Coffee Break

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

"I haven't seen you around here before."

That is what a typical pick-up line from a typical barista sounds like. I would have rolled my eyes and proceeded in ordering my cup of coffee to pull an all-nighter. But I couldn't. His voice was deep, his words were smooth, and his tone was friendly. It reminded me of dark chocolate. What he said made me look at him a second time.

"Yeah, I usually buy my coffee just outside Weasley & Co. but I wanted to try something else for a change," I said conversationally.

He smiled. It was a type of smile that just played on his lips wherein you couldn't tell if he was hiding a laugh or if it was just a one-of-a-kind smirk.

"Change is good from time to time. It's a good thing it brought you here."

And it was a smile that I couldn't quite forget.

"Can I get you something to drink?"

His gaze was… penetrating. It did not bother me, nor did I feel molested, but it somehow made me shy, like I didn't want him to know I wanted to look at him more. I'm not certain if it was because of his steel gray eyes or his thick blond brows and long eyelashes that bordered his striking eyes or the way his smile reaches up to his eyes discreetly. I couldn't put my finger on it. It was as if he could 'see' me.

It was already late at night. There were no stars in the sky. The café was particularly busy with a live acoustic band playing a slow love song on a corner and an art club in a meeting on another. There was a buzz which made the place alive but comfortable at the same time. As if it was home. It is actually my first time here in Six Degrees although this homegrown café has been here in the central since I started working a year ago as the secretary for my then boss and now business partner, Ron Weasley.

"Well, I could use a cup of house brew with an espresso shot." I said with a sigh. I have handled stress a lot of times before and I'm proud to say I have done everything exceptionally with grace. I am a straight A student after all. But working overtime from the wee hours of the morning until late in the evening for almost two weeks now is just physically demanding.

"You've been working hard." He said leisurely as he punched some keys on the computer. There was already a line behind me.

"Oh yeah, up early but still leaving by midnight. It's tiresome work. If only I could take a week-long vacation, then I'll be a happy camper at the office."

I stopped myself. I caught myself off guard wanting to tell this unlikely stranger everything I'm going through and quickly realizing that maybe the lack of sleep is just driving me crazy. He was so easy to talk to.

"Um. How much would that be?" I rummaged through my purse to take out my wallet.

"You're right. They say a change of scene is all you need." He said the figures and I paid cash.

But that wasn't quite the end of our conversation.

Who would have known that this would be a start of something that was going to change my life forever?

"Can I get your name please?"

His name was Draco. I saw it on his name plate pinned by the upper right corner of his black apron as he gave me the receipt and some change.

It suited him well.

Draco.

"It's Hermione. That's H-E-R-M-I—"

"Hermione." He smiled again and scribbled it on my cup.

"It's a lovely name."

I almost lost all power of speech. I didn't quite expect that. I felt the heat rise to my cheeks and up to my ears. God, I hope I wasn't blushing.

"Thank you," I managed to blurt out.

He smiled his mesmerizing smile. "Thanks for dropping by at Six Degrees, Hermione. I'd like to see more of you here in my café."

I left the shop as soon as I got my coffee. I felt better as I headed back to the office.

No, I actually feel elated.

Draco was cute. He made me feel like I was someone.

I will definitely go back to Six Degrees.

Note: Test story.