Just a Kiss

Chapter 33

Warning for an anxiety attack in this chapter. I'll put markers, like last time, of where it's at. If you think you'll be impacted by it, then please skip over it. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!

Narcissa is more than willing to help Hermione out. That very afternoon, she appears in Hermione's living room with a plume of flames and grins brightly at the girl. "We've got a meeting with my tailor at two, and one with my stylist at four. Come along, dear, we've got a busy schedule." 

Sweeping an astonished Hermione into the fireplace, she throws a handful of Floo powder down and says an unfamiliar name. Hermione disappears and tumbles out of a different fireplace with a sharp gasp that devolves into a coughing fit. Narcissa follows a few moments after, looking only a little apologetic for her actions. 

"A little warning next time," Hermione scolds, then remembers who she's talking to and adds, "please, ma'am." 

"Of course," Narcissa agrees, helping Hermione back to  her feet. Her eyes drift over Hermione's shoulder and she calls out a greeting. "Matilda, wonderful to see you. I hope you don't mind us being a little early." 

Turning around, Hermione spots an older woman hobbling closer. She has a gleaming gold cane gripped tightly in a wrinkled hand while the other flits through the air, sending various pieces of cloth to work on their own. Her lips are pursed as beady eyes pass over Hermione's appearance. "It's no matter," she rasps, speaking to Narcissa but keeping her gaze on Hermione. "Is this who I'm working with?" 

Hermione colors and ducks her head. 

Matilda clicks her tongue.  With deft movements, she taps the floor with her cane three times. The final strike sends a shower of sparks that shoot off to a rather large chair against the far wall. The chair lifts from the ground and floats to Hermione, positioning itself right behind her. "Sit, girl," Matilda commands. 

Doing as she's told, Hermione chances a glance up to the woman. "I'm sorry, I didn't have any time to think about what sort of dress I want. This was all short notice and I-" 

"Nonsense," Matilda interrupts. The cloth from before freezes when she snaps her fingers and a second snap brings the colorful material soaring towards Hermione. "I specialize in dresses, child, and the cloth knows exactly what you like." She smiles for the first time when she continues and says, "you're a beautiful young woman. I know exactly what sort of dress you'll have." 

A length of vibrant red material nudges at her back, easing her forward in her seat, then ducks under her arms until she raises them up perpendicular to her body. 

"Color first," Matilda mutters to Narcissa, who nods and settles down on a sofa beside a rack of purple dresses. 

The crimson material swirls around Hermione, pressing close to her skin and covering the clothes she's got on. Before she even has the chance to decide, it darts off and a forest green color replaces it. It's a parade of shades from there. Yellows and pinks and oranges coming and going so fast it makes Hermione's head spins. 

She's near ready to just close her eyes when Matilda finally slams her cane onto the floor. The material around her stops and, for the first time, Hermione notices the silky smooth feel of it on her skin. It almost feels warm to touch. Looking down, she sees the chosen color is a rich blue. She runs her fingers over it and can't help but let a small smile peak out. 

"Stand up, child, we've still got work to do," Matilda demands. 

The proceeding events are a whirl of thread and needles and being told to stand this way or that. It's nearly four when Matilda hits the floor with her cane and the finished dress settles just right over Hermione's frame.