Shopping
Narrator pov
The night and previous morning passed by. It was almost noon. They were in the living room. Hermione got the Invitation to the gala which she accepted. Pansy and Theo were fighting about a past gala event. One from when they were kids. Blaise was reading. Draco observed the fight. Hermione was looking through her purse to make sure she had enough money to buy a dress. Blaise sat down beside her.
“What are you looking for sis?” Blaise said with curiosity.
“Just making sure I have enough money to buy a dress for the gala.” She had a little more than 200 galleons which most likely wouldn’t be enough for a good dress.
“You don’t have enough money?” She shook her head saying she didn’t. “Just use the family vault.”
“The what?”
“Our family vault. There is one in Gringotts. Though they may not realize you are a Zabini now. I don’t know if mother has added you to the list.”
“I think she said something about that this morning at breakfast.”
“It's fine. I have to go either way to get some Galleons. I will ask if your on the list. If not I will add you.”
“You don’t have to do that. I have my own money in my Vault. I can just use mine.”
“No way. Your Zabini now. You will use the money in your family vault. It’s only fair.”
“Blaise, I don't need handouts. Plus I would feel bad for taking some.”
“Hermione, use the vault. You won’t even put a dent into how much money is in there. Remember, we are one of the richest in the wizarding world.”
She signed in defeat. “Fine, but I’m only using a little bit.”
“Deal” he said with a chuckle. Then they all stared at Pansy and Theo who were still arguing.
~~~~~~
They apparited to Diagon Alley. Hermione was running late. They had to say their goodbyes to the mums. Then Theo forgot his Galleons so they had to wait for another five minutes.
They walked up to the bar. People were giving confused looks why the ‘golden girl’ was associating with former death eaters. They stepped inside. It was very crowded. Then she spotted two redheads and a raven-haired boy. She smiled.
Harry looked at her first then realized it was her. He had a smile on his face and got up from his seat. Ginny and Ron saw her also and stood up. Harry approached and gave Hermione a hug. Ginny ran to her next. Ron followed and forcefully kissed her to the annoyance of the slytherins.
“Mione it’s been to long! How have you been.” Ginny said. She was gave the gang of riches a dirty look.
“Amazing.” Was the one word she said.
Harry extended his hand to Blaise to shake. They shook hands. Harry nodded to the rest. It was awkward.
“Well I will see you later.” Hermione said trying to calm down the situation.
“Bye gorgeous.” Theo said purposely. Ron held Hermione close to him to her discomfort. The boys and girl walked out. People stared at what they witnessed.
Ginny pulled hermione away from Ron and hugged her again. “What did they do? How bad was it? Are you okay? And my gosh you look gorgeous and so different without the Glamour charm on!” She let go.
“I will explain everything.” They sat back at the table they were previously sitting at.
“So? Explain!” Ginny said in a mix of emotions.
“Gosh, where do I start. Let’s start off with when I got there. I saw Malfoy and his mother, Pansy and Theo there. They all now live there. The Malfoys stopped living at their manor. Too many bad memories with Voldemort being there in the past. At least that was what I was told. Theo's father is in Azkaban. His mother passed away a while back. He is very different from his father.” Ron groaned which they ignored. “Pansy was disowned after the war. Her parents were disappointed that she didn’t capture you, Harry. And that she was only just yelling at you for people to grab. She has changed. She feels greatly ashamed of what she did. They all do. They are now very kind and funny. Pansy apologized first when I first saw them. Draco when I was getting the house tour and Theo before I went to bed the first night. I had a small glamor charm placed on me when I was a baby. You can see how I have changed. I have got to know my mom and brother. And fun fact they actually help us during the war.” They gave confused looks. “Apparently Lupin would meet up with Mrs Zabi… my Mum and she would give the information she knew to him. She got Blaise away from the war and into Hogwarts last year telling Voldemort that he was “spying on the kids” so he could continue his education which as we know nobody did. Pansy also did the same thing as him. Theo and Malfoy were forced to work for Voldemort though. And that’s basically it.``
They sat there digesting the new information. Harry stared at her.
“I’m sorry but it’s weird seeing you so different. I still notice you earlier but it's weird. It’s like a tan and more.” He confessed. Ron also couldn’t take his eyes off her.
