Help Wanted

[Helia Ollivander]

A small sign in the 'Wanderful World' window, next to a display of new wands, read in neatly scrawled calligraphy:

Help Wanted
Apply inside

She knew that she and Kim already had an agreement, but she also thought that if any other students at the school or around Hogsmeade were interested in learning the art of wandmaking, she'd like to give them the chance. Someone would have to keep her and Kim in line and focused on whatever tasks may be at hand.

She sat on the counter, whittling on a new wand cast, wondering if anyone would be interested in apprentecing under her when she got an idea. Anyone with an aptitude for wands could tell when one had been enchanted. She pulled a couple wands off the shelves and set them side-by-side the wand cast, then waited for any interested students to show up.

[Aaron Douglas]

Mort wandered down the cluttered Hogsmeade streets whistling a merry tune. He was enjoying a cockroach cluster that was particularly good when he noticed a sign in a shop window. "Help wanted eh?" He wandered inside. After all he could use some extra gold. Mort ate the least of his snack and wandered to the counter. "I see you could use some help around here." and he gestured with his arms to the shop. "Mort Rainey at your service." and he took a bow and outstretched his hand to the lady.

[Helia Ollivander]

She rolled her eyes at the boy, "I think you're a bit young to be apprenticing," she said with a nod. The boy couldn't have been older then a fifth, or possibly sixth year. She shook her head, "Nope. Come back in a couple years when you've a note from the school saying your up for internship."

Perhaps she should re-write the sign to say "Apprentice wanted, apply inside, if you're old enough." She sighed, this looked to be the start of a long, long day.

[Kim Rivers]

Kim had been walking through Hogsmeade looking for Helia's shop. Finally she noticed it, what with the big Help Wanted sign syuck for plain view in the window. She walked inside and looked around, it was certainly nothing like she'd expected it to be. For someone who was so rushed of their feet it was definatly clean.

She turned her head and looked around, she saw Helia in discussion with some other person. Not recognising him she decided to be rude and but in. She listened to the conversation then asked Helia "Having no luck then?" She grinned at her.

[Helia Ollivander]

She looked over as the bell over the door rang, but a wand box arrangement blocked her view of the door itself. A moment later though, her friend Kim appeared. She smiled, "Nope, but now that my good luck charm is here I'm certain things will go better!" she smield jovially.

She looked around the, still, fairly empty establishment, the looked at Kim again, "I hope you don't mind that I'm still letting folks apply... I'd heard rumours that some people were interested in the store and thought it would be kind to open the doors and share my great, grand, fantastical wisdom be passed on to them," she posed dramatically, then strode around to the back of the counter where she pulled out a silver tea service.

"Refreshments, anyone?" she asked, pouring herself a cup of tea and pushing the tray which held the service forward so anyone could help themselves that wanted to. She didn't know why she liked having the tea around, but it made the shop smell good and gave it a more... homey feel in her opinion.

[Kim Rivers]

Kim smiled at Helia as she made her way to sit down on a chair. "Lucky charm? What would that be?" She asked. She stealed a look around, taking in the sights and the different amounts of storage Kim assumed was used for the wands.

"Why would i mind? Its your shop you hire who you want dont you?" Kim stated in a matter of fact tone. She smirked when Helia mentioned her wisdon, "What wisdom would that be?" She asked, "The one where you get everyone into trouble of some kind?"

Kim leant forward and took a cup of tea, though tea was never her first choice of refreshments she drank some of it anyway, mainly because Helia was her friend and had offered everyone a drink. "Tea?" Kim asked "Your definatly going out on a limb here arent you?"

[James McFinnigan]

Fin walked into the shop. "Excuse me ma'm," he said to Helia. "I'm looking for someone. I don't know if you've seen her, about this high, " he said, measuring Helia's hight with his hand. "Name's Helia Ollivander, goes by Halo? You seen her anywhere around here?"

[Helia Ollivander]

"You, of course, Kim! You are my lucky charm, first person to take an interest in my passion for turning tree bark into... fancy tree bark, first person to own one of my pieces of fancy tree bark, and--following suit--first employee of my fancy tree bark shop," she said with a smile, "And of course I hire who I want, that's why I hired you. I also hired you because, shockingly, I respect your opinion... and Ineeded ascapegoatshouldtherebeanyMinistryinquiriesaboutmystore," she added quickly, batting her eyelashes innocently.

"And I have plenty of wisdom, thank you very much... granted a lot of it is about getting into trouble, being that that's what I've done for the majority of the past seven years... but I'm sure someone is interested about the intricate charms and advanced knowledge of nature that go into wand making... maybe?" she rolled her eyes, then heard the chime of the bell again. She looked over to see none other than-

"FIN!" she exclaimed happily, then hearing his request she paused. She put a finger to her chin and looked doubtful, "Oh yes, I believe I've heard about her... kind of disappeared during her last year at Hogwarts didn't she? I heard she was kidnapped by a hermit who owned a wand shop somehwere in Hogsmeade... but those are just the rumours that float about a place like this," she shrugged. "Perhaps I can help you out until you find this... Halo person, though?"

[James McFinnigan]

"No, that's okay. But, if you just happen to see her, could you give her a message for me? Just tell her that Fin, that's me, has been named Head Boy if she hadn't already heard, and that he is the epitome of cool," Fin said with a wink.

[Helia Ollivander]

Helia scurried around to the counter and picked up a quill and parchment as if taking down a very important message, "Fin... Head boy... Cool... Wait a second..." she said putting down her writing implements, "Fin?" She looked thoughtful for a moment, "As in McFinnigan? James McFinnigan?" she asked in mock awe, "You know I blieve ther is a message around her some where for a James McFinnigan..." she rifled through the drawers for a moment before pulling out what was obviously a flier for Madam Puddifoots catering service.

