Chapter Four

A/N: A huge thanks to JenniferLupinBlack for being my alpha and to Craftsman for being my fabulous beta.

Disclaimer: JKR owns the world and characters of Harry Potter, not me. I am making no money from the posting of this story.

Chapter 4

The next few days flew by in a frenzy. Hermione found she was spending almost all of her free time talking to her admirer. She had learned a few things about him but not enough to figure out his identity. For example, she knew he was born in June and he was an only child. His parents spoiled him rotten, giving him anything and everything he could possibly want. For his second birthday, he received a broom and was taught to fly.

Hermione also learned that he was clever as he was always making witty comebacks whenever she said something sassy. His best class was Potions and he struggled in Herbology. He liked to read in his free time.

Although Hermione had only communicated with her admirer through writing, she found that she was starting to have feelings for him. Her heart raced whenever she opened her journal and saw a message from him. Sometimes, she would spend minutes just to think of a perfect response to say. It was silly, of course, but she couldn’t help herself. It had been so long since a guy had made her feel special. She could only pray that she wouldn’t be disappointed in the end.

“Ready for shopping?” Ginny asked, appearing next to Hermione.

“Yes. I want to get something blue,” she said, smiling.

“Is that what you’re admirer is wearing? Blue?”

Hermione nodded. “Have you decided who you were going to the ball with?”

Ginny frowned. She was in a pickle as both Harry and Dean asked her to the ball. She felt pressured to go with Dean because he was sort of her boyfriend, but at the same time, she wanted to go with Harry. She had liked him for so long but was afraid of actually going with him. She didn't want to hurt Dean in the process.

“I don’t know,” she eventually answered with a sigh. "If I pick one, I hurt the other. Either way I go, someone is going to get hurt."

"You’ll make the right choice," Hermione smiled as they moved towards the courtyard. “So where are we going shopping?”

“Well,” Ginny smiled. “Fleur is actually picking us up and taking us shopping in France.”

Hermione came to a stop, looking at her friend with a bewildered expression on her face. “I’m sorry, did you just say France?”

“Yes!” Ginny squealed, clapping her hands excitedly. “We’re going shopping in wizarding Paris! I’m so excited.”

Hermione couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh Merlin, that’s insane!”

“I know,” Ginny gushed. “I can’t believe it. Mum said it was all Fleur’s idea.”

“That’s nice of her,” Hermione said. Not watching where she was going, she walked right into someone. “Sorry!” she cried, stumbling backwards, someone caught her by the shoulders steadying her. She looked up and saw Malfoy holding her.

Malfoy’s grey eyes widened dropping his hands quickly. “It’s fine,” he murmured, and before Hermione could say anything else, he walked away.

“I wonder what that was about,” Ginny snickered. “Did you see his face?”

"Yeah." Hermione glanced over her shoulder, trying to find Malfoy. “I wonder why he looked so nervous.”

Ginny shrugged. “Oh, there’s Fleur!” Taking Hermione’s hand, she dragged her over to the eager blonde.

Fleur hugged them both, kissing each of their cheeks. “I’ve already signed you both out,” she said.

“Fleur, you’re English is practically perfect!”

Fleur blushed. “Well, Bill is a very good teacher.” She looked them both over. “Got everything? Our Portkey will go off in a few moments.” She produced a small book. Hermione and Ginny nodded. The three of them touch it and were whisked away seconds later.

They appeared in a small alleyway.

“Here we are. This is France’s wizarding version of the Champs-Élysées.” Fleur began to lead them down the street.

Hermione looked around with wide eyes. There was music playing in the shoppes. Bright colours were everywhere giving the street a vibrant look. Wizards and witches speaking rapid French were walking past them.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered in awe.

“It is,” Ginny agreed. “Oh, this is so exciting!” She walked over to a shoppe and peered inside.

“Come along,” Fleur said. “There is the perfect boutique up ahead.”

Hermione and Ginny quickly followed her. Fleur lead them to the small shoppe. “Maria!” Fleur called out. “I know the shoppe owner. She’ll give you two good prices.”

A blonde woman appeared from the back. “Fleur, darling!” The two embraced, and Fleur began to speak in French.

Hermione looked around, noticing many different gowns on the racks. Fleur had literally brought them to the perfect store.

“Try on what you like,” Maria said in English. “There are dressing rooms in the back.”

Ginny instantly went to a red gown. “Oh, I love this!” She took it and held it up to her body.

“Try it on,” Hermione said as Ginny made her way to the dressing room. She began to peruse the racks. There were many different gowns but she wanted to find the perfect one.

“What are you looking for?” Fleur asked, appearing by her side. Fleur had taken notice that Hermione was still looking at a dress as Ginny was already in a dressing room.

“Something blue,” Hermione answered. There were plenty of blue dresses, but none were catching her eye.

“I saw something earlier,” she disappeared into the racks only to return moments later. “How about this?”

Hermione could only nod. “That’s the dress.” She just knew it without even trying it on that it was perfect. She would save it as a surprise for everyone.

Hermione purchased her dress and mask and waited for Ginny to decide. In the end, Ginny picked a light pink strapless tulle ball gown. The sweetheart bodice had crystals that caused her to sparkle when she moved. Her mask was white with feathers on the side.

After grabbing a bite to eat, the three of them headed back to Hogwarts. Fleur bid good-bye to the girls, promising that they would get together again soon.

As Hermione and Ginny walked back to Gryffindor Tower, Ginny asked if she would write to her admirer tonight.

“I don’t think so,” Hermione responded. “I think I’d rather wait to just meet him in person tomorrow.”

Ginny smiled. “I hope he’s lovely. I can tell you really like him.”

“You don’t think I’m foolish, do you?” Hermione asked, slightly panicked.

“No!” Ginny immediately protested. “Absolutely not! Think about it, it’s sort of like that online dating thing Muggles do.”

She bit her lip. “But what if it’s someone like Goyle?”

Ginny laughed. “I don’t think Goyle has the brains to pull off something like that.”

Hermione laughed as well. “I suppose you’re right.”

“Well, we’ll find out tomorrow.” The two of them entered the Common Room. “You go ahead, Hermione. I think I’m going to tell Harry I’ll go to the ball with him.”

Hermione gave her an encouraging smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Meet you both in the Common Room?”

“Of course.” Ginny hugged her good-bye. Taking her things, Hermione made her way upstairs where she quickly fell asleep.