Ahh Shopping!! What more is there to say? (Except maybe thanx to everyone who is reading this) Enjoy ^_^
Chapter Thirty-Eight
There was a moment of silence as Danny and Mac watched Hermione gather her thoughts after leaving the wandmaker's. Both men had been stood behind Hermione and had seen the look in the older man's eyes as he asked her how she was and each could guess the cause of the expression - that somehow he knew what had been done to her - but neither man knew how to protect her from such looks and could only offer her comfort and the silent promise not to do the same. For her part, Mia desperately wished to believe this, but still wasn't willing to test them just yet.
"Where to?" Danny asked as he looped his arm around Mia's waist.
Theron must have understood the question as he moved round behind Hermione and went up on his back paws to push her with his front, though Danny's arm around her waist held her in place. Hermione looked back over her shoulder at the large cat as Danny did the same - sending it a growl for added measure. Theron just sat there looking at Hermione and when no-one made any move in the direction he wanted he repeated the action, this time giving a harder push and keeping his paws on her shoulders.
"I think we're supposed to go that way." Mac said with a smile causing Theron to let go of the witch and walk round the senior CSI, rubbing his head against the man's legs before using his very sharp teeth to take hold of the man's sleeve and pull him in the direction of the shop he wanted.
The group followed the man-dragging cougar up the street until they encountered a large group of excited people outside - surprise, surprise - The Quod Pot, a sports supply shop. Theron let go of the sleeve he was pulling and sat down in a disappointed slump at not being able to get into the shop as he wanted, causing Hermione to laugh at him as she rubbed his head. Her attention was caught by the sudden flash of lights as photographs were taken, though looking up she noticed that none of the press present were interested in her group - they were there for whoever it was standing in the doorway of the shop posing for the pictures as the person raised a broom over their head for all to see. More flashbulbs went off as more pictures were taken, and from beside her she could hear Don give a gasp.
"That's the new Nimbus Xtreme! It's supposed ta rival the Firebolt in performance 'n' speed." The Auror exclaimed breathlessly with the same excitement Hermione would have expected to hear from Harry.
'Well, that would certainly explain the presence of the crowd' Hermione thought to herself as yet more pictures were taken and she heard reporters now asking questions. From where they stood she couldn't quite hear the questions, or the responses, but thought she vaguely recognised the voice of the man answering. As she made a move to look elsewhere while they waited for the crowd to dissipate Hermione suddenly found Don's hand on her shoulder just as Theron lightly caught her other hand between his teeth - both pairs of eyes sending pleading looks that they stay, and earning a chuckle from Mac.
"Aw come on, let us see the brooms. It can't hurt, can it?" Danny said light-heartedly and giving her a look that Hermione had already found she couldn't deny.
They were actually stopped outside a book shop, which was on the opposite side of where the crowd was gathered, and Hermione gave a good-natured smile as she indicated that she would be looking at the books in the window until they were able to get inside the store. As Danny was just as interested in the brooms - and the reason for the crowds - he stayed with Don and Theron and Hermione moved out of his arms to walk over to the book shop where she found on display the latest edition of The Medieval Runes Grammatica. In the window's reflection she saw Mac walk up to stand beside her, giving her a wink as he too looked at the display and began quietly discussing the various books with her. After a while the sounds of the reporters died down and the crowd started to disperse, allowing Hermione to hear her name being called out. Sort of.
"Hermy-own-ninny!" A familiar accented voice called out, and Hermione realised who had caused such interest as Viktor Krum made his way over to her and snapped into a bow when he was in front of her.
"Viktor!" Hermione greeted her friend, giving him a quick hug.
"You look beautiful, as always. May I offer you congratulations on your engagement." As sincere as his compliment was, there was a definite lack of enthusiasm for the congratulations - in fact his tone revealed his sadness at the idea.
"I'm not marrying Ronald - any reports saying that are wrong!" Hermione informed him.
Krum's face immediately lit up with his crooked smile and he swept her up into the air as he spun them both around.
"That is vonderful!" He exclaimed as he put her down again, but he still kept hold of her waist and was oblivious to the two men that were glowering at him.
There was a flash as a picture was taken by the lone remaining reporter who looked eager at the sight of War Heroine Hermione Granger in a clinch with International Quidditch star Viktor Krum and Hermione was already dreading the headlines that would appear tomorrow when Viktor whipped out his wand, obliviating and confunding the reporter before destroying the camera he held. Hermione quickly looked to Flack to see what he would do and found the man in question was busy studying the rooftop of the bank back down the street, returning his attention in time to see the reporter walking away in a slight daze. Hermione said a quiet thank you to Krum.
