I watched her walk down the busy street, until she was mostly out of site. Then I walked into the bookstore she had just left. I looked around and noted that it looked very much like someplace she would frequent. Old books, new books, all stuffed where ever they could fit. The shelves were bursting, and some even creaked as old wood does when too much strain is placed upon them. Books were piled on the floor near the shelves, around the counter, and along the walls that were hidden by more shelves. It was horribly lit, making everything seem more mysterious than a normal Muggle bookshop should be. There were lamps here and there, and a very dim over head light, but the tall shelves stopped most of the light from circulating.
I ignored the little old man sitting at the counter. He was staring at me peculiarly, and had yet to welcome me or see if I needed any assistance. Not that I did, but it was odd. Instead, I walked down a few of the isles, noting some of the titles. Toads, Slime, and Men; How the Bird Crowed; Three Stars and a Cat. The titles continued on like that. I had never heard of a single book I passed. Not one. The next isle was no different. I began to wonder at Hermione Granger ever being in such a place. At first glance, it was cozy. At second, it was creepy. Not someplace a young woman would shop, I thought.
I picked up a book, at random, off one of the piles. It was rather light weight for a book of its size. I opened it to the middle and began to read.
"I realized that I had stumbled upon something interesting; but I was half-initiated before the word, "Wicca" which they used, hit me like a thunderbolt, and I knew where I was, and that the Old Religion still existed. And so I found myself in the Circle, and there took the usual oath of secrecy, which bound me not to reveal certain things."
I paused after reading that. I closed the book and looked at the title The Meaning of Witchcraft, it read. It was printed in a golden scroll on a dark green cover. It looked very old, and I turned it over in my hands. There was no price anywhere that I could find. Intrigued, I left the isle and walked to the counter where the old man sat, filling out a Muggle cross word puzzle. I stood there a moment, but he did not look up. Instead, he continued to fill in the little squares and scratch his balding head. I cleared my throat, but he only shifted his glasses further up his crooked nose.
"Excuse me," I began trying not to be harsh. Even if he was ignoring me, he was an old man, probably blind. However, he still did not look up.
"Excuse me, I was wondering how-"
" 'S not for sale." The little man croaked out.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I said 's not for sale, sir. Now we are closing for lunch in a minute, if you don't mind-"
He spoke to me as if I was the one ignoring him, and telling him to leave the shop.
"Look here-"
"Every thing all right, Grandpa?" I turned my head to the intruder. He was young, perhaps 20, maybe a little older. He had dark hair, and an unattractive subtle on his cheek. He looked at me unfriendly.
"Can I help you, sir?"
"Yes, I was looking to purchase this book-" I held up the book, trying to control my temper, thinking maybe the young man would be reasonable.
"I'm sorry, sir. It's not for sale."
"How can you have a book store and not sell a book?" I bit out, losing my patience.
"We do sell books, just not that one." He eyed me and squinted slightly. Realization suddenly dawned on me. I walked over and picked up another book.
"How about this one?"
The two men paused and looked at each other. The young man spoke up. "That one isn't for sale, either. Sorry."
"I see…" I set both books down on the counter. "And could you point a book out that is for sale?" Anger dripped off my tongue.
The young man sighed. "I'm sorry sir, but we are closing for lunch, so if you wouldn't mind-" He left off.
"Are you refusing me business?" I felt my lip curl, and my fingers twitch, wanting to reach for my wand.
He eyed me again, and met my gaze challengingly. "No sir, we just don't have any books for sale at present."
I started seeing little white dots in my vision. I was hardly breathing I was so enraged. I bit my cheek, in an attempt to cool my temper. It was best if I didn't reveal my magical fury to two Muggles. "Perhaps I shall check back later." I hissed through my teeth.
"Yes, please do." He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall behind him, drawing my attention to it. There were quite a few Muggle pictures on it. Some in frames, others taped up. My eyes were immediately drawn to the one closest to the boy. It was of a dark haired girl, who looked a lot like the young man, and Hermione Granger.
I was again startled to see her. Especially with the Muggle girl, posed in a cheerful setting. I didn't know why it seemed so absurd to see her there on the wall of a Muggle book store, but it pricked at my mind. The young man continued to look at me, expecting me to hurry off.
I started toward the door, and had just opened it when an idea struck me. "Who was the young woman who left the shop just before I entered?" If I was going to find her, I needed to know if she was still going by her real name.
The old man looked sharply at the young man, who furrowed his brows. "What woman?"
"The one on that picture." I motioned with my finger behind him.
He glared at me. "My sister?" So she was his sister….
"No, the pretty one." I smirked. Either he was offended at the slight to his sister, or he thought he had some claim to Hermione, because he practically jumped from his place at the wall, and clenched his fists.
"She is no concern of yours, sir. Now please leave." The please was added, most likely, as a benefit to the old man. I smirked again, pleased that I had riled him in return. I left the bookstore, and headed in the direction Hermione had gone. I was determined to find her.
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A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed! Chapters are updated faster at my livejournal, and friends on there get extra chapters that others don't. Add my livejournal quick, because there is going to be a extra chapter added this week!
Anyway, I haven't really decided if I want this to be a long story, or a shorter one. I think I'm just gonna write and see where it goes. Reviews are always welcome! And they make me want to post chapters faster…. hint-hint
Oh, and the book quote and title given about Wicca, is real. I took the quote off an online source… so if you were intrigued, go check out the title! :D
Eloquence
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, I hardly own the plot.
