Title: Say it
Pairing: Hermione/Theo
Word Count: 1158
A/N: I'm starting a new story! This originally started as an entry fort the Dueling Club competition. I was given a prompt of Antique store, and told I have to keep it under 500 words. Next thing I know, I've written double what I was supposed to and the story just kept flowing from me. The title is from the song Say It by Flume ft Tove Lo, as I was listening to it while writing this and could just see where the story was going to go. I may eventually put together a playlist of the songs I listen to and use as inspiration for this. I appreciate reviews and would love constructive criticism. I don't have a beta for this right now but I am looking for one so please bear with my spelling and grammar issues, I try my best.
Chapter One- Everything At Once
At the end of the war three years ago, Hermione wanted a low profile existence. After the reconstruction of Hogwarts she was offered an abundance of job offers all the way from working in the Department Of International Magical Cooperation to being an Unspeakable. Hermione though had lost faith in the ministry over the years and didn't want to deal with the politics of the time. Professor Mcgonagall had offered for them all to come back for their 7th year, but she couldn't face going back where so many had died. Instead she sat her NEWTS at the ministry.
She stayed with Harry at Grimmauld Place while debating her options. It wasn't until one day in Diagon Ally visiting George at the shop she saw what she wanted. Across the street was a small unassuming shop front with no signs, or clue to what the building was. Approaching George to inquire about it, she learned it had been an old antique store but the shop owner never came back to claim it after the war and so the ministry had control of it. That settled it. Hermione wanted that shop.
Within a year of gaining control of it, she had built up an impressive array of items. Things from old family heirlooms of different prominent families, others that Bill donated from his time as a curse breaker. Her store shifting in shades of grey on certain items. While nothing was illegal, some items should have been. Her clientele shifted from young men wanting old (but treasured none-the-less) rings to propose to their loved one, to shiftier characters of questionable morals.
Hermione was focused at sorting through some boxes of potential merchandise she had bought at an auction when the bell above the door rang. Sighing and wiping her hands on her pants she walked to the front counter and saw a face she hadn't seen in a good couple years. Theo Nott. Except he looked much better now than he did then. No longer lanky and slightly anemic looking, he had filled out in the shoulders and chest and well everywhere, Hermione noticed looking him up and down. When she reached back to his face he was just staring at her, unwilling to break the awkward tension.
Steeling herself she greeted him hesitantly, "Hello Theo." He seemed broken out of his trance by her speaking to him. "Hello Gran- uh Hermione."
Hermione smiled a little awkwardly, "So what can I help you with today?"
He seemed to contemplate for a second then, then sighed and walked over to the counter, "It's a long shot, but I was told by an associate you have an odd array of different familial heirlooms built up. My father lost a lot of our stuff when he went through...stuff."
Hermione understood what he meant. His father probably gambled everything away and Theo wanted something he lost.
"Of course. I might have it, what specifically are you looking for?"
"It was a necklace, simple silver chain with a silver twisted tree but what would be the leaves were made of tiny amethyst crystals. Would have tons of charms placed on it."
Hermione knew exactly what he was looking for, she kept it in the back always unwilling to sell it because after researching it she found out its called the tree of life. Usually given to a loved one for protection, but the charms on it had dangerous consequences if someone were to threaten the life of the one wearing it. Anywhere from blood boiling the attacker until they exploded, to being forced to strangle one's self. Hesitant to give something like that to him, she had to ask, "May I ask why you're wanting this piece specifically back?"
He looked down for a second, took a deep breath and looked back up, "It was my mothers. It was the last thing I had of her and I forgot it at home one year and well... Father found it."
She nodded, "I'll be right back." Hermione headed to the back room jewelry safe she had, and unlocked the multiple wards on it to get the necklace out. She wrapped it a cloth and brought it back to the front and laid it out in front of it. "Is this it?" He nodded and Hermione could see the sadness in this man. For a Slytherin he sure was an open book at this moment in time. She couldn't put her finger on it but something about the man intrigued her, made her want to know more about the mysterious man. A soft voice broke her out of her thoughts "Thank you. It means a lot.", and she blushed realizing he caught her staring at him if the slight smirk on his face was any indicator.
"How much do I owe you for this?" He asked her while digging into the pockets of the pants he was wearing to grab his coin purse.
"Nothing. It was originally yours." She replied resolutely.
He paused a second, "Are you sure? I really don't mind paying you for it. I know you must have paid an arm and a leg for this piece."
She waved off his protests with her hand and laughed, "It's really okay. I didn't pay a dime for it. Someone owed me and they paid up with this."
"If you won't let me pay for this, then uh-", he broke off unsure of himself, taking a deep breath, "Let me take you to dinner. Friday night. You've been a great help having this and I want to repay you. You didn't have to tell me you had it. Obviously you didn't have it for sell so I reckon you know exactly what this piece is and how powerful it is if you had kept it and wore it."
Hermione was startled. Here was Theo Nott asking her out. Sure he was an attractive man with his dark windswept hair and blue eyes, but was she ready to go down the rabbit hole this could lead to? Mentally shaking herself, don't be foolish. He just wants to thank you. It's not even a date. Hermione smiled slightly, "Okay, Friday. You can owl me the time and place."
Theo grabbed the necklace and cloth to rewrap it, "I look forward to Friday." With one last smirk in her direction her walked out of the store.
What was I thinking? Agreeing to go out with Theo! Hermione just closed her eyes and sighed for what felt like the millionth time today. There was no way she would be able to concentrate on work today. She grabbed her purse and locked up the door to the shop and apparated back to Grimmauld place.