Ottery St. Catchpole

[G. Novella]

"Sure, we werewolves have to stick together," said Arthur weakly, uncertain how the kid was so trusting. "As long as you're okay with tagging along for a few chores. Just let me know if you don't like the place or how you feel about it."

He was definitely going to regret this.

[kumainpink]

At once, Timmy felt a deep happiness come over him. As much as he prided himself on making that hole, the thought of having a real place to stay in was enough to make him cry. Three years...three long, miserable years since he had run away from home. And finally, he had a roof over his head! He was tempted to hug Arthur and shout a million thank yous, but figured it wouldn't go over so well. "Of course!" he said giddily. "I'll be happy to do any work, any at all! Thank you so much!"

[G. Novella]

"Relax kid, you're not going to be working, just tagging along," said Arthur, uncomfortable at the kid's excitement. It wasn't like he was handing over his own bed. "Come on then, let's go visit my clients. So, how have you been eating or buying Wolfsbane?"

[kumainpink]

Timmy grinned, and was practically bouncing with excitement. "I beg, sing in the streets, and shine shoes." he shrugged. "It's not much, but it's a living. What kind of work do you do?"

[G. Novella]

"I don't really work," said Arthur feeling pity for the kid, "I mostly collect donations from clients off mine."

As they neared the village, Arthur turned right to the bakery. He glanced over at Timmy. Amanda would be a good place to drop the kid off. He definitely needed some food.

"So you sing huh? Never been much of a singer myself," he said, "We just need to pick up some food from the bakery, you hungry?"

[kumainpink]

Timmy's stomach growled. "Um, maybe a little." he replied sheepishly. In truth, he was starving. It had been two days since his last meal. He reached for the gold in his pocket. Four galleons. That was all he had left.

[G. Novella]

Arthur saw the kid reach for money as he opened the bakery door. He sighed when he saw Timmy searching his pockets for money.

"Don't worry about that," said Arthur easily, "Amanda doesn't charge a thing for me or my guests."

He opened the door to the familiar bell ringing. Two kids, maybe two years and four were at the counter with their mum. Amanda, the brunette baker's daughter, was bagging their things. He nodded to Timmy to follow him in.

[kumainpink]

The moment Timmy came in, the aromas of freshly baked goods hit him at once, making him even hungrier than he was before. He took a deep whiff, savoring it. He spotted a really pretty looking lady bagging bread and pastries. He fought the urge to drool as he anticipated the food. Merlin, it would taste so good!

[G. Novella]

Arthur smiled slightly at the expression on the kid's face, but a bit of worry entered too. How long had it been since the kid ate a proper meal? He watched the mother and kids leave, and felt a pang of envy as they laughed at something.

"Arthur!" cried a voice, and he turned to look at Amanda. "It's been too long! Who's your friend?"

Arthur glanced at Timmy, "He's a kid from the shelter. I'm trying to find him a place to stay, you wouldn't happen to know anything, would you?"

Amanda glanced nervously at Timmy, before replying, "No, not really. So, are you just here for the goods?"

He smiled as he approached the counter, "Of course not, I missed you this last week. Why don't we let Timmy pick out what he likes, while we talk?"

"Oh, sure," she said with a smile, "Go ahead kid."

With that, she opened the counter to let Arthur in.

[kumainpink]

That was all the motivation Timmy needed, before pressing his face against the glass display, looking at all the delicious foods. Donuts, cakes, pies, breads...it all looked so good! His mouth watered. What should he pick? It all looked so good! Especially considering his usual meals, namely, whatever scraps he could buy while saving up for wolfsbane potion. He'd learned the hard way that the potion came before food.

[G. Novella]

Arthur smiled slightly at Timmy's excitement, before Amanda's hands pulled his head to face her. He glared coldly at her, knowing his indifference was what the women he dealt with wanted. She smiled and closed the gap between them. Her hand moving through his hair.

"I've really missed you," she said seductively, "Where have you been?"

"Around," he said, thinking about his grandmother's care and how it cut into his free time.

"Don't be so cold," she said with a pout, "It's not my fault Daddy kicked you out last time."

"Nothing is ever your fault," he said, putting his hand around her waist.

"Do we have time?" she asked, glancing at Timmy.

"Not today," he replied.

"That's so sad," she replied, moving her lips along his jaw. He ignored her for a while, before dipping in to kiss her.

As they kissed, he thought back to when this had started. It had been innocent enough. Amanda had called him cute and had flirted with him for a while. Of course, she'd never been interested in a real relationship. She just wanted something on the side. When he'd begun this relationship, he couldn't remember. It had just been a kiss, and then it turned into more. Soon Amanda was sending him off with free food, and the deal was done. No words were exchanged, but they both knew what they were getting from it.

[kumainpink]

After a good while, Timmy decided that he would ask for a single piece of strawberry pie - he dared not ask for anything else, thinking it would be too much. By now people were staring at him, as he looked at the food longingly. But, he didn't care.

[G. Novella]

When the kiss broke, Arthur turned to see Timmy staring at some pie. The innocent air of the thirteen year old made him envious. Had he ever been like that? He turned back to Amanda.

"I'll take the usual groceries, and that pie then," said Arthur.

"Oh, of course," said Amanda. "Just let me grab it!"

With that she moved to grab some stuff and toss it in the bag, her face slightly flushed. Arthur leaned against the counter.

