Sweetest Sin
Chapter 4
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Back in Britain...
Ron exited the Underground near London Bridge and made his way towards the Borough Market. He was hungry and upset. Food always seem to comfort him in times like these.
Harry would be laughing at him right now, seeing him enjoying himself in a Muggle part of London. When, as they were growing up, anything Muggle confused him; that he thought that magic was so much better. Well times change. As he browsed the shops and outside stalls, his mind wandered to recent events. His sister was too far gone to really be helped. When she finally fell, it would be hard and fast.
And he now pondered what would happen if she found a marriage contract for a Weasley and for another magical family other than Potter, what would she do? At the moment, he was grateful that she didn't know the families Harry was related to by blood and heritage. That would just add more fuel to her fire.
He was jarred from his musings when he collided with someone who had just exited the shop he was about to enter. Looking up and opening his mouth to apologize, he realized he was looking into the large pale-blue doe-eyes of Luna Lovegood, former Ravenclaw and current Assistant Editor of The Quibbler.
Ron frowned. "Luna? Fancy meeting you here! What are you doing here--in this part of London?"
"Oh Hello, Ronald." The girl smiled as she wrote something down in her notebook. "I'm in search of Wafflepuffs."
Ron crossed his eyes for a moment, then grinned. "Never change, Luna."
"Of course not. But I am in search of Wafflepuffs. Its a sweet that someone told me about."
"Is it a Muggle thing, then?"
"Yes, one of the Squib reporters told me about this wonderful sweet found here at the markets. And so much more." She looked up at him, pale blue eyes showing a spark of intelligence that most missed. "Muggles and their creations are really fascinating don't you think?"
"Yes. I come here all the time now. Got tired of all the teasing in school about how uninformed I was about Muggles and their world. When I think back to all the jokes that went right over my head... well, you know."
"Well then show me around, Ronald. I hear all the food is great and they have a wonderful assortment of flowers."
"Oh the food is great , Luna. They have this wonderful Paella made with chicken. I've brought some to the Burrow to my Mum. She loved it so much, I ended up buying her the cookbook for Christmas two years ago."
Luna slipped her arm through his, and walked with him. "Why did you really end up in London today?"
"Um, trying to clear my head--and figure some things out." Small spots of pink appeared high on his cheeks as he spoke.
"Ginny, then. She's causing trouble again." Luna replied, her voice calm.
He stopped and just stared at her. "You know, I don't think I'm ever going to get used to you doing that."
"Its the life of being all knowing, Ronald. But I will say this. Life has been good to you here in London. You've expanded your outlook. Your experiences. Learned to live on your own. I admire that." She smiled warmly at him and they began walking again. "Now about that Paella, I would like to try some, and some of the other fare here at the market, as well."
Ron smiled. His heart felt lighter for the first time since his life had been torn apart, by Ginny's scheming. Patting the hand on his arm, he lead her into the crowded market. "It would be my pleasure."
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Pittsburgh, Pa: Oliver's Charmed Confections and Cakes...
Harry was rolling out chocolate fondant for the cauldron. He'd had already carved out the round shape according to his sketch. Next he would work on the bookcase and life size potions book. The faux books for the bookcase sat on the other table under a preservation charm. He could hear Emmett fluttering around the bakery doing whatever tasks had been delegated to him for the day. He couldn't help but smile. Emmett's sunny disposition was infectious.
Until he remembered him flirting with Severus last night, bringing back that feeling of jealously again. He rubbed a hand down the black Fondant to make sure there were no cracks or bubbles. He didn't like the feeling of something coming between him and one of his new friends, but he wasn't sure what to do about it.
Harry also wasn't sure about these feelings. He hadn't really gotten close to anyone since Draco.
