I am so sorry for the mighty long update, if this were a school report, it would read, could do better. I am also working on plans for a much darker fic, which I only write when I am having a really bad day, or a bulimic relapse. It is so much easier to write then. But here we go, I squeezed out another one this morning, it's not a biggy, but it's something to snack on for now!! Reviews keep me going guys!!

Sorry for any mistakes, not got round to betaing! xxxx

''Are you ready yet?'' Ginny called through the door to Hermione's quarters. ''We have some serious shopping to do today.''

''Coming Gin.'' Hermione replied, opening the door and grinning at her friend, ''Are you sure you don't mind doing this? I mean, you don't have to come if you don't want to.''

Ginny laughed, ''Of course I want to. Not only do we get to shop all day on a pretty much unlimited budget, but we get to miss a whole day of school. I'm missing double transfiguration and potions!'' Ginny paused, and turned bright red, ''Not that I don't like potions or anything, it's just that...''

Hermione's laugh cut off Ginnys speech as they walked towards the front doors of the castle, ''Don't worry Gin, I know what you mean.'' Ginny smiled at Hermione as her cheeks returned to a more natural colour. Hermione continued, ''Are we ready then or not?''

Ginny was the first to step into the leaky cauldron after apparating to a nearby alley. The two girls walked through the small pub together to the entrance of Diagon Alley.

''Where to first?'' Ginny asked as Hermione followed behind her, took a long list from her pocket, and began to consult it.

''Well, we'll get the dress first I think, then the lingerie and nightwear. Then the new robes for everyday wear. Finally the ring.''

''Why do you need new robes?'' Ginny asked

''Severus asked me to get some, and a couple of formal dresses. I'm not sure why.''

''Ooh, that sounds ominous. But where does he get all of his money from? Has he got any other property than that dump he owns in the muggle village?''

''I haven't got a clue Gin.'' Hermione replied, ''He might just be spending my dowry, which I can't say I mind particularly. It's money I'm not allowed to spend myself.''

''Suppose so,'' Ginny said, walking in to the throng of people.

''Let's get going then, we have a lot to do and very little time to do it in.''

Ginny stopped walking, ''But 'Mione, Madame Malkins' is this way'' she said, pointing behind her.

''I know it is Gin, but we're not going there. Come on.'' Hermione set off down down a narrow, yet tidy alleyway. It seemed quite long to Ginny, who thought Hermione had lost her marbles, but began widening after about two hundred meters or so. The girls just stood alone, at the end of the alley, gob smacked at what they saw. For in front of them was the most beautiful place they had ever seen in their lives, a small square with a pure white marble floor welcomed their entrance into this place. There was a large glass fountain of two dolphins dancing around one another in the centre of the square, surrounded by rose bushes. Three of the four sides of the square were adorned by the most expensive looking shop fronts the girls had ever seen. Hermione stopped walking, watching the dolphins swirl around each other and said, ''Severus told me about this place. It's where the wizarding aristocracy shop, it's called Marble Square.''

Ginny was awestruck, ''Why did I never learn about this place?''

''Come on,'' Hermione said quickly, causing Ginny to snap out of her reverie, ''We have a dress to buy!'' The two girls headed for a shop on the right hand side of the square, the front window of which was filled with flowers and lace, it was called 'Di Nozze'.

''I never knew there were so many shades of white!'' Ginny exclaimed as she stepped into the shop after Hermione, who was already at the counter. A beautiful lady with long, dark straight hair, turned to face the girls. Dressed all in pale yellow, her olive skin stood out in stark contrast with the white dresses surrounding her. The shop seemed to ooze class and Ginny was surprised she hadn't been thrown out already, her old t-shirt and jeans looked terrible compared to all of the beautiful fabrics next to her.

''My name is Hermione Granger, I believe my err... future husband sent you an owl to let you know I would be coming''

''He certainly did,'' the lady said, speaking with a thick Italian accent, ''My name is Adela, I will help you to choose the dress today, I then fit it for you.''

