#atdopen

[disgracedgoddess]

It had been two years since the Battle of Hogwarts. It was more than time enough to put her affairs in order, but it didn’t matter how much she tried to fix her family blood, ties and reputation, that was something that Hestia’s perfectionism neurosis would never reach. So she did the best two things she could ─ reacted with sarcasm and faded into the background, always swaying between one another. 

It was remembrance day, which meant that Hestia was avoiding people like the plague. Muggle London seemed the most safe place to be, which was why she never expected a magical companion. She picked the Hyde Park in a failed attempt to be alone, but destiny apparently had other plans. “Great weather, right?” She looked at the grey skies and to the person beside her.

[tintinnabulous-blog1]

"Pretty sure that’s not ‘pumpkin juice,’ mate.”

[goldiisms]

“God,” she said, rolling her eyes. “What a mess these wizards have made with the set! Who put all the wind spells? Who thought that a near-fucking hurricane would be a good idea?”

[her-mi-o-ne-granger]

dreary skies for dreary minds - open

Pulling her wool knit jacket tighter around her, Hermione couldn’t help but shiver. The autumn morning air was crisp, and she could certainly feel the cooler change in the air now. Though, to be fair, London didn’t ever really get that hot. Still though, as nice as warm afternoons in the sun were, she much preferred cooler weather. Snuggling in a warm blanket by the fire with a book was certainly Hermione’s ideal situation. Glancing up at the grey, dreary sky, she sighed gently. Rain. That would certainly fit her miserable mood this morning. To be honest, she wasn’t even sure why she wasn’t feeling particularly cheerful today. Perhaps she was just burnt out after a busy week at work, or perhaps it was just a bad day. Regardless, she wasn’t really feeling up to being at all social, but there was a book that she’d ordered ready to collect, and Hermione was rather anxious to read it.

Her plan was to head out as early as possible, in the hopes that no one else would be about. People weren’t too fond on venturing out early on the weekend, after having to be up and about early every day for work. At least, the people Hermione were trying to avoid didn’t like to be out too early. Walking quickly through the almost empty Diagon Alley, Hermione made her way straight for Flourish and Blots. Making it a point not to get too close to any place she might be seen by someone. Especially Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. Not only was there the very strong possibility of seeing George or Ron, but there was the possibility of seeing a number of other people that she’d be forced to be polite to, and she didn’t any the energy nor the desire for that. She just wanted to collect her book in peace.

Stepping into the store, she quickly took in the surroundings. No one was there, that she could see, and far be it for Hermione to step into a book store and not look around for at least a minute. It seemed that every time she went into the store, there was a new book, or an old heavy tome that she hadn’t seen in the past. Breathing in the heady scent of paper and leather, Hermione stepped further into the store. Heading down the first isle, She let her index finger trail down the spines of each book as she slowly went further down. Reading each title as she went. Seeing one that caught her interest, Hermione stopped, and pulled it from the shelf. Scanning the contents. She flipped to a particularly interesting chapter and started to read. The more she read, the more Hermione lost her surroundings, mind focused on what she was taking in. The more she was unaware of who was near her in the store.