Ch.12: Red is for Gryffindor
Hermione's eyes widened at the sheer number of garments in the formalwear section of Gladrags. Ginny pulled her arm impatiently and began to hold various robes up to Hermione. After several moments, Ginny announced, "Dark Red."
"What?" Hermione replied.
"Find yourself something dark red. I need to find robes for myself." Ginny said impatiently.
"Right." Hermione gulped. Why, there must be a hundred different sets of robes in dark red in this store. Well, I guess I had better get started.
An hour later, Hermione had narrowed it down to three dresses. She presented them to Ginny, who had already purchased a set of robes.
"Well, let's see them." Ginny said.
At the first set, Ginny shook her head. "You look like a lumpy pudding in that one."
At the second, she simply pursed her lips.
At the third however, Ginny broke into what could only be described as a maniacal grin.
"That's it. Those are the robes that will make- that's the set we want."
Ginny mentally kicked herself. She had almost given away the new part of Operation Otter. Well, it wasn't a part of the plan, as Draco had no idea.
Ginny Weasley was determined to make the blonde oaf realize just why he always brought up Hermione in conversation.
Outside, Ginny pulled Hermione into The Three Broomstick, and ordered butterbeers for the both of them.
"Do you really think those robes are nice?" Hermione asked. She had loved them at first sight, but was not sure of what Ginny would think.
"Of course I do, Hermione. They are beautiful robes, and very festive too." Ginny smiled warmly at her friend.
"Now then…your hair shouldn't be a problem, it seems you've gotten it under control." Ginny said thoughtfully.
"Oh yeah, Draco gave me this great shampoo when he spilt mine. I put a refilling charm on it so that I don't run out." Hermione said enthusiastically.
Ginny smirked into her Butterbeer. Not only was Hermione oblivious to the scheme, she had inadvertently helped maintain the effects of Operation Otter.
"So that means that the only thing left to do is make up!"
Hermione blanched at Ginny's word.
"Ginny…you know I don't own makeup."
"I know, I know, I'll lend you some of mine. Actually, I'll give it to you. It'll just be a few odds and ends, but you don't wear makeup enough to really need it."
The older girl smiled gratefully at her friend.
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The Christmas Eve Feast was set to begin at 7:30, and at promptly 4:00, Hermione and Ginny disappeared into Hermione's room.
Ginny took her own sweet time curling her long red locks and applying her makeup. Hermione sat on her bed in a terrycloth bathrobe, kicking her feet. Finally, at 5:30, Ginny pronounced herself ready to go. She looked at Hermione, and flicked her wand.
The towel that Hermione had wrapped around her head, turban style, came undone, and her hair tumbled in a damp mess down her back.
With another swish of her wand Ginny performed a Drought Charm and Hermione's hair was instantly dried.
Next Ginny wrapped Hermione's hair around Celeste's Self Heating Curlers, and began to do her makeup.
Half an hour, a pot of Apple of the Eye color, a healthy dusting of blusher, a dab of lipstick, and several other instruments of beautifying torture later, Ginny stepped back to admire her handiwork.
Releasing Hermione's hair from the curlers, Ginny set about piling the think locks on top of Hermione's head.
Finally, at seven that evening, the two girls stepped into their dress robes.
Finally, Ginny allowed Hermione to look at herself in the mirror.
"Oh my." Hermione managed.
Her hair was piled high on her head, with loose curls escaping around her face and the nape of her neck.
Her makeup was light, accentuating the brown color of her eyes and her rosy cheeks.
The dress robes now seemed to glow with a magic of their own. In the store, it had been beautiful, but now the dress seemed heavenly.
It was a loose fitting robe, gathered below the bust in an empire waistline. The shining red fabric fell to the floor, shining black form certain angles.
The square neckline was modest and classic, as were the sheer sleeves with billowed out from the shoulder, gathering in at the wrist.
Hermione turned to Ginny, eyes wide with appreciation.
"It's nothing," Ginny said in an easygoing way. "I've always told you that you were very pretty Hermione. Maybe now you'll believe me."
Sharing a smile, the two girls exited Hermione's room. Draco, Harry, and Ron stood by the fireplace, all looking quite handsome in their black dress robes.
Hermione noticed that Ron's robes were new, and (sadly) lacking in lacy material around the wrists.
What she did not notice was the expression that passed over Draco's face as the familiar warm feeling lurched in his stomach.
I must be hungry, he thought. My stomach is going wild.
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Once everyone had eaten their fill of the roast turkey, eggnog and a large buche de noel appeared on the table.
"I think," Dumbledore said with a smile, "That it is time for dessert, and of course, dancing"
A small dance floor appeared near the beautifully set table, and a soft waltz surrounded the partygoers.
As Ron dug into the Yule log, Harry offered his hand to Ginny, and the two walked to the dance floor, where Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were already dancing.
Hermione took a sip of her eggnog, when to her great surprise, Draco held out his hand.
She took it gingerly, and they joined the growing group on the dance floor.
"You…" Draco began, feeling his voice about to squeak or something equally embarrassing.
He coughed and started again.
"You look very beautiful tonight Hermione."
She blushed and ducked her head.
Ginny, twirling by on Harry's arm, overheard Draco's comment, and silently cheered to herself.
At the next dance, Ron tapped Harry's shoulder.
Harry bowed out gracefully, and Ron twirled his sister around the room.
Harry, in turn, stepped in for Draco, and took Hermione in his arms.
Draco sat watching Hermione smile radiantly as she danced. The warm feeling that had been melting his insides while she was in his arms gradually subsided. He did not notice Ginny taking a seat beside him, watching her brother dance awkwardly with Professor Trelawny.
"Have you sussed it yet?" She said softly into Draco's ear.
He gave a slight start and looked at her quizzically.
"Sussed what?"
Ginny stood up. "Oh, never mind."
She began to walk away, and then turned back.
"Hermione looks wonderful tonight, doesn't she, Draco?" She said quietly, before joining a 5th year Ravenclaw further down the table.
She had said enough. The seed of realization planted in Draco the night he had first realized Hermione was quite attractive had put out a tender sprout, unfurling it's first leaf.
A/N: Maybe the title of this chapter should read "Red is for Gryffindor, or the Color of Draco's Face when he Realizes what an Idiot he is Being." But perhaps that would be overkill. Who knows?
Oh that's right...you do! Let me know what you think! (About everything, not just the title. But you are welcome to comment on that too.)
Elizabeth