''Thank you very much.'' Hermione replied. Adela walked out from behind the counter, and towards Hermione,

''What type of dress you look for? Mister Snape said you may not wanting to go for traditional brides robes because of your... how do you say... arrangement.''

''I want something simple, yet elegant. I would also like it to be ivory or cream coloured, not white.''

''This I can do, come. I show you the dresses that will make you into a queen, if only for little time'' The girls followed Adela to a rack filled with ivory coloured dresses, where their beautiful Italian assistant began pulling out dresses at, what seemed to be, random. ''You try these.'' She said, before leading the girls through to a smaller dressing room.

All four walls were covered in mirrors, and the floor was pale tiles. The lights were so bright Hermione was nearly dazzled.

''The girl,'' Adela said, ''She is the bridesmaid?''

Ginny was about to say no when Hermione interrupted, ''Yes, she is.''

''Then I bring matching dress to her. Wait.'' The two girls stood silently for no more than half a minute before Adela was back, arms laden with dresses.

''Now we begin.'' Was all she said before she magically stripped the girls of all clothes but their underwear.

''This one?'' Hermione said as she twirled about in yet another slim fit ivory dress

''No Herms, it's far too plain. Make it special.''

''Okay, I'll be back in a minute. I've seen one I like but it might look too much like a meringue.''

''Trust me honey, nothing in this world could possibly look as much like a meringue as my mums wedding dress.''

''You've got a point there Gin...'' Hermione looked thoughtful, ''but that was years ago, it's not the fashion any more.''

''You not worry about the 'fashion' '' Adela said the word with disgust, ''You worry about the beauty, the art. If dress looks good, then it will be worn!'' Hermione smiled at Adela as she left the room, Ginny was sat in a huge fluffy bath robe waiting for Hermione to choose her dress. Whatever she chose, it seemed Ginny would be wearing the corresponding bridesmaid's dress. Although, Ginny didn't see why she had to be in her underwear, when she tried to ask Adela where her clothes had been vanished to, all she got was a bundle of Italian spoken at her very, very fast, before Adela said something about, ''One is to be naked, then two is to be naked.''

''Oh Merlin... who on earth are you and what have you done with my mate Hermione?'' Ginny asked the vision that stepped from the dressing room.

''Do you like it?'' Hermione asked, giving her friend a little swish of her skirts.

''Like it? Like it? I bloody love it!'' Ginny stood up and hugged her friend, ''You look like something from a storybook.

''Bella, meraviglioso, perfetto, superba, favolosa! Wonderful, wonderful girl! This is the dress. I say you will look like a queen! I am always right'' Adela cried, marching in between the two girls.

Hermione stood still on a small podium while Adela performed the necessary spells to fit the dress perfectly to Hermione's shape. The sweetheart neckline was lowered slightly to expose some cleavage and the long sleeves were shortened to cut off at the elbow. The beaded bodice was brought in using a spell that involved pulling the boning tight to show off Hermione's shape perfectly and the skirt was shortened slightly so that the intricate lace detailing just touched the floor. With a flick of her wand, Adela sent a stream of gold roses flying to the dress and sitting on Hermione's hips. The skirt flowed about her perfectly in Hermiones opinion, but Adela still managed to improve it by making her step into a huge net petticoat.

Ginny sighed, ''You're beautiful...''

The girls stepped out of the wedding shop smiling and laughing, they had finished ordering their dresses and had decided to go for a spot of lunch, Hermione was in the middle of consulting her all-too-detailed list when she saw Ginny whip out her wand,

''What the...'' Hermione began, looking baffled

''Oh please, Miss Weasley, don't embarrass yourself and put it away.''

''I will kill you for what you did. I will hex your balls off then stuff them down your throat!'' Ginny spat, looking at her opponent,

''Oh of course you will, but then you won't get any lunch will you?'' Lucius Malfoy said, courteously extending his hand to Hermione, who took it and blushed.

''Hermione? What in Merlin's name are you doing?'' Ginny asked, looking as though she had just been slapped round the face with a piece of wet boomslang skin.

''Ginny, Lucius is going to take us to lunch. So please lower your wand.''

''He's going to take us where now? And since when do you call him Lucius?''

