Sorry it's a bit later than I expected, I was busy and with limited wifi, but here you go! I hope you enjoy it, it's a lot better than the previous one I think so please leave a review 3

- HermionesPolyjuice xo

Chapter 16

Draco and Hermione were just walking down the high street of the magical area, which they found was called Tibertan, when Hermione suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Draco didn't notice for a few steps but then turned around and was surprised to see her pale and almost frightened. He walked back to her and reached out for her arm.

"What is it?"

"We…we need to leave now." Hermione didn't say why or anything but judging by the expression on her face now wasn't the time to ask. He took her hand and they disappeared with a pop, not bothering to move elsewhere. They landed in an alley back in Enisala and Hermione immediately hurried back to their flat. She unlocked the door and walked inside, not saying a word. She still looked pale and worried as she collapsed onto the sofa, pressing the heels of her hands into her eyes.

"Hermione, you're worrying me. What is it? What happened back there? Talk to me, Hermione," Draco almost sounded harsh. Hermione sighed but pulled away her hands, and started fiddling with them, not looking at Draco.

"Something happened on Friday night that I haven't told you about," Hermione started.

"Yeah, I thought something may have happened." Hermione scowled at the interruption.

"If you want me to talk to you, you're going to have to let me actually talk," Hermione said sternly, actually looking Draco in the eyes. She took a deep breath but then told him about her run in with the werewolf.

"And he was there, he was in Tibertan. I could smell him," Hermione finished. Draco didn't say anything for a few seconds, instead mulling over what he had just been told.

"You going to say anything?" Draco nodded slowly before he spoke.

"So, there's another werewolf nearby, who's a wizard and you communicated telepathically? And he was in Tibertan today?"

"Yes, Draco, that's what I just told you," Hermione sighed rolling her eyes.

"I just don't see what the issue is."

"There isn't an issue per say."

"Well then, why did you panic and why did we have to leave so suddenly?" Hermione hesitated.

"Because I didn't want him to know it was me. Like I said, he seemed familiar so what if I know him? And he hasn't told his family, so he clearly doesn't want other people to know," Hermione finally said.

"OK, but you know you're probably going to see him again at the next full moon, and the one after? So you can't exactly skirt around him forever. Like you said, telepathy is rare, and it's thought that only pack mates can communicate that way so perhaps you're going to belong to each other's packs in the future, so you definitely can't avoid him forever," Draco said.

"I know, but there's just a nagging feeling at the back of my head. I don't think I'm ready to know exactly who they are, and I definitely don't want him to know who I am yet," Hermione admitted quietly.

"That's fine though Hermione. Don't forget it's going to take a while. There's no need to panic about it, and so what if you find out who they are or them you? You're bound to get along, and if you don't, well it's not exactly hard to move somewhere else is it?" Draco responded seriously.

"Yeah, you're right. You always are and you have a great ability to make me feel like shit for how I act," Hermione groaned. Draco's lips turned up into a smile and he scooted along the sofa so he was sitting next to her and wrapped his arms around her pulling her into a hug.

"It's all going to be fine," he muttered into her bushy hair.

[-||-]

He spotted her out of the corner of her eye and it confirmed his suspicions. Even five days after the full moon his senses were heightened, and he could smell her. But he could also smell the fear that was radiating off of her. He turned around and caught sight of the bushy brown hair next to a head of sleek, blonde hair. Something inside of him fired up seeing her next to him but he tried to push it to the back of his mind. He watched as she suddenly stopped walking and knew her eyes were widening despite not being able to see her face. He watched her companion walk a little further before turning around and heading back to the witch. A few moments later and they disappeared with a pop that he could hear from where he stood.

He knew what she was feeling. He understood how she was feeling because he was the same. He knew exactly who she was and what she now was, but she didn't know him. She was scared to find out who he was, and she was terrified of him finding out who she was. It all made sense and he couldn't stop the twinge in his heart as he thought of the girl he had spent many a conversation with and gotten to know pretty well before they disappeared on their hunt. She was probably going through hell and by the looks of it she only had Draco Malfoy to confide in, and he doubted how much help the bigoted pure-blood would actually be. He scoffed as he headed back towards the pub where he was headed for an early lunch before his shift at work began.

[-||-]

The rest of the week passed easily and quickly. Hermione was recovered from the full moon faster than ever and it wasn't long until she was once again pestering Draco to start on the next batch of Wolfsbane, but he refused to give in, not letting her start it until the following Monday. So Hermione spent most of the week exploring both Enisala and Tibertan. That Thursday, just as she was leaving the book shop in Enisala, something happened to make her very excited.

"Hermione, wait up for a second," Deana called after the bushy-haired witch. Hermione turned around, letting go of the door hand and turning to face the shop-owner.

