Chapter one: Yellow Roses

"How much control do you have over your body temperature? I know that your kin sometimes have a hard time doing so, especially so young," commented the older woman as she self down her scissors on the counter.
"I'm able to control it well," I answered quietly, eyes unable to stay in one place for more than a few seconds.
"Good! How about you start off by going outside and atering the flowers? That will help you get to know where they are in case I need more. As you saw when you came in, I like to grow my own flowers. Quality control of sorts," she explained as she wrapped a small bouquet of about ten tiger lilies in a bright green plastic with a simplistic symbol, probably a sort of trademark.
I glanced around the room before spotting the green plastic watering can and taking it. I don't remember ever having had seen so many flowers in one place, but I can certainly say it's enjoyable, calming almost. After filling the watering can, I set out outside, however didn't get very far before my new boss came out and handed me something folded up.
"That's a pretty outfit and it'd be a shame if you dirtied it," she said, a smile on her face.
I looked down at it quietly before setting the cat down and unfolding it to play it out. It was a Christmas green apron that had "Avelyn" bejeweled in purple gems on the front pocket. I slipped it on with a small smile and thanked her quietly.
"No big deal, my dear! Come find me when you're done," she said happily, turning and going back inside.
Mrs. Sprout was a bit of a plump, cheerful woman that seemed quite content to go about the rest of her days tending to her somewhat small flower shop. I was certain that the area she used to grow the flowers was at least five, maybe six times the size of the actual shop itself, which included the front end, a small back room and an employee bathroom. As far as I knew, I was the only other employee. Mrs. Sprout seemed nice enough and we were in the more quaint part of town, with a café across the road that was called "Weasley's Second Home". It wasn't exactly bustling, however it wasn't dead, either. I almost got distracted again, again. This time by a man cashiering at the café. He had bright ginger hair that was starting to become a little shaggy. He also ha a few burn scars that grabbed my curiosity and he almost looked familiar. Shaking my head, I went over and started to water some tiger lilies. So many colors; I'd forgotten How many colors there actually were.
Two years ago was a blur, however the span from then to now became clearer and clearer I thought about it. During that span I was at a safe house guarded by the Ministry of Magic. There I was taught simple, though necessary life skills. I don't remember anything previous, though I'm told I'm approximately three hundred fourteen years, I'm an ice dragon, though my birth place and parents are unknown, and my life was too traumatic to remember, so apparently they erased my memories. My curiosity had gotten the better of me several times and during my rehabilitation I had a lot of free time, so I would sit in the safe house for hours on end, wracking my brain for just a glimpse of memory. Most of the time, my efforts were fruitless, though I found that my nightmares proved a good source, because when I talked to my teacher, Remus Lupin about them, he just gave me a concerned look and told me to dismiss them. How could anyone? They were always so... violent.
"My dear? Lost in thought, are we?"
I looked over quickly at Mrs. Sprout, who just smiled fondly at me.
"Sorry," I murmured, going over and watering the next bunch of flowers: yellow roses.
"You're all right. I just wanted to show you how to use the register so that I can run to the bank," she explained.
I nodded and followed her back inside. After a quick tutorial and the introduction of the price chart, she informed me that she'd be back in a short while. Glancing around the shop, I felt a sudden sense or worry and anxiety. I stood there at the counter for a good ten minutes of nothing before finally deciding to do something a little bit more productive and went about, watering the various flowers in the shop itself. A skylight lit the small area up brightly and made it somewhat comforting. The bell rang an I turned to see Remus walk in. He grinned upon seeing me in turn and went over.
"Avelyn, how are you? Promona giving you plenty to do?" I nodded. "She left to do something at the bank," I murmured quietly.
He paused for a second, before exclaiming, "Goodness! She must trust you a lot. I hope she taught you how to use the register?" he inquired, glancing around the shop.
I nodded yet again. "Yeah, but she gave me a cheat sheet, just in case."
"Good, good, always has a plan, that one," he chuckled, going over to look at the pre-packaged roses. "How about you ring me up a dozen of these?"
I nodded in compliance and did just that. "For Tonks?"
"But of course!" he laughed. "She's been promoted and I wanted to get her something special."
I offered him a small smile. I enjoyed listening to Remus talk about his relationship with Tonks; distracted me from unpleasant thoughts.
"During your lunch break, I'll stop by again to introduce you to the family-owned café across the street. I know that Promona goes there to get something to eat," he explained.
"Sounds good," I agreed. "Say hi to Tonks for me," I murmured.
"Will do! Oh, looks like you have another customer. Good luck," he murmured, ing the roses and leaving, though held open the door for a woman with fiery red hair. She said thank you before coming in.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked quietly, watching her just look around.
"Just looking for something to give my husband. It's out anniversary," she beamed.
I thought for a moment before going over and picking up a bouquet of yellow roses.
"Yellow roses are said to mean friendship and joy," I murmured.
"Huh, never knew that! Sounds good! He's is my best friend, after all!" she laughed, purchasing the bouquet.
"I'm sure he'll enjoy them," I commented with a small smile. "Have a good day."
"You, too," she said happily, giving a small wave and left.
Huh, this wasn't so hard. Well, hopefully no one asks for a specially made bouquet. After a few more minutes of silence, I went back to watering the flowers. This was definitely a peaceful job and I figured I could get the hand of it soon enough. By lunch time, when Mrs. Sprout came back. I'd only had six more customers, none of them needing me to make a bouquet, so I was happy. I had tidied up the shop, too, and memorized the price chart well enough.
"Sorry for taking so long, Avelyn. The line at the bank was so long, then they messed up my request and oh... anyways, how about we clock out and go to lunch, hmm? Neville should be here any minute. That boy... he's still in school, however he finished a lot of his classes earlier on, so he's able to leave early and come right here."
So I wasn't the only employee. I was looking forward to meeting him.