Chapter 9
Windy Day
Ten minutes later, the little bell rang and Jeanette sprang up eagerly. It was a cloaked figure. One hand reached for her wand and the other for the alarm. In these times, you could never be too careful. The cloaked man slowly took off his hood, it was Lupin, who couldn't afford to buy anything. He gave her a weak, apologetic smile. Sensitive Lupin, a friend of Jeanette's would have said that he was a "lost soul." For what else would make him so gentle, so kind. He must have gone through something horrible to be so understanding and lonely. But then again, Jeanette's friend was an expert at examining characters in books not live people.
He had a large sack. "Can we go inside and talk?" So Jeanette took him upstairs and fed him hot coffee and biscotti. She wasn't totally without maternal instincts. Seeing Lupin skinny and bedraggled awakened something deep inside of her. There isn't anything as healing as being cared for or taking care of someone else. It made her feel useful for once, since the shop seemed like a flop. It was almost like cooking, homework, and cleaning, it was like physical proof that said, "Hey, I can do this." After having your eyebrows burned off, housework doesn't look half as challenging as before. It was safe, nostalgic, and comforting.
Lupin opened the sack and emptied on the counter. Pearls rolled out in all directions, making sweet sounds as they bumped into each other, her pearls.
"It's taken a month to track all of them down and buy back. It isn't wise to give something so valuable away." He explained. She picked up a large pink pearl and stroked it, she already knew that. There was an unpleasant emptiness when she parted with certain pearls.
She placed all the pink pearls and white pearls in the fruit bowl. "You can have the rest."
"But, it is part of you." Lupin insisted.
"That's not important. These pearls represent emotions, memories that I'd rather forget. I don't need them and no one can control me with that. The pearls are like an extra outlet. You know how crying can ease pain, but they don't make the memories less. You can have them. See that blue gray one?" She picked it up. "Typical teenage depression. The dark red one is anger, hate. Green is jealousy, metallic gray fear, purple is anguish a combo of fear and anger and sadness. Orange ones are guilt, black is hate. The golden yellow is pain. Bright blue is ecstasy. The size of the pearl is the intensity." She placed them back into the bag and handed them to him.
"The white and pink ones then?"
"The white ones are hope and faith, the pinks are love." She ran her fingers through the bowl of pearls. "These things I want to hold with me forever. The pleasant things. You know, if you break one of these pearls, the memory is released. I used to break the pink ones when I got sad. That's why there are so few them. I've used up all the joy and all the happiness before I started with love. I'd share them with my sister."
"Have you contacted your family?"
"No, I think they're in hiding or they're all dead. " Her stomach twisted. She had known the possibility of death for months now, but still the idea that they were gone was frightening. She had pushed it away over and over again, but she couldn't anymore. Her sister and the singing career that had been giggled and whispered about under the covers, was gone. Could Darla even venture out again? That dream was gone. Her dreams of college, she would have gone this year. So many hopes and dreams gone up in flames. Was it her fault? Was she a wimp? She had known the risks of leaving, running away yet in a way she had realized the true effect of it all. Everything was so uncertain. Were they okay?
"It must be very hard." Lupin said in a very understanding voice. It flared Jeanette's already upset mood.
"Do you want me to hurt you?" She snapped. "I'm so itchy, cold. I want to burn, but I can't. I don't want to die. I'm mad." She said emphatically. "They're dead, aren't they? He wouldn't have let them go. And I--" Lupin's face was sad. Was he sure, she wanted to know. Was he absolutely certain? Her family was tough, but.
"It's not your fault."
"Then who is it? You, Tony, the four others, fate, Dumbledore, Fred, George? Can't you see I can't blame anyone, but my--"
"Blame Voldeomort."
Jeanette laughed. "Him. and what kind of satisfaction will that give me? It's pointless to blame him. I can't fight him, I hiding from him in this horrible country. You know future is over. No college, no good job, no future, no family. I'm in self-exile." She paced rubbing her arms. "It's cold and damp here." He put his hand on her shoulder and she shook off. "I shouldn't have left."
