The Perfect Opportunity.

Chapter 23

The next morning, they all woke up on the floor of their living room, amidst a massive pile of plates, and food wrappers. It was a Sunday, so they didn't have classes, but for some reason, they had agreed to go shopping for the Hinny wedding that day late last night...

   Luckily, Ginny had already decided on wedding colours and the colour of her wedding dress, so they knew what they were looking for.

After, letting Molly and Lily know their plans so they could meet in Diagon Alley, the girls left their apartment at twelve o'clock and walked down to the main gates so they could apparate to Diagon Alley.

                                                                    ***

The girls entered Madame Malkin's, to get Ginny's wedding robes and the bridesmaids dresses. Almost immediately, Ginny and Hermione were recognised and the proprietor of the shop bustled over them to show them to a private fitting room.

'Now, ladies, what can I do for you today?' Madame Malkin asked.

'My wedding is coming up soon, and I'm here to look for a wedding dress, and for bridesmaid dresses as well. I have a vague idea of what I'm looking for; not a mermaid style dress, but I am open to strapless gowns, and I would quite like a full skirt..' Ginny replied.

'Of course, Miss Weasley. I will just pop back into the main shop and my store room to find suitable dresses to show you. In the mean time, my house elf will bring you champagne, and, if you would like, some chocolate-covered strawberries.'

'That would be lovely. Oh, by the way, my mother, and the mother of my groom, will be arriving shortly as well, so if you could show them through I would really appreciate it.'

'I will be sure to, Miss. Sparky?'

A pop was heard in the room, and a house elf appeared before them.

'What can I's do for yous, Missus?', she asked Madame Malkin.

'Could you please bring these fine young ladies some champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries whilst they wait.'

'Yes, of course. I's be right back.', the elf replied, before disappearing with a pop, which was shortly followed by the gentle shutting of a door as the seamstress left to gather supplies.

Lavender sat down on the luxurious couch, and, surveying the room, said, 'Well, girls, we might as well sit down as we wait. This couch is rather comfortable.'

The girls did as she suggested, and sat there marvelling at the room around them. The walls were a tasteful mauve, and there was a decadent chandelier hanging from the ceiling. On the walls was a large interactive portrait, to give opinions on the dresses, and to enable the user of the room to order different sizes and colours of the item of clothing they were trying on, or if they so wished, an entirely new outfit. This was, Lavender informed them, one of the highest forms of wizarding technology. Only the most refined institutes had them. There was also a changing curtain of the finest silk in one corner of the room.

A minute or so later, Sparky re-appeared, with two trays, holding the desired refreshments, which the women eagerly gathered around. Ginny, Luna, and to some extent Lavender, hadn't had much experience with champagne, and they were excited with the concept of a carbonated drink, much less an alcoholic one, and took happy little sips, in-between bites of their strawberries. Hermione found their enthusiasm over the drink amusing, sitting back and watching her friends make delighted remarks to one another.

***

Five minutes later, the door opened again. The young ladies turned towards it, and saw two red-haired heads poking around it.

'Mum! Lily! You made it. Here, sit and have some champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.' Ginny said, ushering the older females towards the couch and handing them a flute of champagne each.

Lily and Molly had just settled down when Madame Malkin arrived with multiple racks of dresses levitating behind her, three of which were full of wedding dresses. Realising how long this was going to take them, Ginny got to her feet and approached the racks.

They decided to start with the wedding dresses, based on the reasoning that they could co-ordinate the styles of Ginny's dress with the bridesmaids dresses.

The first dress Ginny tried on was ballgown; it had a tight, strapless, heart-cut bodice covered with lace, and a full skirt made out of tulle that had lace patching all over it. In-between the two was a thin belt of crystals.

Ginny came out from behind the curtain, and twirled around for her audience, who clapped for her.

'Well, what do you think?' she asked.

'Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not sure that style suits you that well, dear.' Molly said, shaking her head.

'Yeah, I hate to agree but I do. I'm not sure about the bodice on you.'

'I do see where you're coming from.. Next.' Ginny said, which proved to be a very commonly said word over the course of the afternoon.

                                               ***
Four hours later, they were exhausted. They had gone through so many dresses you wouldn't believe, and, in Ginny's opinion, not any closer to finding the dress.
 
There had been long dresses, short dresses, lace dresses and silk dresses. Finally, when she had given up all hope, Luna gave a small cough, and tapped Ginny on the shoulder. When she turned around, Luna was holding the most gorgeous dress you had ever seen; it was long and made of off-white satin, with a low v-cut neckline and long flowing sleeves.

'Where did you find that? I thought we went through all of the dresses and I've never seen that before..' Hermione said.

'It was in the back next to the hats. Ginny, try this on.' Luna said proffering the dress.

She took the dress and stepped behind the curtain. The audience held their breath, waiting for the big reveal.  

The curtain parted, and Ginny emerged. She looked amazing. The dress fit her curves perfectly and she satin made her skin glow, and complemented her hair, making her look like a goddess.

'Oh, my baby!' Molly said, clasping her hands to her face.

'Harry's officially the luckiest guy in the world! I can't wait to have you as a daughter-in-law, Gin.' Lily added.

'That's it. Ginny, you have to buy that dress! I don't care how expensive it is. I will split it with you if it's too expensive. I need to see you walk down the isle in that.' Lavender said, closely being followed by Hermione nodding her agreement.

As if she knew that they had found THE dress, Madame Malkin re-entered the room.

'Excuse me, Madame Malkin, how much is this dress?' Ginny asked, biting her lip and holding up the offending dress.

'Wherever did you find that dear?!' The seamstress asked in shock.

'Luna found it in the corner by the hats.. Why?'

'That's the dress of legend. The bride this dress appears to is fated to have the greatest love story of the century. Their love is fated to overcome anything. If the dress appeared to you, you must take it. Free of charge.'

'Wow! Thank you so much! Now all we need to do now is find bridesmaid dresses.' Ginny said, handing the dress over to be boxed up.