Submitted for The Houses Competition Forum - Round 6

House: Ravenclaw

Subject: Transfiguration

Category: Drabble

Prompt: 3. [Dialogue; Multiline] "Have you been here before?" / "Once. I said I'd never be back"

Word count: 832

Warnings: Muggle AU

December Love

Lily knew as if by instinct that she was going to have trouble when she arrived at the mall on that fateful Saturday afternoon, but she had never imagined the scale of trouble she would be in.

"I hope that you make me a giant glass of rum cocktail when I go back home, Marlene, or you'll be looking for another place to live," Lily said under her breath, smiling at the other people who looked at her. "Oh, and it better be a double rum—make it a triple, or else I may commit a murder and nobody will be able find your body."

"Oh, stop being such a Grinch and just enjoy the festive air around you," Marlene replied with a smile so wide that Lily wondered if it was very painful. "Look how the shopping centre is so pretty this time of the year. Have you been here before?"

"Once. I said I'd never be back," Lily said through gritted teeth. "I can't believe you're making me shop right before Christmas. I thought that you loved me?"

"Oh, Lily, dear. I do love you and that's why I brought you with me." Marlene hugged Lily with one arm. "You need to let go of this grudge you have against the shopping centre and just enjoy everything it has to offer."

"I hate you," Lily said without heat and followed Marlene towards the shops. "I still want that cocktail when we arrive home."

Marlene just laughed and dragged Lily towards the nearest store, and Lily hoped that Marlene didn't take too long inside. She had sworn that she would never come back to the shopping centre during Christmas time, but she could never say no when Marlene made her pleading face.

Marlene's pleas were going to be her doom; Lily just prayed it wouldn't be today.

Not even five seconds after entering the store, Lily had already lost sight of Marlene. Sighing loudly, she decided to walk around and see if something could catch her eye or, better yet, if she could find somewhere she could sit down and not be bothered. She was so lost in thought that she didn't see the person in front of her until she was literally on top of them.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Lily was frantic, trying to help the girl she had trampled over. "It's just my luck to have hurt someone because I was mentally setting all the decorations on fire."

A laughter broke Lily's awkward mumbling, making her blush. The girl had both a pretty laugh and a pretty face. "Don't worry, I wasn't looking at where I was going either. It couldn't turn out well, right?"

Lily had lost all of her coherents thoughts; she just stared at the angel in front of her. She knew that she probably looked like a weirdo or a creep, but right now, she didn't care; all she cared about was continuing to stare at the girl in front of her.

"If you ask me, I think everything turned out to be alright if it means that I can look at you." Lily's face warmed, rivalling her hair, but the other girl just laughed as a soft blush stained her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I get nervous around pretty girls."

"So you think I'm pretty?" the blonde asked, and Lily could just nod. "That's good to hear. I also think you're pretty..."

"Lily. I'm Lily," Lily replied, trying not to sound like a creep, as she attempted to flirt with the girl. "And you are?"

"Narcissa Black," the girl replied, smiling angelically. Lily thought she was going to faint. "Do you want to get out of here and grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate?"

"I would love to!" Lily said, almost too excitedly, but when an angel asks you out for coffee, you get to be a little over the top. "I know a coffee shop nearby that sells the best hot chocolate in all of London."

"Lead the way then," Narcissa said, wrapping her arm around Lily's and following her out of the store.

Lily knew that she would have to send a text to Marlene to explain why she had suddenly disappeared, but she didn't think her friend would mind. Lily was never good company to shop with around the holidays, but this time, she would need to buy Marlene an extra special Christmas gift.

Who knew that going to the place where she swore that she would never set foot in again would help her find the love of her life? It could only be a December love, but Lily was determined to make Narcissa stay for longer than the holidays.

"Are you the type that puts candy canes in your hot chocolate or are you one of the normal people out there?" Lily asked.

Narcissa laughed, and the sound made butterflies appear in Lily's stomach. She had a good feeling that those butterflies were there to stay.