Relentless - A Dramione FanFic

The Leaky Cauldron & Diagon Alley

Room service arrived earlier than any of the the girls wanted to be awake, but once the tea and muffins hit their bellies, they couldn't help but sigh with delight.  They ate together in the sitting room, Ginny sprawled across an arm chair; Hermione and Luna next to each other on the couch.  The girls had agreed no more talk about the previous evenings unexpected event, choosing to focus again on Ginny's surprise revelation.

"When do you plan to tell your parents?"  Luna asked between bites of her cinnamon scone.

"Harry & I decided to wait until Christmas.  The Chosen One as a son-in-law --  It will be the best gift I've ever given them!"  Ginny laughed.

"Don't let him hear you calling him that!" Hermione playfully scolded.  "It will go straight to his head, and there will be no living with him."

"I think you've got my boyfriend confused with my brother again, Hermione."  Ginny couldn't resist the chance to poke fun at her closest brother, who just happened to love the spotlight more than anyone she'd ever met.

Hermione and Luna laughed along, mostly because they knew what she'd said was 100% accurate.  Harry wasn't the type to seek out adulation.  It was unavoidable, being that he was The Boy Who Lived and the one who defeated Voldemort, but if it were up to him, he'd never again be the center of attention.  Ron, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of his new found fame.  Being part of the Golden Trio played right into Ron's desire for the spotlight.  He relished all the interviews and fan mail.  Much to Hermione's dismay, he'd even received several marriage proposals!  He didn't much care for being the last one the reporters looked to, usually after Harry and Hermione had declined to comment, but he'd take what he could get until he was able to make a name for himself apart from his more famous friends.

"We should go dress shopping," Hermione exclaimed suddenly, jumping up off the couch.  "We have over three hours until we are supposed to meet Molly at the Leaky Cauldron.  There's a great little bridal shoppe between here and there."

Hermione could see the trepidation in Ginny's eyes.  "It'll be great, Ginny.  You'll see.  Just one or two dresses, and we'll be on our way."  She turned to Luna for backup, but the blonde shook her head and held her hands up indicating it was solely up to Ginny.  "Pleeeeease???"  Hermione begged, turned back the bride-to-be.

"Oh, fine!"  Ginny threw her hands up in defeat.

**

"Two dresses, Granger, and that's it!"  Ginny scoffed as she gazed through the window at the much too-ornate gowns.  "Its not like I could afford any of these, anyway," she added mostly to herself.

"So when is the wedding?" Clara, the bridal clerk began giving her usual spiel.

"We haven't decided yet," Ginny admitted, giving Hermione a sideways glance she hoped conveyed her displeasure.

"They just got engaged six days ago, haven't even told their family yet."  She blurted as if that would explain the lack of wedding date.  She rambled when she was uncomfortable, and right then, she was as uncomfortable as a hippogriff in a bathing suit.  "This girls' weekend was planned before, so this is a spur-of-the-moment shopping trip.  We -- I forced her to come.  Thought it would be fun --"  Hermione snapped her mouth shut when she saw the three women gaping at her.  "Sorry."  She politely smiled, but could feel the red rising into her cheeks.

"Well then, let's have a look around, shall we." Clara remained professional, though her eyes revealed her displeasure at knowing Ginny had no intention of purchasing a gown today.

The three friends had browsed the racks for over an hour, and only had two Ginny-approved dresses to show for it.  

"Get in there, then,"  Hermione instructed, pointing to the changing room Clara had prepared.