[A/N] Submission for the Trio's Era Competition! (Justin Finch-Fletchley) falls in love. Prompts Used : pet, dazzle, ride, regret and appearance.

Greek Mythology Mega Prompt Challenge / Prompt : Hephaestus - Write about a wizard who prefers not to use magic.

100 Drabbles Challenge / Prompt : #56 Imagination

It wasn't the life Justin Finch-Fletchley had dreamed for himself. He always imagined he would be the first ever Muggleborn Minister for Magic, or be the Head of Magical Affairs or even be placed in Witch Weekly's Most Eligible Bachelors- but he was wrong. None of the scenes he imagined had come true at all.

Justin was working in a posh Muggle Veterinary Clinic owned by his mother as an assistant. He would bathe and groom all kinds of animals all day- pesky or tame. He wasn't supposed to be just an assistant; he had big dreams. He would have achieved his goals if it weren't for the war.

When he was in his 7th year in 1997, there were rumours of Muggleborns being snatched and killed all around Great Britain. All the Muggleborns met up in the Room of Requirement one night and planned an escape. Some were successful (Lucky him!) and some were not. He was forced to leave Dean Thomas who was in the grasp of a Death Eater.

He went on the run along with some other Muggleborns undetected by the Muggleborn Registration Commission. He eventually reached home, forcing his family to move out of the country, and the continent itself. The Finch-Fletchleys could thank their fortune for an easy settlement in the United States, where they still reside.

He was currently brushing a cat's fur too hard which resulted with various scratches on his arms and a large tear on his uniform. He scowled at the blasted pet with utmost hatred. He truly did not like his job.

There was a beautiful sound that came behind him. It was melodious and harmonic and.. just plain angelic. He turned around and saw his co-worker, Denisse, laughing. She stepped between him and the pest in front of him, her gentle fingers working magic on the feline's fur. "This is how you do it, Justin." she demonstrated.

There was something in her appearance today. Her smile was more genuine, her laugh more carefree and her eyes.. Her eyes were a stunning shade of blue that dazzled when she grinned. He regretted not noticing it before.

"R-Right." he stammered, his eyes boring closely into her. Denisse just chuckled and shook her head, a light dusting of pink settling on the apples of her cheeks. She looked beautiful.

The day went by with Justin sneaking discreet glances at Denisse and sometimes even giving her a shy smile when she caught him looking. It was a weird and very foreign to Justin. He was absolutely clueless on what it was. He had no idea, and it scared him.

The sun went down, the hours ticked by and soon, it was time to go home. Justin was still feeling dazed after his strange encounter with Denisse earlier that he almost looked past a figure by the entrance of the Clinic. He drove over and rolled his window down, assessing the figure. It was Denisse. Denisse still looked gorgeous after a whole day's work and maybe after giving a rough beating to her broken down car.

Justin gave her a small smile, "Do you need a ride?"