A/N: Okay so this took me a long time to publish. I might make some changes to it later, because I'm not 100% happy with it, but I hope it doesn't suck too hard. x.x

Extra Note: If some of the paragraphs come out wrong, I apologize. I think fanfiction hates me. Even when I try to start new sentences, at times it just clumps them together anyway.

xxx

Chapter Five:

Unwanted Company

xxx

"He won't help."

"Well of course you can't expect him too!"

Harry was flabbergasted. "What the hell am I here for th-"

"Harry, I mean you can't expect them to up and fight just because we ask them too. Especially with vampires, they've never been too fond of our kind, you know that."

A pause.

"Don't get all tetchy with me now. It's true. With vampires…well wizards like us would help in an instant if it meant stopping Voldemort because we know his power and we're scared and ready to fight. But for vampires like Eric, who have probably never heard of our world or Voldemort, wouldn't take the slightest interest in us or our war."

Harry fumed. "Well you'd think he'd care about saving his and his kinds existence!"

"Harry, you didn't tell him his life was at stake did you?"

Pause.

"Harry!"

"I've never done this before! You'd think vampire or not, they'd care at least a little bit about what could happen to them!"

"Vampires aren't like humans Harry. As much as you might think, they don't have the same mindset. I'm sure an old vampire such as Eric isn't the least bit intimidated by our war, or the one behind it. He's probably been in wars before."

"If you know so much-"

"Don't start, Harry. Why don't you try a different approach?"

"Oh like what? Sorry I told you the truth before. If you help, I'll give you an unlimited amount of blood."

Hermione scowled through the mirror shard. "Well to be honest Harry, it's your own fault."

Harry prepared to argue-

"You should have taken a different approach. Like perhaps pretending to be an ordinary person, even if he'd know you were a wizard, that doesn't mean you couldn't come to Bon Temps seeking employment. Perhaps you're an avid supporter of vampire rights and have worked with vampires before?"

Harry thought about that for a split second. And that…wouldn't have been a bad idea. "Too late now though."

"I don't think so."

"Meaning?"

"Well, maybe you could work for him for a while."

"Excuse me?"

"You know, ask for employment. I think it would help out the mission. That way, you may find out what he's interested in, what you could do for him in return for his service to the war."

"He knows what I want now, beating around the bush isn't going to help."

"You haven't even tried Harry." Hermione stated.

"And besides, I already have a job. I'm working at Merlottes. Or I will be. Starting tonight."

Hermione seemed to ponder this a moment. "Well, still another job couldn't hurt. The more money the merrier. And just remember to limit your magic use. Voldemort has spread to the states and we don't know whose on his side, or how far the American Ministry of Magic has been taken over. They may be tracking apparation as well."

"I know that, so I'm stuck doing things the muggle way. For the most part at least."

"Well good, at least you and Ron both can learn to do stuff without waving your wands around all the time. Perhaps if you learned to drive as well."

"What?"

"You can't just ride around on a broom Harry!"

Harry heaved a sigh, remembering the firebolt he'd had, now which lay somewhere deep in the bottom of the ocean.

Hermione sighed. "You'll do fine…how are you, still hurting?" Harry had informed her of the previous nights events.

"No, I'm alright. How-is your mission anyhow?"

"It's coming along. I just hope you and Ron do well. I'm worried about Hogwarts, and the others we left behind."

"Me too."

He thought of Ginny, who he'd been forced to break up with back in his sixth year, a little over two years before. It had been for the best of course, and he only hoped she was faring well. He also thought of Luna, Neville and the rest of the Weasley family and only hoped they were all well. After Hermione had gone, Harry placed the shard back inside his bag. Lafayette had dropped him off earlier that morning, and now he found himself alone. His thoughts switched to Sookie, the first person he'd considered a friend and found himself disgusted that he even had her on his mind. He didn't know many people at all. Just her and Lafayette really. But he wasn't going to crowd the only person he trusted at this point. He glanced around his still empty bedroom, aside of course, from his plush purple mattress. Perhaps two jobs wouldn't be such a bad idea. The only trouble lie in Eric agreeing to employ him. From what he'd managed to learn back at school, vampires loved as much as loathed witches. They took great interest in what their magic could do for them, while at the same time, hardly trusted them.

As Eric was already aware of his otherworldly powers, there was really no need to explain, or to pretend he hadn't come for help. On the thought of jobs, he needed his Merlottes uniform. He sighed and began to make his way down the steps, not bothering to grab a jacket, as the walk to be long in the heat. Just as he stepped outside, a yellow Volvo pulled up into his driveway. His eyes narrowed; Sookie. He felt his lips purse. The car parked and out stepped the blonde, holding a package in her hand. Her face was solemn, yet full of determination. Harry stayed rooted to his porch. Sookie took several steps forward.

"I-brought your uniform Harry."

"I could have gotten it myself." He replied coldly.

