The day started like any other. I opened up my cafe before sunrise and set to work preparing ingredients. I was making do with limited stock - the war had a massive effect on suppliers and Diagon Alley was still only just getting back on its feet. Merlin knows why I thought opening a coffee shop was a good idea, being only a few months after graduating from Hogwarts.

Soon enough customers started dripping in and I fixed a smile to my face. I had started to get a few of the same customers coming every day now, which was nice I suppose. I fixed up Mr Digory his usual Cappuccino to take away when the door chimed as two familiar faces strolled in.

"Hi George, Angelina, you're nice and early today" I smiled. "Two white coffees?".

"Please." said George as they set themselves on a table by the counter. "I don't suppose you've heard any more about these reforms the Ministry is meant to be discussing have you?". He motioned to a stand of Daily Prophets, the front page dedicated to a scheme involving regenerating the alley.

"I haven't." My lips formed a line. I carried their drinks over, stopping for a moment after putting them down. "Honestly I think it's all talk. It'll take more than some new flower pots covering the scorch marks to make people feel safe on the streets again".

"I'm sure you don't need any help with that, having Neville around. How's he getting on?" Angelina asked, a curious smile taking over her features as she glanced around the shop.

Neville and I weren't dating, but there was no hiding how much time we spent together after the weeks he spent helping me get the cafe up to snuff. The walls were lined with shelves holding a vast assortment of potted plants, flowers, and herbs and spices that I collected to use in my drinks. It was meant to be some modest decoration, but we quickly got carried away with it all and now the plants took over a serious amount of space. The customers seemed to like it at least.

"He's doing well. The greenhouses at Hogwarts are almost ready to take plants again. Honestly I think Sprouts dragging it on a bit, she must like having some help around the place! He's coming by later to check on the plants".

"He certainly cares about those plants", George smirked.

A blush started to colour my features. I turned my back and started reorganising my shelves, leaving them to chat before they opened up their shop.

My day continued in a similar manner. Cleaning, serving, chatting. It wasn't a bad job, but I never anticipated how quiet it could be at times.

I soon regretted that line of thinking when an unexpectedly large group of people strode in. Ministry types - well fitted robes, boring haircuts and horrible attitudes. I took a deep breath before walking over to their table - they didn't bother to come over to the counter.

After an excruciating half an hour of 'this isn't hot enough' and 'are you sure you put oat milk in this', I was relieved of their company. I was initially confused as to why my humble cafe attracted such a large number of workers on their breaks, but in retrospect I'm the only place that serves anything other than pumpkin spice.

I glanced at the clock. Two fifty-five.

I started making two chai lattes, and set them on the counter as the door opened. I smiled. A real, genuine smile, not the facsimile of one that I wore like a mask throughout most of the day.

"Hi Neville". I beamed, pushing one of the steaming drinks towards him as I gestured at a stool in front of the counter. "It's good to see you!".

He returned my smile earnestly and paused before sitting down. "Hey Hannah, how are you?".

"I'm great!". And for the first time today I actually meant it.