Disclaimer: Once I won a free drink at McDonald's Monopoly game, but as
far as I know there is not a prize for the ownership of HP.
Author's Note: The main character's name is Jeanette and the beauty shop she eventually opens is called Mignonne. Sorry 'bout the mix up. (Mignonne by the way means "cute" in French. I found out at freetranslation.com.) And just for time reasons, I'm setting the story in late June instead of July.
Please feel free to tell me if you feel Jeanette is a Mary Sue or not. Looks do not signify a Mary Sue. If Jeanette wasn't so good at making beauty potions, she wouldn't be selling them. *hint* *hint* (audience blinks blankly at author.) Author sighs. BIG HINT: "Well, guess who tries out the potions after Jeanette makes them?"
Shopping
An hour later after a square meal for the first time in three days, Jeanette was settled into the spare bedroom that had been used for storage. The spare equipment had been moved into the hallway. Her room was small with two dirty windows. Though obviously brilliant, the twins seemed to possess no housecleaning skills whatsoever. They were teenage boys. The carpet was unstained since the room hadn't really been touched since they moved in, but there was a thin layer of dust covering everything.
Unpacking was quick and easy. After wiping the shelves, she put away a large collection of books. Following that were the beauty care products on the desk, she didn't have a vanity yet. She hid a thick folder in the drawer of her desk and placed a small menagerie of stuffed animals onto her bed. She didn't have to put away any clothes besides the ones she was wearing. She took a mint to straighten her appearance. She still looked tired and she felt horrible. But after traveling nonstop three days, one couldn't expect oneself to look in tip-top shape.
When Fred found out of her lack of clothing, he insisted that he take her shopping.
"You can't be an employee if you look more formal than us and a Muggle at that." He told her, gesturing to the pantsuit. "Not that I don't like Muggles, but who'll take you seriously?" He added hastily, seeing her angry look. Leaving George to keep shop, Fred led Jeanette into out the store into the street.
"Do you have a bank account?" He asked.
"No."
"How silly of me, you must be the same age as my sister. How old are you?"
"Sixteen," she said nervously.
"Liar." He replied. "You're a shrimp." To prove his point, he put his elbow on her shoulder and leaned. "Perfect armrest." She shifted to the side and he almost fell over.
"Am not." She laughed.
"You're either a midget or thirteen years old." He mussed her hair.
"I am not a midget."
"So you're thirteen?"
"No."
"Then why are you blushing?" This made her flush more. Fred decided he rather liked it when she blushed. It made her cute. Not as adorable as Ginny, of course, but cute in an awkward, attempting to be grown up sort of way.
"I've never had a bank account before and I don't need one." She said.
"Don't try to change the subject, Shrimp." He put his arm around her shoulder and no matter she wiggled, she couldn't get away.
"You're squishing me into the ground." She told him. "I'm going to be short forever."
"You're saying it like it's a bad thing." However, he stopped leaning on her, grabbed her arm and pulled her through the crowd. "My brother, Bill, works at Gringotts. He'll open an account for you in a jiffy."
"I don't need one."
"Of course you do."
"I didn't bring all the gold."
"Where is it?"
"In my suitcase."
"Accio suitcase." Jeanette winced at the sound of shattering glass and the silver suitcase zoomed high into the sky before bomb diving at Fred. A witch screamed. Someone dropped their bags and there was a squelch of potion ingredients being stepped on as the crowd scattered or ducked. He caught it with both hands and hit the ground with an 'oomph.' He got up quickly and dusted himself off. Two witches were helping an old, fragile looking wizard up. They shot Fred angry looks.
"People are so excitable these days." He said briskly. Jeanette laughed again.
Jeanette was a bit reluctant to enter Gringotts. In fact, Fred almost had to drag her in. Finally, she consented after putting on a pair of dark sunglasses.
"Goblins creep me out." She whispered.
"Why?"
"They can see through illusions," she said.
