Chapter Eight: All Over Town

A/N: I don't own Harry Potter.

"He's just a big girls blouse Hermione. You know that already…so take advantage of it" Ginny grinned waving her fork in Hermione's face, and throwing egg left and right.

"What advantage?" Hermione mumbled, picking eggs off her shirt "there aren't many advantages in this arrangement".

Today was going to be a hell of a day, and if this egg left a stain Hermione would go barmy. This was the nicest blouse she owned. "Succo" she said siphoning off the little bit of grease left over.

"Oh yes, because that would be great for Moine's reputation. The money swindler, that is well bad" Ron scoffed loudly "Just another spot on her otherwise gleaming record".

"Money swindler is it?" Hermione frowned glaring in Ron's direction "Another spot on my record is it? What are you implying Ron? Do you have something to say to me?"

"It's not swindling if you're married, and especially if it's gifts," Ginny said indignantly, ignoring Hermione's growing agitation. Ron glowered back at Ginny, also ignoring Hermione. "Right Harry?" Ginny asked.

Harry looked up from his plate, preoccupied in his own thoughts. "I reckon" he said dismissively, perhaps not even sure of the topic in discussion.

Ginny looked smugly at Hermione, the latter who was turning red in the face. "You should have fun. Honestly, being Malfoy's spouse is certain to have its privileges…and you may not have to spend as much time with him as you think. Especially once you're married…you'll be working…so mostly evenings, maybe weekends…"

"That's not the point Ginny" Hermione sputtered sighed dropping her fork onto her plate, the point was that getting married was probably going to be the easiest thing ahead of them, but Hermione wasn't about to admit it. "Just halt with all of this backseat driving. Brake, put the car in park, and get over it. The whole lot of you… well, except Harry. But you two" Hermione accused pointing at Ginny and Ron, "Are supposed to be making it easier for me. Not harder! What happened to all your supportive malarkey? I preferred that to this criticizing and nagging"

"It's not criticizing" Ginny muttered crossing her arms.

"Well what is it then? Just don't give me your opinions please, on anything. Unless I ask for it. No! Even if I should ask for your opinion, don't give it to me" Hermione hissed.

"Stressed much mate" Ron muttered biting into his muffin.

"Yes, yes I am. Very stressed. Since you have forgotten, let me remind you Ronald. I have a date with Malfoy's mother today. So pardon me if I'm a little stressed" Hermione added, only growing more annoyed.

"Blimey, sorry Mione" Ron said looking away.

"Don't have to bite my head off" Ginny frowned "But honestly, what's the problem. It's just Malfoy's mother. If you can handle Malfoy, you can handle his mother. It's not like you have to impress her"

"You don't understand…while I'm impartial to Malfoy generally…I feel apologetic towards his mother" All three abruptly gawked at her, bewildered. Hermione frowned and crossed her arms protectively "And my mother for that reason; both women, who are euphoric about what's about to happen between their only children. And I'm not sharing that enthusiasm. I have to go dress shopping today with Mrs. Malfoy. And I don't know how to even pretend I'm excited"

"Why does it matter if you're excited or not? I doubt Malfoy is acting like roses for your mum and dad" Ron jeered loudly.

"Well, it's not like you'd understand, and you're dead wrong. Nobody has to impress your- never mind" Hermione said brusquely "I've just had some time to think about this and mellow out the situation. As unfair as this is to Malfoy and me it's just as unfair to our parents. I know my mother is overwrought with joy, but she's saddened by my misery. I think his mum likely feels the same," Hermione explained shortly, so that Ron could understand.

This was partially true, but the real worry was that she now only had four days to complete the next mission with no idea of what it was. Yesterday she had sent the owl to the ministry, only to receive a bizarre and ambiguous reply that didn't explain anything. And on the same day receiving a request from Malfoy's mother to go dress shopping. Hermione naturally put two and two together and came to the conclusion that the task had something to do with being around Malfoy's mother. This logic came about due to the unbelievable convenience of the task and invitation occurring at the same time, as well as the impossibility that Malfoy's mother would want to shop for a dress let alone give Hermione an opportunity to choose it. And so, the pressure had steadily mounted over the last day. She needed to be extraordinary and charming today, she had to make Malfoy's mother smitten with her if she wanted to get this task completed. Malfoy, it seemed, had no indication of what she was going to do today, since he had made no mention of it all day yesterday.

