Drabble/Fic: The Toy Shop
Jul. 15th, 2018 09:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alisanneTitle: The Toy Store
Author:alisanne
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 100 x 11
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters/pairings: Hermione Granger/Millicent Bulstrode, Harry Potter/Severus Snape (background).
Challenge: Written for![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
femslash100/![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
femslash100's prompt 607: Teddy Bear.
Summary: Hermione can't sleep and her daughter comes up with the perfect solution.
Warning: Character death (off screen).
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
Beta(s):sevfan and emynn.
~
The Toy Store
~
“Come, darling,” said Hermione. “It’s bedtime.”
“But, Mummy, Teddy’s gone!” Rose looked ready to cry.
“Let’s find him so you can both sleep, yes?”
Rose nodded, her thumb in her mouth.
Scanning the room, Hermione spotted Teddy, and scooping both him and Rose up, carried them to bed, tucking them in.
“Rest well, baby.” Hermione kissed Rose’s forehead.
“Teddy needs a kiss!”
Hermione obliged.
Rose blinked up at Hermione. Extricating an arm from the blankets, she patted Hermione’s face. “Who’s tucking you in, Mummy?”
“No one.”
“Because of Daddy?” At Hermione’s nod, Rose sighed. “You need a teddy bear, Mummy.”
~
Feeling ridiculous, Hermione pushed open the door to the toy shore. She sighed. Much as she hated to admit it, Rose was right. Sleeping alone was…impossible. Maybe a teddy bear wouldn’t go amiss.
Still, purchasing a bear for herself when everyone else in the shop had a small child with them felt…childish.
Head down, Hermione headed towards the back of the shop where they kept discounted toys. Perhaps she could find one on sale…
She bumped into a solid body, gasping as strong arms steadied her. “Oof!”
“What the…Granger?”
Looking up, Hermione stared into Millicent Bulstrode’s eyes.
~
“Bulstrode,” said Hermione, her voice faint. When had Bulstrode become so…pretty? “I…I’m buying a teddy bear.”
A tiny smile curved Bulstrode’s lips upwards. “Makes sense. This is a toy shop.”
“Right.” Hermione coughed. “Are you buying a teddy bear, too?”
“Actually,” said Bulstrode, “I work here.”
“Oh?” Hermione exhaled. “Oh! Then I can ask you questions about…toys.”
“You can, yes.” Bulstrode’s smile deepened as Hermione simply gazed at her. “Anytime’s good.”
“Right! Sorry.” Hermione suppressed a yawn. Exhausted, she blurted, “I’m not sleeping! I need…help.”
Something flared in Bulstrode’s eyes. “I know exactly what you need.”
~
“Wow.” Hermione rubbed her cheek against the giant teddy bear’s face. It was the largest one she’d ever seen. Person-sized and perfect. “I love it.”
Bulstrode nodded. “They’re popular, our hubby teddies.”
Hermione drew back, looking at the bear she was hugging so tightly. “I see.” She exhaled. “How much?”
Bulstrode named a price that made Hermione choke.
“How much?”
Shrugging, Bulstrode said, “As I said, they’re popular. And they’re imbued with charms to encourage peaceful sleep.”
Regretfully, Hermione handed the bear back to Bulstrode. “I can’t. I’m a single mum now. That’s a bit out of my price range.”
~
Looking around, Bulstrode leaned in. “I shouldn’t be telling you this. My manager would sack me, no questions asked, if she knew, but…we sometimes get returns that are just as good and are sold for much less. I can Floo you when one shows.”
“Oh.” Hermione eyed the giant teddy bear and, unable to resist, reached out, stroking its fur. “Who’d return her?”
“Her?” Bulstrode raised an eyebrow.
Hermione bit her lip. “Yes. She reminds me of…someone.” You.
“Someone you like, I hope?” Bulstrode watched Hermione carefully.
Hermione smiled, jotting down her Floo coordinates. “I think so, yes.”
~
Feeling Buldtrode’s eyes on her as she exited the shop, Hermione shimmied her hips. Then, unable to resist, she glanced back over her shoulder just before the shop door closed and saw Bulstrode staring, her expression speculative.
After stopping at the grocer’s, Hermione then headed to the Burrow to pick up Rose.
Once home, she cooked them a simple dinner of soup and sandwiches, all the while wondering if she’d imagined the look in Bulstrode’s eyes.
After tucking Rose and her teddy bear in, she decided to Floo someone who’d understand. Grabbing some powder, she tossed it in. “Harry Potter!”
~
Harry got what she was trying to say before she had to say it. “I’m hardly going to criticise.” He grinned. “I’ve my own Slytherin.”
Hermione smiled. “And how’s Snape these days?”
“Temperamental, as usual.”
“I heard that!” cried Snape in the background.
Harry winked. “He’s fun when he’s irritated.” He sobered. “Anyway, what’s the problem? She sounds interested, and you obviously are.”
“Am I ready to do this? Date again?” Hermione whispered. “Should I? What would Ron say?”
Harry’s expression gentled. “Ron would laugh his arse off, then tell you to go get your…teddy bear and be happy.”