"What, are you hiding a really bad case of acne?" She blushed and he stammered. "Well, there's nothing shameful about having bad skin. Mum has the perfect recipe. Take off those glasses, they make you look stupid. Oh! Hullo, Bill." Fred waved enthusiastically and knocked off her glasses. "Whoops. Sorry, Shrimp." He grinned charmingly. Though he didn't really sound sorry at all. He had broken them. She slipped them into her pocket.
A tall, very handsome red headed boy waved back. Though Fred had a rather mischievous cuteness about him, Bill was fine.
"Hi Fred."
"It's George." Jeanette looked at Fred in surprise. "Joking."
"So, you have a girlfriend?"
"No, my first employee. A fellow inventor. Her name is Jeanette Davis."
"Hi, I'm ashamed to admit that I'm his brother." She shook the hand he offered.
"Nice to meet you. You have lovely hair." She eyed his long reddish gold hair almost hungrily. The hair poking out of the ponytail seemed to curl. She'd never had a sample of curly hair before. She could create a whole line of products just for curly hair.
"Really." He replied, he patted it. "My mum hates it."
"Can I have some?" She asked eagerly.
"Why?"
"She makes beauty products." Said Fred, not to be ignored. "She'll be here just for the summer."
"What's a nice girl like you working for Fred? Funny, you don't look crazy." Said Bill to Jeanette. She sniffed indignantly.
"Hey!" said Fred indignantly. "She needs to open an account."
"Alright. Work now, talk later. So are you transferring money?"
"No, this is my first account."
"Well, fill out these forms okay."
Five minutes later, Fred, Jeanette, Bill, and a goblin named Wormwood were hurtling down underground tunnels in a rickety old cart. Wormwood was ugly, wrinkled, and about three feet tall. He wore a pair of half moon jeweled spectacles and pressed suit. He looked grumpy, perhaps it was because of Fred. Fred put his hands up in the air and whooped every time they turned. Bill chitchatted with Wormwood, who mostly ignored him and kept glancing at Jeanette or Fred. She sat wedged between Bill and Fred. She didn't grab someone's limb for dear life nor did seem to be enjoying the ride. Every time they jolted, she'd close her eyes and mutter something. Bill thought she might be praying. In reality, she was muttering "stay calm" over and over again. It was a whole lot better than the dreadful Knight Bus.
After a period of time that seemed too short for Fred and an eternity to Jeanette, they stopped. Jeanette got out of the cart and the goblin produced two keys and opened the safe. Jeanette deposited the majority of the gold and stepped back into cart. This time she sat in front next to the goblin where there was more room. He started the cart again and Fred again pretended he was on a roller coaster and this time Bill joined him. Boys.
"Mr. Wormwood?"
"Yes, Miss." Replied the goblin.
"Do you deal in jewels?"
"Yes."
"Could I sell some through you?"
"Perhaps. Depends on the quality." When the cart stopped, Wormwood led her into another hallway. Fred tried to follow.
"Customers only," said Wormwood curtly.
"Well, I must be getting back to work." Said Bill as a gorgeous, willowy blonde walked past him and waved. He ran after her, "Fleur!"
"I'll wait outside." Fred said.
The room was a blinding white and desks lined the sides. Goblins were examining gems of every color and size in the room.
"This is Griphook," said Wormwood. He led her in front of an extremely wide goblin. Opening her suitcase, she gave him a half-filled silk bag. Griphook promptly emptied the sack onto his desk. Pearls of all colors and sizes rolled around.
There were black ones the size of her thumb, milky ones the size of marbles, blue ones, pink ones, green ones, a peachy orange, and dark silver. Griphook examined them one by one, sighing softly.
"Are these yours?" Griphook asked suspiciously.
"My dowry." He nodded grimly.
"Are you sure you want to sell them?"
"How trustworthy is your relationship between customer and bank?" She asked softly.
"Very good."
"Will anyone know that I have these?"