Hermione drank her juice and looked at her watch. She had an hour before she needed to meet Mrs. Malfoy down at the train station in Hogsmeade. Just enough time to go and double check her appearance in the dorm and walk down. She stood and looked from Ginny to Harry to Ron meaningfully.

"Good luck Mione" Ron said swallowing a mouthful of bacon.

"You'll do great. It'll be perfect" Ginny assure with a nod.

"Yes, I reckon so" Harry said, not even looking up from his plate.

"I'm off" Hermione said walking away.

"Merlin she's touchy" Ron muttered as Hermione walked away. "It's not like she's the only one with a mother to impress, or their own to deal with"

"I reckon" Harry repeated.

"It's okay, it's perfectly okay. It's a beautiful day…la di da" Hermione murmured walking past the Whomping Willow and out of the school gates. She checked her skirt again, smoothing it down over her thighs with her sweaty palms. Narcissa Malfoy made Hermione incredibly nervous, and Hermione wasn't so sure she would be able to keep her breakfast down when they met. A part of Hermione was terrified of the woman, knowing all of the horrible things she was capable of. The other part of Hermione just wanted to impress her fiancés mother. It was a sickening combination that only occurred in do-gooders like Hermione and Percy Weasley.

Hermione could see the train station from a hundred meters away, but there was nobody waiting on or near it. She checked her watch, there was still fifteen minutes left. 'Just be calm' she chanted to herself. But being calm was easier to do when she was alone, how well would her mantra work in Narcissa Malfoy's presence. Just thinking about the woman's cold arrogance made Hermione break out in another strong sweat.

"Blimey!" Hermione gasped. It hadn't fully occurred to her that they were going dress shopping. Wedding dress shopping. What if Narcissa criticized Hermione's body, what if she called her fat, and told her she needed to lose weight because she resembled a killer whale? Suddenly, that second croissant seemed like a poor idea.

No, Narcissa Malfoy wasn't so untactful. Though she may think such things, Hermione actually doubted they would be voiced. Likely Narcissa would find clever ways to starve Hermione before the wedding. It was expected that in some cases the mother in law would be unbearable in a habitual controlling way. But Hermione knew that there was nothing normal about this marriage, and that anything considered normal in a muggle marriage would only be infinitely fiercer in a magical marriage. She was only twenty meters away from the station now. To her left Hogsmeade was bustling with people doing errands or older students walking about. Hermione would rather be with them.

"Ah, hello Hermione"

Hermione stopped in her tracks rigid as a board.

"H-hello Mrs. Malfoy" she stammered, noticing Narcissa Malfoy standing before her. How had she sprung up so quickly and silently? Hermione gazed up into her beautiful and collected face. Narcissa was wearing muggle attire, very pretty muggle attire. A light blue dress that matched her eyes, a lovely cream cardigan, and a muggle bag of which the price could purchase a modest car. All together, the effect made Hermione's outfit seem drab and shabby in comparison.

"Call me Narcissa. I am your mother in law, but I'm not nearly old enough to be referred to by my married name" she laughed. Hermione could see how she felt that way.

"Sure" Hermione agreed.

"How have you been dear? Getting along with Draco?" she asked lightly.

"Oh, yes, of course" Hermione said quickly, thinking back on the consistent bickering between them. But it wouldn't do well to raise alarms with Malfoy's mum. Hermione needed to seem like the golden one in the pair.

"Working through that marriage course without problem?" Narcissa questioned, her left eyebrow rising.

"Absolutely without a hitch" Hermione assured her, throwing in a smile for good measure. Of course, if it were otherwise, she and Malfoy would likely be dead instead.

"Glad to hear it" Narcissa said, smiling back. It seemed to light up her face, and make it gentler. Hermione relaxed slightly.

"I've made an appointment for us in downtown London at a most fabulous salon" Narcissa said, beginning to walk back up the train platform. Hermione followed her quickly, trying to match their strides.

