Accidentally in Love

It was a reasonably warm day on the streets of London as Vernon Dursley walked through the town. His jacket was hanging loosely off his shoulders and his scarf was hidden in his briefcase. On his way back from his menial job, Vernon was about to stop at one of the nearby stores to grab some supplies as his sister was coming in to town for dinner. He had taken up the habit of walking to and from work, because his mother had warned him last time he saw her that women want a man with a well-paying job and a sturdy waist. Vernon's waist was definitely not sturdy. He couldn't help the small smile that was playing on his lips, as only that morning he had asked a beautiful woman for her number, and she had written it quickly on his hand before rushing away, a blush on her cheek. Vernon had transferred the number to his phone, knowing that leaving it on his palm would result in it sweating off almost instantly.

He turned into a small shop he frequented and almost ran head on into a woman who was exiting at the same time. He let out a loud huff, trying to disguise his shock and pain from the lump that would no doubt be forming on his forehead. He stared at the woman, only realising she had fallen to the floor when she struggled to get to her feet. Vernon cursed himself softly and reached out a hand to help her.
"I'm so sorry, Ma'am!" He said, his breathing quickening. "Here let me help." He noticed she was muttering something under her breath as well, and tried his hardest to figure it out. He heard her say something like 'muggle', or maybe 'muddle', he wasn't quite sure.
"Are you okay, Miss?" He asked, as she righted herself, smoothing down her weird looking dress.
"Yes, thank you," she replied curtly, not looking at him.
"My name's Vernon, Vernon Dursley."
"Rosmerta Macmillan."
Vernon smiled, happy that she was finally talking to him.
"Well, Miss Rosmerta. I'm glad that you're okay, and I am very sorry I barged straight in to you." Rosmerta shook her head, as if passing it off.
"That's okay, I wasn't really looking." She turned to leave, brushing past him and suddenly Vernon didn't want her to go.
"Wait!" He called after her, his hand outstretched after her. She turned back to him, frowning slightly. "Can I get you a drink to make up for it?" Vernon watched her consider it for a moment before she smiled.
"Sure."

"You work in a bar?" He asked, a small smile on his lips.
"My family owns the bar, and my mother and I run it." They had been talking about his job before, and he couldn't fathom how she didn't know what a banker was, but he has explained it to her anyway. She was smiling, and something in Vernon's heart fluttered at this image. She was different than most women, she had this way about her – like she was seeing everything for the first time. He was struck by her innocence and the way she was easily amused by everything he said. There were a few moments, though, when he said something or asked a question she didn't want to answer where her eyes glazed over and she went quiet. He thought for a moment she was hiding something from him, but knew that even if she was, she had every right to.

"I'd like to see you again," he said softly as they walked down the street, their time together coming to hour four. She stopped walking a turned to him slowly.
"I don't think that's possible," she said, her voice almost as soft as a whisper.
"Why not?" He asked, his heart racing.
"It's my parents," she began, "they would never understand." Vernon was frowning, unable to take in the levity of her words.
"Understand? What do you mean?"
"We're not the same…" she was backing away from him, her hands ringing in front of her. Vernon moved closer, his hands on her arms.
"Rosmerta, please. I can feel something between us." She looked into his eyes, her beautiful ones filled with sadness, and something else he couldn't place. She just shook her head again, unable to explain herself. Without thinking she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, her hand resting on his cheek. Vernon froze, unable to believe what was happening. Rosmerta broke the kiss and quickly turned around, hurrying away. Vernon was only a few steps behind her as she turned the corner. He heard a small pop, but thought nothing of it until he whipped around and she was nowhere in sight.

Years later, Vernon heard that pop again – when those people came to take them away to somewhere safe. His eyes widened and his stomach dropped. She was one of them.

A/N: Words –823

Prompts – Written for June Funfair: Circus - the Clown and the Armless Wonder