"No, not if you don't want anyone to know." She bit her lip. She loved those pearls, each one was like a memory. But she could get more easily enough. Besides she couldn't open a shop without money.
"Sell them." She said finally. "Can you make sure that buyers will not know who I am?"
"As you wish. The gold will be transferred into your account shortly."
"Thank you."
Wormwood led her through a stairway and she emerged on the ground floor of the bank. Fred was waiting impatiently. He grabbed her arm.
Diagon Alley was small and quaint in Jeanette's eyes. She was used to the huge super malls of wizard America. Everything seemed so ancient. The cobblestone floors, wooden signposts, and even the bank. In America, Muggle and Wizard went side by side. Though Muggles didn't know that. There were very few wizard communities and were mostly in the East or North. People who lived in them were considered odd. Muggles and wizards used the same currency and the government was a copy of the Muggle government. Wizard stores invisible to the Muggle eye stood side by side Muggle stores. Robes were considered stuffy and formal in carefree California and people opted to wear lighter and cooler tanktops and short. To Jeanette, it was like stepping into a history book in a neat sort of way.
First stop was a trunk. She bought a handsome rosewood trunk with a padded and expandable interior. Next were clothes at Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions shop. She had two sets of robes made, one black and Fred insisted on a light iridescent aquamarine one (to bring out the color of her eyes.) They had only known each other for a few hours and Fred was already trying to bully her into buying things in a kind, brotherly sort of way. He claimed that he was experienced with these sorts of matters, because he had a sister. Jeanette asked him if his sister allowed him to make decisions for her and Fred said no. Jeanette smirked.
She also bought several yards of cotton, wool, and a few of silk. She preferred Muggle clothing, it was much prettier and there was a lot more choice. She left Madame Malkin's wearing new black robes. She had caught quite a few stares earlier this morning wearing the Muggle clothing. They stopped for a bite to eat and Fred treated her to ice cream. Later, she bought several books on dermatology, transfiguration, charms, and potion making. Though Fred and George based most of their inventions on potions, Jeanette preferred to lay charms on things. She also bought parchment and a collapsible, no-fire cauldron which Fred opposed.
"We have plenty at home." He claimed. However, Jeanette wanted one for personal use. Besides, you'd never know what the twin's cauldrons had been through. Fred vehemently refused to allow her to buy potion ingredients, but bought some frog spleen for himself. The last stop was Ollivanders.
It looked very much like on of those old old pharmacies with layers and layers of tiny drawers the carried wands instead of powders. Fred met a friend, Lee Jordan, so Jeanette went in by herself. Half an hour later, she walked out happily.
"Look at my new wand." She said. Pulling it a slender, silver stick. "Beech. Nine and a half inches. A phoenix feather and two unicorn hairs." She said proudly.
"Very pretty. So, what happened to your old one?"
"The driver of the Knight Bus is like a Muggle New York Taxi cab driver."
"A what?"
"He's a truly gifted driver."
"Really," Fred said skeptically.
"Yeah, gifted at making people puke. My wand was in my pocket and we had a quick turn and I fell and well it broke." She said sadly. "If I had more gold, I would have sued." She told him brightly. She slipped the wand back into her pocket and walked next to him, the trunk followed a couple inches behind.
"Hot-headed Americans." Fred sighed in a heavy British accent.
"Stiff-upper lip Brits." She attempted to say in a Texan accent and failed miserably. She laughed.
"How am I going to survive with such a brilliant girl on my hands? She has a virtuosity of a parrot." She shoved his arm and he leaned heavily on her.
"Stop it." He stopped and then tugged her hair. She let out a frustrated cry.
"You're more amusing than Ginny." He pinched her cheek and she growled. "Let's go home, Shrimp."
"Don't call me that."
"Okay, Shrimp."
"Fred."
"Yes."
"Now that I have a wand again. Next time, you're mean to me, you'll end up as a frog. Freddy the frog."
"I wouldn't bet on it, Shrimp cuz I'm your boss." He tweaked her nose.