"A muggle shop?" she asked curiously.

"Of course not!" Narcissa exclaimed. No, of course not. "Well, she does sell to muggles and witches alike, due to the variety of designers she carries, and I suppose it's good for business. But it's an exclusive clientele, no riffraff or undignified persons. Plus, she has to carefully divide the magical...and non-magical customers, for some of the dress designes are likely unimaginable for muggles"

Hermione just nodded. Of course, wherever they were going, it wouldn't be cheap, and it may be tacky. Hermione wasn't too worried about the price. She had a modest savings, as well as the ministry award she was given, more than enough money to keep her alive for the rest of her life. But a good seven years portion would probably be spent on this dress.

"I see" Hermione said.

"Come then, we're apparating. Best not be late for our appointment. It wouldn't be in good taste," Narcissa said grabbing Hermione's arm. And before Hermione could brace herself, she felt the suction sensation surround her. A moment later they landed in a small cobbled lane. Out on the main street it was a thick swarm of shoppers, making their sudden appearance completely unnoticed.

"This way dear" Narcissa said, beginning to walk away. Again, Hermione was following her, unable to keep up with the woman's long legs. They walked towards the end of the alley, which led to a dead end, and away from the bustle of the street. Narcissa stopped abruptly and knocked on a door that had appeared in the wall, as things often did in the magical world.

The door opened slowly, "Appointment?" a female voice asked.

"Narcissa Malfoy, bride; Hermione Granger"

"Please, come in" the door opened wider and Narcissa entered without hesitation.

"Come on then Hermione" she said without looking back. Hermione walked up to the door and stepped in. It closed behind her. Hermione turned to face a young girl in a pink apron standing by the door.

"Can I take your coats and bags?" she asked softly.

"Yes" Narcissa said absentmindedly, practically throwing her cardigan and bag at the girl. Hermione handed her purse over as well, though in a more gentle fashion. "May we head upstairs?"

"Certainly" the girl said with a bow stepping away.

Hermione looked around. They were in a small circular foyer that only had two doors, the one from which they entered, and another at the opposite end. One set of stairs was to their left; Hermione assumed their destination was in that direction. Again, Narcissa began to move without her. The whole area was a strange combination of pink and eggshell. Marble flooring, heavy wainscoting, and a strong floral design told Hermione this was not a place she would have ever entered of her own will. She grudgingly began to move upstairs, following Malfoy's mother. 'Smile Hermione' she reminded herself.

Hermione wondered if muggles entered from the same entrance they came, or if they came from the main street. Knowing Narcissa, their entrance was probably exclusive.

Upstairs was another larger, circular room, with many more doors, and many dresses all on racks around the room. In the middle of the room was a seating area with magazine and a tea set. A giant mirror curved along half the circular wall. Hermione cautiously followed Narcissa to the middle of the room. There was a dress near the mirror on a doll, it was covered in pins and double-sided tape, being altered. It was also very ugly, it looked like something Pansy Parkinson would have chosen. It may as well have been hers for all Hermione knew.

"Do you like that one?" Narcissa asked pointing at it.

"Uh" Hermione grimaced. "I don't want to have the same one as anybody else" Hermione said slyly.

"Of course, you're right. A Malfoy bride should never wear a copy," Narcissa agreed.

"Where is Emeralda?" she added in annoyance looking around the room. Hermione said nothing; instead she sat on the far end of the couch and placed her hands in her lap. Narcissa began to move around the room, pulling down dresses from the racks and throwing them over a pink armchair sitting next to Hermione.

Occasionally she would ask Hermione on her opinion on a dress. Mostly Hermione would reply with 'It's lovely' or 'I'm not so sure'.

"What about this one?"

'This one' was large, glistening, and had papier-mâché butterflies all along the bottom. "Uh…I…don't feel very strongly about it" Hermione said softly.

"Me neither" Narcissa said with a grimace placing it back on the rack.

Finally, a door to the left opened, and the woman who must have been Emeralda entered the room. She was small, distinctly pink, with a large bun hairstyle. A tape measure hung over her shoulder and she carried a plush cauldron in her hand stuck full of pins. "Sorry Narcissa, had a nasty little witch who wanted a discount" Emeralda sighed tiredly, "had to talk her down from thirty gallons to five".

