Chapter Seven

I heard Daphne gasp, and even Tori was showing shock. Mother turned and couldn't stop exclaiming. "Eloise Sofia, what are you wearing!" The sales associate was startled, and after re-looking to ensure I had the outfit on correctly was trying to see what the problem was. "Mother, this is based off the Azzedine pant suit. It won the Paris best outfit for the executive woman of the year, in a major fashion show last fall." I hadn't known any of those facts twenty minutes ago, but it was perfect, and not a dress, where I felt I was wrapped up as a present to be given for a man's enjoyment.

"Your daughter is correct. It is extremely popular for dinner parti... events. Look how the pants make Eloise Sofia's legs look longer, and show her developing curves." I wasn't actually as happy with how tight it clung to my arse, but 'baggy' was not acceptable for an important dinner apparently, go figure.

Mother looked at what I was wearing scornfully. "The blouse, though a touch severe, is reasonable. The jacket appears many sizes too small, and I doubt it can be fastened. However, I am lost for words on… Well they merely look like a shiny pair of jodhpurs made from a silk knock-off…

"That's why I like them Mother. I'm most comfortable when I'm on a horse, and this will let me relax in the dinner par… thing I don't want to go to." I lied out of my teeth. I just had so many bad memories of parties starting off with wearing a new dress, or skirt and blouse. I'd never worn a collared shirt buttoned to my neck with a ruffled three quarter jacket over it, and pants to one of those parties before. If I was forced to go, then I would choose my clothes. Thankfully this was acceptable for the muggle world.

"Girls really wear that?" Mother asked. The sales associate babbled. "Well it is lucky she fit the smallest size as it is usually worn by older girls. I think it looks good on your daughter… and she has the maturity to pull it off. Most girls her age, likely wouldn't… but I think you've raised your daughters well for them to already be developing individual styles." The associate said all of this a little jerkily. I likely wasn't her typical seven year old customer.

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The sales associate had asked to take me elsewhere in the store as I'd out right refused all the earlier suggestions, and she probably knew Mother and I were close to fighting. Once I was alone she'd calmly required me to list what I absolutely refused to wear to this 'event', she'd picked up fast I disliked the word party. After I thought I'd cleverly said I refused to wear any dress, skirt, shorts or romper, thinking I would get out of the 'event' as that only left jeans and jodphurs, she just looked at me oddly and then beat me at my own game, while mumbling 'I wonder if… we have the designer capri's… small enough'.

I'd overheard that one of them had been ordered wrong or sized completely different from the other clothing lines so it came in too small. The smallest was slightly too long on me in the leg, looking closer to full length pants instead ending as capri's should. It was apparently also slightly looser than designed to be worn. However, I felt if it was any tighter it would be tight enough to appear painted on. When I'd said more or less that, the associate said that was what it was supposed to look like, and will in few years fit me just right. I was glad it was too big, and Mother didn't know that fact. I wasn't planning on cluing Mother in, as didn't plan to be wearing it in those few years from now.

The associate likely got rid of some stock they'd not expected to sell when Mother bought four pairs in different colours, to not have to go through this hassle over the next needed dress. Then again the associate might have seen a good chance and said there was a sale on the capri's if you bought four pairs.

"Mother, I want four dresses." Tori tried when we were almost done. "Astoria Karin, when the next party or event needing a dress comes up, we will shop for the latest fashions. The 'Cap-rees' are on special currently, and Eloise Sofia can share them with her twin, so she isn't getting four outfits. She is only getting one other jacket for the different coloured pants and only two more tops. When shared with Daphne Anne-Marie, who I saw was interested in them, it is like they each got two outfits and they are older, and we didn't get them birthday gifts yet this year."

"I haven't got birthday gifts this year too…

"Yes, but yours isn't till September, theirs was last month." Mother replied and the associates laughed not knowing that in February Daphne did get a present, but I wasn't her twin sister and to us it was ten years in the future that we hadn't received a present for. "You're a good Mother." The associate sighed while finishing the transaction. "Three daughters, you have your hands full."

"Oh Merlin, you have no idea, I feel like in the last week I went from two that were fairly similar in their wants, to three completely different personalities, and I just know that within mere weeks or days the son my husband has missed out on will emerge with his own personality when given the chance to be his own person. I'll be going from effectively two to four children in two weeks. Merlin, help me."

We got to the alley the Greengrass family used to arrive and leave Cambridge in, and waited as our Mother side along apparated Tori home. "Eloise you need to stop pushing Mother on this evening. I'm telling you she is way beyond the limit point, and is only doing so because she's trying to be accepted by you. You're being an ungrateful selfish bitch. You don't want history to be the same so we must go tonight so Potter can escape from Dumbledore. You've already escaped because of me. Now it's Pot…

She stopped as the crack announced Mother had apparated back in. Daphne gave me a glare and was then smiling to Mother moments later. "Thank you Mother." The two apparated and I was left to ponder what she'd just said, and how I'd acted in the salon and clothes stores. I guess if I think of it as a mission. Your mission, if you chose to accept it, is to allow being ogled by a sleazy whale in order to free the chosen one from the clutches of the Light and Dark sides that want to destroy magical England. Well it helped, even if it was corny. A moment later, and it was my turn for apparition. I was fairly sure that my belief that side along apparition sucked, was not due to how I was kidnapped with it the first time I experienced this awful means of travel. It was truly awful no matter how you were first introduced to it.