"Yes here it is," she said holding up up the pink gently perfumed paper. "Helia says: Dear Fin. How are you doing, love? Good, I hope. Now I've heard about your new job as Head Boy and I have only one thing to say to you..." at this point Halo paused for dramatic effect, "Get your addled brainout of the clouds long enough to welcome Kim back to school. You doofus, Sincerely Helia Ollivander."

She smiled innocently, then crumpled up the paper and threw it at the Ravenclaw boy, "I jest, I jest, Congratulations Fin. You know this is a record? Two years there's been a Ravenclaw as Head Boy or Girl. Quite impressive."

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh had heard rumours of a wand shop now in Hogsmeade, and knowing that he still needed one, he made his way into Hogsmeade, keeping his face hidden and pulling his cloak tight around him. He reached what he felt was the right place, entering the store to feel a pleasant feel in the air. Looking at the sight of the store, he stood in awe for a brief moment before hearing voices, ones that he recognised.

Walking quietly forward, Leigh heard the voices as his eyes widened, a sign he knew whom they belonged to them. He smiled slightly, before stepping into view and standing there, hands placed casually in his pockets.

'I'm sorry for the intrusion, Miss Helia, but I would like some help in acquiring a new wand, do you mind helping me?' Leigh said. As he had spoken his eyes had wondered over the Ravenclaw boy, his face showing his shock. 'James McFinnigan, Headboy?' A moment passed before the shock vanished. 'Well, if you do anything in your life that deserves merit, this it is, congratulations.' His eyes finally washed over to the final person in the store. 'Welcome back, Kim.'

He breathed out slowly, his stomach knotted together in tension, as he awaited anything and everything.

[Ashlee Van Dort]

<sup>Ashlee walked in holding a broken wand, cursing softly to herself. After returned from her journey to find herself, A.J. realized her place was at Hogwarts. She walked past the cloaked man and straight to the counter. "Helia?" she asked sweetly... She gave a nervous giggle and placed the snapped wand on the counter. "I kinda had an accident," she said laughing.

Ashlee waited patiently for Helia to get to her and browsed around for a second. She put a peice of loose hair behind her ear and stared out the window for a moment, the "Help Wanted" sign catching her eye.</sup>

[Helia Ollivander]

"Professor Addis?!" asked Helia stunned. She had heard rumours that the ex-DADA teacher had passed away, been murdered, or attacked and other such dubious stories. She had been quite convinced that the dear man was no longer with them, but haveing gone to Hogwarts she was not as surprised as most people would have been to see a dead man in her shop. She tried to gather her wits about her again, still rather shocked, but trying not to dwell on it. Addis was in fact in her shop, that made him a customer and, as her Uncle had taught her so well, you should not gawk at customers.

She shook her head to clear her mind of the stories about his death so that she could better assist him, "No intrusion at all, Sir. I would be more than happy to help," she said with a smile. She had, in fact, been hoping that one of her Professors would come into her shop, she had always been curious about what kind of people her authority figures were, and there was quite a lot you could learn about a person from their wand.
She tilted her head slightly, looking her once-teacher over, then making a firm nod. There was a definate, unusual aura surrounding Mr. Addis, and there were only a couple of wands in her shop that she imagined could be anywhere near strong enough to match...

She walked to the front of her store and reached into one of the display cases, pulled out a wand that was both bright red and dark red at once. She held it gently. It was one of her weightier wands, and it had taken her quite a while to complete it. More because of its properties than anything else. She stepped towards Addis and put the wand in his hands, "Bloodwood," she stated plainly. "Ten and a half inches with a Phoenix tear core. A surprisingly strong wand for its element, but then again, a lot of things are surprising lately."

Once she was done helping him she turned to the girl who'd entered her shop with a broken wand. She beamed, "Ashlee! Tsk tsk, accidents with wands are dangerous things," she chuckled. "Hm, how about telling me what you've been up to lately and then I'll see about what kind of wand'll be fitting?"

[Ashlee Van Dort]

<sup>Ashlee immediatly turned around at the sound of Addis' name. Her mouth slightly opened she tilted her head at the cloaked man. It can't be, she thought to herself, shaking the reality of the moment out of her head. "But he's dead," she wispered, barely audible.

Looking back at Helia, Ashlee tried to recover herself. She approached the counter cautiously, scared of relization. After all the months of believing he was dead, she couldn't let herself fall into the dream once more.

She opened her mouth to say something, but only a small squeek came out. Ashlee closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I-I was unpacking my things and i accidentally through a very large book on my wand. I didn't mean for it to happen, and I could've sworn I put it on the end table, but I guess I didn't and it broke in half," Ashlee opened her eyes again, only looking at Helia. If he was alive, wouldn't I be the first to know? she thought to herself.</sup>

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh took the wand Helia gave him, a warm smile of acceptance on his face. 'Not Professor any more.' Leigh said, shaking his head slightly. 'Just Leigh will do for now.'

He slowly smiled, taking the wand that Helia had given him. A strange tingle ran up his arm, warmth flooding him. 'Bloodwood? Are you sure?' Leigh asked queryingly. 'A powerful wand for one such as meagre as myself? I thank you for it. How much do I owe?' Leigh raised his eyebrow, waiting for the answer.

Leigh then heard a voice he had not wanted to hear, nor see a person he did not wish to see. He looked over and saw Ashlee, her figure imposing on the surroundings to him. He felt his cheesk warm slightly before taking a step back, jaw opening slightly. He had heard of her disappearance, he never found her. His chest was aching the more he thought about her and he shook away the emotions that filled him.

He breathed out slowly, trying to calm himself before talking. 'Ashlee, we need to talk...' He said, quietly, possibly too quietly for any one to hear it.