A/N:

Thank you so much to all those who are reading my story… I feel very flattered that you like my story anyway I'm making this author's note very short so you can read my story then afterwards… you can review it, that's right… okay here it goes.

Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers do apply.

Summer Escapades

By: Carla P.

Summary:
Hermione learns of her parent's deception and runs from home. In her stay in Diagon Alley, a lot of things happen to her like finding a job and meeting Draco Malfoy, who has parent problems of his own… Suddenly her No.1 enemy becomes someone else…HrD…. R & R people!

Chapter 2- Landing a Position

Hermione pushed open the glass door, the bell above ringing as she steppe into the cheery interior of the shop. Walking purposefully, she strode to the counter and approached one of the girls taking and filling the orders the waitresses circling the shop gave them.

"Heloo, Lyza" she said, looking at the girl's name tag, "umm, I'm looking for a job and I was wondering if I might talk to the owner or the manager of your shop about a job opening" While saying this she twiddled with her fingers, a sign that she was nervous.

"Sure." Said Lyza, "I'll go get Mr. Fortescue, he's at the back there," she said pointing to an area behind her that Hermione where could only guess what was going on. "It'll take a couple of minutes, do you mind waiting?"

"No, of course not. Thank you very much" said Hermione and flashed the girl a somewhat nervous smile. Lyza went to the girl with her behind the counter, said a few words and proceeded to go to the back.

To ease her nervousness, Hermione turned from the counter and looked around the shop with its cute chairs, colorful, round tables and comfy booths. She hoped against hope that she had found a place where she can work in at last, as it wouldn't be so bad to work in such a bright and cheery place.

While thinking hopeful thoughts, she was startled at a sound behind her coming from the general direction of the door Lyza had entered a while ago. So, she turned back to the counter expecting to meet face to face her, she hoped, future employer.

Mr.Fortescue looked around forty or fifty; he was portly man with dark brown hair that had a few streaks of gray here and there. He had on glasses, behind it were eyes that looked kind and were coffee-colored.

He approached the area where Hermione was waiting, "Hello, there, you must be the girl Lyza here was talking about," he said, gesturing to the girl beside him, "I'm Florean Fortescue, pleasure to meet you, Ms.?" He asked as he extended his right hand for a handshake.

"Granger, Hermione Granger, a pleasure to meet you too Mr. Fortescue" she replied, a wide smile on her face as she grasped his hand for the offered handshake, thankful that Mr. Fortescue was seemingly such an easy person to reckon with.

"Yes, yes now, Ms. Granger, Lyza here also tells me that you are looking for a job, is that right" he said, in a business tone as he raised his glasses to his forehead and peered at the girl facing him.

"Yes, sir, that's right, I am, indeed, looking for a job" she said in a self-conscious voice as the owner was observing her pretty closely.

"Well, then, Ms. Granger, I have two vacancies, which do you think you can handle better? A waitress, maybe? You just have to get the orders of whoever sits in the area assigned to you and give it to these girls behind the counter, who make the order then you deliver. Or you could be the one who makes the orders, all you do is fill the orders that the waitresses give you, but you will have to learn to make sundaes and such… How long are you planning to work here, anyway, Ms. Granger?" he said pausing for a breath and waiting for Hermione's answer.

" Five to six weeks, sir. Just before school starts." She said and contemplated the two suggestions and what would be better for such a short of working. She settled on being a waitress, as six weeks was too short for learning to make orders, getting them was easy enough, she figured.

"A summer job, then, eh, Ms. Granger?" he said in a voice that suggested he admired Hermione for wanting a job to support herself through school.

"Yes, sir, it is, so I could buy books and school stuff for my sixth year at Hogwarts." She said, the relief palpable in her voice at Mr. Fortesscues apparent approval.

"What do you reckon you can handle then?" his voice back to the matter-of-fact tone he had used moments ago.

"I think a waitress would be simpler, sir, as it's harder to learn how to make orders in a span of six weeks than how to ask the costumers what theirs would be." She said, voicing out her opinion.

"All right then, you would be my new waitress. Consider yourself lucky, Ms. Granger. I was considering posting 'Help Wanted' signs before you came looking for a job. I trust, though that you are satisfied at having landed this position?" he said, as he put his glasses back on and moved back from his close range scrutiny only moments ago.

"Oh, oh, yes, sir, I am satisfied. Any job would be fascinating, really." She responded the elation evident in her voice.

"All right, then. You will begin tomorrow, a 10-6 shift, Mondays through Saturdays. Your lunch break will be at one and you will receive a galleon and 7 sickles for each working day that makes 8 galleons and 8 sickles a week, 5 sickles for each hour you might be required to work over time. Is that understood, Ms. Granger?"

"Yes, sir, she replied all the while thinking how six weeks would leave her with enough money for school without having to ask for help from anyone but herself.

"All right, then, accompany me to the back so you can get the uniform you have to wear when you work here. Don't worry, it's really simple like the other waitresses you must have seen in the shop. Long, black pants and a t-shirt with a 'Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor' logo stamped in front, and of course a nameplate will be made for you." he said all this with a cheerful voice and a smile plastered on his face. Hermione answered this with her own sweet smile.

After a while they stopped in front of a door, which was obviously a closet. Mr. Fortescue opened it and looked at the stacks inside. With his head inside he asked a question in a muffled voice, "Size?"

Hermione was a bit startled at the question but managed to squeak out, "Medium, sir."

He then grabbed two packs from the shelves and handed it to the girl behind him, "Here you go, Ms. Granger. Medium."

"Thank you very much sir" She said with a smile as she took the clothes from him.

"Okay, then, Ms. Granger. I trust we have no more need of each other today. Why don't you head out and have lunch, I will expect you to be here tomorrow 10 o'clock sharp to report for your very first dayof work."

"Yes, sir, 10 o'clock sharp. You won't be disappointed." She said all these with a very wide and happy smile.

"Off you go, then." Said he returning her smile.

Hermione bounded out the ice cream parlor her feeling wonderful as the bell above her gave a happy tinkling sound. She felt extremely happy at the turn out of her job-hunting. In a sudden burst of emotion, Hermione ran to The Leaky Cauldron, clutching the bundle of clothes, thinking what she was having for lunch.

A/N:

Well, I didn't have many reviewers and that hurts… since I put a lot of effort into my stories… I sincerely hope that those who read find the time to drop in and say hi… and to those who already have, hugs and kisses… So, review! Signed or anonymous, you are welcome… :p

Thanks…

P.S. To the person who asked why Hermione didn't apply for a job in the bookstore, I think that at the moment, Hermione subconsciously launched into an emotional turmoil therefore she wanted to stop being predictable and just be impulsive, hence being a waitress in a really fun hang-out, the ice cream shop:D I am so sorry that it's taking so long 'till I bring in Draco but then, I'm going to dedicate a few chapters to him...so, yeah... that's all...:)