"Do you want to have a cuppa?" Hermione was shocked at the question but agreed nonetheless and followed the elderly woman into the back room. She was beckoned to sit down and so she waited a little nervously as she watched the Romanian bustle around making two cups of tea. Once Deana sat down an awkward kind of silence fell between the two of them.

"I know what you are," Deana finally said making Hermione choke on her tea. "You're a witch. And that blonde man I've seen you around with is a wizard." Hermione let out a sigh of relief but was relieved only for a second before she began to question how this woman found out.

"I'm a squib," she said catching sight of Hermione's confused face. "My husband was a wizard, but when he died during the First Wizarding War I didn't feel like I could stay in your world so I moved here, close enough to Tibertan if I needed it." Hermione sat there for a few seconds mulling over exactly what she had just been told.

"I'm sorry about your husband," Hermione said, sharing a smile with the woman.

"Thank you, dear. Now, I reckon you're wondering what I brought you hear for."

"Not just to tell me you know who I am then," Hermione said, raising and eyebrow.

"No," Deana laughed. "I'm getting a bit old now and I am beginning to struggle with working so many hours so I was wondering if you fancied working here. I've noticed how much you're here and how much you clearly love books so thought you'd be the best person for the job. Maybe a few hours a week to begin with but hopefully to three of four days a week in the near future?" Hermione's eyes widened in shock. Working in a book shop? Not exactly the exciting, daring job with dragons she had hoped for, but it was something. And it would be perfect for now as she set her life straight.

"Yes. I would absolutely love to help out. That sounds perfect and I can do as much as you want me to. I'm not exactly doing anything else with my life right now," Hermione said, a large smile spreading across her face.

"Thank you, Hermione. And, of course, you'll be paid for your efforts. It will probably be in muggle currency but if you really need I'm sure I can organise for it to be in galleons and such. Do you want to start tomorrow? Weekdays a often not as busy as weekends."

"Tomorrow's perfect. And whichever payment is easiest for you. I can easily convert anything into galleons to save you doing it," Hermione responded, her smile never leaving her face.

"Perfect. I will see you tomorrow, maybe about 10 o'clock?"

"See you tomorrow, Deana. And thank you," Hermione said standing up and leaving the bookshop, the grin still splattered across her face.

Her smile was so large that Draco took a double take as she wandered into the kitchen a little while later.

"Someone put a cheering charm on you?" he asked from the hob.

"No. I just got offered to work at the book shop. Starting tomorrow, just a few days a week though but it's something," Hermione said.

"That's great, Hermione. I'm happy for you. Looks like that bloody book you got helped one of us."

"Yeah, and maybe if you actually left this flat it may work for you too," Hermione responded with a smirk as she shrugged off her jacket and sat down on a stool.

"Zip it Granger or no dinner," Draco huffed turning his back to Hermione, fortunately missing the stuck out tongue he received.

[-||-]

Hermione woke early once again the next day, excited to be starting her job. Deciding to let off some of the steam that was building up she went for a walk in the early Autumn sun, returning back to find Draco cooking up some porridge.

"Excited for the job then?" he asked watching her fidget excitedly at the table.

"Yes," Hermione grinned in response.

"I can tell," Draco responded with an eye roll.

"Oh, shush." They finished their breakfast in silence before Hermione went for a shower to ready herself.

"Have a good day," Draco called as he heard the door open.

"And you. And maybe you could get off your arse," Hermione responded. Draco groaned but shooed her out of the flat, looking forward to a whole day to himself.

"Good morning, Hermione. It's good to see you," Deana said as Hermione entered the shop 10 minutes later.

"Morning, Deana."

"Feel free to leave your jacket in the back. I've left out a cuppa for you too if you fancy." Hermione smiled as she quickly threw her coat down and reappeared in the shop, eager to begin.

"OK, so a few quick things. There's not really much to do. I'll still organise all the orders and such so when you're in it will primarily be manning the store, keeping it clean and tidy, helping customers out, providing suggestions, and keeping on top of the cashier really. Does that sound OK to you?"

"That sounds great," Hermione said excitedly. Deana didn't miss the eagerness in the young girl's voice and knew she had made the right decision.

"Well, I don't think there's a better way to get you involved that throwing you into the deep end. I'll leave you to it today. I'll be back to help close up a bit before 5. I'm sure you will be fine but if you do need me I'll be just upstairs. Got a few errands to run but I won't be far," Deana said. Hermione was complete shocked. There was no way she was expecting to be completely in charge of the whole store on her first day. Deana must have noticed the surprise because she couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"You're going to be fine, Hermione. Friday's aren't really too busy, nothing you won't be able to handle, I promise."

"Thanks, Deana," Hermione said quietly.

