Tryouts
"Andreas," Serena said, walking towards the front of the shop, holding the schedule. "You didn't put me on for next week."
"Yeah," Andreas said. "School starts on Friday, right?"
Andreas had spent summers working for Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes every year since he was fourteen. The first year, his dad would drop him off in the mornings to help Uncle George and his cousin Fred and take him back home on his lunch break. The next couple years he spent several evenings during the week in the flat above the shop on Diagon Alley, and just after he graduated that past May, Fred (who had taken over the business almost entirely) hired Andreas to be in charge of the Hogsmeade branch of the store. Andreas took the job immediately.
"I'm not going to school," Serena said.
Serena was one of a handful of students who actually came from the Hogsmeade village. She had been in Gryffindor, like Andreas, though she was a year behind him. She was known for being top of her class, competing with Hugh Powers in Ravenclaw. Andreas stopped shuffling through the papers in front of him, looking at Serena and blinking.
"You're kidding right?" Andreas asked.
"No," she replied, her cheeks flushing red. "I, er, I'm studying for exams on my own and… and my family, well, my dad's been under the weather and my grandparents live with us and—"
"Okay, okay, sorry, I didn't know you wanted hours," Andreas said. "I'll fix it back up. Same hours as before?"
"That would be great," Serena gushed with an exhale of relief. "Thanks, Andy."
"Yeah, sure," Andreas said. He had already turned back to the invoices.
They'd had a fairly busy summer, especially considering their busiest times were yet to come with Hogsmeade weekends and student orders, which he would have to figure out what the new caretaker would allow. Uncle George often talked about when they first started the shop and how they would hide the products in special packaging. Fred and Andreas both agreed they weren't in the position to do that anymore. It was one thing for students to bring them in on their own, it was another to send them and build a reputation for such now that they had a space so close and so reliant on student patronage.
Andreas looked to his left again. Serena stood looking at him, the paper hanging from her fingers, her brown hair up in a messy knot at the top of her head, and her large light green eyes wide. "Did you need something else?"
"Oh, no, no," Serena said, shaking herself into moving, her face going more red than before as she rushed to the back of the shop.
Andreas went back to work. They would have at least a month of downtime before any visits began. That would give Andreas time to work on some of his ideas for the shop—improvements to some of the fireworks, some new quills that could write notes to a friend that would rearrange the words if anyone over eighteen touched the parchment, new charmed bracelets and necklaces, and many other ideas Andreas had started to sketch out.
Next time Fred came he was going to show him. Really, this time. He was tired of his dad asking what his real plans were, suggesting that he should be doing something more than working at a shop. Andreas knew what he really wanted—for his son to want to be an auror like him. Like his grandpa. And Andreas always did fine in Defense class. That was in part because Grandpa was the one professor with a direct line to his mum and dad if he slacked on homework, but he also genuinely enjoyed the class. He just didn't want to be dueling the scumbag of the wizarding world for the next fifty years. Mum, at least, seemed glad of this.
Andreas was surprised how many of the love potions seemed to be sold in this last week. Younger girls than he thought, too. He'd told his little sister, Trina, that he would take away any love potions she bought, but she just rolled her eyes and said it was more likely she would buy a fleet of dragons. He'd have to keep a look out for Aunt Lily's girls too. Especially since they didn't have an older brother to keep an eye out for them.
Andreas was halfway through separating the skiving snacks at the counter when the front door bell tinkled. "How can I...Hey Grandpa!" Andreas smiled.
"Hey Andy," Harry said, hands in his pockets as he walked in, looking at the latest rendition of the fanged frisbees.
"Got some new screaming yo-yos in the back, if that's what you're here for."
Harry laughed. "No, not here for any of those."
"Grandma in town too?" Andreas asked.
"No, I was finishing some things up at the school, thought maybe I could come take you to lunch?"
"Yeah," Andreas said. He turned towards the back. "Serena! Mind holding down the place for a bit?"
