Written for Care of Magical Creatures Class at The Golden Snitch Forum (Beauxbatons, Guinefort) - 2. Veela: write about someone attractive.

Written for the Back to School Challenge at The Golden Snitch Forum (Beauxbatons, Guinefort): one winter cloak (black with silver fastenings): write from a Gryffindor's POV.


Refund Request

"Hello, welcome to Fanciful Flowers," Hermione said to the handsome, brown-haired man who entered. She tilted her head. "Have I seen you before?"

"Er, yeah." The man shot her a pained smile. "I was just here a few days ago, buying these." He held up a now-limp bouquet of flowers. "I'd like to return them."

Hermione remembered now, and felt silly for not recognizing him right away. He was incredibly striking.

"Oh!" Hermione took the bouquet and looked over it, puzzled. "Was there something wrong with them, then?"

"Yeah," he sighed. "My girlfriend didn't appreciate them."

"I'm afraid I don't understand," Hermione said, still confused.

"She dumped me," he muttered. "Turns out she's been screwing another bloke."

"Oh." Hermione's eyes widened, but she didn't know what else to say to that. "I'm... I'm really sorry."

The man waved a hand at her. "Don't be. I just thought I'd see if I could return these."

"Oh, erm, normally you wouldn't, but... I'll see what I can do." Hermione flashed him a quick smile and went off to find the eccentric owner of the shop, Xenophilius.

Xenophilius was sitting in his office, sipping tea. His feet were propped up on his desk, and he was wiggling his toes — clad in bubblegum pink socks — frantically. Hermione had to stifle a giggle.

"Hermione!" he boomed, as soon as he noticed her presence. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, Mr. Lovegood, sir, I was wondering...that is, there's a gentleman here who bought some flowers a few days ago and he...he wants to return them because his girlfriend broke up with him."

Xenophilius looked thoughtful. "Broke up with him, you say?"

Hermione nodded. "He seems nice," she felt compelled to add. "I don't think he's making it up or anything."

"Hmmm." Xenophilius contemplated his twitching toes for a few moments, then returned his attention to Hermione. "Tell the lad he can have a refund, and pass on my greatest condolences."

"Yes, sir," Hermione said. She made to leave the room, but curiosity got the better of her. "What are you doing with your toes, if I may ask?"

Xenophilius smiled kindly at her. "Why, I'm trying to improve my insomnia. This is the latest recommendation from the Health Gurus."

Hermione was tempted to tell him that the Health Guru advice was a load of bunk, but she held her tongue, nodded, and returned to the front of the store.

"Sorry about that," she told the man.

"No problem," he said, running a hand through his hair.

"I spoke to Mr. Lovegood," Hermione went on. "He said to give you a refund."

The man's face broke out in a smile, making him look even more handsome. "That's great. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."

"No problem," Hermione echoed, crossing behind the counter. "Do you have your receipt?"

The man set the flowers on the counter and dug around in his pocket before producing a crumpled piece of paper. "Yeah. Here." He held it out to her.

"Perfect." She studied it for a moment, then tapped a few buttons, causing the cash drawer to spring open. After counting out a few bills and a couple of coins, she handed them to the man.

She bit back a gasp as his hand brushed hers. It felt like an electric current had traveled between them. He must have felt it too, because he stared at her in shock.

"Sorry," she muttered, drawing her hand back and trying to pretend the last few seconds hadn't happened. Her eyes fell on the wilted bouquet. "Erm, let me throw these out for you. Or...did you want to do the honors?"

He looked slightly dazed as he replied, "Huh?"

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked. "Would you like me to repeat the question?"

"Yes, please. Sorry," he said sheepishly.

"I just asked if you wanted me to throw away those flowers or if maybe you wanted to do it? I guess I thought maybe it would be...cathartic for you. You know, like a symbolic trashing of your relationship. Or something." She shook her head. "I'm rambling. Sorry."

"No, I see what you were getting at. I like it," the man said earnestly. He picked up the flowers and looked around.

"There's a bin back here," Hermione said, pointing at it.

The man joined her behind the counter, and Hermione wondered if he felt the same shift in energy that she did. There was a sudden tension now that they were both confined to the same small bit of space.

She cleared her throat. "Have at it, then."

The man made a show of drawing his arm back and lobbing the bouquet into the bin. Hermione clapped and cheered as it reached its target.

"Feel better?"

"Loads," he grinned. "Thank you so much...erm, sorry, I don't know your name, but I feel like I should."

"Oh!" Hermione blushed. "I'm Hermione."

"Thank you so much, Hermione," the man said. "I'm Cedric, by the way."

Hermione smiled. "Nice to meet you."

"I hope this doesn't seem too forward, but would you want to have dinner with me sometime?" Cedric looked as though he was holding his breath waiting for her reply, so Hermione was quick to give it.

"I'd love to, provided you don't mind if I ramble."

Cedric laughed. Even his laugh was beautiful. "I don't mind one bit."


Word count: 902