A New Beginning (DH -COMPLIANT)

Chapter 44 ~ Shopping

Snape slowed so Hermione and Rose could catch up with he and Rod. Of course, the two students fell behind a bit, Rose walking beside Rod, who was silent as he strode across the grounds.

”Rod,” she said, “I’m sorry about what happened with Roland.”

”Yeah. Well, it’s not your fault, Rose,” he responded, not looking at her.

”But it kind of is. I told him that if you backed out of the date, then I would go with him,” Rose said softly.

Rod looked at her with a slight frown.

”Did you think I was going to back out?” he asked her, his blue eyes a bit hard, “Or did you want me to back out? I still can you know. I know you probably only said yes because you felt sorry for me. How lame is it when a witch’s brother asks her on a date for someone else anyway?”

Rod sounded so bitter, self-loathing in his voice as he addressed the witch walking beside him.

Rose frowned.

”No, that wasn’t it at all, Rod. I thought . . . I thought you might have felt pressured to go with me. I know it was Hugo’s idea for us to go together. I said yes because I thought it would be nice to go with you to your first dance. It wasn’t because I felt sorry for you, Rod,” she said to him, “But I was thinking about myself too. I told Roland I’d go with him just in case you had second thoughts and changed your mind. I didn’t want to miss the dance. I’m really sorry. It was selfish of me.”

Rod snorted.

”If there’s one thing I understand Rose, it’s selfishness. I’m in Slytherin, remember?” he said to the witch with a half-smile, “But what’s between you and Roland that he tried to tear my head off?”

Rose sighed.

”He’s liked me since the beginning of fifth year. I went with him to the Christmas dance then, and ever since, he’s commandeered me for almost every dance afterwards. I didn’t find out until a week or two ago that the reason no one else was asking me was because he threatened to beat them up,” the witch said tremulously.

Rod thought this would have been good to know before Hugo jetted off to ask his sister to go to the dance with him. But how could she have told him about it, being in the infirmary as she was? Maybe she hoped that since he wasn’t in Gryffindor house, Roland wouldn’t confront him. Still, if the wizard went through so much trouble to keep other wizards away from Rose, he must feel something for her.

”Why aren’t you going out with him?” Rod asked her.

Rose reddened.

”Well, actually I did go out with him for a week, but that was all I could take. He kind of smothered me. I couldn’t do anything without him popping up,” she said, “He didn’t take the breakup well, either. I told him we could be friends. He doesn’t seem to realize what that means though. He can be nice, but he’s very jealous of me still.”

Rod thought that was a bit of an understatement.

”You need to tell him that you’re not interested in him like that, then. Maybe he won’t beat on the next bloke to ask you out if you do that.”

”I’m working up to it. I just don’t want to hurt him,” she said. “No matter how I do it, it’s going to cause a scene.”

Rod thought he didn’t like getting hurt by Rose’s stalker either, but he didn’t say anything. He knew what it was like to want to avoid unpleasant situations and confrontations after all. He had done it the entire time he was at Hogwarts.

He fell silent.

Hermione unwarded the gates and opened them, walking through, followed by Severus and the children.

Snape studied Rod.

”Can you apparate?” he asked the boy.

”I haven’t tried it since I got my new wand, but I failed the test last time I took it,” Rod said, reddening.

”A good wand is necessary for proper apparition,” the Potions master replied. “I suggest you arrange to take the test again as soon as possible.”

He suddenly grasped Rod by the scruff of the neck, disapparating with the startled young Slytherin. Hermione shook her head and took Rose by the arm.

”Come on. We’re going to meet them at the Three Broomsticks at one,” she said to her daughter, who was staring at the empty space the Professor and Rod had occupied seconds before. He certainly had grabbed Rod roughly.

”Is Professor Snape always like that, mum?” she asked her mother, who smirked.

”Always,” she replied, disapparating with her daughter.

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Hermione and Rose apparated to Hogsmeade and proceeded to the dress shop. It was called “Brown’s Gowns.” It was a new establishment. Hermione thought they’d give it a look.

A little bell chimed when they entered and a tall, shapely and familiar witch appeared behind the counter. Hermione felt an uncomfortable little tightness in her belly when she saw her.

Lavender Brown.

“Hermione,” Lavender purred, looking the witch over a bit critically.

Lavender had gone out with Ron for a little while when they were in their sixth year. She had never married and looked great. Hermione felt like a round little blob as she strode around the counter.

