Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, scenes, or
terminology. If I did, I probably wouldn't be posting stories here- I'd be
getting them published!
Harry Potter attempted to smooth down his sticky-up hair by using everything he could: brushes, combs, hair gel, hair spray, and every spell he could think of. Finally, after fighting with the inevitable, Harry gave up. His hair was the only imperfection; otherwise, Harry looked perfect. He looked like the trained professional that he was supposed to look like. A professional Quidditch player.
Harry was fresh out of his seventh, and last, year of Hogwarts. He was almost eighteen, and his early birthday present was the knowledge that he was eligible to be the reserve Seeker on the Chudley Cannons Quidditch team. Obviously, he was extremely excited. Imagine being a real reserve Seeker! On a real team! And on the Chudley Cannons, too. The Chudley Cannons was an extremely known team in the wizarding world that needed at least two reserves of each position (Keeper, Chaser, etc.) to play in the World Cup. Their last reserve Seeker had quit due to a Bludger hitting him in the nose, and knocking him out for two weeks. They had barely gotten his memory back, so they let him leave the team. Now it was Harry's turn to try to become the new seeker.
Harry walked out of his hotel room, ready to go to the team's office. It was about ten minutes away, using Muggle transportation (a taxi, in Harry's case). Harry hadn't been able to find a wizard hotel, so he had been forced to stay in a Muggle hotel. Luckily, he had been able to convert his money into Muggle currency.
Harry walked outside of his room, ready to call a taxi. However, the moment he walked into the lobby, he realized how stupid he was. Hello! You're a wizard! Just Apparate over there! They're wizards, they won't be surprised if I just pop in! And with that, Harry walked back to his room and closed his door- tight. If any Muggles were to find him just pop in and pop out. The Ministry would be mad, that's for sure. Excited, Harry closed his eyes and Apparated.
Harry found himself in a large white building. There were two large couches, both white. A large white desk stood near where Harry stood. On it were two books: The Creation of a Quidditch Team and Forever Quidditch: The True Stories of Quidditch Players. A short lady sat there, deeply absorbed in Forever Quidditch: The True Stories of Quidditch. She didn't even notice Harry was there.
Harry cleared his throat. He cleared it again. Finally, he walked up to her and said, "Excuse me, is this where the Quidditch interviews are?"
The lady jumped a mile high. "I'm sorry. Please, sit down. The coach will be here in a second."
"Thank you." Harry sat down on one of the chairs. He glanced at the assortment of magazines and papers that were on the table- the only source of color in the bright white room. There was Quidditch Today, Witches Weekly, and other female-related magazines. Harry picked up Quidditch Today and briefly skimmed it- he was too nervous to read a magazine.
Hey, this is it, Harry realized with a bit of shock. He put down the magazine and prepared what he would say in the interview. Then realizing how silly that was (Harry didn't know what questions would be asked), he took the magazine back and began to skim it again.
Finally, after what seemed like an hour of waiting (although it was really only five minutes), a large door opened, and a tall man in a formal suit (white, of course) walked in. He smiled at Harry and said, "Hello Harry. Come in, come in."
---
A few days later, Harry stood in front of the Leaky Cauldron. He had planned to meet his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger at the Leaky Cauldron. The Leaky Cauldron was a famous wizarding landmark, known for its many customers and famous Floating Bubble drinks. It was also the only access to Diagon Alley from London. Since Ron had yet to figure out how to Apparate, the Leaky Cauldron was a perfect place to meet.
Harry opened the door to the Leaky Cauldron. Looking around carefully, he finally saw Hermione sitting in the back corner, staring at a large book and sipping a glass of Fizz-Water. He smiled, and walked in her direction.
Harry pulled out a chair, making Hermione jump a mile high. "What on earth are you doing?"
"Oh, hello Harry," Hermione answered hastily. "What do you mean, what on earth am I doing? I'm reading, can't you tell?"
Harry shrugged. "Well yeah, but we just got out of school! Why are you reading, it's not like we have to do any homework. Heck, we don't have to do any homework for the rest of our lives!"
"Have you ever thought I might be reading for pleasure?" Hermione shot back. "Besides, I'm reading it for-"
"Hello!" Ron's cheerful greeting filled the room.
A couple of nearby witches smiled and said, "Hello," right back at him.
Ron grinned, then sat down next to Harry. "Hi Harry. Hi Hermione. How are you?"
Harry elbowed Ron in the side and answered, "Stop talking all adult- like. We've only been out of school for four weeks."
