Work Text:
Blaise looked up at the clock on the wall, then glanced over at the library door.
This was nothing new, of course. Ever since she had started working at the library as a volunteer – nearly eighteen months ago now - she had spent quite a lot of time staring at the library door.
She’d got a job volunteering four afternoons a week at the library to supplement her income – such as it was – about two weeks after she’d started at the university. She was a scholarship kid, and although it paid the tuition and for her room and board, there was a lot of other stuff it didn’t pay for, and if she wanted to make friends – and keep them – she had to make up the difference.
She knew that the rich kids – the Griffins as they were known – looked down on the students from the wrong side of the tracks (as they were referred to), and she knew she shouldn’t care.
But growing up, she had been told that being a girl, and a black girl at that, that life would be hard and that she would have to try harder than everyone else. Which was why she was so intent on proving herself – proving she could make her way in the world just as good as the rich kids.
Her job had allowed her to hold her own, as it were, but had had one unexpected side effect………
“He’s late” The voice from behind her dragged her out of her trip down memory lane. She half-turned and looked over her shoulder to look at her boss. Pansy Parkinson was staring back at her, a slightly amused look on her face.
“Pardon me?” She asked, and the deputy librarian leaned forward, resting her head on her hands.
“The young man – the Griffin I think – the one who comes in here every day that you’re on duty?” Pansy said, then leaned back in her chair “The one who always comes to your window, always asks for your help – the one whose always willing to wait to talk to you, even if it takes forever” She paused “He always comes in at five thirty precisely” She nodded up at the clock “And he’s late”
“Is he?” Blaise asked, trying to keep her voice light, as if it were only of the mildest interest “I hadn’t noticed” She realised Pansy was staring back at her with a frankly disbelieving expression.
“Of course not” Her boss said after a moment “You’ve just been watching the clock above the door because you ordered a pizza or some Chinese food?”
“Pizza” Blaise nodded “Definitely pizza. Broccoli, Bacon, Pineapple and Banana” Pansy gave a short laugh, then Blaise added “Boss”
“Then I guess it’s tea time” Pansy gave a single nod, staring past her. Blaise turned to see the young man they’d just been talking about walking through the door she had just been staring at “Do you want to……” Before Pansy could finish, Blaise turned and walked round the desk, making her way over to where the young man was stood.
“Good evening” She gave him a smile.
“Hi” He replied “I was hoping you could help me with something”
“It’s what I’m here for” She replied “Do you need help with a paper? Or to find a book for some research?”
“No” He shook his head, then ducked it for a moment “No – this time I need some help with something else” He paused “I have a reservation at The Windjammer and I need your help to convince your boss to let me take you away from work early to night so you can come with me”
She stared at him for a few moments – moments that were both the shortest she had ever experienced and yet seemed to drag on for longer than she had ever experienced – then she smiled.
Turning on her heel, she turned to look at Pansy.
“Boss?”
“Yes?”
“I need to swap shifts”
Pansy stared at her for a moment, then smiled.
“About damn time” Pansy yelled back. Blaise burst out laughing, then turned back to the young man in front of her.
“Mister Longbottom, I am all yours”