Duelling Club - Mahogany wand: (AU) Muggle, (word) frail, (quote) "Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love."

Granger Danger - First Date

Oktoberfest - Ale. write a fic with fluffy undertones.

'I'll have a,' Hermione paused, looking at the cookie counter, 'raspberry white chocolate chip, please.'

Before she had even finished her sentence, a small package appeared on the countertop. An eyebrow disappeared into her fringe, but as she checked the insides, she realised that it was the exact cookie she had asked for.

Her mouth opened in surprise as she handed over her prepared change.

'How did you…?' her voice trailed off as she met the eyes of the person working the till.

It was him again. The cute boy with the serious grey eyes, who she had never seen smile, but somehow stayed polite and friendly. The one who always seemed to be manning the till whenever she had a cookie craving, which, if she was honest with herself, was more often than not.

'You always order raspberry white chocolate chip on Tuesdays,' he replied, handing her a napkin. 'Have a good day.'

Hermione wanted to stay, to get to know this stranger who knew that she always ate raspberry white chocolate chip cookies on Tuesdays, even though she had never realised it herself. But a queue was forming behind her, and the boy's eyes had slid to the next customer, so she took her cookie and left.

For some reason, the sugar didn't leave her as satisfied as it usually did.

The next day, she found herself in front of the cookie store again.

She couldn't help it, something had just drawn her there. She could pretend that it was her boss at work, telling her that because she wasn't from a family with connections, she wouldn't amount to anything. She could pretend that it was because it was raining so hard outside, the only boots that wouldn't be soaked were wellies.

But as the bell tinkled, signalling her entrance, she knew that it was not the case.

She installed herself at a booth near the window, so that she could pretend to watch the street, but instead could watch the boy from the till as he walked to and fro. On Wednesdays, he served customers, a green apron with the company logo now tied around his customary black uniform. Hermione decided that she liked the apron on him. The black uniform matched his black hair, and he could very well have stepped out of a black and white film if not for the apron.

Eventually, he made his way over to her table, staring at her with those soulful grey eyes of his. He didn't greet her, or ask her what she wanted, as a waiter usually would. He just stood there patiently, waiting for her to finish her choice. Instead of being unsettling, the quiet was soothing - a welcome break from the hectic life working at a law firm.

'I'll have a lemon oatmeal raisin cookie with a cup of tea, please,' she said eventually, folding up the menu.

The boy nodded, his eyes sparkling as if to say that she had made a good choice as he walked away. She watched him relay her order to the person at the till - a girl, she noticed, not without some displeasure - and return sooner than expected.

'Shouldn't you have served your other customers first?' she asked curiously, though inwardly her heart fluttered at the privileged contact.

'Not if you're a regular,' the boy said, the hints of a smile playing upon his lips.

'But I'm not a regular,' Hermione pointed out. 'This is the first time I've sat down in this shop.'

'I think the receipts folded into your coat will tell a different story,' the boy replied without missing a beat. 'Enjoy your food. I'll see you for a triple chocolate cookie on Friday an hour before closing time.'

Hermione's mouth dropped open, then snapped shut with an audible click. How did he know that she would have a triple chocolate? Last Friday, she had asked for a simple gingersnap. She resolved to find out more about this mysterious boy at the counter, who waited on Wednesdays. It would not do to have someone know more than her.

It simply would not do at all.

On Friday, she vowed to come in earlier, but her boss had worked her overtime - as usual. The intern never got to choose when she left. After that, the tube had been packed, and she nearly gave up on coming to the cookie shop at all. But on her way home, she hesitated in front of the doors, knowing that the cookie was just what she needed to forget about her horrible day.

And if there was a second reason she hesitated, she told herself it was just to find out more about the boy to get even.

There was hardly anyone here today. It had been wet and miserable, and most people just wanted to get home as quickly as possible. He was quietly rearranging the food as his co worker wiped down the tables.

Suddenly, Hermione noticed that he had a nametag on his uniform. She had no idea how she had never noticed it before - she usually prided herself on being perceptive.

