Ch 46: Trip Preparations
Ginny Potter was sitting at café on Diagon Alley waiting on her older brother. Well, one of her older brothers. Ron had asked her to meet him when he got off from WWW, but he had been vague as to why. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy him, but she was curious as to why he wanted to meet. She waved at him as he came through the door.
"Hey, Gin," Ron smiled. "Thanks for meeting me. Sorry I'm a bit late. I'm still getting the hang of announcing I'm leaving the shop 20 minutes before I actually need to leave."
"No worries. I was a bit late anyway. But, you do have me curious. What's going on that you needed to meet me here to tell me about?"
"What makes you think something is going on?" he asked.
"Ron, when was the last time you asked me to meet you at a café anywhere?"
"Um, I can't quite remember."
"Right. Because it has never, ever happened."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Wow. I'm a shite brother."
"No you're not. But you are a man. Who also happens to be best friends with my husband. So – usually we catch up in my kitchen, or mum's kitchen or these days even your kitchen."
"Huh. Sorry about that, Gin. I promise – I'm going to try to be better at that."
"Well, maybe if we have lunch out just the two of us again before I turn fifty I'll be good."
"So – what's up?"
"Um. Well, I'm not sure anything is really up. I just wanted to pick your brain a bit. Hermione and I are headed on our trip soon – and thanks again for keeping Hugo so we can go. But, part of me thinks I should give her a present when we're there. But, I know it's too early for an engagement ring. But would something else just be lame? Is it kind of no jewelry until an engagement ring kind of thing or would it be a good idea?"
"Tell me again why you don't just get engaged already?"
"How long were you and Harry together before you got engaged?"
"That's a trick question. We were on and off for a few years there, and you know that perfectly well. But, I knew he was it since – well, since he pulled me out of the Chamber of Secrets."
"Ok. But Hermione and I have only been friends for like eight months."
"Yeah – but you're living together and more or less raising two kids together. And you know you want to get married."
"Look, it's just too soon. I promise, it won't be another year. But, I think we need to get Hugo through the first set of firsts – first Christmas without Dennis and Fi and so forth, first anniversary of their deaths and so on. But, we are talking a lot about it."
"Talking about being married?"
"Sort of. We're talking about what things we need to get straight to have a good marriage. Things like money, kids, that sort of thing."
"Sounds smart. Very practical and very unromantic."
"Maybe. Feels right to both of us though. But, I do want to make this a special trip. She's not a fussy kind of girl, but I want to do something thoughtful and meaningful. So, what do you think on the jewelry thing?"
"Well, I guess I think you know her better than I do. But if Harry and I had been talking about getting engaged and he gave me a ring and then told me it wasn't an engagement ring I would have given it right back to him. Actually – I probably would have chucked it at his head."
"Ok. So – no ring. What about something else?"
"Maybe a locket with pictures of you and the kids?"
"Yeah – I think as a rule I should try to stay away from lockets as much as you stay away from diaries."
"Oh," Ginny said flustered. "Sorry – that was stupid of me. I wasn't thinking. But yeah – no ring, no locket, no diary. What about a non-locket necklace or maybe a bracelet of some kind?"
"Do you think she'd like it? I mean – is that something she'd get excited about?"
"I can't really say. Why don't we finish up here and walk down the alley and see if we see anything at any of the jewelry shops?"
"Thank you so much, Gin. You'd be a lifesaver for me."
The two redheads soon set off down through the shops. When they didn't find what they were looking for, Ginny dragged Ron into one last place. Ron was giving her a questioning look as they entered a small door between two shops at the far end of Diagon Alley. It didn't look like a shop at all, and instead gave off the vibe of an ancient office.
"Trust me," Ginny said to her brother after seeing his nervous face.
Soon the two were inside a small office where an older man sat at a desk. The office was dark and cluttered with many little drawers all along the walls. The desk itself held some interesting tools Ron wasn't familiar with, and the elderly wizard was peering at something small through a magnifying glass near a bright lantern. Ginny coughed loudly causing the man to look up at them.
"Oh, Mrs. Potter, how lovely to see you," he said in an ancient, gravely voice.
"Hello, Mr. Walsingham. How are you today?"
"I'm lovely thank you. What brings you by this afternoon?"
"Actually, I have come to introduce my brother to you and your amazing work. Ron, this is Mr. Walsingham. He's an incredible jewelry designer. I think he will be able to work with you to figure out exactly what you need."
Ron smiled, "So pleased to meet you, sir."
"Well, Ron Weasley, it is a pleasure to meet you as well. What can I help you with?"
"Ah, well, I guess the trouble is I don't even know exactly."
Ginny laughed and patted him on the back. "You see, Mr. Walsingham, despite what the papers have said for years, my brother has never really met the right witch until now. And he insists that they aren't ready for an engagement ring yet, but that it will come soon. But he wants to get her something lovely none the less. But, as it is already late, I have to run. So, I am going to leave him in your very capable hands to create something lovely for my hopefully future sister in law. Does that sound good?"
