Lumos

33| Happy Days

I stared at the pale blue dress that hung on the back of the door. I'd only noticed it when I was shutting it, the dress swinging around and whipping against my face.

I'd completely forgotten about the wedding. Bill and Fleur were getting married tonight, and all I could think about was Scrimgeour. I shuddered, trying to get his pleading face out of my mind.

The dress had a small blue bow on the front, where the slight ruffles began, falling in waves till the knees. It was sleeveless, but as I pulled it down to get a closer look, behind it was a cream-white shawl to wrap around my shoulders.

It was probably Hermione's. Right then, she walked in, her eyes falling on the dress in my hand.

"It's pretty," I said to her.

"It actually is gorgeous," Hermione nodded her head, honest. She walked to end of the room, shuffling through a suitcase. I watched her, confused.

"Isn't it yours?"

She looked up at me over her shoulder, her eyebrows drawn together. "No, why? Isn't it yours? I was going to show you mine . . ." She pulled out a deep red dress, decorated with rose-like patterns across the waist and in feathery strips down the sides.

"I can already imagine it would look great in you," I said with a smile, hanging the dress back up on the door. "I think this is Ginny's. I'll give it to her later."

"No," Hermione said, pulling out a pair of open toed red shoes with delicate bows on the front, "Ginny's is black and this off-white color. I've already seen it. She's got black shoes picked out and everything, as the bridesmaid."

"Well then who's is this? We're the only three girls in the house," I said, annoyed. "Besides Fleur, but she's wearing a wedding dress." Hermione shrugged, she too, confused.

"Oh, hey!" a voice said, interrupting our conversation. We turned to the door, where Fred stood. "'Ello, Elvira," he greeted. I waved, setting the cerulean blue dress onto my bed. "Do you like the dress? I figured you hadn't brought one since you didn't exactly know there was going to be a wedding. Plus you seemed a bit out of it lately."

"It's from you?" I asked. "Fred, you shouldn't have."

"What else am I going to do with the earnings from our shop?" he said with a grin. "Besides creating more pranking toys and sweets, of course. Anyway, accept the gift, and don't worry, I already got George's permission. The shoes are next to your bed," he said with a wink. The blush that appeared on my face was the darkest I'd ever felt. As soon as he left, I collapsed on the bed, clutching the dress to my chest.

"Well, what did I just see with my two eyes?" Hermione said, her voice teasing. "He bought a dress?"

"He has a good sense of style, too," I said with a groan.

"It's a good thing!" Hermione said with a laugh. "You're making friends quickly. Friends are good. Oh, Elvira," she said as a breath escaped from her lips, "look at those shoes." She bent down, picking them up to show me.

They were matching, a light shade of blue. They were close-toed and about four and a half inches tall.

"I love shoes," she said.

"Me too," I stared at the pair in her hand.

"These are beautiful."

"I know. What boy has such a good taste?" I asked, looking up at her. She gave me a sly smile.

"An experienced one?"

"Well, that's my cue to leave," I said, getting up, feeling my cheeks redden again. "You're the worst."