"Well I think he sounds quite professional," Hermione said politely. "Finally."
"What's up?" Ron asked, sounding quite like his usual self.
"Hermione here was going to tell me why she's pouring over some book, even though we're out of school."
Ron groaned. "Gosh Hermione, reading already??"
"You make it seem like it's a crime."
"Well, it is."
"No it's not."
"Yes it is."
"And why, might I ask, is something as useful as reading a crime?"
"Because it is."
"That's a reasonable excuse. Not."
"Of course it is."
Harry quickly interrupted the pointless fighting by saying, "So. To Diagon Alley?"
---
By the time the trio had gotten to the old ice-cream shop, Hermione and Ron had already argued about reading, Quidditch teams, and ice cream flavors. All in less then ten minutes! Harry was positively sick of it; however, it was part of Hermione and Ron's friendship.
Once they had gotten their ice cream and had sat down at a sunny table outside, Hermione asked excitedly, "Well boys, have you found any jobs yet?"
Harry looked down at his feet and prayed that Ron hadn't found a job yet- he knew that Hermione had been job hunting ever since they had graduated from Hogwarts, but he had no clue about Ron.
Ron smiled proudly and said, "As a matter of fact, I have. I'm working at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes!"
Harry stared at Ron. "Fred and George's shop? Yeah. Right."
"Yep," Ron replied.
Hermione smiled. "Wonderful!"
Harry snorted. "Yeah, wonderful. Must have been hard to get that job."
"Believe it or not, it was. Fred and George only took in a few selective applicants."
"Well that's great, Ron," Hermione said proudly. "That must be a lot of fun."
"Yeah, it is."
"How about you Hermione," Harry asked, while thinking, maybe if I distract her, she won't ask me about my job.
"I've been waiting to tell you all day! I got a job at Hogwarts, teaching Arithmancy!"
"Wasn't that, like, one of your favorite subjects?"
"Yes, which is why I'm so excited to teach it! It's so much like math, and I'm quite good at it. And it requires lots of logic-"
"Like in our first year, with the Sorcerer's Stone?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, kind of like that. Lots of math. My absolute favorite! I've already started studying, because I don't want to scare the third-years when they take the class. And I get to live at Hogwarts! And that was one of my favorite subjects," Hermione rambled. "Oh. I'm so excited! Imagine me, as Professor Granger! Isn't that great?"
"Uh. yeah," Ron answered sarcastically.
Hermione glared at him. "What do you mean?"
"We just left school, and you're already going back? Sheesh."
"Well, it's a good job. I get to go back and do something I love! I love Hogwarts."
"Yeah," Harry agreed.
"Well, enough about me," Hermione said when she noticed Harry's unhappy face. "What about you Harry? Have you found anything yet?"
"Well. Yeah."
"What was it?" Ron asked.
"I tried out for the Chudley Cannons, as the reserve Seeker."
"Oh Harry, that's fantastic!" Hermione cried.
"I didn't get in."
"What?" Ron and Hermione asked at the exact same moment.
"I didn't get in."
Ron looked astonished. "B-b-but you're so good Harry? Why didn't you get it?"
"I dunno. Someone was better then me, I guess."
Hermione looked sympathetic. "I'm sorry, Harry."
Ron started to say something, but Hermione glared at him. He sighed. "Me too."
Harry smiled and said, "Thanks."
Hermione sat on the edge of her seat. "What are you doing for money?"
Harry hadn't even thought of that. "My parents left me some. I figure I'll use that, until I find another job."
"I have an idea!" Ron said excitedly. "You can work at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes with me."
"That could work." Harry said quietly.
Ron grinned. "Want to go over there now? They're just around the corner." He started to get up.
Before Harry could say anything, Hermione interrupted. "You can do that later, Harry. I just want to sit here and relax."
"OK."
Ron sat down in his chair again. "Harry, where are you staying?"
"In a Muggle hotel. But most of the time I'm away from the room. Why?"
"Because we thought you could come stay at the Burrow. Mum's worried sick about you, afraid some idiot is going to kidnap you or something."
Harry chuckled. "Hey, the war's over! We can finally relax- I'm not worried anymore about Death Eaters and Dark Marks and junk. Tell your Mum not to worry." But secretly Harry was touched. He still wasn't used to people caring about him.
"Alright. Doubt it'll do any good though."
Hermione, who had been sitting in her chair thinking, suddenly asked, "Do you have a place to stay?"
