Megan hadn't spoken to Teddy or Ernie much after what Ernie had said to her. She believed what Teddy had told her, that he did want to learn how to bake. And she still planned to teach him, despite what Ernie had said. Instead of dwelling on it, in normal Megan fashion, she had a grin on her face as she taught Teddy.
"We're making a cake today. It's similar to cupcakes, but the bake time is a lot longer. Granted there are some cakes that do take longer and that is why we're starting with the basics." Megan told him as she got the ingredients all set out and ready to use. "Once I'm sure you've got all the basics down with no problems, we'll move on to harder things that take more time."
Teddy wouldn't admit it to Megan, but he had been avoiding her. Ernie made him feel embarrassed and unsure of himself which Teddy hated. Did he have feelings for Megan? Surely, she was adorable, but Teddy was still hung up on Hannah, wasn't he? Hannah was his first love and part of him still thought they stood a chance. To admit he fancied someone else was admitting defeat. Or so he thought anyway. Still, he couldn't avoid such a nice mate forever and finally decided to visit Megan. It felt a bit awkward, but Teddy was doing his best to keep up a cheerful, easy conversation. He didn't know if he was succeeding, but he was trying at least. "A cake, huh? I hope I don't drop it on the floor. I see them at the bakeries sometimes and...wow, I fear getting them from Point A to Point B."
Megan laughed. "I doubt you'll drop it on the floor. You don't have as far to go with the cake and I'll make sure nothing happens that will make you drop it. Besides, I want a piece of this deliciousness when it's done." She got a recipe for one of her simpler cakes and set it beside the ingredients. "Let's get started. And you will do what you did the last time with the cupcakes."
"Look at you like you have two heads?" Teddy reminded her with a smile. "Sure, I can do that." He glanced over that "simpler" recipe and grimaced. "Maybe I can stick to cleaning."
"You'll be fine! I believe in you, Teddy." Megan said with a big grin. She really did believe that he could do it.
"I want you to remember that if I destroy your kitchen." He dutifully started breaking eggs. "Oh, hey! No shell this time."
"I doubt you could destroy my kitchen. Maybe if you set fire to it and you aren't dealing with fire this time, so I'm not concerned." Megan clapped. "That's great, Teddy! That is an accomplishment."
"Megan," he said in mock seriousness, "Do you not trust me near fire? Mum might agree, but..." He held up an egg threateningly.
"Only if you set fire to my kitchen." Megan stared at the egg in his hand. "What are you going to do?"
"Hmmm. What am I going to do?" He took a few steps closer to her.
Megan pointed at the egg then looked at Teddy. "What are you going to do with the egg?"
Teddy cocked his head, grinning wickedly as he held it above her head. "Mum always swore that old muggle trick made the hair shiny."
"You wouldn't dare!" Megan grinned too, but she really hoped that Teddy wouldn't.
"To you? Maybe not..." He held it up and let the juice trickle down his own head. "My hair always was hard to manage," he explained, distracting her as he mopped some from his hair and went to tackle her with his greasy hand.
Megan laughed. "How very thoughtful of you." She moved away from him just a couple of steps, taking note of his hand. It didn't bother her if he touched her with his greasy hand, she was used to such messes. "I think your hair looks great without the egg."
He stopped short of actually touching her, instead choosing to run his hand under the faucet, then waving his wand over his hair to clean it up. Within seconds, there was no evidence that he had just cracked an egg over his head for no reason other than to make Megan laugh. Why he always wanted to hear that sound was beyond him, but he liked it and found he'd do most anything for it. "Oh? Well, thank you, Meg. I think you might be the only one!"
"You're welcome, Teddy! And I do hope that I'm not the only one." Megan told him. She reached out with her hand and ran it through his hair. "That was fun. Look. No evidence that you broke an egg on your head."
He felt a tingle rush through his body when she touched him. Oh, Salazar. "Um," he said, "Uh, right, so, cake. What sort are we making?"
"Chocolate!" Megan told him. She noticed the tiny bit of awkwardness from him when he brought up the cake, but being Megan, she answered his question.
"Oh, good. May I take a piece to Draco and Pansy if it is not too terrible?" He had gone back to cracking eggs and stirring. "They've been so busy. I'd love to give them something to relax."
"Of course! It won't be terrible at all. I believe they will marvel at how delicious the cake you made is." Megan told him as she helped him. "I'm good at sharing. I think Susan will be pleased too that she won't be forced to eat cake day after day."
"How is Susan?" Teddy asked as he pushed the bowl aside and awaited further instruction. "I haven't seen her in a bit."
"She's good. Busier than me with all her training. I hardly ever see her." Megan told him. "Okay. Now that you're done mixing, let's put it in a pan and stick it in the oven to bake."
"Aw, like Pandora in Pansy's stomach." Teddy laughed as he lifted the pan and eased it into the over. "There."
Megan laughed too. "But completely different. Now, was that so hard?"
"You ruin my fun," Teddy kidded as he stepped back to observe the stove. "Nothing exploding. Brilliant!"
She shook her head. "I'm plenty of fun, so you shouldn't have to worry about me ruining your fun!"
"That you are," Teddy acquiesced. He took a seat at the table, looking over the now familiar environment. "Sorry I've been so sparse."
"Why have you been? I mean, I know I've been busy, but have you been busy too?"
"Well, yes." It was half-truth. He was really busy with work.
"I'm glad that you were able to take a break and hang out with me today." Megan said.
"Me, too," Teddy admitted, though he couldn't bring himself to tell her how happy it made him. WHY?
Megan smiled. "I'm also glad that you wanted to learn to bake. This is a lot of fun."