AN: Hello again and sorry I took awhile to update, but I WAS waiting for
240 reviews. Speaking of which, thank you Jeffs-xtreme-girl1987, YOU ARE
MY 240TH REVIEWER!!!!! Now, with that being said, ON TO CHAPTER NINE!!!
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Hermione and Ginny were both standing in the middle of Hermione's room, staring at the gold in Ginny's hand.
"What in the world did he give me this for?" asked Ginny faintly.
"I guess it's, um, pay for baby-sitting Amanda," said Hermione.
"Wow, there must be at least 10 Galleons here!" said Ginny, counting the coins. "Even if I was charging a fee, it certainly wouldn't be 10 Galleons per half-hour!"
"I guess he was just being generous, judging how he knows that your family hasn't always had that much money compared to him," said Hermione.
"Well, Hermione, you still haven't applied for a job, so I'm not leaving until I have news that you have," said Ginny stubbornly, changing the subject.
"Oh, well, all right, I'll go back into Diagon Alley and apply for a job or two," said Hermione. "I'll be back soon!" she said as she disappeared from the room and, once again, through the entrance to Diagon Alley. Once there, she headed purposefully to Flourish and Blotts. Since it was lunch hour, most everyone was in the food shops, rather than the other shops. She stepped into the bookstore and saw the clerk sitting behind the desk, looking bored, waiting for someone to purchase his or her books. Hermione walked right over to him.
"Yes, miss, can I help you?" he asked in a bored voice.
"Yes, sir, I was wondering if I could apply for a job here? I was in here yesterday afternoon, and your workload seemed to be immense to be doing by yourself," said Hermione.
"Oh, thank the heavens! I've been waiting for someone to offer! I'd have put up a Help Wanted sign, see, but it lessens the customers, because they think business is bad," he explained. "So, when can you start?"
"You mean, I don't have to apply or do an interview or anything?" asked Hermione, puzzled.
"Well, I suppose we can do a short interview right now," said the clerk. "Why do you think you'd be a good employee here?" he asked.
"This has been my favorite store in Diagon Alley since I was eleven years old, so I know where pretty much everything is on the shelves, I'm very good with directing people to find their books, and, if it helps, I love to read," said Hermione.
"No more questioning needed! You're hired!" said the clerk excitedly.
"Really?" said Hermione.
"Really. The times when I'd need you most are the late afternoons on weekdays and all day on Saturdays. Sunday is pretty quiet, though. Our hours are 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM; so how about you come in from 4:00 to 9:00, Monday to Friday, and 10:00 to 8:00 on Saturdays, with an hour lunch break? And how about a 3 Galleon per hour wage?" suggested the clerk. {AN: Let's say that in this story, 1 Galleon is worth about 4 dollars?}
"Oh, that's fabulous!" said Hermione. "So I can start tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? Well, I was hoping you'd be able to start today, but . . ."
"Oh, that's fine, I can start today! I'll be back at 4:00, then?" {AN: "Today" in the story happens to be a Wednesday, okay?}
"Yes, that would be great," said the clerk. "I'll see you then!" he called to Hermione as she walked out of the shop. As she headed back up to the Leaky Cauldron, she thought about what luck she had. And 3 Galleons per hour! She hadn't expected any more than two Galleons at the most.
Once she was back in her room, she explained to Ginny what her new job was.
"So, you can go back home for a few hours and then be back here by ten of four, okay?" concluded Hermione.
"Why on earth would I want to go home? Firstly, we have to do some shopping for you," said Ginny.
"What? But, Gin, I don't have any money, you know that!" said Hermione.
"What do you think I'm going to use these for?" asked Ginny, holding up the Galleons Draco had given her.
"But, Gin, that's your money!"
"Yes, it is, which is why I'm expecting you to pay me back once you've got your first few days of pay. But you really should have robes, instead of muggle clothes, if you're going to be working in Diagon Alley."
"Oh, good point," said Hermione.
"10 Galleons should buy two robes, I think," said Ginny. "You can take this money, go down into Diagon Alley, and buy yourself some robes. I'll be waiting. If you come back empty handed, I'll send you right back in," said Ginny sternly.
"All right, I'm going, I'm going," said Hermione, as she, once again, entered Diagon Alley.
0o0o0
After she had bought two new robes (one dark blue and the other dark green) and had given Ginny the remainder of the 10 Galleons (a Sickle and three Knuts), the two of them sat in Hermione's bedroom and talked until 3:55, at which time Ginny reminded Hermione that she needed to be back at Flourish and Blotts.
