Disclaimer: I know everything! And yet, I own nothing...
AN: I know! I know! It's been forever!
Harry trudged home from work to be met with a small dinner and a significantly larger list of chores to be done before he goes to bed. He sighed and got to work, making sure to do all the noisy chores like vacuuming first. If he started making a lot of noise after the Dursley's were in bed. He would definitely get in trouble.
He didn't finish his chores until late that night. Aunt Petunia must have spent all day messing things up just so he could clean them when he got home. He collapsed on his cot with a sigh. He'd been working for two weeks now and could get almost all of the newspapers on the porches now. Mr. Downey at the burger stand was starting to creep Harry out though. He had caught him staring at him when he worked with an almost speculative look on his face. Harry decided to worry about it in the morning as he was presently exhausted and not likely to stay awake two seconds longer.
The next morning, Harry almost overslept and would have been late for work, except he was saved by Aunt Petunia dropping a kettle in her search for the frying pan. The sound of a metal pan falling on ceramic tile is enough to wake anybody up! At least there were no nightmares. He had been too tired for them. That was one of the only benefits to the chores. He was so tired after doing them that he collapsed into sleep and slept dreamlessly the whole night. Harry got up and grabbed a piece of dry toast on his way out the door.
Harry collected his newspapers with a cheery wave to Joe and started his route, happy to be out of the house. He finished up quickly, noting that his aim was really getting quite good, although nowhere near as good as the chasers on the Gryffindor quidditch team. As he walked to the burger stand, he amused himself with the thought of him being a chaser. Then he realized that if he played chaser, it wasn't likely he'd be doing the sort dives he got to do as a seeker.
* * * * * * * * * * *
When Harry walked into the burger stand, the other employees were startled to see a faint little smile tugging at the corner of Harry's mouth. He looked as if he found something amusing in his thoughts, but Harry didn't have a sense of humor, right? I mean he never seemed to think any of our practical jokes amusing. In fact, looking back, he has an uncanny knack for avoiding them. We can get almost anybody at the wrong end of our jokes, but we can rarely ever catch him with one. But then again, he is really strange.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, Harry, oblivious to the stares, went to the back to punch in, and was startled when Mr. Downey was there waiting for him. "Can I talk to you a minute in my office before you punch in?" he didn't wait for an answer, just turned and started towards his office. Harry, understandably nervous, followed him. All he needed was to get fired. Uncle Vernon would kill him!
If Harry was nervous when Mr. Downey first asked him to come to his office he was positively terrified by the time they actually got there. Mr. Downey sat down and waved Harry into the chair opposite him. Clearing his throat, and seeming a little uncomfortable, Mr. Downey began, "Harry, you know that Amalie is leaving and we've been looking for another manager?" Harry nodded. That was announced last week, though why Mr. Downey had to call him into his office to remind him was beyond Harry.
"Well, we haven't been able to find a replacement at all." Mr. Downey continued, "I know it's a bit unusual and you've only been here a few weeks, but Michael agrees with me on this and even Amalie thought it was a good idea." By this time, Harry was completely confused as to what his manager was trying to hint at and his face must have showed it, because Mr. Downey made a frustrated noise and abruptly came to the point. "We can't go without a manager, and as it really isn't that hard or that different from what you're doing now, we wondered if you would like the position?" Harry was stunned by this proposition, but Mr. Downey hurried on, "You would make more money, and get more vacation and sick days and such as well. I talked it over with Michael and he agreed to let you pick your hours first each week as well. We really do need another manager," he trailed off, suddenly quiet as he watched Harry think it over.
Harry sat quietly, face expressionless, giving nothing away. Or he did until he thought of the small building on the corner, where he stopped to watch for a few minutes each night. Suddenly looking excited, he said in a quiet voice, "I would be happy to take the position on one small condition."
Mr. Downey sat forward in his chair, and asked anxiously, "What's that?"
"That you don't tell my uncle."
He sat back in his chair suddenly. That was not at all what he had been expecting Harry to ask for. He considered it for a minute and said thoughtfully, "There aren't any laws requiring me to notify your guardian of promotions. I don't see a problem with it." he looked at Harry waiting for the final confirmation.
Harry nodded and even gave a bit of a smile, "In that case, I'll take the position."
"Good, if you can stay after your shift for about fifteen minutes or so, I'll give you the specifics and you can look over the contract and sign it."
Harry took that as his signal to leave, and went to punch in. The other employees all looked at him as he passed wondering what the manager had to talk to him about that needed the privacy of an office. They looked at each other and shrugged as Harry walked by without saying anything to anyone.
The day passed swiftly, the only unusual happenings were the other employees whispering about Harry behind his back. At the end of his shift, Harry checked out and headed back to Mr. Downey's office, eyes following his path all the way down the hall. He knocked quietly on the door and went in at the brisk, "Come in." Harry stood before the desk, waiting for Mr. Downey to acknowledge him.
