Chapter Forty Three
"That was great," Aurelia said, as she came back to Hermione, "Narcissa says she is going to do a full four page spread, we are going to have to do a photo shoot tomorrow, please say you will do it with me?"
"Oh god, Aurelia. This was supposed to be a lovely, relaxing break. Hermione said exasperatedly, "tomorrow is my last day, then Draco will have to go back to London and I will be going back to Hogwarts. Who knows when we will get the chance to see one another again."
"I know, I know, It will only take an hour, we are meeting Narcissa at the lagoon at 6.30am, we will be done by 8 max."
"Oh all right," Hermione said feeling obliged, "but this is absolutely the last time. Okay?"
"Yay!" Aurelia squealed, "You're a superstar! Now which bag do you want?"
Hermione chose a simple black leather bag that could be used as a personal portkey whenever you needed it and also had the property of being able to carry an inordinate amount of weight whilst remaining as light as when empty.
"Thank you." Hermione said, "I love it!"
"You're welcome," Aurelia said, "I don't know what I would have done without you this weekend.
The two witches finished their coffee and muffins and were waved out of the marquee graciously by Carlotta. They left Veneficas Venecias through the archway and out through the little antique shop into muggle Venice.
"There are places like that all over Venice," Aurelia told Hermione, "you just need to know where to look. You see that symbol over the door?" Aurelia pointed to a symbol that depicted a wand and broomstick over one another to form a cross. "Well if you enter a place that has that symbol above the door, you can enter the shop and say 'occulta veneficas' to the proprietor, they will show you the hidden way into veneficas venetias, but sometimes you will need another password to open it, so it is always better to ask. Aurelia pointed out several more establishments bearing the sign, on their way back to Hermione's hotel. Once inside her room the girls took out their shopping, admiring their purchases. Hermione had bought a new outfit for her date; an emerald green skater style dress with a gem studded midriff, floaty skirt and tightly fitting top. She had also bought some deceptively thick stockings to keep the chill out and a delicate crochet cardigan in a pale mint green. Hermione tried it on and Aurelia said, "Ooooh, you look lovely, that colour really suits you, and it's sort of slytherin green.
"Oh yeah, I suppose it is, I wonder if, I subconsciously bought it for that reason?" Hermione laughed and span around, her skirt twirling around her like a flower opening it's petals. "What time is it? She asked as her dress fell once more over her thighs.
"Just after five!" Aurelia said. "Do you want to go down to the hotel bar for a cocktail before you have to set off?"
"Yeah, that sounds great, just let me sort out my hair and make-up and we'll do that." Hermione said, heading for the bathroom.
The bar was packed when the women got there, and after speaking to one or two of the guests, they found out that a lot of people travelled to Venice for the St. Mark's Day celebrations that were held annually on the 11th November in Venice, apparently there were carnivals and revelry and traditionally the children of the city would run through the streets banging pots and pans, it was said to be good luck to give the children a gift of a few coins as they passed by.
"I hope I get a chance to see that tomorrow," Hermione said, sounding interested.
"Me too!" Aurelia said, "I love these traditional holiday's and being as we are in Venice I am betting that there will be quite a few people dressed in Masquerade costumes too, I might just get some inspiration from them."
Hermione and Aurelia attracted a fair bit of male attention in the bar and once or twice they had to turn down the offer of dinner and drinks, they were getting ready to leave when a very handsome Italian man stopped the two of them.
"Ciao," he said in a deep, gravelly voice, "And how are you two beautiful ladies, this fine evening?"
"Ciao," the women answered, "we are fine, thank you, but we were just leaving," Hermione added.
"Errm... You go ahead Hermione, I think I'll just hang around here a little while longer and see what the evening brings."
Hermione nodded, and smiled with a knowing look in her eyes. "Good bye then, " she said to the pair, "and be careful Aurelia."
"Oh do not worry," the Italian said, "I will take very good care of your friend."
"You better had," Hermione said smiling but with an intensity in her eyes that showed she was deadly serious.
"Have a great evening." Aurelia shouted as Hermione made her way to the exit, "say hi to Draco for me."