She walked out, carrying a stack of large boxes, pictures of different sweet products on the outsides. "Sure thing. Oh! Professor Potter! Hi!"
"Hello, Serena," Harry said, stepping over and grabbing the top box before it toppled down. "How has your summer been?"
"Oh, fine, just working mostly."
"And how's your dad?" Harry asked.
"He's holding out okay," Serena said. "Still at home at least."
"I'm glad to hear that. Professor Longbottom was letting me know that you'll still be taking assignments?"
"Yes, sir," Serena replied. "If that's alright."
"More than," Harry said. "If you need anything you just let me know. Mrs. Potter and I would love to help if we can."
"Thank you," Serena said. Andreas noticed her cheeks going pink again.
"I'll be back in half an hour or so," Andreas said. "Leaky cauldron, right Grandpa?"
"Sure thing," Harry said, still smiling kindly at Serena. "I'll see you around, Ms. Redding."
Andreas pulled off his smock and opened the door as they both left, walking down the street. "What were you asking about her dad for?" Andreas asked.
"He's come down with chronic catalepsy," Harry said. "He'll be fine sometimes, then completely unresponsive. Sometimes for days, if what I've heard is true."
"Wow, I didn't know," Andreas said.
"Well, if she doesn't want to talk about it, don't bring it up," Harry said. "She has a few siblings at school, you know. She's trying to hold everything together for them and her mum."
Andreas glanced back at the shop. The summer had been fairly busy, but there were definitely long stretches with nothing else going on. He was surprised it had never come up. He thought him and Serena were on decent terms. But then he wasn't sure he'd want to talk about such a thing if that were happening to his dad.
"Come on, Andy," Harry tugged.
They walked through the streets of Hogsmeade, Andreas telling his grandpa about his summer and the couple trips out to see his mum's cousins with the gypsy clan. She had wanted him to spend more time there, but it looked like September might hold more opportunity for that. When they got to the Three Broomsticks, Andreas craned his neck, looking to see if Shantelle was working.
Shantelle had graduated the same time as Andreas. She was the most popular girl in Ravenclaw, if not their entire year. Her hair was a perfect golden yellow that fell down past her shoulders. Her eyes were large and blue and Andreas swallowed as she stepped out from behind the bar, not sure if her perfect smile or the way her dress hugged her curves just right were more disorienting. He'd missed his chance at school, but when he heard she got the job serving at the inn, Andreas knew this was his shot. His second chance.
"Hey there Shantelle," Andreas said as she came over. Her smile widened and Andreas's heart skipped a beat. "Any, er, free tables?"
Andreas looked around, realizing the entire place was empty, save a man sitting at the bar. Shantelle giggled, her tinkling laugh making Andreas smile despite the embarrassment.
"I think I can find you something," she said, leading Harry and Andreas to a table along the far side of the pub, taking their drink orders.
Both of them started with butterbeers and Andreas wondered how that would come off. Should he have gotten some mead? Or a Firewhiskey? Or would she realize he was being responsible, since he had to go back to work right after? Would she prefer someone who lived a little more wild? Andreas wasn't sure.
"I think Arthur had been hoping to see you at Diagon Alley," Harry said.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, well I still have Sam Wellington on staff. He ditched his shift that morning," Andreas explained. "I'd fire him if we had anyone else to hire."
"I remember Fred complaining about him as well," Harry said. "Older man, yes?"
"Yeah," Andreas said with a sigh. "He retired from a job at Mungo's and moved in with his daughter. He only works to keep himself busy. He's good to have in the rushes. Doesn't mind going home when we're slow."
"I guess that's something," Harry said.
"How was dinner with everyone?" Andreas asked.
"Oh, the usual. Harriet kept asking questions about sorting and your dad thought it was fun to tease her about it," Harry said with a smirk. "He was an absolute pill about that when your Uncle Al was about to start school too."
Andreas smiled. It was nice to hear his dad wasn't a saint. People rarely told children their parents were flawed. "Did he talk about what he wished I'd be doing instead of running a shop?" Andreas asked. The consistent comments had gotten to him since the past Christmas when Andreas announced his plans.
