Chapter Five – SHOP TILL YOU DROP
"No! Definitely not!" Hermione said, looking at the exceptionally short halter neck dress that Declan held up to her. "I'd look like a tramp. What about this one?" she suggested, picking up a much more sensible gown.
"Ok, Grandma, if you want to look 70 and have the sex appeal of a door knob, then that's the dress for you." Declan said.
"You're incorrigible." She said. "Let's get your suit first. At least we can't fight too much about that."
She was mistaken. Declan had picked up a fuchsia pink tuxedo, and was threatening to try it on.
"What's wrong with it?" he asked.
"It's pink, Dec. It's an Autumn Ball, not Mardi Gras." Hermione replied as she looked around the store. Crossing to pick up a beautifully cut black dinner suit, she said "What about this classic ensemble?"
"Boring!" Declan replied, rolling his eyes.
"It's debonair and classy" she argued.
"It's something my brother would wear" he answered.
"Ok, no to the dinner suit then." She said, hanging it back on the rack.
Hermione was beginning to wonder why she agreed to go shopping with Declan, let alone go to the ball with him. He was as exuberant as she was reserved, and their taste in clothing were as opposite as two opinions could be.
"What about this one, then?" Declan derailed Hermione's train of thought, and she turned to face him and saw the suit he was holding up.
It was a classic 1940's cut dinner suit, but the jacket was made from black velvet.
"Perfect" Hermione said, and Declan skipped the suit into the fitting room to try it on.
Hermione began a conversation with an attractive young sales representative named Jack. She explained that she and Declan were going to a ball at their university and that neither of them had anything appropriate to wear and that their opinions differed so greatly that she was beginning to suspect they would never agree on anything. Jack assured her that he was brilliant at his job and that he guaranteed that they would both leave happy. Hermione liked his confidence and was assured by his conviction.
"Ta Da!" Declan said as he exited the fitting room to show Hermione the suit.
"Dec, you look hot" Hermione said as Declan sashayed over to where Hermione stood talking to Jack.
"I'm Declan. And you are?" Declan said, extending his hand.
"Jack. I see you've found the perfect suit, then?" Jack said as he shook Declan's hand, and Hermione had to admit that Declan and Jack had an instant connection.
"I think we have a winner. Now all we need is a dress for this goddess." Declan replied motioning to Hermione.
Declan returned to the fitting room to remove the suit while Jack and Hermione headed back to the other side of the store where the women's gowns were. Hermione showed Jack the dress Declan suggested, and the one she had picked for herself, including what each had thought of the other's choice.
"Your boyfriend is right. This dress you've chosen would be more suitable for your grandmother." Jack said, hanging it back on the rack, shaking his head.
"Dec isn't my boyfriend. He's ... he's just my good friend" Hermione said, smiling at Jack.
"Oh, I see." Jack said, understanding completely what the Declan/Hermione situation was.
Declan rejoined them and addressed Jack as if Hermione wasn't there.
"What we need is something to make her divine. Something to show off her best parts. Something to help suggest a little more of a cleavage. Something fitted I would imagine. Show off that tiny waist line and non-existent hips. Something to make her look taller. Black if possible. She's stunning in black." Declan said.
"I am standing right here, you know?" Hermione said as she elbowed Declan in the side.
"He's right, though" Jack said.
Hermione felt awful that the two men were discussing and scrutinising her body in such detail.
"Come on, Hermione. You should know by now to trust a gay man when it comes to women's clothing." Declan said, before turning to Jack and saying "Do you think you have something for her?"
Jack smiled and winked at Declan before looking at Hermione. "I have the most gorgeous gown that just arrived. Pop into the dressing room and I'll bring it out."
"Ok" Hermione said, a little bewildered by what was going on. As Jack walked away, Hermione called out "But you don't know my size".
"All part of the job" Jack called back over his shoulder.
Declan ushered Hermione towards the dressing room.
"He's hot" Declan whispered to her.
"And completely into you" Hermione added.
"I know. 5 galleons says I leave with his number" Declan joked.
"That's a sucker bet, Kennedy, and you know it. Of course you'll get the number" Hermione was saying as Jack returned carrying a black satin gown.
"Satin. You're a genius" Declan said to Jack. They shared a smile and Declan turned to Hermione and said "Well, try it on, girlfriend. Don't keep us waiting all night."
Hermione rolled her eyes and took the gown from Jack, thanking him. In the fitting room Hermione looked over the gown. It was stunning. She looked at the tag. Jack had gotten her size wrong. The gown was a size too small. She opened the door a little and through the crack she could see Jack and Declan deep in conversation, and what could only be described as giggling with one another. Deciding not to interrupt their moment, Hermione closed the fitting room door, and decided to just try the dress on, knowing that when it didn't fit, she could send Jack off to get the next size, and then she'd be able to give Declan another chance to get Jack's number.