"Don't be silly, the walk would have been too long."

"Maybe I like walking." He didn't want to see her. He was sure her bringing his uniform was an excuse to talk; to apologize. And of course…

"I don't accept."

Sookie's brows wrinkled. "Harry-"

"Leave."

Sookie took another step forward. "I'm sorry I looked alright?"

"I bet you are, multiple deaths isn't something anyone wants to see." He snapped.

She flinched.

"Don't act like you had to live it." Finally he stepped off his porch and snatched the package from her hands. He stood eye to eye with her.

"I can help you." She said.

"I don't want your help." He turned away from her then.

"You need my help!"

"I don't," His foot had only just started up the first step when a hand placed itself on his shoulder. "You do, I know what you need to-"

"Because you broke into my mind!" He dropped the package and whirled around to face her, eyes blazing in fury. "You had no right! I don't want your help! You-" A porch light on his right shattered and he swore loudly as Sookie's mouth dropped. "Great." he muttered, noticing then, the lights in his house had flashed on and off in his own temperament, and he found himself glad, even in his annoyance at the woman that she didn't now resemble a great balloon.

"Just go."

The blonde stood there a few moments before slowly stepping back. She mumbled something unintelligible before departing. Harry picked up his boxed uniform and headed inside. The lights had flickered and died out again. He hoped he hadn't managed to break anything else. He wondered if his lack of magic output had something to do with it, but shook his head. No, students under seventeen couldn't use magic outside of school and yet they've managed fine. It was just him. Hermione and the others that warned him to control his temper, but it was rather difficult these days. You really couldn't trust as easily and when he'd done so, he got screwed over.

And now, she claimed to want to help him? Even if it was true (and he wasn't inclined to believe so at the moment), The last thing he wanted was to put more people in danger. Sookie, being a muggle could help about as much as Dudley Dursley with healthy eating habits.

xxx

He headed up the stairs once again and when he re-entered the room, placed the box in the closet amongst his other belongings. His job at Merlottes was settled, now he needed to focus on employment at Fangtasia. Hermione was right incidentally, it would get him as close as possible to the sheriff and perhaps offer him information on how to convince him to join the cause. As they'd been told, going straight to the king or queen certainly wouldn't be the best idea. A sheriff at the very least should be informed first and foremost. This way, Harry wouldn't be a suspicious intruder on vampire royalty territory. But if Eric wouldn't comply, it was very likely the queen wouldn't. He supposed with his house essentials done as far as water and electricity, he could install a phone. It would be the first time able to use one freely. Or perhaps a cell phone. It could cost less…He shook his head. Bon Temps was such a small town, they didn't even have bus transportation; Which was rather inconvenient for him. He wondered if he might be able to use the Floo Network. Of course, if apparation was out, than surely the networks were being watched.

The closest store to him was Grabbit Kwik he supposed he'd go there later (try and find some way to store it all). He found he could use his expandable bad. He'd simply use that to walk there and back. Brilliant. He opened his closet door again, and pulled out his bag. Peering inside, he saw various amounts of potions, books and other objects scattered about. He carefully placed them all on the top and bottom shelf of the closet before zipping the bag and threw it over his shoulder. He pocketed just enough American dollars and headed out the door, downstairs and out into the sunlight. Harry headed down the near empty streets of Bon Temps, passing by several parked cars and chained dogs on their porches. By the time he'd reached around Sookie's neighborhood, he needed a drink. Honestly, he should have been used to this type of weather.

It came around at least every summer in Privet Drive, where he'd been stuck in the lawn doing yard work He should have brought a bottled water. Really, he hadn't thought of it, his mind had been somewhere else entirely. He continued on down the road around fifteen or so minutes before reaching the store. Grabbit Kwik had on an old worn out sign, painted carelessly white with red block letters. The store itself was small and stuffy with non-brand food and drink. The coldest area was over by the freezer and fridge where bottles of true blood made itself apparent. He stood by the cold area for a bit, before moving away, picking up a small cart and began seeking out items: bread, eggs, ham, milk for breakfast, cookies, vanilla and raspberry ice cream, a packet of water and dinner items before placing them in a couple of the small carts and headed over to the front counter.

"This everything?" the man at the counter grunted.

"Yeah."

He pulled out a wad of cash. The man rang up the items, placing them in plastic bags before turning back to him.

"That'll be one hundred even, kid."

Harry hadn't him several twenties and a ten, picked up the bags, and headed out. He made sure to hide himself from sight, before setting down his bag, and placing plastic ones inside it one by one. The one with eggs and bread lay on top and he'd made sure to pull out a bottle of water before re-zipping and placing the bag over his shoulder again. The bag itself felt no different than it had before, as he expected. Harry opened the water and chugged down half before heading back down the road toward his home.

xxx

Evening had come around sooner than expected, and already Harry found himself dressed in uniform, heading out the door for work. He'd done his best to flatten his hair, trying to make himself more presentable, but of course, his hair didn't comply. Just as he'd begun to head back down the gravel road, the yellow Volvo he didn't want in his driveway pulled up beside him. Sookie, dressed in her uniform, shorts barely past her hips, stood outside the car door.

