Ashley~
"So... your uncle, that former 'Minister of Magic' bloke... he kills goblins? What?!" I continued to look over the strange magazine Rufus Fudge brought with him.
"No." Rufus laughed a bit. "All of the stuff in the Quibbler is rubbish, really."
"Okay... Odd, really, but these pictures are amazing! I mean, they're like movies!"
"Well, it's magic."
"I know, but..."
"I understand what you mean. So, what was that thing that you wanted to give me?"
"Oh, yeah." I walked over to the table near the couch and brought to Rufus a book and a DVD. The book was "Wicked," and the DVD was "Cats."
"Sarah Beth's book? And DV thing?"
"I am able to sing along with the movie. I can't stand the book. Just... accidentally take to with you. And never find it. In fact, forget you have it."
"Okay?"
"Anyway, I have to go." I got up to put on my jacket.
"Already? You just got back from your shift."
"Well, hers, too. And I'm going to hers again."
"She works two shifts?"
"She works the whole day."
"Merlin's... no wonder she seems so stressed about it. Have you talked to Mr. Finky about it?"
"Dinklebrry, and no."
"Well, I recommend you do."
"He's not that easy to persuade-"
"Ashley, if you want something, you have to stand up for it. Sure, you may be nervous about what may happen, but there is never success without risk."
"But you don't understand."
"I understand, I really do. I've been in the same position. She needs shorter hours. No one should have to work like that. And you could really help her, Ashley."
"I... Guess you're right. You know what? I will talk to him!"
"Great!" Rufus watched as I began to go out the door. "Say, I'm going to stay here for a bit before that Jeff guy gets here. Is that okay?"
"Sure. I should probably get Sarah Beth to bed. The couch isn't fit for the back."
"I'll get her." He walked to the couch where Sarah Beth was sleeping soundly.
"No, wait. I can. She's easy to wake-"
I stopped short of the end of my statement. Amazingly, Rufus had managed to lift Sarah Beth and carry her across the room without waking her. I stood, dumbfounded, as he came back from the bedroom.
"How did you do that?!" I asked frantically.
"Easy, if you have enough experience with her." He sat back down. "I'll teach you sometime."
---
"Oh no..."
I Noticed that the lights inside the Old Bean were on. Mr. Dinkleberry had beaten me there. If her shift had started later, I would have made it. Mr. Dinkleberry had set opening time to 7:00 after New Year's. I had no choice but to walk in, late as I was.
"Carter," Dinkleberry pursed his lips. "Did Cumberland send you as an excuse as to why she is tardy?"
"Oh, no. Sir! No, sir! She is sick, and I am covering once again for her."
