Paris

~ Paris - Chapter Six ~

"A Little Reflection"

'The night has finally arrived!' Hermione thought as she carefully lowered herself into her bath, wincing because, in her haste she had made it too hot. She turned on the cold water and wiggled in the water, inhaling the smell of the blue sea spray bath oil she'd added. It was a shame she had to hurry, but she knew her mom, or dad or Harry would soon be knocking on her door. Harry's birthday celebration was less than two hours away and as well as she could tell, Harry still was expecting a simple dinner with her family and the Weasleys. For a moment her smile faltered as she thought about the birthdays Harry hadn't celebrated in the past, and hoped the plans they'd made wouldn't be too overwhelming. Maybe they should have asked him? But no, a person didn't become fifteen every day, and besides, they had to catch up on the celebrations he'd never had.

For just a few minutes, Hermione leaned back in the tub, smiling as she thought about the month since they returned from school. Images of Harry's face seemed to float before her. There was the look of shocked delight that first day he'd realized his "job" wasn't what Vernon Dursley thought it was. Then the afternoon shopping and seeing him look at himself in the store mirror, seeing regular clothes like other people wore, and himself looking........mmmmm, she shivered involuntarily as her mind jumped to the time she'd had dinner at the Dursley's house, and she'd seen him without his shirt for the first time, partly still wet from the shower. She'd already known he wasn't the skinny boy he'd once been, but she didn't think she'd ever forget that first sight of his arms and chest and shoulders, with the long seeker's muscle. Maybe it wasn't the most exciting sport in the world, to her anyway, but quidditch certainly had done wonders for Harry. Hermione shivered again, this time realizing she'd been sitting, dreaming, for longer than she realized, and the water had chilled as she sat there. Now she really had to hurry!
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Minutes later, Hermione was looking critically at herself in a long mirror in her dressing room. Was this the right dress? Maybe she shouldn't have bought but one, she thought, gazing at the bed, covered in dresses. This was getting confusing. At least she didn't have to think about the white one, since she had sent it home with Danielle that afternoon. The white had only made her seem pale, even though it was a beautiful dress, and looked perfect on Danielle with her golden hair and tanned skin. She grinned as she pictured Ron that evening when he saw Danielle in the dress, and hoped he wouldn't become the old, tongue tied Ron again. At least he wouldn't be argumentive, not with Danielle at least. Maybe if she'd listened to Ron more often and not been so determined to correct him and improve his mind, things could have been different. But no, she loved the way she and Ron were always ready to jump into battle with each other, and for each other and it certainly kept things interesting. Besides, if she were truly honest , she had to admit she had lost her heart to a boy with messy black hair, maybe even before she'd met him. Maybe she and Harry wouldn't always feel the romance they did now, and the yearning to be together, but she knew they would always be friends. And there was no one in the world she could have imagined being with besides Harry, exchanging kisses that had become bolder and more exciting each time they were together. Hermione knew she had a reputation for being brainy, but this had nothing to do with her brain. This came straight from her heart, and she knew Harry and their time together would always be there, in her heart, no matter how long or short the time turned out to be!

She smoothed the short, shiningsilver dress down over her hips and adjusted the silver chains that crossed her shoulders. Her dad had been of the opinion that there wasn't much of it and he didn't think those looked much like any dress straps he'd ever seen. And was it too showy, with it's pattern of a desert worked in multi colored sequins among the silver ones? But her "date" was the guest of honor, so she thought, if a witch can't show of a bit on a night like this, she never will! After adding a few more bracelets, the silver unicorn pendant Harry had given her, and her new silver fairy earrings, Hermione felt she was ready to celebrate!
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Around the corner, in Harry's room, a similar situation was playing out, though Harry hadn't been dreaming in a tub of blue sea spray water. He was however, thinking back over the last month, and how lucky he'd been to have such a summer. But apparently luck didn't have anything to do with it. It seemed people had been making plans he didn't know about for him all of his life. For years he'd lived miserably under the Dursley's roof because of some plan Dumbledore apparently didn't trust him enough yet to share the details of. Suddenly Harry felt a new sense of determination come over him. Three years ago, he had asked questions that still hadn't been answered. If he was going to continue winding up in mortal danger, year after year, it was time for some answers! Maybe, he hoped, Ivy could help him get some answers, because he knew there were things Ivy wanted to find out too. After all, his mom had been her best friend, he and Hermione had been best friends since their first year at school and now, they were together nearly constantly. It still amazed Harry when he thought back over the last month. He would never have suspected Hermione had such a soft side and yet he knew, if there was danger or even a hint of a mystery, the logical Hermione who seemed to carry an encyclopedia in her head would be back and the soft, romantic Hermione would disappear until the danger had passed, or the mystery had been solved. He wasstill a bit embarrassed that his instincts hadn't been sharper when it came to Monsieur Maas. Hermione's had been though, and hopefully Sirius would son be free. Then he would be free of the Dursleys, hopefully forever.