'Triple chocolate?' he asked as she approached the till, initiating the conversation for once.

'No, actually,' Hermione replied smugly. 'I'll have a peanut butter one instead. Regulus,' she added, looking at him expectantly.

Instead of scowling, as she thought he might, he gave a small laugh, his eyes flickering curiously to hers.

'As you wish,' he replied politely, but there was a smirk on the side of his face. 'Would you like it in a bag, or will you be sitting at one of the tables?'

The fact that he had even asked showed that he wanted her to stay. If she had come to sit for a while, she would have gone straight to the table. Hermione opened her mouth, about to say that she was sorry, but she really needed to get going. Then her drab little flat flashed in her mind, cold and soulless on days like these.

'I'll take a seat,' she said. 'I have nowhere else to be.'

This time, Regulus actually smiled, his teeth flashing white and lighting up his grey eyes. Hermione stared for a few seconds, her stomach somersaulting at the sight. She had always found him cute, but now she wanted nothing more than to bring him close and press her lips to his. Then the moment was gone, and he was back to being as serious as ever.

Hermione sat there for a while, sipping at her tea and breaking her cookie into smaller and smaller pieces as she watched Regulus work. The more she watched, the more a knot grew in her stomach. Regulus was smiling at something his co worker said, as she put a hand on his arm and laughed. As closing time approached, the woman let out another ringing laugh and untied her apron.

'See you later, Reg, honey,' she said, kissing him on the cheek.

Suddenly, Hermione's peanut butter cookie turned to cardboard sludge in her mouth. Try as she might, she just couldn't enjoy it anymore. As Regulus met her eyes from across the room, she felt them burn with shame.

Logically, she shouldn't be this upset. She had only just found out his name. She hardly knew him at all. But that didn't stop her frail heart from squeezing in her chest. It was a crush, nothing more, but it hurt all the same. She pushed the cookie away, crumpling it in its wrapper.

Just as she threw it in the bin, a shadow fell over her. She looked up to see Regulus, his eyes filled with concern.

'Was the cookie bad?' he asked. 'You'll get a refund if it was.'

'N-no,' Hermione replied, startled. 'I just didn't feel like eating it anymore.'

'Is something wrong?' he asked instead, his eyes probing as if he could see through to her thoughts within.

'Of course not,' Hermione snapped. 'Why would you even say that?'

'Because you never throw food away,' Regulus replied. 'You fold the cookie carefully in several napkins, to be enjoyed at a later date.'

'How do you know that? Are you stalking me?' Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

Regulus flushed red, the colour all the more apparent on his pale cheeks.

'No,' he mumbled. 'I just notice things. And… I notice even more things about you, because… Well… I thought the feeling was mutual, but never mind.'

Something in the sentence piqued Hermione's interest. 'What feeling?'

'I thought you were interested, that's all,' Regulus said quietly, rushed as if he wanted nothing more than to end this conversation. 'Nevermind, I said. It was a mistake.' He closed his eyes, grimacing. 'I'm going to kill my cousin when I get back tonight. I knew it was a stupid idea.'

Hermione blocked his path, raising an eyebrow. Regulus looked up at her.

'Look, I've already apologised,' he said, although he had done no such thing. 'Just let me finish my shift.'

Suddenly, Hermione realised what an idiot she had been. What a completely unobservant idiot. The girl she had seen kissing Regulus's cheek earlier must have been his cousin. And so… the feeling Regulus was talking about, that he had been talking about with his cousin, was the same feeling that had unfurled in Hermione's gut all week.

'Wait,' she said, stepping to the side to block his path once more. 'The feeling you spoke of. I think it is mutual. And… Well, if you want to get to know me properly… here's my number.'

Hermione felt reckless as she ripped a page out of one of her notebooks, scribbling down her phone number. Before she could second guess herself, she had shoved the piece of paper in Regulus's hand and fled the shop.

Well done Hermione, she thought as she hurried home. Now you're going to stress over whether he's going to call you or not.

Just then, her phone buzzed. Not daring to get her hopes up, she glanced at the screen.

How about tomorrow night?

Hermione squealed.