Chapter Eight
Hermione had a relaxing bath, filled to the brim with a new fragrance potion she had been working on. The potion left the bather with a scent that lasted until the antidote lotion was applied. She was toying with the idea of marketing her new invention, but so far she hadn't found the time. The scents she had chosen were floral with a hint of luxurious musk. It was like wearing an expensive perfume without the scent ever fading. She got out of the bath and draped her slender body in a fluffy bathrobe and ordered room service.
"Could I please have a bowl of brose with blueberries and hazelnuts sent up to my room." Hermione asked the witch on the other end of her wand-speaker.
"Sorry deary, we're all out of... um... brose was it? All that's left this morning is shredded wheaties, toast, pea soup and/or bacon butties."
"Oh." Hermione sighed with disappointment. "Could I please have the cereal and a slice of buttered toast then, and a glass of grapefruit juice, no probably not, erm... a cup of milky tea?"
"Righto." The witch said. "Coming right up."
After a disappointing breakfast, Hermione dressed and went down to the bar.
"Morning Tom." She said cheerfully to the landlord.
"Morning?" Tom laughed, "It's past one. Up late were you?"
Hermione glanced at her watch, "Oh no," She whined, "my watch has stopped, I'm going to have to dash."
"See ya then." Tom said, waving at her retreating back.
Hermione rushed through the busy street towards Gringott's Wizarding Bank, she was going to need some gold to pay Jaques and Aurelia, and time was growing short.
She whisked through the elaborate marble entrance hall to the bank and joined the queue for Gringott's most efficient goblin 'Gierlin'. The queue went down quickly as she hoped and soon Gierlin was ushering Hermione to his fast track cart service.
She stepped aboard the cart and within moments Gierlin had navigated the twisting vaults and had come to a stop outside Hermione's personal vault. He opened the elaborate lock on the door with a large bronze key and Hermione scooped up a pocketful of galleons.
Before long Hermione was back outside in the dazzling sunlight. The time was now five to two and Hermione literally had to run to Jaques Bouffant's Hair Emporium lest she should miss her appointment.
Jaques greeted her as she stood panting on the threshold of the salon. "Take a seat, my beautiful woman." Jaques said gesturing to a comfortable stool sat before a self illuminating mirror. Jaques produced several swatches of differently coloured hair. "I was thinking Phoenix Red with Dragon Gold 'ighlights." Jaques said showing her the vibrant colours he had chosen. "And styled in sweeping curls that frame your darling face. What do you say, will you be the brave girl today?" Hermione had her doubts about the dramatic changes Jaques had in mind, but for whatever reason she was feeling adventurous and replied, "What the hell, go for it Jaques."