"Good, well I'll be off. See you later Hermione, and good luck." And with that Dena bustled out of the shop, giving Hermione a small wave of the way out. Hermione stood there for a few seconds but then went out back and grabbed the tea, needing something to calm her nerves.

The day went pretty smoothly for Hermione. She had less than 10 customers, all who were extremely pleasant. She sorted out a few of the shelves, where the books had been put back haphazardly. She made notes in the ledger, swept the floor and all together had a pretty good day. It was calm, and tame but it didn't make her any less excited for the upcoming weeks.

"Good day?" a voice came from the door a little before 5.

"Yes, it was actually," Hermione responded from where she was dusting the lamps.

"Anyone cause any problems?"

"No, everyone was very nice and friendly. Took a while to locate Mr Charlu's order but found it after a bit of rummaging."

"Ah, yes I forgot to mention specific orders are put by the sofa out the back."

"All good. How was your day?" Hermione asked, heading back towards the cashier.

"It was very nice, thank you. Got lots of things done that I wouldn't have got done for a while," Deana said. "So closing down. Pretty simple. Remove all the cash from the desk and put it into the safe by the safe. Turn off the lights, close the blinds and lock the doors. Pretty simple. I shall get you a set of keys cut sometime this weekend. Would you be able to work Sunday, it's only 10 until 4 but I said I would meet my niece for lunch over in Tulcea?"

"Yes, of course that's fine no problem. You don't need help tomorrow then?"

"No, tomorrow's fine thanks. I'll be here to open up on Sunday for you though."

"Great, I'll see you Sunday morning. Have a good day tomorrow," Hermione said with a wave and grabbing her coat she bundled out into the blistery evening.

[-||-]

Hermione was mid-way through her lunch out back on Sunday when she heard the bell above the door go. She quickly put her apple away and hurried out to the store front, stopping in her tracks as she caught sight of the very distinctive Weasley hair in the corner.

"Charlie?" she called. The man turned around and stared in shock at Hermione.

"Hermione? What are you doing here?" he questioned, making his way over to the witch.

"I work a few days a week here," Hermione explained leaning against the desk.

"That's cool. You not up for the job at the reserve then?" he asked with a grin.

"Not yet, I don't think. Sorry, Charlie, but maybe one day soon. And I feel bad leaving here after just a few days."

"No problems, I understand." Hermione smiled at him.

"You feeling better then?" she asked.

"What? Oh yeah, much thank you. Sorry for such late notice," Charlie responded momentarily forgetting about cancelling their coffee meeting earlier in the week. "How have you been? It's been a while since I last saw you."

"Pretty good, thanks. Settling in well and excited to have started working here. What about you? How are the dragons?" Hermione responded.

"The dragons are well, I'll get you to come visit some time next week. It's been very busy recently unfortunately."

"Oh really, how come?" Hermione questioned.

"Just going into winter can be a bit difficult and some of the dragons can be hard to control in climates that they're not used to, which seems odd given that all of them experience winter each year," Charlie explained.

"I see. Well I would love to come visit at some point, but no hurry," Hermione said beginning to fiddle with her fingers. Something seemed a bit off about Charlie, and she couldn't quite put her fingers on it. A silence fell between them, not an awkward one but not exactly a calm, friendly one that she often experienced with Draco.

"So, what brings you to this shop then?" Hermione finally asked trying to break the silence.

"This shop sells some of the best fiction books I've read, and I've been needing to get a new one for a while now," Charlie said.

"Oh really," Hermione said standing up her eyes twinkling. Muggle fiction books were one of her specialities. She walked around the desk and towards the fiction area of the shop.

"So, what were some of the last books you read?" she asked, scanning the shelves.

"I just finishes To Kill a Mockingbird, and before that I read 1984, The Catcher in the Rye, and Lord of the Flies," Charlie responded listing off some classics.

"Hmm…OK so you seem to enjoy the classics. Have you read A Tale of Two Cities or Great Expectations?" Hermione asked pulling out two large books from the shelves. Charlie shook his head.

"Right, so I think these two then and while you're enjoying Charles Dickens we'll add Oliver Twist to the list," Hermione said reaching to grab a third book, promptly dropping the two books in her arms. They both immediately bent down to pick them up, their hands brushing against each other in the process. Hermione pulled her hand away as if she had been electrocuted and stared up into Charlie's deep blue eyes. She was shocked at his icy cold skin.

"Charlie?" she almost whispered. "Is everything OK?"

"Everything's fine, Hermione. More than fine," Charlie responded, a little tartly standing up, the two books in his arms. "I'll just pay for these and let you get on with the rest of you shift." Hermione looked at him, confused by his sudden change in personality. She got to her feet, received the money from Charlie and bade him goodbye with no plan to meet again.

(A/N: what did you think? please leave your thoughts in a review, I love every single one of them and makes me continue writing cos I know you are actually enjoyed it)