"I vould not have them cause you such trouble as before." He told her sincerely before regaining his pleasure at her news. "Then you are available, yes? I vould be honoured if -"
"I'm not." Hermione quickly interrupted the Bulgarian as she delicately removed his hands from around her waist and took a step away. "Available that is. I'm not marrying Ron, but I am under a Blood Contract to marry someone else." She finished gently, watching as the sadness returned to the Bulgarian Seeker's features once more. "I'm so sorry Viktor."
"You ver not told of the arrangement?" He asked her, thinking of her acceptance of him the year they met. Hermione shook her head, feeling as wretched for her friend as he looked. "Then, I vish you congratulations once more on your up-coming marriage, and I hope that he is vorthy of you."
"Thank you Viktor, and he is." Hermione assured him.
At this point Theron was apparently getting bored of all the talking and began pawing at her leg while Flack had stepped into her line of sight and was not-so-subtly gesturing between himself and the Quidditch player. When Theron moved on to butting his head against her Hermione became slightly exasperated and batted the cougar's head away from her.
"If you want to speak to him, then speak to him. Honestly." She told the cat. "Viktor, would you mind going over there and talking to Theron?" She asked as she indicated the empty alleyway beside the book shop and the cougar beside her. Krum gave her a look of confusion but did as she requested and followed the large cat into the alley and when the two were out of sight Flack sent Hermione a peeved look at not being introduced. "They'll be back." Hermione told him.
Danny was watching Mia closely, trying to figure out the cause of what he was feeling from her. He knew she was kind-hearted and never liked to hurt anyone, but there seemed more to the sadness she felt about this Krum bloke. Hermione had told them how she'd dated the boy a few years ago when he'd visited their school for that Tournament thing, but she couldn't still have feelings for him? Could she? Some of his own feelings must have registered with Hermione as she turned to him but instead of the reassuring smile he would have liked, Hermione could only give him a slight frown - so slight it was barely visible, but it was there, and Danny was not reassured at all.
For his part Mac actually missed this silent communication between the other two members of the triad as his attention was focused more on the entrance to the alleyway, and the unseen man within. It had been impossible to miss the boy's optimism at being told Hermione wasn't to marry the Weasley boy, and it had taken every ounce of will Mac possessed not to tear the boy apart when he'd suddenly grabbed Mia. He was pleased when Mia had quickly set the boy straight, but then she hadn't introduced either Danny or himself as the person she was supposed to marry. Mac unknowingly echoed Danny's thoughts as he wondered if perhaps this Krum was the reason for the reluctance he still felt from her.
Whatever Harry had wanted to talk to Krum about apparently didn't need that long as it was only a short while later when Theron and the Bulgarian walked back round the corner.
"That was quick." Mac commented.
"It does not take long to accept a challenge." Krum replied.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't able to introduce you earlier. Viktor, this is Don Flack of the Manhattan Aurors." She waited for the two men to exchange greetings before continuing. "And this is my Bonded."
"Danny Messer." The blond introduced himself as he extended his hand to shake the Bulgarians, and the two rivals each tested the others' strength before pointedly letting go.
"Mac Taylor." Likewise, Mac introduced himself though he didn't extend his hand, instead moving to stand possessively behind Hermione, his body language telling the other man to back off - though this was unseen by the woman herself.
"It vas nice to see you again." Krum told Hermione and she gave him a warm smile in return. "Tell Harry I vill see him tomorrow at the pitch." With that he left, apparating away to who-knew-where.
Don was looking rather put out at not being able to speak to the International Seeker while, in contrast, Theron was sat beside him looking - literally - like that cat that just ate the cream. He was still wearing this expression when Hermione looked down at him.
"If you think I'm going to watch you plough yourself into the ground, you are vastly mistaken." She informed the grinning cougar, warning him that she wouldn't be attending his match against Krum.
"What are they doing tomorrow?" Don asked slightly confused.
"Oh gee, why would two Seekers want to meet at a Quidditch pitch. Harry's probably figuring on George and Neville joining them - though surely you'd need more in order to play any sort of game." Hermione wondered.
As soon as realisation hit Don he, not so gently, nudged Theron with his foot and knocked the large animal off balance - ensuring Don had his attention.
"Youse better be includin' me in those plans!" The Auror exclaimed - and earning quiet laughter from the other three humans.
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Hermione was very grateful that there were no more 'encounters' during the rest of their shopping trip, as Theron and Don - predictably - dragged them all into the Quod Pot which fascinated the other two men when they found Bludgers chained to the wall - and trying to break those chains - along with the occasional Snitch in glass cases, each with individual intricate designs upon their surface. There were various Quaffles sitting in tall mounds, while others were being kept in containers of the solution that prevented them from exploding. One entire wall of the store was devoted to brooms, with all types of Cleansweeps, Comets and Nimbus' available.
