Written for the 31 Days of Writing 2021 event - Prompt: Crossover

Comic Relief

Hermione was in muggle California on combined business for both the British Ministry of Magic and MACUSA when she happened to find herself near a comic book store. With sudden inspiration, she knew exactly what to get Harry for his upcoming birthday – especially when she remembered that he had once told her about how much he used to like reading Dudley's old comic books whenever he could sneak one away from him when they were kids. However, such things were not readily available in the Wizarding world, so Hermione was willing to bet that Harry had never bought any for himself since then. She had certainly never seen any at Grimmauld Place. Therefore, it would be the perfect gift for him and Teddy to enjoy together…and Ron would probably like them, as well.

Hermione, happy in the thought that she had figured out a solution for Harry's birthday that would also finally get all of her favorite boys to read a little more, entered The Comic Center of Pasadena with a wide smile on her face. The cheerfulness immediately slid off in a reemergence of a bit of her old self-consciousness, however, when every male eye in the place instantly turned toward her.

"Quit staring at her, you whackadoodles, or you're going to scare her off!" a female voice firmly insisted and Hermione could easily see the only other woman in the place, a pretty blonde, telling off the group of guys that stood around her. It worked, too, because the men immediately looked sheepishly back down at the comics in their hands while the woman sent her an apologetic look.

Hermione smiled back gently in silent thanks as she turned towards the nearest rack of comic books. Her smile widened even further, however, when she heard the woman behind her continue to berate the men for their bad manners. "Don't even think about it, Howard," she even heard the blonde say. "She didn't come in here to be hit on by you! Raj, close your mouth. You know you won't even be able to talk to her before a couple of beers - which Stuart doesn't sell here. Leonard, really?"

In fact, Hermione had to stifle a giggle because the whole situation reminded her so much of the way she was with her own set of boys. After all, sometimes they obviously needed some female guidance, as well. Plus...once it became clear that they were far better off as friends...she had often served as a similar sort of romantic barometer for Ron on his quest for love.

"Sorry about that," a quiet voice that interrupted her musings sounded at her elbow and Hermione turned towards the man there warily. "We don't get many women in the store…except for Penny, of course." He nodded towards the blonde. "So the fellas tend to lose their minds a bit and forget their manners when they see another pretty face around here."

She relaxed automatically when he smiled shyly at her in a way that reminded her strongly of the way Neville used to be in their early years at Hogwarts before he grew into his own during the dark times. She found that the look was just as adorable on the bloke in front of her as it had been on her friend back then – especially when he introduced himself in the same vein. "I'm Stuart, by the way, and this is my shop. Can I help you find anything?"

Hermione returned the favor and introduced herself, as well, and the man's face lit up in pleasure when he heard her accent. "Oh…you're English!" he breathed in delight and the look on his face grew even more interested when she gave him an abridged explanation of what she was looking for and why.

"That's a great idea!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. "It's never too early or too late to start reading comics, so let's see what we can find for this friend of yours. Is there anything in particular that he likes?" The question was innocent enough, but the quiet emphasis conveyed a subtle inquiry about the kind of relationship that she had with Harry. Nevertheless, Hermione found to her surprise that she did not mind his curiosity.

"Yes…my best friend…my brother in everything but blood!" she acknowledged in the same tone and Stuart grinned cheerfully at her answer. "He would probably like anything to do with magic...the good kind...or wizards," she added and the man's look suddenly turned very thoughtful and he looked at her closely for a long moment before he finally nodded.

"I think I know just what you are looking for," Stuart replied with a sudden confidence that she marveled at as he led her over to a particular set of shelves. However, comic books were obviously his particular area of expertise - so she simply followed his lead.

For the next half hour or so, they went from shelf to shelf and browsed through all the major names that met the magical criteria she had set while they also shared some "getting to know you" conversation. Stuart seemed genuinely interested in her and asked a lot of questions while she enjoyed learning about him, as well. She found it intriguing that he was an artist - especially since that was not a field that was highly encouraged in the Wizarding world. None of the creative arts were, unfortunately. However, it was one that obviously fit in very well in the world of comic books.

To her surprise, not only was the man very personable and easy to talk with once he worked past his initial discomfort...plus, she thoroughly enjoyed his dry wit...but he also seemed to know exactly what she was looking for when it came to Harry's gift - even though she had not been 100% sure herself. In fact, his selections were somehow perfect for a muggle-raised Wizard who was a novice when it came to the world of comics. By the time they had finally narrowed down the mountainous stack of selected ones to a manageable number, however, Hermione looked around with astonishment to see that the shop was currently empty. She had been so engrossed in her conversation with Stuart that even the outspoken Penny and her male companions had left without her noticing.