"I know you feel helpless, but--"
"You don't know what I feel like, to be so alone and so empty and see everyone so full."
"I do know how you feel." She snorted. "I'm a werewolf, I was bitten as a child. Guess what all things I can't do, all the opportunities I can't have," Lupin said fiercely. "I can't a job always living others. How no one understands even my closet friends. How people want to kill me, how they judge me before they even know what my name is. You actually have a semblance of normal life. I'm worse off than you," he finished breathing hard. Jeanette blushed, feeling angry and miserable. At least he had freedom, he could change and run wild once a month. She couldn't, her skin felt like dirty clothes two sizes too small.
There was a long awkward silence before Lupin finally spoke up.
"Have you ever considered metal working?" She raised an eyebrow. "The magic should be small enough to not be particularly noticeable." She thought it over. She could make little trinkets and sell them. It would be nice, working metal in her hands, melting it till it was play dough like. She could do glass and pottery too.
"Okay." He smiled.
"Do you go out at night?"
"Fred and George say I shouldn't go out after sun down."
"And you shouldn't. No place is safe now."
"I did it all the time in London."
"London was swarming with ministry, but this is a small town. You of all people should know the risks."
"I know, I know," she pouted.
"I'm not even sure you should be here by yourself."
"I'm quite viable by myself, thank you," she said tersely. She looked
at her watch. "If I want to see if Fred or George are here, I better
go now."
"I'll walk you over." Lupin offered. Jeanette wanted to say no, to show her toughness. But all the talk, the newspapers, they were beginning to chip away her safety net already.
It was about a ten minute walk away. It was jammed packed, she felt a twinge of envy, and she had to wait five minutes before even being able to get into the store. Lupin left as soon as she entered the store. Before the counter was black boy about the age of Fred and George with dreadlocks. She remembered him from her first day, he had been Fred's friend. She squirmed and wiggled her way to the counter. The poor guy seemed to little idea how to work the cashier and was abusing it.
"Is Fred or George here?" She asked. She glanced at the nametag he wore. It said "Lee Jordan."
"No, can I help you?"
"No, it's alright."
"Hey, aren't you supposed to be at Hogwarts?" He demanded as if her age had suddenly dawned him.
"No," she turned to leave, but there wasn't much to do. "You need any help?"
"Sure. Go into the back and get another crate of Ton tongue toffees. There--"
"The purple ones," Jeanette finished for him and went into the back. He didn't know the prices of things and kept on having to look for them in a little booklet. She helped him work the cashier and get supplies to closing time at eight. Then she helped him balance the books.
"Thanks," he said finally. "You're Jeanette, aren't you?" He wiped his face. "Fred and George mentioned you'd be here. So don't you have your own shop to rule over?"
"No business." He patted her on the head.
"Hungry?" He asked, finally.
"Fred and George never had a problem with customers, did they?" She said, droopily as they walked to the Three Broomsticks.
"No, but they started advertising for almost two years before they actually opened the shop. And they, sell pranks. Everyone wants pranks, while beauty products. That's only half of the population." He said, soothingly. She picked at her beef chunks and asparagus.
"I need to buy some dog food," she said suddenly.
"I'll take you," he said cheerfully. She got a doggie bag for the leftovers and they walked to the Owl Emporium. It was so windy, the wind tugged at her hair and tried to drag her backward. She was glad Lee was there. It felt as if the wind was screaming. She purchased a twenty bag sack of dog food and some owl treats.
"Hey, Angelina!" A girl across the aisle looked up from Lee's call.
"Lee, how's it been?"
"I'm running one of the Weasley twins' shops. Heard you made it onto the Holyhead Harpies."
"Yes," said Angelina proudly. Jeanette stood awkwardly clutching the can of owl treats. "Your girlfriend?"
"No, one of Fred's old employees, she's been teaching me how to use the cashier. Blasted things, I wish I could get a real job commentating Quidditch. Not that I don't like the job I have now," he said sheepishly, remembering that Jeanette was next to him.
