2/6 for today!
Tuesday, November 4, 1998
That afternoon Millie and Hermione would be joining Daphne for wedding dress shopping. When they arrived at the shop, Millie was handed a flute of champagne and Hermione was handed a glass of sparkling juice. They were settled into comfy seats after greeting Lady Greengrass and a very embarrassed looking Astoria. Pansy was flitting about the salon with Daphne and the consultant looking at different styles.
Pansy greeted Hermione and Millie, sending an annoyed look towards Astoria who still hadn't spoken a word. "She's been pouting this whole time," Pansy said conspiratorially, "Daph said she's been whining about how unfair it all is. You'd think the little idiot would be pleased not to be forced into a betrothal contract, unlike some of us."
Hermione and Millie grimaced, they still hadn't sorted what to do with Pansy's impending betrothal. Part of her wanted to push the other witch into a betrothal with the younger LeStrange brother, but she didn't think that would appeal to her. Millie just grasped Hermione's hand, intuitively understanding just what was going through her friend's mind.
Daphne came out in the first set of robes, a very traditional set that covered her from neck to wrist to ankle. She looked at herself in the mirror and deflated. Lady Greengrass, on the other hand, began to flutter around talking about how beautiful her daughter looked.
"Try on the next one," Pansy said after a few more moments of Lady Greengrass's preening.
Daphne shot her a grateful look and made her way back into the dressing rooms. Hermione and Millie discussed Millie's application to Apprentice under a Magizoologist. She'd sent off all her necessary scores and recommendation letters the week before and was now waiting to hear back from the few places she'd applied. Her dream location was the Dragon Sanctuary in Romania.
Moments later, Daphne stepped out of the room in a much more modern set of robes. She was grinning from ear to ear. "I thought the first one suited you better," Astoria said, snottily "Wouldn't want to scandalise your groom.".
Daphne's eyes darted to the other's in the room. At first Lady Greengrass looked like she was about to agree with her younger daughter, but upon hearing the second half of her statement sent a frown. "I think this looks lovely," the older woman said, pulling at the flowing skirt.
"I think this is much more in line with your vision," Pansy said, hopping up to stand on the other side of Daphne.
"I think finding one that has a bit more modest of a neckline," Daphne said softly. "And maybe one with a more A line skirt?"
The attendant smiled and darted away, going to find her next dress. "Let's get you back in this robe and look at the veils," Pansy said, pulling Daphne back into the dressing room.
Millie and Hermione pretended not to listen as Lady Greengrass whisper-shouted at her younger daughter. "Your attitude needs to change, young lady. It's embarrassing. Let your sister have her day, be glad that Lord Malfoy didn't insist on stricter actions after your little temper tantrum."
Astoria glared at her mother and then sent an angry look at Hermione, who pretended to watch the happenings of the room serenely, stroking her stomach. "Why does that tart need to be here?" Astoria whispered.
"That tart," Daphne said, appearing, "is my friend. She, unlike you, is someone I've requested to attend my wedding. Unfortunately for me, because you're my sister I was required to invite you. Thank goodness, we're going with the traditional binding that doesn't allow bridesmaids. If you're so miserable here, you're welcome to leave."
Astoria looked between Daphne and her mother and stood with shriek and stomped to the Floo, making her way home. After a second, Pansy and Daphne started laughing, soon followed by Hermione and Millie. A second later, Lady Greengrass started giggling along with them.
"Did you see her stomp away?" Pansy cackled. "She looked like a little kid who hadn't gotten her way."
When the group had finally gathered themselves, Daphne was ushered back into the dressing room to try on the latest dress. This was it. It had some of the more traditional elements that would appeal to Daphne's older fiance and the more modern additions that highlighted how young she was. Daphne spun around letting out a squeal of glee.
"Thank you for coming with me to try on dresses," she said sweetly as they were getting ready to leave the store. "I know we've only recently become friends, but I hope you know how much I value your friendship. I hope my sister didn't get to you. She's… spoiled and an idiot. Mother and Father aren't quite sure what to do with her."
"She didn't bother me," Hermione said with a grin. "She's just jealous that I managed to catch two of England's most eligible bachelors. I can't say she'll ever be my favourite, but you and her aren't even remotely similar. I appreciate your friendship as well."
As she was making her way to the public floo, Pansy caught up with her. "Myuh!" she called. "I was hoping to catch you before you left. Would you like to get tea?"
Hermione looked at her tentative friend a bit sceptically. "I'm not sure…"
"I know I haven't had the best track record with you, but I do want to get to know you better and I was hoping that we could catch up a bit?"
Hermione bit back her groan. She was already exhausted, but she supposed rubbing elbows was the right sort of move. "Oh alright, but I can't be out long, I am rather tired," she gestured to her stomach.
"Of course," Pansy said, flushing slightly.
Hermione found herself led into a posh little teashop. Pansy ordered a small tea service and poured Hermione's tea just to her liking. Pansy asked polite questions and answered all of Hermione's. After about thirty minutes, Hermione could feel her social battery waning rapidly.
"I'm so sorry to cut this off," she said, "I'm just feeling so tired. This baby has really been draining me as of late."
"Oh!" Pansy said, with a small smile, "Of course, let me just settle up and I'll walk you to the Floo."
Hermione nodded and watched as the other woman quickly paid their tab and hurried back. As they made their way back to the public floo, Pansy cleared her throat. "I know you and Ginevra are close…" Hermione bit back a sigh, of course Ginny hadn't said anything to Pansy yet, "I was wondering if she'd spoken about me?"
Hermione blinked at Pansy a few times. She could play this one of three ways, completely dumb to the whole scenario, aware but not knowledgeable, or tell her exactly how Ginny was feeling. She refused to do Ginny's dirty work, no matter how much she loved the girl.
"Oh, yes… she'd mentioned that you two had gotten close over the summer," Hermione said softly. "But all her letters home have been about Hogwarts and Quidditch, I'm afraid she hasn't said anything about you to me, but we're such new friends, it's possible she doesn't trust me quite yet with those things?"
Pansy deflated a bit. "Ah, yes thank you, I just haven't heard from her much and wasn't sure if it was something I'd done?"
"I'm sure she's just busy," Hermione said, trying to placate the other woman. "You could always ask when she comes home for Yule?"
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