Harry Potter: An Alternate Universe

14) Volunteer Hours

Year: Seventh
House: Gryffindor
Gender: F
Love Interest: n/a

A continuation off of Summer Job, a previous chapter. Enjoy!!

After spending the whole summer making a living, you thought it'd be a good idea to do something selfless. You were to work as a volunteer at a retirement center for witches and wizards, either reading or doing laundry or helping out in the kitchens. Today was your first day on the job, the day before Christmas Eve. As soon as you hopped off the Hogwarts Express, you and your older sister headed off deep into London, right by Mungo's.

Your sister's boss handed you a plain, simple apron, sending you off to the lobby where everyone sat playing games and being read to. You settled right by a book shelf, looking for something you could read aloud. You felt a figure loom over you, and you can hardly believe your eyes when you see who it is.

"Who'd wanna read about a whale?" It was Fred, Fred Weasley, still in his work clothes and looking at the back cover of Moby Dick. His brother was on opposite side of your, running his fingers along the dust-covered shelf.

"Sounds a bit dull to me," said George. You stood up with an armful of possible stories, backing away to see them both at once.

"What on earth brings you two here?"

"Well like you, we wanted to give back to the community," George began.

"Yeah, and we found this place a viable option for us to spend Christmas Eve. We just love taking care of the elderly, don't we, George?"

"Right on, mate," he said, draping an arm over his twin. Your mouth gaped like a fish. You held a finger out for them to give you a moment to collect your thoughts.

"There's something else going on, I can tell," you said. They sighed in unison.

"Alright, we need someone to look after the shop for the next three days!," George exclaimed. Everyone in the room was too old to even hear his shout.

"Mum wants us home for the holiday, which means we need a returning employee to look after the shop while we're gone."

"Yeah well, it would've been more convenient to get some kind of notice in advance," your voice was low in an angry whisper. "I'm spending the holiday here with my sister, who's the only family I've got left."

It had been the first time you said anything personal to the brothers, even after getting to know them better for an entire summer. It pained you to admit it out loud. Your parents were casualties to Lord Voldemort. They were killed last Christmas, and it would be the first holiday without them. Your older sister'a the only liable person that can take care of you until you graduate.

Fred and George nodded gravely.

"We understand, (y/n)," said Fred. "Enjoy your holiday." George silently gave you a hug, leaving you completely stiff. Fred rubbed your back. It was odd.

"Thank... you?," you hesitated as they pulled away.

"We'll be off, now," said George, and you watched as they Apparated out of the room. Everything was quiet, minus the shuffling of cards or the movement of board game pieces. Something hard and solid pressed against your thigh. After placing the books on a vacant part of the shelf, you reached into the pocket of your apron. Before you, you held an envelope that couldn't have been there before. It had George's chicken-scratch handwriting on it. You peeled it open.

Something fell out of it, and you bent down to pick it up. It looked like a gift card, with the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes logo printed on the front. It was for 5 Galleons, a generous amount for a present. You went on to read the card.

Dear (y/n),

Thank you for your card-gift/gift-card/however you say it suggestion. Since we finished getting it approved by the bank, it's drawn more attention than we could ever hope for. Some other shops in the area are considering doing the same thing. We owe you a lot more than we've ever told you, more than just trying our love potion or our Puking Pastels. We hope to see you after Hogwarts, and welcome you back as an employee whenever you like (although your talents go beyond organizing products at a joke shop). Have a happy holidays.

Sincerely yours,
George

You smiled from ear to ear. How can you not love those lovable idiots?

Ah, two days late I'm so sorry!!

I have a crap ton to do yesterday and Friday so I'll (try) doing a triple update today to catch up.

Please don't me mad at meeee :(

Hope you enjoyed