Luna and Lucius

Hermione pushed open the shop door. She could hear the faint tinkling of a bell announcing their presence.

"This is a jewelry store?" Luna whispered, entering behind her. "Where's all the jewelry?"

"I don't know." Hermione said, glancing around. The room was small, but expensively decorated. Their feet sank down in the deep plush carpeting. The only furniture in the room was a rich mahogany table and matching chair. A set of lush red curtains hung at the rear of the store.

"Welcome to The Family Jewels" The girls flinched in surprise as a small Wizard entered the room from behind the curtains. "I am Amado Alistair, proprietor. How may I be of service?"

"Oh." Hermione said, struggling to regain her composure. "My friends and I were wondering if you have ever sold jewelry, in particular rings, to Mr. Lucius Malfoy.

"And who is making this inquiry." A hint of suspicion touched his pleasant features.

"I am Mrs. Hermione Snape, this is Mrs. Ginny Potter and this," she pushed Luna gently to the front, "is Ms. Luna Lovegood. Mr. Malfoy's fiancée.

"Oh lovely, lovely." The Wizard exclaimed happily. Taking his wand out, he waved it gently, three matching chairs appeared at the table. "Sit, sit. Can I get you some tea?"

"No thank you." Hermione said, taking a seat at the table. Luna and Ginny followed her example.

"So am I correct to assume this is a Ministry arranged marriage?" Mr. Alistair asked sitting across from them.

"It is." Luna said, nodding her head.

"How lovely. I wondered if the Senior Malfoy would be paired up with someone. It was such a shame when his wife ran off with that American Wizard. Terrible scandal. And you Mrs. Snape?" He said, turning his attention on Hermione. "You are the lovely bride of Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts?"

"I am." She said, smiling along with the little Wizard, his happiness and glee was infectious. "I also teach at Hogwarts, Transfiguration."

"Oh well done you." He smiled happily. "And…?" He turned to look at Ginny.

"I married Harry Potter." She explained. "We were already dating when the law was passed and since our pairing met Ministry requirements we were allowed to stay together. We just had to get married a little sooner then we probably would have."

"Oh that's lovely. I was glad to read that the Ministry took into consideration pre existing couples. Draco Malfoy and his wife, Pansy bought their Wedding set from me just last year."

He looked carefully at Ginny. "Is your maiden name Weasley?"

"It is." She laughed, flipping her red hair over her shoulder. "How could you tell?"

"Your brother Ron and his fiancée stopped in here last week."

"Yeah, he and Lavender are getting married in three weeks."

"And you Ms. Lovegood." He focused his attention on Luna. "Soon to be the new Mistress of Malfoy Manor. Any concerns about the age difference?"

"It's just a number." Luna said loftily. "I'm looking forward to getting to know him."

"How right you are. It is just a number and he is very handsome." Mr. Alistair said, winking at her.

Luna blushed furiously. "Yes. He is." She agreed. "I would like to buy him a wedding ring, but I don't know his ring size."

"Well you are in luck. Ms. Lovegood." Mr. Alistair said clapping his hands together. "I happen to know that Mr. Malfoy wears a size N on the ring finger of his left hand and," he said standing up, "I have a few rings that very size that I think he might like. If you'll excuse me for a moment, Ladies." He bowed to the girls before hurrying behind the curtain.

He returned a few moments later with 3 ring boxes clutched in his hand, waving his wand again, a black velvet cloth covered the table. Opening the boxes, he carefully placed the rings on the table. "Now this one," he picked up a gold ring encrusted with jewels, "is muggle made, 14k gold, diamonds and emeralds."

Luna scrunched up her nose.

"I'll take that as a 'No'. The wizard laughed. "And this one," he picked up the second ring, "is Wizard made with a fine vein of jade running through the middle."

"I like this one." Luna said, pointing to a plain silver band.

"Ahhhhhh." Mr. Alistair said, picking up the ring to hand it to Luna. "Excellent choice. Goblin made silver, it is impervious to bending, scratches and smudging. And," he leaned down to whisper conspiratorially to Luna, "I daresay you have excellent instincts. It is my opinion that this is exactly the type of ring that Mr. Malfoy would choose for himself."

"Really?" Ginny said, leaning over to look at the ring. "It seems sort of plain for him."

Mr. Alistair laughed heartily. "While it is true that Mr. Malfoy leans towards extravagant and even flamboyant tastes in his robes, he prefers understated jewelry. Simple elegance." He enunciated the last two words carefully."

"I love it." Luna said, gazing longingly at the ring in her hand. "How much?" Her voice had turned wary.

"For this ring I am asking 400 Galleons."

"Oh." Luna's face fell and she placed the ring carefully back on the black velvet. "I only have 350 Galleons." *

Mr. Alistair leaned back in his chair and surveyed Luna carefully. After a moment a bright smile lit up his face. "I do believe you have just purchased your groom the perfect wedding ring, Ms. Lovegood. Shall I wrap it for you?"

"Oh no, Mr. Alistair." Luna said, rushing around the table to hug him. "I don't need it wrapped. Here are my Galleons. Do you need to count them?"

He waved her away and placed the ring back in its black box. "Here you are and congratulations on your up coming nuptials. Now what else do you ladies have planned for this glorious day?"

"We're off to Paris to buy dresses." Luna said, as she skipped happily towards the door.

"Well good luck and happy shopping." He called after them as they left the shop.

*$2572.50 or 1750.00 pounds.