)) Line ((Line)) Line ((
Chapter 2: An Odd Acquaintance
)) Line ((Line)) Line ((
''That don't impress me much,'' Hermione hummed quietly along to the song blaring through the small earbuds in her ears, connected to her phone, which rested snugly in the right pocket of her pants. It was a song she had listened to her with her mother and shown to Ginny, Fleur, Luna, and Tonks afterwards. They had enjoyed it together, laughing as they compared each of the descriptions mentioned in the song to one of the men in their lives.
That morning, Hermione had risen extra early, eager for the activity she had planned for the day. Briefly one of the students at the high school had mentioned the Rockland University, which reminded Hermione of the large and extensive library it was supposed to have. When she had been browsing through Grandview's website, she found the Rockland University mentioned there. It claimed to have a large and extensive library. Hermione promised herself that she would check it out when she had the chance. Since her house was still being furnished and her things were still being put into place, she had time to investigate.
Hermione felt curious and eager so she dressed up for the day. She wore a pair of tight black pants that flared around her legs a bit, a short sleeved light green shirt with darker green hearts printed all over it, black strappy heels that drew attention to her small feet, toenails painted an emerald green with gleaming silver tips, and a white scarf with black smudges and deep green fern patterns on it wrapped around her neck neatly.
Her things were stuffed into a matching green leather purse, which she carried in the crook of her arm. For jewelry, she wore a thin sterling silver locket bracelet around her right wrist and a simple silver heart locket necklace. Her thick brown hair was teased into a side braid, resting on her right shoulder, with her bangs falling out to frame her face. After dressing and feeding Crookshanks, she hurried out of the shop, heading to the university.
She had been roaming through the library for an hour since then. It really was as extensive as the website had claimed. It had only been an hour and she already had a nicely sized stack of books in her arms. Her interests had a wide range so she had picked out a few volumes on different mythology, including the legends of Merlin and King Arthur, and a thick leather bound book of plant life, detailing which herbs could be used for what purposes.
The mythology had been chosen for her own entertainment and the herb book had been chosen due to her previous career choice of becoming a Potions Mistress. If she hadn't been sent forward centuries after her own time, she would have been staying at Hogwarts as Madam Pomphrey's and Professor Snape's apprentice and Professor McGonagall's assistant. As far as she could tell, there were little to no people around with magic in their blood so that option was gone. She would still study as hard as she could though so that she could help someone if there was an emergency.
Humming quietly along to the song playing through her ear buds, Hermione rounded the corner and gasped as something slammed into her. The books tumbled from her arms, scattering on the floor, as she fell back onto her behind, momentarily stunned from the impact.
''Oh jeez, I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going! Are you alright?''
Blinking in surprise at the genuinely concerned voice, Hermione looked up to see clear, summer blue irises looking down at her. It was a man. He was possibly a bit older than her but only by a few years at the most. He had soft-looking blonde hair that curled slightly. He was professionally dressed, wearing a pair of beige slacks, a light blue button up dress shirt tucked into his pants with a brown leather belt, a light brown tie neatly tied, a light brown coat, and a pair of dark shoes. He also wore a pair of thin framed glasses, probably for reading. In one hand he held a worn dark brown leather brief case while the other held a book.
''U-Uh, yeah, I'm fine,'' Hermione stuttered slightly at the beginning, stunned by the appearance of the man.
Mentally, she scolded herself for momentarily losing herself in the books around her and becoming distracted enough to run into someone.
''Here, let me help you,'' he tucked his book under his arm before reaching out with his now free hand, pulling her to her feet easily as Hermione accepted it, blinking in surprise at the gesture.
''Professor Payne, Rick Payne,'' he introduced, offering his hand for a handshake.
''Hermione Granger, at your service,'' she smiled, shaking his hand firmly before releasing it.
Her eyes drifted and widened as she noticed all of her books that she had been holding, scattered on the floor, having been forgotten in her daze. Quickly, she bent down and started to pick up her books, inspecting them for any damage as she did so. Professor Payne bent down beside her, helping her gather them. When all the books had been picked up, Hermione stood, the Professor following.
''Here, I think these are yours,'' he smiled, handing her the few books he held. ''Again, I'm sorry for that. I didn't mean to knock you down.''
''Thank you,'' Hermione thanked him with a smile as she adjusted the neat stack of books in her arms. ''It's fine. It wasn't your fault after all. I wasn't really watching where I was going.''