"How distasteful" Narcissa shuddered.

"This the bride?" Emeralda asked, fixing her gaze on Hermione. Hermione stiffened. "You never said Draco was marrying Hermione Granger"

"It doesn't matter" Narcissa said quickly.

"Well, pretty girl. And likely a good bit smarter than your Draco. Could be a good match" Emeralda said to no one in particular, "Stand up dearie, let's have you measured" she said briskly, walking over to the mirror.

Hermione stood and marched over, wondering what Malfoy's mother meant by it not mattering if she was to be Malfoy's wife. Hermione was certain it was an insult of some sort. Narcissa actually being as accepting as she pretended to be was too good to be true. She stepped on the small pink podium before the mirror. Emeralda was pulling different tape measures out of pockets. Hermione wondered how the small woman would reach to measure her. But then again, Emeralda was likely a witch. Sure enough, once she had found the tool she had been looking for Emeralda took out her wand. With a flourish of the hand, the tape measure began to quickly wind around Hermione, sometimes tightening a little much, and clearly taking the wrong size. "Good, any ideas what we're going to try? Have you taken a look at any of the dresses? Anything you've taken a fancy to?"

Narcissa cleared her throat, "I've taken down a couple Emeralda" she said motioning to the huge pile on the chair "I thought we could begin with these" Emeralda didn't look surprised enough to Hermione, but perhaps the small seamstress had to deal with this type of customer more regularly that Hermione thought.

"Number one" Emeralda said walking over and grabbing the first dress. Hermione stopped herself from grimacing, Narcissa had clearly picked this dress while she wasn't looking.

"Come on then, into the fitting room" she sighed pulling back a curtain Hermione hadn't even noticed between the racks of dresses. Quickly she walked behind the curtain. "Don't look so worried dear, try and enjoy it. You only get married once," the little lady said as she hung the dress on the wall. "If you're lucky"

Hermione undressed quickly, and stepped into the gown. Emeralda moved behind her to do it up. "Ohhh" Hermione exhaled as the zipper flew up.

"Tight enough"

"Oh, yes" Hermione wheezed. She hoped her internal organs did not explode from the pressure.

"Let's take a look then" Emeralda said throwing the curtain open.

Hermione tottered, for the weight of the dress made it difficult to walk normally, over to the mirror. When she had stepped on the platform, she looked at herself. "AHHH!" she gasped.

"Beautiful? Right?" Emeralda smiled.

"Gorgeous" Narcissa said calmly coming to stand next to Hermione.

"Uh…uh…"Hermione stuttered.

The dress…looked like a deranged snow globe. The top was fine enough, but the skirt…unicorns danced along the fabric, and tufts of cloud, or cotton stuck out from the pleats. It was too much to look at; it was mesmerizing in the worst way possible. Malfoy would never let her forget it if she walked down the aisle in this.

"How do you like it dear?" Emeralda asked kindly.

"It's…a little strong" Hermione said softly.

"I do find the unicorns a little vulgar, it isn't exactly the theme of the wedding" Narcissa added pulling at the fabric of the skirt "looked nicer on the hanger".

'Would look nice in the fireplace" Hermione thought. The realization hit her "What is the theme of the wedding?" she asked uncertainly.

"Old glory days of wizards. The wonderful fifties. Jazz music, romance, billowy robes in pastels…" Narcissa sighed dreamily.

"Right" Hermione exhaled, looking at the dress again.

"Well, let's try number two" Emeralda suggested.

Number two and three were no better. For a lady as sophisticated as Narcissa Malfoy, her choice in dresses was questionable. That, or she was just doing it to have a laugh at Hermione. It would have been nicer if her own mother were here. Hermione could have used the support of a friendly face. Even though she wasn't going to have to romantic love of her life that Hermione had always desired, and she had no reason to enjoy the things happening…she still wanted to have the dress. It would make her feel better to know that even if she didn't love Malfoy, she loved her dress.

Dress number four had incredible fanned sleeves that stood all on their own and reminded Hermione of wings. After clipping Malfoy's mother in the face with one of these sleeves accidently, the dress was quickly written off.

