Who: Ginny Weasley & Hermione Granger What: Muggle dress shopping. When: Tuesday, 11 June ’01; afternoon Where: Muggle London Ginny had never been one of the girls that died for a day at the shops, but she’d never exactly been one to refuse them either. The truth was now that she had actually gained her own Galleons, she couldn’t really get used to the idea of it. They’d never had enough money for Ginny to go crazy in a shop, though her parents had always been rather good at rewarding or indulging their children on special occasions.
Today was different, she and Hermione would be meeting to go out in Muggle London to find Muggle formal wear. Although Ginny usually sported Muggle jeans or some other similar fashion, she had no idea really on what constituted Muggle formal wear, but a feminine side in her seemed excited to try it out. It would be better than dragging up some of her often used dress robes.
They had said they’d meet at a certain point in London. Ginny walked up to this point, it had taken her a while to find, she really hoped Hermione hadn’t given up on waiting for her. She scanned the area for any sign of her friend.
Checking her watch for the fifth time in two minutes, Hermione sighed. She should have told Ginny to meet her in a café, or somewhere less conspicuous. Hermione felt a little out of place, standing awkwardly in the middle of London. It was a rather good spot to meet, though. She had met her parents here countless times before heading to lunch or dinner.
Hermione couldn't recall the last time she had shopped for Muggle clothing. It had to have been nearly a year ago. She hadn't shopped for a dress in the Muggle world since she was ten. It would be an interesting day, overall.
After several more seconds, Hermione spotted Ginny walked toward her. The red-head didn't seem to notice her, though, so Hermione began to wave in hopes of catching her attention.
Ginny caught sight of her waving friend and a smile spread on her face. She stepped up to Hermione and embraced her. Stepping back she gave Hermione a sheepish smile, “I’m sorry, I’m really bad at finding my way about Muggle London it seems.”
Ginny looked around the street. The mere size, the amount of shops there were—it was enough to baffle or inspire awe in many people. For Ginny it made her wonder exactly where to start. This could get interesting…
“So, lead the way perhaps? How have you been today?”
Shrugging, Hermione smiled. “I'm all right. I've been thinking about the gala, though…” she trailed off, wondering if she could seek advice from Ginny. “Michalea Zabini asked me to give a speech on unity.” The thought of speaking in front of wizards and muggles alike made Hermione highly anxious. Unity defined every aspect of Hermione's beliefs and giving a speech about it was more than an honor.
Leading Ginny down the street, Hermione stopped in front of a shop that seemed to hold some dresses. “I suppose we could start here.” Hermione had no idea where to start. Formal wear was not her forte, let alone shopping.
Ginny’s eyes widened, “Oh a speech?” Ginny probably could have pulled off a speech, but impromptu, nothing so planned out, and the thought of it didn’t bode well with her. “You always seemed to favor unity, even back in school. It shouldn’t be too hard, should it?”
Ginny nodded looking at the shop. “Sure, let’s go.” She stepped into the shop, looking around a bit, before turning to her friend. “Michalea Zabini has asked me to bring my Quidditch robes as well. Apparently there is to be a lot of press and signings. It’s more of a business thing than a celebratory occasion.”
Ginny inspected a teal dress for a moment.
If only she could be as laid back as Ginny, Hermione thought. “I just feel that this will be a defining moment in my career. What if I mess up? Or what if nobody agrees with me? This is the Zabinis we're talking about. Most of their guests are probably going to be separatists.” Hermione mumbled the last part, wishing she hadn't agreed to give the speech.
It was odd that Michalea Zabini had asked Ginny to bring her Quidditch robes. “Are you expected to give autographs, do you think?” Had Ms. Zabini merely invited Hermione for the same reason, good press?
She pulled out a simple black dress from a row of clothing and checked the price. Doing some simple equations in her head, Hermione was able to calculate how many galleons the dress would cost. She immediately put the dress back.
“How fancy is this gala, exactly?” Hermione asked.
Ginny gave Hermione a sideways glance. The pit of her stomach felt like it had been kicked, but somehow Ginny kept her composure, mostly because she pretended to be very interested in this dress, even though it was a few sizes too big for her. “Better seperatists than isolationists. The Prime Minister is coming soon…”
Ginny had the feeling that Hermione would be an Integrationist. It wouldn’t be the first time that the pair would have conflicting thoughts, but it was Ginny that had to conceal hers at the current time. “I really hope it’s a no on the autographs. I feel a bit stupid doing them.”