"Where do you go," Angelina asked Jeanette.
"She has her own shop a few streets down." Lee volunteered.
"Really?"
"Beauty shop," Jeanette said hopefully. "Two day opening sale. Everything half price?"
"Maybe." Angelina said and went to pay for her animal sized quidditch uniform. From the sound of it, she wouldn't come at all.
"She's something isn't she?" Lee said breathlessly. Jeanette rolled her eyes and got in line. When they went outside again, it was freezing. It was so different from the balmy weather of yesterday. It frightened her. Afterwards, Lee carried the bag of dog food. He helped her carry the food to the backroom.
"Hi, Sable," Jeanette said to the big black dog. "You must be hungry." She gave the dog beef chunks with his dog food and then went upstairs to feed Frederick and refill his water dish. A large brown bird was perched outside her bedroom window. It looked like a hawk and she closed the drapes uneasily. Lee was still there when she came back down. He was devouring her food samples. She had plucked the tree and placed the food on dishes so only the leaves remained on the tree. After so many hours, the ice cream balls were beginning to melt. Might as well let him eat it.
"Good stuff, too pretty though. Makes a guy ponder if the thing is edible. Now a slab of a chocolate, a man can understand." Jeanette held back a laugh. She didn't see any men here, just a pig. Lee said, licking his lips. "How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing, I was going to throw it out anyway. Once you pluck the tree, you can't reattach it."
"It came from the tree? You know, I have a suggestion. You should open the door and stand there holding a tray of your chocolates." He began to walk around, sniffing some of the products and covering his nose. "Hmmm. You have any more food?"
"Do mints count? I have chocolate roses." She got another sample and held it out to him. He might as well enjoy it, the rose was beginning to droop anyway. Good thing she had only taken a few out and stored the rest in the freezer. She got one for herself, comfort food. She pulled a satiny rose petal off the flower and it turned into chocolate. She ate it and Lee followed her example. Lee went to explore more around the store. He found some more roses.
"What do these do?" He held up a small dried rose. He pulled off a petal and sighed when it didn't turn into anything edible. She handed him a card.
"One of my more odder inventions." She told him. "The poem is really corny. It's for romance and stuff." Lee got a very interested look on his face.
He began to read the little card.
"Life without you is really dry
I don't know what else to try
I know we're bound with fate
So please go with me on this date."
The dried rose burst into bloom.
"Hey, it is tacky," he admitted. He shook it, still hopeful that it would turn edible. Jeanette drooped. "Can I have a dozen?" Her eyebrows shot up, was she hearing things? She sold them to him for two galleons. He also bought a box of crooning chocolates that sang the theme of 'Endless Love' until you ate them.
She slept uneasily that night. The wind tore at her window and Frederick wouldn't quiet down. She couldn't blame him. That big hawk might have eaten him. She had bad dreams about things chasing her in the dark. She was flying over a field. The sunset was in front of her and the darkness behind her. There were no stars or moon. She was above a forest. The hawk was chasing her from behind, screeching. Two things were following her from the river below and men were trying to shoot her down with arrows. She knew that if she flew into the sunlight that the demons would go away, but she was too slow. They were gaining. Something pierced her wing and she fell.
She got up an hour early rather than have another nightmare. After getting dressed, Jeanette stumbled downstairs to open a box of crooning chocolates singing 'Can you feel the Love Tonight'. She set a table outside and arranged the chocolates, plucked another tree, and put out a few pairs of massage gloves. They would smack anybody who tried to take more than one. In case, anyone tried to sue her for assault, she made a little embossed sign that read, "One Candy Each, Beware of Gloves."
The weather seemed oddly subdued. There was a distracting and unpleasant silence. It was gloomy but there was absolutely no wind. The air was still and heavy, yet not humid. She thought she was a shadow of a hawk and she crept back inside.
She got five customers before lunch. Four bought food and one asked if he could buy some slapping gloves. She refused, because if someone got hurt she didn't want to get blamed. She offered to sell the gloves to him by themselves, and he agreed.
