This Journey With You

Job Hunting

        The quill scratched the parchment as if ready to puncture the useless surface as Hermione tried to list ways to raise money. Every inch of her was simultaneously exhausted and frustrated at the lack of ideas to come to her. So far in her list she compiled she had watching house/pets/babies, working an extra job, or simply sending owls to beg for money. All of those options sounded.. she hated thinking it, but beneath her. She grimaced at her pride that she didn't want to have, but it was true.

         Looking at her small list, she tapped the quill irritably against the kitchen table. Unfortunately, half of her frustration was from the lack of ideas, but the other half came from the stack of newspapers across from her. Not a single one held any information on the big mysterious situation in Tokyo. What on earth was going on over there to require so many witches and wizards to flock there? The papers certainly didn't say. The only updates she saw were about the Japanese Quidditch team. There was trouble virtually anywhere else except Japan according to the Daily Prophet. If she just had a clue about what was happening, maybe she could understand if it was truly worth heading over there on this mission without pay. Of course, it's never said how long an ambassador is needed. They could send her away for months.

        Hermione set the quill down and took a sip of tea to soothe her rushing thoughts. Emotionally, she felt rather drained from the worries and uncertainty surrounding her choices. There was no way she could ask her parents for money, especially after having out them through so much since school ended, deciding to leave the country for an extended period of time, and now they were taking care of Crookshanks. Was it worth trying to ask others in her life?

        Unfortunately there weren't too many other people she could think of that would be willing to give her that kind of support in order to pay for food and living. There could be potential quick jobs she could do, like favors or babysitting. That was it.

       A sense of dread crept into her chest as she stared at the newspapers again. It could be a fool's wish to do anything to go to Japan, but there wasn't much for her here aside from old friends. But even picking up another job would be worth the opportunity of going somewhere new.

       She took a worn looking Daily Prophet from the top and begrudgingly skimmed the various articles that had offered her no help earlier. Her finger guided her eyes as she searched for the job listings. Nothing interesting caught her eye. Cashier, pet groomer, cook..

       None of those sounded desirable in the slightest.        

       She took one more sweep through the listings before she pushed the paper away. She scoffed at nothing in particular as she hugged herself, wishing she could duplicate the funds. Was there really any point searching when she's only be there for a month? Who would even hire her? Knowing Miss Quinn and the strict Ministry policies, she couldn't pick up more hours and she knew even the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, wouldn't allow her to hold two positions.

         A small cloud ushered out of her lips as she sorted through the options. Glancing at the clock, the hands ticked in warning that the day would be eaten up if she didn't get off her sorry rear and do things. Deciding it was better than sulking, she got out of her seat and passed through the cold rooms to find her coat and boots, getting ready for the day.

*

        The desk was hard as Fred sat on the dark surface, glaring down at his brother in their spacious office. Both men's faces were hard, but today, it was easier to tell the twins a part for even a stranger. While Fred was clean shaven, his twin bore the makings of a scruffy, fiery beard. The other difference was that George's eyes were more weary than angry as he held his brother's gaze.