~
Pacing, Hermione contemplated her options. She could continue to not sleep, become increasingly exhausted, and finally break down and get the sodding teddy bear (plus, hopefully, Bulstrode’s Floo coordinates), or she could continue to torture herself.
She was reaching for the Floo powder when the Floo flared and Bulstrode’s face appeared. “Good news! Someone’s returned a bear.”
“They have? Brilliant!” Hermione cleared her throat. “Are you allowed to set it aside for me or—?”
Bulstrode snorted. “What’s one more broken rule? I’ll have it ready when you come in. Also, we close at seven.”
“Excellent.” Hermione hummed. “I’ll be there.”
~
Hermione walked into the toy shop. She’d taken care with her appearance, and from the warm appreciation in Bulstrode’s eyes, it hadn’t gone unnoticed.
The shop was empty, and the second the clock struck seven, Bulstrode waved her wand, spinning the ‘open' sign to ‘closed’ and locking the door.
“I’ll get your teddy bear,” she said. Pulling it out, she placed it on the counter, then looked Hermione up and down. “Hot date?”
Hermione exhaled. “I hope so. Do you’ve plans tonight?”
Bulstrode smiled. “No.”
“Have dinner with me? It’s the least I can do for…everything.”
Bulstrode hummed. “Okay.”
~
They ate, sipping wine, Bulstrode looking beautiful. Afterwards they strolled side by side under the moon.
Hermione watched Bulstrode surreptitiously, but since she was always watching back, it was hardly subtle. Finally, Hermione grasped Bulstrode’s arm, turned her around, and kissed her.
After more heated kisses, Bulstrode whispered breathily, “Come home with me?”
Hermione nodded, and moments later they were in a small, neat flat, and their clothes were off and Bulstrode’s fingers, tongue, and mouth made Hermione see stars.
Afterwards, Hermione smiled, clinging to Millicent. Who needed a teddy bear when they had a sexy woman in their arms?
~
“Mummy, is Millicent your girlfriend?”
“Maybe,” Hermione replied carefully. “How’d you guess, Rosie?”
Rose huffed. “You’re always together, you kiss when you think I’m not looking, and you tuck each other in at night.”
Millicent, pouring tea, smirked. “Smart kid.”
Hermione coughed. “What if she is? Is that…okay?”
Rose shrugged. “Sure. Although I’d prefer sleeping with my teddy bear.”
Ignoring the choking noises coming from Millicent, Hermione smiled. “Why?”
“Because Teddy’s soft and warm and always agrees with me.”
“She’s definitely your kid,” said Millicent as Rose skipped away.
“Yes,” laughed Hermione, leaning over to kiss Millicent. “She is.”
~
Author:
alisanneRating: PG-13
Word count: 100 x 11
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters/pairings: Hermione Granger/Millicent Bulstrode, Harry Potter/Severus Snape (background).
Challenge: Written for
femslash100/femslash100's prompt 607: Teddy Bear.Summary: Hermione can't sleep and her daughter comes up with the perfect solution.
Warning: Character death (off screen).
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
Beta(s):
sevfan and emynn. ~
The Toy Store
~
“Come, darling,” said Hermione. “It’s bedtime.”
“But, Mummy, Teddy’s gone!” Rose looked ready to cry.
“Let’s find him so you can both sleep, yes?”
Rose nodded, her thumb in her mouth.
Scanning the room, Hermione spotted Teddy, and scooping both him and Rose up, carried them to bed, tucking them in.
“Rest well, baby.” Hermione kissed Rose’s forehead.
“Teddy needs a kiss!”
Hermione obliged.
Rose blinked up at Hermione. Extricating an arm from the blankets, she patted Hermione’s face. “Who’s tucking you in, Mummy?”
“No one.”
“Because of Daddy?” At Hermione’s nod, Rose sighed. “You need a teddy bear, Mummy.”
~
Feeling ridiculous, Hermione pushed open the door to the toy shore. She sighed. Much as she hated to admit it, Rose was right. Sleeping alone was…impossible. Maybe a teddy bear wouldn’t go amiss.
Still, purchasing a bear for herself when everyone else in the shop had a small child with them felt…childish.
Head down, Hermione headed towards the back of the shop where they kept discounted toys. Perhaps she could find one on sale…
She bumped into a solid body, gasping as strong arms steadied her. “Oof!”
“What the…Granger?”
Looking up, Hermione stared into Millicent Bulstrode’s eyes.
~
“Bulstrode,” said Hermione, her voice faint. When had Bulstrode become so…pretty? “I…I’m buying a teddy bear.”
A tiny smile curved Bulstrode’s lips upwards. “Makes sense. This is a toy shop.”
“Right.” Hermione coughed. “Are you buying a teddy bear, too?”
“Actually,” said Bulstrode, “I work here.”
“Oh?” Hermione exhaled. “Oh! Then I can ask you questions about…toys.”
“You can, yes.” Bulstrode’s smile deepened as Hermione simply gazed at her. “Anytime’s good.”
“Right! Sorry.” Hermione suppressed a yawn. Exhausted, she blurted, “I’m not sleeping! I need…help.”
Something flared in Bulstrode’s eyes. “I know exactly what you need.”