"Not really," Harry said, though he looked off to his right as he said it.
"What did he say?" Andreas asked.
"Nothing you need to worry about," Harry replied.
"I'm sick of him acting like I'm a layabout." The conversation stopped as the cook brought out their plates. "Did Shantelle go home?" Andy asked him.
"On break," the man grumbled and walked away.
Harry waited until he was behind the bar again. "I did the same thing to your dad," Harry said. "And your Uncles Fred and George started the shop against the wishes of Grandma Weasley, you know. I'm sure if my dad had been around, he would have been hard on me too. He just wants the best for you and none of us seem to get it right. Just keep going. You'll turn him around eventually."
Andreas sat back, pushing his food around with his fork. It was good to hear someone acknowledge his dad was being crazy over his choices. But then he thought about the stack of ideas that had yet to be finished and pitched to Fred. Maybe that would convince them. That would be what shut his dad up. Andreas looked over to Shantelle, who was laughing at the joke of some man at the bar. Yes, he needed to take action. In more ways than one.
Cara walked down with Cheyenne and Artemis down to the Great Hall for breakfast. "Did you see the posting? A chaser position and a beater," Cara said. Callie claimed she had slipped back into her "school accent."
Because they grew up in Maryland with British parents, none of Cara or her sisters had grown up with one accent over the other. Their friends in the states thought they sounded British, but when they got to Hogwarts, the other Gryffindors kept asking Cara how she ended up here if she was from America. So she adopted a stronger, more proper British sound and the questions stopped. She supposed they had for Abby and Callie too, though neither had taken her route, but Cheyenne talked to her more as soon as she sounded less American, they became friends, and life at school became more fun as a result.
They were passing the Ravenclaw table and Callie waved at Cara enthusiastically, drawing the attention of everyone around her.
"Merlin, Cara," Cheyenne laughed. "How is it you two are twins again?"
Cara half laughed along, wishing Callie would stop following her with her eyes as they passed. She wished she couldn't sense that Callie was wondering if she hadn't been seen. "I wonder that sometimes myself," Cara muttered, knowing it would get a laugh as the three sat down.
"When did you say trials are?" Artemis asked.
"This Saturday," Cara said. "You going for it?"
"I'm thinking about it, but I'm not nearly as good as you."
"Are you all talking about Quidditch tryouts?"
Cara's stomach bottomed out as Lewis Howl sat across from Cheyenne, his lopsided grin set. "Y-yeah," Cara said. She cleared her throat. "You play?"
"My older brother and I would spend all summer playing," Lewis said, piling toast and bacon onto his plate. "I think I'll go for the chaser spot."
"Oh," Cara deflated a little. "Yeah, me too, actually."
"Brilliant," Lewis said, though Cara didn't think it was.
For the last two years Cara had been looking forward to trying to get onto the team. She would practice making shots for hours in the summer and now the one spot she wanted to go for and her crush wanted it too. It was the worst sort of luck she could imagine.
She muddled through the next twenty minutes as Lewis jabbered on about the Wasps game he went to that summer. Artemis was the first done, but it wasn't until Cheyenne finished that Cara pushed back her plate and got up with the rest of them. "See you later," Lewis said with a smile.
"Yeah, later," Cara said, trying to read him. He was enthusiastic, excited, anxious.
"Well, so much for being on the team," Cheyenne said with a sigh.
"Why?" Cara said, stopping at the base of stairs. She narrowed her eyes. Cheyenne had never seen her play. She didn't know how good Cara was. Besides which, Cara didn't like being told she wasn't good enough. Not for anything.
"You can't beat him if you ever want him to ask you out," Cheyenne whispered, looking towards the door at the Great Hall. "I think he might like you, Cara, but you'll ruin it if you embarrass him Saturday."
Cara slumped again. Cheyenne was right. Cara swallowed.