The next day business was better and Jeanette had put a soundproofing charm on the window. She still sold mostly food, but she convinced a woman to buy some scrub. It was really good for cleaning floors and plus it had a built in cheering charm. She couldn't wait to the first Hogwarts visit in October. Ginny had promised to visit her. Life was hard, but satisfying. She didn't like doing the accounting each night and bills would be a hassle. Lee Jordan came over for dinner.
George also showed up for a short visit with a big basket of produce and food. Mrs. Weasley had sent it over, afraid that Jeanette wasn't eating well. He also invited her to the Burrow on weekends. Before they could sit down and have a real talk, a customer came in. He gave her a grin and a hug before leaving.
Two days later, Lee Jordan reappeared and bought another dozen roses with this rhyme.
"I know I've been really bad
But life without you is rather sad
I know you're still kinda miffed
But please take this small gift"
"What'd you do?" Jeanette asked. Lee looked crestfallen.
"We went out. She wanted to go to a concert. Such a sporty girl and she wants to listen to an orchestra. Never thought that could happen in a million years. So I bought the tickets and we went and it was really boring."
"You fell asleep."
"How'd you know?"
"Educated guess."
"Well, I fell asleep before intermission and when I woke up Angelina was gone and so was everyone else. She called me an uncouth git. I have to show her I'm romantic."
"Why don't you say 'I'm sorry'?"
"I can't say that!!!" Lee was aghast.
Jeanette shrugged. "How would I know anyway? I've never had a boyfriend."
"You have anymore chocolates?"
"Yeah," she led him over and he glanced at them before picking some that sang 'Nobody knows the trouble I've seen'."
That's not going to win her back," Jeanette informed.
"I know. They're for me." He bought another box that sang the cheesy "Forget about Love" and left in a huff.
Author's Note: Lionel Richie and Diana Ross sang "Endless Love." "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is from the Lion King. I'm not sure where "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" is from. "Forget about Love" is from the Return of Jafar.
Windy Day
Ten minutes later, the little bell rang and Jeanette sprang up eagerly. It was a cloaked figure. One hand reached for her wand and the other for the alarm. In these times, you could never be too careful. The cloaked man slowly took off his hood, it was Lupin, who couldn't afford to buy anything. He gave her a weak, apologetic smile. Sensitive Lupin, a friend of Jeanette's would have said that he was a "lost soul." For what else would make him so gentle, so kind. He must have gone through something horrible to be so understanding and lonely. But then again, Jeanette's friend was an expert at examining characters in books not live people.
He had a large sack. "Can we go inside and talk?" So Jeanette took him upstairs and fed him hot coffee and biscotti. She wasn't totally without maternal instincts. Seeing Lupin skinny and bedraggled awakened something deep inside of her. There isn't anything as healing as being cared for or taking care of someone else. It made her feel useful for once, since the shop seemed like a flop. It was almost like cooking, homework, and cleaning, it was like physical proof that said, "Hey, I can do this." After having your eyebrows burned off, housework doesn't look half as challenging as before. It was safe, nostalgic, and comforting.
Lupin opened the sack and emptied on the counter. Pearls rolled out in all directions, making sweet sounds as they bumped into each other, her pearls.
"It's taken a month to track all of them down and buy back. It isn't wise to give something so valuable away." He explained. She picked up a large pink pearl and stroked it, she already knew that. There was an unpleasant emptiness when she parted with certain pearls.
She placed all the pink pearls and white pearls in the fruit bowl. "You can have the rest."
"But, it is part of you." Lupin insisted.
"That's not important. These pearls represent emotions, memories that I'd rather forget. I don't need them and no one can control me with that. The pearls are like an extra outlet. You know how crying can ease pain, but they don't make the memories less. You can have them. See that blue gray one?" She picked it up. "Typical teenage depression. The dark red one is anger, hate. Green is jealousy, metallic gray fear, purple is anguish a combo of fear and anger and sadness. Orange ones are guilt, black is hate. The golden yellow is pain. Bright blue is ecstasy. The size of the pearl is the intensity." She placed them back into the bag and handed them to him.
