It's Nice To Have A Friend

16) We'll Always Be Friends

Alice got home from her run, expecting to find an empty apartment until she noticed that Hermione was there, using the whole living room as her work space. There were moodboards, sketches and fabrics everywhere. It looked like a big mess, but Alice was truly impressed.

"Wow, Hermione. You've been working hard." She smiled, smiling at all the outfits on the mannequins. Hermione hadn't heard her come in, so she was slightly startled when she noticed Alice.

"I'm sorry, I'm making such a big mess." She tried to gather some of her stuff, which was completely useless.

"No, it's fine. I really love what you did with this outfit." Alice stood in front of one of the mannequins and admired it.

It was a chique see through lace blouse with silk black pants, which looked more expensive than anything she had ever owned.

"You do?" Hermione's eyes gleamed.

"Stop being so insecure, you know how talented you are!" Alice playfully bumped her shoulder. She was always so modest, while she was definitely one of a kind.

"Would you take a look at these? Which ones do you believe should be in the collection?" Hermione showed her some sketches and gestured for the mannequins where they were worked out on.

"Definitely these four." She pointed at her favorites, which were the most unique.

"I love your eye on this." Hermione smiled. It was nice to have someone look at this with another view, instead her own.

"Can I ask you a favor?" She wondered.

"You're doing one by letting me stay here, so ask away." Alice smiled.

"I need someone to wear these for my presentation, and I want someone that really fits what I made, you know?" Hermione said, implying her question.

"Do you mean you want me to do it?" Alice was the one to be insecure now.

"You're one of the most beautiful women I know, and I can picture these looks on you so vividly. Please?" Hermione pleaded with puppy eyes, but Alice was already convinced.

"Oh my god, of course!" She squealed happily.

"Can I try these on?" Alice gestured to the mannequins and the outfits on them.

"You can, but maybe we could go shopping first? This is a lace blouse, and I know exactly what you should wear underneath." Hermione smiled proudly, feeling confident in her work since a long time.

"You know I love it when I hear the word shopping." Alice smirked, and couldn't wait to help her friend out.

**

"So, what exactly are we here for?" FP wondered, after he and Fred were summoned to come over to help her out. Mary had offered her help too and had already started.

"Please sort these outfits, so Alice can start fitting them. I'll finish this last one." Hermione handed FP over the bag with clothes and the sketches, so he could match the right things together.

"Seventy dollars for a bra?!" He exclaimed, when he noticed the price tag on the new item.

"You know I'll hold them for free, right?" FP smirked up at Alice, who rolled her eyes with a smile.

"This is supposed to be the collection that gets me promoted. I get one shot, hopefully at least one of my designs will be good enough to make it to the spring." Hermione explained, brushing over his vulgar comment. She was way too nervous to have even heard it.

Alice had walked to her room to try on the first dress, but didn't manage to get it on, on her own.

"Can someone help me zip this up?" She poked her head out of the room, hoping someone would have their hands free.