Locking the door behind her Elizabeth Anderson headed out of the school and into the crisp October night. Parent teacher conferences hadn't been exactly what she expected but they certainly could have been worse. She liked the parents, well most of them. The Dursley's attitudes had just been downright shocking. She wasn't afraid of them necessarily; they just mostly made her sad. It wasn't just because they didn't like Harry. It was because Dudley had so much potential and it was being wasted. He seemed like he had the ability to be very smart and hard working but wasn't because his parents did make him. It was such a shame.
Taking a break from her thoughts, Elizabeth realized that her feet had carried her to one of her favorite places in the world. It was a corner bookstore called Liberman's with a small coffee shop attached. She had spent so much time here they knew her by name and they knew her coffee order. Deciding that school could wait till Monday, she headed in for a new book for the weekend and a latte. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of the dusty book jackets. Feeling home for the first time in a while, she headed to the used paperbacks section. Most of the books here were trashy beach fluff but they were all ninety-nine cents and that was all her teacher's salary could afford. As she browsed through titles, a deep voice spoke from behind her.
"Can I help you find something ma'am?" She turned around to find a man with sandy brown hair and warm brown eyes smiling at her. He was tall and even with dark circles under his eyes he was handsome. Not stunning takes your breath away handsome mind you. Just kind, friendly, happy to sit with a book under a tree for hours handsome.
"Do you work here?" She asked realizing it was a stupid question. He was wearing a white button down, khaki pants, and a maroon apron; the uniform of everyone at Liberman's.
"I do." He answered. "I'm new though. I've only been here a few days. My name is Remus."
"Elizabeth" She answered, holding out her hand to shake his. "How do you do?"
Over the next few weeks Elizabeth found herself using every possible excuse to go the bookstore and see Remus. He was always there and always happy to see her. They would talk for a few minutes while he sorted books, helped her find one, or rung up her purchases. One day in late November she was standing in one of the aisles, paging through a self help book about how to deal with troublesome students, when he came over.
"Hey," he said smiling.
"Hey," She shut the book and glanced at her watch. "Oh gosh, it's really late huh? I didn't even notice."
"Yeah it's just about closing time."
"Am I the only one left again?" She laughed, embarrassed. "I feel like that happens a lot."
"What a nerd," he teased her with a smile. "Actually I wouldn't care that you're here except that I have to lock up tonight."
"Oh! I'll go then. This is kind of the least helpful self-help book I've ever read anyway." He laughed and so did she. As she turned to go he stopped her.
"Elizabeth?" He said, his voice catching in his throat.
"Yeah?" She turned around.
"I was just wondering, you know if you're not doing anything, I mean if you don't mind waiting while I lock up…" he trailed off. Her heart skipped a beat. What was he trying to ask?
"Yeah?" She asked again.
"Well I was just wondering if you wanted to get a cup of coffee or something."
"With you?" She asked her heart beating faster. He looked flustered.
"Yeah, you know, as friends. I mean it wouldn't have to be coffee it could be dinner, dessert, a movie, enchiladas, a cup of tea, ice cream cones…" He was rambling. She loved how nervous he was. It was adorable.
"I would love to get a some coffee." She told him.
"You would?" His face lit up.
"Of course. I like hanging out with you Remus. You're really easy to talk to."
"Yeah I feel the same way about you," He said. He smiled at her and for one awkward moment they both just stared at each other smiling with nothing to say. He cleared his throat and broke the silence.
"Hang on a minute while I turn out the lights and stuff. Then we can go."
As he walked away Elizabeth grabbed her coat and smiled to herself. "Men are so oblivious," she thought. "I've only been hanging out here for weeks trying to talk to him, hoping he'd get the hint and ask me out. Why would I say no?"
"Ready?" he asked reappearing.
"Ready," she said, smiling. He picked up her purse for her and placed it over her shoulder.
"Then let's go."