unfinished tidbit
Hermione’s insides felt like they were tumbling round at the thought of her friends coming over. Harry, Luna, and Neville; they’d all be in her flat in just a few hours. It had taken a lot for her to be able to reach out to them, but seeing Pansy had made her realise she really quite missed just talking to people.
Mione stuffed her hands into her coat pockets and blew a dark, curly strand of hair away from her face as she turned the corner. It was getting quite cold nowadays, especially later in the day, and Hermione frowned at herself for not going earlier to get a bouquet. She quickened her pace the final few minutes until she saw a telltale row of plants displayed outside a storefront ahead. She hesitated for a second before walking up to it. En Fleur.
It was really quite lovely; flowers of all colours lined the dark wood walls- posies and planters displayed out front. Hermione walked in, a bell giving a small chime, and saw Parkinson at the counter. The woman was dipped down, poring over a book, and Hermione took a second to stare- the way her short hair hung over her face, the way she was curled over in utter fascination, the way her delicate red lips were slightly parted- Mione blinked and tried to clear her head before glancing back. Parkinson had evidently heard that someone was in there and snapped her head up. She tucked a strand of hair behind her slightly reddening ears, ‘Hey Granger. What brings you here today?’
‘Oh! I’ve invited some old friends over. I need something for the table.’
Pansy put her hand on her chest in horror, ‘Without me?!’
‘I- gosh! I mean, you can come if you want?? I’m sure I can make space!’ stammered Hermione, wringing her hands, ‘I can-‘
She was cut off by Parkinson’s laugh, ‘Granger, I absolutely don’t count as an old friend, that much is certain. Now come on, what do you want?’
Hermione blushed and hurried to look around. She was eyeing the bouquets when Pansy spoke up from behind her.
‘I could get a new one together for you now, Granger. It’d be fresher and you’d have proof of my impeccable taste.’
Mione cocked her head and looked back, ‘Alright then. Show me this taste you’re telling me about.’
Parkinson snorted and walked over to the flower display, sweeping her eyes over the blooms. Hermione averted her eyes and kept wandering, glancing over to the counter at the now closed book the woman had been reading. Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Mione grinned; Pansy really was learning about Muggle culture.
‘Almost done Granger!’ Came a yell from out back as Parkinson came back, arms full of flowers, ‘All cut now. I’m fast, right?’
Hermione grumbled, ‘And I will admit it looks nice.’
‘Ha!’
‘Don’t get too cocky, now are you going to arrange them or should I?’
Parkinson huffed and began putting the blooms together, naming them as she went along, ‘Violets, Camelias, Clovers- and of course Pansies-
Hermione laughed, ‘I should’ve guessed.’
Pansy finished them up and handed them over, ‘On the house,’ she paused for a second, ‘Say, Granger- we should get drinks sometime… Have a proper catch up.’
Mione pushed down the swirling feeling in her stomach and forced herself to answer. ‘Sounds nice. You could come over to mine at some point?’
God, why did she feel like exploding? It wasn’t like Pansy was asking or on a date or anything. And why would she? And why was Hermione even thinking about this?
She bit her lip, quickly saying her goodbyes and making plans before she could make a fool of herself.