The girl's have a great time

("All characters in this story are at least 18 years old.")

(AN: AU from Early-PoA be prepared for some differences. See 1st chapter for details.)

(AN II: Feedback in the comments section is always appreciated!)

(AN:III Feel Free to add your own branches to this story thread!)

(AN: IV: fixed Ginny's dress photo)

As Molly and the girls entered Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, they were greeted by Madam Malkin herself in the latest fashionable dress colored in a cream white rather than her usual mauve.

"Oh welcome back Holly dear! I must say you look ravishing darling! Simply ravishing! I bet your having to beat off those boys with so many stinging hexes! But I am so glad you've decided to finally embrace yourself love."

She smiled warmly at Holly looking her over and beaming with pride that the young woman had finally decided to openly be her true self, as she appeared to be a whole lot happier than she had been when she'd visited her a year ago. Now? She walked greater confidence and grace that would draw the eye of many a young wizard (along with a few older ones) and even a few witches (if they were so inclined)

Holly and the squat seamstress had developed a friendship during the three weeks she'd spent in Diagon Alley just before her 3rd year. Holly had still been a it rocked by her discovery of her true gender only a few weeks before. Malkin had caught her a few times wandering around the shop that first week, sneaking longing looks at the beautiful gowns and dresses on display when she'd thought none were watching her from the second story window. A little after that the tailoress had approached Holly while on her lunch hour at her old friend Florian's Ice Cream Parlor.

After some coaxing (under special privacy charms Malkin used when dealing with clientle who liked a bit more privacy) Holly had confessed her problem to the older witch and was relieved when the Tailoress not only accept her but encouraged the young witch to become who she was meant to be. After that, they'd become fast friends with Malkin becoming a mentor to her in the womanly arts.

She'd often invite Holly to the shop after hours to teach her all the things she needed to know about being a woman (How to walk, maintaining her posture, using beauty products, lady etiquette, fashion, etc) and some spells that all young pureblood witches or half-blood witches with a witch mother would teach their daughters. (Muggleborn witches usually learned from their female professors while in school at some point.)

When Holly went back to school, she'd often write to the older witch. After she'd managed the transition spells, Malkin had been responsible for the majority of her new clothing and helping keep Holly positive about herself in her letters. Seeing how far Holly had come since then brought joy to her old heart. She then turned to Molly, Ginny and Hermione to greet them.

"Oh where are my manners! Mrs. Weasley, Miss Weasley, and Miss Granger, good morning! It is always a pleasure to work with clients such as yourselves! Holly always has such glowing praise for all of you in her letters! I must thank you for support her when she needed it. When I got to know her last summer, she was very out of sorts but now look at her!" She beamed brighter as she clapped her hads excitedly before looking over the three younger witches.

"Now! Let's get you lovely young ladies sorted out shall we?" She then turned toward one of her nearby apprentices to let them know she was heading upstairs to work with some special clients and that she trusts them to handle the other clients while she's gone. She then ushered Molly and the younger witches upstairs to a special area where she worked with her more VIP clientle.

Hermione had been the first to get her gown and fitted. At first she'd tried out dresses in Periwinkle Blue and Salmon Pink. But after some discussion and a reccomendation from Malkin she'd gone with an red and golden dress with roses tastefully spread throughout the design. Molly and Malkin even helped her with her hair and accessories to go with the dress and showed her exactly how it should look and the result was stunning.

After looking herself over, Hermione fell in love with it immediately and made her choice. She'd hedged at first but Holly told her that she was footing the bill and she should get the dress she wanted. Malkin also said she'd be giving them a discount. So after removing the dress and redoing her hair which was now more wavy and less bushy due the Sleekeazy Potion (which Hermione said she would be getting more of later). It was Ginny's turn.

Ginny, being stubborn decided to try on a few dresses that never quite got the look she wanted until she gave up and asked for help from Malkin. After much debate, Ginny ended up going with a blue and pink dress that complimented her hair combined with a modern take on the regency style for her hair.

Then it was Holly's turn. Instead of looking herself, she entrusted the task to Malkin seeing her successes with the other girls. At first, Malkin thought to work a bright emerald green to match her eyes but the color never came out right so instead they went with a gold color scheme to compliment her raven black hair with red roses similar to Hermione's gown. Both adult witches fixed up her hair like the last two and let her look in the mirror.

Holly beamed. "I'll take it." Malkin and her friends smiled at the joy in her voice. She told them to go ahead and check out while she got changed, handing Molly her full coin purse to pay for their purchases. They move downstairs while Holly admired herself in the mirror a while longer. She then heard someone coming up the opposite staircase and they sounded male based on the depth of their voice.

The voice sounded familiar but before she could think of informing them the room was occupied the door opened to reveal.