36

On the way back to the Leaky Cauldron, they came across a wedding store that they hadn't seen before. Of course they were busy in conversation when they came this way last time. Harriet looked at it before looking at Luna. "Did you want to? We do have some time to kill."

"Sounds like fun. Although we should probably check out the magical wedding shop in Diagon Alley. It's right around the corner from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes I believe."

"Ok we can do that. Hopefully we can avoid Rita."

Before stepping back into Diagon Alley the two cast a disillusionment charm on themselves in case Rita Skeeter was still buzzing about. They carefully made their way down the alley and past Weasleys' before canceling the charm.

"It should be down here on the left," Luna mused as they walked towards the shop. Sure enough on the left hand side of the street was a moderately sized establishment named Bridal Magic.

"How did you know this place was here Luna?"

"It was quite popular as the magical wedding place to go the last few seasons. They took out adverts in The Quibbler and The Prophet. I happened to be here one day last summer and followed this gaggle of girls down the alley until I found it. I didn't know I'd be needing it so soon…"

"Well I'm glad you do. I wouldn't have it any other way," replied Harriet with a smile.

"Me neither. I love being with you Harriet Potter. You bring me so much love, attention and devotion that I never thought I'd have," Luna paused a moment before continuing on. "So….ready to try on some wedding dresses," she asked with a mischievous smile.

"Me? Wedding dresses? Try on," Harriet stumbled out as she was blushing redder than a Weasley.

"Well yes. That's the idea. Let's go," Luna said excitedly as she pulled Harriet into the store.

The bell overhead chimed as the two girls. A well-dressed woman with long dark hair came up to them. "Welcome to Bridal Magic. My name is Marpesia. How can I…..wait…I know you…you're Harriet Potter right?" Harriet nodded. "That's amazing. That means…" she turned to Luna, "you must be Miss Lovegood right?"

"Luna. Besides I won't be Miss Lovegood for much longer," Luna said with a smile.

"That's right! I read about your engagement! Congratulations! It's a shame what that nasty Rita Skeeter wrote about you Miss Potter."

Harriet finally spoke up, briefly forgetting where they were. "It's just Harriet actually and it wouldn't be the first time she's written anything bad about me."

"That's true unfortunately," Marpesia responded, "so how can I help you ladies on your marriage quest today?"

"Well…" Luna began. "Harriet needs to try on a few dresses and maybe get an idea of what she wants. Then we wanted to look at decorations and flowers and all the other things we may need."

I thought you said it was my decision on whether or not I wear a dress Harriet communicated to Luna.

And it still is but how are you going to make an uninformed decision. We don't have to buy anything today. I just wanted to give you an idea of what you're going to look like if you go the dress route. Besides either way you're going to need some bridal lingerie. Once again a mischievous smile appeared on Luna's face as Harriet turned beat red.

"I can certainly help you ladies with that if you will be so kind as to follow me back to the dressing rooms. Now do you have any idea what kind of dress you're looking for? Is there a specific cut or style?"

"Ummm…no ma'am," Harriet replied in a mumble, "this wasn't exactly how I thought it was going to be. Never really thought of dresses….or myself in one, much less as a bride. It's been quite the year…"

"Now that you mention it I do remember reading that article earlier this year as well. You're not kidding that you've had a crazy year. Don't worry though. We'll find something that will make you look absolutely beautiful," Marpesia replied.

"Uhh…thanks," Harriet replied nervously.

"You'll be fine. No need to be nervous. I know that this isn't exactly what you thought of when you thought about getting married as a kid but you're still lucky to have found someone as wonderful as Miss…er…I mean Luna. You two seem absolutely perfect together, not to mention adorable. Screw what anyone else thinks, especially that skag Rita Skeeter. Now why don't you head into the dressing room and we'll get you measured and then I can go see about finding some dresses." Marpesia and Harriet stepped into the dressing room. A minute later Marpesia had left the dressing room and went to some racks and pulled some dresses before returning.

An hour and several dresses later, Harriet was about to give up. Sure quite a few of them looked good on her but none of them were "the one." "I've got one more I'd like you to try if that's ok." Harriet nodded. Marpesia was only gone for a second before popping back in with a gorgeous regal style dress.

"I've been saving this one for a while not only because it's special but it's also a little more on the expensive side but I'd like you to try it on. I'm curious what it will look like. I think this might be the one."

Marpesia helped Harriet into the dress, insisting that she couldn't see the final result until she was done. Once the dress was on, Marpesia pulled out her wand and with a flick of her wrist Harriet's hair went up in a formal style and she felt the makeup on her face change. Marpesia just stood there and stared with her mouth hanging open before managing a "Wow…"

"What? What is it? Can I look," Harriet asked nervously to which Marpesia was just able to nod.

Harriet turned around and couldn't believe her eyes. She blinked at the reflection in the mirror and the reflection blinked back. The woman in the mirror was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Harriet waved her hand just to double check the mirror and the reflection waved back.

"I…..I….I…." Harriet stuttered. She was so shocked at her appearance she couldn't even finish her sentence.

"Look beautiful. Like a goddess….or a princess. I was right. That's totally you. You look…wow. I'm jealous of Luna now," she said with a wink.

Harriet blushed but she knew Marpesia was right. This was the one. If she had any doubts about getting married in a dress they were gone. "I'll take it," Harriet said before she even realized the words slipped out of her mouth.

"Excellent. May I make a suggestion? A tiara would look wonderful with that and really top of the whole princess look. Also you're going to need shoes and as your wife pointed out some whole new undergarments. I'll be right back!" Once again she popped out and came back with an arm full of clothing and a couple boxes. In one box was a pair of heels that went with the dress. In the other was a beautiful white gold tiara that had 5 gemstones set in it. The smallest pair on the outside was a pair of diamonds The middle two gems were the same only one was red and one was blue. The largest gem in the center slowly changed from red to blue to purple and then back to red. "The red is for Gryffindor and the blue is for Ravenclaw if I got your houses correct."

Harriet nodded before it was placed on her head and a large diamond pendant was placed around her neck with two matching diamond earrings. Once again it was perfection. She could see this beautiful princess in the mirror and was still having a hard time believing that it was her.

"Now you're going to have to try on the stuff that goes under it but we're going to have to get you out of all that first," Marpesia stated. A few minutes later Harriet was out of the outfit and back to her date night dress after trying on the wedding undergarments. Truth be told she was actually a little disappointed by it. That was the first time she'd had self confidence in a very long time. "Well what are your thoughts Harriet? What are you thinking? Too much? Too little," came the voice of Marpesia as she interrupted Harriet's thoughts.

Harriet thought for a moment before responding. "It was all perfect. I will take it all on two conditions. One, keep it all hidden from Luna. I don't want her to see it before the wedding and two, you have to come to the wedding and help me. My best mate is a guy and I don't think he'd be much help. Probably too busy staring. Anyway, I'm short on female friends. I'm marrying one and the other one is helping Luna."

A wide smile came across Marpesia's face. "Done and done. I'd be honored to attend your wedding and help you out as much as I can with all the girl stuff your friend can't."

"Thank you so much Marpesia. You have no idea how much this means to me…to us. I was so uncertain when I came in here but I've found the perfect dress. There's a statement I never thought I'd say. Anyway, you were so patient and helpful. Thank you!"

"It was no problem Harriet. I was glad to assist. After all, that's why the store is called Bridal Magic." I'm going to pop this stuff to the back room so Luna doesn't see it and I'll meet you upfront.

"Sounds good. Thank you." With that she left the dressing room to find Luna. She knew that Luna probably felt all her emotions while she was in there but she was going to have to wait to see it just like everyone else.