The dress fit like second skin, but wasn't uncomfortable. The strapless dresses was VERY fitted, perhaps because of the sizing error, and fell, figure huggingly, down to the floor with a small fishtail on the back. Hermione looked at herself in the mirror. The dress fitted all the requirements that Declan had laid out for Jack. It created a bit of cleavage if Hermione 'adjusted' herself in the right manner, showed off her naturally slight frame, and with the correct shoes, the length of the dress created an illusion that she was taller.
Hermione opened the door and exited the fitting room to show Declan and Jack the dress.
Declan whistled and said "Hermione, you're stunning. It's almost enough to make me turn straight."
"Exactly my thoughts" Jack added, and he and Declan shared a look that confirmed the fact that Declan would, indeed, be going home with Jack's number.
"You don't think it's too small? It's a size smaller than I usually wear" she said, interrupting their moment.
"Then you're wearing clothing a size too big." Jack replied.
"It's gorgeous, Hermione. I'll have to take a stick to fight off all the boys that will be after you. Do you like it?" Declan said, only then realising that he hadn't asked her what she thought about it.
"It's beautiful. Feels great on. But I'll need new shoes to go with it because it's a bit too long, don't you think?" she said, biting her bottom lip.
"The floor skimming length creates the illusion of more height" Jack said.
"We can get some heels to go with it. It's really stunning, Hermione." Declan said genuinely.
"Who could argue with you two? Ok, then I guess I'll take it." Hermione said, as she turned around and headed back to the fitting room to change back into her jeans and t-shirt.
Sure enough, Declan had left the boutique with a new suit, and Jack's phone number. Hermione insisted on going to get the shoes straight away, and Declan was on a high so said he was happy to do whatever Hermione wanted.
Hermione found a pair of Jimmy Choo strappy shoes that would have been perfect, but refused to buy them because of the price tag. Declan had said it would be worth the investment, but Hermione argued saying "I'm not wearing a pair of shoes that cost as much as each of my parents earn in a week."
Declan told her of a great little store he knew of that did designer rip-off's. He had seen Jammy Chow shoes, the store's equivalent of Jimmy Choo, there, and dragged Hermione off to the store. Sure enough, there were exact replicas of the ridiculously priced shoes at less than 1/10th of the price.
"Done!" Hermione said, having paid for her new shoes.
"Not just yet. What about jewellery? You need serious bling with that dress." Declan declared.
"I'm sure my mother has something I could borrow" Hermione said and no sooner had the words come out of her mouth than Declan was shaking his head and tutt-tutting her.
"Hermione," he said sincerely, "you're pushing the wrong man here. I know the best place for costume jewellery. Let's go."
"Dec, how much is this going to cost me? I can't believe how much I've spent already." Hermione said, wondering how much more this evening was going to cost.
"Love, I promise you it'll be less than £50 in muggle money, and it'll be stunning. It's the place all the best drag queens get their jewellery for their shows" Declan said, taking Hermione's hand.
"You're dressing me up as a drag queen?" Hermione asked.
"Hey, enough with the negativity, woman. When have I ever steered you wrong?" He asked in response, and Hermione couldn't argue. Declan always had impeccable taste when it came to picking things out for her.
"Alright. Lead on McDuff" she said, knowing the Shakespearean reference wouldn't be lost on him.
Looking at her reflection in the small mirror that the assistant had handed her, Hermione had to admit that Declan was right. She knew the 'bling', as Declan called it, would finish off the outfit perfectly. The 3 row diamante choker and matching 6 row bracelet sparkled like shimmering stars and the strip earrings that Declan was holding up to her ears were simply perfect.
"What did I tell you?" Declan said, knowing that Hermione loved the jewellery.
"I know, you won't tell me you told me so." She said to Declan, and then turned to the assistant and said "I'll take them. Thank you."
The assistant wrapped them up, and then told Hermione the price.
"£24? That's impossible" Hermione declared.
"Any friend of Declan's will always be looked after in my store" the assistant replied.
Hermione raised an eyebrow in Declan's direction before handing over the money.
Once outside the store, Hermione asked "What was that all about?"
"I dated his son once. It was never really anything serious, but I always got along well with the parents. Anyway, I've taken a few people in there, and he looks after us price wise. He's a good man." Declan said genuinely.
Hermione headed back to her apartment, rather than, as Declan suggested, hitting more shops. "You go shop till you drop, Dec. I'm tired. I'll see you in class tomorrow." She had said. He had made her promise to wear something pretty for her lunch date with Ron, and Hermione knew better than to try and argue with him.
Opening the door to her apartment, Hermione saw Ron sitting on the couch, reading.
"Hey, Ron." She said, dropping her key's on the small hall stand, and hung her dress up on the coat rack, putting the bag with the shoes and jewellery on the floor beside the coat rock.
"Hey. You're early. Thought you'd be making a night of it with Declan." Ron replied.
"No, we just went out to get some stuff for the ball. Dec wanted to do something, but I am a little tired so I just came home" Hermione said as she sat on the couch next to Ron. "What are you reading?"