Mr. Downey hung up the telephone and stood up, "I apologize, but I've got to dash." He handed Harry a thin folder with some papers in it, "Here. This has all the information and the contract in it. You can look it all over tonight and we'll sign the contract tomorrow morning, all right? You can ask me any questions then." Mr. Downey then practically pushed Harry out of his office and back down the hall, all the while muttering to himself. From what Harry gathered, Mr. Downey was rushing off on a last minute date with some girl and was upset about not getting more warning. He couldn't help grinning a little at the man's dramatics.
After Mr. Downey drove away, Harry headed towards home. He quickly glanced through the papers as he walked, nothing too difficult. He stopped at the building on the corner as he did everyday, but this time, he stopped at the door instead of watching through the window. Taking a deep breath and clutching his folder tightly, he walked through the door.
Please help me out with a little constructive criticism. Also, whenever I read reviews, I get encouraged and go right a page or two or more. So if you really do like it, please review. Even if it just says. UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!! *grin*
AN: Ok, now that you all have been made (hopefully) somewhat happier by an update, I'd like to apologize even though it was really not my fault. To make a short and quick explanation: in New York for college auditions, (no computer, and 13 hours in a car each way, yes we drove from Wisconsin to mid-state NY, mental I say!), the review for AP tests, and make up work for days I missed, and then worst yet, our internet was gone. Yes gone, completely and unexplainably gone. It's back just now, so you get an update. Ok, enough of the really long authors note!
Summersun: You weren't supposed to get the end, keeps you wondering!
Starlight: Actually..no. You'll have to wait and see, but it's not anything of what you're expecting, almost guaranteed. Here's a tidbit for you though~Don't hold your breath for a rescue. *evil grin*
Non-American: I fixed it!
Mcnugget: Again, short chapter. Sorry! Either that or wait some more. And I opted for short and soon. I'm glad that Mr. Downey and Joe came across just how I wanted them! And you should find out what they were doing next chapter.
Gia: As said before, next chapter!
Indiana Jones: Hmm.I never thought of driving lessons actually, but I don't think the Dursleys would trust him with a car.
AGTB13 and Annelise: Sorry, for the long wait, but look at the bright side, I read your two reviews as soon as I got internet back, checked over the chapter and posted it. See, asking for updates really does work!
Everybody else: Hurrah! Reviews, I love reviews! *Hint Hint*
AN: I know! I know! It's been forever!
Harry trudged home from work to be met with a small dinner and a significantly larger list of chores to be done before he goes to bed. He sighed and got to work, making sure to do all the noisy chores like vacuuming first. If he started making a lot of noise after the Dursley's were in bed. He would definitely get in trouble.
He didn't finish his chores until late that night. Aunt Petunia must have spent all day messing things up just so he could clean them when he got home. He collapsed on his cot with a sigh. He'd been working for two weeks now and could get almost all of the newspapers on the porches now. Mr. Downey at the burger stand was starting to creep Harry out though. He had caught him staring at him when he worked with an almost speculative look on his face. Harry decided to worry about it in the morning as he was presently exhausted and not likely to stay awake two seconds longer.
The next morning, Harry almost overslept and would have been late for work, except he was saved by Aunt Petunia dropping a kettle in her search for the frying pan. The sound of a metal pan falling on ceramic tile is enough to wake anybody up! At least there were no nightmares. He had been too tired for them. That was one of the only benefits to the chores. He was so tired after doing them that he collapsed into sleep and slept dreamlessly the whole night. Harry got up and grabbed a piece of dry toast on his way out the door.
Harry collected his newspapers with a cheery wave to Joe and started his route, happy to be out of the house. He finished up quickly, noting that his aim was really getting quite good, although nowhere near as good as the chasers on the Gryffindor quidditch team. As he walked to the burger stand, he amused himself with the thought of him being a chaser. Then he realized that if he played chaser, it wasn't likely he'd be doing the sort dives he got to do as a seeker.
* * * * * * * * * * *
When Harry walked into the burger stand, the other employees were startled to see a faint little smile tugging at the corner of Harry's mouth. He looked as if he found something amusing in his thoughts, but Harry didn't have a sense of humor, right? I mean he never seemed to think any of our practical jokes amusing. In fact, looking back, he has an uncanny knack for avoiding them. We can get almost anybody at the wrong end of our jokes, but we can rarely ever catch him with one. But then again, he is really strange.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, Harry, oblivious to the stares, went to the back to punch in, and was startled when Mr. Downey was there waiting for him. "Can I talk to you a minute in my office before you punch in?" he didn't wait for an answer, just turned and started towards his office. Harry, understandably nervous, followed him. All he needed was to get fired. Uncle Vernon would kill him!