0o0o0 {AN: You guys do realize that I'm having serious writer's block? I think I'll just skip ahead to Saturday. No, really, I am.}
The rest of the week flew by for Hermione, and, she soon found herself faced with her Saturday lunch date with Draco. She had already cleared it with her boss at Flourish and Blotts to take her lunch break from 12:00 to 1:00 rather than 12:30 to 1:30. She sat once again in the Leaky Cauldron at noon, wearing her new dark blue robes. Draco had owled her yesterday to make sure it was okay if Ginny baby-sat far Amanda again, and she and Ginny cleared it. So, a few seconds later, Draco came in the pub, Amanda by his side. Once he had dropped her off upstairs with Ginny, he joined Hermione at her table.
"Well, Hermione, I think it would be much better if we were in a more appropriate place, don't you think?" asked Draco the second he sat down.
"Where?" asked Hermione.
"That's my little secret, but it's in Diagon Alley. Are you willing to take a change?" he asked her.
"Why not?" said Hermione. Draco then got up from the table, and Hermione followed him into Diagon Alley, where he led her to a part of it that Hermione never even knew existed, and into a restaurant titled "Carrabba's".
"I hope you like Italian!" said Draco.
"Oh, Italian is my favorite kind of food!" said Hermione. The host then came up, and Draco said "Reservation for Malfoy, party of two."
"Yes, sir, right this way," said the host, and led them to a secluded booth near the back and handed them both menus.
"Wow, Draco, I must say, I never expected this," said Hermione once they were seated.
"I figured it was better than the Leaky Cauldron for a date," he answered, and then immediately went scarlet. Apparently, he wasn't supposed to let that slip. To Hermione's complete surprise, she didn't mind at all that he considered this a date.
"Well, Draco, I think so, too," she said, and slid her hand over the table and on top of his hand. At this he seemed to relax a bit. A waiter came up just then.
"Hello, my name is Mike and I'll be your waiter for the evening. Can I get you two anything to drink?"
"Yes please, I'll have coffee," said Draco.
"And for you, ma'am?" he asked Hermione.
"I'll have coffee as well, and a small glass of water, please," she replied.
"And would you like any appetizers?"
"Hmmmm, how about a small house salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing for me?" said Draco.
"And I'll have a small garden salad with olive oil and vinegar," said Hermione.
"Okay, I'll be back in a moment with your drinks and salads," said the waiter, and he walked away. Hermione then opened her menu to see what she might like for the main course. Two things caught her eye: Shrimp Scampi (Pasta with shrimp) and Chicken Parmesan (Chicken with tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings). Both came with two side orders, and both were also high on the price list.
"Umm, Draco, how about we take two separate bills for this?" she suggested.
"What are you talking about? This is my treat! You could order the most expensive thing on the menu and I wouldn't care of the cost," said Draco firmly.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive," said Draco with a smile.
"Well, okay then," said Hermione tentatively. The waiter returned then with their coffee and salads.
"Are you two ready to order or do you need more time?"
"I need just a little more time," said Draco, not taking his eyes off the menu.
"Well, I'm ready, so I'll order mine while you decide on what you want, Draco," said Hermione, turning to the waiter. "I'll have the Shrimp Scampi, please, with sides of corn and mashed potatoes," said Hermione.
"And for you, sir?" said the waiter, turning to Draco.
"Well, I guess I'll have the Chicken Parmesan, with sides of a baked potato and peas," said Draco. He clearly had been trying to decide between that and something else.
"All right then," said the waiter, writing it down. "I'll be back in about five minutes with your orders."
0o0
After Draco and Hermione had polished of their lunches, it was about 12:50, so they decided to head out. Draco, leaving a generous tip for the waiter along with the payment of the meal, led the way out the door.
"Draco, that's the best lunch I've had in a long time," said Hermione, once they were back in the courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron.
"Well, it was the least I could do. Can I see you again this Friday evening at 7:00? I'll meet you in the Leaky Cauldron," he said.
"Well, I'll have to clear it with my boss to see if I can work from 2:00 to 7:00 rather than 4:00 to 9:00, but if all goes well then yes, you certainly may meet me in the Leaky Cauldron Friday at 7:00," said Hermione.
"Okay then. I'll see you on Friday," he said.
"Bye, Draco," said Hermione, standing on tiptoe and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye," he said, as she went back into the Leaky Cauldron, smiling like a goon but blushing scarlet.