Harry stared at her. "Yeah, at a Muggle hotel. I just answered that question."
"Oh."
"Hermione, what are you doing?" Ron asked. "Stop zoning out."
"Sorry, I'm just thinking."
"Big surprise there," Ron muttered to Harry. Harry snorted.
"No seriously! I have an idea for Harry's problem."
"I have a problem?" Harry asked.
"Well. I think it's problem." Seeing both Harry and Ron's confused faces, Hermione quickly added, "You know, his job?"
"Oh. Hermione, it's ok. I'll deal with it. Don't worry."
"But I had a really good idea Harry. Can't I just tell it to you?"
"Is it better then my idea?" Ron asked.
Hermione ignored him. "Hogwarts still doesn't have a Defense of the Dark Arts teacher. You're good with that subject, you practically ended the war."
"I dunno," Ron joked. "I mean, who besides you wants to go back to school? Right Harry?"
"It has good pay. Free housing. All you have to do is teach a couple of classes every day. You could be a Professor Lupin, only not a werewolf."
Harry and Ron both laughed.
"Besides, I'll be there. And Hagrid and Dumbledore. You can quit after a year, like all Defense of the Dark Arts teachers have, if you want. Though I doubt you'd want to. It'll be quite nice, and you'll have a year to figure out what you might do after, if you want. No reason not to."
"Oh yeah?" Ron asked. "I have reasons. One, who wants to go back to school?" Hermione started talk, but Ron interrupted her. "Also, why go to school when he can work with me? I know Fred and George will hire him. Besides, he'll be with you."
Hermione's face turned red with rage. "What's wrong with me? Are you so great that it'd be fine to work with you but not me?"
Harry understood Ron's reasoning. Ron had a crush on Hermione ever since she broke up with Victor Krum, a famous Quidditch player. He probably thinks that if I work with Hermione, she'll fall in love with me, Harry thought. He shuddered inwardly at the thought of Hermione liking him as more then a friend. They were friends, nothing more. Right?
Ron quietly said, "It's just that. that. You're a girl!" He said the last part so quietly that Harry could barely him, and Hermione couldn't hear him at all.
"What?" Hermione inquired.
"Never mind."
Harry sighed. "Well, I'll think about it. I have to find a home sometime soon, and I can't live at a Muggle hotel!"
Harry Potter attempted to smooth down his sticky-up hair by using everything he could: brushes, combs, hair gel, hair spray, and every spell he could think of. Finally, after fighting with the inevitable, Harry gave up. His hair was the only imperfection; otherwise, Harry looked perfect. He looked like the trained professional that he was supposed to look like. A professional Quidditch player.
Harry was fresh out of his seventh, and last, year of Hogwarts. He was almost eighteen, and his early birthday present was the knowledge that he was eligible to be the reserve Seeker on the Chudley Cannons Quidditch team. Obviously, he was extremely excited. Imagine being a real reserve Seeker! On a real team! And on the Chudley Cannons, too. The Chudley Cannons was an extremely known team in the wizarding world that needed at least two reserves of each position (Keeper, Chaser, etc.) to play in the World Cup. Their last reserve Seeker had quit due to a Bludger hitting him in the nose, and knocking him out for two weeks. They had barely gotten his memory back, so they let him leave the team. Now it was Harry's turn to try to become the new seeker.
Harry walked out of his hotel room, ready to go to the team's office. It was about ten minutes away, using Muggle transportation (a taxi, in Harry's case). Harry hadn't been able to find a wizard hotel, so he had been forced to stay in a Muggle hotel. Luckily, he had been able to convert his money into Muggle currency.
Harry walked outside of his room, ready to call a taxi. However, the moment he walked into the lobby, he realized how stupid he was. Hello! You're a wizard! Just Apparate over there! They're wizards, they won't be surprised if I just pop in! And with that, Harry walked back to his room and closed his door- tight. If any Muggles were to find him just pop in and pop out. The Ministry would be mad, that's for sure. Excited, Harry closed his eyes and Apparated.
Harry found himself in a large white building. There were two large couches, both white. A large white desk stood near where Harry stood. On it were two books: The Creation of a Quidditch Team and Forever Quidditch: The True Stories of Quidditch Players. A short lady sat there, deeply absorbed in Forever Quidditch: The True Stories of Quidditch. She didn't even notice Harry was there.
Harry cleared his throat. He cleared it again. Finally, he walked up to her and said, "Excuse me, is this where the Quidditch interviews are?"
