YAY reviews. Thank you so much to my reviewers, its really inspiring to know that people actually like your story. I think that it may turn out to be more from Draco's point of view but I'll try and put some Hermione point of view in as well.
Anger
"So all I have to do is go over, ask what they would like then come back over here and tell you and you'll show me what to do?" Draco asked, nervously watching a table of three old women in the corner of the café.
"That's it." His manager, a short and foreboding looking woman who was in fact a very nice person.
It was Draco's first shift at 'The Corner Tea and Sandwich Shop', he and Blaise had both been accepted for jobs but Blaise had his first shift the following day. The small café was modern and comfortable, it sold teas and coffees as well as some hot food and cakes. Now Draco had to overcome his shyness and learn to wait tables. He made his way slowly over to the table under the watchful eye of his new manager.
"Hello." He mumbled. "Umm, what would you like?"
"Sorry, love. What was that." One of the elderly ladies asked.
They looked at him endearingly.
"Umm, what would you like?" Draco asked a bit louder.
The ladies all smiled.
"Three pots of tea please, and three scones."
Draco wrote it down and walked away. As he did he caught a bit of their conversation.
"Must be new, poor dear."
"Glad they're getting some new staff in, young ones too."
"And nice to look at." One chuckled.
"Dorothy!"
The shift passed quickly and Draco soon learnt that people were generally more interested in the people they were with than him. He stopped expecting snide comments about his faded scruffy jeans and trainers, the only set uniform was clean white t-shirt and a small apron with pockets at the front for pens and paper. He picked up how things worked quickly and was able to do most things by the end of the shift. At 7 o'clock once everything was tidied away and Draco was getting ready to leave the manager, who he found out was called Angela, came over.
"You did well for your first shift today Draco. Here's your tips, we split them at the end of each shift and put them in your pot in the staff room but I haven't sorted your pot yet. I'll have it done by the next time you work. See you next time." And she handed Draco a five pound note.
Draco stood for a moment staring at the money. He had never had pocket money and having spare money in general was a novelty for him. Smiling he pocketed it and walked out of the café calling goodbye.
The following day, still feeling elated at having a job and knowing that on Friday he would have money paid in to his newly opened bank account Draco walked in to college smiling for the first time. He was so caught up in his good mood he failed to see the sly leg stuck out to trip him. He fell hard on the concrete and took the skin off the palm of his right hand.
Once the laughter had died down and Draco was picking himself back up he was pushed down again.
"Look at that, Puff's back where he belongs." Ron said nastily.
"In the dirt." Harry finished for him.
Draco looked up and saw them walking away, Hermione sliding her hand in to Harry's and half looked back at Draco. He glared at her but he couldn't see any emotion on her face. She turned back to Harry and smiled dazzlingly at him then kissed him on the cheek. By the time Draco had picked himself up and collected his fallen books they were gone and his good mood had evaporated. He walked to the toilets slowly, once there he gently washed the blood off his hand, meticulously making sure there was no dirt left. The wound was deep but would heal better if it wasn't covered. Draco sighed. 'Why me?' he thought. 'God how cliché. How many bullied people think that? And I know why anyway. It's because I have no money. It's because I don't have nice clothes. It's because I skateboard, and it's because my name is Draco Malfoy. There it doesn't take a genius.' He sighed again and flexed his hand slowly, pain lanced up his arm. He wouldn't be able to write a thing today, wonderful.
Draco was already sitting in the English classroom when Blaise and the rest of the class entered.
"You alright mate?" Blaise asked when he saw Draco.
Draco shrugged and turned his hand over.
"Shit dude, how'd that happen?"
"Tripped." Draco answered quietly.
Blaise glanced to the back of the class where Hermione and Parvati sitting.
"Oh, tripped. Are you ok?"
"I'll live, it's not like it's the worst I've had." Draco conceded.
Blaise could see this was not something Draco wanted to talk about, so he tried changing the subject.
"How was work by the way. I am actually shitting myself about my shift after college."
Draco laughed.
"It's fine, piece of cake. And you get cash tips as well. Although I doubt you will get any." Draco said slyly.
"Hey!" Blaise said, pretending to look offended.
"Now class, settle down."
Mrs Peters the English teacher had arrived and was setting up her laptop at the front of the class.
"Today we will be discussing the play 'Much Ado About Nothing', Hermione and Parvati I said settle down!"
Hermione and Parvati were still chatting at the back of the class.
"I trust that you will all have read it by now as it was a set text for the course. Now has everyone read it?" She asked accusingly.
The class glanced around nervously.
Mrs Peters sighed.
"Ok has anyone actually read it." She sounded disappointed.
"I have." Two voices said in unison.
"Ah excellent, Draco and Hermione I see, know what needs to be done to get good grades."
There were sniggers round the class and Draco's pale skin blushed.
"Well, it is not my fault if you have not read the play, you will have to try and keep up and catch up in your own time. That is it, I've had enough, Hermione you swap places with Blaise NOW! I'm sick of your chattering." She shouted.
Draco looked up at the teacher in horror then looked at Blaise in similar horror. He would have to be seated next to Hermione.
As Blaise got up Draco heard Hermione complaining.
"Ug, I can't believe it. I can smell him from here he's such a tramp and I bet I get stuck with him all year."
"Just ignore her mate. See you in a bit." Blaise said.
As Hermione sat down next to Draco, he rolled his eyes.
"Look just don't touch me ok? This shirt is new and its from DKNY so I don't want any of your trampy dirt on it." Hermione said snobbily.
"Look you know I do.." Draco began. "Oh fuck it never mind." He snapped.
Hermione looked shocked at this outburst,
"Right that's enough." Mrs Peters said. "Now get out your books and write down some key themes from the play."
Hermione began to write immediately. The rest of the class looked bewildered. Draco put his hand in the air.
"Yes Draco."
"I can't write miss." Draco stated.
"Why not?" She answered puzzled.
Reluctantly Draco drew his hand out from under the table and showed her.
"Oh my! How on earth did you do that? Do you think you should go to the medical office? You might need stitches."
"No, it's fine. I err.." Draco glanced at Hermione who was looking fixedly at her paper. "I fell. It's nothing, I've had worse." Draco finished, a slight hint of venom in his voice.
Hermione continued to stare at her paper.
"Oh right, well if you're sure. Well this lesson will mainly be a discussion lesson anyway so you should be fine, especially since you have read the play." Mrs Peters said, looking concerned.
Draco could feel anger welling up inside him as he looked at his wounded hand. Not thinking of the consequences he leaned over to Hermione slightly.
"Proud of your boyfriend are you?" He whispered bitterly.
There we go review review and I'll write more. J.
