Connected by Magic

Chapter 49

Pop!

Amelia appeared within Hogsmeade but on the other side of town. Hermione stumbled as she found her footing again. One her hands was on her stomach, probably trying to calm it down. To be fair, when she was practicing last year, there were a few occasions where she threw up in the bushes. Apparting is quick and handy yet not good when trying to keep your food down.

"You could have warned me..." Hermione mumbled as she swallowed something down. "Since when can you apparate?"

"Since I visited Anne. She gave me instructions on how to apparate. It's been rather easy for me, if I am honest. Not sure why," Amelia said softly, holding Hermione's hair as part of her lunch came back. "I'm sorry. I should have asked..."

"It's fine..." coughed Hermione, wiping her mouth with her sleeve. "But next time, please warn me..."

"I will," Amelia said, her wand flicked to the ground as she cleaned up the small pool of vomit. With another flick she removed any stains on Hermione. "I usually train while I'm in Hogsmeade... And we were pressed for time..."

The two stood within a cobblestone street that was flanked by various wooden homes. Mostly residential with here and there a light behind the glass windows. Among the wooden building, there was a single shop, slightly more boisterous compared to the others.

'Stitches and Draughts'

A clear written sign to show it was a shop. Despite it being the middle of the day, it was closed, given that there were a pair of students murmuring disappointingly about it not being open.

"'Stitches and Draughts'? Why are we here? They sell all kind of random things. From junk to highly priced magical artefacts. I thought we were going to Madame Puddifoot's..."

Hermione tried to suppress her disappointment but Amelia could still hear it. She will agree. It is weird that Anne organised a- date- at a general store. Still, she trusts Anne. It will be end up okay... She surely hopes so.

"I trust Anne, Hermione," Amelia said after a moment of silence. "Come, if it turns out to be... not as we expected, I'll make it up to you! However you wish for me to make it up."

"Well, I guess it will be an experience," Hermione replied, stepping up to the entrance with Amelia at her side. At the doors, they soon saw a small piece of parchment. On it, in a finely written handwriting, it said they were closed for the day;

'Stitches and Draughts is closed for today.

Due to a special event for a private party, we will be unable to provide you with our wares and services. Please feel free to return tomorrow if you wish to browse. For those wishing to buy Potions and Draughts, you may send an owl in case you wish to reserve an order from our fine selection.

Our apologies for the inconvenience.'

"Ever been to this shop?" asked Amelia curiously.

"No, I mean, I have heard of it. It said to have a fine selection of Potions and weird trinkets. The Weasley twins find it an excellent locale to find inspiration. I guess that says enough. Well, we better see if they open."

Hermione took Amelia's hand as she knocked on the wooden door. She stepped back next to Amelia as they waited for it open. It didn't take long before the door was opened, revealing a well-dressed older light-skinned man.

He looked as old as Anne with short white hair. His face held almost as many rimpels as Dumbledore yet somehow he looked as supple and energetic as someone a few decades younger. The man had a smile on his face as he looked both of them over.