When he first started dating Draco, Severus and Remus were training him for his final confrontation with the Dark Lord. He remembered a few times when he had noticed Severus watching him. He hadn't thought much of it at the time, with so much else on his mind. What, with training, avoiding Death Eater attacks, school, and all the time he could manage to squeeze in to spend with Draco, why would he notice. Now though, those memories begged for closer examination.
"Love, you're thinking too much again. That lovely man isn't going anywhere yet," Emmett said as he rushed by with clean cookie sheets. "I have to bake twenty-five dozen cookies to go along with your cake. The man wants books and cauldron shaped sugar cookies."
"Better you than me, Em."
"Oliver said you could help when you're done there."
"Yeah, right. After I've whipped out the five other cakes I have to decorate for delivery today and tomorrow." Harry rolled his eyes toward Oliver. "See if Stubbs can give you a hand."
"The cakes are made, all you need to do is decorate them."
Harry glared. "One of those cakes happens to be a ten tiered wedding monstrosity. The other is a sweet sixteen pink nightmare."
"Aww, come on Luvvie, swish that wand of yours then. You'll be done in no time." Emmett grinned. "Then after you help me with these cookies, you can go find that tall dark drink of man, and wave your other wand at him!" Emmett winked and waggled his eyebrows at Harry, as he balanced three large cookie sheets to the ovens.
"Em...you can't use magic on the cakes. The fondant doesn't hold to the cake. It slides off. The decorations must all be done by hand."
Harry looked to the wall of Doom, as he referred to it. The wall had all the cake orders pasted up on it, and it was currently full for the next month. He sighed, reminding himself that he was thankful to have a normal job; and not a Death Eater or Dark Lord in sight.
"The Xena wannabe and her girlfriend, have the cake with the triathlete theme. That one should be --fun."
Harry smirked at Emmett. "You're just jealous that they are more manly than you."
"NO one is more so than me!" Emmett declared with a dramatic pout.
Harry rolled his eyes, "And the Over-Forty cake. Hannah made the blown glass black balloons last night. So that part is ready. AND the cake for the Garden Club, the spinsters Baldwin ordered. They wanted it covered with edible and sugar flowers. The sugar ones are on that table over there, and the fresh edible ones were delivered this morning and are in the walk-in cooler." Harry groaned. He'll never go home at this rate.
"So should we animate these cauldron's so they bubble?" Emmett asked.
"The cake is going to be animated. Not the cookies." Harry nodded toward the back, as he levitated the cake he'd just finished, into the walk-in. "Oliver already picked up the dry ice."
When Harry returned to the work area, Severus was standing by the work table, talking to Emmett. His eyes widen, he was a mess with food coloring all over his hands and flour on his clothes. Slipping quickly behind a group of bakery carts, he cast quick Cleansing Spells over himself and his clothes. Giving his apron a tug to straighten it, he walked casually around the carts and toward where the two men stood. Emmett was flirting again. Honestly, the man just couldn't help himself!
But looking at the visage of Severus Snape, in Muggle clothing, he really couldn't blame his friend. At least now he knew what the snarky man had been hiding under all those billowing teaching robes all these years; a lithe virile body.
Even when they were training, Severus had kept to traditional clothing. But this was better; much better. Today he was sporting a polo shirt under a leather coat, and stonewashed denims with boots. His Hair was loose today, blending almost completely with the soft black leather of the coat he was wearing.
Walking casually up to them, Harry plastered a friendly smile on his face. "Good Morning, Severus! What a pleasant surprise! And what brings you to our little establishment so early in the morning?"
Severus was nervous, not visibly, but nervous none the less. "The Potions Conference doesn't really begin until tomorrow night, with cocktails at eight, and I was wondering if you would like to accompany me?"
Harry was taken aback at the unexpected invitation. The little voice inside screamed 'yes! yes! yes!', but it took him a few moment to find his voice. Emmett smirked, and reached over with a flour-dusted finger and pushed up under his chin.
"Close your mouth Luvvie, you look like a landed catfish. Tell the lovely man 'yes' already or I will let him take me instead." Emmett batted his eyes at Severus and purred the last few words as he spoke.
