A/N: This is a sort-of holiday story, even though yes, I know it's early. Again for the HPFC Random Characters Challenge. Tell me if you like it!
Disclaimer: I am a mere fangirl playing around with JKR's creations.
The Color of Scarves
Alicia stood behind the counter of Gadrags Wizard Wear immersed in a book when the bell over the door rang. Hastily stowing the book away, she looked up as a young man entered the shop, his blond hair glistening with droplets of rain from the downpour outside.
"May I be of assistance?" she said automatically before recognizing her customer. He was a few years below her at school, but that didn't stop her from knowing him all too well.
"Just… looking for something for my girlfriend," Draco muttered. The war had been over for a few years now, but he still didn't have the best reputation. He had come in here hoping to be able to buy Astoria a Christmas gift without much hassle, but who would be behind the counter but a former Gryffindor?
"Anything in mind, or would you like some help?" Alicia asked calmly, although her insides were arguing. He's a former Death Eater and Slytherin, Alicia! half of her screamed. But the other half was calmly explaining to her, The war's over now, and we're out of school. It doesn't matter what side he's on… and they say he's changed. The old Draco Malfoy wouldn't go and buy something for someone himself!
"Well, I'm not really sure," Draco said.
"We have a new line of scarves in, if she may be interested in that. Feels like silk but each one has a strong Impervius charm on it enough to withstand some of the strongest rain or snowstorms," Alicia said, walking over to the scarves. They ranged in different colors, from a fiery red to a swampy green. Draco followed Alicia to the scarves. He automatically reached for a green scarf, looking at it for a moment.
A Slytherin girlfriend, Alicia's mind commented involuntarily as she gritted her teeth. Yet Draco put the green one back in it's place, instead examining a royal purple scarf.
"I'll take this one," he said, taking it over to the counter. Alicia rang it up, placing it in a bag.
Handing the bag to him, she smiled and said, "Happy Christmas."
Draco was surprised for a second, but smiled back ever so slightly and replied, "Happy Christmas."
If Draco had been surprised by Alicia's words, then Alicia was simply speechless. She stood for a moment and gaped at his back as the boy – no, man – left the shop.