Chapter 3 ~ Another Encounter.

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''Maxie! How nice to see you again!'' Neville Longbottom welcomed her warmly as she entered the familiar shop. It was decorated pleasantly, with pale cream walls stencilled with vines, and light oak cabinets, shelves and floorboards. It wasn't that large; most of the stock was in the back storage room. The plants and materials found in the main shop area were really exhibits, to show the quality of the produce. Usually the customers would ask for their required purchase and Professor Longbottom would whisk into the back room before appearing once more with that item.

Maxine herself had bought few things from here; it was expensive and most produce for for advanced subjects, but Neville, the name she addressed Professor Longbottom by, would often give her simpler plants and materials that he'd bring back from his travels. Harry and Ginny Potter had never noticed the plant-filled conservatory on the fourth floor of their house where Maxine cared for most of the plants Neville presented her.

She was quite at home in the shop, jumping up to sit on the counter, Neville pulling a chair up. It was school shopping day, nobody had the time to come into, let alone notice the quiet little Herbology store, so it was safe to chat whilst there were no potential customers walking by. The two of them fell into a deep conversation about Neville's previous trip to Tibet; apparently he'd come across some rather unfriendly yetis before being saved by a group of tourists - slightly humiliating, but he had managed to bring back some on the extremely rare seeds of a plant called a ''Nix Presagite'' and  not to mention two healthy specimens called ''Deorsum''s; Small plants with blue leaves shaped like arrow tips and one flower each that were purple in colour and had petals closely resembling goblin ears. 

The two of them were just examining one of the flowers, Neville explaining the need for the petal's extraordinary shape, when the back door bell rang. Neville turned his head. 

''Strange.'' He creased his brow. ''Usually only privately booked customers come through the back.'' Neville rose and made his way through to the back hall where the storeroom and back door were situated. Maxine slipped of the desk and waited. For all she knew it could be a foreign Herbology official come to call.

She heard voices, though she could only tell that the customers (there sounded to be more than one) were American. Neville was welcoming them before exclaiming in surprise. ''Oh damn, I forgot. Come in, come in, I apologise for my forgetfulness.''

Maxie turned her head to greet the customers, who consisted of two young men - well, they looked to be in their early thirties. One was quite tall and grave with very dark hair and green-grey eyes, though he smiled at her upon sight. His companion, however, couldn't be more different, being shorter with a round, friendly face and wearing an ochre duffle coat.

''Gentlemen, this is my student and helper, Maxine.'' Neville introduced her warmly and Maxine herself smiled at the two men shyly. They seemed to react strangely to her name, though, turning to each other in interest after each of them flashed a quick smile at her.

Neville himself grinned also before addressing Maxine. ''Maxie, I leave you to keep my two customers occupied whilst I dig around in my store cupboard. I have a bad feeling it's hidden in the attic, but I hope I'm wrong.'' And with another beaming smile, the Professor disappeared off  down the back once more. 

Maxine watched him go in desperation. What on earth was she going to talk to these two men about? She turned back to them and gave the pair a nervous smile. 

''So...erm - where are you from?'' She said the first thing that came into her head, but thankfully it wasn't that bad a question.

''Portland, Oregon. In the USA.'' The taller one answered with a smile. ''We're looking for some rare herbs and spices. My friend here runs a spice shop with his girlfriend.''

''You've come to the right place.'' Maxine said helpfully. ''Professor. Longbottom specialises in that kind of thing.''

The tall one nodded. ''Yes, it was recommended.'' He looked around himself before taking took a step forward with another smile. ''I'm Nick, by the way, Nick Burkhardt.'' He held out his hand. ''And this here is my friend Monroe.'' The man beside Nick gave a little wave.

Maxine laughed and shook Nick's hand. ''Nice to meet you.'' She said shyly. ''I take it you're Muggles?''

Nick nodded. ''But obviously we know of magic.'' He confirmed. ''And you're a witch?''

Maxine nodded back. ''Yes.''

Nick exchanged glances with his friend before taking another step forward. Maxine, confused, awaited the next question with puzzlement. 

Mr. Burkhardt creased his brow, focused. ''Can I ask what your full name is?''

Maxine sighed. Oh god, here it comes. Another unwelcome set of looks followed by a hurried change in the conversation before a quick exit. There was maybe a little hope, seeing as they were Muggles. But even then, usually the mention of her surname was met with an uncomfortable response.

Maxine swallowed and looked up at the two men, who were waiting with baited breath. She was even more puzzled by their attention, but answered;

''My full name is Maxine Lestrange.''

There was definitely a response, but the effect was somewhat different from the usual one. Nick Burkhardt grabbed his friend's arm and said in an excited but hushed voice; ''It's her!'' , and Monroe gasped and-

Maxine froze. No screams came, instead a numbness that filled her body. Monroe's face had changed horrifically into that of a terrible creature; eyes red, fangs sharp, face covered in hair. The scariest thing was that he seemed to realise to, because he turned to Nick in surprise and said something in a deep, growling tone.

But Maxine didn't hear what he uttered. She didn't want to. All the hiding had been for this reason to put her madness behind her and rid herself of her insanity. But she couldn't, could she? She would never be at peace, she would always be running from these visions! She unfroze, trying to get past Nick, but he grabbed her arm, eyes full of desperation and fear.

''Maxine, NO! I can see them to, I can-''

She shook his arm off in terror and bolted out of the shop, running down the alley with her legs burning in effort. She had to get away from that shop, those men, she had to run...