The lady jumped a mile high. "I'm sorry. Please, sit down. The coach will be here in a second."
"Thank you." Harry sat down on one of the chairs. He glanced at the assortment of magazines and papers that were on the table- the only source of color in the bright white room. There was Quidditch Today, Witches Weekly, and other female-related magazines. Harry picked up Quidditch Today and briefly skimmed it- he was too nervous to read a magazine.
Hey, this is it, Harry realized with a bit of shock. He put down the magazine and prepared what he would say in the interview. Then realizing how silly that was (Harry didn't know what questions would be asked), he took the magazine back and began to skim it again.
Finally, after what seemed like an hour of waiting (although it was really only five minutes), a large door opened, and a tall man in a formal suit (white, of course) walked in. He smiled at Harry and said, "Hello Harry. Come in, come in."
---
A few days later, Harry stood in front of the Leaky Cauldron. He had planned to meet his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger at the Leaky Cauldron. The Leaky Cauldron was a famous wizarding landmark, known for its many customers and famous Floating Bubble drinks. It was also the only access to Diagon Alley from London. Since Ron had yet to figure out how to Apparate, the Leaky Cauldron was a perfect place to meet.
Harry opened the door to the Leaky Cauldron. Looking around carefully, he finally saw Hermione sitting in the back corner, staring at a large book and sipping a glass of Fizz-Water. He smiled, and walked in her direction.
Harry pulled out a chair, making Hermione jump a mile high. "What on earth are you doing?"
"Oh, hello Harry," Hermione answered hastily. "What do you mean, what on earth am I doing? I'm reading, can't you tell?"
Harry shrugged. "Well yeah, but we just got out of school! Why are you reading, it's not like we have to do any homework. Heck, we don't have to do any homework for the rest of our lives!"
"Have you ever thought I might be reading for pleasure?" Hermione shot back. "Besides, I'm reading it for-"
"Hello!" Ron's cheerful greeting filled the room.
A couple of nearby witches smiled and said, "Hello," right back at him.
Ron grinned, then sat down next to Harry. "Hi Harry. Hi Hermione. How are you?"
Harry elbowed Ron in the side and answered, "Stop talking all adult- like. We've only been out of school for four weeks."
"Well I think he sounds quite professional," Hermione said politely. "Finally."
"What's up?" Ron asked, sounding quite like his usual self.
"Hermione here was going to tell me why she's pouring over some book, even though we're out of school."
Ron groaned. "Gosh Hermione, reading already??"
"You make it seem like it's a crime."
"Well, it is."
"No it's not."
"Yes it is."
"And why, might I ask, is something as useful as reading a crime?"
"Because it is."
"That's a reasonable excuse. Not."
"Of course it is."
Harry quickly interrupted the pointless fighting by saying, "So. To Diagon Alley?"
---
By the time the trio had gotten to the old ice-cream shop, Hermione and Ron had already argued about reading, Quidditch teams, and ice cream flavors. All in less then ten minutes! Harry was positively sick of it; however, it was part of Hermione and Ron's friendship.
Once they had gotten their ice cream and had sat down at a sunny table outside, Hermione asked excitedly, "Well boys, have you found any jobs yet?"
Harry looked down at his feet and prayed that Ron hadn't found a job yet- he knew that Hermione had been job hunting ever since they had graduated from Hogwarts, but he had no clue about Ron.
Ron smiled proudly and said, "As a matter of fact, I have. I'm working at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes!"
Harry stared at Ron. "Fred and George's shop? Yeah. Right."
"Yep," Ron replied.
Hermione smiled. "Wonderful!"
Harry snorted. "Yeah, wonderful. Must have been hard to get that job."
"Believe it or not, it was. Fred and George only took in a few selective applicants."
"Well that's great, Ron," Hermione said proudly. "That must be a lot of fun."
"Yeah, it is."
"How about you Hermione," Harry asked, while thinking, maybe if I distract her, she won't ask me about my job.
"I've been waiting to tell you all day! I got a job at Hogwarts, teaching Arithmancy!"
"Wasn't that, like, one of your favorite subjects?"
"Yes, which is why I'm so excited to teach it! It's so much like math, and I'm quite good at it. And it requires lots of logic-"
"Like in our first year, with the Sorcerer's Stone?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, kind of like that. Lots of math. My absolute favorite! I've already started studying, because I don't want to scare the third-years when they take the class. And I get to live at Hogwarts! And that was one of my favorite subjects," Hermione rambled. "Oh. I'm so excited! Imagine me, as Professor Granger! Isn't that great?"
