New story I know I probably should finish my others first but what the hell you only live once –D.C.
I have ownership of nothing!
It was an average day by London standards, all drippy clouds and smog as Fang trudged along the London alley he'd been here four days already and he was staving, he'd had a plan to get a job, a place to stay and lay low till he was sure the flock had stopped looking for him, but on the first two accounts he'd failed.
Kicking a stone bitterly he was surprised when it stopped short of an A-frame sign advertising a place called 'The Leaky Caldron' that was when noticed that the alley abruptly ended in front of an odd looking grey stone building although the ones nearby were all faded red brick, he stepped closer to read a smaller sing in the window it said 'Summer Busboy Wanted: Accommodation and Meals Provided'.
"Finally" Fang smirked briefly before opening the door and walking in.
Tom the barkeep looked up at the sound of the door opening, then higher to the tiny bewitched bell he'd bought less-then legally, it was meant to ring normally at the entrance of a wizard, witch or squib, buzz at the sound of a muggle but instead it whistled sharply, the sign that a half-blood had entered.
Glanced down and smiled expecting Hagrid instead it was a tall gangly but muscled youth of fifteen,
"Hello boy, how can I help" Tom said "Uh... I'm here about the Busboy Job" the boy replied with an American accent.
"Ah! Right then, take a seat and I'll explain what the job entails" Tom said reaching under the bar for a set of keys.
"So what your name boy"
"Fang uh... Nick Fang, but Fang's fine" Fang said quietly sitting on a barstool,
"Okay Fang basically it involves clearing and cleaning tables as well as any and all odd-jobs around the tavern; from stacking boxes and helping Mrs. Wood the Cook, to carrying the guests luggage, got that" Tom before continuing "Now I'll give you a three-day trial; you'll have meals in the kitchen with Cook, the maids and me, the wage is twelve sickles a week and I'll show you to your room now" Tom said heaving up out of his chair and starting up the stair.
"This is your room" Tom said leading my into a tiny room with linen cupboards lining one wall "its right above the furnace and you'll find a uniform in one of the these" he said tapping a door "I'll give you a half-hour to settle, then you'll meet me downstairs to the kitchens for the staff dinner, then later during the guests' dinner I'll give you a tour and put you to work, how's that sound" Fang nodded.
When Tom left Fang dumped his backpack on the the bed before pulling out the clothes folded and crammed into the small cupboard, two well-used cream buttoned shirts, two pairs of brown woollen slacks with suspenders, a white apron, some brown knit socks and a pair of old lace-up leather boots.
I'll have to save and buy a coat before I cut slits in the back of the shirts, Fang thought as he dressed and went to look the staff-only door that Tom said opened into the back stairs which inturn lead down to the kitchens.
Myles Fezwick a waiter at The Leaky Caldron, who sat on a bench in the kitchen singing-along to the radio,
I fell into a burning ring of fire,
I went down, down, down, but flames went higher,
And it burned, burned, burned, that ring of fire,
That ring of fire,
"You'd best turn-down that silly muggle music now or I'll feed you something extra hot and you'll really have a ring of burning fire!" Mrs. Wood hissed threatening him with a wooden spoon.(A/N: Always wanted say that! If your don't know its Ring of Fire written by June Carter-Cash and sung by Johnny Cash)
"Well we got a new busboy, looks like he'll do well" Tom said stomping into the kitchen,
"I don't see why you need a busboy, why not just hire temporary waiter for the summer?" Myles asked,
"Because waiters all want to be permanent" Mrs. Wood started,
"But most importantly, it's cheaper to hire a minor and because minors can't work for more than the summer what with school and all" Tom Finished.
"So what's his name" Mrs. Wood spoon a meaty stew into bowls for herself, two waiters, the maid, tom and the new boy.
"Nick Fang, but said to call him Fang" Tom taking his bowl and sitting down,
It was a minute later that Fang came down to the kitchen; Tom introduced him to the other staff of the Leaky Caldron,
The next day Fang was helping Tom move boxes in the store room when Tom looked at him and asked,
"I noticed you're a bit different, a little more than human can I ask what you are?" Tom unwilling to mention his illegal doorbell.
"Oh uh? I'm... I'm an avian-hybrid" Fang said watching Tom wearily trying gage his reaction,
"Oh... can't say I've heard of those before, but I'm guessing you have feathers or wings or something"
"Yeah, wings or something" Fang smiled maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
So you like it! I do, it's written better than my other stories or at least I think so...
Reviews are love! – D.C.