"The white and pink ones then?"
"The white ones are hope and faith, the pinks are love." She ran her fingers through the bowl of pearls. "These things I want to hold with me forever. The pleasant things. You know, if you break one of these pearls, the memory is released. I used to break the pink ones when I got sad. That's why there are so few them. I've used up all the joy and all the happiness before I started with love. I'd share them with my sister."
"Have you contacted your family?"
"No, I think they're in hiding or they're all dead. " Her stomach twisted. She had known the possibility of death for months now, but still the idea that they were gone was frightening. She had pushed it away over and over again, but she couldn't anymore. Her sister and the singing career that had been giggled and whispered about under the covers, was gone. Could Darla even venture out again? That dream was gone. Her dreams of college, she would have gone this year. So many hopes and dreams gone up in flames. Was it her fault? Was she a wimp? She had known the risks of leaving, running away yet in a way she had realized the true effect of it all. Everything was so uncertain. Were they okay?
"It must be very hard." Lupin said in a very understanding voice. It flared Jeanette's already upset mood.
"Do you want me to hurt you?" She snapped. "I'm so itchy, cold. I want to burn, but I can't. I don't want to die. I'm mad." She said emphatically. "They're dead, aren't they? He wouldn't have let them go. And I--" Lupin's face was sad. Was he sure, she wanted to know. Was he absolutely certain? Her family was tough, but.
"It's not your fault."
"Then who is it? You, Tony, the four others, fate, Dumbledore, Fred, George? Can't you see I can't blame anyone, but my--"
"Blame Voldeomort."
Jeanette laughed. "Him. and what kind of satisfaction will that give me? It's pointless to blame him. I can't fight him, I hiding from him in this horrible country. You know future is over. No college, no good job, no future, no family. I'm in self-exile." She paced rubbing her arms. "It's cold and damp here." He put his hand on her shoulder and she shook off. "I shouldn't have left."
"I know you feel helpless, but--"
"You don't know what I feel like, to be so alone and so empty and see everyone so full."
"I do know how you feel." She snorted. "I'm a werewolf, I was bitten as a child. Guess what all things I can't do, all the opportunities I can't have," Lupin said fiercely. "I can't a job always living others. How no one understands even my closet friends. How people want to kill me, how they judge me before they even know what my name is. You actually have a semblance of normal life. I'm worse off than you," he finished breathing hard. Jeanette blushed, feeling angry and miserable. At least he had freedom, he could change and run wild once a month. She couldn't, her skin felt like dirty clothes two sizes too small.
There was a long awkward silence before Lupin finally spoke up.
"Have you ever considered metal working?" She raised an eyebrow. "The magic should be small enough to not be particularly noticeable." She thought it over. She could make little trinkets and sell them. It would be nice, working metal in her hands, melting it till it was play dough like. She could do glass and pottery too.
"Okay." He smiled.
"Do you go out at night?"
"Fred and George say I shouldn't go out after sun down."
"And you shouldn't. No place is safe now."
"I did it all the time in London."
"London was swarming with ministry, but this is a small town. You of all people should know the risks."
"I know, I know," she pouted.
"I'm not even sure you should be here by yourself."
"I'm quite viable by myself, thank you," she said tersely. She looked
at her watch. "If I want to see if Fred or George are here, I better
go now."
"I'll walk you over." Lupin offered. Jeanette wanted to say no, to show her toughness. But all the talk, the newspapers, they were beginning to chip away her safety net already.
It was about a ten minute walk away. It was jammed packed, she felt a twinge of envy, and she had to wait five minutes before even being able to get into the store. Lupin left as soon as she entered the store. Before the counter was black boy about the age of Fred and George with dreadlocks. She remembered him from her first day, he had been Fred's friend. She squirmed and wiggled her way to the counter. The poor guy seemed to little idea how to work the cashier and was abusing it.
