Chapter Three:
It had been a week since they were moved to high security. The only information they had was the Daily Prophet which biased onto the bad side. No one really knew how to feel about it. Harry usually kept to himself lately, not focuses on what was going on around him. He had quickly gotten used to using a pen and paper as opposed to a quill and parchment. He was constantly writing in a notebook. Ron, Fred and George kept trying to prank Neville and resorted to muggle practical jokes which they quickly got bored of. Neville hung out with Ginny and Hermione mainly, while Draco Theo and Blaise kept to themselves, yet still managed to frequently throw a snide comment at one of the Gryffindors. Usually Harry, Ron or Neville. They tended not to aggravate Fred or George because the twins usually just joked along with them. Hermione and Ginny were reading a muggle magazine when they heard Ron move and sit next to Harry, in a shock surprise they realised why, turning their heads to see Fred, George and the Slytherin's all engaged in deep conversation.
Hermione suspected that they were planning some major prank but was amazed when the boys ended up laughing
-The next morning-
"How DARE you" Ron's bellowing could be heard from across the Hall. Ginny and Hermione jumped up and ran into the boys room, to see Ron laying on the floor, Fred and George had him pinned. Neville and Harry say watching the scene from a bed the other side of the room. The Slytherin's smirking to themselves. Draco caught sight of Hermione and smirked wider
"How nice of you to again, burst into our room uninvited, Granger" this caused a chortle of laughter from Theo, Blaise and a smirk from the twins. A faint pink blush crept onto Hermione's cheeks.
"Shut up Malfoy. What's going on?" Ginny asked, directing her words at Ron
"These knobs are getting all buddy-buddy with the enemy" Ron yelled
"Excuse us?" Fred asked
"I've heard no such untruths" George said
"Well what are you doing handing out with The Slytherin's then?" Ron asked
"Mate their not so bad" Fred said
"Yeah man, their cool" George said
"Harry…." Ron asked but Harry was too deep in conversation with Neville to pay attention to Ron's rambling
"Ginny?" Ron asked
"I admit they don't have the most positive reputation….But I guess we should hear their side. I admit it's a bit peculiar That they are with us in high security" Ginny said. All eyes turned to the three
"We didn't believe in the cause" Blaise said simply. A silence overtook. Draco interjected breaking it.
"What Blaise means is that We never chose to join the cause, we were brought in by our fathers and we don't believe in it. So…a few weeks ago we went to Dumbledore, and asked to change sides. In exchange for all the information we knew, he offered us security should it be required" Draco said
"Bullshit! You're here on His orders, sent to trap us and kill us" Ron yelled
"The Dark Lord wants to kill you himself, not get some death Eaters to do it for him" Draco scoffed
"So you admit your death eaters?" Ron yelled
"Was. We were….Not anymore" Theo said
"Hermione, don't tell me you also believe their lies. Tell them it's absurd" Ron said. Desperation clearly evident in his voice
Hermione studied the buys for a few seconds
"I believe them" Hermione said
"WHAT?!" Ron yelled, furiously.
"Thank you Granger, treating us with dignity" Theo said
"Look guys, we don't know how long we'll be here, it could be days, years…even the rest of our lives... We need to learn to get along. We need to find a way to make a mutual friendship here. I think Fred and George have the right idea" Hermione said. Ginny and Harry nodded. Neville seemed unsure but nodded to. Ron looked like he'd been slapped in the face.
"Thank you Gr…Hermione" Draco said correcting himself
"Think that's the first time you've used my first name" Hermione said shooting a flirtatious smirk towards Draco, who raised an eyebrow in surprise. I think I like this side of her he thought to himself….
"So should we do something to "Build a friendship?" George asked
"Sure thing, truth or dare? Classic game" Theo suggested. Ginny, Fred and George nodded enthusiastically. Blaise and Draco's eyes lit up enthusiastically. Hermione shrugged. Ron still looked furious but they knew that if Fred and George went, he would follow. All eyes turned to Harry and Neville who didn't seem to be paying attention.
"Let's go to our room" Ginny said, knowing better than to disturb Harry. The Slytherin's rolled their eyes but followed through none the less. The 8 made their way into the girls room. They pushed the sofas to make a circle and all sat together
"So how do we do this? Anyone asks anyone or do we have an order?" Theo asked
"I don't mind" Fred and George said simultaneously.
"Hey Gr...Hermione have you got any food?" Draco asked, randomly changing the topic
"Actually...No" Hermione said. Usually Vanessa would provide meals, at Hgwarts they were used to three meals a day and no snacking except whatever they can scarper from Hogsmede.
"Hang on, along with my Luggage Dumbledore sent a list of rules" Hermione said jumping up. She jumped up a little too quick and her skirt flicked up, giving the Slytherin's and the twins a quick flash of her lacy black thong, but within the raise of an eyebrow it was gone. Imaginations however were sparked and a quick eye-glance between the boys knew that Truth or Dare would get interesting.
Hermione's eyes were skimming the page, reading quickly. Her tongue moistened her lips as she mouthed the words she was reading with immaculate speed.