Number five wasn't too awful, but it showcased Hermione's absolute lack of cleavage, and for that reason was also thrown into the rejection pile. Six was a frosted cake, and seven looked like a nuns habit. Eight was almost right, but Narcissa found it too plain, for it lacked live birds and goblin diamonds, and likely wasn't expensive enough for her tastes.

Hermione was beginning to get very hot and tired. It was a lot of work just trying the dresses on, and despite herself she was getting frustrated. "OW! Watch where you're sticking that pin!" she snapped at Emeralda as they pulled on dress number nine.

"Sorry love" Emeralda muttered, "I'm just getting a bit tired. And I can tell you are too. Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find something. If it's too much today, we can make another appointment"

Hermione looked down at the dress. "I don't even want to go out in this one" she cried loudly "It's awful…" the dress was like the planetary system, with white orbs floating about the skirt. Hermione was loosing it, and quickly. Her calm and elegance was draining out of her, and soon she would be bawling on the ground.

"Why don't you pick one?" Emeralda suggested quickly, sensing the typical bridal meltdown, and trying to avert Hermione attention away from the hideous dress.

Hermione drew back the curtain roughly and looked around the room with watery eyes. Narcissa was falling asleep on the couch, surrounded by dresses. Hermione walked over to the first rack and dived in. She looked as sensibly as she could at the dresses on the racks. She wanted to choose carefully, the less left to try on, the better. Though she had tried at least a dozen dresses, the racks were still bursting with white taffeta and silk.

"This one" Hermione sighed pulling out a glossy light dress from the pile. It wasn't extraordinary, but it looked nice, and it was a change of pace from all of the other bollock she'd already tried on. Maybe she wouldn't have her dress either, but she wouldn't look like a cake on her wedding day.

"That's nice" Narcissa said unenthusiastically, then yawned. Clearly she was tired, but Hermione was as well. Malfoy's mum was beginning to be unhelpful, and more of a hindrance than Hermione expected. She had hoped that having Narcissa around would make the process painless and efficient, not so drawn out.

Hermione began pulling off the orbital dress before even reaching the fitting room. She just wanted something to work already. At this point she wouldn't mind getting married in her Hogwarts robes if that was what it took to get out of this store.

The dress, number eleven or whatever, went on easy enough. "It's okay, I like it" Hermione exhaled in relief. Nothing flew out from the bodice, the straps didn't sing, no unicorn floated along the skirt, definite improvement.

The dress was a loose satin, the neck was a boat cut, which hid the assets Hermione lacked, thankfully. Sleeveless and droopy low in the back, with light thin layers, it was comfortable. No ribbing, no lace, no belts, nothing constricting. Hermione would do whatever it took to convince Narcissa this was the one. If she had to try on another dress, she would go mental.

"I want this one" Hermione said as assuredly as she could walking over to the mirror.

"Are you certain?" Narcissa said, suddenly waking from her reverie "we've barely tried any on"

"I'm sure," Hermione said, thinking that she'd been the only one trying them on anyway.

"It's rather plain though" Narcissa frowned.

"Well, the ones you picked weren't exactly of the classy variety. Just because it's a song and dance doesn't always make it beautiful" Emeralda said, adjusting the layers on Hermione's dress.

"Perhaps Hermione just can't pull off such strong dresses, it's not down to the dress" Narcissa suggested.

"Ah, come off it. Nobody can pull off those dresses. Girls just think they can, and that's why I sell 'em. Just take the shame Narcissa. Those were some poor choices"

"Well, can't we add something?" she asked Emeralda haughtily. Hermione was beginning to feel awkward. These two women clearly had no problems letting their feelings about one another be known. It was interesting to see someone talk back to Malfoy's mother in unconcerned way.

"Like?" Emeralda said raising her brows.

"Something sparkly"

"A tiara?"

"No, I have one that my mother passed on to me…I was thinking directly on the dress" Narcissa smiled.

