Chapter Twenty One
June- 2003
Danica breathed in the hot summer's air, revelling in the freedom that the Hogsmead trips allowed her.
She felt someone run up behind her, grabbing her shoulders and shouting 'raw' in her ear.
Danica laughed, turning round to see Emily and Jessica, two of her fellow fourth year Hufflepuff grinning at her.
Both were wearing flowing tops and shorts, with simple ballet type shoes. It wasn't exactly an outfit that Professor McGonagall, or many of the other teachers, would approve of, even on a day as hot as it was.
And yet most of the female students were wearing similar clothing. Danica herself was in a short, flowing summer dress, having promised her father when she'd bought it that she would only wear it over trousers of shorts, which she wasn't.
There was something uniquely freeing about it. It had nothing to do with the length of skirt she was wearing, although having her legs on show was something she wasn't used to, it was the idea that she was now grown up enough that it didn't matter what anyone else said, or told her to do, she could make her own choices.
"You know you didn't have to wear tights." Jessica said, not unkindly, "You could do with getting some colour on your legs."
Danica forced the smile to stay on her face, "I… I just feel more comfortable covering up."
She could feel the feeling of freedom melting away. All the girls knew that she was a werewolf, after a few months of her sneaking off three times a month over the full moon they'd worked it out.
However, she'd never shown them the scars that littered her body. They'd faded over the years, as most scaring does, but they were still there, and still would produce shocked faces and words of sympathy. Which was exactly what Danica didn't want, or even think she could handle.
"I didn't mean to make you feel awkward." Jessica said quickly, "I promise. You've just got such a lovely set of legs."
Danica shrugged, "Meh. I like my tights. Besides, it means should dad catch me out I can point out my legs aren't bare." she laughed, causing Emily and Jessica to grin as well.
"So," Emily said, linking arms with both Danica and Jessica, "Where are we off to today?"
"I need Honeydukes." Jessica said dramatically, "And I promised Elizabeth and Beatrice I would meet them at the Three Broomsticks for lunch. You both are welcome to join."
"It's too hot to sit in there today." Danica said, wrinkling her nose, "It's always so stuffy when it's warm. I was just going to grab some sandwiches and have a picnic."
"That sounds so good." Emily grinned, "But I do agree, sweets first!"
The three of them laughed, before racing one another into the village, gaining a lot of disapproving looks from some of the people they past.
Three hours later, Danica found herself wondering the twisting streets alone. Not that she minded.
Jessica had gone to meet the other girls and as Danica had predicted, it was far to hot to be sitting in the busy pub.
Emily had slipped away to go smooch her Gryffindor boy friend somewhere, leaving Danica wondering around and looking in the many windows.
"Danica?"
Danica spun round to see who was calling her, slightly surprised to see Hermione waving her over.
"What are you doing here?" Danica asked, giving Hermione a big hug.
"I'm wedding dress shopping." Hermione said, blushing, "You?"
Danica shrugged, "Not a lot. I spent a lot in Honeydukes and then got ice cream but… to be honest I just really don't fancy going back to school just yet. It's such a lovely day."
"It is beautiful." Hermione nodded, "Where are your friends?" she asked, slightly worried that Danica was here alone. She remembered all to well what it was like to not have any friends to hang out with.
"Oh I was with them earlier but Jessica had already agreed to meet up with Beatrice and Elizabeth in the Three Broomsticks and then Emily has a Gryffindor boyfriend that she doesn't see a lot and is currently trying to keep secret, even though we keep telling her literally everyone knows… so it's just me now." Danica smiled, "Anyone with you?"
Hermione shook her head, "No… Pansy is still over at Durmstrang and it didn't feel right taking Daphne and not Pansy… I'm sure she would have come back for this but… she seems to be loving it over there and I don't want to mess that up…"
"Makes sense." Danica said slowly.
"Plus I…" Hermione sighed, "I'm kinda worried about the whole dress shopping thing. I don't want to be influenced by anyone. I'm not good at finding a dress that I like."
"But you always look so lovely." Danica said honestly.
Hermione smiled, wrapping an arm around Danica, "Thank you. Truth be told there is only one dress I've ever actually loved and felt beautiful in, which is why I'm here."
"Which here is 'here'?" Danica asked with a laugh.
Hermione led her to the little dress shop that was tucked in the winding back streets of Hogsmead.
"Oh… Madam Owens made your red dress didn't she?" Danica said, everything falling into place in her mind.
Hermione nodded, blushing again, "Yep. I did wonder about just wearing my red dress but… I think at this point I deserve a new dress."
"Well I have about a hundred dresses and wouldn't hesitate in getting yet another one." Danica shrugged, "So I think having two rather than one is well overdue. Have fun. I can't wait to see it."
Hermione smiled watching Danica start to move away, "Danica wait… do you want to come in with me?"
Danica's eyes lit up, she loved dress shopping with her mother, watching the fabrics spin around, taking something flat and lifeless and turning it into a gown someone could wear, that moved with them, around them, full of life.
It was a type of magic to her that couldn't be explained.
"No… no you said you didn't want anyone influencing you." Danica said, forcing herself not to be upset.
Hermione simply laughed, pulling Danica into her side, "I didn't mean the little sister I never had."
"Naww thank you." Danica grinned, hugging Hermione back, "I'd be really honoured to come with you. I promise I wont even comment unless it's truly hideous!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, still laughing, before walking over and knocking on the shop door.
Madam Owens came over to the door, both Hermione and Danica could hear her heeled shoes tapping on the floor.
The door flew open and Madam Owens beamed at them, "Miss Granger, do come in, please. You are well I hope?"
"Very well." Hermione smiled, "This is my friend Danica, she's coming with me today. As long as that's alright with you?"