If Harry was nervous when Mr. Downey first asked him to come to his office he was positively terrified by the time they actually got there. Mr. Downey sat down and waved Harry into the chair opposite him. Clearing his throat, and seeming a little uncomfortable, Mr. Downey began, "Harry, you know that Amalie is leaving and we've been looking for another manager?" Harry nodded. That was announced last week, though why Mr. Downey had to call him into his office to remind him was beyond Harry.
"Well, we haven't been able to find a replacement at all." Mr. Downey continued, "I know it's a bit unusual and you've only been here a few weeks, but Michael agrees with me on this and even Amalie thought it was a good idea." By this time, Harry was completely confused as to what his manager was trying to hint at and his face must have showed it, because Mr. Downey made a frustrated noise and abruptly came to the point. "We can't go without a manager, and as it really isn't that hard or that different from what you're doing now, we wondered if you would like the position?" Harry was stunned by this proposition, but Mr. Downey hurried on, "You would make more money, and get more vacation and sick days and such as well. I talked it over with Michael and he agreed to let you pick your hours first each week as well. We really do need another manager," he trailed off, suddenly quiet as he watched Harry think it over.
Harry sat quietly, face expressionless, giving nothing away. Or he did until he thought of the small building on the corner, where he stopped to watch for a few minutes each night. Suddenly looking excited, he said in a quiet voice, "I would be happy to take the position on one small condition."
Mr. Downey sat forward in his chair, and asked anxiously, "What's that?"
"That you don't tell my uncle."
He sat back in his chair suddenly. That was not at all what he had been expecting Harry to ask for. He considered it for a minute and said thoughtfully, "There aren't any laws requiring me to notify your guardian of promotions. I don't see a problem with it." he looked at Harry waiting for the final confirmation.
Harry nodded and even gave a bit of a smile, "In that case, I'll take the position."
"Good, if you can stay after your shift for about fifteen minutes or so, I'll give you the specifics and you can look over the contract and sign it."
Harry took that as his signal to leave, and went to punch in. The other employees all looked at him as he passed wondering what the manager had to talk to him about that needed the privacy of an office. They looked at each other and shrugged as Harry walked by without saying anything to anyone.
The day passed swiftly, the only unusual happenings were the other employees whispering about Harry behind his back. At the end of his shift, Harry checked out and headed back to Mr. Downey's office, eyes following his path all the way down the hall. He knocked quietly on the door and went in at the brisk, "Come in." Harry stood before the desk, waiting for Mr. Downey to acknowledge him.
Mr. Downey hung up the telephone and stood up, "I apologize, but I've got to dash." He handed Harry a thin folder with some papers in it, "Here. This has all the information and the contract in it. You can look it all over tonight and we'll sign the contract tomorrow morning, all right? You can ask me any questions then." Mr. Downey then practically pushed Harry out of his office and back down the hall, all the while muttering to himself. From what Harry gathered, Mr. Downey was rushing off on a last minute date with some girl and was upset about not getting more warning. He couldn't help grinning a little at the man's dramatics.
After Mr. Downey drove away, Harry headed towards home. He quickly glanced through the papers as he walked, nothing too difficult. He stopped at the building on the corner as he did everyday, but this time, he stopped at the door instead of watching through the window. Taking a deep breath and clutching his folder tightly, he walked through the door.
Please help me out with a little constructive criticism. Also, whenever I read reviews, I get encouraged and go right a page or two or more. So if you really do like it, please review. Even if it just says. UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!! *grin*
AN: Ok, now that you all have been made (hopefully) somewhat happier by an update, I'd like to apologize even though it was really not my fault. To make a short and quick explanation: in New York for college auditions, (no computer, and 13 hours in a car each way, yes we drove from Wisconsin to mid-state NY, mental I say!), the review for AP tests, and make up work for days I missed, and then worst yet, our internet was gone. Yes gone, completely and unexplainably gone. It's back just now, so you get an update. Ok, enough of the really long authors note!
Summersun: You weren't supposed to get the end, keeps you wondering!
Starlight: Actually..no. You'll have to wait and see, but it's not anything of what you're expecting, almost guaranteed. Here's a tidbit for you though~Don't hold your breath for a rescue. *evil grin*
Non-American: I fixed it!
Mcnugget: Again, short chapter. Sorry! Either that or wait some more. And I opted for short and soon. I'm glad that Mr. Downey and Joe came across just how I wanted them! And you should find out what they were doing next chapter.
Gia: As said before, next chapter!
Indiana Jones: Hmm.I never thought of driving lessons actually, but I don't think the Dursleys would trust him with a car.
AGTB13 and Annelise: Sorry, for the long wait, but look at the bright side, I read your two reviews as soon as I got internet back, checked over the chapter and posted it. See, asking for updates really does work!
Everybody else: Hurrah! Reviews, I love reviews! *Hint Hint*