The Secret Admirer of Hermione Jean Granger
A/N: Hello there,
I know that it's been really long since I've updated this story, and you must be really wild about that, but I've decided to update today.
Thanks a lot for all your lovely reviews. I'll be glad if you send more.
Chapter7. Diagon Alley
*FLASHBACK*
Harry and Ginny grinned. They had the same thought in mind that no matter what their age is Ron and Hermione will never stop arguing with each other.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
Days passed very quickly. It was November already. It was getting colder. Hermione and Draco became closer but Ron still hated Pansy with pure venom. Pansy hated him too so it was not much of a problem.
It was dinner and Ginny was pestering Harry, Hermione and Ron.
"Oh c'mon, it's isn't that bad. I mean, we have to get our dress robes some day or the other. So why not tomorrow? It's a Saturday too," simpered Ginny.
"I've told you Ginny, it's not as important as Quidditch. Why don't you take Hermione and Luna along with you?" asked Harry, who was fed up.
"Excuse me! I'm not a free person! I've got loads to study. It's our N.E. year if you don't remember. And, why would I waste my precious time to buy dress robes instead of doing my homework?" snapped Hermione, in a know-it-all voice.
"Please Hermione, that's what you do throughout the year. It's already the 500th time you've been to the library till now," said Ginny, pouting, "Let's go tomorrow. It'll be fine. I'm telling you. You won't get bored with me."
Hermione remained quiet for some time. Then suddenly from behind her a voice said,
"Of course she will come, Weasley, I mean Ginevra. I will see to that."
Hermione and Ginny turned behind and saw Draco standing with Blaise and Pansy. Draco smirked at them while Pansy and Blaise just grinned.
"And what do you think are you doing here?" growled Ron, "Especially you, Parkinson. As if I didn't have enough of you for two months."
"I came here with Draco, Weasley. I'm as interested to see you as you are to see me," crooned Pansy.
"Well," said Ginny, "Now you have to come anyway, Hermione. Malfoy will help me with that."
Hermione huffed, "As if I'll listen to him. Keep dreaming, Ginny."
"Oh I will, Hermione," said Ginny in a sing-song voice.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Fine, I'll come," she said, finally, "But not for long though."
"Yippee…! I knew you would, Hermione. Thanks a lot, Malfoy," said Ginny.
"That wasn't a problem," said Draco.
Harry said, "Ok, I guess we better go back to our dorms now. It's already late."
"Yeah, we should. Then we can play Quidditch the whole day," agreed Ron.
Hermione yawned and said, "You are the most boring person in the world, Ronald Weasley."
"I definitely agree with you here, Granger," said Pansy, nodding.
"So do I, 'mione," said Ginny, smirking.
Draco said, "Tough luck, Weasley. You're not so lucky with girls, after all."
And he dodged the punch he was about to receive from Ron.
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The next day, Ginny got ready quickly and proceeded to bang the door of Hermione and Draco's room, very loudly.
"Hey Weasley," came the sleepy voice of Draco, "I told you could take Granger and go, I didn't ask you to become my personal alarm clock too."
"Shut up, Draco," came Hermione's voice, "I'm coming Ginny, hang on."
The door opened and revealed Hermione, who was also ready. It also revealed Draco, who was sleeping on the couch, wearing only silk pyjamas
Ginny smirked mischievously. "So," she said, "Did you two have fun last night?"
Hermione turned the color of Ginny's hair and Draco fell out of the couch on the floor.
"Bloody hell, Weasley!" yelled Draco, "What made you day that?"
"Ginevra Weasley," growled Hermione, "You-are-so-dead."
Ginny burst out laughing. "Oh c'mon, your expressions were definitely priceless. I can't believe that you actually fell for that! You guys took it so seriously. I was just pulling your legs, unless…you are really going out."
"Another word, Ginny and I promise that I won't be coming with you and that's final," said Hermione.
"Okay, fine. I'll be quiet," said Ginny, grinning.
"Now that you will, will you two lovely ladies finally leave me alone to get my beauty sleep?" whined Draco, impatiently.
"Sleep on, sloth," muttered Hermione and Ginny giggled.
"What was that?" said Draco, sharply.
"Oh nothing, your highness," said Hermione, sweetly.
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They left the common room and went straight to Hogsmeade in the short cut Harry used to take in his third year. From Hogsmeade there was a short cut to go to Diagon Alley. Then, they reached the familiar Alley, where they always went to purchase their school requirements.
"Are you sure that the shop for the costumes are here?" asked Ginny, nervously, as they passed many shops.
"Positive," replied Hermione, "I've checked some of those Witch Weekly magazines that I've borrowed from Lavender."
"Good," said Ginny.
"So Ginny," said Hermione suddenly remembering, "Why did you look flushed on the first day after they sorted us with our 'partners' after Potions?"
Ginny turned slightly pink again but said, "Well, you know, Zabini knew that that there would be a ball this year for Christmas and Graduation, since his mother confirmed it with Dumbledore. So he cornered me…" she stopped when Hermione gave a triumphant 'ha!'
"Do you want me to continue?" asked Ginny, testily.
"Oh yes, Gin," crooned Hermione, "I wanted to know what happened with you and Zabini."
"Oh c'mon, Herms," said Ginny, "Okay, now as I said, he cornered me after Potions and told me that this was private and it should not be told to everyone. Then we went to near Hagrid's hut and there he told me that his mother had told him to buy his, partner whoever it may be, a graduation ball gown from his behalf. So he told me that whenever I'm going to buy it, he'll be coming with me, whether I'm already taken or no."
