章 9: Employee Of The Week

' Working, most people hate what they do to get by, Yet a very few jobs actually prove to be worthwhile, or provide one with certain privileges. Like mine at Slug and Jiggers, where I'm allowed to freely use their cauldrons and take a few cheap ingredients. For these rare privileges, I actually work my ass off, and are also the reason why I haven't bitch slapped this woman.'

" What do you mean, I can't return this Dandelion Root!? I don't want it anymore, so I'd like my money back!"

" Ma'am, do you have the receipt?"

" I told you I lost it! But I know I bought it here, so give me my money back!!"

" I'm sorry ma'am, I can't give you a refund if you don't have your receipt. Next in line please!"

" Oh, no you fucking don't you little brat! I want to talk to your manager! Bring him out here!"

Walking to the back of the shop Ron knocked on a ornate wooden door where a haired man soon walked out of. Ron leaned in to whisper something into his ear, after which the man nodded before heading towards the counter.

" Good morming ma'am, I'm the manger of this shop how can I help you?"

" This rude brat won't give me a refund!"

" Hmm, do you have a receipt ma'am?"

" No, I lost it, but I bought it right here!"

" I see, well then I'm sorry to say this, but he's right we cant help you. Please read the sign."

Behind the counter hanged a large sign that read, in big bold letters: NO RECEIPT, NO REFUND.

" As you can see, I'm going to have to ask you to leave the store."

" Why you!! Humph!"

With fury the woman turned red and stormed out of the shop and slammed the door as she left.

" How many does that make today, Ronald?"

" She's the 5th sir..."

Dealing with stupid illiterate people all day was taxing but at the end of the day. When Ron was allowed to use the shops, Pewter Cauldron, it almost made up for his sanity.

" Alright this will be the... 6th try. I added too much syrup of hellebore last time, this time I'll add a pinch of powdered crushed fairy wings."

This was what he'd done the last three days, modifying his potion recipe. Although with very limited success, yet hadn't given up, continuously trying new ideas and ingredients.

He had one hour to work on it, before his father would come and pick him up. He tried to explain to his parents that he could go back home alone but his mom wouldn't budge.

*Poof

Before he could even look inside the cauldron, the putrid smell coming from inside it, made it very clear that it hadn't worked.

"It's another failure..."

Hearing knocking he quickly cleaned the mess he'd made, before saying goodbye to Mr. Vin the manager before leaving. Outside his father stood with a smile seeing as his son ran out the door.

" How's the job treating you?"

" It's fine, although I'd like for more people to learn how to read."

" It was one of those days, huh?"

" Yeah..."

" You know that you don't have to work, you should enjoy your youth and make friends, have fun."

Ron knew that his dad was right, if he were still in his past life. Here in the wizarding world, anything and everything was possible, so he had no intention of living a normal life.

' I'm sorry, but after seeing the miracle that is Magic how could I waste my time running around playing with children?'

Ron's thoughts had slowly morphed as he learned more about magic. Those of course weren't something he'd tell his father about, who just wanted to cheer him up.

" That's one if the reasons I'm doing this dad, working at the shop I get to meet new people and get to interact with them."

" Hmm, alright then you win, but remember that your mom only allowed you to work for this one week."

" Yeah, I know don't worry I don't plan to work there much longer."

Making their way to the Leaky Cauldron they used the Floo Network and went home.

The following four days went about the same he'd wake up early, eat breakfast, go to Slug and Jiggers, eat lunch, work on the recipe, go back home, then sleep before doing it all over again.

His progress with the potion was nonexistent and he began to doubt himself. Those thoughts slowly began to eat at him, soon enough they were all he thought about.

' I've already gone through most of the shops ingredients and have double and triple checked the recipe... what else could I be overlooking!?'

Ron's deal with his mother to work at Slug and Jiggers ended today, and he still hadn't found what was wrong with his recipe. He bet everything on his ability to make it, yet now it looked like it was impossible.

" Bloody hell..."

After work, Ron was getting ready to try to make the potion for the last time. Truth be told he was already feeling like giving up, he was wasting all this time, effort and most importantly money and getting absolutely no results.

' Maybe I should give up on making the Potion and just sell rock again that'd be simpler. Back then I didn't have to go through countless brewing processes and even more ingredients to make money. It was so simple... I was literally given everything I needed, all I had to do was sell the Damm thing."

Continuing that train of thought he came to an oddly simple answer, the Room of Requirement.

" I may not like it, but I'm going to have to wait until I go to Hogwarts, to finish this Potion."

Having said that, Ron took out a small parchment from his pocket and started looking around the shop for the ingredients written on it. Once he'd gathered all of the ingredients it was time to start brewing.

' Put 3 pairs of Fairy Wings mortar and grind with pestle Add 6 measures of ground Fairy Wings to the cauldron Stir 3 times, clockwise Add 5 measures of Morning Dew to the cauldron Stir 10 times, anti clockwise Heat to a high heat for 15 seconds, a touch of my secret ingredient... and Voilà!*"

' This aught to be good enough, and atleast with this my time here wasn't wasted.*"

Shortly after he heard his father knocking and he went down stairs to say goodbye to Mr. Vin.

" Goodbye, Mr. Vin my dad's here."

" Alright, take care now and don't think I didn't notice you taking some extra ingredients! I'll add them to your tab!"

" Thank you, I'll be sure to come around when I'm going to Hogwarts."

" Yeah, yeah, don't forget the Galleons!"

Having bid farewell to him, Ron walked out the shop and met up with his father.

" How was the last day?"

" Great, I actually learned something New! Oh dad I have to stop by Madam Malkin's I'm going to need a new robe."

When his father heard him, he stopped walking and turned towards with a real somber look.

" Ron are you sure you want to go to attend that party? Those attending aren't nice people, they enjoy bullying those they deem weak, some of the are even evil. Are you sure you've thought this trought, I'd hate for you to have a bad experience."

Ron was more than aware of what his father meant by those words, everyone at that party would be a Pureblood who openly hated and despised those not like them. That of course also meant him, not because of his bloodline, but rather because of his parents.

Yet for his plans to succeed he needed those ignorant bigots since they also had the deepest pockets.

" I'm sure, don't worry I'm a Weasley and we have thick skin."

His dad stared directly at his eyes, before sighing and going with him to Madam Malkin's.