𝟏 | 𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐘 HERMIONE GRANGER

𝟎𝟒: 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬

In the days that followed, Lucian's attention was inexplicably drawn to the small bell that chimed cheerfully every time the door to Everhart's Books swung open. With each melodious note, his gaze would instinctively dart toward the entrance, anticipation fluttering in his chest.

As he stood behind the counter, engrossed in restocking shelves, the familiar chime of the bell reached his ears. Lucian's head turned almost reflexively, his eyes locking onto the doorway, only to be met with the arrival of Mrs. Bailey, a regular patron of the store.

"Hello there, Lucian," she greeted with a warm smile, her silvery hair gleaming in the gentle light filtering through the windows.

Lucian returned the smile, pushing aside his curiosity. "Afternoon, Mrs. Bailey. How's your day been so far?"

Mrs. Bailey settled into one of the cozy chairs near the window, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, you know, same as ever. But I couldn't help but notice something, my dear."

Lucian raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. "Notice something? What do you mean?"

Mrs. Bailey leaned in conspiratorially, her voice lowered as if sharing a secret. "I've seen you, young man. You've been keeping quite a close watch on that door every time it opens lately. Could it be that you're waiting for someone special?"

A hint of embarrassment colored Lucian's cheeks as he chuckled softly. "Well, Mrs. Bailey, you're quite the observant one. I suppose you could say I'm just... keeping an eye out for someone."

Their conversation continued, with Mrs. Bailey regaling Lucian with stories of her youth and adventures, while he listened with rapt attention. Before long, Lucian found himself drawn to the elderly woman's table, their chat growing more animated.

Unbeknownst to Lucian, Hermione had entered the store during his conversation with Mrs. Bailey. She watched from a distance, her lips curved into a fond smile. It was endearing to see a 16-year-old boy engaging in such a heartfelt conversation with an elderly woman.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Hermione tiptoed closer, intent on surprising Lucian. As she reached him, she lightly tapped him on the shoulder.

Lucian jumped in his seat, his heart leaping with surprise. He turned swiftly, his eyes meeting Hermione's amused gaze. "Oh, it's you! You really have a knack for sneaking up on me."

Hermione chuckled, her eyes dancing with mirth. "My apologies for startling you. I couldn't help but join in on this delightful conversation."

Lucian's embarrassment faded into a warm smile as he introduced the two women. "Mrs. Bailey, this is the girl I was telling you about, the one who visited the store the other day. And Hermione, this is Mrs. Bailey, one of our regulars and a true connoisseur of books."

Mrs. Bailey extended a hand, her eyes twinkling with kindness. "Pleasure to meet you, Hermione. I can see why Lucian was so eager to talk about you."

Lucian's cheeks tinged with a hint of pink at Mrs. Bailey's comment. He shifted in his seat, slightly embarrassed by the revelation. "Well, Mrs. Bailey, you certainly have a way of phrasing things."

Hermione joined in with a friendly smile. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Bailey. I hope I live up to Lucian's enthusiastic descriptions."

With the ice broken, the three of them continued their conversation, merging past and present, young and old. The small bookstore, with its shelves of stories and worlds waiting to be explored, had become a place where connections formed unexpectedly, where generations could come together over a shared love for books.

And, as the days passed, Hermione began to frequent Everhart's Books more often, drawn not just to the enchanting world of literature but also to the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by Robert, the delightful Mrs. Bailey and Lucian of course.