Chapter Text
Hermione Granger normally paid better attention to details.
But, she was absolutely exhausted and in desperate need of coffee.
She had only recently begun her school at Oxford working on her masters degree in political science. She wanted to change Britain socially and what better way to do that than politics?
She asked around for the best place to get a cup of strong coffee and was directed to a company called Living Death.
The coffee shop turned out to be a few streets over from her rented apartment.
For the first month of schooling she never spent very long in the shop, and spent most of the time scrolling her phone while she waited in line. She would arrive, get the largest and strongest coffee order she could, and then she would leave.
Then a weekend came up and with it a visit from her friend Ginny. Ginny was in her final year at a public university playing football. The duo had been friends since elementary school. When Ginny had pushed over a boy who was taunting Hermione for reading during recess. The boy complained that he would tell his father, but left Hermione alone for the rest of the year.
Hermione's problem was that when the weekend came, she realized that she didn't have any going out money. She had a academic scholarship to Oxford that covered her tuition and books, and her parents paid for her apartment, gave her a food allowance But, they had told Hermione she would have to get a job if she wanted any extra spending money. Hermione being a perhaps overly studious student, had not bothered with getting a job, because she was not one to go to clubs.
Ginny however wanted to experience the club scene at Oxford. She worked at a coffee shop in town at her local university. So, she had extra cash and told Hermione she would cover their weekend. Hermione protested but they ended up having a great time. Ginny had ended up making out with an attractive blonde girl at the club.
But, now the weekend was over and Hermione realized she needed a job. Ginny had explained her work at the coffee shop and that it was not overly difficult. Plus, during dead periods her boss normally let her pull out her books. When Hermione approached Living Death that morning, she was paying attention more than normal and spotted the help wanted sign in the window. When she reached the front of the line, the shop being extremely busy and only having one employee working, she decided to ask about the sign.
"I'd like a large black coffee and a job application if you have one." The older woman looked up with a start, being so intent on ringing up the order.
"Do you have any experience working in a coffee shop?" The woman asked in a slightly frazzled tone.
"I don't sorry." Maybe she should go look around for a book shop to get a job she wondered.
"Are you reliable? Will you show up when you are scheduled?"
"I can promise that much. I have a strong work ethic ma'am. I'm here working on my masters." Hermione looked up when she heard the bell ring above the door and a girl with bright pink hair walk in.
"Thanks for coming in dear. The girl who was supposed to be working today no showed on me. If you can cover for a few, I can interview this young lady."
"No problem mum. Go do the interview. I don't have to be next door for a few hours. No clients until the afternoon." The girl took off her jacket and Hermione noticed a bunch of colorful tattoos adorning her arms. She also noticed a small stud in her nose and two bars in an eyebrow.
The woman handed Hermione the coffee and waved her card away when she tried to pay. "Employees drink for free."
The duo made their way over to an empty table. "Andromeda Tonks, I'm the owner of the shop." Hermione had noticed the woman had a scarf wrapped around her head and no hair showing but figured she just liked her hair short.
The interview went well and Hermione was excited when the woman disappeared into her office and came back with an employment contract. She admonished Hermione to make sure she read the entire thing. Hermione was pleased when she saw a higher than expected starting salary for a coffee shop. Her mother called as she was reading the contract so she skimmed over the rest of the contract as she chatted with her mum. Reaching the bottom she pulled a pen out of her bag and signed the contract.
"Oh, thank you Hermione. I have a great feeling about this. Can you come in and work the morning shift in two days?" Hermione nodded in the affirmative and walked out of the shop.
Two Days Later
Hermione walked to the shop in the early morning hours. Her bushy hair pulled back into a braided ponytail. Her new boss had told her to come to the back entrance that would be unlocked. She pulled open the door and walked in, the smell of brewing coffee hitting her. She noticed a light coming from an office door and made her way in that direction.
"Good morning Mrs. Tonks." Hermione said as she reached the door and then almost dropped her backpack with her school books. A bald headed woman was looking up at her in confusion. Then the woman sighed and rubbed her scalp.
"Judging by how you are looking at me, and the state of your hair. I think you missed part of your contract." She went through the papers on her desk and pulled out Hermione's contract and walked over to her, her finger pointing to a line. All employees must have a shaved head.
"I have alopecia and lost my hair years ago. When my ex left me, I started this shop to support me and my daughter that you met the other day. I was the only employee at first, with Nymphadora helping out after school. A customer made fun of my lack of hair in her hearing. She disappeared on her break period and came back with a shaved head. So, then it became a bit of a calling card for the shop. When I finally had enough business to hire a new employee, the girl asked if she needed a shaved head to work here and on impulse I said yes. She returned the next day as bald as my daughter and me."
Hermione sat down in a chair across from her new boss, at least it would be if she shaved her head. She'd been made fun of for her hair over the years and could be quite a hassle. It would only be until she was with the job and it would grow back. The woman's daughter was proof of that. She had seen her pink hair just two days ago.
"I guess I need a haircut then." Hermione said smiling across the room.
"Oh, thank god. I'd hate to have to do more interviews. I had such a good feeling about you when you interviewed. Go next door to the Dark Mark tattoo shop. My sister is the owner and she has razors and stuff to prepare for tattoos. Just tell her you are my new employee and need a shave. She took care of my daughter's shaves for years, and you wouldn't be the first new employee I sent over there. Just hurry, we open up in about an hour and I'll need to train you during the morning rush. Although don't worry, our other employee that works mornings Fleur should be here."