"FRED!" She kicked him and he yelped.
Author's Note: The main character's name is Jeanette and the beauty shop she eventually opens is called Mignonne. Sorry 'bout the mix up. (Mignonne by the way means "cute" in French. I found out at freetranslation.com.) And just for time reasons, I'm setting the story in late June instead of July.
Please feel free to tell me if you feel Jeanette is a Mary Sue or not. Looks do not signify a Mary Sue. If Jeanette wasn't so good at making beauty potions, she wouldn't be selling them. *hint* *hint* (audience blinks blankly at author.) Author sighs. BIG HINT: "Well, guess who tries out the potions after Jeanette makes them?"
Shopping
An hour later after a square meal for the first time in three days, Jeanette was settled into the spare bedroom that had been used for storage. The spare equipment had been moved into the hallway. Her room was small with two dirty windows. Though obviously brilliant, the twins seemed to possess no housecleaning skills whatsoever. They were teenage boys. The carpet was unstained since the room hadn't really been touched since they moved in, but there was a thin layer of dust covering everything.
Unpacking was quick and easy. After wiping the shelves, she put away a large collection of books. Following that were the beauty care products on the desk, she didn't have a vanity yet. She hid a thick folder in the drawer of her desk and placed a small menagerie of stuffed animals onto her bed. She didn't have to put away any clothes besides the ones she was wearing. She took a mint to straighten her appearance. She still looked tired and she felt horrible. But after traveling nonstop three days, one couldn't expect oneself to look in tip-top shape.
When Fred found out of her lack of clothing, he insisted that he take her shopping.
"You can't be an employee if you look more formal than us and a Muggle at that." He told her, gesturing to the pantsuit. "Not that I don't like Muggles, but who'll take you seriously?" He added hastily, seeing her angry look. Leaving George to keep shop, Fred led Jeanette into out the store into the street.
"Do you have a bank account?" He asked.
"No."
"How silly of me, you must be the same age as my sister. How old are you?"
"Sixteen," she said nervously.
"Liar." He replied. "You're a shrimp." To prove his point, he put his elbow on her shoulder and leaned. "Perfect armrest." She shifted to the side and he almost fell over.
"Am not." She laughed.
"You're either a midget or thirteen years old." He mussed her hair.
"I am not a midget."
"So you're thirteen?"
"No."
"Then why are you blushing?" This made her flush more. Fred decided he rather liked it when she blushed. It made her cute. Not as adorable as Ginny, of course, but cute in an awkward, attempting to be grown up sort of way.
"I've never had a bank account before and I don't need one." She said.
"Don't try to change the subject, Shrimp." He put his arm around her shoulder and no matter she wiggled, she couldn't get away.
"You're squishing me into the ground." She told him. "I'm going to be short forever."
"You're saying it like it's a bad thing." However, he stopped leaning on her, grabbed her arm and pulled her through the crowd. "My brother, Bill, works at Gringotts. He'll open an account for you in a jiffy."
"I don't need one."
"Of course you do."
"I didn't bring all the gold."
"Where is it?"
"In my suitcase."
"Accio suitcase." Jeanette winced at the sound of shattering glass and the silver suitcase zoomed high into the sky before bomb diving at Fred. A witch screamed. Someone dropped their bags and there was a squelch of potion ingredients being stepped on as the crowd scattered or ducked. He caught it with both hands and hit the ground with an 'oomph.' He got up quickly and dusted himself off. Two witches were helping an old, fragile looking wizard up. They shot Fred angry looks.
"People are so excitable these days." He said briskly. Jeanette laughed again.
Jeanette was a bit reluctant to enter Gringotts. In fact, Fred almost had to drag her in. Finally, she consented after putting on a pair of dark sunglasses.
"Goblins creep me out." She whispered.
"Why?"
"They can see through illusions," she said.
