for her purchases plus one for Ginny. Madame Malkin was a curiosity for her, how can she be so gleeful? "Things must have changed since the war began last year... how do you do what you do? Be so cheerful with the attitude outside?" questioned Hermione as Madame Malkin rang up her totals.
"I should be happy in the face of things, what good would it do to be sad? My husband died in the last war, I have nothing to lose now but customers and they make me happy. Each new face coming in here as a break from outside looking for that special something, shouldn't I provide a happy environment for them? Besides, sadness and despair are a deep dark well that once you fall in, you continue to tumble until nothing is left but worrying, crying, darkness and death and what good do those things do? Nothing." She finished with a smile, "Now, will it be cash or M.W?" (M.W is Magic Withdrawal from Gringotts).
After Hermione had paid, the trio exited the shop and, after stopping to pick up Hermione's things at the Leaky Cauldron, they floo-ed to Grimmauld Place. Since Dumbledore's untimely demise, the secret-keeper position for the Order had been re-established after much debate...but no one but the keeper themselves knew who it was after all that had known allowed, voluntarily, to have their memories of the fact obliviated. This time, maybe this time, the Order would be safe as they could be in these times.
Upon reaching Headquarters, Hermione was promptly bowled over by two massive blurs.
"'Mione! How are you? What's it like to be outside! How was your summer! You took forever shopping!" exclaimed each boy in turn not allowing Hermione a chance to breathe.
"Harry, I think oxygen is starting to become an issue for her!" interjected Ginny.
"Yes, thank you Gin," replied Hermione, "I'm fine now that I can breathe, outside is lovely but Diagon Alley is simply dismal, my summer was great besides missing you monsters and that last bit wasn't a question."
Both boys blushed and apologized, sheepishly, in unison.
At this point Mrs. Weasley came bursting in, and scolded "Ron! Harry! What did I tell you? No jumping on Hermione as soon as she's in the door! Merlin's beard, you're English Gentlemen not a bloody pack of wild dogs!" then she turned to Hermione, without missing a beat and started in on her "Hermione, dear, look at you! Skin and bones! What have you been doing to yourself? Girls these days! In my day being too skinny was sickening and being rounded was the way to go! Ginny, bring her into the kitchen, there is some hearty English stew on the stove and help yourselves! Harry, don't you have lessons to be practicing?" Ron started to edge away and she turned " Ronald Weasley! Get back here! You have lessons too! And Harry, don't you even think of going through her bags for a bloody newspaper! It'll be the last thing you'll ever read and you'll just have to find a way to defeat You-Know-Who blind!" With that she stomped up the stairs, throwing over her shoulder her final statement "I'm going to have a lie down, would you please set up for dinner girls? About 25 I suspect, but I want you to eat now and go to bed early. School tomorrow and all, I'm going to relax until then."
"What the bloody hell is she on about?" asked a completely bewildered Hermione.
"Bad isn't it? She's been like this for the whole summer, I should've warned you." replied Ginny.
"Tell me about it, I can't breathe without her snapping at me!" announced Ron. "She's gone mental!"
"C'mon Ron, you know as well as I that she's being pushed beyond her means, almost everyone of her family out fighting and her stuck here feeding everyone else." reprimanded Harry. "I know how see feels, I want to get out there! All this stuff I'm learning and I can't even use it! Give me one Death Eater and I'd make them all scared!"
"Harry, it'll get better at Hogwarts, it has to, doesn't it?" wondered Hermione. "Actually, I'm not that hungry just now, I really missed you guys but I need some sleep to be honest. I'm just going to head to bed...if that's okay with everyone."
"Yeah, it's okay" answered Ron. "And don't worry about setting up supper, she already did it."
"'Night then," said Hermione.
"G'night 'Mione" replied Ginny.
"Night," Harry and Ron responded, then looked at each other "We have got to stop-" then they burst out laughing and walked away.