The "Work" Factor

Part One

A knock on the door roused the two males inside, making the smaller one got out of bed grumbling as he stumbled to the door. He swung it open and glared at the old man on the other side. "It's the first day of summer vacation Albus, what do you want?" he growled out.

"Harry, my boy, so happy to see you up so early." Albus ignored the growl from the younger man in front of him. "I just came by to inquire where young Salazar will be staying."

Harry's anger turned to confusion. "What do you mean, he'll be staying here wont he?"

"Oh no," Albus pulled a lemon candy out of a pocket and popped it into his mouth. "One has to pay to stay the summer, why, even the teachers do. And I'm afraid Salazar has no means to pay."

"Shouldn't he have a vault? I'm sure a thousand years is great for interest."

"It would make things easier." He sucked on his candy. "But, alas, Gringotts was not yet open at that time. The poor boy has no money."

Harry rubbed his face. "Great, so what should he do then?"

"Why, get a job of course." Albus smiled.

"You want him to get a job?" Harry deadpanned. Albus nodded cheerfully.

Harry stared at his former Headmaster and determined: yes, he was insanely happy, emphasis on the insane, and yes, he was serious. So he did what any other person wanting to keep their sanity would do, he shut the door.

Albus dealt with for the time being, he could barely hear the mans cheery whistling now, he glanced at the clock, and swore.

"Whet the hell Albus!" he raged to the empty room. "It's six in the freakin' morning." He glared at the room for a couple more minutes before sulking back to bed and the warm body he left there.

At a much more decent time, Harry and Salazar were enjoying breakfast and Harry contemplated how to tell Salazar about needing to get a job.

"Soooo," Harry drawled, trying to sound nonchalant. "Any plans for the summer brewing in your head?" It didn't work; Salazar was giving him that narrow eyed look of 'I know you're up to something'.

"I have nothing planned."

"Huh, that'll be boring." Harry stared at the still sleeping Theodorus. "Maybe you should get a job."

When Salazar stayed quiet Harry glanced over at him to find Salazar staring him down, hard. "It was all Albus' idea!" he cracked. "I thought it was a stupid idea but I can't think of anything better and I refuse to let you mooch off me like I'm some kind of sugar daddy!" He went back to staring at the sleeping snake. "So you need a job."

"Very well."

Harry turned back to the other man so fast he gave himself whiplash. "What?" Salazar raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, okay," he mumbled to himself before addressing Salazar; "I guess we can settle into my place today and go out job hunting tomorrow."

"Satisfactory."

Harry rolled his eyes.

Part Two

"Morning sunshine!" Harry greeted his newest housemate as said housemate wandered into the kitchen.

Salazar ignored him, just grabbed the steaming cup of tea left out for him. After a long, blissful sip of the hot beverage he acknowledged Harry. "Good morning."

"I ambushed a passing owl and nicked a copy of the Daily Prophet. Most of it was garbage, but it has a page for job openings." He explained at a raised eyebrow. "We'll head out to the first ad after breaky."

"Very well." Salazar sipped his tea imperiously.

The toaster took that moment to spit out two pieces of toast. Harry grabbed them, slathered them in marmalade, and handed one to Salazar.

"Done?" Harry asked as he brushed crumbs off his clothes.

"Yes." Salazar continued to sip his tea.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Ready?"

Salazar sighed and set his tea down, "I suppose so."

"First stop." Harry looked up at the garnish sign spelling, 'Manachino's'. "Shall we?" he gestured to the door.

No customers were sitting in any of booths or at any of the tables. In fact, there was only one person they could see; a Chinese man cutting up something at the bar. The two headed to the other occupant when a crash came from what they assumed was the kitchen, behind the bars wall. The man at the bar spun around and started yelling in Chinese, pointing his knife threateningly at the wall.

Harry shared a look with Salazar and cautiously approached the bar. "Umm, excuse me?" Harry turned to glance at Salazar when he went unheard before trying again, a little louder. "Excuse me." The man kept yelling at the wall. "Excuse me!" Harry yelled. But he was still ignored.

Huffing, he put the Prophet on the bar and crossed out the first add with an orange marker.

"Construction!" Harry spread his arms out to encompass a building. He eyed a group of men loitering by the door talking. He took in their beefy muscles and work clothes before turning to Salazar. Thin, lithe, and neatly dressed. "Never mind."

"It's on the edge of Knockturn alley, but Hermione has before here before and says nice things about it."

They entered the quant little building named 'Jess' Books'. everything was made in wood and all the light came from floor lamps placed periodically, giving it a homely feeling.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" A worker came over with a polite smile.

"Yes," Harry smiled back. "We're here about the job opening." He held up the Prophet.

"Ah," the workers smile turned apologetic. "I'm afraid we just hired someone, sorry."

"It's okay, come on Sal."

Harry sighed as they exited, crossing another ad out in orange. "At this rate we'll never find you a job."

"Looking for a job are you?" a man coming out of Knockturn asked.

Salazar took in the man's expensive clothes and well groomed look, and believed he had found a fellow lord, a kindred spirit. "Yes, do you know of an opening?"

The man gave a shark's grin, "I do happen to know of an opening." He eyed the time traveling founder hungrily. "And I know you will be excellent for the job."

Harry was watching shocked, but broke out of it long enough to squeak out a, "No thanks." and drag Salazar away.

Supper found the two sitting in the Leaky Cauldron waiting for their food. Harry had the newspaper on the table in front of him and he was angrily scribbling the orange marker all over the page.

"You didn't have to worry about finding a job in my time." Salazar finally commented as their food arrived. "You just did as your father before you did."

Harry capped the marker. "Okay, and what was your father?"

"A wizard."

No offence meant to Chinese, I was just annoyed with some people at work yattering away in whatever language they speak in at work.

If anyone has ideas for a chapter they want, tell me and I may write it, I'm pulling these ideas outta air and it's getting a little thin. Also, any ideas for where Sal ends up working, will be taken into concideration.