Nothing Without You (That Special Something sequel)

Chapter 3: The hardest part of being an ex-azkaban-er

23rd September 1990. 10:12.

I spent those last four months and the most of september fixing myself up. Taking small steps to becoming as normal as I used to be. But even that wasn't very normal. But still.

Remus gave me lessons on the spells I couldn't remember, and I kept on reading books. I also had a strange addiction to this one boardgame: Ssshhhh, don't wake the sleeping dragon. The best part was when the dragon burnt the pawn that woke him.

I had also repossessed my talent of Quidditch. I had played it everyday, and even taught Remus a few special moves I remembered.

I had finally felt like me again. Except for the lingering feeling of depression in my gut.

I woke up that morning with a happy feeling, and as I got dressed, picking something sophisticated, I sang to myself. It was terrible, but it was fun. I called my parents and Elliot, just to check up on them, had an amazing breakfast, sausages and bacon, put my make up on, smiled at my now normal and curvy body, and I kissed Remus on the cheek before I left.

I left to do the hardest part of being an ex-azkaban-er could do.

Get a job.

I thought Diagon Alley was the best place to work. It always seemed to be happy. And not to mention every september, I would see cute little hopefuls before going to Hogwarts.

I didn't want to be picky, so I would pretty much take a job anyone threw at me, so I started at the first stop.

The Leaky Cauldron. 

When I walked in I couldn't help but notice what I hoping to see. A sign that read:

HELP WANTED

Waiting staff

To serve drinks and meals

Good pay

I smiled. A waste of the sophisticated outfit, though. I squeezed through a bunch of men singing a folk song on the way to their table. It was packed in there. More packed than usual. I walked over to the bar, to where Tom, the landlord, was talking to a hag.

"Hey, Tom." I said, sitting down on a bar stool.  Everyone knew Tom. He looked up at me.

"Ah, Dorothy." He said, smiling uneven teeth at me. "What brings you here?"

"A job." I said simply. "What's the whole furoar about?" I added, gesturing to the drunk men.

"The Quidditch World Cup of course!" Tom said, as if it was obvious. But it was obvious. I had watched it on the public screens outside the stadium.

It was amazing. It was USA vs Spain. It went on for five days. The most riveting game I had ever seen. Remus and I had to make a tent from scratch, and we took turns sleeping so we didn't miss it. It was exactly what I needed. A nice big wizarding event. USA ended up winning. 320-140. If it wasn't for the substitute seeker, it would have gone on forever.

"People are still celebrating!" Tom continued, rolling his eyes. "I don't know why! We didn't even win! So, about that job." He added. I sat up straight and smiled at him, my heart beating.

"Yes, I would like that waitressing job, if I could." I said, smiling brightly at me. He disappeared behind the bar, and came back up with a wooden tray.

"Hold out your hand." He told me. I held my hand out, palm up, and he placed the wooden tray on it. It didn't even wobble. He slowly placed glasses, flagons and flasks on it, and I thought I was doing pretty well. It got to eighteen, and I dropped them. He laughed. "Well done!"

"So am I hired?" I asked hopefully. He was about to answer, but an old man slurred to him that he needed fifty more drinks, spilling beer all over the counter. He hiccuped and burped, and then stumbled off, singing a weird sisters song. 

"One more question:" Tom said, his face desperate. "Can you start now?"

"Yes." I said gleefully.

"You're hired."

"Four more firewhiskies and a strong butterbeer!" I called to Tom, as I emptied my tray of empty glasses and filled it up with three roast dinners.

"Gotcha." Tom said, disappearing behind the bar again. I turned to a table full of ladies and gave them their food.

"Enjoy your meal." I said chirpily. "May I ask what you're celebrating?"

"I'm engaged!" The girl on the end of the table said, flashing me her ring.

"Well, congratulations!" I told her, smiling. "And the rest of your meals are on their way!"

I walked back to the bar and got the rest of their meals. They were all dressed in pink, and it was strange to see, in a mass of drunkards, a party of pink, giggling girlishly. 

"Dorothy! Didn't know yer worked here!" said the familiar voice of Hagrid. I turned and gave him a hug.

"I started today!" I told him happily. 

"Well, tha's good now, in it!" Hagrid said, patting me on the shoulder with his enormous hands. "It'll be good to see you now and again!"

I raised an eyebrow at him. He went red.

"Ok, maybe more than now and again!" He blushed. "Now, do you mind getting me my usual?"

"That's what I am here for!" I winked.

Once it all died down in the leaky cauldron, Tom and I discussed my job. I made it a full-time sort of thing. I would work everyday for seven hours, except for saturday, when I would work for ten hours, and sunday, when I would have a day off. It was good pay, but I couldn't remember exactly what it was.

I almost fainted when I got in that evening. The first thing I did was tell Remus of course, but then I told my parents. I finally felt like I was meaningful, even though I was just a waitress. I didn't feel like I was just a wasted life form anymore. I was doing somethig with my life. Even if I was just waiting on people. 

I also did what most ex-azkaban-ers could never do.

Get a job.

That wasn't in the fast food business.