Cleverly

Uncomfortable and Comfortable

Cleverly sat on a bed in the Knight Bus as the sky grew darker and darker. It was a rough ride. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the bed post. It was a good thing she hadn't eaten much that day.

Cleverly looked out the window to see London passing by. It was a beautiful city, although she wasn't necessarily excited to be back. Lights flickered as they speedily moved down the streets and swerved around cars. Cleverly rubbed her eyes when she saw objects jump out of the bus's path. The Knight Bus always made Cleverly a bit nervous--from from the fear of hitting another car--and queasy.

Various witches and wizards were spread out among the bus. One thin and frail wizard with a long, grey beard was a few beds down reading the thickest book Cleverly had ever seen.

As the bus made a sharp turn Cleverly went over her plan in her head.

Spend the night in the Leaky Cauldron. Tomorrow go to Gringotts and get money from my vault. Eventually figure things out at the Ministry. Find someone to talk to there and possibly get an interview? That last part scared her. She never went to the Ministry. The last time she was there was over a year ago. What happens if I can't get a job? Where else do I look? The more she thought about it, the more nervous she got. Perhaps it would be better to wait awhile before going straight to the Ministry. A job at Diagon Alley couldn't be hard to find...In fact, maybe I should just result to that first...The Ministry would never want me. She might have been right, but she wouldn't know unless she found out. I couldn't work in Diagon Alley forever! And where will I live?  Where will I find an apartment?! One day at a time. Relax. Now, take a deep breath. She took a breath and cleared her mind. 

Cleverly sat there for what seemed like ages until the conductor called out, "Leaky Cauldron! All off for the Leaky Cauldron." Cleverly stood up and walked to the front. Shunpike loaded her trunk off the bus. A few others hopped off behind her.

Before her was the dark and shabby pub. The gold lettering on the side of the bus was only a blur when Cleverly turned back around. It was already turning the corner on the street ahead.

It was dark when the bus left, with only a few street lamps for lighting. Cleverly looked back at Charing Cross Road then pushed open the door.

The familiar scent of the Leaky Cauldron engulfed Cleverly. There were a few peculiar looking people drinking and chatting in the shadows. In one corner, a group of witches sat laughing loudly and drinking, taking up several tables. One man was up front by the bar drinking fire whiskey. Just before Cleverly looked away his beard caught fire.

She hesitantly walked to the counter and called for the innkeeper who was scooping up a bowl of soup. 

"What can I get for you, miss?" he said when he turned to her.

"I'd like a room," Cleverly responded, feeling kind of awkward. She couldn't help but stare at the man's toothless mouth.

"Alrighty," he said moving around the counter. Cleverly followed him. "How many nights?" He seemed tired. Tired and grumpy.

"Um...I'm not exactly sure yet."

"You may pay when you turn in the key. Five galleons a night."

Cleverly nodded. She didn't know how long she had enough money for. How long she actually could stay.

He brought her to a shadowy corner where a rack of keys hung. After a moment of looking them over, he grabbed one off its hook. "I'll take that," he said as he took hold of her trunk. "Room 9. Follow me."