''To lunch.'' Hermione paused and took a deep breath, ''Ginny, I don't know the first thing about wizarding weddings, yet I still find myself having to participate in one. Severus asked Lucius if he would kindly accompany us to buy his ring, so I get it right. He is here to offer help that I very much need, and I am very grateful to him.''

Ginny lowered her wand, ''But don't you remember what he did to you during the final battle? He held you under the cruciatus curse for ages. Hermione, he hit you! Don't even think of denying it because I saw him do it, I saw him hurt you over and over again. You were defenceless, you had no wand to defend yourself with and he hurt you! He disgusts me!''

''Would you disobey Voldermort? Would you Ginny? If he asked you to go and kill all muggleborns would you go against what he said?''

''Of course I would!''

''What if he was going to torture and kill your family if you didn't?''

Ginny's fierce expression faltered and her face blanched visibly, ''Then... I...''

''Now do you see my point Ginny? You asked me first why I was so calm about being married to 'the bat' and I responded that there were far worse people to be married to than someone with great intellect, and my life in the wizarding world means more to me than anything. I made the best I could out of a far from perfect situation, and I am doing it again.''

''Hermione...'' Ginny whispered, walking up to her friend, ''You are the bravest person I know.''

Lucius cleared his throat, ''Well, does this mean you're not going to 'hex my balls off?' ''

''Well no. But that doesn't mean I like you.''

''Very well''

''Oh,'' said Ginny, adding as an afterthought, ''I am so sorry about your loss, truly.''

''Thank you, and I for yours'' Lucius said, his eyes misting over slightly

''Well? Are we going to lunch then?'' Hermione said brightly

''Of course we are. This way ladies'' Lucius snapped out of his reverie, and gestured to his right.

The trio had finished their lunch in a lovely French restaurant when they arrived at the jewellers. As they entered the tiny shop the girls were taken aback as to how beautiful it was inside. There were glass cases everywhere, showcasing some of the most beautiful pieces Hermione and Ginny had ever seen. Lucius strode up to the counter and called out,

''Artucus? Are you sleeping again?''

A small man who seemed to be aged beyond belief appeared at a red velvet curtain. His beady little black eyes clocked on to Lucius before he smiled and hobbled round the counter to embrace his acquaintance.

''Good to see you Lucius, my haven't you grown up since I last saw you?''

Lucius smirked and raised an eyebrow at the girls who tried to stifle their giggles. Since putting two large glasses of rosé wine down each of their necks, he discovered it was far more easy to charm Hermione and get Ginny to like him when both were slightly tipsy.

''Artie, I need a wedding ring.'' Lucius said clearly, getting immediately to the point

''Ah, have you finally found yourself a young lady?'' the girls laughed again

''No Artie, do you remember? I have already been married. My wife died about three months ago.''

''Of course she did, of course,'' Artucus said, before winking at Lucius as if referring to some secret joke the two men shared.

''Anyway...'' Lucius cleared his throat, ''this young lady is to be married and she needs to choose a ring for her husband. I am here to help her.'' Hermione stepped forward.

''A ring eh? Well done you, finding yourself a husband. It's a pity little Lucius here can't do the same, he needs a wife to knock him into shape don't you Lucius?''

''Apparently so,'' Lucius replied, raising an eyebrow at Ginny, who smiled back until she realised that she wasn't supposed to like him.

''Well my dear,'' Artucus said quietly as he lead Hermione towards a cabinet, ''the most important thing to remember is to choose with your heart. Don't choose what you think he will like, choose what you like. Remember, it's you who's going to have to live with it for the rest of your life. Who is your husband going to be anyway dear?'' Artucus asked softly

''Severus Snape'' Hermione replied, just as softly as the old wizard in front of her. Neither noticed the grimace crossing both Ginny's and Lucius' face when she said those two words. Ginny could never imagine having sex with her professor every forty eight hours for her rest of her life no matter how hot he was, and Lucius felt sorry for Hermione having to be married to the Ogden's drinking, far-too-intelligent-for-his-own-good potions master. Although he did have a few redeeming qualities, he certainly appreciated the finer things in life, much like Lucius himself, but Hermione would be bored out of her brains living with the old bookworm, and being shut up in the dungeons all day, every day.