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AN: FINALLY! Something to make this story fit in the Romance category! I bet you all loved that . . . Well, anywho, REVIEW! And, your goal for this time is 270 reviews. (I will NOT update until I have 270 reviews, period. UNDERSTAND?)
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Hermione and Ginny were both standing in the middle of Hermione's room, staring at the gold in Ginny's hand.
"What in the world did he give me this for?" asked Ginny faintly.
"I guess it's, um, pay for baby-sitting Amanda," said Hermione.
"Wow, there must be at least 10 Galleons here!" said Ginny, counting the coins. "Even if I was charging a fee, it certainly wouldn't be 10 Galleons per half-hour!"
"I guess he was just being generous, judging how he knows that your family hasn't always had that much money compared to him," said Hermione.
"Well, Hermione, you still haven't applied for a job, so I'm not leaving until I have news that you have," said Ginny stubbornly, changing the subject.
"Oh, well, all right, I'll go back into Diagon Alley and apply for a job or two," said Hermione. "I'll be back soon!" she said as she disappeared from the room and, once again, through the entrance to Diagon Alley. Once there, she headed purposefully to Flourish and Blotts. Since it was lunch hour, most everyone was in the food shops, rather than the other shops. She stepped into the bookstore and saw the clerk sitting behind the desk, looking bored, waiting for someone to purchase his or her books. Hermione walked right over to him.
"Yes, miss, can I help you?" he asked in a bored voice.
"Yes, sir, I was wondering if I could apply for a job here? I was in here yesterday afternoon, and your workload seemed to be immense to be doing by yourself," said Hermione.
"Oh, thank the heavens! I've been waiting for someone to offer! I'd have put up a Help Wanted sign, see, but it lessens the customers, because they think business is bad," he explained. "So, when can you start?"
"You mean, I don't have to apply or do an interview or anything?" asked Hermione, puzzled.
"Well, I suppose we can do a short interview right now," said the clerk. "Why do you think you'd be a good employee here?" he asked.
"This has been my favorite store in Diagon Alley since I was eleven years old, so I know where pretty much everything is on the shelves, I'm very good with directing people to find their books, and, if it helps, I love to read," said Hermione.
"No more questioning needed! You're hired!" said the clerk excitedly.
"Really?" said Hermione.
"Really. The times when I'd need you most are the late afternoons on weekdays and all day on Saturdays. Sunday is pretty quiet, though. Our hours are 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM; so how about you come in from 4:00 to 9:00, Monday to Friday, and 10:00 to 8:00 on Saturdays, with an hour lunch break? And how about a 3 Galleon per hour wage?" suggested the clerk. {AN: Let's say that in this story, 1 Galleon is worth about 4 dollars?}
"Oh, that's fabulous!" said Hermione. "So I can start tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? Well, I was hoping you'd be able to start today, but . . ."
"Oh, that's fine, I can start today! I'll be back at 4:00, then?" {AN: "Today" in the story happens to be a Wednesday, okay?}
"Yes, that would be great," said the clerk. "I'll see you then!" he called to Hermione as she walked out of the shop. As she headed back up to the Leaky Cauldron, she thought about what luck she had. And 3 Galleons per hour! She hadn't expected any more than two Galleons at the most.
Once she was back in her room, she explained to Ginny what her new job was.
"So, you can go back home for a few hours and then be back here by ten of four, okay?" concluded Hermione.
"Why on earth would I want to go home? Firstly, we have to do some shopping for you," said Ginny.
"What? But, Gin, I don't have any money, you know that!" said Hermione.
"What do you think I'm going to use these for?" asked Ginny, holding up the Galleons Draco had given her.
"But, Gin, that's your money!"
"Yes, it is, which is why I'm expecting you to pay me back once you've got your first few days of pay. But you really should have robes, instead of muggle clothes, if you're going to be working in Diagon Alley."
"Oh, good point," said Hermione.
"10 Galleons should buy two robes, I think," said Ginny. "You can take this money, go down into Diagon Alley, and buy yourself some robes. I'll be waiting. If you come back empty handed, I'll send you right back in," said Ginny sternly.
"All right, I'm going, I'm going," said Hermione, as she, once again, entered Diagon Alley.
0o0o0
After she had bought two new robes (one dark blue and the other dark green) and had given Ginny the remainder of the 10 Galleons (a Sickle and three Knuts), the two of them sat in Hermione's bedroom and talked until 3:55, at which time Ginny reminded Hermione that she needed to be back at Flourish and Blotts.
