Disclaimer:

The characters and setting are all thanks to J. K. Rowling. I claim no ownership of these characters, though the events I put them through are all mine. Mwah hah ha.

This is my first 'Harry Potter stars' story, so be gentle!

The Long Summer.

The sun beat down hard. There had been no rain now for almost two weeks, but Harry did not care: he was free!

Uncle Vernon had had enough of Harry being indoors all day long, teasing poor Dudley with his malevolent looks and mumblings and had come up with a solution that everyone liked.

"It's about time you started pulling your weight Harry! I have gotten you a morning job with the newsagent around the corner. You are to deliver papers to help pay your keep, young man."

Harry had fumed at the idea at first. He knew deep down that he would still have to do all the chores around the house when he got home and somehow pulling his weight was laughable next to Dudley's output. But then Harry realised that he would be free from the house in the mornings. The Dursleys would be happy to get Harry out of the way too.

It had just gone 6:30 in the morning and already the sun was hot. Everything glowed all warm and sunny. Harry was on his way to actual work for the first time ever. The newsagent was familiar to him as he was always running errands for Aunt Petunia, usually to get sweets for Dudley. Mr. Mohebbi was an energetic and friendly store owner who was only in his thirties and yet ran two shops in town. His wife and three young children always enjoyed seeing Harry, for Harry was always polite and kind. Mr. Mohebbi had no concerns about hiring him.

"Hi Harry. Well, I gather this is the first job? Your uncle seemed adamant that we find you a little something to do."

"Well, Mr. Mohebbi, Uncle Vernon had said something about doing a paper round?"

"Ah yes. Well, we have space for one more paperboy. The last one I had, we had to let go. Terrible business – stock went missing, and so on. We caught him of course, so hopefully we won't have any such problems again." Harry caught the none-to-subtle undertone in the statement and nodded.

"Well, good," sighed Mr. Mohebbi with relief. "You are to deliver papers to this part of town. We'll try you out with just a few streets to begin with, and then build you up from there, okay?"

"Great! When do I start!" Harry felt quite elated to be working. He realised that the job itself did not seem very big, but it was something he could do by himself. And hopefully, it would take his mind off of a few things. Lately, he had been thinking about his escape from the Tri-Wizards Tournament, Cedric Diggory's death and how Cho Chang had taken it. Harry had felt quite lonely afterwards and had been looking for something to cheer him up.

Mr. Mohebbi and his wife exchanged grins. "Now my boy! Now! I take it you know the area?"

"Well, not too well. I don't get out much."

"Ah. A bright student I bet – always have your nose in a book or two I bet. Not to worry. Do you have a bike?"

"Erm…" Harry was not sure. What on earth was a 'bike'?

"No bike eh? You should save up for one – get the job done quicker!" beamed Mrs. Mohebbi.

"Right – right… thanks." What had he let himself in for he wondered. Harry had just thought that he had to deliver papers to houses.

Suddenly, crashing through the shop doorway came a rather sleepy bedraggled girl. She yawned loudly as she waved 'hello' to everyone.

"Ah! And here comes your helper. Harry meet Jasmine."

"Oh, hi there Jasmine," said Harry.

"Hi Harry," said Jasmine, eyes blinking to wake herself up. She looked quite tired and untidy. Jasmine was about Harry's age and dressed in crumpled and paint-flecked jeans and t-shirt.

Mr. Mohebbi smiled. "Okay Jasmine. You know West Street and the garage?" Jasmine nodded. "Well, Harry's to do that area. Could you show him what needs doing please? I've got to set up and the delivery's due in half an hour. Cheers."

Jasmine sighed and grabbed Harry by the shoulder and frogmarched him over to where the papers were stacked.

Harry was shown where to look to see what papers to deliver to which houses and packed his bag accordingly.

"Right then. Let's go. Where's your bike then?"

"Erm…"

"Oh fine – I'll just come along for the ride then. Come on, let's go!"

Outside, Harry stared at Jasmine getting onto her bicycle. Harry smiled and remembered seeing what a bike looked like – it reminded Harry of one of Dudley's many unused toys in the garage gathering dust. In fact, Harry was sure it would still be there if he looked.

Jasmine caught him staring "Oi cheeky! Keep you mind on the job!" Harry blushed at her bluntness and Jasmine smiled to herself. "Okay. Ready? Follow me," sang Jasmine and whizzed off down the road, leaving Harry standing.

"I wish I had my broom right now…" he muttered as he set off after her. Harry suspected she might be distantly related to a Malfoy somewhere along the line and sighed.

After a bit more leg-pulling, the pair got down to the job at hand. The pair worked their way along the streets It was an easy job and one that gave them both lots of free time.

"I try and do this as quickly as I can, as we get paid the same amount no matter how long it takes or what the weather's like, Harry. So as soon as you get into the routine, we'll probably split up again," said Jasmine casually.

"Oh." Harry had been thinking of ways to get Dudley's bike so that he could go off by himself too. Jasmine was annoying him.

"So, where do you go to school?"

"Oh, nowhere local," said Harry.

"Really? Well, I only go to St. Cuthberts. Just five minutes from here. I hate it though."

"Yeah?"

"Do you like school, Harry."

"Why, yes. Lots," said Harry in a bored voice. Terrible memories came flooding back, but so too did Cho Chang's face and that of the Weasley's. Harry felt 'schoolsick'.

Jasmine stopped on her bike. "Really? God, you must have it crap at home then!" she laughed, but noticed that Harry was only smiling politely. "Oops. Sorry. None of my business." Harry could not deflect that one – living at home was awful!

The morning passed on and soon, they were done. When they returned to the shop, Mr. Mohebbi smiled and thanked Jasmine for being so helpful.

"Well Harry. Do you think you can do the job? Don't worry about the bike business – if you can ride, it makes it faster for you is all."

"Yes Mr. Mohebbi." smiled Harry. "I'd love to."

"Good, good! Well, you get twenty pound a week to begin with, and then we'll work up from there, okay? Payday is Friday, okay?"

"Sure, okay." Harry had no idea if this was a good or bad deal, but Jasmine' sighed in the background and left the shop. This seemed to hint at Harry that it was not much money, but as Harry would not be keeping the money anyway why should he worry about the amount?

As they left, Jasmine seemed to pause.

"Well, see you tomorrow," grimaced Harry.

"Oh, okay," said Jasmine as if something had been on her mind.

As he snuck back in, he peered into the garage window, and sure enough, there was Dudley's old bike inside.

"Great! I'll nab that for tomorrow…" he smiled.

"Harry! What took you so long!" boomed Uncle Vernon.

"Coming…" sighed Harry.

It was only when Harry got inside that he realised that Jasmine had been the only person not to have asked about his scar upon meeting him.

A/n : well, it's a bit slow, but this really is a new direction for me – r/r and guide me please – suggestions always welcome.

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FireSprite was the inspiration:- visit "http/awards(dot)magicaltheory(dot)com/"