"Yes! I knew I read it somewhere. There is a town half a mile down, where we are welcome to go shopping to make whatever purchases we desire. There is a muggle credit card here, with...an unlimited spend. Dumbledore says were welcome to go to the town, providing we use no magic, and whoever goes they stay as a group" Hermione said
"Well how about, while we think of some questions and dares, we go shopping? Fill up our cupboards and have a look at what other shops are here?" Blaise suggested, earning a chortle of agreement from everyone
"Now I suggest, that as Hermione is the only one with muggle experience, she holds the card and we follow her example" Ginny suggested. Surprisingly, even the Slytherin's agreed.
"Ron do you want to go and ask Harry and Neville if they wants to join?" Hermione said. Ron walked off. He returned minutes later without them.
"Right lets go then" Hermione said standing up and making her way downstairs, followed by the rest of the group. Luckily today they chose some "Muggle" clothing. Hermione picked up her bag. She was able to do an undetectable extension charm on the bag while still at Hogwarts and it still applied here. She put her wand, along with everyone else's wand in her bag, along with her purse. As they got to the door they met Ness
"Thank goodness your going into town, be a dear and pick us up some milk" she said with a small smile.
They walked out the door and to the right. They kept to the main road. The entire walk consisted of them asking Hermione what sort of things were sold in muggle shops.
After a long walk they came across a small town. The first shop was a clothes shop. Then there was a café and tea shop, a few take-away shops, followed by a health and beauty shop, then at the end a supermarket.
They decided to go in the clothes shop first. All the students (Except Hermione) were amazed. The magical world, was behind the muggle world, but particularly in the fashion area. This shop was full to the brim with cloths of varying shape and style. Hermione was usually careful with money but knowing she had no limit, she went all guns blazing. the group stood to Dumbledore's word and stayed together, the guys waited patiently while the girls scrounged the two floors dedicated to women's clothing, although when it got to the underwear the guys didn't mind waiting. they then waited patiently, although enjoying a sit down, watching the girls as they tried on everything, giving them honest advice.
An hour and a half after they had walked inside, they made their way to the guys section. An hour later the guys and girls had a much broader wardrobe. They paid and made their way. They left out the take away shops, but stopped in the café for a drink and a cake. They left the house at 11:30, it was nearing half past two.
Around three o'clock they headed into the health and beauty shop. Again, the guys were patient as the girls browsed the make up. They walked round together. They decided to get some essentials, moisturisor, shampoo, conditioner, soap. Not like the house didn't have any, they just preferred to have their own. They also bought toothpaste, new toothbrushes. The guys looked embarrassed and Ginny looked horrified as Hermione browsed and explain the "femanine products" to them. Hermione and Ginny bought some hairbrushes, while the guys opted for hair gel. The girls were given samples of perfume while the guys were shown aftershave and 'musk' needless to say that accumulated a high cost too. Finally they found the supermarket. Supermarkets were a mystery to the magical world, and everyone except Hermione was shell shocked. Hermione grabbed a trolley. Draco, first to break out of his trance followed her actions. Armed with two trolleys the gang weaved in and out of the shoppers, throwing whatever items they desired in the trolley. Frequently asking Hermione what they were. The last aisle was full of alcohol, and despite not being accustom to alcohol other than Firewiskey, the gang stocked up. Hermione being the only muggle-born was smart enough to bring her muggle ID.
Eventually they made their way to the check out. The clerk gave them an odd look, but said nothing.
Despite there being 8 of them, each carried a lot of bags back. The girls opting for the clothes bags, as despite carrying 6 or 7 each, they were considerably lighter than three shopping bags. As soon as they were out of the town Blaise piped up
"Blimey Hermione, how do muggles do this?" He asked out of breath
"just a thought guys, this whole High Security thing, doesn't seem like its going to be over anytime soon...May be worth joining a gym" Hermione said
The gang knew what a gym was but wondered where one could be
"Follow me" Hermione said taking a sudden turn right. They came to a large glamorous sandstone coloured building. Hermione ran inside, the guys followed, not surprised to find it was a library. Hermione sat down at a computer and motioned that the guys sat on a table to the left.
They watched her amused as she made a few clicky sounds before pressing a button and standing up. The guys followed her. As soon as they were outside she said
"Sorry there's no Wi-fi in the house" she said
"Wi-fi?" Fred asked
"Wireless...Don't worry ill show you another time" Hermione said "Basically there's another half of town, we'll explore that tomorrow if you'd like" she said. The rest agreed.
It was half past 5 by the time they arrived home. Hermione gave the milk to Ness who smiled nicely saying that dinner would be ready at half past 6. As all their stuff was mixed up in the bags, Hermione suggested pushing all the sofas together into a raised platform where they emptied out the food bags first. Everyone worked together, surprisingly to split the food into the groups. Hermione was relieved that crockery and cutlery was in the kitchen. They spent a while sorting the food out, Hermione giving detailed analysis on which foods go off and how to preserve them. They then split up the items from the health and beauty shops, and finally the clothes. Eventually they had finished and no later as food was served. Dragging Harry and Neville with them. They dug into a delicious roast beef.
-2 hours later-
The last two hours were spent eating and watching TV. About half eight, the gang decided to make their way upstairs.
Harry and Neville walked into the guys room, but the rest made their way to the girls room
"So...what are the rules?" Blaise asked a flirtatious smirk upon his lips