''The Legends of Camelot? ,'' he raised an eyebrow as he read one of the titles scrawled on the side of one of the books in her arms. ''You're interested in mythology?''
''I've always been interested in it,'' Hermione said defensively, hearing the note of surprise in his voice. ''You're a Professor so what do you specialize in?''
''The Occult and all manner of anything weird or supernatural really,'' Professor Payne answered with a laugh as he smiled, amused.
''Really? That sounds interesting,'' Hermione's eyes brightened as she smiled.
''There was no hint of disbelief or sarcasm in your voice,'' he blurted out bluntly, his eyebrows furrowing. Seeing her confused look, he elaborated further. ''Normally, when someone asks about my job and I tell them about it being anything supernatural, they say it's interesting, but they really think it's stupid. There was no hint of sarcasm or disbelief in your voice when you said that.''
''That's because I truly do find it interesting,'' Hermione laughed, smiling up at the Professor as she started to leave the library, Professor Payne following along at her side absently.
''I've never seen you before. Are you new to Grandview? ,'' he asked curiously.
''Yes,'' Hermione nodded, continuing on through the hallway with him following. ''Actually, I just moved here two days ago.''
''Are you a student here?''
''No, no,'' she laughed, shaking her head at his relieved look. ''Before I moved here, I was looking over the website for Grandview and noticed that they had a university that claimed to have an extensive library. I had some spare time today so I came here to check it out myself.''
''Darn,'' Professor Payne faked a disappointed look at Hermione, who smiled amusedly. ''I thought I would have an interested student for once in my lectures. But seriously, what do you do now? Since you're not a Professor or a student.''
''I actually own a small bookshop that I bought when I moved here,'' Hermione smiled shyly, shifting one arm to brush a bang out of her eyes. ''It's brand new so I haven't even named it yet. Any suggestions?''
''Hmm…,'' the Professor gained a thoughtful look, thinking it over. ''Maybe you could name it something in another language? Latin maybe? Or you could make a reference to Camelot or some other myth?''
''Makes sense,'' she nodded thoughtfully. ''Thanks, Professor Payne.''
''You can just call me Rick or just Payne, you know,'' he pointed out, smiling as he glanced over at her. ''There's no need for all the formal stuff.''
''Alright, Rick,'' Hermione nodded, testing the name on her tongue as she smiled up at him. ''You can call me Hermione then.''
Both blinked in surprise as they noticed that they had left the building and stood outside in the parking lot, beside Hermione's car. With a sigh, Hermione moved towards the back of her car. She blinked in surprise as Rick lifted the trunk for her, seeing that she had her arms full. Giving him a quick thankful smile, she set the books down neatly before stepping back, watching as Rick closed the trunk.
''I have to go now,'' Hermione cast a glance at her wristwatch, sighing sadly as she looked back at the professor. ''I really am sorry to go. Maybe we can meet for coffee or something another day?''
Her question was hesitant as she bit her lip shyly, fidgeting with her purse as she felt Rick look at her, surprised at the offer.
''I'm sorry. That was a bit forward for me,'' she apologized, giving him an apologetic smile. ''It's just that I don't really have any friends here and I don't really know anyone….''
''You want to be friends? With me? ,'' Professor Payne raised his eyebrows in disbelief, pointing a finger at his own chest.
''Yeah,'' she nodded, her gaze turning downward, her eyes glued to her shuffling heeled feet. ''I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to. It's okay if you don't. I mean, I know it seems really weird to have coffee or whatever with the weird girl you just met in the library….''
She had started to babble out of nervousness, unaware of Professor Payne's amused look as he watched her fidget. The woman was strange but he liked it. She was the only woman so far that had shown in interest in his job. He didn't blame her for offering to meet again and have coffee since he wanted to offer the same thing. He had been about to when she blurted it out before him, cutting him off and surprising him.
''That would be fun,'' he grinned, honestly curious about the strange woman. ''Come by my office any time. Sadly, I've got a lecture so I'll see you later. Bye Hermione.''
''Alright. Bye Rick,'' Hermione smiled, relieved as he waved in farewell, starting his trek back to the library. The brown haired woman remained there for a moment, smiling to herself, before shaking her head to clear her thoughts, slipping into the driver seat of her car and starting to drive off.