Harry's thoughts suddenly jumped to earlier in the day, and the way Ron had seemed when he met Danielle.He had never seen Ron react that way, and he supposed that was because no one like Danielle had ever shown an immediate interest in Ron. He and Hermione had both felt an unspoken sense of relief that afternoon, and the last bit of guilt over taking their relationship past friendship had slipped away.

All in all, it had been the best birthday he'd ever had, so far.

After the way the afternoon had ended, he and Hermione enjoying time in the park, just the two of them, with kisses and the sounds and smells of summer around them, it was hard to imagine it could get any better. But he knew this plan had been concocted by two of the world's most determined witches, and he knew he'd better be prepared for anything. The Grangers and the Weasleys all seemed to be conspiring to make him think this was merely a family birthday celebration but Harry suspected otherwise. It had been very coincidental that he and Chris had suddenly found themselves in front of one of what Harry later discovered was considered the best shops in Paris for ready to wear men's formal wear. He looked at the small handful of buttons in his hand, and picked up his vest and jacket. Hermione was going to have to help him with these strange little things!

Harry took a final look in the mirror and shrugged. He was no handsome Cedric Diggory, or cool Bill Weasley but since the only person who mattered seemed to think he was smoother and more handsome than all the rest of the wizards, Harry was satisfied and set off to find his Hermione.
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Down in the Weasleys' suite, Ron was breathing a sigh of relief as Percy left the room they were sharing, closing the door with the usual bang. Even the door sounded like a bigheaded, insufferable jerk, Ron thought. As usual Percy had seized the opportunity to play the worldly, all-knowing brother as they dressed for the evening. He'd tried to tune out Percy's voice as he droned on and on about using the correct fork and knife, and how to propose the proper toast. Now, at last though, he was free to relive the afternoon's events. It had been exciting enough, helping Fred and George make a deal with the shop owner. and now each of them would have some money of their own, without having to depend upon his parents for everything.

As much as he hated being poor, Ron hated even more seeing the worried looks on his parents' faces as they tried to figure out ways to make his father's ministry salary stretch further. Now, however, the memory of the worried looks had been somewhat diminished by the looks of pride over the recent accomplishments of his mother and Ginny, and then today when he and the twins shared their news.

Then, if that wasn't wonderful enough, he'd finally met a girl who was not only pretty enough to take his breath away, but who made him feel happy and comfortable, and filled with a confidence he'd never felt. Ron slipped the black vest over his starched white shirt and turned to the mirror, almost fearing what he'd see. He felt relief but surprise that he didn't look as foolish as he had somehow expected. The stark black and white made him look....well, he actually looked dignified, and there was no sign of a smudge on his nose, or anyplace on his face. Ron grinned as he remembered the look on Danielle's face when he'd asked if she'd be coming to Harry's birthday celebration. Then her face had really taken on a look of delight when he'd asked her to sit with him at dinner

He had been happy for Harry and Hermione, seeing how the new side of their relationship seemed to add a glow to their faces. Hermione was softer and somehow not so quick to correct others, and Harry, well, Harry was just happy and relaxed in a way he'd never seen his friend.He'd seen the look of anticipation the two had exchanged before they went off alone, and the happiness that seemed to shine from their faces when they rejoined the group. He'd have liked to know where they'd been but both had been uncharacteristically vague when he'd asked.

Well, in spite of the fortune his famous friend possessed, Ron knew Harry's life had contained more unhappiness and danger than any five people should have had to endure. And Hermione's "driven to success" attitude had brought her to the brink of disaster more than once.No, he'd been jealous at first, but Ron knew his friends deserved their happiness. Now, unbelievably, it looked as if a similar experience might be coming his way.

Ron didn't know it, but a very sweet smile was on his face as he remembered how Danielle looked in her sea blue dress that afternoon. He didn't know what it was, but these French girls had something that he'd never noticed in other girls. And in the short dress and sandals, Danielle's tanned legs looked as if they went on forever. He could hardly wait to see her that night. She had left with a shining white dress in a long box and he could only begin to imagine how she would look.

