Chapter Two for you! Since such kind reviews were received thought I'd work my hardest to write this :) Please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its affiliates :)
Chapter One: Life
"Hermione! Hermione darling, you're going to be late!" Called a busy Mrs Granger from the small kitchen of their house, her green eyes flickering constantly towards the plain white clock hung on the wall above her. Mr Granger sat at their oak table casually reading the morning newspaper, waiting for his only daughter to arrive. "Hermione!" She called again, brushing her brown bushy hair from her eyes and walking from the sink, down the small carpeted hallway and to the bottom of the stairs. Taking the edge of the banister she looked towards the landing and called, "Hurry up! You won't have a job much longer if you don't get moving! Your father and I are leaving for the surgery now. Hermione?" There can a loud bang and a sixteen year old girl collapsed against the wall of the stairs, dragging an enormous bag stuffed full behind her. She drew a large breath and then bound down the stairs skidding to a halt in front of her mother.
"Sorry! I just...stairs...sink...wardrobe...you know!" She panted heavily, and her mother frowned at her.
"Look at you! You look like you've rolled out of a bin!" Mrs Granger took a hair band from her wrist and tied up her daughter's rebellious bushy brown hair, scraping it back from her face.
"Mother!" She tried to pull away as her father passed by the stairs, putting on his shoes and taking up his car keys.
"Morning Princess." He smiled at her,
"Morning Daddy." She placed a gentle kiss upon his cheek and giggling.
"Come on!" Ushered Mrs Granger, "Move it!"
"Yes mother!" Hermione chortled and opened the door to leave.
"Princess? Shoes?" Said her father questioningly, and she looked towards the floor and towards her small bare feet. Embarrassed, she squeezed past her parents as they exited the house chuckling to themselves slightly. Dropping her bag, she opened the small cupboard under the stairs and took out her small dolly-shoes, slipped them on and took her own keys from a small phone stand by the door. Slamming the door behind her, she locked up and turned to find the car absent from their driveway. Taking a deep breath she began to run, past her front garden, turned left and headed towards the end of the street, feet pounding into the concrete.
~x~x~x~
The rattle of teacups bouncing around on the tray exited The Tableau Bleu as Hermione Granger carried two black teas out towards two elderly gentlemen sat outside the small restaurant. "Two teas?" She smiled sweetly, placing them in front of her customers.
"Such a fine young and polite lady," Smiled one of them, tilting his hat towards her, "Thank you indeed." She gave a small smile in return,
"If there's anything else you need, just give me a shout, okay?" She walked away and back into the shop. It was a hot summer's day, and she was beginning to sweat slightly. Dabbing her forehead with a small napkin she placed her tray upon the front desk, walking around towards the till. Opening it she deposited small change from her pockets into the correct slot and shut it again, looking around the now empty, normally bustling cafe. She sighed, thinking that really she hadn't needed to rush this morning, and could have probably spent a few more moments in her nice warm and cosy bed, dreaming of the History coursework that needed would need to be in for Mrs Burnbourne when she returned to school to begin attending Sixth Form. Though she lived in a small village, she had had to travel to Surry every day to attend to her studies and see her few friends.
"Granger!" The voice of her manager, Dianne Etherthaw, broke through her dreams. Hermione snapped around, to find Dianne, her large blond hair askew and hands upon hips, staring at her with impatience. Hermione's jaw dropped and she became wide eyed,
"Oh," She gasped, "I was just, sorry, I-" She mumbled, but was cut off,
"Customers!" Dianne extended a long finger towards a small table in the corner and then stalked back into her office, muttering to herself. Hermione quickly fumbled for her pad and pen and then shot off towards the table. She shuffled towards them, a little hesitantly. Two men sat hunched together, black cloaks covering them completely, hoods shielding their features. She gave a cautious smile,
"Afternoon gentlemen, what can I get you?" She asked uncomfortably. One of them turned to the man closest to her expectantly,
"Just a coffee," Said the second, in a deep but calming voice,
"Yeah same." Replied his comrade huskily.
"Milk and sugar?" Her voice weakened to a hoarse whisper.
"Yes and one."
"Same."
"I'll be right back then." She walked away hurriedly, almost running back to the front desk and mashing the coffee machine with all her might. She looked around as she made each cup, very aware of the men now staring at her, 'Oh God, perverts! Just my luck on an empty shop day!' She squirmed as they watched her take the milk from the fridge and the sugar from the pot. With her back facing them, she drew a long shuddering breath, pulled her best smile and turned to take them their beverages. She walked over promptly and placing the tray in one hand she placed their drinks upon the table. "Well if there's not anything else, I'll be off." She turned to leave and the man closest to her suddenly took hold of her free arm. She looked at them, frightened,
"You girl, have you seen anything...strange happening lately?" He could have been staring her directly in the eyes, and yet she could not tell for his attire.
"I...I don't know what you mean!" She looked around for help, but found no one in sight, "Please, let me go! I haven't done anything wrong!" She pulled her arm as hard as she could, but felt it come free easily, and she stumbled back into the table behind her,
"No...not at all." They both stood and left the cafe, leaving their drinks untouched.
~x~x~x~
It was almost six in the evening as Hermione hung up her apron and left The Tableau Bleu and began her journey home. She walked down the main street of the market, and out onto the house lined pavements. As she walked on the houses slowly faded away, and the trees became thicker, she began the small trek back towards her house in the suburbs. Yet as she walked, Hermione became ever more aware of another presence around her, and she quickened her pace considerably. A shadow moved behind her, but no matter how much she turned she could not glimpse her stalker. She began to jog and then broke into a run, and she heard them coming. Someone grabbed her waist and dragged her to the ground screaming, and yet no one could hear her in such a secluded area. She kicked and punched but was hauled relentlessly into some trees. She was pinned beneath her assailant, shrieking in fear. Suddenly a brilliant light crashed overhead, engulfing them.
Japan's Arc Angel x