"There's always next year," Artemis said, putting a comforting arm around Cara as they walked towards Muggle Studies again. "Oh, Cara, what if you both end up on the team next year? Think of all the time you'd spend in practices!"
"Or you could go for the Beater spot instead, right?" Cheyenne asked.
"Well, technically everyone tries for everything open… but I've never played beater. I don't think I'll do any good at that one," Cara said, depressed at the turn of events. She had imagined the letter she would get back from her mum, excited that she was on the Gryffindor team like her. She would be so proud, but Cara couldn't think past what it would mean for her chances at a date with Lewis.
Then there was the issue that her cousin Trina was the Gryffindor keeper. They played together often, so Cara couldn't just pretend to be terrible. Trina knew she was decent, at the very least. With any luck, Lewis really was better than her.
All week Cara went back and forth on the matter. There was a part of her that couldn't stand the idea of not trying out. Besides, she already told Lewis she was. Saturday morning she grabbed her broom, pulling on her lightly used gloves and boots, grabbing the new broom Grandma gave her, and walked out to the pitch. A scattering of Gryffindors had already settled throughout the stadium, but down by the pitch, with a large gold sign and red lettering, was a whole group of Cara's family. They shouted as she walked towards the center and Cara felt her face burn as she bit the inside of her cheek.
Callie, of course, was holding the sign. She had probably spent way too much time making it and sizing the extra large letters spelling out Car-Car.
"Got your fan club?" Lewis asked smiling.
"Yeah, they're crazy," Cara said with as sigh.
"Seems like a lot of fun."
Cara finally looked over to figure out who all had come. Callie, of course, then Abby and Harriet next to her, and their cousin Fritz. They cheered enthusiastically and Cara finally shook her head. Abby, at least, took the hint and settled the others down. Callie, in usual form, continued waving the sign around as Keith Greengrass called all those trying out to order.
Cara wasn't sure whether she was glad or frustrated by the decision to try everyone as beaters first. She was benched the second round. She could fly alright, but just as she suspected, she didn't have much force behind hitting the bludgers. It was something she had never practiced for. Lewis was out the same round and sat beside her.
"You're great out there," he said. His feelings were unclear as she tried to sense them. Nervous, yes, and apprehensive and hopeful. All in one. "You'll get the chaser spot, for sure."
Cara half shrugged and looked to Callie, who stood on the bench, throwing her a big air kiss. Cara pressed her lips together, still unsure about what to do. Twenty minutes later and Xander Bones was chosen to be the second beater. Several people huffed on their way to the bench of others contending for the chaser position, though a few of Xander's friends patted him on his back.
Cara got back on her broom as Keith began with laps. Cara kept herself close to the front, just behind Lewis and a fifth year boy who was fast, but too large to be nimble. Even on the wide turns, his pace slowed. Cara knew if she pressed forward she would outstrip them, but then she had seen the disappointment in the others that didn't get the beater position and didn't want to see that look on Lewis's face.
Keith kept the five fastest in the first round, placing each to run a few drills with the two chasers—Quinton Fuller and Willa Thomas. Each drill ended at the end of the pitch, where Trina was keeping at the goal posts, the newbies having to try and score on her. The fifth year, as Cara expected, had trouble moving in different directions. This, more than his throw, made it easy for Trina to block his goal. A second person went before Lewis, who did better than those before him, and a fourth year before Cara. She swallowed, getting up into the air.
"Alright there?" Quinton asked.
"Fine," Cara said. Down at the end, her family had started up again. Cara looked over to Lewis, who gave her a thumb's up and she knew she couldn't ruin her chances with him.
When Cara looked back towards her family, Callie had finally stopped jumping up and down. Instead, she looked at Cara, mouth hanging open and eyes confused. Cara ignored her as Quinton gave her the rundown of what she needed to do.