"No, I like it as is" Hermione added assertively. As the minutes went by she liked this dress more and more. Or, she hated the other ones more and more. "I don't want anything added to it, it's lovely as is"

Narcissa frowned at Hermione. She walked over and looked at the dress carefully, pulling apart the layers of thin fabric, looking at the stitching, and then she sighed. "If this is the one you like, then let's get this one" Narcissa relented finally. Her own exhaustion likely overtaking the importance of a grandiose dress.

Hermione smiled brightly for the first time that day.

"It's a wonderful choice, the unicorn hair really gives it that light as air effect. But it'll never rip" Emeralda added placing a veil on Hermione's head.

"Unicorn hair?" Hermione gasped in horror.

"Perhaps we can turn it into curtains after the wedding as a keepsake?" Narcissa suggested.

"Unicorn hair?" Hermione repeated holding up the layers of the skirt close to her face and scrutinizing it.

"I'll pay in advance," Narcissa said ignoring Hermione and following Emeralda out of the room.

"Unicorn hair…but…one strand is about a dozen gallons" Hermione exhaled.

After Malfoy's mother purchased the dress, and another fitting appointment in three weeks time was made, the two headed to a very long dinner. Luckily, food seemed to restore Narcissa and Hermione both to their calm selves, and it passed serenely with small talk.

Hermione finally returned to Hogwarts at seven that night. She was full of foods she had never desired to taste before, at Narcissa's insistence, but generally happy.

There had been a slight altercation between her and her future mother in law about the purchasing of the dress. Narcissa won, and so the dress went onto the Malfoy banking account. Narcissa later said it was only fair, considering Hermione's parents would be gifting the newlywed house. Hermione was certain the dress cost more than the house.

The wedding itself was less than a month away, right after school exams. Most of the weddings arranged by the ministry were within this time period, with the exception of Harry and Ginny who were waiting until September. Lucky for them, they could choose whenever. Hermione pushed open the large front doors and entered the foyer.

Had she even managed to complete the ministry task? She wouldn't even know until they sent her the owl. Somehow, she doubted it. Today had just been too simple to have been a test. And so she still had an unresolved issue to complete in three days.

"Oh, you're back" Malfoy said exiting the great hall. Surprisingly alone, and with impeccable timing.

"Yes"

"I only heard after you'd left from Weasley that my mother had sent the invite. Sorry, had you told me before, I may have been able to prep you. But astonishingly you have returned alive, I congratulate you" he grinned.

"Well out of order, that little comment. Don't talk about it so lightly; I could have easily died today. Had heart palpitations with every dress I tried on" Hermione replied in what she thought was a wry tone, but it likely came off more agitated.

"Darn, thought I might have it off easy. No luck I suppose"

"What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione sighed resignedly, "It's been a long day and I'd like to go drown myself in the bath if it's all right with you"

"Right, well, don't partake in suicide just yet. There's still time for that option. Rather, I was thinking we could go to Diagon Alley tomorrow" he suggested pushing his hands into his pant pockets nervously.

"Whatever for, do I look like I want to go?" Hermione asked.

"Well, you do though" Malfoy smirked.

"Well, I don't though"

"Well, you do though"

"No, I don't though" Hermione insisted, though she was incredibly curious about what Malfoy wanted in Diagon Alley.

"Right, we still have a lot of errands to run with regards to the wedding. We need to find a florist, and visit the bakery for a cake…"

"Can't your parents do it?" she asked, stupefied that they'd have to lift a finger at all with regards to the preparations.

"Well, if you want multicoloured bouquets of passiflora, and a cake in our likenesses it's my mother's specialty. But, I think it would be advisable that we complete these tasks ourselves" Malfoy shrugged.

Hermione looked him over dubiously; it was indeed strange that Malfoy would want to accomplish these chores, let alone with her, and he was being very unrelenting. Either, his mother had cornered him into it, or this could have been a ministry set-up.

"Right, I'll see you down here at eleven tomorrow" Hermione agreed, reluctant, but interested to see whether it proved to be an assignment.

"Brilliant, see you tomorrow" Malfoy agreed with a grin, then turned on his heel and walked away with a sudden bounce in his step.

Hermione's eyes widened incredulously watching him leave; was he happy? He looked happy. So why was he happy? What could possibly have made him so happy about all of this…a happy Malfoy, usually meant a miserable Hermione.