"Is Fred or George here?" She asked. She glanced at the nametag he wore. It said "Lee Jordan."
"No, can I help you?"
"No, it's alright."
"Hey, aren't you supposed to be at Hogwarts?" He demanded as if her age had suddenly dawned him.
"No," she turned to leave, but there wasn't much to do. "You need any help?"
"Sure. Go into the back and get another crate of Ton tongue toffees. There--"
"The purple ones," Jeanette finished for him and went into the back. He didn't know the prices of things and kept on having to look for them in a little booklet. She helped him work the cashier and get supplies to closing time at eight. Then she helped him balance the books.
"Thanks," he said finally. "You're Jeanette, aren't you?" He wiped his face. "Fred and George mentioned you'd be here. So don't you have your own shop to rule over?"
"No business." He patted her on the head.
"Hungry?" He asked, finally.
"Fred and George never had a problem with customers, did they?" She said, droopily as they walked to the Three Broomsticks.
"No, but they started advertising for almost two years before they actually opened the shop. And they, sell pranks. Everyone wants pranks, while beauty products. That's only half of the population." He said, soothingly. She picked at her beef chunks and asparagus.
"I need to buy some dog food," she said suddenly.
"I'll take you," he said cheerfully. She got a doggie bag for the leftovers and they walked to the Owl Emporium. It was so windy, the wind tugged at her hair and tried to drag her backward. She was glad Lee was there. It felt as if the wind was screaming. She purchased a twenty bag sack of dog food and some owl treats.
"Hey, Angelina!" A girl across the aisle looked up from Lee's call.
"Lee, how's it been?"
"I'm running one of the Weasley twins' shops. Heard you made it onto the Holyhead Harpies."
"Yes," said Angelina proudly. Jeanette stood awkwardly clutching the can of owl treats. "Your girlfriend?"
"No, one of Fred's old employees, she's been teaching me how to use the cashier. Blasted things, I wish I could get a real job commentating Quidditch. Not that I don't like the job I have now," he said sheepishly, remembering that Jeanette was next to him.
"Where do you go," Angelina asked Jeanette.
"She has her own shop a few streets down." Lee volunteered.
"Really?"
"Beauty shop," Jeanette said hopefully. "Two day opening sale. Everything half price?"
"Maybe." Angelina said and went to pay for her animal sized quidditch uniform. From the sound of it, she wouldn't come at all.
"She's something isn't she?" Lee said breathlessly. Jeanette rolled her eyes and got in line. When they went outside again, it was freezing. It was so different from the balmy weather of yesterday. It frightened her. Afterwards, Lee carried the bag of dog food. He helped her carry the food to the backroom.
"Hi, Sable," Jeanette said to the big black dog. "You must be hungry." She gave the dog beef chunks with his dog food and then went upstairs to feed Frederick and refill his water dish. A large brown bird was perched outside her bedroom window. It looked like a hawk and she closed the drapes uneasily. Lee was still there when she came back down. He was devouring her food samples. She had plucked the tree and placed the food on dishes so only the leaves remained on the tree. After so many hours, the ice cream balls were beginning to melt. Might as well let him eat it.
"Good stuff, too pretty though. Makes a guy ponder if the thing is edible. Now a slab of a chocolate, a man can understand." Jeanette held back a laugh. She didn't see any men here, just a pig. Lee said, licking his lips. "How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing, I was going to throw it out anyway. Once you pluck the tree, you can't reattach it."
"It came from the tree? You know, I have a suggestion. You should open the door and stand there holding a tray of your chocolates." He began to walk around, sniffing some of the products and covering his nose. "Hmmm. You have any more food?"
"Do mints count? I have chocolate roses." She got another sample and held it out to him. He might as well enjoy it, the rose was beginning to droop anyway. Good thing she had only taken a few out and stored the rest in the freezer. She got one for herself, comfort food. She pulled a satiny rose petal off the flower and it turned into chocolate. She ate it and Lee followed her example. Lee went to explore more around the store. He found some more roses.