Cara followed the formation at the beginning, being just barely behind where she needed to be so the quaffle was almost out of reach when it was thrown to her. She kept at it, not quite able to bungle it completely until she got down to the end. Trina wore a half smile. It was the same one she had in the summers when her and Cara would play around. Over the last two years, Cara could get it past her more often than not. She paused, hearing the cheers from Abby and Harriet. Cara swallowed and threw the quaffle wildly. Trina moved upward, until it was apparent that the quaffle was so far out of range she didn't need to bother blocking.
The cheers died out and Cara swallowed, her face burning. Trina looked back at her tilting her head.
Keith's voice washed over her, announcing Lewis as the newest chaser as Cara landed, walking towards the exit of the pitch, her broom in hand, head hanging down. Even though Cara made the choice, she still felt the pain of losing the spot. Cara looked up and stopped. Grandpa stood at the edge of the pitch, leaning against the outer wall. Cara wondered how much he had seen. He smiled at her and winked, then, thankfully walked away.
Cara walked slowly, dragging her broom behind her back towards the castle.
"Cara!" Callie called.
Cara looked over her shoulder, then walked faster. Callie ran to catch up.
"Cara, why did you do that?" Callie asked.
"Do what?" Cara asked.
"Why did you fail on purpose?"
"I didn't."
"I saw it," Callie said, running in front of Cara and making her stop. "There were so many possibilities. Then you decided you were going to miss and I saw it."
"You know what, just because you see things doesn't make them your business," Cara snapped.
"You would have made the team," Callie said. "You know you would have. Why did you do that?"
"Just leave me alone!" Cara shouted. "You don't get it! You see things, but you don't understand!"
"So tell me," Callie pleaded.
"You don't care about fitting in, but I do!" Cara yelled.
Callie still looked confused, tilting her head. "You ruined your shot to fit in?"
"Just leave me alone, Callie," Cara repeated and pushed past her twin sister. Tears finally fell from her eyes and Cara wiped away at them. She hated that Callie had known. She just wanted to go into her room and never think about that moment again.
Harry finished his weekly preparation and went to Hogsmeade to apparate home.
"Hi, love," Ginny said. Harry walked into the kitchen and kissed her. "Did you get everything done?"
"Mostly. I'm still waiting for an order of Kappas to come through. I might have to move that lesson back," Harry said. "What's for dinner?"
"I hadn't started anything," Ginny said.
"Then let me," Harry suggested, getting up. "What are you writing now?"
"Oh, just a little of this and that," Ginny replied. "I should be getting on those profiles for the league, but I've just been thinking of the kids lately and all the stories… I've been writing them down."
"That's great," Harry said. "They'll love that."
"Did you get to peek in on the tryouts?"
"Yeah, towards the end," Harry said, pulling out some chicken.
"How did Cara do?" Ginny asked excitedly.
Harry stalled for a moment. He loved Quidditch. He still remembered what an outlet it had been for him at Hogwarts. But his enjoyment paled compared to Ginny and their daughter Lily. Neither talked in front of Cara about how much they hoped she made the team, worried they would put unnecessary pressure on her.
"She threw it," Harry said.
"What?"
Harry exhaled and put a pan on the stove. "She was holding back," Harry elaborated. "When Cara got close to going faster than the others, she pulled back. And she completely missed her shot."
"Maybe she was just nervous? I mean, Ron was like that in school."
"No, it wasn't the same," Harry said. "You know Cara… she's one of the best players in the family. She threw the quaffle completely over the hoops."
"Why?" Ginny asked. She stood, grabbing a knife and some vegetables, slicing them.
"Remember the student I told you I thought she liked?" Harry said. Ginny nodded. "He was the other top contender."
"Oh," Ginny said. "Well that's disappointing. Are you going to tell Lily?"
"I don't think so," Harry said. "Cara probably doesn't need a lecture on top of it all."
"How are the others?" Ginny asked.
"All good, so far. Fritz starts with the Ravenclaw team next week. Callie's doing her own thing, as usual," Harry said.
"And Andy?" Ginny asked. She dropped the vegetables into the pan.
Harry couldn't help the smile that grew. "Still chasing after Shantelle."