”Hello Lavender,” Hermione said to the witch who gave her faux kisses on both cheeks then turned to Rose. Her eyes rested on the auburn hair. She hadn’t seen Rose in years, the last time being at a Hogwarts reunion some time ago. She and Hugo were very little then, but she didn’t forget their names.

”And this is your daughter Rose. How she’s grown. It’s obvious she has her father’s genetics,” Lavender said.

Rose was rather tall and slender. It was a snide little dig at Hermione too, who was short and had thickened over the years. Still, her attitude actually stemmed from jealousy. Lavender never really got over the fact Ron left her to return to the witch, then married her. It was as if Hermione stole him away.

”Yes. She’s built very much like her aunt Ginny,” Hermione agreed, doing her best to ignore the jibe. “We’d like to buy a gown for the Christmas dance.”

Rose looked at Lavender with cool eyes. She didn’t like her. But she wasn’t here to like the witch. She was here to get a gown.

”We have some lovely gowns that just came in yesterday,” Lavender said, walking over to a rack of lovely dresses. “Rifle through and see if there’s anything that you like, dear.”

Rose didn’t say anything to Lavender, but walked over to the rack and began sifting through it. Lavender rested her blue eyes on Hermione.

”What are you doing these days, Hermione?” the witch fished, hoping that she wasn’t doing too well. A woman scorned sometimes stays scorned. “I was sad to hear about Ron. He was a very special wizard.”

”Yes, he was. And a good husband and father,” Hermione replied, taking her own catty little dig at Lavender. “I’m working in the Charms field.”

”Oh really? Did you have to go back to school? I understand you played housewife for a few years,” the witch said, “That had to make you a bit rusty, didn’t it?”

Hermione fought to keep from bristling. What the fuck did Lavender mean she “played” housewife?

”I stayed home to take care of my family,” Hermione replied a bit curtly, “And after we lost Ron, I applied for a position and took a test that qualified me for the job. I didn’t have to return to school, thank goodness.”

“Oh. I see,” Lavender said, her mouth turning down.

Hermione couldn’t resist what she said next.

”Actually, I work for Sparse Venues. Professor Snape’s company. You remember Professor Snape don’t you?” she asked the witch rather sweetly, “The hero?”

Lavender looked at her wide-eyed. Did she remember him? He was the biggest news in the wizarding world right now.

”Yes I do. He just returned to the public. Did you know you were working for him?” Lavender asked her, impressed now.

”Yes I did,” Hermione said smugly, “It was a terrible secret to know, but I managed to keep it to myself for quite a while.”

”Mum! Come look at this dress,” Rose called.

Hermione looked at Lavender.

”Excuse me. My daughter needs me,” she said, walking away, Lavender looking after her, some of the wind knocked out of her robes.

Rose had taken a dress off the rack and was holding it up to herself. It was a beaded ball gown with a matching shawl. What was interesting about it was the color. It was brown.

”Mum, I really like this dress. I’ve never seen a brown ball gown. It’s so different,” the witch said.

It really was quite a pretty dress. Hermione knew that one of the main worries of any woman at a dance was that someone else would have on the same outfit.

”That’s a one-of-a-kind,” Lavender said, walking up to the witch. “The color works very well with your skin tone, but I’m afraid it’s a bit . . . pricey. More than likely out of your mother’s range. Why don’t I show you some of our lower-priced gowns? Something that will better fit in your mother’s budget.”

Hermione scowled at Lavender as Rose’s face fell.

”Lavender, you have no idea what my budget is,” Hermione said to her, amber eyes narrowed.

Lavender gave her a smirk.

”There’s no need for you to go into debt for a gown, Hermione. It has to be hard for a widow with two growing children to make ends meet,” she said, trying to sound sympathetic rather than gloating.

“Actually, Lavender, I could probably buy your whole inventory,” Hermione shot back. “How much is the gown?”

Lavender told her. Rose’s eyes went wide as saucers when she heard the price. She started to put it back on the rack.

”What are you doing?” Hermione demanded of her daughter.

”That’s a lot of galleons, mum. I can find something cheaper,” Rose said, her eyes shining as she tried to swallow down her disappointment.

Hermione put her hands on her hips.

”Rose Weasley, don’t you dare put that dress back!” Hermione said to her daughter, “Your whole life you’ve had to ‘get something cheaper.’ It’s not like that any more. If you like that dress, we’re going to get it. In fact, take it back to the fitting room right now!”

Rose broke out into a broad, disbelieving smile.

”Really mum?” she asked Hermione breathlessly.

”Really,” Hermione replied smiling back at her. Rose launched herself at her mother and hugged her tightly, carelessly crushing the dress between them as her arms entwined around Hermione’s neck.

