12
When Harriet awoke the next morning she was definitely not looking forward to the day. Sure she was looking forward to spending time with her friends and her new girlfriend but the whole clothes shopping thing made her nervous. She didn't really want to go buy new clothes because if she did she thought it would signify that she had given up on becoming male again. Although truth be told with the way things had been going lately she wasn't sure that it was a bad thing. Sure it had been rough at first and people avoided her but now things were getting back to normal. She and Ron were hanging out again, Hermione had become like a sister and then there was Luna, her new girlfriend. In fact if she didn't know any better she'd almost think things were better than were before.
Harriet picked up her glasses and looked at the notebook Luna had given her. She noticed the Gryffindor symbol was lit up which means that Luna had left her a message. She opened the notebook and read:
Good Morning Harriet Potter! I hope that you slept well! Thank you for the fantastic time last night. That was my first real date and it was amazing. I really enjoyed spending time with you and I can't wait to spend more time with you today! ~Luna~
Harriet smiled as she finished reading. She picked up her quill and began to write back.
Good morning Luna! I'm glad you had a fantastic night. I immensely enjoyed our first date and look forward to many more. I'm a little nervous about today and I've been putting it off for as long as possible but I know with you there it should help to calm my nervousness. I can't wait to see you this morning. H.P.
With that she put down her quill and closed the book, sending the message to its recipient. After that she proceeded to get dressed with a smile and a dance in her step. She put her notebook from Luna inside her bag with her quill and opened the door, startling Hermione. "Someone's up early," said Hermione with a smile, "I figured we'd have breakfast and then head to Hogsmeade. We can just do lunch there if we have to." "I suppose," said Harriet as she closed the door and almost skipped down the steps. "You must be in a good mood this morning if you're not arguing or complaining about it. I wonder why that it is. Wouldn't have anything to do with a certain Ravenclaw would it?" Harriet turned and stuck out her tongue playfully at Hermione as she reached the bottom of the stairs. From the other stairwell they saw Ron and Neville heading down as well. After exchanging morning pleasantries they all headed out the portrait hole and down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
As they walked into the Great Hall Harriet looked around and saw Luna involved in what appeared to be a deep conversation with some of the other Ravenclaws. She stopped talking when Harriet entered and smiled before blowing her a kiss. The other Ravenclaws turned to see who she blew the kiss to and saw the group of Gryffindors that just entered. They looked confused until the saw Harriet Potter smile and blow a kiss back to her. They looked just as shocked as Ron did when he found out. Their jaws dropped as they turned back to Luna in surprise. "What," asked Luna innocently, "we're dating. We're allowed."
Harriet watched the Ravenclaws turn and look at her after Luna blew her a kiss so she decided to blow a kiss right back to Luna because after all it wasn't what they thought that mattered. It was her girlfriend. She chuckled as the look of shock and amazement came over their faces. Ron, Hermione, Neville and Harriet all took a seat at the Gryffindor table where Neville appeared to be a little confused but that was nothing new. He looked from Harriet tp Luna and back to Harriet again. "Are you guys…,"he began unsure of whether or not he should continue. "Dating," Harriet finished, "yes we are." "Oh! That's cool," Neville replied. "And I'm dating Hermione," Ron chimed in. "Really? Huh," Neville pondered, "it's about time though." Harriet laughed in response and Hermione blushed just slightly. "What's that supposed to mean," Ron asked. "It means you two have been beating around the bush for so long we were beginning to wonder if you'd ever make your move," replied Harriet. Neville followed with a "yep. Pretty much" and Hermione responded with a "you certainly did take your time." "Alright, alright. Geesh," replied Ron, "the important thing is we got there."
After breakfast, Ron invited Neville to join them in Hogsmeade but he declined saying he didn't want to be a 5th wheel even after Ron explained that the girls were going clothes shopping but he was not. While Ron was busy inviting Neville to join them Harriet had left the table to meet Luna up by the entrance of the Great Hall where they exchanged their good morning pleasantries and a good morning kiss, not caring who was watching. Once Ron and Hermione joined them they made their way out of the castle and started heading down the road to Hogsmeade.