"Is she interested at all?"
"Not a chance," Harry said. "Can't bring myself to let him know, though. Poor kid. She's really giving him the run around, too."
"Well, you never know," Ginny said. "I had my eyes on you for years before anything happened."
Harry set the lid on top of the pan and turned, placing his hands on Ginny's hips, leaning in and kissing her neck. "Yes, it was rather foolish of you."
Ginny turned in his arms, raising an eyebrow and smirking. "Because you were out of my league?"
Harry grinned back, pulling her body into his. "Because you should have aimed higher."
Ginny laughed and leaned in, kissing Harry, her hand wrapped around his neck. "I believe my aim has always been spot on."
"I'll try and talk to Cara this week," Harry said. "Just check on her."
"I'm so glad you're there to keep an eye on them."
"Me too."
"Hey, Serena," Andreas said. She was sweeping the floor in the main room, her apron still on after the last of the students left to go back after the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. It had been a busy day and Andreas was pushing the time for his and Shantelle's date. Or… he thought it was a date. She had said she was getting off of work at eight and didn't have any plans. He said he'd meet her at the Three Broomsticks. "Serena, which shirt do you think would look better?"
Serena stopped what she was doing, looking at Andreas. "The blue one. It really brings out your eyes."
"Really?" Andreas asked, looking down at the two. "Perfect, thanks."
He stepped into the back room, pulled off his smock and a plain white shirt, switching it out and dusting off his jeans. Andreas looked into a mirror, fixing his hair, letting little silver sparks from his casting come from his hands rather than using a wand.
Grabbing a black jacket, Andreas walked back to the front. "You don't mind if I leave you to lock up, do you?" he asked.
"I, er," Serena paused. "I was going to go home and study, but I guess not."
"Oh," Andreas said, scratching the back of his head. He was running late and the products were a mess from all the students coming through. Generally, he avoided using his casting for little things. He learned at school that wandless magic tended to bring a certain kind of attention that was annoying to deal with. Still, it was only him and Serena. He lifted his hands, concentrating. He felt all the little bits and pieces, everything that was out of place, and he pulled, tugged, and moved them. Serena's eyes widened with her smile as she watched everything sort back into place.
Serena laughed. "That was amazing," she said. "Why don't you do that all the time?"
Andreas shrugged. "My mum made a real point about it being a special thing. Not to take it for granted. So I try not to."
"How—"
"We're gypsies," Andreas said. "Long explanation, actually, but it's just… one of the things some gypsies can do."
"Oh. I had no idea," Serena said.
She seemed relieved that the sorting was done and Andreas reached over to grab the broom, his casting sparks flickering onto Serena's skin in the process.
"Sorry," Andreas said as she pulled her hand back. "Just some extra casting let loose. Or maybe it's because I'm nervous."
"For what?" Serena asked.
Andreas picked up the sweeping where Serena had left off. "I'm meeting up with Shantelle," he said.
"Oh," Serena replied, her voice with a downturn. "I didn't know you were…"
"Not yet," Andreas said. "But, you know, this could be the start of it! How are classes going, though? I've been meaning to ask, but…" … hadn't really thought of it. Andreas didn't want to admit that, though. Serena was constantly asking for as many hours as she could get and Andreas sometimes forgot that she was still working on her studies too. At least until Grandpa would ask about Serena.
"They're fine," Serena said. "I'm having some trouble with potions, but I think I'll be able to go see Professor Turner about some questions next week."
"Great," Andreas said. He leaned the broom against the wall and held a palm towards the small pile of dust, making it disappear. "Well, I think that's enough for tonight. I'll come in early to take care of anything else so you don't have to stay late."
"Thanks," Serena said, relieved. "Have fun… with Shantelle."
"I will," Andreas said, smiling.
He locked up the shop and headed straight to the inn, finding Shantelle bundled up against the October breeze just outside the door.
"Hi," Andreas said.
