AU!
THC, Round 3

Slytherin, DADA

Prompt: (profession) baker

WC: 1216

"A little to the left," Hermione called out from behind the counter. Harry tried to levitate the large banner towards the left, but Hermione cried, "I said left, Harry! Not right!"

"Right," Harry called out absentmindedly, slowly turning his wand towards the left. The colourful banner floated off and almost wrapped itself around Ron, who squealed and batted it away.

"No, left," Hermione grumbled, and Harry turned his head to glare at her over his shoulder. The banner flew and smacked Ron's face. Hermione groaned loudly and jumped over the counter. "Really, Harry, it's not that difficult."

"Well, you do it if you're so smart," Harry teased, winking at her, which made her laugh.

Hermione pointed towards the counter. "Go, stand there and tell me what to do."

"Kinky," Ron said with a soft snicker which turned into a loud squeal when Hermione purposely wrapped the banner around him and levitated him up a few feet. "Alright, alright! I'm sorry! Put me down."

"Say the magic word," Hermione sing-songed, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"Uh… Harry, what's the opposite of Wingardium Leviosa?" Ron inquired, bewildered.

"She meant 'say please'," Harry explained, hopping onto the counter and leaning back.

"Oh, why didn't you say so, Mione? Please, put me down." Hermione rewarded Ron for his politeness by gently setting him down on the ground. Ron shrugged off the banner and grinned. "Thanks, Mione."

Hermione waved him off and levitated the banner towards the ceiling while Ron watched from the door. Harry only had to instruct her twice before the banner was taped to either end of the bakery. Numerous balloons and colourful streamers hung from the exposed rafters, but the banner would take up the customers' attention.

They stepped back to inspect their handiwork and the boys gave each other a quick fist-bump—despite the fact that neither of them had spent much time decorating the place. It was all Hermione's work.

"This will be good for business. I'm sure of it," Hermione murmured, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

"Harry's bakery is already so famous—he doesn't really need more business," Ron pointed out, but Hermione shushed him.

"You can never have too much business," she stated.

"Spoken like a true Slytherin," Harry teased.

But he, too, was excited for the week ahead; customers were sure to flock to his bakery when they saw the advertisement.

What's Better Than Literature? Food From Literature. Come to Potter's Patisserie for authentic recipes from your favourite novels and movies.

"Potter," Malfoy's voice called out from the doorway, and Harry turned to see him shoving a middle-aged woman to the side in disgust as he made his way towards the counter.

Harry snickered at the annoyed look on the blond's face. He teased, "What can I do you for, Malfoy?"

Malfoy didn't seem to hear the obvious innuendo in Harry's words. He elbowed a disgruntled teenager away from him and sneered at Harry. "Why is your stupid bakery jam-packed today? Are you trying to poison everyone here by selling stale products?"

Harry only laughed as he handed Draco the revised menu. "No, you idiot. We're going to bake themed foods from now on. This week, it's the book-lover extravaganza!"

"You mean you won't make your ridiculous red velvet cake ever again? Thank Merlin!" Malfoy let out a sigh of relief, even going as far as to wipe invisible sweat off his brow.

Harry rolled his eyes and pointed at the menu. "The red velvet cake is still available, but we're focusing on themed foods this week. Would you like to try our Niffler bread based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?"

"Niffler bread? That sounds horrible, but very well, if you insist," Malfoy said, tilting his chin up haughtily.

Harry turned around and went to bring out a fresh batch of Niffler breads, which was not-so-surprisingly a huge hit with the children.

Ever since Harry had opened his bakery, Malfoy had come to insult his 'subpar' baking skills—and even though Harry often teasingly asked him why he kept on returning every single week, Malfoy would sneer and tell him he was only there to give Harry tips. Harry was never offended by Malfoy's attitude; he thought it was strangely cute.

When he handed Malfoy the plate, the latter scowled before inspecting the bread for obvious faults. "You call this a Niffler? I thought this was a weird-looking panda."

"Just eat it, Malfoy," Harry said, rolling his eyes. He quickly slipped away to serve the other customers, who never had anything bad to say about his baking skills. He smiled and spoke to a few regulars before returning to Malfoy, who was watching him with a suspicious glint in his eyes. "So… what did you think?"

Malfoy cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders. "You used oil instead of butter. This is a low point—even for you, Potter. And why would you make bread shaped like Nifflers when you could make dragons instead? Dragons are cool, and Nifflers are not."

"Nifflers are cute, Malfoy. But you wouldn't know anything about that."

"Did you just say I'm not cute?" Malfoy demanded, placing the half-eaten Niffler back onto the plate and glaring at Harry.

"I didn't say it, but if you immediately came to that conclusion, that must mean it's true," Harry teased.

"Potter. My name is Draco. In case you don't know, that means dragon in Latin. And everyone knows dragons are hot," Malfoy said with a sneer.

Harry laughed and shook his head good-naturedly. "Would you like to try the triple gingerbread from Mary Poppins?"

"Who? Never mind, yes, give it to me." Malfoy extended his hand, and Harry chuckled before he went to get him a slice of gingerbread.

Malfoy took one bite of it and choked. "Merlin, how much ginger did you use in this? Did you throw Weaselbee into the batter? Is that why he's not around anymore? That's disgusting."

"Come on, Malfoy, it isn't that bad!"

"Oh, it is." He grimaced as he cautiously nibbled on the edge of the gingerbread. "This is a free sample, right? Because I am not paying for such a repulsive product."

Harry rolled his eyes and stepped out from behind the counter. He grabbed the plate from the still-complaining Malfoy and took his arm, gently leading him towards the door. "If you're going to keep complaining, I'll be more than happy to escort you out."

"What do you mean 'out'? You're taking me out?" Malfoy asked, sounding flustered as he gaped at Harry.

Harry suddenly had a brilliant idea. Even though he had been about to kick Malfoy out, he instead nodded and said, "Yes. I'll take you out on a date and you can teach me how to make all these desserts. Does Friday at seven sound good to you? I'll pick you up. Good. Bye now."

And then, Harry shut the door in Malfoy's dumbfounded face and waved at the blond until the latter scowled and left.

"You're not seriously going out with him, are you?" a middle-aged woman asked with amusement.

"Oh, actually, I am." Harry grinned as he thought of the best ways to fluster Malfoy; he knew he was sure to enjoy their date. Maybe he'd even get Malfoy to admit he liked more than just Harry's desserts.