"Is that the pie you want, Timmy?" he asked the boy, since Amanda was busy.

[kumainpink]

Timmy tore himself away from the display and glanced up at Arthur. "Just a piece. I don't eat much." he said, not wanting to be a bother. He fished in his pocket for two galleons. No matter what he said, Timmy didn't want to be a freeloader. He earned everything he got. "Here you go."

[G. Novella]

Arthur stared at the money for a bit. The kid was actually trying to pay him? He understood why, but found it unnecessary. Before he could reply, Amanda was back with the bags and strawberry pie.

"All set," said Amanda with a smile, "So, when are going to come around again?"

"In another week," said Arthur with a shrug, "You sure you don't know if I can keep Timmy somewhere, even here?"

"You know how Daddy is," said Amanda, her flirtatious nature gone, "He can't stand werewolves as it is. I'll keep an eye out for something, Arthur, but that's all I can promise."

"Fine, thanks," he said with a nod, grabbing the grocery bags.

"Do I get a good bye?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

Arthur glanced uneasily at Timmy. Something about having the kid witness his lifestyle made him uncomfortable, but before he could respond, Amanda brought her lips to his, and that was that.

[kumainpink]

Timmy frowned at the mention of the woman's dad - he sounded like a bad person. But oh well, if nobody wanted him once winter ended, Timmy would just go back to his hole. He put his money away for now, deciding that he'd pay later. He watched as Arthur and the woman kissed - were they a couple? If so, good! He should have someone.

[G. Novella]

Arthur sighed when the kiss broke. He nodded to Timmy, and the two exited the store. He didn't know what to say. He felt embarrassed that Timmy had seen him like that with Amanda, and the knowledge that they were headed to further clients of his with Timmy made him uneasy. How was he going to explain things to the kid? He rummaged through the bags for the pie.

[kumainpink]

Timmy smiled at him and hummed a merry little tune. Everything felt so much brighter now. Sure, he still got looks, but at least he wasn't alone. "I've got jobs to do later today, too." he said placidly. "Mr. Barnes needs someone to clean his house! I'm going to get twenty galleons if I do a good job!"

[G. Novella]

"That's nice," said Arthur placidly, inwardly feeling terrible. He knew Mrs. Barnes as well. Dammit, today was not his day. "Here, have the pie."

He took the pie out and handed it to Timmy.

[kumainpink]

"Thank you!" he said, before digging in. He ate as slowly as possible, closing his eyes and savoring each and every bite. It was so sweet...so tasty. And gone too soon.

[G. Novella]

Arthur couldn't help but be amazed by the boy's thrill with the pie. He'd stopped being amazed by the little things long ago. It was refreshing to see the kid so excited about something so menial. He smiled inwardly, his expression remaining blank.

"You want something else?" he asked, as they turned onto Holly Way, the road for the richest in town.

[kumainpink]

Timmy thought about it. While he was still a little hungry and thirsty, it felt wrong to trouble Arthur even further. He would buy a little something later, and save the rest of his gold toward more Wolfsbane. "I'm fine, thank you. So, where are we going now?"

[G. Novella]

"A friend of mine named Priscillia. She's Mr. Barnes is wife, and supplies me with clothes," explained Arthur. "I have a few chores I need to help her with, maybe you can clean the house for her while I work?"

[kumainpink]

"Good idea!" Timmy agreed placidly. His thoughts were already on how he'd spend his money, as selfish as that was. He'd buy something good to eat, save most of it for Wolfsbane, and give a little bit to Arthur as a thank you.

[G. Novella]

Arthur nodded to Timmy, as they made their way up to the Barnes housrhold. He sighed. Priscilla was never a pleasant client. He walked up the pathway, "Mr. Barnes might let you stay, you know, if this job works out."

[kumainpink]

Timmy frowned. Didn't Arthur say that he could stay with him, or had he missed something? "That's great. Thank you." he said, just a little less enthusiastically. He had no right to complain though. A home was a home.

[G. Novella]

Arthur noticed Timmy's discomfort as they reached the door and he rang the doorbell. He looked down with a frown. Had he said something wrong?

"Something wrong?" he asked.

[kumainpink]

"No, I'm fine! Just a little worn out." Timmy said, and it wasn't far from the truth. He was still a little sore from yesterday's job with Mr. Marallo. "It'll be nice to have a place to sleep and food to eat."

[G. Novella]

"That's good," said Arthur, with a nod, "Priscilla's pretty good about feeding people, you'll be alright here."

Just as he said those words, the door opened. Priscilla stood at the door, a woman in her early thirties. She was much lovelier than Amanda, despite being older. Arthur could care less. She eyed Arthur with a seductive smile, before seeing Timmy. Her smile dropped immediately, and her blue eyes filled with anger and confusion.

"A child? What is going on Arthur?" she demanded, opening the door.

"Your husband hired him to clean the house, and he's a friend of mine. I was hoping he could have a home here," said Arthur.

"That's a large favor, come inside before the neighbors see you," said Priscilla haughtily, ushering the two inside.

[kumainpink]

Timmy frowned. Right off the bat, he did not like this woman. She was demanding, rude and...scary. But he followed Arthur in. "Where do you want me to start, mam'?" he asked, trying to ignore the feeling of dread that welled inside him. Arthur meant for him to stay here?