chap15pg3

The next two weeks before the Hogsmeade trip passed rather quickly. However uneventful they were, Harry couldn�t help but anticipate the trip. He had always enjoyed the trips to Hogsmeade, but there were not many times that he went without having to go undercover. Also, he would have his two best friends with him, and they wouldn�t be fighting this time. Before Harry knew it, he and Ron were in the boy�s dormitory, packing anything they�d need for the trip. They scrounged together any money that they could find under their beds and added it to the money they had prepared for the trip. Harry snuck a peak over at Ron�s bag, and noticed that there were a lot more gold coins than usual. Harry smiled to himself, glad that Ron wouldn�t be getting hand-me-downs this year.
The boys met up with Hermione in the Commons Room, and then set off for Hogsmeade together. They were practically skipping through the hallways.
�Ooh I can�t wait �till we get there,� Hermione said giddily. �I trust that you two will help me pick out the robes that I�m to buy?� she asked. Both boys quickly nodded in agreement.
�I�ll need help too,� Ron stated, �I cant remember the last time I had so much of a choice on what I got to wear.� He looked towards the clouds dreamily. Harry laughed.
�I�m not much good at fashion advice, but I�ll try to help you both to the best of my abilities,� he said. The three laughed and proceeded to the busy town.
They weaved their way through large crowds of busy witches and wizards. The smell of spices wafted through the air, and hundreds of street venders could be heard, calling out the names of their products. Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked quickly through the passageways, and took several turns before ending up at their first stop, a shop named �Tamarind�s Tailor - Fine Robes for Wizards.� Ron wanted to buy his robe first. They entered the store, and found themselves facing heaps of fancy robes hanging everywhere � on the ceiling, the walls, and some on numerous racks that spun around.
Ron, obviously quite bewildered, headed off towards the nearest grouping of robes, drooling slightly.
�Maybe you guys should go look for Hermione�s robes, I think I might be a while�� he said.
�No problem,� laughed Hermione, as she and Harry left the store. They walked a little down the street and entered �Amadera�s Attire.� Harry was a little taken aback by the sight of this shop. Although much more tidy looking, he couldn�t believe how many colors the dresses came in. Every color in the rainbow, and then some, could be seen in this shop. Hermione excitedly began searching through the numerous dresses, eyes bulging with delight. She moved swiftly through the dresses, looking at each one no more than a millisecond before moving onto the next. Harry didn�t quite know what to make of this.
�Erm, need any help there, Hermione?� he asked.
�Nope, I think I have everything under control,� she said while shuffling through the racks of dresses. �Perhaps you should go help Ron.�
�Alright,� Harry said, leaving the store. Moments later, he reentered �Tamarind�s Tailor.� Ron was looking at a particularly nice quality robe. It was a deep navy color, with yellow trimmings on the sleeves and hem. He was admiring it when Harry approached him.
�Like that one?� Harry asked him.
�Yeah,� Ron said in awe. He checked the price tag. �It costs 9 galleons and 4 sickles�� he said, his voice trailing off as he searched through his bag for money. He palmed the money in his hand, counting in his head. Suddenly, a discouraged look flashed onto his face. �Crap!� he exclaimed, �I�m short a galleon!� He looked at the robe gloomily, and then put it back on the rack. Harry reached in his pocket for a bit of gold. He pulled out a galleon, and tossed it to Ron.
�Here, take it. You should get any robe you want, and if that�s the one you want, then I�m glad to help you get it.� Harry said. Ron looked at him with an expression of pure joy on his face.
�Thanks!� he exclaimed as he grabbed the robe from its hanger. He hastily brought it to the front counter and paid for it. After Ron�s new robes were packed into the box, he and Harry returned to �Esmerelda�s� to see if Hermione had picked out a good dress yet. When they got to the store, they saw that Hermione had already bought a dress, and she was now admiring a pair of shoes.