"Whoa," said Hermione, dreamily, "That's so cute."
"Excuse me, Hermione, I hope you remember that I am already taken. Harry Potter, remember?" said Ginny, imitating Hermione's know-it-all voice.
"Yeah, I do," said Hermione, "Okay, look, here's the shop I was looking for. It's the same that was printed in the magazine."
They stopped at a big shop that was called 'Madame Adora: Makers of Finest Dress Robes and Costumes since 78 A.D.'
"Wow…" gasped Ginny, "It's so big."
"Sure it is," said Hermione in the same tone.
"C'mon, let's go inside," said Ginny, pulling Hermione with her inside the shop.
Inside a middle aged lady greeted them warmly. She said, "Welcome to Madame Adora, my name is Elizabeth. Do you need any help?"
"That would be of great help. We're from Hogwarts and we're looking for some costumes to wear at the Christmas ball," said Hermione, politely.
"Oh yes, Hogwarts students. I'll be glad to help you. Come with me," said Elizabeth.
And she took them to a section full of costumes. There were many of them.
"Here they are," said Elizabeth, "Now, take your pick."
"Sure, thanks a lot," said Hermione.
The two of them turned to look at the variety of costumes behind them. It was difficult to choose from so many of them.
"What do you have in mind?" asked Ginny.
"I don't know. What about you?" said Hermione.
"I was just wondering about that. Maybe I'll go as Juliette from that Romeo and Juliette book I read," said Ginny, "Dad had borrowed that book once and I read it because I felt bored."
"Good idea," said Hermione, "Then I think that I've found you the perfect costume."
She pulled out a violet gown that had silver frills on the sleeves and the bottom. It also had gold ribbons in the waist. It was full sleeved and the sleeves resembled that of the old fashioned gown. It looked classy.
"Wow, Hermione. That's the perfect one," whispered Ginny, eyes shining with joy, "That's really beautiful. And it goes well with my hair too. I'll buy this one."
Hermione smiled at her best friend. "Sure, and I hope you remember your promise that I'll be buying your gown."
"Oh no, Hermione. Let me buy it, it's not a problem," said Ginny, at once.
"Shut up, Ginny, you listen as I say. Now, let's give it to Elizabeth," said Hermione.
They went to the cashier and gave the gown to Elizabeth who looked at it and said, "Ah, a good choice I must say. It is one of the best gowns here. I'll keep this aside. Now, the other young lady can have her choice."
Hermione smiled and they went back to the same place.
"I really don't know what I should become," said Hermione.
"Well," said Ginny, who always had good ideas, "I was wondering, if you wanted to become, Cinderella or maybe Belle or Aurora?"
"Hmmn… that's quite an idea. I think I'll go as Cinderella at the ball," said Hermione, with a wide smile on her face.
Ginny grinned and said, "Now I'll select the gown for you."
And after two minutes of gown hunting, Ginny pulled out a pale blue gown which resembled the same one that was worn by Cinderella. It looked so similar that Hermione actually gasped and said, "Oh my gosh, it looks the same as the one worn by the Cinderella in that movie."
"Movie?" said Ginny, "Oh do you mean by those moving things in that box those muggles have?"
"Yes, the very same," said Hermione, "I'm buying this one."
She and Ginny went back to the cashier where Elizabeth was waiting for them.
"Ah, another fine choice of dress robes. I'm glad that finally someone's got a good choice of dress selection. Do you want the matching shoes and necklace?" she asked.
"That would be great," said Hermione, "Thanks a lot."
Elizabeth flicked her wand at the gowns and the accessories and they all got packed in two different boxes.
"And your total comes to two thousand five hundred galleons, and fifty sickles. Your dresses will be sent to your respective common rooms after a day."
Ginny gasped at that and she said, "Hermione, look you don't have to buy me…"
She was cut off by Elizabeth who said, "But I was told that your dress robes will be paid for by Mr. Malfoy."
Hermione's mouth dropped low and Ginny suddenly grinned.
"But how does he know? He was sleeping today morning when we left," said Hermione, confused.
"Or pretending to, Granger," came the familiar drawl of Draco Malfoy from behind them.
Hermione and Ginny quickly turned behind and saw Draco with Blaise grinning at them.
"Thanks for adding it to the Malfoy account, Madame Elizabeth," said Draco and Elizabeth smiled at him.
Hermione said, "Hey! You don't have to do that. I can afford all this."
"It doesn't matter if you can afford it or no," said Draco, "You are my 'date' for the ball, and all Malfoys always buy the dress robes for their escorts."
Hermione huffed and Ginny grinned and said, "Being a gentleman, are you, Malfoy?"
"All Malfoys ARE gentlemen, Weasley," said Draco, "Don't you think that I can act pretty well, Hermione?"
"Of course, I forgot," said Hermione, sarcastically, "All Malfoys are good actors AND boasters too."
Ginny giggled while Blaise smirked.
"Come, let's go straight to Hogsmeade to Madame Rosmerta's shop. Your lovely friends are waiting for you," said Draco.
And they left Diagon Alley to join their friends in Hogsmeade.
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A/N: That's all for this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it.
Please send all your blessings, love and affection and also curses in the form of reviews. Thanks a lot, if you do, and thanks for reading the story till now.
I will be publishing the names of all of you who have been with me from the beginning in the next chapter.
Till next time,
Athena Black Malfoy
