Author's Note: This is a sort-of sequel to Small Decisions (but pretty much all my next gen stories take place in the same verse, so it's not that big of a deal)
Written for…
Next Gen Competition. Prompt: Molly achieves her dream!
Sweet Dreams
"You're sure this is what you want?" Percy asked, and Molly pretended to ignore the hint of pleading in her father's voice.
"It's a little late to turn back now," she replied as she set a tray of frosted cupcakes beneath the glass countertop.
Standing high above them on a ladder, Audrey rolled her eyes. "Leave the girl be, Percy," she ordered, finishing wiping the storefront windows. "I've invested a lot of money in this shop, and if she doesn't want to run it, I will."
Percy scowled and returned to polishing the decorative table near the entryway. Molly couldn't really blame him for his doubts. Until three weeks ago she had never mentioned wanting to own a bakery. Her entire Hogwarts career and the three years post-school had focused solely on being a potioneer, but the sudden closing of her apothecary had put her in a two-month tailspin while she tried to work out her new career.
Now here she was, preparing to open Sugar Witch in a matter of minutes – her new life riding on Grandma Lucy's recipe books and Audrey's assurances that Molly's baking skills were worth sharing with the community.
"Is Lucy coming?" Molly asked in an attempt to distract herself. She ducked back into the kitchen to retrieve another tray of cupcakes for display.
"The carriages usually arrive around this time. She should be here by the time we open," Roxanne told her. Roxy was Molly's only official employee, having been out of school for nearly a year and having only performed the occasional part-time work.
"I'd rather wait until she's here to open." Her request was partially drowned out by a gaggle of loud teenagers walking passed the shop, signaling the arrival of the Hogwarts students. Seconds later the door was slammed open by a slender young blonde and Molly had just enough time to set down the new tray before Lucy was squeezing the life out of her.
"I'm so glad I made it in time. There was an accident – nothing serious. Leland was goofing around and fell off the carriage. Anyway, I told everyone you'd be opening today, so…" She looked around the shop and Molly followed her gaze. It was the first time Lucy had been able to see the shop in person, but the family had sent her loads of photos during the renovation and decorating phases.
Molly nodded. She double-checked the display counters to see that everything was full and under adequate preservation charms. Percy and Audrey were busy putting away the ladder and cleaning supplies, and once they were gone and everything would be perfect.
"Alright," she said, tying on her frosty blue apron. "Open the doors."
There was an overwhelming sense of worry fluttering around in her brain as she watched her very first batch of customers filter in. She had failed one career after all, and she wasn't technically qualified to own a bakery. But she couldn't really deny the satisfaction of watching complete strangers enjoying her creations.