~
“Wow.” Hermione rubbed her cheek against the giant teddy bear’s face. It was the largest one she’d ever seen. Person-sized and perfect. “I love it.”
Bulstrode nodded. “They’re popular, our hubby teddies.”
Hermione drew back, looking at the bear she was hugging so tightly. “I see.” She exhaled. “How much?”
Bulstrode named a price that made Hermione choke.
“How much?”
Shrugging, Bulstrode said, “As I said, they’re popular. And they’re imbued with charms to encourage peaceful sleep.”
Regretfully, Hermione handed the bear back to Bulstrode. “I can’t. I’m a single mum now. That’s a bit out of my price range.”
~
Looking around, Bulstrode leaned in. “I shouldn’t be telling you this. My manager would sack me, no questions asked, if she knew, but…we sometimes get returns that are just as good and are sold for much less. I can Floo you when one shows.”
“Oh.” Hermione eyed the giant teddy bear and, unable to resist, reached out, stroking its fur. “Who’d return her?”
“Her?” Bulstrode raised an eyebrow.
Hermione bit her lip. “Yes. She reminds me of…someone.” You.
“Someone you like, I hope?” Bulstrode watched Hermione carefully.
Hermione smiled, jotting down her Floo coordinates. “I think so, yes.”
~
Feeling Buldtrode’s eyes on her as she exited the shop, Hermione shimmied her hips. Then, unable to resist, she glanced back over her shoulder just before the shop door closed and saw Bulstrode staring, her expression speculative.
After stopping at the grocer’s, Hermione then headed to the Burrow to pick up Rose.
Once home, she cooked them a simple dinner of soup and sandwiches, all the while wondering if she’d imagined the look in Bulstrode’s eyes.
After tucking Rose and her teddy bear in, she decided to Floo someone who’d understand. Grabbing some powder, she tossed it in. “Harry Potter!”
~
Harry got what she was trying to say before she had to say it. “I’m hardly going to criticise.” He grinned. “I’ve my own Slytherin.”
Hermione smiled. “And how’s Snape these days?”
“Temperamental, as usual.”
“I heard that!” cried Snape in the background.
Harry winked. “He’s fun when he’s irritated.” He sobered. “Anyway, what’s the problem? She sounds interested, and you obviously are.”
“Am I ready to do this? Date again?” Hermione whispered. “Should I? What would Ron say?”
Harry’s expression gentled. “Ron would laugh his arse off, then tell you to go get your…teddy bear and be happy.”
~
Pacing, Hermione contemplated her options. She could continue to not sleep, become increasingly exhausted, and finally break down and get the sodding teddy bear (plus, hopefully, Bulstrode’s Floo coordinates), or she could continue to torture herself.
She was reaching for the Floo powder when the Floo flared and Bulstrode’s face appeared. “Good news! Someone’s returned a bear.”
“They have? Brilliant!” Hermione cleared her throat. “Are you allowed to set it aside for me or—?”
Bulstrode snorted. “What’s one more broken rule? I’ll have it ready when you come in. Also, we close at seven.”
“Excellent.” Hermione hummed. “I’ll be there.”
~
Hermione walked into the toy shop. She’d taken care with her appearance, and from the warm appreciation in Bulstrode’s eyes, it hadn’t gone unnoticed.
The shop was empty, and the second the clock struck seven, Bulstrode waved her wand, spinning the ‘open' sign to ‘closed’ and locking the door.
“I’ll get your teddy bear,” she said. Pulling it out, she placed it on the counter, then looked Hermione up and down. “Hot date?”
Hermione exhaled. “I hope so. Do you’ve plans tonight?”
Bulstrode smiled. “No.”
“Have dinner with me? It’s the least I can do for…everything.”
Bulstrode hummed. “Okay.”
~
They ate, sipping wine, Bulstrode looking beautiful. Afterwards they strolled side by side under the moon.
Hermione watched Bulstrode surreptitiously, but since she was always watching back, it was hardly subtle. Finally, Hermione grasped Bulstrode’s arm, turned her around, and kissed her.
After more heated kisses, Bulstrode whispered breathily, “Come home with me?”
Hermione nodded, and moments later they were in a small, neat flat, and their clothes were off and Bulstrode’s fingers, tongue, and mouth made Hermione see stars.
Afterwards, Hermione smiled, clinging to Millicent. Who needed a teddy bear when they had a sexy woman in their arms?
~
“Mummy, is Millicent your girlfriend?”
“Maybe,” Hermione replied carefully. “How’d you guess, Rosie?”
Rose huffed. “You’re always together, you kiss when you think I’m not looking, and you tuck each other in at night.”
Millicent, pouring tea, smirked. “Smart kid.”
Hermione coughed. “What if she is? Is that…okay?”
Rose shrugged. “Sure. Although I’d prefer sleeping with my teddy bear.”
Ignoring the choking noises coming from Millicent, Hermione smiled. “Why?”
“Because Teddy’s soft and warm and always agrees with me.”
“She’s definitely your kid,” said Millicent as Rose skipped away.
“Yes,” laughed Hermione, leaning over to kiss Millicent. “She is.”
~