"What do these do?" He held up a small dried rose. He pulled off a petal and sighed when it didn't turn into anything edible. She handed him a card.
"One of my more odder inventions." She told him. "The poem is really corny. It's for romance and stuff." Lee got a very interested look on his face.
He began to read the little card.
"Life without you is really dry
I don't know what else to try
I know we're bound with fate
So please go with me on this date."
The dried rose burst into bloom.
"Hey, it is tacky," he admitted. He shook it, still hopeful that it would turn edible. Jeanette drooped. "Can I have a dozen?" Her eyebrows shot up, was she hearing things? She sold them to him for two galleons. He also bought a box of crooning chocolates that sang the theme of 'Endless Love' until you ate them.
She slept uneasily that night. The wind tore at her window and Frederick wouldn't quiet down. She couldn't blame him. That big hawk might have eaten him. She had bad dreams about things chasing her in the dark. She was flying over a field. The sunset was in front of her and the darkness behind her. There were no stars or moon. She was above a forest. The hawk was chasing her from behind, screeching. Two things were following her from the river below and men were trying to shoot her down with arrows. She knew that if she flew into the sunlight that the demons would go away, but she was too slow. They were gaining. Something pierced her wing and she fell.
She got up an hour early rather than have another nightmare. After getting dressed, Jeanette stumbled downstairs to open a box of crooning chocolates singing 'Can you feel the Love Tonight'. She set a table outside and arranged the chocolates, plucked another tree, and put out a few pairs of massage gloves. They would smack anybody who tried to take more than one. In case, anyone tried to sue her for assault, she made a little embossed sign that read, "One Candy Each, Beware of Gloves."
The weather seemed oddly subdued. There was a distracting and unpleasant silence. It was gloomy but there was absolutely no wind. The air was still and heavy, yet not humid. She thought she was a shadow of a hawk and she crept back inside.
She got five customers before lunch. Four bought food and one asked if he could buy some slapping gloves. She refused, because if someone got hurt she didn't want to get blamed. She offered to sell the gloves to him by themselves, and he agreed.
The next day business was better and Jeanette had put a soundproofing charm on the window. She still sold mostly food, but she convinced a woman to buy some scrub. It was really good for cleaning floors and plus it had a built in cheering charm. She couldn't wait to the first Hogwarts visit in October. Ginny had promised to visit her. Life was hard, but satisfying. She didn't like doing the accounting each night and bills would be a hassle. Lee Jordan came over for dinner.
George also showed up for a short visit with a big basket of produce and food. Mrs. Weasley had sent it over, afraid that Jeanette wasn't eating well. He also invited her to the Burrow on weekends. Before they could sit down and have a real talk, a customer came in. He gave her a grin and a hug before leaving.
Two days later, Lee Jordan reappeared and bought another dozen roses with this rhyme.
"I know I've been really bad
But life without you is rather sad
I know you're still kinda miffed
But please take this small gift"
"What'd you do?" Jeanette asked. Lee looked crestfallen.
"We went out. She wanted to go to a concert. Such a sporty girl and she wants to listen to an orchestra. Never thought that could happen in a million years. So I bought the tickets and we went and it was really boring."
"You fell asleep."
"How'd you know?"
"Educated guess."
"Well, I fell asleep before intermission and when I woke up Angelina was gone and so was everyone else. She called me an uncouth git. I have to show her I'm romantic."
"Why don't you say 'I'm sorry'?"
"I can't say that!!!" Lee was aghast.
Jeanette shrugged. "How would I know anyway? I've never had a boyfriend."
"You have anymore chocolates?"
"Yeah," she led him over and he glanced at them before picking some that sang 'Nobody knows the trouble I've seen'."
That's not going to win her back," Jeanette informed.
"I know. They're for me." He bought another box that sang the cheesy "Forget about Love" and left in a huff.
Author's Note: Lionel Richie and Diana Ross sang "Endless Love." "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is from the Lion King. I'm not sure where "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" is from. "Forget about Love" is from the Return of Jafar.