I left for my room with my new clothes, to get dressed, as we would be leaving fairly soon. Tori was in the living room already, spinning in her baby blue satin dress. She liked the puffy sleeves as they were what a princess would wear, apparently. With the two net petticoats beneath holding the bottom of the dress out like a bell she giggled while she swiveled and shook to hear her dress swish back.

She'd got her first pedicure, likely due to me refusing one and demanding I'd wear a closed shoe for the evening. Unfortunately Mother got the last laugh as my closed shoe had a three inch heel I'd not wanted. The sales associate had come on Mother's side as the designer had apparently stated her Capri pants should be worn with a four or five inch heel. I looked at my finger nails. I'd not escaped the acrylics and French manicure, worse luck. I'd got a short bob haircut too. Though having done it, I do miss my long blonde hair to the small of my back. I was trying to be awkward, and might have hurt myself on the hair do.

I think Daphne laying into me earlier might be connected to the haircut. Both Tori and she were crying as the hairdresser cut it. Seeing Mother and even one of the hairdressers being affected, it nearly set me off. I just hardened my heart, and kept asking them to cut it shorter as I didn't want long hair. Saying that I really did want a short bob cut.

Apparently my sliver of metamorphmagus talent currently only enabled me to get about four inches of length back. As soon as I stopped concentrating on my hair it snapped back short again. I'd found this out while stood in the bathroom I shared with Daphne, with the door locked, staring at the mirror.

Until I could maintain it without thinking I would just have to wait on my hair to grow back naturally. If I used this currently, then any surprise causing me to forget to hold on to the image of longer hair, would let everyone know I wished I'd not cut my hair so short. I would just have to practice and wait on getting long hair back.

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The restaurant was actually nice, with its low black beam, and raised white panel ceiling. It also not only had wonderful food, and artistically arranged entrees, but very pleasant staff. Of course Vernon and Dudley were upset with the size of the portions when the appetizers came out. Dudley actually demanded three of them. Then there was the shot to completely sink the plan as it quickly became obvious when we first arrived at the 'Toby Cottage' in Guildford that Potter wasn't going to be at the family meal.

As we're sitting with the Dursleys we can't discuss a new plan so I pulled one out of my arse being the most knowledgeable of muggles, and where we are in the muggle world verses the kingdom of Wessex. Quoting that, would likely have Vernon declaring us bloody foreigners, which in a way I'd never realized, I guess we actually were. Now my new plan I'll admit was bad. In fact it was more keep adjusting with random crap to cover what everyone else has said, but in my defense Daphne began the second Hindenburg disaster.

"So where is your nephew Harry, I was looking forward to talking to him again?" Daphne said while moving away from whale junior for the 'third?' time while we waited at the table for the main course. "You know the fre... boy! When did you talk to Harry?"Petunia Dursley more exclaimed than asked and was suddenly looking at us wearily. "At school earlier two…

I quickly cut in. "About two weeks ago. Our school had been on a field trip and the coach broke down outside Little Whinging. It was nearing lunch time. So imagine three teachers trying to calm thirty-two hungry girls. The primary school was the only place able to make us lunch." I quickly stopped Daphne from mentioning 'Tuesday' or two days ago, just in case some of the memories of the 'beating' Dudley was given, shook loose.

The wait staff returned to the table and new drink orders were taken. I'd coached everyone before we left home so there was no request for pumpkin juice, gilly-water, butterbeer or firewhiskey. Thank Merlin for one thing going correctly.

"Dudders why didn't you mention the girls from… What is the name of your private school?" The female Dursley asked Mother who was looking a bit like a goldfish.

"Lirwern-Frowills Preparatory for Young Ladies," I threw out a name that could have each of the four syllables spelt multiple ways, could be from Welsh, Irish or Continental European roots and I could remember as Learn When From Will as they were the roots to the school name I'd pulled out of my arse to cover Mother's delay in offering one. "… and Dudley didn't talk about it, as we weren't supposed to interact with the school's children. I've no idea how Daphne met her boyfriend, and for the last two weeks I've been pestering her how they met, and she hasn't coughed up yet to me."

