บท 3: Trouble
Flashback
Hermione Granger had always been an inquisitive child. From a young age, she found joy in exploring the world around her, her brown eyes wide with wonder at every new discovery. Today was no different as she walked hand in hand with her parents, Dr. Jane Granger and Dr. Richard Granger, through the bustling streets of London. It was a rare family outing, and Hermione relished every moment of it.
The city was alive with the hum of activity. Street performers played lively tunes, vendors called out their wares, and the smell of freshly baked pastries wafted through the air. Hermione's parents were engaged in a lively conversation about their latest dental research, but Hermione's mind was elsewhere. She marveled at the architecture of the buildings, the diversity of the people, and the sheer vibrancy of the city.
As they strolled down a particularly busy street, something caught Hermione's eye. A small bookshop, nestled between two larger stores, with a window display that promised tales of magic and adventure. Her heart skipped a beat. She tugged at her mother's hand.
"Muuummm..... can we go in there? Just for a moment?" Hermione asked, her eyes pleading.
Jane Granger looked down at her daughter's eager face and then at the shop. She smiled. "Alright sweetie, but just for a little while. We don't want to keep your father waiting too long."
Hermione nodded vigorously and practically dragged her mother into the shop. The moment she stepped inside, she was enveloped by the scent of old paper and leather bindings. Shelves upon shelves of books towered above her, each one whispering promises of distant lands and daring heroes.
While Hermione lost herself in the aisles, her mother browsed through a section on medical advancements. Time seemed to stand still for Hermione as she pulled out book after book, skimming through pages and absorbing snippets of stories. She was in her element.
After what felt like only a few minutes, Jane called out to her. "Sweetie, let's go. Your father will be wondering where we are."
Reluctantly, Hermione placed the book she was holding back on the shelf and followed her mother out of the shop. The sunlight was blinding after the dim interior of the bookstore. Hermione blinked, trying to adjust her eyes.
"Where's Dad mum?" she asked, looking around.
Jane frowned. "He was right here. Richard?" she called out, her voice tinged with concern.
There was no response. The crowd seemed to have thickened, and the noise level had risen. Jane grabbed Hermione's hand tighter. "Stay close to me," she said, her voice firm.
They started walking down the street, looking for any sign of Richard Granger. Hermione's heart began to race. She had never seen her mother look so worried. They weaved through the crowd, calling out his name, but there was no sign of him.
"Maybe he went back to the car," Jane suggested, trying to keep her voice calm.
Hermione nodded, though she wasn't convinced. They made their way to the parking lot, but their car was empty. Jane's worry turned to panic. She pulled out her phone and tried calling him, but it went straight to voicemail.
"What do we do mum?" Hermione asked, her voice small.
Jane took a deep breath. "We'll wait here for a bit, he'll find us."
They waited for what felt like hours, though it was probably only minutes. Hermione's mind raced with possibilities. Had something happened to her father? Had he gotten lost? Was he hurt?
Suddenly, a shadow fell over them. Hermione looked up to see a man standing a few feet away, watching them intently. He was tall and thin, with greasy hair and a sinister smile. Something about him sent chills down her spine.
"Excuse me, miss. Are you lost?" the man asked, his voice smooth but menacing.
Jane stepped protectively in front of Hermione. "No, we're fine, thank you," she said curtly.
The man's smile widened. "It looks like you're in a bit of a predicament. Maybe I can help."
Hermione clung to her mother's arm. Jane stood her ground. "We're waiting for my husband. He'll be here any minute."
The man took a step closer. "Are you sure? It's not safe for a little girl like her to be out here alone."
Hermione's heart pounded in her chest. She could sense the danger, even if she didn't fully understand it. Her mother's grip on her tightened.
"I said we're fine," Jane repeated, her voice steady but with an edge of fear.
The man's eyes gleamed. "Very well. But if you change your mind..." He left the sentence hanging and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Jane exhaled slowly. "Let's get back to the main street," she said, her voice shaky.
They started walking quickly, glancing over their shoulders every few steps. Hermione's mind was a whirl of fear and confusion. Where was her father? Who was that man? And why did she feel like they were being watched?
As they reached the main street, Hermione felt a sudden tug on her arm. She looked up to see a different man, this one even more intimidating, with a scar running down his cheek. He gripped her arm tightly.
"Let go of her!" Jane shouted, trying to pull Hermione away.
The man laughed. "I don't think so. She's coming with me."
Panic surged through Hermione. She struggled, but the man's grip was iron. "MOM!" she cried out.
Before Jane could do anything, the man started dragging Hermione away. She kicked and screamed, but it was no use. The crowd around them seemed oblivious to what was happening.
Just when all hope seemed lost, there was a blur of motion. The man holding Hermione suddenly let out a grunt and released her, stumbling backward. Hermione fell to the ground, her heart racing.
She looked up to see a boy standing between her and the man. He had jet black hair and golden eyes that seemed to pierce through the man like daggers. He was dressed in shabby clothes, but there was something otherworldly about him.
"Leave her alone," the boy said, his voice cold and commanding.
The man scowled. "Who do you think you are, kid?"
The boy didn't flinch. "I said, leave her alone."
The man snarled and lunged at the boy, but the boy moved with incredible speed and agility. In a flash, he had the man on the ground, his foot pressed against the man's throat.
"Don't ever touch her again," the boy said, his voice low and dangerous.
The man gasped for air, nodding frantically. The boy released him, and he scrambled to his feet, running away without a backward glance.
Hermione's heart was still pounding as she stared at her savior. He turned to her, his golden eyes softening.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice gentle now.
Hermione nodded, unable to find her voice. Her mother rushed over, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Thank you," Jane said to the boy, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you so much."
The boy nodded. "Be careful. There are dangerous people around."
With that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd as quickly as he had appeared.
Hermione watched him go, her mind racing with questions. Who was he? How had he moved so fast? And why did he seem so familiar, even though she was sure she had never seen him before?
Her mother's voice broke through her thoughts. "Come on, Hermione. Let's find your father and get out of here."
They eventually found Richard Granger, who had been frantically searching for them as well. The family reunited with tears and hugs, but Hermione's mind was still on the boy who had saved her. She knew she would never forget those golden eyes.
As they drove home, Hermione stared out the window, lost in thought. The city streets blurred past her, but all she could see was the boy. There was something about him, something that made her feel like their paths were meant to cross again.
Aldrich watched from the shadows as the Grangers drove away. His golden eyes flickered with a mixture of curiosity and satisfaction. He hadn't intended to intervene, but something about the girl had drawn him in. She had a spark, something inside her that intrigued him.
He shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside. He had more pressing matters to attend to. Finding a place to stay, understanding this world's energies, and most importantly, regaining his strength. The gods' interference was a constant reminder of the danger he was in.
As he walked through the darkening streets, his mind replayed the events of the day. He couldn't afford to be distracted. Every moment counted, and every decision could mean the difference between survival and oblivion.
He found an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city. It wasn't much, but it would suffice for now. He set up a small camp in one of the rooms, using his limited resources to create a semblance of comfort.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he closed his eyes and began to meditate. The energies of this world were different from his own, so he started by making a magic path for his body. Then, he started to draw them in, converting them to his own use.
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