"Oh, just doing a bit of preliminary reading for my next assignment. Practical Magic : A Contemporary Guide. Not very exciting." Ron said, closing the book.
"Oh, it's dreadful, isn't it? I had to read that last semester. A load of rubbish is what it is." Hermione agreed.
"I don't believe it" Ron said, dumbfounded.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"Hermione Granger just said a book was a load of rubbish." Ron sounded awestruck.
Hermione playfully slapped him and said "There are loads of books that I think are rubbish, Ronald."
Ron feigned a heart attack and Hermione couldn't help but laugh.
"So, was the shopping trip successful?" Ron asked.
"Oh, Merlin, yes. I got the most amazing dress, and a shoes, and jewellery. I don't know what I would have done without Dec, though." Hermione replied.
"He's a nice guy." Ron said, admitting defeat to himself.
"He is, isn't he?" Hermione replied. "Where's Harry?"
"He floo-ed to the Burrow to have dinner with Mum, Dad, and Gin. I think he was going to plead the case for Gin to stay for the weekend." Ron said, rolling his eyes and lifting his eyebrows at the same time.
"Ron, don't be so mean. Harry and Ginny are ... well you know as well as I do that they're meant for one another. I don't think that there are two people in the world more designed to be together. She's of age, Ron, and finished school. Gin's grown up now. Don't you think that the two of them have waited long enough?" Hermione said gently.
"She's my baby sister" Ron argued.
"And she always will be. But Ron, she's only a year younger than you. She might be your baby sister, but she's no longer a baby." Hermione replied, smiling at Ron in his role as over protective elder brother. "And there isn't a man on the earth who will look after her half as well as Harry will, you know that."
"I know, and it's not the fact that it's Harry that's bothering me. I don't know what it is, really. Are we getting old?" Ron asked.
"Ronald, we're not even 20 yet, so we're not old. Maybe you're just finally growing up a little." Hermione said, hoping to lift Ron's spirits.
"Hey" he said, playfully punching Hermione on the arm, "I'm plenty grown up thank you very much."
"I know" Hermione stated simply.
An awkward silence fell over the two friends. I wish she'd say something Ron thought to himself. Ron was just about to make a joke that it was probably the quietest either had been in their lives when Hermione spoke.
"So, did you owl Olivia and ask her about the ball?"
Ron smiled and replied "Not yet. I was thinking I'd just wait till she gets back tomorrow. Her parents are muggles so I'd have to call her on a telly-phone and I hate using them. I'm not even sure I want to go all that much, to be honest. Ball's aren't really my thing."
"Oh, come on Ron. I was already thinking that you and Olivia, Harry and Ginny, and Dec and I could share a table. Wouldn't that be fun?" Hermione suggested.
Ron instantly had mental images of being forced to watch Hermione and Declan holding hands under the table. Hermione and Declan dancing way too close. Declan making her laugh. Declan making her happy. Why does he have to be some bloody perfect for her? He thought to himself.
"Sure." He said trying to sound up beat. "It'll be heaps of fun."
The silence returned once again. It was only then that Ron realised how close Hermione was. They had been in one another's pockets loads of times before that evening, but it had never affected him as much as it did at that moment.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you this morning" Ron heard himself say without realising what he was saying.
"You had every right. I just presume that everyone has the same priorities as I do. And I know that you love the sport, so I shouldn't have reacted the way I did when you said that you wanted to train more for that important game coming up. I know it feels like I don't support you, Ron, but I haven't missed a game since we've been here. And Dec made me realise something important today. He said it was most important that people do what makes them happy. And I know how happy quidditch makes you happy, so it's no wonder you want to spend your time doing that. Everyone deserves to be doing what makes them happy, right?" Hermione said, wondering if a word she said made any sense.
"Are you happy, Mione? I mean, you're going on about what makes me happy, but are you happy?" Ron asked, sincerely.
"I haven't really thought about it, which must mean I am. I'm doing the course I've always wanted to do, doing well in all my classes, and I've got you and Harry to pick on." Hermione smiled at her friend.
"And you've got Declan." Ron added, very quietly.
"Well, yes, anyone would be happy if they had a Declan. The man can't help but lift people's spirits." Hermione replied.
The silence that they had endured threatened to return, so Hermione got up off the couch and said "Anyway, I'm going to have a soak in the bath and then I'm off to bed. Are you training in the morning?" She asked.
"Yeah. Coach wants us to be there at 6am. I guess I should head off to bed sometime soon, too." Ron replied.
"Can I come and watch you guys training?" Hermione asked, wondering if that was allowed.
"You want to get up at 5.30am and watch Harry and me train? Are you feeling well?" Ron asked, sarcastically.
"I'll have breakfast ready for you guys at 5.15am." Hermione replied, smiling at Ron who looked quite dumbfounded.
"I'll never turn down the offer of breakfast. You know me too well." Ron answered.
"Disturbing, isn't it?" Hermione joked before saying "Good night, Ron. See you bright and early."
"Night, Mione" replied before picking up his book and trying to read more.