"Hi, welcome to McDonalds. What can I get you?"

"A heart attack, please."

The odd request makes James look up from the register. The pretty redhead fiddles with the hood over her head as though uncomfortable from his gaze.

"Bad day, huh?"

"You don't know the half of it," she mutters.

"Well, I would suggest a big Mac and a large side of fries, everyday for the rest of your life. That should do it."

The woman cracks a smile and pulls her hood down. "I'll take it."

"To go or . . .?"

"To go, please. And a diet coke. No wait, make that a regular coke."

"One regular coke, a big Mac and a large fries coming right up."

.

The next day the same redhead came in at the same time with the same order for 'A heart attack, please.' This becomes routine. She comes in every week day at four in the evening. She never stays; it's always to go. They become familiar with each – even friendly – but they only talk about her order.

.

"A heart attack, please," she says with her charming smile.

"It's already packed." He holds up a white and red paper bag.

"You're the best, James." She's learned his name from his name tag but she's yet to tell him hers. Which won't be a problem for long. James has a plan.

"Wait, before you go, I need your name and phone number."

"A bit forward, don't you think?" she teases.

"No, it's a new thing we're doing. We're getting the details of our most frequent and loyal customers so we can give them special offers and stuff."

"Uh huh," she says dubiously.

"Yeah, it's pr-pretty cool."

"So did your manager sanction this?"

"Totally. It was her idea."

"Can I speak to her?" This was not going to plan. Why couldn't she just stick to the damn script?

"She's not here. She's attending a . . . manager's conference." God save him if McGonagall ever found out.

"A manager's conference for McDonalds?"

"You underestimate the importance of hygiene and good taste."

"Sure," she says like she doesn't believe him. "My name is Lily Evans" and she proceeds to give him her number. He's already in love.

.

Hi. Thank you for being a loyal customer of McDonalds. As a token of gratitude we would like to give you a special offer of one fabulous date with our attractive employee, James Potter. Offer expiry : Never.

James twiddles his thumb for five hours before he gets an answer.

it's not quite the offer i was expecting but i'll take it