Chapter Text
Clockwork Antiques
That’s what the weathered sign read. This was the best antique store in town - according to Draco. The white brick face of the store was draped with soft pink flowering vines. Inside, the dark floorboards creaked under Hermione’s heeled boots. The entrance was very cramped. Miscellaneous metal buckets were stacked up next to a small wooden rocking horse. A small white porcelain tea set sat precariously on a pile of other clutter. Hermione moved carefully around the buckets, as to not knock them over. She walked along the shelves and tables, looking for any books or decorations to add to her new bookcase. (If they had a copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, she would be incredibly tickled). There didn’t seem to be any rhythm to the way the antiques were put away in this store. A pair of shoes drenched in black polish were next to a seventy-year old case of Coca-Cola, and an old silver mirror was next to a porcelain doll, which was missing a large clump of it’s blonde hair. A woman’s voice came from deep in the store.
“Hello?” Hermione asked loudly. She walked towards where the voice came from. A woman emerged from behind a teetering stack of yellowing newspapers. She had dark, shoulder-length hair and was very beautiful, Hermione noticed.
“Hello!” The woman said cheerily. “I don’t believe we’ve met before. Are you new to town?”
“Yes. I just moved a couple weeks ago. My friend recommended your store to me.” Hermione smiled.
“Oh! I hope that you’re liking our little town.”
“I am! It’s very cosy. My name’s Hermione, by the way, and you’re …”
“Andy. I’m the owner of the store.”
“Nice you meet you. Your store is lovely.” Hermione smiled, “I was wondering if you could tell me where the books are?”
“Of course. I could show you-“
“Andy!” A red-haired woman walked quickly towards them.
“Hello, Molly!” Andy said, hugging the woman. “Sorry, Hermione. If you walk right to the back of the store, you’ll be able to find one of my sisters. They'll be able to tell you where the books are.”
“Thank you!” Hermione walked deeper into the store. On her way, she found a small clay sculpture of a cat. It was reminiscent of her old cat, Crookshanks. Hermione heard the sound of boots clunking and squeaking the wooden floor. “Hello?” She turned the corner, and almost smacked straight into someone. “Oh! Sorry!” Hermione exclaimed, stepping back.
“No problem.” The woman laughed and brushed her glossy dark curls over her shoulder. This must be one of Andy’s sisters, Hermione thought. She was strikingly beautiful. And her lips … her lips, they were soft pink, like the beautiful flowering vines outside the store.
“Are you Andy’s sister?” Hermione managed to ask. The woman’s tongue darted out to wet her lips.
“One of them, yes. My name is Bellatrix.” She said, shoving her hands in the pockets of her jacket. “Are you looking for something?”
“Um … I’m looking for the books.”
“Okay, follow me.” Bellatrix walked towards the stairs and Hermione followed. “So, are you new around here? I remember almost everyone who comes into this store, and I’ve never seen you.”
“Mmhm. I moved just a few weeks ago.”
“Ah. That would explain why I don’t recognize you. Are you looking for anything specific?”
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Hermione thought confidently. But she didn’t say it. Because, as they reached the second floor, Bellatrix had turned around. And now, Hermione was feeling very nervous. The woman’s eyes were dark, and Hermione felt herself withering under her gaze. Asking for a children’s book seemed so juvenile. She felt like she should be asking for something more adult. She wondered what Bellatrix liked to read. “No, nothing, I just wanted to browse.”
“Alright, I‘ll leave you to it. Come get me if you need anything.” Bellatrix winked. Hermione blushed deeply. Get it under control, Hermione, you only met her five minutes ago.She scanned her eyes along the shelves. None of the books were organised in alphabetical order, but rather placed on the bookshelf randomly. Some were even upside down. She picked up some books that piqued her interest - including Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Then made her way back downstairs. She immediately saw a woman who she didn’t recognise, but looked like she worked there. She tried to listen for the sound of Bellatrix’s boots against the floor instead, but she couldn’t hear anything. The woman who Hermione didn’t recognise walked over.
“Everything alright? You look a bit lost.” The woman said with a smile.
“Oh! Yes.” Hermione said, a bit disappointed, “I was just looking to buy these things.” She nodded down to the items in her hands.
“Well, I can help you with that! The cash register is just over here.” The two began to walk. “I’m Narcissa, by the way, I assume you’ve met my sisters?”
“Hermione. And yes, I’ve met them.” She smiled.
“That’s a gorgeous name.” Narcissa said, stepping behind the checkout desk and winking.
“Thank you!” Hermione placed her books and the cat figure on the counter. Was that a wink?
“That’s a lot of books. Do you like to read?” Narcissa asked, adding up the prices.
“I love to read. It’s one of my favourite things to do.”
“I can tell. So, all together, it’ll be sixty pounds.” Narcissa said, sliding the books into a paper bag. Hermione handed over the money. “Have a wonderful evening!”
“You too.” Hermione walked on her tiptoes on her way out, trying to catch one last glimpse of Bellatrix, but couldn’t see her.
Hermione was just putting the finishing touch on her bookshelf when there was a knock on the door. She hurried over to answer it. Harry and Draco were standing there.
“Hey! Come on in, guys.” Hermione said. The three of them sat down on Hermione’s soft brown couch.
“So … how was the antique store?” Draco asked.
“It was great! I found loads of nice books.”
“Of course you bought books, Hermione.” Harry laughed.
“Did you find anything else?” Draco raised an eyebrow. Hermione read his expression immediately.
“Draco!”
“New town, new opportunities for romance!” Hermione couldn’t help but think of the curly-haired woman, Bellatrix. She felt her face warm slightly.
“I was just going antique shopping!” Hermione exclaimed.
“You could meet someone anywhere!” Draco said.
“Guys, c’mon.” Harry sighed. Draco mumbled something that sounded similar to: I’m just trying to look out for her.
Harry and Draco left only an hour later, as Hermione was tired and needed to get some sleep. Although, she didn’t get much. Her dreams were interrupted by thoughts of the curly-haired woman, many of which left Hermione staring up at her ceiling, beating herself up over even thinking like this about someone she just met, or thinking thoughts that were equally distracting, which lead back to beating herself up anyway. When she got up in the morning - her thoughts finally organized - she decided that she would go back to the store. Maybe seeing the woman again would help soothe her thoughts.