Bats About Books
Hermione Granger drove, her car packed to the gunnels with all of her belongings as she followed the map guiding her to her new home and business. She sang along to the radio as she headed towards her new life. She was excited. As she drew nearer to her destination her singing had tailed off and her sunny mood had dissipated too. She stepped out of her car to stand outside her new home. She stood stunned, open mouthed and completely speechless.
Hermione had worked as a teacher at Hogwarts for three years as the Muggle Studies Professor. She had enjoyed teaching when Minerva had been in charge. Many professors had still treated her like a student and it had stunted her from growing into her new role. When the Headmistress retired from teaching, Hermione resolved to bow out too.
She decided to live her dream and that was to own her own bookshop. It may not be in London but when she bid at an auction for a detached shop in a northern town she never realised that the images she had been shown had not been the most up to date. She had cancelled her rented flat immediately as the sale went through and put all of her savings into this new venture.
Everything had looked good on paper but in real life it was a different matter altogether. No wonder it had not been snapped up for a heftier price. She now realised why it had been so cheap. It was not even in Manchester, as she had been led to believe, instead it was in a small town a little further north. She was angry for not double checking all of the paperwork or the small print.
It was a dilapidated building that took up one side of a whole street in the town of Cokeworth. Inside, once she managed to get in at the rear, it was so much worse than what she had viewed from the outside.
Three months later…
Hermione proudly set the very first book up onto a shelf of the new floor to ceiling bookcases and smiled. This was going to take her weeks but she had a plan for that.. she had placed an advert for a bookshop assistant in the local paper. She had also popped a Staff Wanted sign up on the front door.
She hired a local young woman and at first appeared willing to work. She lasted two days as Hermionehad found her in the private office with her feet up on the new desk smoking and speaking to her friend on the phone as she returned to the shop unexpectedly after she had realised she had left her purse behind.
The next had lasted barely a day as he kept leaving chewing gum stuck not only on the book cases but on the books themselves.
The privacy paper screening had been removed and the book displays could now be viewed by the locals.. the door was still firmly closed to potential customers. The day drew closer for the official opening and she still had no staff.
Hermione had set up a coffee machine towards the rear of her shop where she had set at angles some couches with a coffee table between them. She had sat down with a mug of fresh coffee and her latest book to take a breather when she heard the growl of a motor bike zoom up the street.
She had looked up at the sound and then realised that the biker had stopped outside her shop. She set down her mug and craned her neck to peer out at the person as they removed their bike helmet. They were dressed in black leathers and looked slim and doubtless male.
A flush passed over her as the man removed his helmet to reveal dark glasses and cropped black hair speckled with a hint of grey. As he turned and walked to her door removing his leather gloves her eyes widened and she felt like fainting. She gasped as she recognised him.
She had felt the tingle of magic and as the man knocked at her door her eyes locked on his as he removed his sunglasses and then to her delight he actually smiled back at her.
She opened the door wide and invited him inside.
“Miss Granger,” he held his hand out to her.
“P-”, she started, then shook her head and began again, “Mr. Snape.”
They shook hands firmly and she waved him to a seat beside her on the sofa. He sat and then asked.
“May I have one of these?” as he indicated with a nod of his head towards the new coffee machine on the countertop.
Hermione swiftly made him some black coffee strong and without either milk or sugar.
“Acceptable,” he said with a smirk. “I suppose Minerva told you how I take coffee?”
“Yes, and I suppose she told you it was I who had bought the dump that used to be a bookshop?”
He nodded to her and let loose a chuckle.
“Yes, the old cat has been meddling again, said I needed to get out more and to get a job.”
“You are looking for work?”
“You’re looking for staff?” He answered.
Hermione laughed, relaxed in his company and wondered how he looked younger now than the last time she had seen him at the last Anniversary ball she had attended 4 years before. She had remembered him dancing with her and how he insisted he see her home safe
Severus thought that Hermione looked less tired and less frazzled and that owning the bookshop certainly suited her. He had enjoyed her company the last time they had met and had berated himself for not acting on his impulses at that time. Perhaps this was his second chance, his only chance?
“I do still write Potion books as well as create potions but I find myself becoming bored as that takes place in my home and Minerva feels I need to get out more, mix with people. I do not care for people but can tolerate a book shop if I must.
Severus sipped his coffee and remembered coming into the shop as a child, often returning on wet days for a warm and a read.
“Would you like to work for me?” She asked him, “wages are not much but it may improve if the shop takes off.”
Severus looked around and then stood up, “can I have the tour Miss Granger, if I am to become an employee I must see what you have to offer.”
Severus smiled as he turned from her at her blush. He had wondered but now he was sure and more certain of his decision to take up employment with his ex student. He was no longer a professor and she was no longer his student.
They each sat down on the comfortable sofa after Hermione made another coffee. Severus had agreed to join her staff and to work weekday afternoons and a full day Saturday.
He had been surprised at how much hard work she had put in to turn the ramshackle building around and it had been transformed into a very interesting space. I was not prepared for the building to be so vast, the living space is vast and that is not accounting for the rooftop rooms.”
“I have not got around to renovating those parts yet, only the sitting room with a bed settee, it can do for now,: she replied with a smile
“I noticed that you did not have any sign up regarding your bookshop’s name, what is it to be called?”
Hermione’s body slumped and she set her mug down onto the coffee table with a clunk.
“I have no clue what I wish to name the shop, the old name was Nicholson’s and does not suit. I love books but do not wish to call it “the Book Nook,” or anything like it. I have gone through many names but none fit.”
“Bats,” said Severus.
“What?”
“You are bats about books?”
“Oh goodness - that is it!” She stood and smacked a kiss of thanks onto Severus’s mouth.
They both looked stunned as she broke the kiss then Severus smiled and returned the kiss..
When they both came up for air, there was a long drawn out pregnant pause.
“I feel we should use our first names,” smirked Severus, “don’t you?”
“Yes, after that kiss, I don’t think I could still call you Mr. Snape.” She laughed and he joined in with a rich deep laugh that had her heart zing with pleasure.
The day for the bookshop opening had finally arrived and with a large crowd standing out in the sunshine Hermione Granger released the sheet covering the bookshop name, delighted when the crowd cheered. They seemed to like the name.
It was a coincidence that the opening took place a week before Halloween and the shop was decked out with magical items including some bats on the window.
Hermione had a witch of course come along to cut the red ribbon that stretched across the double doors.
“I am delighted to announce that Bats About Books bookshop is well and truly open!” Announced the retired headmistress.
Minerva McGonagall was delighted to attend with no need for Muggle clothing, after all of her meddling had finally got Severus Snape and Hermione Granger together not only in business but as partners in love. She of course took all the credit.