Better Than Cake

(One-Shot)

Disclaimers: I don't own anything apart from some DVD's/books for this series.

AN: This is a short standard themed prompt for 'The Houses Competition" based on the first two movies/script books of Fantastic Beasts (the third one along with any subsequent ones will not be included for one obvious reason: TeamDepp!)

House: Gryffindor

Class: Herbology

Category: Standard THEMED

Prompt(s): (Theme: anticipation) expectation, hope, intuition or foreknowing/(food) strawberry scones

Word count: 1,439 according to AO3 (3 pages)

Summary: Jacob attempts to make strawberry scones ... British style.

Jacob glanced at the old clock on the back wall of the bakery. Only one more hour to go before closing; however today, he would not be going home at the normal time. After the door was going to be locked soon, Jacob had plans to work on a special project in time for a party over in England, tomorrow.

Newt was hosting the event for his brother's birthday, but it was to be a surprise which was why Jacob was back in America to take care of the treats without Theseus walking in to find them, accidentally. Newt had warned Jacob at some point in time that Theseus loved to steal birthday treats, so it was better to stay away from him until everything was ready.

Jacob was not worried about being on the other side of the globe just hours before the event, since he had three special friends that could transport him there in the blink of an eye. It was the time that the extra baking would take that would cut things close.

Finally, the last customer exited the store. Jacob grabbed the key from under the counter before hurrying to lock up. Then he closed the blinds. Now, it was finally time to start working on some strawberry scones.

Hurrying into the still-warm kitchen, Jacob pulled the three metal trays of fresh sliced strawberries that he had ordered the day before out of the large walk-in fridge. They were marinating in a sweet syrup that covered over each piece, filling each tray nearly to the brim. The strawberries had been prepped earlier by Queenie who had used magic to remove the tops before rapidly slashing them up into perfect slices. It had only taken her mere moments, then she suddenly popped out of sight in front of his eyes to head off to work that morning.

Jacob held up the third tray in front of him. After a long satisfying whiff of their scent, he set it on the large counter next to the others.

On another empty counter nearby. Jacob spread out two large clumps of pastry dough. He added half a portion of the strawberries to one before rolling it up to mix everything together. After adding the rest of the berries into the second one, he cut the dough into triangles.

He checked the recipe that Newt had sent him since British scones were not the same as American ones. Butter. Cream. Yes, yes. All was in order. He placed the baking dishes into the oven before checking the recipe one last time to make sure he had the timing right.

Queenie walked in at that moment. She watched Jacob put the piece of paper aside before asking, "How are they doing?"

"Just put them in the oven," Jacob said with a yawn. He checked the clock. "It's after midnight?!"

"Yes," Queenie sighed, yawning as well. "I actually just got home, myself, about half an hour ago."

"We should get some coffee," Jacob said. "Can't fall asleep while these babies are cooking. Don't want to burn them."

"How about the coffee shop down the street that's open all the time," Queenie said. "Let's go there."

Jacob glanced once more at the oven to make sure the temperature was right before taking Queenie by the hand to lead her out onto the pavement. But both stopped short under the awning over the doorway as rain began pouring. Jacob glanced at Queenie as he pointed into the rain. "You think you can ... you know?"

Queenie laughed as she flicked out her wand. "Create a double umbrella? You read my mind!"

Both hurried through the downpour to get inside the coffee shop, away from the rain as soon as possible. Jacob ordered two large coffees before joining Queenie at the table she had chosen by the window.

As they started in on the hot steaming mugs, Jacob said, "I hope they turn out all right. I never even knew British scones were different, so I've never done them before."

"Oh, I expect they will," Queenie smiled before having a sip of her coffee. "In any case, I'm sure Theseus will love them. Strawberries are his favorite, after all."

Jacob nodded while finishing up his own coffee. By now, the rain had stopped, so the pair made their way back to the bakery to check on the oven. A sweet scent of strawberries wafted out to them as they entered through the front door. Flicking on the lights, Jacob could see that the oven was nearly done. In fact, it actually beeped as he approached as if sensing he was there. He opened the large glass door, stepping back quickly to avoid getting the scalding heat in his eyes.

Queenie used a levitation spell to pull the hot baking sheets out while Jacob slipped a large metal rack on the table to put them on. Queenie then used another spell to cool the treats quickly. Both glanced at each other.

"Want to try one?" Jacob asked.

"Do I ever!" Queenie picked one up as Jacob grabbed another.

After eating through half their respective scones, Jacob said through a mouthful, "They are quite good."

"They are definitely different from what we usually have," Queenie remarked, licking her fingers after finishing her scone. "Well, let's get these packed up. We can sleep for about three hours before switching to England."

"Three hours? That's ALL?"

"Time zones, honey."

"I know but THREE hours only?" Jacob all but whined.

"The sooner we get home, the sooner we can get to bed," Queenie said, flicking her wand to send the scones zooming into a container. With another flick, the container was placed into a gift boxed that closed itself up with a sparkling silver bow seemingly tying itself on top. Jacob grabbed it a moment before Queenie grabbed his arm to bring them directly into their living room.

Unfortunately, Queenie was wrong for Newt was waiting for them. He stood up as they appeared on the floor in front of him. "I was wondering if you'd ever show up," Newt replied, handing over their papers for a visit to England. "You just need to sign these to use the international portkey."

As soon as they signed, Newt disappeared back to England, letting the pair catch some sleep before the start of the party.

Just over three hours later, Queenie was hurriedly getting into a dress while Jacob grabbed a tux. Queenie picked up the portkey, a little wooden toy duck. Jacob put his hand on it as well. The next moment, both found themselves in the large Scamander mansion.

As Tina helped them to settle at the table to wait for Theseus to arrive, Jacob suddenly exclaimed to Queenie, "We forgot the scones!"

"Oh no, are you sure?" Queenie asked.

"Yeah, I got nothing," Jacob said. "Can you Aparate back home?"

"It's risky doing it long distance," Queenie said. "It's also not good to do it across borders without permission."

"Hang on, we forgot our papers as well," Jacob said.

"Where are they?" asked Queenie.

"On the table in the living room when we signed them," Jacob said. "The box of scones should be right next to them."

Queenie sighed. "I suppose I will have to try sneaking back to America."

"I believe I have a solution," said a familiar voice. Everyone glanced around to see Dumbledore walking into the dining room. "I have a little matter with Theseus before you start your fancy soiree. I will stop by in America to get your things as well."

"Thank you, sir!" Jacob replied in relief.

When Dumbledore reappeared, he placed the gift of scones on the table in front of Jacob. Dumbledore seemed to be munching on something. "I hope you don't mind," Dumbledore said. "I wanted to try your cooking, Jacob. Excellent scones!" He handed over the travelling papers before finding a chair for himself.

A few moments later, Theseus showed up, causing everyone at the table to jump up. As one voice, the group shouted, "Surprise!"

Theseus stared at everyone before laughing. He sniffed the air as he looked around. His eyes landed on the wrapped box. "Something from that box smells rather good."

Jacob pushed the box over. "Happy birthday!"

"Ohh, thanks!" Theseus pulled the wrapping off to peer inside. "Are those strawberry scones?"

"Oh yeah," Jacob said with a large grin.

Theseus tried one before saying, "These are so much better than a birthday cake! Thanks Jacob!" He sat down as he helped himself to a second scone while still finishing the first one.

~the end