Mallory Greengrass had potential. What she lacked was direction. Fired from her job in Egypt, the young witch lands herself an assistant teaching position at Hogwarts. However, not all is as it seems with a certain teacher not requiring any help and...
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Mallory Greengrass returned to Wizarding London with less of a hiss and a roar than anticipated.
Her portkey had dropped her in Devon, a little too close to Ottery St Catchpole for her liking. She knew the Weasley's would have just arrived in Egypt. Bitterly disappointed to have found her gone. The Weasley's had been and always would be the closest Mallory ever got to having a family, a proper family. She knew deep down that they would understand her choices and support her in whatever she chose to do next. But that didn't stop the shame, exasperated by her current geographical location.
Mallory apparated right into Diagon Alley, frowning as she wrapped her travel cloak securely around her shoulders. It may have been the middle of August, but the English sun could never compare to the heat of Egypt. Everyday witches and wizards failed to notice her sudden presence, and continued to bustle down the cobbled street. The shops still remained bright and inviting, just as she had left, but their proximity and height caused an anxiety within the young witch. Mallory was already longing for wide open sandy spaces, no noise, no excitement, just wind and the ruins. Egypt. It had been her entire life since leaving school.
Hoisting her travelling case in one hand, Mallory made her way down the street towards the Leaky Cauldron. Occasionally she would tip her hat or lend a tight lipped smile to those that passed her, with many waving and saying a cheery hello. She was even unfortunate enough to run in a group of girls from school. While they were all lovely (they were Hufflepuff's after all), Mallory didn't want to explain her sudden return and lack of permanent employment, quickly making her excuses. She seriously considered running away. Lying low in Muggle London for a while, blending in and planning her next move without the beady eyes of witches and wizards. No sooner had Mallory decided to turn around and make her way to Gringotts for some Muggle money, did she bump into another wizard.
"Oi!" She exclaimed, her luggage tumbling to the ground, "Watch where you're going." The stranger, startled, opened his mouth to reply but stopped suddenly as the girl bent to pick up the books he had dropped.
"You watch where you're going," He replied, slowly. Mallory stood and looked at the man smirking. He couldn't have been much older than thirty, his robes were darned in several places and his hair stuck up after he ran his hand through it. It was the scars that drew her attention the most, running along his face. "Sorry," He then said as he accepted his books.
"No worries," Mallory replied, "We both need to watch where we're going." The man chuckled and nodded his head in agreement. Mallory did not fail to notice him looking her up and down as she moved past him and continued on her original path to the Leaky Cauldron. Maybe she would stay in London, at least for a little while longer.
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The Leaky Cauldron had been Mallory's temporary home more than once since she had left school. The familiar warmth and smell of roast vegetables greeted her as she opened the door. She dragged in her luggage, and looked around the dining area. A few patrons sat amongst the tables and along the bar, many choosing not to notice the newcomer. Mallory jumped as Tom, the innkeeper, appeared. Since she had last seen him, Tom had aged, now slightly hunched as he shuffled about.
