Chapter 8 - A Make-Over Gone Wrong
That same afternoon, Angela was laughing at one of the corny jokes Harry was telling. "Oh my, Harry. That was really bad!" She stopped giggling, glanced at her watch and said, "I think we better get back at the Ministry. I assume you still have a report to finish?"
Harry nodded. "And you too, `milady has a report to start as well."
Angela giggled again. "Well, kind sir," she said as she stood up. Harry stood up as well and forked his arm for her to take. "Lead the way!" And they laughed all the way to the Ministry.
-----------------------------------------------------------
After a painstaking shopping and make-over spree, the two witches Apparated home to Hermione's. Hermione was so exhausted, that once she got in, she plopped down on the couch and dropped the shopping bags that she was carrying. Ginny sat down also opposite her.
"You look really good now, `Mione. Let's just see if Mr. Potter doesn't start drooling at the sight of you," Ginny commented. Hermione was wearing a beige Capri pants, a yellow sleeveless top with small flower designs and yellow and white striped thong sandals (with a slight heel) to complete the look. She had on very minimal make-up fit for just going out and relaxing.
Hermione blushed at Ginny's comment. She liked her new look, as compared to the former boring clothes and no make-up, it made her feel more feminine.
Hermione had her hair relaxed, so that it was not that bushy anymore but fell down past her shoulders in waves, framing her face nicely. Ginny taught her a simple spell that would match her make-up to the clothes she is wearing. They bought a whole new wardrobe to improve Hermione's set of clothes now, that consisted of shorter skirts, fitted jeans, halter tops, sun dresses and several dress robes, gowns and cocktail dresses for formal wear, should the need arise. The new clothes complimented Hermione's figure which she'd been hiding under Ministry robes and big shirts. Hermione's closed shoes and flat thongs were replaced by open-toed sandals, heels and a couple of trainers for sporting wear.
After a short while, Ginny stood up and said, "Get up now, Hermione. We still have a lot to do."
Hermione looked at Ginny dumbstruck. "We've been doing a lot already since this morning, Gin. What else do you want to do?"
"Well, I thought that if we want to present the new Hermione Granger to Mr. Potter, we should start tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Yeah, tonight. You'll be making dinner for two tonight and you will dress up for that. Something that would knock his socks off," said Ginny excitedly. "Now, we can confirm what Harry feels for you."
Hermione opened and closed her mouth as if trying to say something but nothing came out. After a few seconds, she finally found her voice and said, "But what about Ron?"
"Oh, don't worry about him. I'll fix it." And with that, Ginny stormed up the stairs to Ron's room leaving a startled Hermione in her wake.
After about 15 minutes, Ginny came back down with a triumphant grin plastered on her face. Hermione raised her eyebrows at her and asked, "So, care to tell me what that was all about?"
"Let's just say that you won't have to worry about Ron being here tonight."
And with that said, Ron came ambling down the stairs with a backpack. "Hi, `Mione. I'll not be staying home tonight. I'll be back… er… probably tomorrow or the next day. I'll just go straight to… er… practice. Coach Flooed and told me we have one tomorrow."
Hermione still with her eyebrows raised did not entirely believe what Ron was saying. Ron blushed as Hermione stared and scrutinized him. Finally, she said, "All right, Ron. Say hello to Luna for me."
Ron blushed a deeper red and mumbled something incomprehensible. He glanced at the two witches and muttered "Bye," walked over to the front door and Disapparated.
After they were sure that Ron already left, the two laughed out loud.
"I can't believe that you told Ron to sleep over at Luna's tonight!" said Hermione in between giggles.
"Yeah, he didn't even ask why. He just packed up his things and grinned at me stupidly when I suggested that he might like to spend his night down at Luna's," Ginny shook her head. "So, now - we have work to do, come on!" And with that, she pulled Hermione from the couch, grabbed their shopping bags and stalked off towards Hermione's bedroom.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron stood in front of Luna's door and rang the doorbell. "Just a minute!" He heard someone shout from inside. After a brief while, the door opened and there stood Luna. "Ronald! What a pleasant surprise! Back so soon? I suppose you want a repeat of last night?" Luna asked slyly as she ushered Ron inside her flat.
Ron blushed a bit and said, "Well, actually my sister and Hermione threw me out of our house and I thought why not stay here for the night?" He grinned at Luna and wriggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Luna chuckled and gestured for Ron to follow him up to her bedroom. Upon reaching her room, Ron grabbed Luna by the waist and started to kiss her, Luna kissed him back with as much passion and fervor. They started walking towards the bed and upon reaching it, stumbled down with Ron on top of Luna. He left her lips and started planting soft kisses on her neck down to her collarbone while trying to get her shirt over her head. However, Luna had other things on her mind at that moment.
"Ronald," she whispered, trying to get Ron's attention. Ron didn't hear her and continued on with his ministrations.
