In a quaint, timeworn corner of London, there stood an old bookstore steeped in history.
According to the owner, when Conan Doyle published The Final Problem, he held a book signing right here. It was in that very book that Doyle "killed" Sherlock Holmes—only to be bombarded by razor blades from outraged readers, forcing him to resurrect the great detective years later. Fortunately, Holmes had only tumbled off a cliff, so bringing him back wasn't all that difficult.
"…After that, every new Conan Doyle release had its very first batch sold right here!" the shop assistant would declare to curious customers.
Of course, most people were just there for the novelty. Whether the stories were true or not, no one really cared.
What mattered was the shop's inviting atmosphere. Beyond the shelves brimming with books and periodicals, there were cozy reading nooks both upstairs and down.
Here, you could order a coffee or a juice, pick up a book—whether you loved or loathed it—choose a seat by the window or tucked away in a corner, and pass a pleasant (or perhaps not-so-pleasant) afternoon.
That, for many, was the real draw of this bookstore.
With the start of summer holidays, the store was busier than ever, especially with young students.
Among them, one pair stood out: a striking boy with Eastern features and a charming brown-haired girl. They'd been coming in every day lately, lingering for hours on end.
If you wandered close, you'd see them poring over beautifully bound books—volumes with covers and parchment unlike anything else in the shop. If anyone asked where to find those books, the two would smile politely and explain they'd brought them from home.
And if you eavesdropped a bit longer, you might overhear snippets of strange conversation: how bezoars could cure any poison, the official danger ratings for werewolves and vampires, the origins of the house-elf rebellions…
Most assumed they were fans of some quirky fantasy series—after all, magical fiction was all the rage these days.
But most of the time, the pair sat in companionable silence, lost in their own worlds.
The little girl would sip juice, and sometimes, she'd try a milky coffee. Each time she took a sip, a froth of milk would cling to her lips.
Whenever that happened, the boy across from her would grin and gently wipe the foam away with his thumb.
She'd flash him a sweet, grateful smile in return.
To the casual observer, they were just two ordinary children, savoring the quiet joy of reading together.
No one knew that they were, in fact, a little different from everyone else. For they belonged to a legendary group—the ones who could wield magic.
They were wizards.
…
The two children, of course, were Qin Yu and Hermione.
According to Hermione's meticulous summer plans, they were supposed to spend several days indulging in all sorts of fun.
She'd insisted on footing the bill for every outing.
Qin Yu was more than happy to oblige. Who could refuse being treated—especially by the future Minister for Magic? There was something oddly satisfying about it. (Author: ahem!)
Besides, Hermione seemed determined, so he didn't argue. Money was money, after all.
But after just two days of wild adventures, Hermione's pocket money had shrunk to a third of its original size.
So much for planning.
They had no choice but to cut back on the pricier activities and seek out more affordable fun.
And that's how they found themselves in this old bookstore—spending their days reading, chatting, sipping drinks, and sharing sweets. Not a bad way to pass the time.
Part of it, Qin Yu knew, was his wish to let Hermione savor these last moments of Muggle life. Once she truly stepped into the magical world, everything would change. She'd leave much of her old life behind.
In a way, it was a quiet farewell to a chapter that was closing.
"Qin, I'm out of money," Hermione sighed.
"Already? Didn't you have over ten pounds left?" Qin Yu asked, surprised.
"I did, but the desserts here are just too good. We may have overindulged a little," Hermione admitted, swallowing at the memory.
"They really are delicious," Qin Yu agreed, nodding with conviction.
He closed the parchment-bound book in his hands, rose to his feet, and leaned toward her with a playful smile. "Well then, my dear princess, now that you're penniless, you'll just have to come with me!"
He extended his hand.
Hermione shrugged in mock defeat, closed her own book, and placed her hand in his. "Very well, my prince!"
Their little performance drew a few amused smiles from nearby patrons. The two gathered their things and left the ancient Muggle bookstore behind.
…
Up until now, in their quest to experience all things Muggle, Qin Yu hadn't taken Hermione to any magical destinations—not even Diagon Alley.
But now that her money was gone, he figured she'd had a proper farewell to her old life.
And so, Diagon Alley became their next stop.
After all, both Qin Yu's second-year textbooks and supplies, and the items on Hermione's Hogwarts acceptance letter, needed to be purchased there.
The next day, the two set off together—returning to Diagon Alley for the second time.
They slipped through the Leaky Cauldron, into the back courtyard. Qin Yu tapped the enchanted bricks with his wand, and as the wall parted to reveal the bustling alley beyond, he took Hermione's hand and led her through.
This time, Hermione was much more at ease. She knew exactly where to buy a cauldron, where to find books, robes, and even magical pets—the very shop where they'd once planned to give away Crookshanks.
It was in that magical menagerie that they ran into a chubby little boy, accompanied by his grandfather, who was helping him pick out a toad.
Qin Yu greeted him warmly, asking if he too was starting at Hogwarts this year.
"Hello, I—I'm Neville Longbottom. I'll be going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this September," the boy introduced himself, voice trembling slightly.
Qin Yu and Hermione introduced themselves in turn, expressing how much they looked forward to seeing him at school.
After a brief, friendly chat, Neville and his grandfather went on their way.
Qin Yu and Hermione continued their shopping, hand in hand—ready for whatever adventures the magical world had in store.
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