Hermione helped a small crowd of customers with their purchases. After twenty minutes, they all left and Hermione had the shop to herself again. Her cozy little shop had really proved to be a true success. Customers were rushing in and out, giving Hermione hardly any time to herself.
Soft sofas were spaced throughout the open floor beside the bookshelves. The windows had light purple curtains and the candles had a soft blue flame. Pictures of Hermione's most beloved authors were spaced evenly along the pastel yellow walls. Light purple carpet added to the friendly atmosphere Hermione was very careful to take into consideration when planning out what the place would look like.
The children's section seemed to be the busiest as customers came in and out with their small children. The oak door with a glass window at eye-level revealed a small bell attached to the top. She always got compliments on how bright and happy the place looked whenever someone came through. Many people enjoyed her shop, as it was so warm and inviting to the wizard eye. The soft buzzing of the silence was quite relaxing.
She walked over to one of the tables and picked up the books that had gathered there. As she went to put them back on their appropriate shelves, she heard the familiar clink of the bell as the door opened. It let in a cool breeze. Hermione put the books back and rushed to the front to help her next customer.
"Be with you in a minute! Just putting some books away! How can I help you?" She called out as she reappeared from behind the shelves. The customer turned around and pulled the hood off their head. Hermione's eyes twinkled as she saw who stood in front of her: Fayina Marczh. A very well respected witch in these parts and a close friend of Hermione's.
"Fayina! Oh my goodness! When did you get here?" Hermione asked exasperatedly. Fayina walked over and hugged her dear friend, whom she'd known since her sixth year at Hogwarts.
"I got in late last night. The train was packed and got held up three times. I'm telling you, I could have walked all the way here with the amount of time it took to get here by train. When I did get here I saw the sign on this place and thought it was the weirdest coincidence! I don't know any other Grangers!" Fayina replied happily. Hermione shined with happiness at seeing her friend for the first time in three long years.
"Yes I'll tell you all about that later. So how long are you here? Most importantly, where will you be staying?" Hermione asked.
"I'm staying at a friend's house just outside this town and I'll be here for quite some time. I've been stationed here to work for a while, fresh out of training, imagine that."
"That's great! Hey listen, Ron's having some people over at his place tonight. I'm sure he'd love to see you!" Hermione suggested. Fayina smiled wide, brushing away the dark locks of hair that had blown into her face.
"That sounds great. Listen, I've got to go do a few things and I have other people to see before tonight. They'll want to hear all about my---"
"Goodness! What IS that on your hand?" Hermione asked desperately, pointing to Fayina's bruised up hand. Fayina looked down, then back up at Hermione, trying to avoid her gaze.
"Oh, that. I had a bit of a run in with, well I don't know exactly. It's part of our auror training. Happened three weeks ago but it's seems to be improving!" Fayina answered cheerfully. Hermione seemed worried still about the nasty cut that was bandaged and the bruise that creeped out from under it.
"Um, look, can I ask you something?" Hermione began. Fayina nodded reluctantly at the sudden serious tone in her voice.
"Since you went through the auror training and all, I was wondering---"
"If I've seen Harry? Is that what you were about to ask?" Fayina interjected. Hermione looked hopeful with her eyebrows raised, but nodded.
"One thing you have to remember is I went into training a long while after he did, had to decide if this is what I really wanted to do and all. I bumped into him only once and that was quite a while ago. Nearly a year since that happened, and he was very busy at the time. Sorry I can't be of more help. Ron owled me and seemed worried himself." Fayina answered. Hermione sighed.
"Okay well thanks. Look, meet me here at half past five. We can go to Ron's together, how does that sound?" Hermione asked, changing the subject as quickly as she could. Fayina nodded hesitantly, and waved as she headed back out the door. Hermione had the peace and quiet of the shop to herself again.
She walked over to the counter and opened the locked bottom drawer. She didn't have her key on hand but reached for her wand that was sitting on the cherry cedar counter top.
"Alohomorah." She recited, and the drawer whipped open. Hermione pulled out a dusty white envelope and walked over to a sofa in a nearby corner to sit down. The flow of customers seemed to slow down so she took advantage of the quietness of her cozy little book shop. There, she curled up and began to read.
November 6
Dear Hermione,
Sorry it's been a little while since I last owled you. I'm working on the same case and it's really going slow. Things are getting really heavy down here but we still can't manage to resolve anything. I don't know when you'll hear from me next but hopefully it won't be too long. Tell Ron I said hello. I miss you.
Your friend for life,
Harry James Potter
Hermione folded up the letter and shoved it back in the drawer in protest. A million thoughts flooded her mind as she sat on the stool, propped her elbows up on the counter and rested her chin in her hands. She was in such deep thought she didn't realize there was someone in front of the counter staring at her. It was Lavender Brown, accompanied by Parvati Patil.
"Hermione? Are you alright? You seemed a million miles away, is anything wrong?" Parvati asked out of concern. Hermione looked at them and faked a smile, trying desperately to clear her thoughts.
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine. How are you? I haven't seen you for so long!" Hermione replied, looking between her two former Hogwarts classmates. They smiled.
"We're fine. You sure nothing's bothering you?" Lavender asked. Hermione nodded.
"Ron said he bumped into you today. You're coming to his house tonight, right? We'll be there." Lavender added quickly. Hermione nodded again but didn't say much. "We overheard something interesting today. Seems Harry's due back any day now. It's really going to be quite the show when he reunites with old friends and---" Lavender began, but was rudely interrupted by Parvati's elbow in her ribs. She touched her side and began to rub, giving Parvati a nasty look.
"Yeah…yeah I think I….um heard that too!" Hermione said anxiously, cutting off Lavender completely. Lavender faked an innocent look, which Hermione saw straight through. Parvati rolled her eyes.
"Lavender you can't keep anything to yourself!" Parvati said.
Hermione looked between them with suspicious looks but decided not to poke and prod. After all, they were the experts when it came to gossip and half the time it wasn't even true.
"Well, is there anything I can help you with today? I've just got a new shipment of books today. Some of them are really---"
"Hermione, we came by because Ron said you were pretty stressed out. You know, you could use some help around here. There's no way you can continue to do all this by yourself, especially since business is booming now." Parvati quickly interrupted. Hermione grinned suspiciously.
"So you want to help?" Hermione asked, more as a statement than anything else. The two girls nodded their heads happily which made Hermione smile. She nodded, confirming they could offer themselves up as help around the shop.
"Thanks guys. Look, tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Would you mind coming in?" She asked them. They smiled.
"Of course. We'll see you tonight at Ron's. See you!." Lavender said as the two of them walked out the door, sounding off the bell as they did so.
Hermione once again walked over to the tables to put some books away, thinking of the information Lavender had given her.