"So what's everyone doing for winter break," Harriet asked as they walked. "Staying here as usual," Ron replied, "Mum and Dad are going to visit Charlie over the holidays." "Well I waaaaas going to go home for the holidays but I decided to stay around last minute," replied Hermione. She squeezed Ron's hand with a smile. "Well I didn't want to spoil the day but I'm going home for the holidays. My dad gets lonely since my mum died," Luna said noticing the disappointment in Harriet's face, "but it's ok because we've still got the entire day together! Let's have fun today and worry about the rest later." Harriet nodded and forced a grin.
As they approached Hogsmeade, Ron broke off from the girls and headed towards Zonko's telling them he'd catch up with them a little later for lunch. As they approached Gladrag's Harriet started to feel the nervous sensation returning and held Luna's hand a little tighter. "It will be ok," replied Luna, "it's just clothes. Besides Hermione and I will be right there with you." Luna being there did make Harriet feel a bit better but still the idea of shopping for girls' clothes was unnerving.
As they entered Gladrag's the bell over the door chimed signifying to the owner that they had customers. A slightly older woman dressed in comfortable looking robes approached them. "Good morning ladies! What can I help you find today?" "Well this is my friend Harriet Potter and she needs some new clothes. She doesn't really have any of her own," stated Hermione. "Ah yes Harriet Potter. I've heard about you incident from Madam Rosmerta. No worries we can get you setup with a new wardrobe in no time. Do you have any idea what your sizes are?" Harriet shook her head no as Hermione explained that they seemed to be about the same size clothing wise because Harriet had been borrowing her clothes but she thought that Harriet was a bit bigger in the chest. That last bit was said with a bit of envy on Hermione's part. Hermione gave the lady her sizes in hope that it would help them find clothes for Harriet. "No problem at all. We can get you measured just to be sure." The salesclerk snapped her fingers and a cloth tape measure appeared and started measuring Harriet on its own. The sales clerk wrote down the numbers as they appeared and sure enough they were right on par with Hermione's except the chest area. "You were right," the store clerk stated, "she is definitely bigger in the chest area. She appears to be a 32D." Harriet look confused at the statement not really knowing what it meant. There were quite different reactions from both Luna and Hermione. Hermione looked jealous while trying to hide it and Luna had a mischievous smile on her face as she giggled. The salesgirl saw the look of confusion on Harriet's face and explained the process behind all the measuring and what it meant. "Every girl is different Harriet," explained Hermione, "We all measure, develop and act different. It's not a good thing or a bad thing. Just a fact."
"Alright now what we need to do is get you into the dressing room and get started on finding you something to wear. We'll start with undergarments and go from there. Head into the dressing room and strip down for me." Harriet turned red as she wandered into the dressing room, closed the curtain and began to strip down as ordered. The saleslady slid through the curtain a moment later with a handful of bras. "What size are you wearing now? That looks way to small," she asked as she peeked at the tag. "32B? No wonder. I've got some here that will fit you proper." "Sorry. I borrowed them from Hermione," Harriet mumbled embarrassed. "There's no reason to be sorry dear. I'm sure it's been quite the ordeal for you. I can only imagine what you have been through." After they had gone through and tried on a few and got them adjusted just right, the sales lady went through and explained how and when to adjust them. "You can wear one of the new ones out and I'll toss the old one in the bag with the rest of your purchases. Let me go find you some matching underwear to go with those and then we'll find you the rest of your wardrobe." She picked up all the new bras she had brought in as well as the one Harriet had arrived in and exited through the curtain, leaving Harriet standing there in her undergarments again. "This doesn't actually feel to bed," Harriet thought to herself, "there's less tightness in the chest."
