Mrs Weasley had gone and gotten all of our school supplies from Diagon Alley while we were gone. I was just piling my textbooks into my cauldron when Ron made a loud noise of disgust behind me.
Ron: What is that supposed to be?
He was holding up something that looked like a long, maroon velvet dress. It had a moldy-looking lace frill at the collar and matching lace cuffs. There was a knock on the door, and Mrs Weasley entered, carrying an armful of freshly laundered Hogwarts robes.
Molly: Here you are. Now, mind you pack them properly so they don't crease.
Ron: Mum, you've given me Ginny's new dress.
Molly: Of course I haven't. That's for you. Dress robes.
I snorted.
Ron: What?
Molly: Dress robes! It says on your school list that you're supposed to have dress robes this year, robes for formal occasions.
Ron: You've got to be kidding. I'm not wearing that, no way.
Molly: Everyone wears them, Ron! They're all like that! Your father's got some for smart parties!
Ron: I'll go starkers before I put that on.
Molly: Don't be so silly. You've got to have dress robes, they're on your list! I got some for Harry too. And YN, your mother sent yours overnight.
I dug through my stuff, and found what she was talking about. White robes with a black undershirt and baggy white pants. I grinned.
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YN: Cash.
In some trepidation, Harry opened the last parcel on his camp bed. Lucky for him, his dress robes didn't have any lace on them at all. In fact, they were more or less the same as his school ones, except that they were bottle green instead of black.
Molly: I thought they'd bring out the color of your eyes, dear.
Ron: Well, they're okay! Why couldn't I have some like that?
Molly: Because... well, I had to get yours secondhand, and there wasn't a lot of choice!
Harry looked away. I felt bad for Ron too.
Ron: I'm never wearing them. Never.
Molly: Fine. Go naked. And, Harry, make sure you get a picture of him. Goodness knows I could do with a laugh.
She left the room, slamming the door behind her. There was a funny spluttering noise from behind us. Pigwidgeon was choking on a huge Owl Treat.
Ron: Why is everything I own rubbish?
When we awoke the next morning, heavy rain was still splattering against the window as I pulled my hoodie over my head. We would change into our school robes on the Hogwarts Express. I left the room earlier than the other boys, and knocked on the girls' door. Ginny opened it, smirking.
