Tracey wasn't paying attention to where she was going. She had just purchased a third pair of shoes to add to the four jumpers and three pairs of trousers that she had got at Caravaggio's and was seriously rebuking herself for not shrinking the bag in the store. She hated the way things didn't fit the same way after being shrunk, but at least she could have used her arms for other things than carrying packages. Blaise would have given her a lecture about not being prepared to draw her wand if trouble came calling. Tracey hadn't wanted to stay at home after leaving Blaise. She'd changed and Apparated to Pansy's, leaving some orchids from her arboretum for her along with some strawberry tarts and a note of thanks for the info about her drunken friend, before coming to Diagon to wash her bad date woes away with spending ridiculous amounts of money.

She couldn't help thinking about Theo as she trod along, no matter how much she'd told Blaise she was never going to think on the wizard again. He doesn't know it was your first date, she grumbled to herself. Was it a date? It wasn't a date. Why are you thinking it was a date? Tracey had long ago decided that there was just some giant flaw, something about her that she couldn't quite name, that made her undesirable to the opposite sex. How else would you explain the lack of men pounding down her door. She was vain enough to know it wasn't because she was ugly, so it had to be something else. Her personality? Sweet Salazar, it was probably that, she thought. Her thoughts continued in that vein until she almost fell off the pavement stones. It was a strong pair of arms that helped her from stumbling and dropping her packages all over the ground.

Holding her for a moment or two longer than was necessary, Cormac made sure Tracey was sure-footed and released her, saying, "There you go, Miss Davis."  He smiled down at her, noticing that she seemed distracted.  "Lost in thought?"  Seeing the various bags and boxes she was carrying, he started relieving her of her burdens, gathering the purchases into his arms.  Regarding the look on her face he said, "Are you regretting one of your purchases or participating in the age-old female custom of retail therapy?" 

Tracey couldn't help but laugh. "Thank you, Mr. McLaggen. I'm actually just wishing I'd had enough sense to have my house-elves pick up my purchases today. I did more shopping than I thought I would this afternoon. What are you doing out on this brisk October day? I can't imagine the neighbourhood being so dangerous as would require an MLE representative in the middle of the day. Chasing down a wicked wizard?" One side of her smile quirked forward as she gave him a comical smirk that could certainly not be considered anything but cheeky.

Blushing slightly, Cormac ducked his head as he said, "I've been at the Quidditch shop."  He wished he had come from somewhere incredibly important, distinguished, or hell, at least grown-up.  "The new Firebolt came out today."

He's adorable, she thought, grinning to herself. "I don't know anything about Quidditch, I'm afraid. I only went to games in school because Draco's my friend. I'm sorry, I don't remember, did you play?" she asked softly as she finally reached her wand and managed to shrink the three boxes of shoes.

"Very briefly, yes.  I'm afraid I'm all talk and not much talent-where Quidditch is concerned, at least."  His eyes lit up as he continued, "I do like to fly, however.  I find it calming after a long day."  Cormac could see the skepticism in Tracey's eyes.  "No, really.  I'm sure you'd enjoy it.  You should try it sometime," he said, laughingly.

"I suppose I've just never had any friends who offered to take me up," she said with a sly smile. Pansy wasn't the only one who knew how to play this game, and if moving past the whole Theodore Nott debacle was what she wanted then she was going to have to at least try to flirt with charming, good looking men who flirted with her, even if Greg said this one was a womanizer. "Draco was the only one who flew really well, and I would rather not fly with his arms around me. Do you ever fly double, then?"

"Well, not since Oliver Wood starting dating his current boyfriend, so it's about time I took someone else up on my broom," he said with a wink.

Tracey blushed. "Well, that was decidedly too much information to share with someone you don't know well yet, but thanks for the very pretty image, I think it's only fair I get to call you Cormac now for that."

Laughing, Cormac said, "Please, forgive me then.  I'm sure Oliver would be offended, as well.  And yes, please do call me Cormac.  The offer still stands should you ever find yourself with a free afternoon-or evening."

Well, that was easy, she thought to herself as she smiled. "I'd like that, Mr. McLaggen- Cormac. I'd like that a lot." She looked up at his face and he seemed so sincere, she knew Greg had to be wrong, or trying to protect her. From what, she didn't know. Cormac McLaggen was obviously a gentleman, and Pansy was obviously prone to exaggeration.

Before she could say anything else encouraging, there was a rumble of thunder that sounded overhead. "Well, I suppose I should be going, then," she said softly. "Before the rain comes."

Eying the clouds passing overhead, Cormac had to agree.  "It's been wonderful seeing you again, Miss Davis.  I do hope we'll meet up again soon," he said.

"It has. Thank you, Cormac." Tracey started to walk further down the pavement toward Shipley's where she had planned on Flooing home with her packages, but turned back to face him before getting too far. "And Cormac, you can call me Tracey, you know. And I do hope it is soon." Still smiling, she turned back and walked out of sight.

{Summary: As she's recovering from her horrible date, Tracey bumps into 'Mr. Wonderful'}