"Andy!" Shantelle said with enough enthusiasm to make Andreas nearly miss a step, tripping on flat ground. "You alright?"
"Fine, yeah, fine," Andreas replied. "I thought we could, er, take a walk?"
"That sounds so nice," Shantelle agreed, wrapping a hand through the nook of his arm. "It was such a long day."
They talked for a while, walking to the outskirts of the village and through the orchards along the west side, exchanging stories of the students and the bustle of that day's Hogsmeade visit from the school. Her tinkling laugh reverberated against the starry sky and Andreas had never been more enchanted in his life.
Andreas told her about seeing his brother and sister, not to mention the several cousins that had come through the shop. The conversation bled into his time working for his cousin Fred and the plans he was coming up with to share. He didn't bother to mention he had planned to share it the last week, then backed out at the last minute.
"Those sound really fun," Shantelle said. "Is there anything you can do with your… hand magic that would be different?"
Of course Shantelle knew about his casting where Serena hadn't. Being in his year, Shantelle was there when he would default to using his hands, being told by teachers to pick up his wand and use that instead. She would have been around when some of the other students—in their year and older—would call for him to do things in the Great Hall to show it off. He tapered its use by the end of the year, making excuses and letting the others think it had faded, the way most wizards' non-wand magic faded as they grew older.
"Some," Andreas said, turning and watching as she leaned back against the trunk of an apple tree. Her hair fell down her shoulder. Andreas held out his hand, reaching up to a branch and touching the tip with a finger. Silver sparks surrounded the spot, lining its way into the roots until green leaves sprouted on the single branch, a perfect red apple growing from the end. Shantelle gasped and Andreas smiled. He pulled the apple down, holding it out for Shantelle.
"Amazing," she said breathlessly.
"The gypsies used caster for their gardens for centuries," Andreas explained. "The clans relied on them for their food, mostly."
"What else can you do?"
Andreas held her hand out, palm up, and held his above hers. It was something he saw his parents do all the time, though his mum's own sparks were golden flits instead of silver. He tried to produce the little sparks, but they didn't come quickly. He concentrated, narrowing his eyes until the sparks moved between both of their palms, edging along her skin. Shantelle giggled.
"That tickles," she said, pulling her hand back. "What else?"
"What are your favorite flowers?" Andreas whispered.
Shantelle looked up, pursing her lips and humming. "Daffodils," she said.
Andreas rubbed his hands and knelt by the ground, holding both palms over the soil. Thinking hard, he waited and enjoyed Shantelle's gasp as daffodils grew from the ground. He plucked them up, cutting their stems with another charm and handing the bouquet to Shantelle.
"They're lovely," she said.
"You're lovely," Andreas replied.
Shantelle's eyes met his, glimmering in the shaft of moonlight coming through the trees. He moved in, placing his hands on her waist. Andreas closed his eyes, leaning in and stopped as Shantelle placed her fingers gently to his mouth. Andreas opened his eyes, his face inches from hers.
"I don't like moving too fast," Shantelle whispered. "Okay?"
Andreas pulled back and swallowed. "Yeah, okay," he said with a nod. "Whatever you want."
Shantelle leaned over and kissed Andreas on the cheek. "You're such a sweetheart," she declared and his skin burned where her lips had been.
They walked again, in and out of the orchard as Shantelle took a bite from the apple, handing it over. They each took bites back and forth until there was only a core left, and Andreas made it disappear. Suddenly, they were at Shantelle's door on the top of stairs on the side of the Three Broomsticks.
"I had a lovely time tonight," Shantelle said.
"Can I take you out later next week?" Andreas asked. "Dinner… o-or—"
"Sure," Shantelle stopped him. "Wednesday?"
"Wednesday," Andreas agreed.
Shantelle opened the door, stepping inside. Andreas looked at her as she closed the door. "Goodnight," she whispered.
"Yeah," Andreas said, still grinning stupidly. The door shut and Andreas took the steps back down, whistling all the way back to the shop.
Wednesday. He would look forward to Wednesday.