"What, are you hiding a really bad case of acne?" She blushed and he stammered. "Well, there's nothing shameful about having bad skin. Mum has the perfect recipe. Take off those glasses, they make you look stupid. Oh! Hullo, Bill." Fred waved enthusiastically and knocked off her glasses. "Whoops. Sorry, Shrimp." He grinned charmingly. Though he didn't really sound sorry at all. He had broken them. She slipped them into her pocket.
A tall, very handsome red headed boy waved back. Though Fred had a rather mischievous cuteness about him, Bill was fine.
"Hi Fred."
"It's George." Jeanette looked at Fred in surprise. "Joking."
"So, you have a girlfriend?"
"No, my first employee. A fellow inventor. Her name is Jeanette Davis."
"Hi, I'm ashamed to admit that I'm his brother." She shook the hand he offered.
"Nice to meet you. You have lovely hair." She eyed his long reddish gold hair almost hungrily. The hair poking out of the ponytail seemed to curl. She'd never had a sample of curly hair before. She could create a whole line of products just for curly hair.
"Really." He replied, he patted it. "My mum hates it."
"Can I have some?" She asked eagerly.
"Why?"
"She makes beauty products." Said Fred, not to be ignored. "She'll be here just for the summer."
"What's a nice girl like you working for Fred? Funny, you don't look crazy." Said Bill to Jeanette. She sniffed indignantly.
"Hey!" said Fred indignantly. "She needs to open an account."
"Alright. Work now, talk later. So are you transferring money?"
"No, this is my first account."
"Well, fill out these forms okay."
Five minutes later, Fred, Jeanette, Bill, and a goblin named Wormwood were hurtling down underground tunnels in a rickety old cart. Wormwood was ugly, wrinkled, and about three feet tall. He wore a pair of half moon jeweled spectacles and pressed suit. He looked grumpy, perhaps it was because of Fred. Fred put his hands up in the air and whooped every time they turned. Bill chitchatted with Wormwood, who mostly ignored him and kept glancing at Jeanette or Fred. She sat wedged between Bill and Fred. She didn't grab someone's limb for dear life nor did seem to be enjoying the ride. Every time they jolted, she'd close her eyes and mutter something. Bill thought she might be praying. In reality, she was muttering "stay calm" over and over again. It was a whole lot better than the dreadful Knight Bus.
After a period of time that seemed too short for Fred and an eternity to Jeanette, they stopped. Jeanette got out of the cart and the goblin produced two keys and opened the safe. Jeanette deposited the majority of the gold and stepped back into cart. This time she sat in front next to the goblin where there was more room. He started the cart again and Fred again pretended he was on a roller coaster and this time Bill joined him. Boys.
"Mr. Wormwood?"
"Yes, Miss." Replied the goblin.
"Do you deal in jewels?"
"Yes."
"Could I sell some through you?"
"Perhaps. Depends on the quality." When the cart stopped, Wormwood led her into another hallway. Fred tried to follow.
"Customers only," said Wormwood curtly.
"Well, I must be getting back to work." Said Bill as a gorgeous, willowy blonde walked past him and waved. He ran after her, "Fleur!"
"I'll wait outside." Fred said.
The room was a blinding white and desks lined the sides. Goblins were examining gems of every color and size in the room.
"This is Griphook," said Wormwood. He led her in front of an extremely wide goblin. Opening her suitcase, she gave him a half-filled silk bag. Griphook promptly emptied the sack onto his desk. Pearls of all colors and sizes rolled around.
There were black ones the size of her thumb, milky ones the size of marbles, blue ones, pink ones, green ones, a peachy orange, and dark silver. Griphook examined them one by one, sighing softly.
"Are these yours?" Griphook asked suspiciously.
"My dowry." He nodded grimly.
"Are you sure you want to sell them?"
"How trustworthy is your relationship between customer and bank?" She asked softly.
"Very good."
"Will anyone know that I have these?"
"No, not if you don't want anyone to know." She bit her lip. She loved those pearls, each one was like a memory. But she could get more easily enough. Besides she couldn't open a shop without money.
