𝕋𝕠 ℍ𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕠 ℍ𝕠𝕝𝕕 [ʙᴏᴏᴋ 3]

༄ Regulus༄

"Morning," Regulus says as the first customer of the day walks in. He works in the small cafe in the village getting paid in muggle money which Danica had to show him how to use. Getting the hang of the muggle technology was difficult too but he soon learned.

"Have you never seen a keyboard before?" His boss asked as she was showing him around.

He nodded and told her that he had - a lie of course.

But after a few days of messing up, he finally understood everything.

Now he is something of a local legend, all the villagers know him - and Danica because she's his gorgeous fiancé who surprises him at work every few days.

It is mainly older people who come in but occasionally there is a young couple, a trio of friends or a small family. Regulus has made friends with everyone and everyone wants to know him.

"Morning Regulus!" Doris from the shop over the road smiles as she settles in her usual window seat.

"How are you today?" He says as he makes her coffee - he doesn't even need to ask anymore.

"Mm... getting better now the sun is shining," she replies.

"That's good," he walks over to her and places her steaming mug in front of her. "It is only February remember, there's still loads of sun to come."

Doris looks up at him and smiles wider, reaching out and grabbing his elbow softly.

"Such a positive outlook," she says.

Regulus smiles back at her and shrugs. She didn't see him a few months back. She doesn't know about the scars he hides. She doesn't know about the pain that he still gets from the memories in his head. She - and the rest of the village - doesn't know him at all.

"I suppose I have to," he says simply and turns away, absentmindedly rubbing his left forearm where the remnants of the mark can be seen.

"Your wife going to be in?" She asks after a moment of silence.

Regulus bites his cheek and pulls his hand away from his arm as he sorts out menus. Doris always says 'wife' which Danica will be soon but not yet, it always makes him chuckle a little.

"She will be," he smiles and checks the time. They have an appointment at the hospital for another scan in one hour.

"How's the pregnancy for her?" Doris asks. She always makes never-ending conversation.

"It was difficult at the start, the sickness, the tiredness..." Regulus trails off, remembering what it was like just a few months ago in the Room of Requirement. "But now," he leans against the counter, looking at her, "she's still tired - and I'm sure she will be tired for a while... but she doesn't get as sick."

Doris nods happily and sips her drink.

"How long has it been?" She asks.

"Eighteen weeks," Regulus straightens up as a couple walk through the door, making the small bell tinkle.

"Ah," Robert says as he wobbly makes his way to his seat. "Young Regulus."

Regulus walks over to help him sit down, taking his coat from him and walking around the table to his wife.

"Thank you, dear," Patricia says as she sits opposite her husband, passing him her coat.

Regulus smiles and walks to the door, hanging their coats on the hooks next to it. As he does so, the door opens again and Danica walks in, her face bright with a huge smile on it.

"Hey you," Regulus says and gives her a quick hug and a peck on the lips.

"Hi," she says pecking him back before turning to the customers and greeting them. Her stomach peeps out from her clothes and Regulus can't help but smile widely as he serves Robert and Patricia.