”I love you, mum,” she said, kissing her on the cheek, then flouncing off to the fitting room.

Lavender watched the exchange between mother and daughter silently and a bit enviously. It was obvious the little witch’s life had turned out well and motherhood suited her. It was easy to see there was a lot of love in her family. Hermione was a blessed woman.

Hermione turned to look at her.

”Do a good job of fitting it, Lavender,” she said to the witch. “This dance is important to my daughter.”

”I will,” Lavender replied in a subdued voice, then walked by her and entered the room behind Rose.

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Professor Snape released Rod’s neck and pulled up his hood quickly when they arrived at Diagon Alley. The young wizard rubbed the back of his neck sullenly, but didn’t say anything as they headed for Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions.

The two wizards were silent as they walked, people looking at Snape curiously as he strode by. Presently, they arrived at the shop and entered. Robes of every color hung on racks. An older man with gray hair and gold wire framed glasses walked forward from behind the counter. He looked up at the hooded wizard and then at the young man beside him.

“May I help you sir?” the wizard asked him.

Apparently the shop had changed ownership. This was no mauve-robed Madam Malkin.

”Yes. But first I wonder if you might close your shop?” Snape asked the shopkeeper, who frowned slightly.

The shopkeeper’s eyes narrowed slightly.

”Close my shop? Why?” he asked, his hand going to his robes pocket. If these two were robbers . . .

Snape lowered his hood.

”We’d like a bit of privacy,” he said silkily as the wizard’s eyes widened.

”My word! Mr. Snape! Oh yes sir. Right away, sir!” the shopkeeper said, hurriedly walking over to the door, turning the “Closed” sign around, drawing the shade and locking the door.

Grinning, he returned.

”My name is Camden, sir. Now how can I help you?” he asked the hero.

Imagine. Severus Snape in his shop. This was excellent. Excellent.

”Well Camden, this gentleman is in need of a set of dress robes,” Snape replied, looking at Rod who was tentatively feeling the fabric of a set of blue robes with silver buttons. Snape walked up behind him and looked at the robes.

”Despite your dismal financial state, Mr. Dormers, you seem to have an eye for fine fabrics,” the wizard commented.

”I just like the way it feels,” Rod said.

”And the color?” Snape inquired, looking at the rich blue of the robes.

”Yes. I don’t want to wear black . . . or green,” he said with a bit of anger.

Snape arched an eyebrow. So Rod didn’t want to wear his house colors. It was rather understandable. Snape looked at the shopkeeper.

”Bring several robes of this fabric and color,” he said to the man, who bowed and disappeared in the back.

”Remove your robes, Mr. Dormers,” Snape said.

Rod hesitated, then removed them, revealing a rather shabby white shirt and black trousers. Snape scowled.

Rod shrugged at him.

”I didn’t know I’d be taking off my robes,” the boy said.

”That is no excuse. You should always look presentable whether or not others will see it,” Snape snapped.

The shopkeeper returned with several robes thrown over his arm, took one look at Rod and shook his head slightly. He seemed hesitant to put such fine robes over such shabby clothing.

”He needs shirts and trousers as well,” Snape said to the wizard.

”He does at that,” Camden agreed, his brow furrowed.

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By the time Rod left Malkins, he had an entire wardrobe down to boxers and shoes. As he juggled all the packages, he looked up at the hooded Professor Snape.

”Not that I don’t appreciate this, Professor, but why are you doing all this for me?” the wizard asked him.

Snape looked at him sidewise.

“As I told you before, I have my reasons, Mr. Dormers. Basically, you serve a purpose,” the dark wizard replied.

Rod looked at him curiously.

”What kind of purpose?” he asked.

Snape smirked slightly.

“Let’s just say you make me look . . . good, Mr. Dormers.” he said shortly. “And in the process you are reaping the benefits of doing so. In essence I am giving you no more than you are giving me. It is a fair exchange.”

Rod studied the wizard, trying to figure out how he made him look good. He dropped a package. Snape stopped, exasperated, then pulled out his wand and reduced the packages.

”I was waiting to see how long you’d fumble those around until you figured out you could use your wand and miniaturize them,” the wizard said, shaking his head as Rod put the packages in his pocket.

”I . . . I didn’t think about it,” Rod said.

”Obviously not,” Snape replied, “Come along, Mr. Dormers. We must get to Hogsmeade for lunch with the ladies.”

Catching the wizard by the neck again, Snape disapparated.

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A/N: Thanks for reading.