A/N: I would call this a modern AU, simply because the pumpkin everything fad didn't really start until about 5 years ago (at least where I live). Enjoy!
Harry Potter Halloween Collection Prompts: (food/drink) pumpkin pie/juice/spiced latte
Gringotts Wizarding Prompts Bank Prompts: (season) autumn; (word) crisp
The Restricted Collection Prompts: nowhere 'magical' as the setting
"There's something I don't understand about these Muggles this time of year." Sirius broke the comfortable silence between himself and Marlene as they walked hand in hand around London. The air had turned cool and crisp; autumn was most definitely in the air on this late September day.
"What's that, dear?" Marlene asked.
"What's their obsession with pumpkin flavored everything?" He gestured at a coffee shop across the street, the sign out front advertising pumpkin spice lattes and various pumpkin flavored pastries. "When September hits, they go into full-on pumpkin mode. I mean, I like pumpkin, but they're just insane about it."
"Have you ever had a pumpkin spice latte? They're actually really good." Marlene tugged on his hand, turning him towards the coffee shop. "Come on, let's get you one. You won't regret it."
"Here we are." Sirius had found them a table by one of the large windows at the front of the store while Marlene had ordered their drinks. He had been reluctant to set foot in the shop, but Marlene had insisted, and he found it very difficult to say no to her. She set their cups on the table, along with two pumpkin muffins, as she sat down across from him. "I thought you might like a little snack, too, I'm starving."
Sirius took the lid off of his cup and sniffed. "Smells...pumpkiny."
Marlene rolled her eyes. "How observant. I'll be shocked if you tell me your pumpkin spice latte tastes like pumpkin." She took a sip of her drink. "Mmmmm, so good."
"You've been around me too much," Sirius said. "You never used to be this sarcastic." He poked at one of the muffins cautiously, as if he thought it might bite him.
"Survival tactic. I'd have never stuck around this long if I couldn't match your level of sarcasm." She grabbed his hand. "Will you stop playing with your food? It's not going to kill you, I promise. Just try it already."
"Fine." He reluctantly took a sip of his latte. Swallowing, he looked at her thoughtfully. "Hm. Tastes like pumpkin. And coffee." He took another sip. "Not bad. I can see why everyone enjoys this."
"Told you." She handed him a muffin. "Here. You've already poked this one a hundred times."
"Afraid of my germs, McKinnon? I'd think it's a bit late in the game for you to start getting squeamish about that." She rolled her eyes again when he winked at her. He finally took a bite out of the muffin. And then another and another.
"I'm guessing it's good?" Marlene asked as he finished it.
"Terrible," he said, shaking his head. "Absolutely disgusting. Most vile thing I've ever had the displeasure to eat."
"Hey!" Marlene slapped his hand. He had been trying to sneak the other muffin while she listened to him talk. "Paws off, Padfoot! That's mine!"
"What?" He looked at her innocently. "I was just going to hand it to you, love. Promise." He took another sip of his latte, staring at her over the rim of his cup with those sad eyes that always made her give in.
She sighed. "Oh fine, take it. I'll go grab another. Which will be mine." She looked at him meaningfully as she got up and headed towards the counter.
He grabbed the other muffin, eating greedily. It was gone by the time Marlene sat down again. "Did you even taste it?" she asked incredulously.
He nodded, looking at her seriously. "Yeah. Tasted like pumpkin."
She paused, her muffin halfway to her mouth. "I'm never taking you out again, I swear."
