Coffee
It was a blustery Autumn day when she walked into the coffee shop. He noticed her right away. Lustrous curly hair, fit petite frame, a hounds tooth pea coat wrapped around her. A couple of leaves had caught in her hair as she gently brushed them out. When she turned back towards the counter it was like time slowed, a ray of sunshine shone through the window as her lips curled into a friendly smile. It left him speechless he didn't even notice that she was moving towards the counter until he heard her throat clear.
"Hi, may I have a caramel latte extra caramel, extra foam please." Her smile brightened.
Dumbfounded, Draco nodded a quite 'Sure Thing' then went about making her drink, eyeing her as she moved over to the pick-up side of the counter. Not paying attention he over poured the cup and hissed as the scalding hot liquid over flowed on to his hand. Making quick work to clean up the mess, he finished making her order then proceeded to hand the paper to-go cup to her. Their fingers grazed each others, he swore he felt the electricity move through him. She quietly thanked him then walked out of the cafe. Draco just stood there watching as she passed by the windows.
He didn't even feel another presence next to him until Theo spoke. "What are you watching out there?"
"For fuck's sake don't sneak up on a bloke." Draco clutched his chest feeling his rapidly beating heart.
"Was she that pretty?" Theo asked wiping down the counter setting things to rights as Draco glanced back to the door.
"She was more than pretty... it was like time slowed." He replied.
"What is her name?" Theo asked.
Draco hesitated. "Er... I don't know ... there was no one else here so I didn't bother to get her name for the order."
Theo snorted "Mate you are a hopeless romantic. Emphasis on the hopeless part."
Draco glared at Theo giving him a two finger salute then taking off his apron he headed towards the back room to collect his bag and go home for the day. Thoughts of the mystery woman plagued him for the rest of the night.
A couple of days later the cafe was busier than usual due to the Autumn rain. Pansy was taking the customer's orders while Draco and Theo were preparing the drinks handing them off in a timely fashion. They were all working like a well oiled machine until she walked in. Her hair was pulled away from her face, her smock dripping water at the entrance. She gingerly shrugged out of it leaving it on the coat rack to dry off. Draco caught sight of her, doing a double take he missed the counter and spilled a hot cup of tea on the floor behind the counter.
"Way to go spastic." Theo grumbled behind Draco walking off to grab the mop from the back. Draco gave the customer an apologetic look then remade the cup of tea. When the order for the caramel latte with extra caramel, extra foam came up he was quick to snatch the cup from Pansy before Theo could grab it. Pansy eyed Draco suspiciously, making a note to question him later on. Draco quickly turned the cup to read the name "Granger". That is an odd name for a girl, he would have thought she'd have a name that was more melodic. Being sure to carefully place the lid on the cup he turned to pass it over to "Granger". Her head snapped up when he called the name, she squeezed by the last customer take the cup. With her hair pulled back he noticed the sprinkling of freckles across her nose and cheeks, he found it charming. Their fingers brushed again, this time Draco felt bold and winked at her. Granger gave him a smile and walked away. It was so busy that he did not notice when she left.
The very next day at around five o'clock or so she walk into the cafe. Draco had just started his shift and was busy cleaning the back counter when he heard a polite 'excuse me'. He quickly turned to see "Granger" standing there ready to order. His grip loosened on the wet rag and the gallon of milk he was holding. Draco let out an 'oh fuck' as it hit the floor bursting open. Her eyes widened at the spectacle. "I am so sorry I didn't mean to startle you." She said watching as Draco hurriedly began using the rag to sop up the spilt milk.
"No, no please. You can call me butterfingers today." He said causing her to giggle. She glanced over to the end of the counter and noticed the mop. Moving to grab it she brought it over to Draco. He muttered a 'thanks' not really realizing it was her that handed it to him. He looked up to see her smiling at him. "Oh ... gosh ... um."
"There seems to be no one else here and I thought you could use a hand (noticing his name tag) Draco." She beamed. He became lost in the sound of his name from her lips. There was an awkward pause. She cleared her throat. "Like the constellation?" Granger queried.
Draco knelt there opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. Snapping out of his trance that the beautiful woman in front of him was causing he looked down at the mess, closed his eyes and gripped the mop handle tighter to steel his nerves. Clearing his throat he spoke. "Sorry, yes, my Mother's side of the family has a fascination with the stars. They are all named after constellations or galaxies." A slight tinge of pink staining his cheeks.
"How fascinating. My name is Hermione Granger." She said holding her hand out to him. Draco quickly wiped his hand on his apron then shook hers. Noticing that it was warm but not clammy and her hand shake was firm but she did not squeeze it forcefully.
"Hermione, the pleasure is mine." He said charmingly. "If you give me a moment I will get this cleaned up and have your caramel latte, extra caramel, extra foam right out to you." She gave him a nod then headed over to the plush chairs by the fireplace. Draco thought to himself, no wonder she used her sir name, I imagine people must butcher it all the time. It is quite melodic.
Moments later Draco appeared with her drink and a plate of biscotti on a tray. "A little extra sweet on the house." He said giving her a wink. Hermione chuckled at his charm. "May I sit with you. The cafe is quite for now." He asked. Swallowing the sip of coffee she had just taking Hermione motioned for him to sit in the chair to her right. Draco obliged, "Hermione." He said her name in a questioning tone. "Is that Greek?"
"Yes, on my Mother's side. We holiday their during the Summer." She said. "Do you travel?"
"My family has property in France so we go there from time to time." He answered smiling at her.
"Oh I would love to go to Paris. The sites, the art , the food - " She began to say excitedly when Draco cut in.
"There is a fantastic restaurant a few block from the Eiffel Tower I'd love to take you to." His eyes widened in horror to the presumptuous statement. Red faced he was about to retract his statement when Hermione reached for his hand quieting any sound he was about to make.
"That sounds amazing but perhaps we can start off with something local? I am free this Saturday night." She said a blush blooming across her cheeks.
"I too am free. I look forward to Saturday." Draco smile was brilliant. Just then the chime on the door sounded signaling he should go back to work. "Enjoy your coffee Hermione."