Chapter 216 - Magical Focii! Part-1

{Saanjh Silks, Thane, Mumbai}

{12th July 1991} 

{Ginny's POV}

I stepped out carefully from behind the fitting-room curtain, adjusting the sheer black saree nervously as the assistant who’d helped me disappeared toward the front of the shop. My pulse fluttered—part excitement, part apprehension—as I glanced around the shop, eyes scanning for Rigel.

The attendant had been incredible. Not only had she wrapped me in this gorgeous silk effortlessly, but she’d also done so without a wand—just a slim golden ring she twisted elegantly on her finger as she murmured incantations in a language I couldn’t recognize. I couldn’t wait to tell Rigel about it. He’d love the discovery of the ring-based magic system; he did talk about exploring more exotic branches of magic when he got here. But mostly, if I was honest, I was eager to see his reaction to me in this new attire. Yet, as my eyes searched the bustling front of the shop, I couldn’t see him anywhere. 

Frowning, I moved through the rows of colorful silk and cotton garments, past chattering customers and smiling shopkeepers. My heart sank a little when I still didn’t spot him. He had seemed quieter and distant than usual today, maybe even distracted—but he wouldn’t wander off without telling someone, would he?

After several fruitless minutes of circling the shop, I turned back toward the curtained hallway of the fitting rooms. A small part of me worried he might have wandered back there with Parvati, especially given the way she’d clung to him earlier, dragging him away before I could even protest. It wasn’t jealousy—exactly—but the idea of Rigel tucked away with Parvati stirred something uncomfortable within me.

My footsteps echoed softly against the plush carpet, the muffled sound reminding me just how alone I felt right now. Swallowing my uncertainty, I called out softly at first, hesitant. "Parvati? Parvati! Have you seen Rigel?"

No answer. My heart picked up speed as I stepped farther down the corridor, anxiety gnawing at me.

"Parvati? Where are you?" I tried again, louder this time, my voice clear and strong as I listened carefully.

"I'm here," A muffled voice echoed from the far end of the corridor. There was another pause before a curtain at the far end fluttered slightly, and Parvati’s familiar dark-haired head poked out, eyes wide and cheeks flushed.

“Ginny! Over here. Give me a sec.”

I hurried down the hallway, saree fluttering gracefully behind me as I closed the gap quickly. Parvati’s face was flushed, and tiny beads of sweat were visible on her hairline. It was a little stuffy back here, and knowing how complicated putting on these sarees could be, I sympathized slightly.

Parvati shifted slightly, keeping most of her body concealed behind the curtain as she looked at me curiously. “What’s wrong?”

“Have you seen Rigel?” I asked anxiously, lowering my voice instinctively, even though we seemed alone. "He was outside, wasn't he? I can't find him anywhere."

Parvati smiled quickly, though something about it seemed off—maybe forced. “Don’t worry, Ginny. Last I saw, he was eyeing a set of kurtas and wandered over to the men’s section. You know how he is—" Her breath hitched, did she stub her toe or something, she did shift, bending over like that couldn't be any good for her muscles, "—gets distracted by a book or a new style or something..."

'Was Rigel in there with her?' I thought. The thought popped up suddenly again, which caused me to shuffle nervously on my feet.

I hesitated, biting my lip as uncertainty lingered. I hated admitting my nerves, even to myself, but something about her posture and the way she hid behind the curtain made me uneasy. "Well yeah... I just wanted to ask what he thought before I bought this."

Parvati’s eyes softened slightly, and her tone turned reassuring. “You look fantastic, Ginny. He’ll think so too, trust me. Just wait for him out front—" she paused again, her eye twitching and her lips trembling slightly, "—he'll turn up. I'll be out in a minute myself, just let me finish wrangling with these pleats."

Her tone was earnest, but I was still hesitant.

'It's not like I'm going to pull back the curtain and peek inside.'

I forced out a small laugh, the mask of the cheerful youngest Weasley quickly slipping on, "Yeah, no kidding, the attendant did it so fast, I'm not sure I can do it by myself, do you need help?"

"Yeaaaahh," Parvati almost moaned, which made it certain in my mind that Rigel was in there with her. What was he doing? Surely not that right. My mood sank a little. Sure, I knew that he was close to her, considering that we got permission to travel so quickly, but doing something like this in public—in front of me, even—was a little bold.

Parvati suppressed her moan and gave me an awkward wink as she replied, "It's Saanjh Silks & Spells. Nobody's ever gotten lost in here for long. Unless you count losing yourself in the fabrics, he'll be back soon."

'Yeah, yeah, she wants me to get.' I nodded, it was a bit bitter and difficult to maintain the facade, so I nodded and turned away. Sighing deeply, frustrated, as I walked back down the corridor toward the front of the shop, I tugged gently at the saree again, smoothing the fabric over my waist. Rigel would appear soon enough, after he was done... doing that with her. 

'She had a year-long head start, plus whether I would like it or not, she is beautiful.' I admitted bitterly that I have a chance as long as I can capture his attention. 

...

I walked past the curtain and noticed the attendant who helped her with wearing her saree. An idea lit up in my head and I quickly trotted over to her, "Hi," I spoke, getting a practiced smile from the attendant, "thank you for earlier," I began before switching the topic toward her ring and the magic that she used, "I couldn't help but notice that you cast that charm or spell from your ring." I finished my sentence as a statement rather than a question, hoping to get a broader response that I could then use to narrow it down.

A look of concentration appeared on the woman's face as she nodded. After a brief pause, she replied, "Yes, the focus ring." She pulled her hand up, indicating the golden ring glimmering on her hand, "It has a magical gem, this helps us do magic." Her accent was a little different, but I understood the concise sentence.

A grin appeared on my face as I asked, "Yes, the ring, where can I get one?" 

'This will surely get Rigel's attention... I just need to better our relationship little by little.'

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