After assurances that her bag would be fine in the office, and a text from Andie to her sister that Hermione was coming. Hermione exited the shop and crossed the street to the tattoo shop. She had seen the shop as she visited the coffee shop, but never paid much attention to it. Tattoos had never held much interest to her. She reached the door and it was locked so she knocked on the door and then rang the buzzer. After a few moments a woman opened the door.
"What do you want? We don't open until eleven a.m. for tattoos or piercings."
Hermione was stunned briefly by the woman who had opened the door. She had a wild mane of black hair past her shoulders. Hermione thought she detected a few dreadlocks and braids in the mane. Like her niece, she also had a small stud in her nose. A spider tattoo was on her neck and a snake and a skull on one arm that Hermione could see.
"I'm Hermione, your sister sent me over for a shave. She texted you just a few minutes ago." The older woman cocked an eyebrow at her and pulled her phone out from her pocket. She glanced at it and then stepped aside to allow Hermione to come in, locking the door again.
"I'm sorry, I missed the text from my sister. I was working on a stencil for a client. I'm Bellatrix. I'm always surprised that my sister has enough girls who will agree to shave their heads. But, it makes for good branding for the shop and she pays them well."
Hermione was glancing around the shop at the artwork adorning the walls. Pictures of various tattoos done in the shop, some covering a person's entire back or chest. Hermion even noticed a few tattoos on people's heads on the wall.
"We'll cut off the braid with scissors and then I'll clipper off the rest before shaving it." Bellatrix had turned to look at Hermione to make sure she was following her. Hermione finally noticed Bellatrix speaking to her and nodded.
"Come on pet. I know my sister opens soon and needs her newest employee." Bellatrix lead Hermione to a stool which Hermione sat on and then the older woman went into another room to gather her supplies.
A short while later and Hermione was holding her braid in her lap as Bellatrix put a cape around her to catch the hair. A quick stripe down the middle of her head and Hermione was at the point of no return. Within minutes Hermione's hair was down to mere stubble. Hermione reached up and rubbed her head as the woman stepped away.
"Ahh, not yet pet. We haven't even done the best part yet." Bellatrix spread some shaving foam onto her head and then wrapped it with a hot towel. Hermione could not help the small moan that escaped as the towel was wrapped around her head. Maybe being bald wouldn't be so bad. Especially if she could get a woman as attractive as Bellatrix to do the honors. The hot towel was removed and more shaving cream was spread over her scalp. The woman held up the straight razor she had been sharpening.
"Now be a good girl pet and stay still. I'd hate to accidentally nick that pretty head of yours."
Hermione did her best to contain the shudder as the first scrape of the razor went over her head. At least that is what she convinced herself it was, and not being called pet and good girl by the older woman. She was not going to discover new kinks here today. Her romantic entanglements over the years had left much to be desired. Victor a soccer player that she was introduced to by Ginny, and then Ginny's older brother Ron. Ron was sweet and a good friend, but his manners at the dinner table and emotional maturity had left much to be desired. Thankfully, Ginny had completely understood why her friend broke it off with Ron.
Bellatrix worked quickly and efficiently as she removed any traces of Hermione's hair from her head. Hermione kept glancing at the clock and tried to keep from fidgeting as it neared closer to opening time for the coffee shop.
"Stay still pet. I'll have you done in time to get back to my sister. You must have missed the line in the contract requiring the shaved head. Would you still have taken the job if you knew this was required?"
Hermione thought it over for a few moments as the cap of shaving cream continued to disappear along with her hair.
"Honestly, I think I would. I've seen women on the television and in magazines with a shaved head. And they always say that it is something every woman should try. Have you ever shaved yours?""
"When my sister first lost her hair, a long time ago. My sister's hair was much like mine only lighter. I kept it for a few years. I even have a tattoo up there. But eventually my sister told me I should grow mine back out, she said at least one of us should enjoy our curls. Every so often I get tempted to get rid of it and add more to my tattoo up there."
"How many tattoos do you have?"
"Never ask a tattoo artist that question. I have lost track, needless to say the majority of my body is covered." Bellatrix leaned down to where her mouth was near Hermione's ear. "And if you are a good girl, you might get to see them all one day."
Bellatrix finished up Hermione's scalp at that moment and ran her hands along the smoothly shaved scalp. Hermione this time could not contain the small moan that escaped as Bellatrix's hand ran along her scalp. That was the entire reason, she thought, and not that the attractive older tattooed woman had whispered in her eye about seeing her naked body covered in tattoos.
"I wish I could keep you here, Hermione. I think I could talk you into letting me add some decoration to your body. But my sister needs you across the street. Come back anytime for a fresh shave pet. It's no charge, Andie will just owe me a nice bottle of wine."
Hermione stood and walked over to a mirror running her hands along her scalp. Fuck, she was bald now and she thought she actually liked it. Ginny was going to freak when she texted her a photo later. But, right now she needed to run across the street and get to work.
"Bye, Bellatrix, thank you for your help. I'll see you again soon."
Hermione grinned and decided to go for it and shot the older woman a wink as she stepped out the door that Bellatrix had unlocked for her.