"Sell them." She said finally. "Can you make sure that buyers will not know who I am?"
"As you wish. The gold will be transferred into your account shortly."
"Thank you."
Wormwood led her through a stairway and she emerged on the ground floor of the bank. Fred was waiting impatiently. He grabbed her arm.
Diagon Alley was small and quaint in Jeanette's eyes. She was used to the huge super malls of wizard America. Everything seemed so ancient. The cobblestone floors, wooden signposts, and even the bank. In America, Muggle and Wizard went side by side. Though Muggles didn't know that. There were very few wizard communities and were mostly in the East or North. People who lived in them were considered odd. Muggles and wizards used the same currency and the government was a copy of the Muggle government. Wizard stores invisible to the Muggle eye stood side by side Muggle stores. Robes were considered stuffy and formal in carefree California and people opted to wear lighter and cooler tanktops and short. To Jeanette, it was like stepping into a history book in a neat sort of way.
First stop was a trunk. She bought a handsome rosewood trunk with a padded and expandable interior. Next were clothes at Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions shop. She had two sets of robes made, one black and Fred insisted on a light iridescent aquamarine one (to bring out the color of her eyes.) They had only known each other for a few hours and Fred was already trying to bully her into buying things in a kind, brotherly sort of way. He claimed that he was experienced with these sorts of matters, because he had a sister. Jeanette asked him if his sister allowed him to make decisions for her and Fred said no. Jeanette smirked.
She also bought several yards of cotton, wool, and a few of silk. She preferred Muggle clothing, it was much prettier and there was a lot more choice. She left Madame Malkin's wearing new black robes. She had caught quite a few stares earlier this morning wearing the Muggle clothing. They stopped for a bite to eat and Fred treated her to ice cream. Later, she bought several books on dermatology, transfiguration, charms, and potion making. Though Fred and George based most of their inventions on potions, Jeanette preferred to lay charms on things. She also bought parchment and a collapsible, no-fire cauldron which Fred opposed.
"We have plenty at home." He claimed. However, Jeanette wanted one for personal use. Besides, you'd never know what the twin's cauldrons had been through. Fred vehemently refused to allow her to buy potion ingredients, but bought some frog spleen for himself. The last stop was Ollivanders.
It looked very much like on of those old old pharmacies with layers and layers of tiny drawers the carried wands instead of powders. Fred met a friend, Lee Jordan, so Jeanette went in by herself. Half an hour later, she walked out happily.
"Look at my new wand." She said. Pulling it a slender, silver stick. "Beech. Nine and a half inches. A phoenix feather and two unicorn hairs." She said proudly.
"Very pretty. So, what happened to your old one?"
"The driver of the Knight Bus is like a Muggle New York Taxi cab driver."
"A what?"
"He's a truly gifted driver."
"Really," Fred said skeptically.
"Yeah, gifted at making people puke. My wand was in my pocket and we had a quick turn and I fell and well it broke." She said sadly. "If I had more gold, I would have sued." She told him brightly. She slipped the wand back into her pocket and walked next to him, the trunk followed a couple inches behind.
"Hot-headed Americans." Fred sighed in a heavy British accent.
"Stiff-upper lip Brits." She attempted to say in a Texan accent and failed miserably. She laughed.
"How am I going to survive with such a brilliant girl on my hands? She has a virtuosity of a parrot." She shoved his arm and he leaned heavily on her.
"Stop it." He stopped and then tugged her hair. She let out a frustrated cry.
"You're more amusing than Ginny." He pinched her cheek and she growled. "Let's go home, Shrimp."
"Don't call me that."
"Okay, Shrimp."
"Fred."
"Yes."
"Now that I have a wand again. Next time, you're mean to me, you'll end up as a frog. Freddy the frog."
"I wouldn't bet on it, Shrimp cuz I'm your boss." He tweaked her nose.
"FRED!" She kicked him and he yelped.