There was also an area at the back of the store that was for other wizarding games, such as Gobstones and Chess, and Hermione found great amusement in spending almost an hour and a half watching the four men - Harry had returned to his proper form after realising the store was virtually deserted after Krum and the reporters had left - explore the store, and all things within it, with a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and the occasional disbelief. She even went so far as to purchase a chess set - a game she was admittedly useless at - when Mac practically sat down to play against the set itself.
When she eventually managed to get them out of the sports shop the two men's attention was quickly caught by a cage of hedgehog-like creatures outside a pet shop which were screaming and hissing at a cage of, what looked like, walking potatoes. It was Don who explained that the potatoes were actually gnomes, while the hedgehogs were knarls that were just offended at being so close to the dim-witted gnomes. This only served to pique their curiosity and it was their turn to drag Hermione into a store they wanted to see - though it seemed Theron was quite happy to remain outside to bat at the poor gnomes through the other side of the cage and making them run back and forth between the hissing knarls on one side and his claws on the other.
Inside the two Muggles were greeted by cats of all colours - some of them definitely not a natural colour for such a creature - along with rats, crows and toads. It almost looked like a normal pet shop. Almost. If not for the large tank of 'Specially Imported Cornish Pixies' sitting beside the rather smaller tank of toads. Danny made the mistake of putting his face too near the glass of the blue creatures to get a better look at one of the wings, only to move back in shock when one of the nearest ones turned round and stuck it's bum against the glass in front of his face, drawing a laugh from Mac in the process. Further into the store was a basket full of goldish-yellow coloured ball of fur that were chattering together, which Danny thought were quite cute and - after being assured by Hermione that they were harmless - proceeded to pick one up and pet it, and only reluctantly put back with the others when Mac reminded him of the no-pets policy in their building.
However, Danny was relieved of any wish for a magical pet when he and Don rounded the corner of the next aisle and encountered three large ferret-looking creatures that each took one look at the two men and began yelling insults at them - which had Mac and Hermione coming over to join them to see what was going on.
"Yo schmucks!" … "Did the Doxy's bite ya or are ya naturally butt ugly!" … "Hey jag-off, who dressed ya - ya mamma?" … "Who's the floozy?" … "Yo Cutie why don't youse blow off those douche-bags and find a real man!"
At this last comment Hermione sent the three Jarveys a glare and silenced them before moving on.
"What were those?" Mac asked as they moved away from the now quiet animals.
"Jarveys. The only animals known to talk - if you consider constant insults talkin'." Flack answered as they continued round the shop.
As the four humans neared the counter they suddenly became aware of a red flashing light in the shadows of the ceiling, and three of them were surprised when a green monkey-like creature climbed down from the rafters and then descended the nearest set of shelves to look at them with curious pale green eyes and a wide grinning mouth. The red flashes were coming from a large pustule on its forehead which flashed more rapidly the closer it got to Mac and Danny. Hermione recognised the creature as a Clabbert, native to that region of America, and realised that the flashing was its way of signalling danger - yet the creature kept moving towards them with little fear, just curiosity in its eyes.
"Hello there." Hermione greeted the creature quietly as it moved onto her shoulders, lowering its face down in front of hers, before turning and taking a closer look at the two Muggles. "It's alright, they won't hurt you." She reassured it.
"Still, best to keep an eye on them."
The voice of the aged shop owner came from directly behind Hermione, startling her as she hadn't heard the woman move from behind the counter at all, and she did her best not to frighten the creature sitting on her as she turned to look at the shop-keeper. The woman was rather portly and stood with a stoop, her grey eyes darting from one person to the next and only just visible from beneath the brim of her pointed hat. The darting eyes suddenly focused on the two Muggles and took on a gleam that had Hermione and Don wary.
"You'll like this. Come here." The woman said as she crooked a finger at the two men and led them all to a large cage near the counter that was covered in a blue velvet drape.
She gently raised a portion of the drape to look inside and cooed pleasantly to whatever was inside as the four gathered round, Don discretely fingering his wand as Hermione drew her magic. When the woman was certain she had their attention she swiftly removed the drape, revealing the creature inside. For approximately three seconds, before it disappeared in a puff of feathers. Though this was still a long enough time for the observers to note a plump bird with blue-grey feathers and such tiny wings that almost certainly meant it couldn't fly, with a plume of fluffy feathers at its back for a tail, and a long hook-nosed beak.
"I thought those were only found on Mauritius." Hermione asked wondrously.
"They are. But they can be deported under special license - which I'm sure you're about to show me. For both of them." Don answered, indicating the Clabbert that was climbing back up to its perch above the counter, as he glared at the much shorter woman who was openly grinning at the shocked Muggles.
"Of course Officer." She said sweetly as she produced two parchments from within her robes, still smirking at the two gawping men.
"That -" Danny started, then stopped.
"Was that -" Mac sort of asked.
"That was a Dodo, right?" Danny finally found enough voice to ask, still looking at the apparently empty cage.
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