She struggle. “I feel great. How about you finish thought drinks and then we go to Gringotts? I need to make a withdrawal.” They all nodded in agreement.
~~~~~~~
They made their way to Gringgotts. And stood infront of the goblin who was looking for hermione on the list, not convinced.
“It’s so weird being here not undercover.” Harry blurted out for Hermione to laugh. Ron just looked annoyed. The goblin turned his attention to Hermione.
“You're on the list, please follow me.” They followed.
“Hermione should we come? This feels weird.” Ginny confessed.
“It’s totally fine. I’m just grabbing a couple Galleons from the family vault. Blaise said it was okay.”
“I guess I will finally see how much money they actually have.” Ginny snorted with Hermione playfully hitting her arm. They both laughed.
~~~~~
They were infront of the vault. It wasn’t opened. She started in confusion.
“The Zabini vault only opens to blood relatives. If you are then please put your hand in the middle.” The goblin answer. She placed her hand on it.
“I guess we will finally know if it’s true.” Ron murmured under his breath which they all heard but ignored.
The door started to creck. The locks chimed. It open. She opened the vault to see more galleons then ever. It was like a fairy tale.
“My goodness.” Her three friends mumbled.
Hermione grabbed enough galleons for a decent dress. Then point for them to leave.
~~~~~~
Ron won’t leave her alone while they walk to the dressing store. He keep kissing her neck and mouth. She tired to push him off but he won’t budge. Harry finally had to step in and said that they shouldn’t show so much PDA in public. They made their way to the dressing store. It was gorgeous.
“Okay how about this. Ron and I will get fitted in the men’s section and the ladies in the women’s and we will meet up in the potions store after.”
“Sounds perfect.” Ginny said as she kissed Harry goodbye.
The ladies walked around. A worker came their way.
“Wow look who it is! The ‘golden girl’ and ‘The Chosen one girlfriend’ in the store I work at! How may I be of service to you?”
“We have a event we have to attend to. We both require red dresses. Do you have?” Ginny blurted out.
“Oh yes of course. We have many! Come, come. Follow me.” They did what she said. They looked in the collection of red dresses. They picked many to try on. They made their way to the change rooms. Ginny went first. She finally found the perfect red dress. It was bright red. Shoulder straps, long. A slit for her leg which wasn’t too long. A diamond cut in the mind for cleavage. Harry would flip out when he saw his girlfriend. Ginny only had to try on a couple dresses till she found the right one. It took hermione longer. Way longer. She wanted something simple but still wanted to be bold because she was a guest of honor in the event. She didn’t want anything bright, unlike Ginny’s. Something that made the new her stand out. She wanted something that would have a secret place to pull out her wand because of her past instincts. Something was telling her in her gut to have a big slit to walk in, in case something happened and she would have to run. She thought she was over thinking it but still had her gut feeling to do so. She finally found a dress that expected what she wanted. It was perfect for the event. Not too bold but not so unbold. It had spaghetti straps. The cleavage wasn’t too revealing. It showed her hourglass body. It was a dark red with gold sparks.
~~~~~
They went to the potions store and shopped. They went to some other stores for her friends. People keep going up to them for autographs. Something Hermione thought could never happen. It was getting dark.
“We should go drop you off Hermione. It’s getting pretty late.” Harry explained.
“Probably should. Here grab on and I will apparited us.” They all nodded and grabbed her arm.
They apparited in front of the Zabini Manor. Her friends let go and gasped at the manor.
“Merlin, you live here!?!” Ginny yelled out of excitement.
“Yeah. It’s pretty, very lovely.”
“No wonder you left us, gold digger.” Ron mumbled. They all heard him. Harry was about to yell at him but Ginny was quicker to respond.
“Ronald Weasley! You need to stop acting like this! It’s either you are criticizing your girlfriend or you're trying to shag her. Make up your bloody mind.” She turned to hermione. “Mione, I was going to ask for a house tour but today may not be the best time. We will see you at the gala?”
Hermione nodded and said goodbye to her two friends and just gazed at her lover. She left them at the steps of her home and went inside with her bags in hand. She closed the door and slid down onto the floor. Her back to the door.
“Merlin bread, what am I going to do?”