Summer Dealings i

Summary: Being back in the muggle world as the Wizards called it for another summer she didn't have anyone to go over magical theory with. Not that her friends would have even if she was with them. So when she sees someone use magic she jumps at the opportunity to learn even more, for a price.

This was inspired by Rizzoli & Isles. (the latter being what I imagine Hermione would look like when she's older) This story includes sophophilia. Anyways, enjoy the story!

Dipping her quill into the ink well she moved it back over the paper to write notes as she read from an open book to her right. The scratching on paper was the only sound in the room most of the time during summer unless her family went on a vacation, which there was no plans for so far. She didn't particularily mind as she would rather look through her books so she was ahead for next school year, her fourth year at Hogwarts.

Her third year had been interesting to say the least. She had been able to go to extra classes by using a time turner, which had been neat in itself. But she was already wishing she was in school again. Problem was the summer had just started a few days ago and she had already read through all her school books again. She wouldn't be able to get the books for next year until the last week of summer, which meant she was stuck with what she had for now.

"Hermione!" her mother's voice called from the living room at the bottom of the stairs. "Do you want to come with me to get the groceries?"

She was about to say no before changing her mind. Summer was one of the few times she could hangout with her parents. "Sure Mum! Be right there!" Putting the lid back on the ink well and setting the quill down she pushed herself up from the desk before heading out the door and down the stairs. She leaned down to grab her shoes next to the staircase, giving Crookshanks a scratch behind the ear as he was sitting on the first step while she put them on.

Hermione hurried out the front doot to catch up with her mother who had already started the car, slipping into the passenger side and clicking her seatbelt into place before it was backed into the street. "I was thinking of us having a movie night tonight." her mother said as she turned onto a main road, getting out of the neighborhood.

"Can we get popcorn?" Hermione asked as she glanced around the store fronts and small buisness they passed on their way to the grocery store. She caught her mother looking at her from the corner of her eye and she gave a hopeful smile.

"Sure." Her mother relented. "Extra butter or caramel?"

"Caramel." she replied having not had it for awhile even though she loved the taste. The reason it had been awhile being her parents saying what it did to one's teeth. Those stories were worse than horror films in her opinion. "What type of movie would it be?"

"A romantic comedy." Both of them laughed, simply because her father was going to make fun of all the cheesy moments by repeating them the next day with her mother. Which also meant Hermione would be hiding in her room so she didn't have to watch them acting like teenagers. That was just awkward. "Okay. Ready?" Her mom asked as she parked the car.

"Yup." Hermione had unbuckled her seat before it had even come to a full stop and once the car had she had the door open and was stepping out of the vehicle. She walked over to grab a shopping cart before waiting for her mother to enter the grocery store with her.

They were going down the breakfast aisle when her mother stopped and turned to her. "I just remembered I was suppose to pick something up at Berke's, could you run over and get it Hermione?"

Her eyes practically glowed at the idea of going to the bookstore and gave a quick nod as a yes before walking swiftly from the store and back outside.

It was blistering hot but she didn't care as the location was only a few stores down. Her gaze flittered around as she walked, hoping to maybe see a witch or wizard she knew somewhere in the crowds. Of course she wasn't anywhere near any entrances to the Ministry so didn't see anyone she recognized besides some neighbors that she said a quick afternoon to before going on her way.

When she opened the door a bell above ringed at her entrance and she smiled at the sound. For the moment she went straight to the cashier. "Hi. My mother, said you had something she was suppose to pick up."

"Hey Hermione," Berke the store owner greeted her with a smile. "Yes, she said she was coming to pick it up today." Turning slightly to grab something from the reserved section beneath the desk he reappeared a moment later with a brown bag. "Here ya go. Will you be sticking around for awhile?"

"Of course." Hermione answered. "Thanks." she said as she grabbed the bag knowing her mom had already paid previously over the phone with a card. Not bothering to look inside she went straight into the maze of shelves stopping at the end of one when she saw a man occupying the usual chair she took in the corner. He was holding a plain bound black book in one hand, the other resting along the arm of the chair. She was about to turn and around and find the less comfortable wood chair when she noticed his hand flick casually and how the page moved without being lifted a second later. Hermione blinked in surprise having not expected to find a wizard in this part of London. "Excuse me," When his gaze moved up from the book she stopped for a second her mind turning to figure out how to tell him she knew without saying the actual words as other muggles in the store might overhear. "the Ministry is located more downtown."

"I know where the Ministry is." He closed the book with the same hand motion as before and now she was convinced it wasn't one off the shelves as she couldn't see the title or author because it was so worn down.

She quickly extended a hand to him. "I'm Hermione Granger."

After the first second of him not moving she started to wonder if the person had simply come here to get away from other witches and wizards and that she had somehow intruded. His hand gripped hers in the next second though. "Name's Barty. You're a student at Hogwarts aren't you?"

Her ears practically perked up. "Yes. I just finished third year." she paused for a moment, biting at her lip. "May I ask you something?" she asked while letting go of his hand as introductions were over.

"Sure."

Good, now she just either had to figure out how to ask her question as her books weren't helping her much anymore and she liked being ahead. Well, being point-blank had never failed her before. "It's just that I've finished going through all my books for about the billionth time now," A slight exageration, but her friends would insist she had if they were here. "and I was wondering-if you have the time that is. If you could help me prepare for fourth year?" She resisted the urge to bite back down on her lip, nervous at what response she would get. It was very likely the wizard infront of her was busy and had their own things to do.

"I could help with that." She couldn't stop the smile from coming to her face. "Would it be okay if I owled you later?"

"Yes, that would be perfect. Thank you." Hermione turned then, the smile now permanent as she walked out of Berke's to go and find her mother as she was sure enough time had passed that the grocery shopping was done by now.