Hermione achieved a satisfying outcome by securing two of the three books she had tracked down for her customer. However, a particular collector was unwilling to part with her cherished first edition of "A Little Princess." Afterward, Hermione made a stop at her bookshop to securely store the books until the following day when she would be attending the shop, and would inform her customer about the books she had acquired. Before leaving for her cottage, Hermione briefly conversed with her store manager, Sam.
Despite being a muggle, Sam had a fascinating backstory that Hermione discovered a few months into his employment. It turned out that Sam was married to a witch who was born to muggle parents. In 1995, they left the UK for safety reasons and had only recently returned home upon hearing that the situation had improved. As a retired couple of former school teachers without children, they were looking forward to a peaceful life.
Similar to Hermione, Sam's wife had faced challenges in finding acceptance in the wizarding world's job market. Consequently, she chose to embrace her muggle upbringing and pursued a career as a primary school teacher, where she eventually met Sam. When Hermione got to know Sally, Sam's wife, they quickly connected due to their shared passion for books, love of learning, and the common experience of being muggle-born individuals navigating a society that sometimes overlooked their contributions.
Every week, Sally and Hermione would meet up for a delightful tea session, alternating between the muggle and wizarding realms. Sam and Sally, a truly remarkable couple, had grown so dear to Hermione that they had become like surrogate grandparents to her.
"How's business today, Sam?" Hermione asked, curious about the day's proceedings.
"Pretty good. We had a steady stream of customers. I ended up leading the toddler story time again today. The usual lady was late, and the little ones were getting restless. Once she finally arrived, I sent her away," Sam replied.
Hermione let out a sigh. "Alright, I'll start looking for someone else to handle it."
Sam raised his hand to interrupt. "Actually, there's no need for that. Sally mentioned she would be more than happy to come down and read to the children."
Hermione hesitated. "Yes, I know, but she never..."
Sam cut her off, raising a hand again. "She understands that you're willing to pay her for her time, and I finally convinced her to accept it. If she happens to reinvest the payment into enhancing the story time experience, then so be it."
A spark of excitement lit up Hermione's eyes. "I would love to hear her ideas on making story time more interactive and fun. I can cover any expenses since it's for the business. Unlike the library, which is run on volunteers and donations, we have the means to invest in such things."
"True. Okay, I'll let her know she can donate her pay towards something beneficial," Sam concluded.
"Thank you."
"How was your evening, Hermione?" Sam asked, his attention fully focused on her.
"It was quite eventful and rather unusual," Hermione replied, piquing his curiosity.
"Unusual? Tell me more," he urged, intrigued by her statement.
Hermione began to recount the events of her evening, starting with a peculiar incident that occurred just before closing time. A woman unexpectedly entered the shop, searching for a substantial collection of children's first editions. As she continued her tale, Hermione described how the evening unfolded, culminating in an unexpected twist: she found herself leaving her former adversary at her own home that morning while she attended a meeting with her book contacts.
"He's a completely different person compared to a year and a half ago. I mean, the last time I laid eyes on him was when he and his friends were attempting to harm us at Hogwarts. But now, he's battling against long-held traditions and even his own family to protect his sister, whom he was raised to view as a disgrace, from being cast into a foreign world all by herself." Hermione's voice conveyed a mix of astonishment and admiration as she continued, "And you know what? He surprised me. He displayed a level of politeness and intelligence that I had never given him credit for in the past. It's truly remarkable."
"That's truly remarkable," Sam echoed, his voice filled with genuine interest. "People can surprise us in the most unexpected ways, can't they? It's a testament to the complexity of human nature."
Hermione nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Yes, it really is. It reminds me that we should never judge someone based solely on their past actions or reputation. People can change, evolve, and grow. And it's important for us to be open-minded enough to recognize and embrace that change."
Sam smiled warmly at Hermione's words. "You have a remarkable ability to see the potential in people, Hermione. It's one of the things I admire about you."
Hermione blushed, appreciating his kind words. "Thank you, Sam. I believe that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves. Sometimes all it takes is a little understanding, compassion, and support to help someone become the best version of themselves."
As the conversation continued, Hermione and Sam found themselves immersed in discussions about the future of the bookstore, potential collaborations with local schools, and innovative ways to engage their customers. They both understood the importance of adapting to the ever-changing world, and they were determined to create a space that celebrated diversity, knowledge, and the magic that exists within both the wizarding and muggle realms.
Hermione entered her home in the late afternoon, where she discovered Greg sitting on the couch, engrossed in writing letters. Parchment covered the coffee table, and a dictaquill recorded his words as he spoke softly. In his hands, he held a glass of whiskey, with a mostly empty bottle resting beside the letters. Not wanting to startle him she cleared her throat.
The dictaquill halted mid-sentence, and Greg looked up, his smile a touch lopsided, failing to conceal his troubled countenance. "Hey there," he greeted, his words slurring slightly. "Th' 'she Weasley' dropped in, y'know. Didn't even close the floo 'nough to stop her. She was all like... whoa, seeing me 'ere," he chuckled, his laughter trailing off into a mumble.
"She has a name. Ginny," Hermione replied firmly.
Greg swayed slightly, his nod exaggerated as he leaned back, unsteady in his seat. He clumsily brought the glass to his lips, taking a long, wavering sip. "Yesh, I know," he slurred, his words blending together. "But I couldn't exactly shay 'Weasley' without, without speci-fying which one, could I? There are...there are quite a few of them."
Hermione moved closer, and the stench of alcohol hit her. Temporarily disregarding it, she glanced at the completed letters on the table—one addressed to the Daily Prophet and the other to Harry Potter at the Auror Department. "Why are you writing to Harry?" she asked, her brow furrowing.
Greg leaned back, his gaze distant and troubled. "Heard 'at Potter's leadin' the task force to catch the rest of those Death Eaters. I got a tip 'bout one o' 'em, but time's runnin' out. I need 'im t' wait till my Wizengamot hearin' is over. Don't want my ol' man meddlin' till the verdict's out. 'Bout the letter to the Daily Prophet..." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Time's short, Hermione. Can't take the traditional path and woo a witch. Need someone who gets it, who'll stand by me. 'Specially if the verdict don't go my way. I can get hitched, become head of the Goyle family, and get my sis back. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll find someone t' marry me before the hearin'. Then I'll be the head and the trip to the Wizengamot won't matter."
Hermione's expression softened as she realized the urgency and predicament Greg was in. She reached out a hand and gently placed it on his. "I get it, Greg. You're under a lot of pressure. But finding true companionship takes time and patience. It's 'about forming a connection based on understanding' and respect."
Greg sighed, his gaze meeting Hermione's. "I know, Hermione. But with everythin' goin' on, I ain't got time on my side. Gotta act fast."
Hermione squeezed his hand, her voice filled with compassion. "Just be careful, Greg. Look for someone who will support you for who you are, not just 'because of your situation. True companionship's worth waiting for, even if it takes a little longer."
Greg nodded, his troubled expression softening a bit. "Appreciate yer concern, Hermione. I'll keep that in mind. Just hope I can find someone who gets it."
"Where's your sister?"
"Bedroom with Poppy."
"Okay, I don't have an owl, so you can send these tomorrow. I'll make you some tea and get you a sober-up potion," Hermione said as she walked by, picking up the bottle of firewhisky. She placed it in a cupboard in the kitchen and cast a protective ward around it.
When she returned with the tea, she saw Greg with his head in his hands, sobbing. Her heart broke, and she sat beside him, pulling him into an embrace.