Shave and a Haircut, Two bits

It was a fine and sunny morning as Harry Potter strolled down Fleet Street to his Barber shop. It was a relatively small shop that had once been a bakery, Harry was the only employee. This of course meant that he was always busy but that was how he liked it, never a dull moment, always someone else to help.

As he approached the storefront he saw a terrifying but all too common sight. It looked like the poor woman had put on her Don King wig, only he knew this was no wig.

"My dear, what has happened" he said sympathetically.

"Well it was bad when I woke up but it's been a really rough mornin" she said very near tears.

"Now now" he said giving a comforting hug, "there is nothing to fear, you just come inside and we'll have this mess sorted out quick as you can say bobs your uncle."

And they did to. He was finished just in time for his next customer to arrive and so the day began. One customer after another, ladies needing a stylish trim, gentleman come in for a shave, even little children setting down in his chair for their very first cut.

Things tapered off a bit at lunch, just long enough for Harry to eat and then it was back to it till around five when the shop was at last empty. Not that he believed it would stay that way but it gave him some time to tidy things up.

Just as he was sweeping up the last of the previous customer the bell over the door rang. With a genial smile he turned to greet this new patron.

"Welcome to Harry Cuts where that's exactly what he does" repeating his well-worn catch line.

"Is that all he does?"

He recognized the voice without ever having to see the face, and that head of hair was a dead giveaway as well.

"That entirely depends on the customer" he said, "Please, come, sit."

"Nice place you've got here" she said taking the offered seat.

"I do rather like it" he replied, "So, what are we trying to do today?"

"Well my husband has been on about how I look lately so I thought we'd try something different" she said, poorly hiding the bitterness at the mention of her husband.

"Indeed, I personally would recommend a different husband" he said, running his hands through the bushy mess.

"I've had similar thoughts myself I won't deny" she said somberly.

"He was never good enough for you" said Harry, massaging her temples which elicited a pleased groan.

"Wish you'd said that before I married him."

"Wish I had to" said Harry, leaning her head back to look into her eyes.

"Hello Harry."

"Hello Hermione."

"You know when Lavender told me I should come here I thought she was just having me on. I never actually expected to find you" she said, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Hey now, none of that" said Harry, wiping away the offending water, "such a pretty face is much too good for tears."

Her smile could have outshone the sun and she wasted no time leaving her chair so she could hug the daylights out of her best friend.

"I missed you so much" she said, her face buried in his neck.

"It's nice to see you to" he said, holding her as she hid her tears from him, "and all your hair as well" he joked.

She couldn't help but snort at that and pulled away still chuckling, "Oh you."

"So, Ron givin you trouble huh?"

"It's not really so bad" she hedged, "he's just the same insensitive prat he's always been."

"Hardly an excuse for mistreating his wife" said Harry gently brushing an errant strand of hair from her face.

She smiled, "so, you going to cut my hair or just keep staring at me?"

"Well, you are well worth a good stare or two" he said which made her blush, "but I think we'll start with a wash first, work out some of the kinks in this disaster you carry around to protect your lovely brain."

"Oh honestly Harry" she said good-naturedly.

"You have no idea how much I missed hearing that" he said.

…

The wash as it turned out was very thorough and for Hermione a nearly orgasmic experience. Being no stranger to the pleasures of the flesh with two children, this was by and far better than any sex she'd ever had. And he hadn't even touched any of the good spots. She got a little excited when she began to wonder what it would have been like if he had.

Hermione felt lighter the longer Harry worked as they talked the way only old friends who haven't seen each other in a long while can. For her it was just so nice to talk to someone who actually seemed eager to listen. At home she had her children and Ron, neither of which cared to listen to her and she had become so exhausted trying to nag them into obedience without success that she'd simply given up.

All these concerns vanished, her worries lifted as Harry went about his work, hair falling away like a waterfall till at last he was finished. She looked in the mirror and almost didn't recognize herself, she looked good.

"Wow" she said.

"Well, I had a lot to work with" said Harry with a smile that had her blushing again.

"So, what do I owe you?" she asked, saddened that her visit was over.

"A hug and a kiss" he said with a cheeky grin.

She chuckled at him but was more than happy to hug him, but when she went to kiss his cheek he turned his head at the last second and captured her lips. She was surprised at first but soon melted into his warmth with a relish that was highly inappropriate for a married woman.

"Come visit me again" he said releasing her.

"Yeah" she replied dazed and with a glazed look in her eyes as she stumbled out the door.

…

Closing time came and Harry was just about finished cleaning up when the bell of his door tinkled.

"Sorry, closed for the day" he called over his shoulder.

"Awww, are you sure?"

Harry did turn then, spying the raven haired beauty. He frowned, she was a regular and knew his hours.

"You of all people should know what time I close" he chastised.

"I'm sorry" she said, batting her eyelashes and pouting, "I just need a little work, promise."

While he might have said no to the work, he had no defense against the pout.

He gestured to the chair and she happily skipped to her seat.

"Let me guess, it was fine this morning" he said, running a comb through the tangles of her long black hair, the light gel he used a house specialty, guaranteed straightness and a healthy shine.

"I really don't know how it gets this way, honest" she protested.

"Probably from all those nasty men you have pawing you all day" he said.

"Can I help it if I'm irresistible?"

"One of these days I'm going to find a big stick and give it to you so you can beat them off" he said with a final run of the comb, "there, finished."

"You're the best Harry" she said hopping up and giving him a peck on the cheek, "Ta."

And just like that she was gone.

Harry could only shake his head. Turning the chair around he lifted the file she had left in the seat and opened it. A little work she had said. If he was reading the file right it was more than just a little work. He couldn't help but grin.

"It would seem you've finally pissed off the wrong people Mr. Varxis."

Collecting his coat he snapped his fingers and the lights went out. He locked the door and slid the keys into his pocket then from out of thin air drew a pair of razors, the sort most often used for shaving. The handles were silver, their blades gleamed in the moonlight.

"Come now my friends, soon you will drip rubies" he said then headed off, singing a song of pretty women once sung by another infamous barber from Fleet Street.