A Little Thing Called Love

Saturday dawned bleak and grey, but -to everyone's relief- it failed to rain. The last rays of autumn sunlight shone sporadically on the backs of Hogwarts students, walking up and down the streets of Hogsmeade and searching for their Halloween costumes.

Catherine and Hermione arrived accompanied by both Ron and Harry, but soon they split up. Neither of the boys enjoyed the prospect of looking at clothes and costumes, and hastily went off in the direction of the Three Broomsticks, muttering something about getting a drink or two.

Since they were now overage, most 7^th year students were allowed to have alcoholic drinks; something the teachers didn't approve of but couldn't prevent. It was strictly against Hogwarts rules to drink anything even remotely alcoholic within the school grounds, and being caught drunk during the school week was punishable with a month's worth of detentions or -depending on the case- even expulsion.

So obviously Hermione was against drinking. "Be careful," she called after them. "Don't drink too much!"

Cathy elbowed her reprovingly. "Don't you think they're old enough to control themselves? They are eighteen after all."

"I know, I know," Hermione sighed. "But you'd be surprised."

Cathy laughed, and so did Hermione. "Let's go," she said, pulling Hermione by the arm.

The girls ignored the first two shops, dismissing them as too cliché, as well as extremely crowded with chattering girls ("I want something out of the ordinary," said Hermione). They passed a shop with a dusty sign and darkened windows (common enough in Hogsmeade as it was), but Catherine stopped, noticing a hooded figure at the door. Hermione soon stopped as well, following Cathy's gaze.

The figure looked around, seeming reluctant to be observed. When it turned towards the girls, both saw that it was a woman. A pale, gaunt woman with blood-red lips. When she saw the two girls starng, she grinned a sort of roguish smile, revealing unnaturally white teeth and pointed incisors- fangs.

Instinctively Hermione grasped Cathy's arm. "She's a vampire," she whispered, slightly in awe of the impressive woman.

But Cathy didn't need Hermione to tell her that. She knew on her own -even before the woman smiled.

The vampire turned towards the door, stretched out her white, dead hand and let herself into the shop quickly, leaving both girls behind on the bustling street.

"Wasn't she beautiful?" said Hermione in admiration. But the words were lost on Cathy, who was now looking up at the shop's sign. "I'd never seen a female vampire before."

Hermione, noticing Cathy wasn't paying attention, looked up to follow her gaze again. "Unusual Paraphernalia" was all the sign said.

"Lets go in," said Cathy, narrowing her eyes impishly. "Maybe we'll find what we're looking for." She started towards it, but Hermione held her back.

"No!" she hissed, looking anxious. " Didn't you see what went in there? Who knows what other creatures haunt this place."

"So?" Catherine said, exasperated.

"It's dangerous."

"Herm! Be serious- they won't attack us. Not this close to Hogwarts." She looked at Hermione's doubtful face. "We'll leave if it starts looking dangerous, I promise."

Hermione gave in soon enough, and they began to walk towards the entrance.

"The windows are dark," she remarked. "Maybe it's closed," she added hopefully.

'Open' spelled out the sign on the door, in silver curling letters. Cathy rolled her eyes towards her.

"Or maybe not," she added meekly.

"Stop being so jumpy and just come in," groaned Catherine, and opened the door.

The inside was amazing. The shop was certainly unusual, yet the articles for sale shouldn't have been classified as paraphernalia. Walking silently, they looked curiously at the things on display. Dark cloaks that protected you from the sun when used, or camouflaged you as your surroundings; flasks that curled and adjusted their shape to fit their surroundings, daggers that looked suspiciously murderous (100 percent silver, claimed the labels.)

"For werewolves," whispered Hermione knowingly. She pointed out a sign.

Coffins made upon order, Cathy read. She shuddered inwardly.

"Are you young ladies looking for anything in particular?" said a clear, husky voice from behind them. "Perhaps I could help you find what you are looking for."

The two girls whirled to face the voice. Catherine clenched Hermione's hand. It was the vampire lady that had smiled at them outside.

"We were looking for the owner," murmured Catherine, almost inaudibly.

The pale woman lifted an eyebrow. "Well, I could help you there. I am the owner."

There was a moment's silence.

"D'you- D'you have any costumes, or ...ball attire?" Hermione asked timidly.

The shop owner studied them, and seemed to be musing over whether or not to answer. "I think," she said at last, "I have just what you're looking for."

She strode off towards the counter, fished a ring of keys out from behind the desk, and went through an ancient-looking doorway, beckoning the girls to follow her.

Catherine, for once, was hesitant, but this time Hermione was the one to pull her along.

They followed the mysterious woman up some winding stairs and through the second-story parlour. "In here," she called, and ushered them into a well-decorated dressing room. She unlocked a large armoire and opened its doors wide, revealing a row of stunning dresses.

Hermione and Catherine exchanged bewildered glances, then turned to watch what she was doing.

"We were thinking of dressing as-" began Hermione, only to be interrupted by the woman.

"I know, I know," she said dismissively as she rummaged through the gowns. She pulled out a hanger or two, then something that resembled a bodice, and held them up triumphantly.

Both girls gasped. They were perfect. They were exactly what they had been looking for.

Catherine and Hermione entered the Three Broomsticks, looked for Harry and Ron and sat down next to them. Both, they were glad to know, were sober.

"You look mighty cheerful about something," said Ron suspiciously.

Hermione sighed happily. "We got the greatest costumes for the ball."

"And had the greatest time getting them," added Cathy. They grinned happily for a while.

"You already got your costumes?" said Harry in disbelief. "We're not getting them 'till two week's time."

"Yeah," added Ron. "What'd you think this is, homework or something?"

The girls rolled their eyes and the afternoon returned to normal.