2017 Resolutions: Write a minimum of 300 drabbles this year, Write at least one drabble/one-shot for all the characters listed in 'Harry Potter Characters' on ; Write a romantic story involving any of the following: Umbridge, Filch or Cornelius Fudge

Weekly Drabble Competition: Rosmerta/Cornelius

365 Drabbles: Customer

Word Count: 500

Unwanted Advances

Rosmerta sighed as the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, walked through the doors of The Three Broomsticks. This had become a regular occurrence over the last few months. It hadn't bothered her so much at first but recently he'd been hitting on her repeatedly. Of course the best course of action would be to set him straight and tell him she wasn't interested as she would with any other customer, but this was the Minister and he had the ability to make life very difficult for her if he didn't take too kindly to her rejection.

Rosmerta closed her eyes, composed herself and planted a fake smile upon her face as she greeted him.

"Good afternoon, Minister," she said. "Usual?"

"Rosmerta, my dear, call me Cornelius," he whispered in what she assumed was meant to be a husky voice. "And might I say you look very fetching today."

"Thanks," she replied, unimpressed with his attempted flirtation. "Firewhiskey?"

"You know me so well, my darling," Cornelius answered, winking at her.

Rosmerta turned around and went to pour Cornelius' drink. She could feel his eyes on her arse as she did so and she suppressed a shudder at the thought of him leering at her.

She turned back towards the Minister and placed his drink down in front of him.

"That will be 2 galleons, Minister," she informed him.

"Your smile is like Expelliarmus, Rosmerta," Cornelius said, leaning on the bar. "Simple but disarming."

"You're too kind," Rosmerta replied, giving her standard reply.

"Are you using the Confundus charm or are you just naturally mind blowing?" he asked, draining his glass. "Same again please, Rosmerta."

Rosmerta gave Cornelius a tight smile, picked his glass up and refilled it with Firewhiskey, wondering just how much longer the Minister would be in the pub. Sometimes, she wondered how he managed to get the job and hold onto it for so long considering how long he spent in the pub.

"Say, Rosmerta," Cornelius started as she placed the refilled glass in front of him, "there's this Ministry event next weekend to do some fundraising, and I was wondering if you would, perhaps, want to go with me… on a date."

Rosmerta froze. Of course she had been aware of the Minister's blatant crush on her but since he had always stopped short of asking her out and she had never encouraged it, Rosmerta had assumed that he never would. And now she was faced with the prospect of either accepting a date with him or rejecting him and facing the consequences.

"Apologies, Minister," Rosmerta replied. "I have plans for that weekend."

"Can't you change them?" Cornelius asked hopefully.

"Afraid not, I've had these plans for months," she lied, so well she even believed herself. "I really am sorry."

"No worries," Cornelius said, draining his glass. "Well must be off. Lots of work to do."

Cornelius set his glass down on the bar, turned on his heel, and exited the pub feeling like an absolute fool.