Ron gave a nervous smile as the older wizard laughed. "Lovely, my dear. I will take good care of him. I haven't lost a nervous future groom yet, and I certainly don't intend to start with him."
She chuckled and thanked him, kissed Ron on the cheek and headed out.
"So, Mr. Weasley, tell me what you think you are looking for. Or, if you aren't sure, tell me about the witch in question."
"Ok. Well, uh, first – would you be ok not mentioning this to anyone? The newspapers have a bad habit of printing things about me, and I really wouldn't want to spoil the surprise that way."
"Oh of course, Mr. Weasley. Anything you tell me I will keep to myself. I have heard many a love story over the years, and many a tale of betrayal that someone was trying to heal with jewelry – that never works by the way. Anyway, think of me as the Mr. Ollivander of jewelry. You tell me your story, and I will create the piece or pieces for you. And not a word of it will leave here."
"Oh, alright. Brilliant. Thanks. And, please call me Ron. Well, uh, Hermione, that's her name by the way, Hermione is amazing. She is the most brilliant and caring person I have ever met. She didn't even discover she was a witch until a few months ago due to some silly mistake about her moving from America to England when she was ten. But, she is already better at magic than most graduates of Hogwarts. Anyway – she's lived all over the world helping muggle refugees and ended up adopting her daughter eleven years ago who, as fate would have it, is also a witch and now is at Hogwarts. Then she and I met as her best friend was a friend of mine at Hogwarts, and his wife was my partner in the aurors for years. But they were killed in a terrible car crash in January. And, as I was the godfather, I am now raising their son. She has been incredible helping me learn to be a parent all while she is learning magic and raising her daughter and working full time as a muggle lawyer helping refugees. Even the royal family recognized for her work recently. But, her birthday was last month and her present from me is a trip to Salem for a long weekend for the two of us. She loves history and learning, and as she grew up in America she was always interested in that particular area of magical history even before she knew it was real. So, I was wanting to give her something while we are there to make it special."
"But not an engagement now?"
"No. Not yet. Not until at least after Christmas."
"May I ask why?"
"Sure. For my godson this first Christmas after his parents' and grandparents' deaths will be hard."
"His grandparents died too?"
"Yeah. It was awful. But, I want us all to get through Christmas for Hugo and help make new memories and traditions as a family. I was actually thinking I would propose in March."
"March?"
"March. Then we will have been dating for a year."
The old man smiled. "March it is."
"So – now that you know the backstory, what do you think I should do?"
"What about a charmed charm bracelet?"
"What is that?"
"Well, it seems your witch loves learning, history and travel. Maybe you could get her a bracelet that you could add to over the years as you build memories together. We could design a bracelet that has some basic small charms as a start – some for the children, discovering magic and maybe some of her education or travels. But I have worked with several goblins before who can help me develop jewelry charms. When an important event occurs in her life, the bracelet will generate an appropriate charm to remember and honor the event."
"I love that. But wouldn't it get bulky over the years as more charms are added? Hermione isn't a very flashy witch. She's a muggle solicitor and dresses rather conservatively, so I can't picture her with a big flashy bracelet."
"No, no – we can charm it so that as more are added that the charms shrink proportionately. That way it won't be too heavy or too gaudy for a witch to wear."
"That sounds perfect. So, what charms would it start with?"
"I would suggest starting with five to balance out the look. You could do something to symbolize each child in her life. Is she close with your godson as well?"
"Oh yes. Very close. So, yes – a charm for each of them. And maybe something for discovering she was a witch."
"Sure, and maybe one for her years spent as an apparently brilliant muggle woman and finally may I suggest one for finding love?"
"Brilliant."
"Ok, so for the children – does anything come to mind immediately?"
"Well, her daughter's name is Rose, so a small rose would be lovely. And for Hugo, maybe, well, he is really creative and artistic. So, something about those things."
"Yes, yes. I can work with that. Tell me about her muggle experience. Maybe where she went to school or what she did for work?"
"She went to Oxford and then traveled all over the world helping refugees."
"Lovely. I am getting a picture in my head now. And you said nothing flashy, correct? So – am I correct saying no gem stones? Do you want it all in the metal?"
"Yes. That's good."
"Would you prefer gold, silver or a mix. Or I could do platinum?"
"I have no idea. How do you know?"
"Well, some women wear more gold or more silver and only wear one at a time. Some prefer a mixed metal look, so I could do that. Platinum has a look of silver but is more expensive. Have you noticed if she wears more of one or the other?"
Ron closed his eyes for a moment trying to picture the jewelry Hermione wore. Usually it was small earrings and no rings. But he knew she put on a watch each day. Best he could remember it had silver and gold on it.
"I think she wears a watch that is both silver and gold looking."
The older wizard nodded. "That would fit with the sensible, no-nonsense sort of woman you described. My guess is she invested in a high quality watch that would work with any of her other jewelry."