"Uh. yeah," Ron answered sarcastically.
Hermione glared at him. "What do you mean?"
"We just left school, and you're already going back? Sheesh."
"Well, it's a good job. I get to go back and do something I love! I love Hogwarts."
"Yeah," Harry agreed.
"Well, enough about me," Hermione said when she noticed Harry's unhappy face. "What about you Harry? Have you found anything yet?"
"Well. Yeah."
"What was it?" Ron asked.
"I tried out for the Chudley Cannons, as the reserve Seeker."
"Oh Harry, that's fantastic!" Hermione cried.
"I didn't get in."
"What?" Ron and Hermione asked at the exact same moment.
"I didn't get in."
Ron looked astonished. "B-b-but you're so good Harry? Why didn't you get it?"
"I dunno. Someone was better then me, I guess."
Hermione looked sympathetic. "I'm sorry, Harry."
Ron started to say something, but Hermione glared at him. He sighed. "Me too."
Harry smiled and said, "Thanks."
Hermione sat on the edge of her seat. "What are you doing for money?"
Harry hadn't even thought of that. "My parents left me some. I figure I'll use that, until I find another job."
"I have an idea!" Ron said excitedly. "You can work at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes with me."
"That could work." Harry said quietly.
Ron grinned. "Want to go over there now? They're just around the corner." He started to get up.
Before Harry could say anything, Hermione interrupted. "You can do that later, Harry. I just want to sit here and relax."
"OK."
Ron sat down in his chair again. "Harry, where are you staying?"
"In a Muggle hotel. But most of the time I'm away from the room. Why?"
"Because we thought you could come stay at the Burrow. Mum's worried sick about you, afraid some idiot is going to kidnap you or something."
Harry chuckled. "Hey, the war's over! We can finally relax- I'm not worried anymore about Death Eaters and Dark Marks and junk. Tell your Mum not to worry." But secretly Harry was touched. He still wasn't used to people caring about him.
"Alright. Doubt it'll do any good though."
Hermione, who had been sitting in her chair thinking, suddenly asked, "Do you have a place to stay?"
Harry stared at her. "Yeah, at a Muggle hotel. I just answered that question."
"Oh."
"Hermione, what are you doing?" Ron asked. "Stop zoning out."
"Sorry, I'm just thinking."
"Big surprise there," Ron muttered to Harry. Harry snorted.
"No seriously! I have an idea for Harry's problem."
"I have a problem?" Harry asked.
"Well. I think it's problem." Seeing both Harry and Ron's confused faces, Hermione quickly added, "You know, his job?"
"Oh. Hermione, it's ok. I'll deal with it. Don't worry."
"But I had a really good idea Harry. Can't I just tell it to you?"
"Is it better then my idea?" Ron asked.
Hermione ignored him. "Hogwarts still doesn't have a Defense of the Dark Arts teacher. You're good with that subject, you practically ended the war."
"I dunno," Ron joked. "I mean, who besides you wants to go back to school? Right Harry?"
"It has good pay. Free housing. All you have to do is teach a couple of classes every day. You could be a Professor Lupin, only not a werewolf."
Harry and Ron both laughed.
"Besides, I'll be there. And Hagrid and Dumbledore. You can quit after a year, like all Defense of the Dark Arts teachers have, if you want. Though I doubt you'd want to. It'll be quite nice, and you'll have a year to figure out what you might do after, if you want. No reason not to."
"Oh yeah?" Ron asked. "I have reasons. One, who wants to go back to school?" Hermione started talk, but Ron interrupted her. "Also, why go to school when he can work with me? I know Fred and George will hire him. Besides, he'll be with you."
Hermione's face turned red with rage. "What's wrong with me? Are you so great that it'd be fine to work with you but not me?"
Harry understood Ron's reasoning. Ron had a crush on Hermione ever since she broke up with Victor Krum, a famous Quidditch player. He probably thinks that if I work with Hermione, she'll fall in love with me, Harry thought. He shuddered inwardly at the thought of Hermione liking him as more then a friend. They were friends, nothing more. Right?
Ron quietly said, "It's just that. that. You're a girl!" He said the last part so quietly that Harry could barely him, and Hermione couldn't hear him at all.
"What?" Hermione inquired.
"Never mind."
Harry sighed. "Well, I'll think about it. I have to find a home sometime soon, and I can't live at a Muggle hotel!"