He checked his watch and decided he'd better go look for Bill. Percy had remarked, as he went out the door, that Ron's collar "could " have been straighter, but he wanted the opinion of someone he trusted. Besides, Bill was the authority on French girls, as far as he was concerned, remembering how Fleur had attached herself to Bill that afternoon like a third arm.He knew they weren't often together, but his brother had certainly had a large effect on the cool and distant Fleur.
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Ginny sighed happily as she looked around the bathroom she had all to herself. Soft but sunny yellow walls and a jade green whirlpool tub, surrounded by jars and bottles of all sizes and scents. Looking out the door into her bedroom with its separate dressing area, she couldn't believe she was here in the midst of all this luxury.When she saw the room for the first time she had been speechless, and thought for one horrified moment she was going to cry. Fortunately though, Ivy, who had been helping her get settled, had begun telling her a story of the time Hermione had decided to mix allL of the bottles' contents in one bath. Hermione had been around five years old at the time, Ivy said, and had been left happily splashing away while Ivy had gone to fetch her nightgown. When she returned though, she couldn't even see Hermione, who apparently had been all set to try this as soon as her mother disappeared. "The bubbles were shoulder high and heading toward the door. And the smell!" she remembered Ivy saying. "I can laugh now, but that room smelled so strongly that they couldn't rent it out for two weeks after we left. Fortunately it's a nice place and they have forgiven us. But we always feel we should give them our patronage now that Hermione has settled on one scent."

Yes, this was certainly wonderful, but what made it truly perfect was knowing that while she relaxed luxuriously, her immensely irritating, but constantly loving family was only steps away, enjoying a similar luxury. Her dad had told Ginny he intended to see that her mother was left undisturbed to enjoy their whirlpool tub. She hoped this had happened, but Ginny also knew her mother would be at her door soon. She'd told Ginny she wanted to help her into her first truly formal dress, but she knew what her mom had meant. She wanted to be there so they could continue making the kind of memories Ginny had had with her mom and dad all her life.There hadn't been luxury, but she'd never felt anything but loved and cherished, even if her mom did sometimes resemble a saber toothed tiger and her dad seemed in another world.

Now, just a few more minutes in this warm, spring green water, with its scent of narcissus, and she'd be ready to dress.

Ginny turned slowly in front of the long mirror in her dressing area, and gave herself a smile that looked, even to her, like a cat who had just been presented with a large bowl of cream. Somehow, the mingled shades of soft peach and moss green, with a hint of the palest yellow here and there, had made her hair look a deeper red, with auburn tones and her blue eyes had taken on a more sea green color.Her pearl and gold earrings and choker necklace gleamed, and even her skin seemed to be more glowing and less colorless.

Not so long ago, Ginny knew she would have been standing before this mirror, trying to see herself as Harry would, and ending up feeling totally miserable. It had been that way since she'd first seen him, when they were little kids. She'd tried to stop feeling this way, while at the same time trying to think of more ways to make him notice her. Her plans had always failed though, some merely miserably, others in near disaster for them both.

This summer though, seeing how happy Harry was with Hermione and her family, Ginny knew it was time to focus her thoughts elsewhere. And look what had happened when she did! She still had trouble believing Witch Weekly had not only liked what she and her mother had put together, and paid for it, but had asked for more. Then, even more miraculous, she, Ginny Weasley, former nobody, would soon become part of Teen Witch Weekly. She'd love to see the faces of some of the Hogwarts Fashion Patrol when they heard the news, but one plan she was determined to keep was no changes. She'd do her best to remember this would be only a tiny part of her life, and that she continued to stay close to her wonderful and loyal friends.

Then Ginny felt her cheeks becoming pink, and she felt warm all over as she remembered Adrian Malfoy's face as he called her Ginette, and when he told her he looked forward to seeing her that evening. She told herself vehemently that he was just being polite, but the vision of his face kept returning. Adrian Malfoy seemed to be the total opposite of his cousin Draco in every way, except looks. She knew he was older, but he had seemed so sincere, and they had found so much to laugh over together as they had wandered the streets together that afternoon. She grinned mischievously as she remembered they weren't the only ones laughing. She had never seen or heard Ron act the way he had that afternoon. It wasn't that he'd made a prat of himself, she was used to that. No, this was a Ron she'd never seen before and she thought she liked him. Not once had she heard her brother make a sarcastic remark, or lose his temper.

Who knew, Ginny thought as she put on the shimmering shoes she'd waited so long for, and watched as they slowly faded from green to peach to yellow and back again. Maybe Harry Potter's fifteenth birthday would turn out to be a night they'd all remember.

To be continued....