Help Wanted

17th of April, 2009

The good news was that he would never do it again, but the bad news was that Draco still had to beg for a job without making it seem like he was doing just that was a challenge. Having a not-quite three-and-a-half year-old traipsing in his wake didn't help much, either. It was humiliating, to say the least, but he had no choice anymore.

It was a daunting task. Walking out of yet another shop that laughed them out the door, Draco lost even more hope to find something that could sustain them at the Inn for a little while longer. What little money he had to his name was quickly dwindling.

"I wanna go home. Why can't we?" Scorpius whined as he slowly fell behind.

Draco huffed and picked him up, not needing to lose him in the crowd on top of everything else.

"Because we don't have one." His tone was harsh, but unintended.

Scorpius laid his head against Draco's shoulder, letting out a yawn. "Why not? Where's Mama?"

"Mama took our home away, Scorp. All we have is each other now."

"Why?"

Draco loathed the fact he needed to tell him something, but what could he say that wouldn't be a bald faced lie?

"She didn't want us anymore."

He was still trying to process everything himself. It was an understatement to say Draco's world was turned completely upside-down in a heartbeat. Astoria had disappeared without a trace over a week ago. The home they shared was sold, divorce papers were made, and almost everything else was taken or auctioned right from under him. His parents were furious with him from the sudden turn of events and refused to help in any way other than offering to take Scorpius. Draco declined, unable to tolerate their narrow mindedness of him and his new predicament.

They were on their own now.

Pausing in front of a brightly red-colored storefront, it was the only shop he had yet to try, but it was also one he purposely avoided. It had a conveniently placed 'Help Wanted' sign in the window he didn't recall seeing earlier. As Scorpius started to sag his little body against him from exhaustion, Draco knew he was going to have to swallow his pride and at least try. Despising the fact he'd be losing his very dignity in doing so, he approached the store anyway.

"We never go here, Fatar," Scorpius muttered when Draco reached for the door.

"That reason is moot now, Scorp."

Originally written for:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges and Assignments)

Monthly Challenges for All

The Houses Competition

Word Count: (Per Google Docs) 420