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Post by HERMIONE JEAN GRANGER! on Jul 22, 2009 10:09:22 GMT -5
It was approximately eleven o' clock in the morning on a Tuesday. It was summer, but no one really needed to remind othres that it was the warmest season of the year. Although not humid yet since it was so early, it was near guarenteed that most would either had a home or a brain would retreat to their air conditioning, or someone elses. It was unfortunate for the destitiue; they would have to make a fan of cardboard or just wallow in their own misery under whatever shade was available. This was Hermione did not like about Diagon and Knockturn Alleys anymore; the poor crowded in the streets and left little space to walk. She did not blame them, of course; a good majority of them were like her and deemed 'undesireable'. She even recognized a few faces here and there. She was lucky to have a home in the quiet suburbs where Death Eaters wouldn't think to look; in the middle of Muggle territory.
Today, she had brought along one of her dearest friends; Crookshanks. He was older, but being half-Kneazle meant that he had an extended lifespan. He comfortabley napping in a canvas bad she had made, and the two were to a pet store to buy some food for the large beast. He was not happy with common cat grub, so Hermione had to go back down the same alleys were she was attacked by a Mrs. Bellatrix Lestrange for the sake of her companion. Opening the heavy door of the store, she looked about, eyes darting, maing sure that the place was open and indeed not a trap.
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Post by nightmare on Jul 24, 2009 19:09:12 GMT -5
 There’s a time to pray, and there’s a time to fight
Anything can be a weapon if you’re holding it right
Defend what is yours, they will not take our souls
The early afternoon was one of Zan’s favorite times of the day. It was usually quiet and drowsy, as if preparing for the noon-time rush that would soon follow. She was often more relaxed at this time, though it didn’t show too much. It would be the fact that she would laugh at an employee’s lame joke, or be more inclined to give a discount. Even her employees were in better spirits, despite the fact that they were considered the castoffs of the bloodsnob society. They would often joke and laugh, being more helpful and cordial than at most times.
It was like that now: few customers, and a general air of good moodiness. Zan was leaning against her front counter, elbows tucked behind her to support her. Her Kneazle, El Diablo, was crouched on the counter next to her, purring quietly. Even he was in a good mood. She was chatting amicably with a customer; a halfblood who had found a way to make a living and often came down to her store to check up on her stock. He was an avid animal collector, and usually left the store buying something.
Just as he was leaving, another woman walked in. She looked about Zan’s age, and just as suspicious. Zan wasn’t surprised; most people in Knockturn Alley looked either shifty or guilty, oftentimes both. She pushed off from the counter, El Diablo gracefully jumping off to follow her. She intercepted the woman at the door, who still looked nervous. “May I help yeh?” she asked, her rough voice sounding warmer than usual.
TAG ! Hermione!
LYRICS ! Save Our City by Ludo
OUTFIT ! Clicky!
NOTES ! Took a while, and it’s lame. Oh well!
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Post by HERMIONE JEAN GRANGER! on Jul 26, 2009 14:56:14 GMT -5
Hermione stiffened up as the keeper of the pet shop came to her to ask her if she needed assistance. Although the woman msot likely did not have bad intentions, no one could really blame the muggleborn for being so nervous. Knockturn Alley, even back when she went to school, was known for being a breeding ground for degenerates and a play ground for those upper-crust purebloods who felt that Diagon Alley was too 'low brow', or perhaps did not have the dark instruments they so required. She had snuck down here many a time with Harry and Ron with a confident air, but by herself the young woman was left a shaking mess with a clouded and worried brain.
"...yes, as a matter of fact, you can,' she sputtered out, "You see, I have a half-Kneazle named Crookshanks." At hearing his name, the large Persian-esque cat stuck his head from the canvas bag, seeming very content in this store within the dark alleyways. "He is very picky when it comes to his food, and I have run out back at home. The store up in Diagon Alley doesn't have any in stock, and I can't let this big guy starve." She stroked her cat on the top of his head, looking down and noticing that the girl too had a Kneazle, purebred and not like Crookshank's half.
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Post by nightmare on Jul 26, 2009 22:36:45 GMT -5
There’s a time to pray, and there’s a time to fight
Anything can be a weapon if you’re holding it right
Defend what is yours, they will not take our souls
Zan disliked most of her customers, honestly, because many of them were the bloodsnobs who wanted trophy pets. A few were friendly, but Zan would never rely on them for anything other than cash. Other times, they were impurities, but they were bitter and depressed, making even Zan feel like tearing out her hair. However, there were a few customers that might be shy or suspicious, but at least they were polite, and nice. Zan was in a good mood, and inclined to believe this woman would be like the latter.
The woman seemed nervous, which was understandable. One had to be very familiar with Knockturn Alley to not feel afraid, and there were some places that even Zan would not go. Still, she spoke politely, plus she had brought her pet. Zan loved meeting other people’s pets, mostly because she didn’t have to train them herself. She gave a half-grin, reaching out a hand for the half-Kneazle to sniff. He did so, then purred, allowing Zan to pet his head. Most animals seemed to like her; she had definitely picked the right trade.
The woman explained why she was here, and Zan gave a slight laugh as she mentioned that she had tried Diagon Alley first. It made sense though; most of the nicer people went to Diagon Alley before Knockturn. “Course not,” she replied, scratching Crookshanks behind his ears. “C’mon, it’s in the back,” she added, turning away and beckoning for the woman to follow.
El Diablo, meanwhile, was glaring at the woman suspiciously. When he saw Crookshanks, he gave a faint growl. This was expected; El Diablo disliked just about everyone, except for Zan. “Hush Di,” she scolded him, before giving the woman a crooked grin. “Don’ mind him, he’s a grump. I’m Zan, by the way. You?” she asked, figuring it would be good to get introductions out of the way.
TAG ! Hermione!
LYRICS ! Save Our City by Ludo
OUTFIT ! Clicky!
NOTES ! Nada
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Post by HERMIONE JEAN GRANGER! on Jul 27, 2009 15:12:00 GMT -5
Hermione followed the woman as she beckoned where the food for Kneazles and their kin would be located in the store. She had never been in this quaint little light in the darkness of Knockturn Alley before and thus would not know where that sort of thing would be located. She had always known where it was in the Diagon Alley shop, her buying them there when she had first purchased Crookshanks and subsequently his food during her school years. Looking about the small shop, fond memories flooded the Granger girl's brain from her time in school. Fluffy floating creatures in cages, floating candles giving light in the dank and dry space, Crup puppies with their forked tails wagging in a pen yipping as she passed. There were odd-colored birds chirping and preening their plumage, uninterested in her presense. It all reminded her of why she came back to the magical community that hated her so in the first place; to bring back the world she had entered when she first arrived to this different and exotic place.
She began to feel more at ease around the woman who was apparently the shop owner as well; if Crookshanks liked her, she was safe. Thinking back, Hermione thought that it would have been best to bring the cat along with her when Bellatrix had visited her just weeks ago; that way he could have warned her.
"Crookshanks can be the same, but right now he's rather happy," Hermione said softly in reply, "Hermione Granger's the name." It was stupid and suicidal to speak her name out in public like this, but did she have much of a choice?
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