"I'll be delighted to join you, Severus."
"OH! there's the dear boy! Oliver just called us to tell us the flowers were delivered." The Baldwin sisters were a whirlwind of energy that belied their geriatric status. No one ever said no to them. Not that you could or would.
Miss Mamie peered around the corner into the work area, her sister, Miss Emily at her shoulder. "And who would this dashing handsome gentleman be?" Both women displayed the warmest of smiles, as Miss Mamie held out her hand.
Severus turned and strolled toward the women, Harry right behind him. He stopped at the doorway, as Emily moved to stand next to her sister. Harry smiled and indicated each of them.
"Miss Emily Baldwin and Miss Mamie Baldwin, two of our most loyal clients, please meet one of my former professors, and an acquaintance from Britain, Severus Snape."
Severus accepted each glove-covered hand in turn, lifting them in his elegant fingers and brushing a most delicate kiss to the back of each, while maintaining eye contact with both women. "It is my pleasure to make the acquaintance of such lovely ladies." He purred in his most proper but smoothly chocolate voice.
"Oh my, Mamie! That accent!" Emily fanned herself with her other hand. "I do believe I am feeling a touch of the vapors!"
"Gather yourself, sister. We have a party to plan. There's no time for you to swoon, dear." Mamie smiled at Severus again. "It is Our pleasure, Mr. Snape. Perhaps...you might join us for Sunday tea, in the near future?"
"It would be my pleasure, Ladies. But I do not want to keep you from your errands." Severus gave a small bow and stepped back to allow Harry and Emmett to show the ladies their cake and get the last-minute instructions on exactly where they wanted the flowers placed on the cake once it was delivered.
"Oh, Harry dear, could you make that delightful lemon tart again? The ladies just loved it, at the last garden party." Mamie spoke as she and her sister were escorted to the table that held their cake and Emmett brought the boxes of flowers.
"You mean, Mathilda Huggins ate more than her share last time. Not that anyone could tell, wearing a girdle on those thighs." Emily added, a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice.
Emmett bit his lip and swallowed a snort. He just adored these ladies. They reminded him of his Great Auntie Belinda Anne back in Mississippi.
"I can make you one, Miss Mamie. I'm sure we have the ingredients. If not, Emmett can run around to the corner and get them. I do know we have some fresh baked crusts in the walk-in." He shot Emmett a quick glance as he spoke.
"You are such a dear." Miss Mamie smiled.
"Harry?"
"Yes, Miss Emily?"
"Does your Professor bat for the other team as well?" The total innocence of her expression belied any misunderstanding of the question.
Emmett grinned devilishly as he arrived back from the walk-in, just in time to hear the question. "My dear ladies, that gorgeous man does indeed bat for our team. But he only has eyes for our Harry."
"And who wouldn't? Your beautiful green eyes and those lovely legs." Miss Emily answered, patting Harry on his denim-clad derriere. "And that hair! Looks as though he--"
"Emiline Virginia!" Miss Mamie looked flustered.
Miss Emily just rolled her eyes, and winked at the men. "Well! It's true, Sister!"
"He's young enough to be our grandson!"
"Well the pool man calls it 'shag me hair'. Yes, that's what he said. Young Harry here, definitely has 'shag me hair.' "
Harry's face was beet red and he was feeling quite warm, despite being used to the spinsters' frank outlook on things. Emmett's eyes danced merrily from where he stood behind the women, carefully cradling two very large pans holding prebaked pastry shells.
Harry smiled at the ladies and decided it was time to direct the conversation elsewhere, so he directed their attention to the cake as he opened the boxes and trays of flowers. Emmett set the pastry pans on the other worktable and began pulling ingredients for the lemon fillings, as Severus continued to watch silently from a corner of the room. He decided a blushing Harry was a very attractive sight.
Tbc...