Daphne's blush could likely allow the restaurant to save on lighting as she stamped her foot, and whined "Mother…

"Oh I'm sure it wasn't you daughter's fault. Unfortunately our nephew is troubled. He was likely in the wrong place and was a hassle to Daphne. My son, Dudley will make you safe from that degenerate…

Daphne leapt to Potter's defense. "Harry is the one that told me about Grunnings. He is the best and most wonderful boy in the world. At seven he already has a fashion style, I mean it must be because he wants to wear old worn out baggy clothing. If it wasn't due to his unusual fashion then the only thing to think is his relatives are abusing him…

Vernon couldn't help but leap in. "Oh, yes that's our Harry. He spends the weekends looking for clothes that meet his unique fashion sense." I can see his wife is suspicious so I catch my Father's eye and roll my eyes toward her. A quick 'confundo' and she just looks lost. "Well I'm sure my Daphne can get him to wear a style that reflects better on your business. He obviously is smart and wants to help you. As my daughter said it was his conversation with her that had me looking for your company as the solution to my needs, and why I requested you Vernon. Your nephew had already sold me on you, in how my daughter acted after that visit.

"Well about… see… yes, well… I've practically raised him. He was only one when his parents got killed in the car crash. Drunk driver…

Father cut in. "It is terrible how reckless morons can kill a baby's fantastic parents. Thankfully you were there to step in and finish raising such a perfect young gentleman. I insist we'll pick him up Friday from school. Keep him the weekend, and Monday and Tuesday. You can let the school know. Daphne will help moderate his style to look more acceptable. We'll drop him to school Wednesday and meet on next Thursday to sign the purchase order."

"My son Dudley…" My Father cast a few more 'confundo' charms on all three muggles and we had blissful quite until the food arrived. Watching Vernon and Dudley eat took away my appetite. They weren't talking, but it couldn't be described as blissfully quiet anymore, by any stretch of the imagination.

By deserts the obnoxious Dursley personality was resurfacing from the multiple confusing hexes and memory changing charms. "I really think you are taking the boy for too many days. It will only take a short amount of time for your twin daughters to take Dudley and the boy shopping. Dudley and Daphne just sounds like the perfect couple and Eloise's no nonsense business acumen can help the boy to a better clothing style I'm sure." Dudley's mother tried. I think I'd been insulted, acumen was shrewdness. Did she just call me a shrew? Then again at least I wasn't being paired with Dudley so maybe being insulted was a good thing.

I started on explaining why we needed so many days and to stop Daphne cursing the Dursleys. "The reason for the days is we can't just fly at the drop of the hat always. I mean Father said Mister Dursley insisted the entire family came to eat this evening for developing the business partnership, even though the most important person for this parnership wasn't brought to the family dinner…

"Daniel was adamant it was easy to get the whole family here for dinner…

Time to interrupt again as I'm the only one knowing where I'm going with this, and I cut across Vernon, and any gleefulness was imagined by the listener. "Well we have to put miles on the plane or it will get grounded for a major service. Thus when you said it was best, Father said it was easy, and it was. The King Air covered the hundreds of miles in fifty odd minutes including take-off, landing, clearance and taxiing. Also a standard King Air can sit twenty odd people. But Daddy's business jet with the custom lounge only seats eight passengers, which means we have only one free seat for Daphne's boyfriend…

"Eloise Sofia, he's not my boyfriend…

"Yet, but he will be soon. Also we need him for those days as Daddy is flying back here early Wednesday morning. Daddy has some things to do on Wednesday then he wants to sign the purchase order with you Vernon on Thursday."

"The plane has eight seats, so I and Dudley could come too." Vernon tried but I volleyed the tennis ball back, I'd already worked out the seats before I chose the number eight. "We have our chauffeur and two bodyguards. Daddy flies his plane with the co-pilot, but all eight seats are taken. Maybe for the weekend after next if we three girls stay at home next week…

"Where do you live?"

Thankfully Mother, Father and Daphne were busy casting spells and removing our names that we shouldn't have used, while clouding the images the Dursleys had of us. Probably too many confusing hexes, and memory charms later the evening was nearly over. Then Vernon came up with a real pearl. In his defense he'd had our names removed so couldn't use them. Taking into account he'd been obliviated and confounded a fair few times… No I take it back, he had no defense, and anything I didn't do, I had every right to do, even though I didn't.

Vernon seeming almost drunk grabs Father's arm and says. "If the shrew twin stays, she can take Harry shopping for a better style of clothing with Petunia. Then there are enough seats for myself and Dudley to fly on your king air. Allowing my son and the prettier twin to spend the weekend together, they make the perfect couple, and the other two are made for each other."

I will go on record that the fact Mister Dursley's chair broke had to be due to his weight and how much he'd eaten that evening. It had nothing to do with it occurring after I'd snatched Daphne's wand from her hand that it was loosely held in, and proceeding to curse under my breath 'bombarda maxima' 'stupify duo' 'confundo duo' 'confundo' 'confundo'. It was completely coincidental that a beam of light shot from the end of Daphne's wand toward Mister Dursley's chair's rear leg, then twice at him on the floor and once each to the legs of his wife and son. All shots fired beneath the cover of the tablecloth. If no one saw them, they didn't happen.

The fact that the fall caused Vernon to lose conscience had to be due to him hitting his head on the floor, and not from a stupefy and confundus cursing that I already said I didn't do. I would have been in my rights to do so though after being rudely insulted, but anything that happened was coincidental and caused by karma.

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-eUSc- Over 21,000 words up for public consumption