0o0o0 {AN: You guys do realize that I'm having serious writer's block? I think I'll just skip ahead to Saturday. No, really, I am.}
The rest of the week flew by for Hermione, and, she soon found herself faced with her Saturday lunch date with Draco. She had already cleared it with her boss at Flourish and Blotts to take her lunch break from 12:00 to 1:00 rather than 12:30 to 1:30. She sat once again in the Leaky Cauldron at noon, wearing her new dark blue robes. Draco had owled her yesterday to make sure it was okay if Ginny baby-sat far Amanda again, and she and Ginny cleared it. So, a few seconds later, Draco came in the pub, Amanda by his side. Once he had dropped her off upstairs with Ginny, he joined Hermione at her table.
"Well, Hermione, I think it would be much better if we were in a more appropriate place, don't you think?" asked Draco the second he sat down.
"Where?" asked Hermione.
"That's my little secret, but it's in Diagon Alley. Are you willing to take a change?" he asked her.
"Why not?" said Hermione. Draco then got up from the table, and Hermione followed him into Diagon Alley, where he led her to a part of it that Hermione never even knew existed, and into a restaurant titled "Carrabba's".
"I hope you like Italian!" said Draco.
"Oh, Italian is my favorite kind of food!" said Hermione. The host then came up, and Draco said "Reservation for Malfoy, party of two."
"Yes, sir, right this way," said the host, and led them to a secluded booth near the back and handed them both menus.
"Wow, Draco, I must say, I never expected this," said Hermione once they were seated.
"I figured it was better than the Leaky Cauldron for a date," he answered, and then immediately went scarlet. Apparently, he wasn't supposed to let that slip. To Hermione's complete surprise, she didn't mind at all that he considered this a date.
"Well, Draco, I think so, too," she said, and slid her hand over the table and on top of his hand. At this he seemed to relax a bit. A waiter came up just then.
"Hello, my name is Mike and I'll be your waiter for the evening. Can I get you two anything to drink?"
"Yes please, I'll have coffee," said Draco.
"And for you, ma'am?" he asked Hermione.
"I'll have coffee as well, and a small glass of water, please," she replied.
"And would you like any appetizers?"
"Hmmmm, how about a small house salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing for me?" said Draco.
"And I'll have a small garden salad with olive oil and vinegar," said Hermione.
"Okay, I'll be back in a moment with your drinks and salads," said the waiter, and he walked away. Hermione then opened her menu to see what she might like for the main course. Two things caught her eye: Shrimp Scampi (Pasta with shrimp) and Chicken Parmesan (Chicken with tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings). Both came with two side orders, and both were also high on the price list.
"Umm, Draco, how about we take two separate bills for this?" she suggested.
"What are you talking about? This is my treat! You could order the most expensive thing on the menu and I wouldn't care of the cost," said Draco firmly.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive," said Draco with a smile.
"Well, okay then," said Hermione tentatively. The waiter returned then with their coffee and salads.
"Are you two ready to order or do you need more time?"
"I need just a little more time," said Draco, not taking his eyes off the menu.
"Well, I'm ready, so I'll order mine while you decide on what you want, Draco," said Hermione, turning to the waiter. "I'll have the Shrimp Scampi, please, with sides of corn and mashed potatoes," said Hermione.
"And for you, sir?" said the waiter, turning to Draco.
"Well, I guess I'll have the Chicken Parmesan, with sides of a baked potato and peas," said Draco. He clearly had been trying to decide between that and something else.
"All right then," said the waiter, writing it down. "I'll be back in about five minutes with your orders."
0o0
After Draco and Hermione had polished of their lunches, it was about 12:50, so they decided to head out. Draco, leaving a generous tip for the waiter along with the payment of the meal, led the way out the door.
"Draco, that's the best lunch I've had in a long time," said Hermione, once they were back in the courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron.
"Well, it was the least I could do. Can I see you again this Friday evening at 7:00? I'll meet you in the Leaky Cauldron," he said.
"Well, I'll have to clear it with my boss to see if I can work from 2:00 to 7:00 rather than 4:00 to 9:00, but if all goes well then yes, you certainly may meet me in the Leaky Cauldron Friday at 7:00," said Hermione.
"Okay then. I'll see you on Friday," he said.
"Bye, Draco," said Hermione, standing on tiptoe and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye," he said, as she went back into the Leaky Cauldron, smiling like a goon but blushing scarlet.
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AN: FINALLY! Something to make this story fit in the Romance category! I bet you all loved that . . . Well, anywho, REVIEW! And, your goal for this time is 270 reviews. (I will NOT update until I have 270 reviews, period. UNDERSTAND?)