Chapter Four

Hermione put her case down on the billowing quilt of the feather bed, a fine mist of dust rose as she did so and she sneezed. She sat down beside it and threw herself back into the enveloping softness. It felt great to be back in London, she could hear the muggle street to the front of the pub and the wizard street to the back. The room was modest but comfortable and smelled faintly of beeswax and mould.

Hermione had a busy day planned. She had to find a costume during the day and was meeting up with Harry and Ginny in the evening for dinner.

She laid down a little longer before getting up from the bed, she opened her case and pulled out a hairbrush. After combing her hair through she looked into the mirror above an antique dresser, "I guess I'll do." She said to her pretty reflection.

There were more new shops than there were the last time she had visited the Alley and Hermione's eyes were wide with wonder. She passed Flourish and Blott's exercising all of her willpower so as not to disappear inside and spend the rest of the day with her nose buried in new tomes of knowledge, that new-book smell, bewitching her senses.

"No!" She thought, shaking her head, "There will be time for that after Halloween. With a great effort she walked on by, trying to ignore the poster in the window... 'Book signing today, check out the latest best seller from the award winning new-comer... A Dragon Can Change his Spots by D...'

Hermione turned away from the advertisement, "No more temptations!" She thought to herself. She pushed opened the shiny purple door to Madam Malkin's Robes For All occasions and a bell rang out. Madam Malkin appeared from behind a velvet curtain in the back wall, a younger, attractive witch followed closely behind her.

"Ah, professor Granger, welcome." Madam Malkin said fondly. "This is my niece, Miss Perky, how can we help you?"

"Lovely to meet you." Hermione said, holding out her hand. The blonde witch shook it vigorously.

"You're my hero, Professor Granger, I grew up listening to all the tales of your heroics. That new book by..."

"Do hold your tongue Aurelia." Madam Malkin scolded the young witch.

"I was just saying, how romantic..."

"Never mind that. Now – How can we help you?"

Hermione smiled at the young woman, before turning to the older witch. "Well actually I need help finding a costume for a masquerade ball."

"Okay." Madam Malkin said, "We have nothing left in stock, but we can tailor a custom outfit for you." She turned to her niece, "Aurelia, fetch my diary", turning back to Hermione she continued, "So, when were you hoping for it to be ready?"

"Erm... tomorrow?" Hermione answered feebly, all hope of having a fabulous masquerade gown, slipping away.

"Dear oh dear professor," Madam Malkin said tutting, "Even with magic, that is cutting it fine, We will have to adapt a gown off the peg. I'm very sorry, but Halloween is one of our busiest times."

"That's okay." Hermione said disappointedly. "I should have expected it."

Hermione spent a good hour trying to find the best gown she could on the racks of the store, and eventually she selected a simple dusky blue evening dress.

"We'll have it gussied up and fitting you like a glove in no time. You can collect it at noon tomorrow." Madam Malkin smiled, noticing Hermione's glum expression "You'll look lovely my dear, don't fret."

Hermione left the shop feeling a little downcast, but as she moved off along Diagon Alley, she heard the door bell tinkle.

"Professor Granger!." A sweet voice called out. "I think I can help you!"