Ginny gravitated to a chocolate brown dress. “Zabini said to wear muggle formal dresses and suits, I believe. So kind of formal?” Ginny had absolutely no idea of the galleon to pound ratio, but she quite liked this dress. “Do you think it could work?” Ginny said holding up the dress.
“Did I tell you I'm volunteering for the Ministry while the Prime Minister is visiting?” Hermione said, unaware of Ginny's feelings on the matter. “Ron is too.” Being able to support the Integrationist movement in even a small way was gratifying to Hermione. She really felt that it was time for the two worlds to merge. It was apparent that there would be difficulties involved, but if enough Muggles and Wizards were willing to unite, then it had to be possible.
The dress Ginny was holding looked perfect. “I think it will go nicely with your complexion. Actually, you would look great in anything.” Hermione regarded a light green dress with doubt. “Meanwhile, I look horrible in most everything.”
“No, I didn’t know that,” Ginny admitted. The news made her feel even less like she could confide any political beliefs of hers into Hermione and now her brother. Would she be able to confide in any of her family members or Harry or Luna? Perhaps it was best not to.
Ginny’s eyes locked on to the chocolate satin, slight touches of lace and beadwork. This muggle formal dress shopping thing wasn’t so bad at all. Her eyes looked up at Hermione. “You have got to be joking. I’m a red head, there are some colors I can never wear, and you Hermione, you have the coloring to pull anything off. Who was it in her fourth year that put all the other girls to shame at the Yule Ball?” Ginny did a mock thinking bit, tapping her finger to her chin. “Oh that’s right… you.”
She looked around at the dresses. “Anything at all to your liking?”
Blushing deeply, Hermione waved away Ginny's compliment. “I recall receiving a lot of help that night. I certainly didn't look like that naturally or on my own.” Hermione grabbed a dress at random. It was a lilac color and had a modest cut, but it was pretty. She shook her head at Ginny's question nonetheless. “Nothing is really catching my eye here. Of course, I really have no clue as to what I'm doing. I'm considering just buying this one and being done with it.”
Shopping had always seemed so frivolous to Hermione. There was usually something more productive she could be doing with her time. In this case, though, Hermione was free for the rest of the day. With Ron helping out at home, most of the chores were already done when she got home. Plus, she had more time with her new job to finish errands.
“How are things with you… romantically?” Hermione asked, not sure how to bring up the subject. She figured it was appropriate girl talk, though.
Ginny looked at Hermione’s selection, “That color suits you.” If nothing else, Ginny had a knack for color. “Might as well try it on.”
The romantic question… it was an inevitable question in female company. “Oh you know a different wizard every week,” Ginny joked. The truth was Ginny would love to be dating more, and the thought had come to her mind quite a bit over the last month especially. However her dating pool had become a puddle after Hogwarts, well after Harry really… but maybe that had been partially her own fault. There were athletic and good looking Quidditch players all around, after all…
“No, seriously. It’s a bit unfortunate… I didn’t even try to look for a date to this event,” Ginny admitted, suddenly becoming interested in other dresses. She picked up a gold one with a few sequins and beads. “Back up dress.”
She looked at her friend. “And you and Ron… how are things with you romantically?”
“All right, it wouldn't hurt,” Hermione responded. She draped the dress over her arm while she perused more options.
She frowned at Ginny's answer to her previous question. She probably shouldn't have asked about her love life. “What about Harry? You can always ask him to go with you. He'd be happy to be your date.” Hermione didn't know this for a fact, it was more of her own selfish desires for them to be together.
A red dress seemed to jump out at Hermione so she pulled it down and placed it with her lilac one. “Ron and I are fine. I think we'll have more time for each other with our new jobs, now. Plus, I'm saving up for my own flat…” Hermione let this thought go, not wanting to open that particular subject up with Ron's sister.
Ginny picked up her third dress to try on, a plum colored one with gold stitching, her mouth twisted to the side before she replied to the ever-going Harry question, “It’s just probably for the best to leave it alone. If Harry and I were ever going to be anything… it would have happened. I’ve told myself that it’s because we are too busy, but really, Hermione…”
Ginny caught herself from going on a ramble, but she figured it was best to at least round the subject off, “It would be much better for me to ask someone else.” She looked at the red dress in her hands. “You could definitely do red…”
The slip of this statement made Ginny grin, thinking over her brother and Hermione. “He really does try hard, Hermione, he really cares for you, but I’m sure you know—wait new jobs?” She had just read about Percy…