''Ah,'' Artucus sighed, ''Maybe you should pick what you think he will like, after all, I wouldn't want to argue with the man when he is angry.''

''What do you mean?'' Hermione asked, looking slightly worried

''Well...'' Artucus began, but her was quickly interrupted by Lucius

''Let's not get into that, how about we choose a ring?''

''Of course.'' Artucus replied ''What material were you thinking for the band dear? We have a selection of, Murano glass, gold, silver and platinum. We can also charm cedar wood, mahogany, and oak so that they will never rot.''

Hermione thought for a moment, until she asked, ''can you combine materials?''

''Yes I can, any two or three that you want we can combine in any way that you want.''

''Well then, in that case, I would like to see your selection of Murano glass and platinum bands please.''

Forty five minutes later and Hermione had chosen her band, it was to be clear Murano glass with a ring of solid platinum suspended in the centre. It was not too thick, nor was it too thin. Hermione had wanted something delicate, yet masculine and she was sure she had found it. Lucius had told her over lunch that she would need to choose one stone to be a centrepiece, and that it could be cut any way she liked.

''I like that one.''

''Whoa, that was quick.'' Ginny said, surprised her friend could make a decision that speedily

''I know, but that's it. The one.'' Hermione was pointing to a perfect black sphere of obsidian, It was small yet would look perfect set into the ring, it did not glisten and shimmer like the stones surrounding it either, it just... shone. Hermione peered through the glass cabinet at it and was almost absorbed into its dark depths, Artucus opened the cabinet and handed the stone to Hermione, she stroked it and felt its cool, smooth surface rolling between her thumb and forefinger. ''What do you think Ginny? Lucius?''

''It's lovely Hermione, but don't you think it's a bit... plain?''

Lucius snorted, ''Plain? How can you call a stone of such beauty plain?''

''Sorry Gin, I'm afraid I am going to have to go with Lucius on this one, look at it, the depth and quality.''

Ginny seemed to be slightly perturbed, ''All right... no need to get so sentimental. After all, it is just a piece of rock!'' She huffed as she eyed the stone under half closed lids,trying to be inconspicuous. Unfortunately she was not very successful and missed the smirk Lucius gave her. Hermione stepped forward and handed the stone to Artucus,

''I would like this one please.''

''Of course my dear of course!'' The old man placed the stone on the counter with the other two bands Hermione had chosen, ''I will make the ring and have it sent to you within the next two days.''

''Thank you Artucus, your help has been much appreciated.'' The trio began walking out of the shop as Artucus called out,

''Lucius my boy,'' Lucius turned around, ''maybe next time it will be your go hmm...?''

Lucius just rolled his eyes and smiled at the old man, he had given up telling him he had already been married once, ''Maybe it will.'' He said quietly, almost smiling as he turned back to walk out into the bright autumn sunlight in Marble Square.

''Ladies...'' Lucius began as the two girls turned to him, ''now is where I leave you, as the idea of shopping for wedding lingerie doesn't really appeal to me.'' Hermione smiled and Ginny scowled at the man.

''Well I thank you Lucius, for all your help today. And for Lunch! It has been lovely.''

''Yeah, uh, thanks Mr Malfoy.''

''You are very welcome. Hermione, I will see you next at the wedding. Good Luck with the rest of your preparations and enjoy your last bit of freedom.''

''I will. Thank you for a lovely afternoon.''

Lucius bowed slightly as he tapped his cane on the floor and apparated back to his manor.

''Come on Gin, you can relax now. We have loads more to do!'' Hermione said smiling.

''Where next?'' Ginny asked, squinting past the sunshine and looking at Hermione's list,

''Hmm... like Lucius said, lingerie and nightwear next.''

''Great, more lace!'' Ginny sad sarcastically, as the two girls headed through a crowd of shoppers.

Come on everyone, click the big green button down there!!! Help me to write, pop in some suggestions!! xxx