It's over, Isn't it? (Remus Lupin)

The friendly barista

Remus sighed in exhaustion, rubbing his eyes as he walked. He'd just arrived in London that morning and after walking around with a heavy trunk all day. Maybe arriving a week early for the Hogwarts Express was a bad idea, now he needed to look for somewhere to stay. He decided to take a break and get a cup of coffee at a café. It wasn't difficult to find one, the busy city being full of them.

The one he decided upon was small and almost completely empty save for the girl at the counter. Questionable art decorated the wall and large windows allowed light to find its way in easily, even in the big city. The barista was young and pretty with fair skin and blonde hair which was pulled back. She was leant on the counter reading a muggle novel he couldn't see from that distance. She jumped up when he entered through the door, the bell signalling his arrival.

"Welcome! Let me know when you're ready to order" She sent him a stunning smile, placing her book down on the counter, he now recognised it as 'Great Expectations'. He could feel her eyes on him as he glanced at the menu, then towards the display case which had a rather delicious looking chocolate cake, but one look into his wallet told him he couldn't afford it.

"A large tea, please"

"Is that all?" he nodded, she smiled "That'll be £2, please sit down and ill bring your order to you once its ready" he smiled at her and turned to sit at a table by the window. He watched her out of the corner of his eye. Her back was turned and, from here, he could see that her hair was twisted into a bun and secured in place using some sort of stick. He turned quickly once she caught him staring. After a few minutes she made her way over to him, placing the tray down in front of him. On it was his tea, two large slices of chocolate cake and a hot chocolate.

"I didn't order this," he spoke in confusion, to which she laughed.

"No, but I did. I hope you don't mind if I join you, its starting to get lonely by myself"

"Not at all. I'm Remus" he said holding out his hand for a shake.

"Marcy" She sent him another award winning smile that could give Gilderoy Lockhart a run for his money. Their conversation flowed smoothly and effortlessly and eventually they got onto the topic of plants and medicine.

"Have you been to the botanical gardens yet?" She sighed sadly at Remus's question before shaking her head.

"I'd love to, but I haven't really had the chance. I've been working here all summer and I'd feel a little weird going alone anyway. I'm sure it's beautiful though" She smiled and he got an idea.

"What if we went together? I've got an entire week free to do whatever and by the sounds of things, you haven't done any sightseeing" to say she lit up like a Christmas tree would be an understatement.

"That's such a good idea! I'm leaving in a week as well, so I could resign from this job a little earlier than intended. Then we'd have more time to explore." They shared an excited grin, both forgetting that they were complete strangers and relishing in their newfound friendship, or rather acquaintanceship.

"Do you know if there's any cheap hotels in the area?" She shook her head.

"Not really," she laughed slightly. "I'm staying at a boarding house a couple miles away. It's relatively cheap, but I'm not sure if they have a spare apartment. I'll call the owner and ask if you want" she offered, standing and taking their empty plates and glasses towards the counter, where she placed the tray.

"If it wouldn't be too much to ask" She skipped happily behind the counter and towards the phone on the wall. While she was on the phone, he observed her. She did indeed look young and she even acted it, but there was a certain grace in the way she carried herself that made her seem more mature. Her clothes didn't give much away about herself, not like his torn up cardigans did. He figured this was because she was in uniform and was excited to see what she'd wear outside of work. After a while, she hung up the phone.

"Unfortunately, they don't have anymore apartments left. They did, however, give me the thumbs up to let you crash in mine. It's small, but it could fit the two of us" he gave this a thought. She seemed young, but she was offering and he was desperate. He was completely grateful for what she was doing for him.

"I wouldn't want to intrude" he said after a while, uncertainly. She laughed heartily.

"Trust me, you'd be doing the opposite. It's dreadfully dull living by myself" he hesitated, but agreed. Who wouldn't ,when the girl offering was giving him such a big smile. "Great! I get off soon, we can head there together" she sent him one more smile before dancing back to the counter and beginning to clean.

Time passed quickly and soon enough, Marcy's shift had ended. A man walked through the door, he seemed to be in his late twenties with nearly black hair and a clean shave. Remus watched the two greet each other in a hug, he didn't like the way the mans hands drifted a little two low for comfort or the fact that he held her for a moment longer than necessary.

Remus couldn't quite catch the conversation they were having, but he could only guess Marcy was trying to resign from the sad look on the mans face. He watched the man leave for a moment, then come back with an envelope. He handed it to her and she gave him the keys.

Marcy wasted no time in gathering her book and her coat and running over to Remus, who had already gathered his things together and been waiting and watching the entire time. She looped her arm through his and almost dragged him out the door. Remus saw behind him the young man was giving him a look filed completely with jealousy.

"Who was that?" Remus asked once Marcy slowed her pace to a normal walking speed.

"My boss" she said "he's been trying to get with me all summer, it's really quite creepy" she said, shivering in disgust.

"What is? The age difference?" Remus casually slipped in, she smiled shyly at him.

"No, not at all. What I find creepy is that he didn't take no for an answer. All decent humans need to know that no means no" she didn't unlock their arms, rather, she tightened her hold.

The sky was dark by the time they reached the boarding house. Not because it was night, but because a storm was finding it's way towards them. The dark clouds blocked out the sun, and they were lucky to only get dampened by the drizzle that came before the downpour.

The two found themselves giggling like children as they ran up the stairs as quickly as they could with Remus's trunk. In fact, they didn't stop until they reached the door of her apartment. She fumbled with the lock as the two stumbled in.

The apartment was small and fairly old fashioned with floral curtains and cushions and real wood furniture. The carpet that spanned the entire living area was a dark faded green and throughout the room Remus spotted many empty mugs. In the corner stood a small kitchenette with yellow wallpaper and counters. Along the back wall there were two closed doors. It seemed relatively empty other than all the books that were scattered across every surface.

"Home, sweet home" she gave another smile, before closing the door behind them.