"That sounds like Hermione," Ron said with a smile.
"So, then we should do mixed metals. Would you prefer gold and silver or gold and platinum."
"Is platinum better?"
"Well, it is more valuable. I can't tell you which is better."
"Ok. Do platinum then. Do you think you could have it ready in the next ten days? We leave soon on our trip, and I would love to give it to her while we are there if I can."
"Yes. I am sure I can do that."
"Wonderful. That would be great."
"Do you need anything else?"
"Well, uh – I will need her engagement ring in February and then wedding rings after that. When should I come set that up with you?"
"If you could figure out her ring size and let me know, I will work on it. I'll write down the simple charm you can use and it will tell you the size. And then just let me know if you want that mixed metals as well, or if there is anything specific you want on it. Maybe come in after Christmas and let me know how she liked the bracelet, and we will design it then. How does that sound?"
"That sounds perfect, Mr. Walsingham. Unbelievably perfect actually."
Several days later Hermione was eating a quick lunch with Nicola when her boss asked her what she was doing over her upcoming long weekend. Hermione blushed before answering, which had Nicola laughing before Hermione ever got a word in.
"Never mind. I don't need you to tell me who is going or where you are going. I am going to change my question. Have you picked up anything special for the trip?"
Hermione looked at her confused. "Well, Ron arranged the sightseeing and the inn, so I am not sure there is anything I really need to get for it."
"That is not at all what I meant. I am assuming your Mr. Perfect arranged this little weekend as it is something so completely out of character for you."
"Uh, yes. It was my birthday present," Hermione stammered. "Am I really that boring?"
"No, you are not boring. But arranging a weekend for yourself and your hot boyfriend with no kids is entirely too self indulgent to be something that was your idea."
"Oh. Well, yeah – you're probably right. But I am really looking forward to it. I picked up some interesting history books on the area-"
"Oh please," Nicola said, cutting Hermione off. "If Ron is surprising you with some history tour weekend, the boy clearly needs you to plan a little sight-seeing gift of your own."
Hermione just shot the woman a confused look.
"Never mind. East the last bite of your sandwich. Then I'll take you myself to where you need to go. You really are helpless sometimes, Hermione."
"I'm going to hate this, aren't I?" stammered Hermione as she popped the last bite into her mouth while her boss dragged her out the door.
"Probably," her boss laughed. "But I'll enjoy it, and I know Ron will."
Soon Hermione found herself crimson cheeked in the middle of a lingerie store. "Nicola, this is really not what I need for the trip."
"No. You're right. This is all wrong for museums and lectures and hikes or whatever it is you will be doing. But it is the perfect gift for Ron to unwrap as a thank you for dragging your sorry behind on a vacation that doesn't involve your children, your parents or needy refugees."
"Well, uh, argggh, Nicola," Hermione stammered as the woman started handing her lacey items from the racks.
"Look. I am not leaving here with you until you buy something appropriately inappropriate. So, no, you don't have to leave here with crotchless panties or anything, but you need some nice lingerie Hermione. Do you own anything that isn't cotton?"
Hermione blushed again. "Well, not much. I have a couple things that I wear to the formal events that don't show so much under a dress, but that's probably it."
"I knew you were hopelessly practical," Nicola said rolling her eyes.
"OK. You need something deliciously naughty to render him speechless. And then you need a few things that you can actually wear in the real world and surprise him from time to time when he catches his practical, cotton knicker wearing girlfriend in some sexy lacy and satin number. Trust me, Hermione. You need to find ways to keep him being surprised."
"Ok, I get that argument. But, Nicola, seriously. Look at me. I am a lumpy suburban lawyer mum. I just don't have the body for these types of things," Hermione declared as she pulled the closest hanger off the rack and blushed at the item she had in her hand.
Laughing, Nicola took pity on her friend. "OK, Hermione. That is probably the wrong size and style for you. But you have a great body. You just need help picking out the right things to show it off. Come on, they pay people to help customers figure this stuff out, you know. Let's go find someone and get you measured."
"Measured? Are you mad? Nicola, there is no way-"
Nicola cut her off and before Hermione knew it, she was stripped down in a dressing room being measured by a perky sales clerk. Hermione was initially mortified, but then the young woman started to bring her things to try on. And, much to Hermione's shock, they really did look good on her.
While she refused to come out and model the items for Nicola, she did end up selecting several knicker and bra sets of sheer lace and satin. While she laughed at the description of baby doll nighties as she knew it would never, ever actually be worn to sleep in, Hermione decided that the style actually looked good on her, showing off her arms, making her breasts look rounder than they really were, and hiding her tummy and thighs. Paired with the matching, lacy knickers they really were quite sexy, and she knew Ron would be shocked. Over an hour later, Hermione was still blushing, but she left the store with several full bags. Nicola laughed the whole way back to the office making Hermione promise to mention to Ron that he owed her sometime.
