Remus rushed into the bookshop, barely missing the umbrella stand that stood nearby. He was out of breath, panting as he tired to lean on the counter. His ears picked up playful laughter, giggling at him. He looked up, sweating dripping down his face, to see a delighted Lily Evans and an in-hysterics Nymphadora Tonks. (Sirius had offhandedly mentioned her name to him.) Remus smiled weakly, as he wanted to collapse from exhaustion.

The park was on the other side of their small part of the city. Remus had run all the way there since their were no bus stops or train stations nearby. (He supposed to he could have taken the train or bus, but he didn't have a Metro-card on him.)

"Did you run all the way here?" Tonks asked through her giggles, a glimmer of admiration in her eyes.
"Yes I did. I hope you appreciate it." he replied curtly, wrinkling his nose at her.
Lily laughed, "We're eternally grateful Remus. Can you fix that stand? It must've fallen after we left."

Remus did as she asked, as Lily and Tonks discussed the plan for the day. Lily had turned to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Oh Remus. We're a but short-staffed today and would you mind helping us?"
"I'd—" he stopped and thought for a minute, "What'll you need me to do?" 
"Can you help me hand out scavenger hunts and hide a few more things while Charlie and Tonks read to the children?"
Remus relaxed a little more, and he smiled, "Sure, just let me wash my hands."
Lily nodded, "Thank you. And bathrooms are upstairs on your right."

Remus scrubbed his hands quite thoroughly before heading back down stairs to help Lily. She, Tonks, and a red headed guy he assumed was Charlie were greeting guests at the doors as their children looked around in awe.

Remus watched, transfixed, as she greeted the children and their parents with a smile. The children seemed so drawn to her. From the tips of her hair to the bright smile that lit the room. And she was sure to welcome them kindly, and she was wonderful with them.

He smiled at her, meeting her chocolate brown eyes that twinkled with happiness and laughter. She smiled in the return, the biggest smile he'd ever seen. Remus's heart fluttered.

~oOo~

James was working at the shop as Sirius made lattes nearby. He got a little distracted as a customer told him his order. A mocha cappuccino with a lot of cream. His mind flicked to Lily's event, and his stomach sunk as he realized he'd never make it.

"Can I have a green tea?" he heard a feminine voice say. The voice sounded strangely familiar.
"Uh yes, of course." James glanced up, away from his thoughts. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose to keep them from falling.

He spotted a pretty young lady with curly blond hair, a pale complexion, and mint colored eyes. He must've seen her before somewhere.

"James!" she squealed. Now he was suspicious, was this some girl that stalked him?
The name rolled off his tongue, "Marlene." He smiled. 
"I didn't know you worked here!"
"It's my shop," he smirked, "We can talk, but I've got a lot of costumers right now."
"Oh." she sounded disappointed, "I'll wait on the side and then when you're done, we can chat."
"That's fine." he grinned.

Marlene had stepped out of line and James turned to his next customer, a middle aged man who seemed extremely peeved. When James had smiled and ask for his order, the man rolled his eyes and said he'd wanted an espresso. He had to admit, he was a little taken aback by this customer's attitude. After James told Sirius the orders, the customers all left to stand near his side of the counter.

The line had soon shortened, and people left as fast as they had come in. James had only two customers to serve. Everyone else seemed to be at work, and if anyone came in, Sirius could man the counter. James had moved to sit across from Marlene, sliding her green tea towards her.

"So... how have you been Marlene?" James asked, his fingers gripping a cup of coffee.
Marlene glanced at her lap, then looked up at him and smiled, "Oh everything's been lovely."

James had vaguely remembered Lily telling him about this girl. She'd forced him to dance with her at that Halloween party. They'd talked for a while and had soon gotten each others' numbers. They hadn't really talked since the party, though. On the other hand, James found Marlene quite interesting.

"Are you going to the event Lily's planning?" Marlene sipped her drink.
James smacked a hand against his forehead, "Oh damn, I'd forgotten about it. Jesus, Lily's going to hate me."
"We can go right now, if you want." she tossed her hair over her shoulder.

James nodded furiously as he got up, threw out his empty cup of coffee, and cleaned a anti while Marlene stood there awkwardly.

James had begun to recall when they started this coffee shop, about there months ago. He'd known he'd met Marlene before last night. He must've seen her somewhere, and it was tugging at his mind. He didn't have a clue where he met her... unless...

"Were you one of my daily customers when this shop first opened?" he blurted out by accident.
He watched as Marlene's cheeks flushed a light pink and looked up at him, almost tentatively, "Yes...?"

He suddenly recalled the young lady ordering a green tea every single day. He saw that young lady smile with a blush whenever he asked her order. James had always thought it strange.

"Oh my God," he whispered, "Anyway, you want to go to the event now? Sirius has the shop covered."
"That'd be wonderful." he heard her say almost wistfully.

James jokingly held his arm, which Marlene had taken almost too eagerly. She seemed jittery and nervous which made her seem a lot more interesting to him. She seemed so mysterious, which made James want to know more about her. He waved to Sirius, who sent him a wink and wave in return as they left the shop.

They chatted casually as they walked, asking silly questions such as "what's your favorite color" and "what place would you visit if you had the chance". (James had remembered that her answers were gray and Ireland.) He found himself taking a liking to Marlene.

Oh God, how was he supposed to uphold his heartbreaker reputation now?

And so the plot thickens. Hey everyone! How've you been? I've been working on a project for a while and needed a break so here I am.
Question of the day: Any HP headcanons?
I can't really think of one off the top of my head, but I'd love to hear yours!
See you next time,
Abby