She was lost in her own thoughts and didn't see the figure that had snuck in behind her. "Look at you Harriet Potter. You are stunning. I'm a lucky girl. Maybe I can even get you to wear this for me?" Harriet jumped at the interruption of her thoughts and spun around to see Luna standing behind her smiling. In her hand she held a matching bra and panty set. Harriet's reaction was a mixture of several different forms of embarrassment. She tried to cover herself up with her hands because her clothes were on the other side of Luna. "Umm….but…Luna….I'm…er…I'm not exactly dressed." "I know," replied Luna with a smile, "I can see that." She gave a moment for her words to sink in before continuing, "I still want you to wear this." Harriet looked at what Luna was holding and turned even redder if such a thing was possible. Never before had she seen something so feminine and girly, much less considered wearing it. Everything the sales lady had brought had been generic colors or simple patterns such as stripes or polka dots. However, what Luna had in her hand was the epitome of femininity. The set was a dark pink with lace trim and multiple flowers in various purples, lighter pinks, and reds. "Luna…I…." At that moment the sales lady came back in through the curtain with a pair of panties that matched the new bra she was wearing. She looked at the two girls in the dressing room before noticing what Luna was holding. "Fantastic choice! You would look amazing in that. Guaranteed to feel sexy. Your partner would definitely enjoy it too," she exclaimed. "Yes I would," replied Luna. The sales lady stared at them for a moment before it clicked. "Oh! Well why don't we add that to the pile and she can finish changing into these," she said handing the new underwear to Harriet, "then she can get dressed and meet us out in the store. We can get a start on new outfits while we wait." "Sounds good," replied Harriet still embarrassed she was standing in front of two women in just her undergarments. Both Luna and the sales lady left the changing room. Harriet hurried up and changed into the matching underwear and then quickly got dressed before anyone else could come back in. She stuffed the old underwear in her pocket before heading out to the main floor.
Upon returning to the sales floor Harriet discovered that each of the girls had a few outfits a piece picked out for them. Hermione's outfits were classic, generally single color pieces, such as a red sweater top and dark jeans. Luna's picks were more exotic with flowers and bright colors such as a yellow floral dress that may have been a little low cut for Harriet's preferences. The sales clerk on the other had kinda of a mixture between them with a little classiness thrown in. The shirts were stylish and modestly cut in the front and they were mixed with some nice looking jeans and dress pants. She had even picked out a few modest longer dresses for the cold winter as well as brought out a couple pairs of shoes to match. The next hour was spent trying on the outfits everyone had suggested and modeling them as well as taking in the feedback. By the time that was down and Harriet had about a weeks' worth of outfits, a few formal things, and shoes to match she was pretty worn out.
"Is there anything else I can do for you ladies at the moment," asked the sales clerk, showing no signs of being worn down at all. Hermione went over and whispered in the sales clerk's ear. "That's a wonderful idea," she said with a grin. Before Harriet could react the sales lady drew a wand and mumbled something. The next moment Harriet felt a sharp prick in her ears. When she turned and looked in the mirror she noticed that her ears had been pierced with ruby studs. "Rubies are July's birthstone," Hermione stated as a fact. Harriet never paid much attention to her birth stone before. After all as a guy why would she need to? "Now look at me," Harriet thought to herself, "it's certainly been a strange year." Harriet shook the thoughts out of her head for the moment and turned to her two friends. "Why don't you two go ahead and get something too? My treat as thanks for all the help you've given me, not just today but since the beginning." "Are you sure," asked Hermione. "Of course," said Harriet with a smile, "unless you want all your delicates back after I've worn them." "No thanks. Keep them. They're all yours." With that Hermione and Luna wandered off to pick up a few things while Harriet took a breather. While they were busy the sales clerk showed Harriet a few different spells for makeup and hair. Harriet thanked the clerk as the girls brought their selections to the counter. Harriet paid for everything as the clerk put their stuff into separate bags. Hermione put hers in her bag telling them she didn't want Ron being nosey. "You can be nosey. I don't mind," encouraged Luna with a smile. Harriet blushed as all her stuff was put into one bag. "It's enchanted. Free of charge," replied the sales clerk, "and if you ever need anything else feel free to stop back in. My name's Amelia. It's been a pleasure serving you ladies today." The 3 young ladies thanked Amelia for her wonderful service and headed off to meet Ron for lunch.