AN: Outfits and a crisis. Chapter 6 is here.
"Go put it on, let's see what it looks like."
"Calm down, Ginny. Anyone would think it was you going on this date, you're so excited."
Ginny pulled a face, then smiled broadly.
"It's my favourite brother and my best friend. Why wouldn't I be excited? Go on, try the stuff on."
"I'm going, I'm going."
Ten minutes later, Hermione wobbled into the living room, where Ginny was waiting.
"These shoes are awful, I can't walk in them, and they're so uncomfortable."
Ginny waved her wand, and suddenly the shoes didn't hurt.
"As for walking in them, you just have to practise. You'll get used to it. Besides, high heels are sexy and they make your legs look a mile long."
"What good is that if I can't walk in them?"
Ginny shook her head at Hermione's complete inability to walk in her new shoes.
"That outfit looks fantastic, if I do say so myself."
It did. The floaty black skirt was short enough to show off her legs, without being so short it made her self-conscious. It was paired with a red silk blouse (chosen by Ginny, who still took House loyalty seriously, even though they were long out of Hogwarts), and of course, the dreaded high heels.
"Now, about that hair of yours…"
Hermione backed away as Ginny brandished her wand.
"Oh no. You're not doing anything to my hair. It's bad enough as it is, and I still remember when you tried to make Harry's lie flat. You turned it bright pink for a week!"
"That was an accident! You know it was. And his hair did lie flat as well."
"That's totally irrelevant. I remember Fred and George congratulating you for that one, and asking how you did it. And Molly was frantically trying to turn it back."
"Mum didn't seem too happy about it, did she? But I'm good with hair now, trust me."
And before Hermione could react, she'd already cast a spell.
"There, all done."
Hermione raised one hand to her head. OK, the hair was still where it should be. Now to check what it looked like. She turned to glance in the mirror over the fireplace, and gasped in amazement. Ginny had actually got it right – her hair was carefully arranged in an updo, and was still its proper colour.
"See, I told you I was good."
Ginny sounded smug, and incredibly pleased.
"OK, so I was wrong. Will you do my hair again on Saturday, please, Ginny?"
"I suppose I could. But in return, you've got to take me back to that muggle shopping place when I've got money with me."
"That's a deal, Ginny Weasley."
Just then, Arthur Weasley's head appeared in the fire, calling for Hermione.
"Yes, Mr Weasley?"
"There's a bit of a… um… situation. Think you could give me a hand before Molly gets back?"
"Dad, what have you done now?" Arthur looked round to see his daughter looking disapprovingly at him. She looked like a miniature version of Molly.
"Please, Hermione."
"Of course."
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