"Ronald," this time a little louder.
Ron lifted his head and looked at Luna. He was flushed and his hair was already disheveled. "What?" he asked a little bit annoyed because Luna just stopped him when he was already enjoying himself.
"I just remembered, the last time I visited you at your house, Harry and Hermione were acting a little strange."
Ron grunted and slid off Luna to the side of the bed. "Why do we need to talk about my best friends' love lives at this time, Luna?" asked Ron exasperatedly.
"It all clicks into place," Luna continued as if she didn't hear Ron speak. "There was tension between Hermione and Harry that night. And then they didn't talk to each other for a week and Ginny told me that they're getting a make-over for Hermione today. And then they kicked you out tonight, meaning that Hermione would have the house as well as Harry all to herself tonight." Luna stared off to space dreamily and sighed. "I wish Hermione all the luck tonight…"
"Yeah, well… I've known it for some time now that there's something going on between those two. Now, where were we?" Ron gently brought Luna's face to his and brought it forward for a kiss.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
That afternoon, Harry was preparing himself to go home. He finished packing his things and with a wave of his hand, made them all shrink so it would fit in his pocket. He then heard someone clapping just behind him. Turning around, he saw Angela smiling at him.
"That was really good magic, Harry. But what else would you expect from The-Wizard-Who-Saved-The-World? I wish I could do that though. Wandless Magic," said Angela, smilingly.
Harry smiled back, though thinking for a moment of the same conversation that went on between him and Hermione. Can you stop thinking about her for a minute, Potter and concentrate on this beautiful lady in front of you?
"Uh, thanks, I guess," he replied a bit awkwardly.
Angela cocked her head to one said and said, "If you're not doing anything tonight, do you mind if I ask you out for coffee? You know - a continuation of our lunch a while ago," she added hopefully.
Harry looked up at her and smiled. "Sure, I'm not really doing anything."
"Great!"
"I'll just finish up and catch up with you at the Atrium, ok?"
Angela beamed at him and said, "Ok. I have to fix things up as well. Catch you in a while!" And with that, she strode off to her own cubicle.
Harry just sighed and shook his head as he finished up. Then he remembered that Ron would like to meet Angela. He thought that if they're going out for just coffee, why not do it at home instead? They could lounge around and watch the TV or something and Ron would be able to meet her.
But what would Hermione say? A small part at the back of his brain asked.
Bugger off! She made it clear that I don't have anything to do with her. He reasoned out.
"Right, that settles it," he said aloud as he went on his way to the Atrium.
"Settle what?" Angela asked as she caught up with Harry.
Harry jumped a little upon hearing her speak. "Blimey, do you always sneak up like that on people?"
Angela giggled. "Not really. So, what's that you said you are going to settle?"
"Oh, right. About our coffee night-out - would you mind if we just do it at my place instead? We could lounge around or something and you could even meet my housemates. Is that ok?" asked Harry.
"Hmm…" stalled Angela. Then finally, "Ok. That would be lovely," and finished off with a dazzling smile.
Harry grinned. "Great! So - shall we?" he said while hooking up his arm for Angela to take.
Angela laughed all the way until they Disapparated to Harry's house.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ginny left a very nervous Hermione in her wake. Hermione kept on pacing in the living room. Once, she sat down to try and calm her nerves, but no sooner had she done this that she stood up again and paced. The house had a dim light only, to give it a "mood". Candles and flowers adorned the whole house. It was a sight. But Hermione is still fidgeting. Any moment now and Harry would be Apparating home. And then what? What should I do?
Hermione stopped for a moment and looked at the full length mirror that was hanging in their entryway. She was pleased at what she saw, though a bit self-conscious. After all, she never dressed up like this before. I wonder what Harry will think when he sees me.
Her hair was up in a half-ponytail tied by a pale pink ribbon allowing it to cascade loosely down her back. She was wearing a pink sundress that was backless and tied at her neck. She had on white chandelier earrings. On her face was a little bit of soft pink blush and pink lip gloss that brought out the fullness of her lips. She had on her feet white sandals with a slight heel. A delicate anklet that matched her earrings adorned her ankle.
By the kitchen, she could smell the wonderful dinner that she and Ginny made for this night. I hope Harry likes it. I rarely cook fish steaks.
She then heard a distinct pop outside their front door and knew at once that Harry was home. Well, this is it Hermione. Time to knock his shoes off. But what she didn't expect was the sound of another woman laughing. She stopped her tracks on her way to the front door.
Harry opened the door and was laughing as well. Upon entering, Hermione saw a very pretty blonde woman in Auror robes as well, behind Harry. Harry turned around still grinning and finally saw Hermione. He stopped dead and his jaw dropped at the sight that greeted him.
"Hermione?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(A/N - So sorry took so long. But I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Thanks a bunch to my current beta, Lady Starlight! Mwah! And of course, I give thanks still to previous beta, Dylan!)
-->