Stuart seemed a bit surprised himself at the disappearance of his regular customers and friends, too…even though it was past the store's normal closing time. He even remarked on it as he placed her final selection of books down on the counter before he went to lock the door and to flip the Open sign over to Closed before he returned to finish their transaction.

"So…may I ask you a personal question, Hermione?" he ventured a moment later with quite bit of uncertainty in his voice as he scanned her purchases into the computer.

Hermione noticed that his earlier shyness had returned and she assumed that it might be because he planned to ask her out on a date. She was flattered, too. He was such a nice guy, after all, and she had really enjoyed their conversation. She was only in town for a few days, though…which she had already told him…and then she would head back to New York first before returning to her home, work, and friends in London. Therefore, Hermione knew that she would have to regretfully decline the offer. There just was not enough time.

Consequently, her surprise was all the greater when he finally did ask his question…but it was not the one that she expected.

"Are you a witch?"

Hermione froze and could only stare at him with shock. A question, however, formed in her eyes which he readily saw and understood when he finally looked up and met her gaze with his own. He answered in the negative with a shake of his head, though.

"No, not me. I'm nothing special… just an ordinary…what do you call 'em…No Maj," he replied to her unspoken query. "However, my younger sister had always been extraordinary, so none of us were really surprised when we were visited on her eleventh birthday because she had been invited to attend a certain school in Massachusetts. In fact, that was why I decided to go to art school in Rhode Island, as well...so that I could be near her since we have always been close. She now works for the Western branch of a particular government organization that I understand is based in New York. That's one of the reasons why I chose to live in Pasadena, too. Your story, though, about you and your friends in a Scottish boarding school…plus what looks like the vague outline, if you know what you are looking for, of a wand in your sleeve…not to mention the request for magically themed comic books…and well…there you are! The pieces just seemed to fall into place. Don't worry, though, I know about the Statute and I don't think you would have given yourself away…even to a genius like Sheldon…unless that someone was already in the know."

With his reassurance, Hermione finally worked through the revelation of such an unexpected connection and found her voice again. "Well…I think you must have been mistaken earlier, Stuart Bloom. You are definitely something special…and full of surprises, too!" she remarked with a smile which he, pleased by her compliments, easily returned. Then, despite her earlier arguments to herself about why it would be a bad idea, she offered up a proposition. "Why don't we discuss your...deduction...over some dinner takeaway? We could order in…either here…or at your place…in order to keep the conversation private."

"I'd like that," Stuart replied with eager honesty. "Do you have a preference?"

Hermione was pleased to note that he was such a gentleman to hand the controls over to her. In fact, her whole acquaintance with him up to that point had simply screamed Hufflepuff to her. Consequently, any discomfort that she might have felt otherwise completely dissipated and she made a suggestion that she probably would not have under normal circumstances.

"I want to hear all about your sister…and I wouldn't mind seeing some of your drawings, as well," she replied. "Plus, I'm sure that we would be more comfortable if we went to your flat…I mean apartment."

Stuart beamed happily...and hopefully...at her choice. "Yeah…it's not far…and it's a nice evening. Would you like to walk there?"

"I'd love that," Hermioned replied truthfully. After all, it was so rare to meet an interesting muggle from whom she did not have to hide her secret. It was such a relief not to have to be guarded around him. In fact, it felt as if a huge burden had somehow been lifted from her shoulders and she found that she was eager to spend more candid time with him. She could see that he felt the same way – especially when she took her packages from him and then pulled out her wand to shrink them down for easier portability before storing them in her magically expanded, bigger-on-the-inside bag.

"That never gets old," Stuart breathed in amazement as he watched her perform her magic and then met her eyes again. "Shall we?" he asked…and his eyes then reflected an attentiveness to her that was equal to his interest in her magic…as he grabbed his keys out from under the counter and offered her his arm while he indicated the door at the same time.

Under his admiring look...which she really liked...Hermione first magically unlocked the door with an Alohomora herself. Then she stowed her wand safely away again and accepted his chivalrous gesture as she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. An unexpected undercurrent of excitement sparked between them at the contact…and they both somehow knew that it was going to be a very interesting night...at the very least! After all, Hermione knew well from her work that magical international travel was only a portkey away. Suddenly, that knowledge had become very important to her on a personal level, as well...in a way that she simply had not considered earlier.

"By the way," she asked in an afterthought as they exited the store together. "Who exactly is Sheldon?"

Stuart just laughed.