[Puddifoots] All Growed Up [Open]

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny Weasley was now out of school and living her own life. For years she had been the baby, the baby at home, the baby at school, pretty much the baby in life and she was tired of it. So as soon as she graduated school she managed to find a way to fund her own entrepreneurial endeavors. Her brothers had their own shop and she now had her own. It came to be that Madam Puddifoots was up for sale, the old owner decided that she wasn't cut out for business. Ginny well she knew that she had to have it and have it she did. The funds well there was no need to go into where she got the funds but she did and now the store was hers.

So today the shop was opening. The deserts were ready, the coffee's and teas brewing. The baked goods smelling absolutely fabulous. Ginny knew that this was going to be great. It didn't matter about what else was going on in the world. This was Ginny's fresh new start. Her mother harangued her everyday told her that she was taking on too much Ginny had to put on spell on her flat to stop the owls from flying to her window with letters. Of course they found other ways to deliver them, persistent little buggers they were.

No matter today was D day everything she worked for was coming to fruition, walking over to the doors she threw them open. There were already three people standing outside waiting. Ginny's heart swelled over first off because the people weren't her family, and second they looked like they really wanted her goods. Getting back behind the counter she started to take orders for coffee, tea, biscuits, and other things.

In mere moments others walking in, this was her first morning rush and she was enjoying it to no end though if things were going to keep up at this pace she would need to hire some more employee's. That thought brought a smile to her lips, little Ginny Weasley having to hire her first employees how crazy was that. After about an hour things slowed down, giving Ginny time to grab a cup of coffee for herself, give a little pep to her step. Taking a seat she waited to begin serving again...

[Prof. Hikaru Tanaka]

Early Saturday morning found Hikaru Tanaka tossing and turning, trying to go back to sleep. Finally with an irritated sigh, the young teacher was forced to admit that his efforts were futile. He looked at his clock and saw that the time displayed was 8:00 am. time to get up anyway. Sighing again, he sat up, wincing slightly as his barefeet came in contact with the cold stone floor. He really needed to start wearing socks to bed. Maybe then his feet wouldn't freeze in the mornings.


Sitting on his bed for a few moments, Hikaru blinked sleepily as his haze wondered around the room. He seriously needed to redecorate. The room seemed to be a clash of all four houses with Gryffindor red walls, Slytherin green armchairs by the fireplace, a Hufflepuff yellow wardrobe, and Ravenclaw blue bedding.


Although Hikaru was all for House unity, did they really have to decorate the room like some four year old had gotten ahold of the paint and just went crazy with it? Hikaru shook his head at the thought. He was definitely making some improvements this weekend. Right now however, he needed to get ready for the day.


The young man stood, frowning as the bed squeaked slightly. Hmm, he'd have to look at that too. There was nothing more annoying than a squeaky bed in his oppinion. Walking over to the bright yellow wardrobe (he cringed at the sight of it) he pulled out various outfits before settling on his favourite (black jeans, white belt, graphic red t-shirt, and to finish it all off, his black leather jacket).


Hikaru smiled at the mirror satisfied with his appearance. The mirror it seemed, like what it saw as well. "Well don't you look dashing young man." it said. Hikaru smiled gratefully, "Thank you." he replied in his soft Japanese accent. He never really would get used to talking mirrors. Japan hadn't had any. Not that he remembered anyway.


Finally ready, Hikaru turned and stepped from the room. Making his way down the corridor, he wandered for awhile before deciding that today would be a good day to go to Hogsmeade. Whistling cheerfully to himself he made his way to the main entrance. Pushing open the heavy oak door he was just about to step outside when he was stopped by a small voice.


"Professor Tanaka?"


"Yes, Katie?" he replied smiling down at the small Gryffindor first year


"When is our next lesson?"


Hikaru chuckled. He had never met a student as eager as Katie Herrick. "I'm not sure Katie. I'm thinking maybe... Tuesday?"


Katie's face fell slightly, "Not Monday?"


Hikaru smiled and shook his head. "No, I'm sorry Katie. My cousin Akihiro is going to be a sixth year next term, and he's decided to transfer here, and he'll be here tomorrow evening so I need to help him get settled in."


Katie nodded as she absorbed the information. "Oh. Okay." And with that she happily made her way off to breakfast. "Bye professor!" she called over her shoulder.


Hikaru chuckled, shaking his head. "Bye Katie" he replied finally making it out the door. He blinked at the bright sun as he walked down the gently sloping lawns that lead to the path down to Hogsmeade. Smiling as the little village came into sight, Hikaru quickened his steps. Finally, he was there.


Still smiling, Hikaru wandered the streets of Hogsmeade. With no real destination in mind, he went wherever his feet took him. Today, that place happened to be Madam Puddifoots. Hmm, a cup of coffee did sound nice. Maybe a pastry or two to go with it?


Hikaru pushed open the door and steppped inside, the little bell above the door tinkling slightly. Hikaru always wondered why shop owners did that. Put bells on the door. Probably so they could hear customers coming in and out if they were not at the counter.


Seeing that the owner was already currently helping customers, he waited patiently for his turn. Finally, Hikaru stepped up to the counter and greeted the young woman with a smile and a "Good morning." He always found that people were more willing to help if you greeted them politely rather than demanding what you wanted right off the bat.

[Sarie Thimble]

Sarie was bored there was nothing to do in the village by yourself. She really needed to get some friends. She walked along looking at the shop windows. Not one thing peaked her interest. She decied she go to madam Puddifoots for some tea. It was usually a place for couples but she liked the different kinds of tea.

She enter the shop to see her Flying professor. She smiled. Her and the Professor got a long every well. "Well hello professor long time no see." She was told to call by his name but she rarely ever did. She waved and walked over for a quick hello but that was all.

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny was pleasantly surprised to see the line that began to form in her store. It started with one customer who came in to order a coffee, then he noticed a friend outside and called him to come in as well. Then a woman walked in smiling glad that the store had re-opened. Then it sort of snowballed from there people kept piling in Ginny wasn't mad at that. Soon her till was filling up with knuts, sickles, and galleons. She thought that business like this would have taken weeks, maybe even months to obtain. Ginny was ecstatic but already very tired, she had been running around like a chicken with her head cut off. If things kept up like this she was definitely going to need some help there.

Things had slowed down some, and she managed to take a seat on the stool behind the counter. Grabbing a cup of her own coffee she took a few sips relishing in the alone time. From her vantage point she could watch the world going on around outside. The witches and wizards bustling about some shopping, some trying to get to work, others just wandering about not quite sure what to do with themselves.

Ginny's peace of mind didn't last very long as the bell above the door rang. A few more customers walked in and soon another line had formed. Already this was proving to be a very grand first day opening. Ginny was already tired, but it was a good kind of tired, the kind that comes from doing real hard work. After the line thinned out some she heard the bell above the door go off again in walked a gentleman one that looked vaguely familiar but she had no idea why.

When the gentleman walked up to the counter Ginny offered up one of her bright smiles he too did the same, Ginny enjoyed pleasant customers they made the day go by easier. He said a polite good morning that Ginny returned. "Good morning to you too and what can I get for you today?"

Before any reply was made the bell rang again and this time it was a young girl that walked in. She looked to be about a 3rd maybe even a fourth year. Ginny who had only graduated a couple years ago seemed to remember this girl as a Gryffindor. The name eluded her though. Listening to the girl speak to the man Ginny was waiting on, the mystery had been solved. He was a professor up at the school that's why she recognized him. Now she felt better that nagging feeling one gets of knowing something but not being able to recall it vanished. She allowed the two time to converse, when they were done he would tell her what he wanted.