Hunger Games: Knitting Needles, Coffee-Shop

Advent - Character: Remus

Christmas Coffee

Remus unlocked the door of the coffee-shop and turned the sign to open. Even though it was Christmas Day, it felt like every other day to him. Christmas was family time, but this was the first Christmas since his divorce from Dora and they had agreed to take turns over who Teddy would spend Christmas with. Teddy was spending this year with Dora - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Remus would get him for New Years. Next year they'd swap. It meant that this year, Remus was mostly alone for Christmas.

Well, except for Sirius being in and out.

He picked up some of the small breakfast snacks and began to put small plates on each table, each with a plastic see-through lid. Jugs of water and orange juice were placed around too, with tall glasses by them.

He turned on the music, allowing Christmas songs to fill the place, before settling into a nearby chair with a book.

...oOo...

The bell above the door made him turn his attention from the door. Sirius had put signs up to alert people that they were open on Christmas Day for people to come and relax, but Remus had been doubtful whether anyone would actually turn up.

"Hello," he said, recognising a brown-haired woman who often came into the cafe. "Hot drink?"

She smiled. "Yes please. Also, can I get something for breakfast?"

"There are snacks on the table," Remus said. "Help yourself. Just a plain tea, isn't it?"

She laughed softly. "It is, thank you."

"Take a seat wherever you like. I'm not expecting many people to come in today, so there's no rush to leave."

She smiled again before turning away and heading to the table in the corner, away from the door and nearest one of the radiators.

Remus set to work making the tea. When he brought it over, the woman had pulled out some knitting needles and a ball of green wool. The needles clicked against each other as she slowly worked on her scarf.

"Is that a scarf you're making?" he asked.

She looked up. "My best friend is terrible. He never wraps up warm in the winter. I found out yesterday that he lost his scarf, so thought I'd make him a new one. Unfortunately I'm not very fast at this."

"It's looking good so far," Remus offered. "If you need anything else, let me know." He headed back to his chair.

...oOo...

Four more people turned up, settling at the tables with their activities. Remus felt for all of these people, all of them alone throughout the most important holiday there was.

Lunchtime quickly approached and he brought out a tray of sandwiches, calling everyone over. They all thanked him, taking one of the small plates and the woman who had been knitting lingered.

"Why open this place today?" she asked curiously. "Not that I don't appreciate it. But from what I recall of my time in here - you're married, right?"

"Divorced," Remus corrected her. "We're taking turns to have our son at Christmas. This year isn't my turn so I thought maybe there were others alone today that didn't want to sit home and feel sorry for themselves. You usually come in with a guy. Not spending Christmas with him?"

"We broke up," she admitted, with a shrug. "I didn't feel so comfortable going after that, even though he insisted." She let out a small sigh. "But at least I'm not at home alone."

"I'm glad you came then," Remus replied.

"I'm Hermione," Hermione offered.

"Remus," Remus replied. "So… I was thinking that everyone appears to be here for the day, and there's not a lot of people. Do you think people would be interested in dinner upstairs?"

"I can't speak for the rest, but I'd love that," Hermione replied. "Let me know if you want a hand." She glanced at the book on the counter. "George Orwell," she murmured. "Excellent choice. I did an essay on him back in University. I spent my time reading every works I could get my hands on."

"I'd love to hear some of your views," Remus replied.

Her smile widened. "Perhaps we could do that over coffee sometime?"

"Oh, would you like another cup?" Remus began to move towards the machine.

"Yes, but… I… I mean going for drinks elsewhere… together." He stared at her blankly. "Remus, let's go for drinks perhaps as a date, if it's not too forward."

Remus smiled. "That sounds like a good idea."

"But it'd be nice to talk now, if you want to join me," Hermione continued shyly.

Remus reached for his book. "I'll make us some drinks and I'll be right with you," he said. He watched Hermione head back to her table, before turning back to the machine. Maybe this Christmas wasn't so bad after all.