Harry Potter gloried in the grit and grime of the train station. Oh, sure, on the tube you saw the gleaming, bright stations. Harry figured that was what one looked like near Parliment in London. Real world wasn't like that. It had a reality that all that pristine gleaming didn't have.

And here he was, looking at a grinning boy who reminded him of the Weasley twins. He was busy serving coffee - and working behind the counter refilling, and taking orders at the register.

"Need a hand?" Harry asked.

"Sure, if you're masochistic enough to want to help." The other boy said, grinning. "It's hard work, and I won't be paying you a ruddy pence."

Harry shrugged, "I'm bored, and I've never run an espresso machine before."

"It's more complicated than you think."

"I'd like to learn, then!" Harry said, grinning.

By the end of the shift, Harry had a decent grasp of "how it worked" and it wasn't even 3pm yet. He pulled out a few paper notes, and used one to buy a small handpie. It was a good thing he was used to doing a lot of work with little food. He hid the next shift, until it was around eleven at night.

"Need a hand?" Harry asked the much more harried looking girl with the gaptoothed smile.

"I'd appreciate one," she said in a tone that reminded him of Hermione, "But I can't pay you, so why should you -?"

"I've got money enough," Harry said, "but cover for me if a bobbie comes, yeh?"

"What have you done-" She started, sounding cross, with her hands on her hips.

"Escaped from home," Harry said, "Got some errands to run in the big city."

"So... London?" she said, "What's so all-fired important in London? And that's nearly a day's travel from here!" Her hands had migrated to her hips.

"Tomorrow's the day my parents died." Harry said somberly, "I've always wanted a visit, but my relatives are always too busy."

"So you just decided to worry them?" she hissed bossily.

"Oh, they won't worry, I left a note." Harry lied effortlessly.

"Just get to work," she said crossly.

It was hard work, followed by a lot of waiting around. Harry didn't like the waiting around, but he was used to it. Wasn't that what being Seeker was, when it came right down to it. Harry talked to the girl, idly, to pass the time. Harry should say, he listened and she talked. She had a lot of thoughts, and even though Harry didn't care about most of them, he still listened intently.

"Have a nice morning!" Harry said.

"Get some sleep!" she snapped back.

"I can sleep on the train!" Harry said with a smile.

[a/n: Harry truly hates playing the pity card. If you love this story, or want more of it, please review!]