"Oh of course." Madam Owens smiled, "Danica… you're Lily Evan's girl aren't you?"
Danica nodded, "Yes ma'am. Please to meet you."
"Please to meet you too Miss Snape." Madam Owens said kindly, "Now, you are here for your wedding dress design, and wedding party dresses, I believe Miss Granger."
"Yes, please." Hermione nodded, "I… I would like something that pays homage to the amazing red dress you made me for my Yule Ball, in '94. But also something new, different… I don't think I'm making an awful lot of sense…"
"You are, perfect sense." Madam Owens smiled, "Please, sit down and I will get a few sketches. Would you like anything to drink? I have some very lovely and refreshing strawberry lemonade."
"That would be lovely, thank you." Hermione said, taking a deep, calming breath, Danica nodding at her side.
"Are you alright?" Danica whispered while Madam Owens was out of the room, "You seem really nervous."
"I am." Hermione admitted, "What… what if I can't find something I like… or love even."
Danica didn't say anything, just gave Hermione a big hug and smile.
It wasn't long before Madam Owens returned with two large glasses of the red lemonade. It was ice cold, the condensation beading on the edge of the glass, running down the side to the smooth lace napkins on the polished wooden table.
"To start, please just throw ideas at me." Madam Owens said, "Starting with bridesmaid dresses. Are you having bridesmaids?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes. Pansy, Daphne and Danica." she told Madam Owens.
Madam Owens nodded, "How old are you Miss Snape?"
"Me? I'm Fourteen." Danica said with a smile.
Madam Owens smiled back, her kind face putting both of them at ease, "Perfect."
Hermione thought for a moment, "I'd like… I'd like something in red, matching the Yule Ball dress. Viktor will be wearing his Lion uniform which is red and white…"
"When is it you're getting married?" Madam Owens asked, "It'll influence how heavy the dresses are."
"October." Hermione told her, "This was the first dress appointment you had."
"That's no problem." Madam Owens said, waving her hand dismissively, "It's only five dresses to make… I am assuming that your mother will want a gown as well."
Hermione shook her head, "No. Mum wants to wear one of her own dresses."
Madam Owens nodded, looking slightly confused.
"Muggle mothers don't always match like they do in Wizarding traditions." Hermione explained.
"Oh, of course." Madam Owens smiled, "Now, bridesmaids dresses…"
"Maybe lace sleeves and shoulders… lace on the skirt as well…" Hermione said thoughtfully, trying to picture the dresses in her mind, "Heavy fabric for the main… something slightly shiny like… what's it called, taffeta or satin…"
"I have some beautiful silk taffeta in." Madam Owens told her, "It is rather expensive though, just so you are aware."
Hermione blushed, money was no issue for the wedding parties dresses. Pansy and Daphne had both said they would happily put towards it, as had Draco, Harry and Neville. Not to mention Krum had saved more than enough money for any amount of extravagance. He'd also made it very clear to Hermione she was to get the best, the very best and exactly what she wanted. No exceptions to be made.
"It's fine." Hermione said quickly, "We just want it to be perfect."
"Of course." Madam Owens smiled, drawing something on the sketch pad she was holding, "Keep going."
"They're going to have roses in their hair, and their hair half up and half down. I'd like quite full skirts but fitted tops." Hermione said, "I think that's it."
"That's good, very good." Madam Owens smiled, "And for your dress?"
"Matching but different." Hermione said sheepishly, "My hair will be the same, and we're indoors so it shouldn't be too cold or anything."
Hermione and Danica waited a few moments while Madam Owens finished up her drawing.
"How about this?" she asked, showing them the sketch.
Hermione felt tears form in her eyes. She was standing on the page dressed in a full gown of pale ivory silk. Red roses and vines were embroidered around the hem, creeping up into the skirt itself. Next to her were three matching bridesmaids in very similar dresses of red silk, lace gores highlighting their skirts, the same lace covering their shoulders and arms, the sleeves ending in sharp points that lay flat across their hands.
"It's perfect." Hermione gasped, "Do you like it Danica?"
Danica nodded, "Yeah, definitely. You look like a princess."
"I was also thinking a matching cloak in ivory wool, with a red faux fur trim." Madam Owens told her, "It would be something practical as well as beautiful."
Hermione nodded, "I love it."
Madam Owens smiled, "I am glad. Now, I would like you to take a copy of the picture home with you. Look at it at least once a day for a week. Anything at all that you don't like, or would like to change, even the smallest thing, let me know one week from today. I'll also take a full set of measurements. Then I will make a toile and make sure that everything fits correctly before starting work on the final dress. Would you prefer me to make the bridesmaids' dresses or the wedding gown first?"
"I don't mind." Hermione shrugged.
"I'll start with the bridesmaids' dresses then." Madam Owens smiled, "Gives us more time to make sure that the wedding gown is completely perfect."
Hermione stood up, "Thank you so much Madam Owens, I… I was so worried about all this. I knew I could count on you."
Madam Owens smiled, blushing slightly at the compliment, "You are most welcome Miss Granger, Miss Snape. I shall see you soon."
Hermione thanked her again as they left the shop, the hot sun beating down at them the second they walked inside.
"That was so much fun." Danica grinned, "Even more fun when you get to see the actual dresses made."
Hermione laughed, "I'm glad you enjoyed it. And thank you for coming with me. I can trust that you'll keep it a secret? Not you coming with me, I mean the dress designs." she said quickly.
Danica dramatically drew a line across her lips, pretending to lock them at the end and throwing the 'key' across her shoulder.
Hermione laughed again, wrapping an arm around Danica's shoulders, "Come on you. I think, as your honorary big sister, I think we need ice cream!"