"Harry-"

"What are you-"

"No time, you don't want to be late do you?"

"I don't need-"

"Just get in, or we'll both be late."

"I don't-" he stopped and sighed heavily.

He didn't want to accept help from her, knew he should have left earlier, but was now stuck with the option of simply taking the ride, or losing the job before he even started. "Fine." he slid in the passenger seat and buckled up. Sookie sat back inside, placing her own belt on and backed out of the driveway. She said nothing to him until they reached the bar. After she parked, she turned to him just as he was unbuckling his seatbelt.

"I didn't want you walking alone, it's dark."

Harry snorted. "Oh, but that was no problem to you yesterday was it?"

Sookie blanched.

"I didn't-"

"-Think?" Harry finished.

"I didn't think, you'd want my help."

"We'll you'd be right, I didn't."

"But Lafayette told me-"

Harry frowned and she caught it.

"-Well, it slipped from his mind-"

Harry glared.

"I didn't break in! Sometimes it happens!"

Harry continued to glare and she sighed.

"You were attacked." she sounded regretful.

"How did you survive?"

"Eric." he said simply. Sookie looked surprised.

"Him?"

"Well I was attacked on Fangtasia property, he couldn't have that." Sookie frowned then.

"I should've known."

Harry didn't want to have this conversation with her. He certainly hadn't forgiven her and this talk seemed to be heading in that direction.

"Sookie-"

"I know you probably hate me, but I told you-I can help."

"I really don't need you-" He began.

"I think you do." She cut off. "You need to see Eric about something, your world is in trouble."

Harry frowned. "You need Eric's help for something, I can help you."

He didn't want her help.

"Thanks-." He began bitterly. "But-"

"-Don't be stubborn." she cut him off again. "I can do something."

Harry stared at her for a good long moment before speaking. "Do you really want to help?"

She nodded.

"Then get Eric to hire me at Fangtasia."

Her blonde brows raised. "You want to work there?"

He nodded.

"Why-"

"Can you help or not?" he snapped.

"Well, I think I can get him to."

"Good, tonight then." She nodded.

"We'd better head inside."

He and Sookie walked inside Merlottes. The place was filled with people, laughter and drunks singing songs. Lafayette was visible cooking fish and steak. A redhead girl who looked not much younger than him was passing out drinks.

"That's Jessica, Bill's er-daughter." Sookie said. Harry stared at the girl. She had pale white skin, fiery red hair and a beautiful smile. Oddly enough, she reminded him of Ginny.

"She's a vampire then." Which was obvious enough.

"Yes. And that's-" she pointed to another unnatural redhead-is Arlene."

Harry glanced over at the older woman, she had a strained smile on her face as she asked for a groups order.

"Over there is terry, he's kind of-on edge, he suffers from PTSD, so it's best not to shock him much."

Harry turned his attention then to the middle aged man in the back, who looked as though a sudden attack might be upon him.

"You know Lafayette and Tara."

She nodded over toward the bar where her best friend was mixing drinks. "You'll be taking orders with Jessica, Arlene and I."

Harry nodded, and followed Sookie to the back to Sam's office.

"We're here." Sam looked up from his desk.

"Oh, hey Sook, Harry. How do you feel?"

"Fine I suppose."

He did feel a bit nervous of course, but he swallowed the feeling.

"You're not old enough to serve drinks-just let Sookie know if that order comes up and she'll do it for you. Other than that, I'll let her show you how to do things."

Sookie and Harry exited Sam's office and headed back into the bar.

"Okay Harry, so just make sure to smile, no matter what, be friendly, listen to the customer, take their order, go get the order, serve it, and make sure they have everything they need. Also make sure to pick up plates for washing."

He nodded yet again.

"Because you're new, you need to wear a nametag. Sam is making one for you now."

She took a look at his hair, and promptly reached out to no doubt try and flatten it. Harry took a step back.

"It wont work, my hair is always like this."

"Then you've had the wrong type of gel." She replied,.

"I can fix it for you if you want."

"It's fine."

"Well if you ever-"

"-I should get my nametag." He cut off.

Without looking back, he headed back toward Sam's office.

xxx

He knocked before entering and peeked in just as Sam had apparently finished his tag.

"Oh there you are. I've finished your tag."

He held it out and Harry stepped forward, took it and placed it on the right side of his shirt.

"Perfect. Good luck tonight, make lots of tips!"

Harry smiled slightly before heading out of the office once more.

xxx

A/N: The next chapter should be up fairly soon. If you have faith in my story, please continue reading! your reviews always make me happy! I enjoy constructive criticism as well, it helps me out a lot!