Love Changes (Dramione)

[two]

Diagon Alley was buzzing with witches and wizards getting their shopping done. Everything in the alley had been renovated after the war. Shops that were once closed, are now open again. Broken windows and doors have been mended back to their shiny states. It was quite difficult to find people because of the crowd, but Hermione found her friends waiting for her in front of Gringotts.

"It's only been a couple of days, but Merlin, we've missed you!" Ginny grinned and wrapped Hermione in a hug

"It's good to see you too." Hermione chuckled

"I missed you, 'Mione!" Ron smiled and kissed her cheek

"I missed you too, Ron." Hermione replied with a smile before hugging Harry "I'm supposing you're Head Boy?"

Her three friends all glanced at each other before Harry cleared his throat and said "No, I declined."

"Harry Potter! How could you?" Hermione exclaimed, followed by a smack on Harry's shoulder

"Oi!" Harry exclaimed "First, you and I both know I will not be a good Head Boy," he said with a pointed stare

Hermione looked at him and frowned "Case in point."

"And second, I really do want to rest this year, Hermione. After this year, we'll be intern Aurors and that's more life saving to do. I don't really want the weight of a whole school on my shoulders right now, thanks." Harry shrugged "It's surprising enough that they let us come back for this year when we should be interns now."

Hermione sighed "Alright, good point. I was just a little upset because it would be easy to live and work with you" she looked at Ron and Ginny "Have you any idea who this new Head Boy could be?"

"No, none at all." Ginny shook her head

"We received a letter from Neville and Luna just before we left, and neither of them mentioned anything either." Ron shrugged

"I guess I'll have to wait until we board the train, then." Hermione sighed, still praying that it's someone she's close with

Perhaps a Ravenclaw. Yeah, maybe a Ravenclaw. She gets along well with Ravenclaws.

The four of them finally entered the bank, after a couple more minutes of catching up. It took a while to get to all four of their vaults, collecting the necessary amounts that they need for buying their supplies. "It kinda feels nice not having to worry about money for a change." Ginny muttered quietly "That 'thank you, for saving our world' reward from the ministry was very generous, Ron."

"I didn't help Harry for the money," Ron said with a shrug, patting his best friend on the back "but it does feel nice."

"So, where to first?" Harry asked, changing the subject

"Cauldrons first, so we have somewhere to put our things," Hermione said "then robes and books."

"Alright, let's start." Ron nodded, and so the four of them dived into the chaotic sea of Diagon Alley shoppers

After grabbing their cauldron's from Potage's, they headed to the Apothecary, which was packed with witches and wizards buying new potions and ingredients. Surprisingly, none of them had bumped into an old friend from Hogwarts. After struggling to get through the narrow aisles of fragile potion vials, the four of them proceeded to Madam Malkin's for their new robes

The witch almost fell off her stool when the Golden Trio entered her shop, the tiny bell by the door ringing clear as day "My my! What an honor it is to have you all in my shop today!" She cooed

"Good day, madam Malkin!" Hermione laughed "We're just normal students looking for new robes today."

"Oh yes! Come come, let's have you fitted," the older witch smiled and took Hermione and Ginny by their wrists "Ladies first," she winked at Ron and Harry

"Oh Hermione Granger, brightest witch of her age, and Ginny Weasley, you incredibly strong fighter." madam Malkin cooed "What an honor! What an honor! My dears, your figures are stunning" She complimented as she took down every measurement the enchanted tape measure came up with

"Oh thank you." Ginny blushed, her cheeks nearing the color of her hair

"I'll have your robes in a while, call on the two boys, would you?" madam Malkin smiled sweetly

Ginny tapped on Harry and Ron's shoulders, who were both preoccupied with looking at the sweaters on display "your turn."

Hermione quietly sat on one of the couches, waiting patiently "So, how are you and Ron?" Ginny asked, sitting next to her

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, a brow raised in question

"You seem distant," Ginny shrugged "Or maybe Harry and I are really just into PDA, and you're not."

"Okay, gross," Hermione frowned "but, no... I don't know... I feel like Ron needs the space to grieve."

Ginny sighed "Okay, but are you sure that's it?"

"Gin, that really is it--" Hermione was interrupted by the sound of the bell ringing, signaling the entrance of a new customer. Both she and Ginny turned to look at the door, only to find Draco Malfoy frozen by the door frame

He looked different. A little healthier perhaps, without his sunken eyes and sickly pale skin. The expression on his face, however, was very different from the usual arrogance that was on it. He looked rather flustered, like he didn't know what to do after seeing the two witches in the shop he intended to enter "I'll come back later." He muttered, and left in a series of strides

"That... was weird..." Ginny muttered

"A new customer?" Madam Malkin peeped behind the curtains

"He'll come back later." Hermione forced a smile

They stayed in Madam Malkin's for a couple more minutes before they finally got their new robes. The four of them also decided to buy new sweaters and shirts for their stay in Hogwarts before they went on to finally buy their books. Hermione stayed behind in Flourish and Blotts whilst the other three headed to buy new Quidditch supplies, like broom cleaners and what not. After buying the extra school books and novels she wanted, Hermione made a beeline for Quality Quidditch Supplies

"Ice cream, then the Burrow?" Ginny grinned

"Oh I haven't packed." Hermione frowed

"It's okay, we'll wait for you there." Ron said and held her hand, finally a show of affection after all day

"The shop's still closed?" Harry asked, glancing over the the Weasley twins' joke shop as they crossed the alley for Florean's ice cream shop

"George is taking his time to get everything arranged before opening it again." Ron said, squeezing Hermione's hand

"I'm here." she whispered quietly

Harry nodded and headed into the ice cream store, desperate for something sweet to lighten up the dim mood he just created