Chapter 22

Penelope and Rebecca were still conversing, when there suddenly was a commotion down the line.

An old house elf, wearing pristine black robes, was escorting a middle-aged couple to the front of the line.

„What is going on here? Whose house elf is that, and who are those people? They are cutting in line." Someone complained not far from the two young witches.

„Are you blind? The house elf is wearing a robe adorned with the crest of the Black Family."

„Alright, and who are the people the elf is escorting? Are they important?" The man continued asking.

„They are Andromeda Black, now Tonks, and her muggleborn husband Ted Tonks from Hufflepuff. She eloped with him after Hogwarts. They were a few years under me in school." Another man answered him this time.

„A Black eloped with a muggleborn?" This information was a little stunning.

Who would have thought.

„Yes, that's how most of the people reacted too. It was a real big scandal at that time. But the war was just in its initial stages and the gossip soon disappeared with all that was going on."

„Wow." „I didn't even know." „Who would've thought."

Now the people started excitedly gossiping about it.

They also mused how it came that the Tonks couple was here now, were they applying too, were they already hired, were they just coming to visit?

„I know a Tonks my age. She was in my year in Hufflepuff. She has this great magical ability, she is a metamorphmagus. She can look however she wants. Most of the time she has really bright-colored hair, like green and orange, blue and red. She is always cheerful and really cool. She is also super-nice." A witch around twenty years old spoke up.

„Metamorphmagi are really special, it's really fascinating that a child with such an extraordinary ability stems from their union." „Wow." „I didn't even know." „Who would've thought."

The crowd let out their comments again.

„Last I heard, Tonks joined the auror training program." The young woman apparently knew another interesting tidbit that qualified as gossip, and shared it with everyone.

The crowd, listening in on the conversation, suitably expressed their admiration.

Having this information, Penelope was glad to see the Tonks couple enter the tower.

Maybe her chances to get hired would be higher than she would've thought, or at least they would be fairer.

Over the next hour more and more people joined the line.

Penelope could even spy a group of goblins, scowling at everyone who was in line in front of them.

There was also a gorgeous woman with beautiful silver-blonde hair, she was so pretty that every man in her vicinity couldn't stop staring at her dumbly.

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There was really a lot of competition here by now.

It was almost ten on the dot, when suddenly two other people made their way to the tower's entrance, ignoring the line.

Clad in obviously expensive robes, two young men no older than nineteen were strutting past the people.

Penelope recognized them right away, Cassius Warrington and Peregrine Derrick were Slytherins, who had graduated the year before her.

They weren't the nicest of people, even for Slytherin standards, some would even call them arrogant inbred idiots.

„I can't believe father is making me come here. Why do I suddenly have to work, only because the young Malfoy is starting a business? I hope Draco has a cushy job for me, preferably one with a pretty secretary." Cassius Warrington said loudly to his companion.

Many in the crowd grumbled indignantly, but no one confronted them directly.

Being from a noble family still came with influence in the wizarding world.

The duo just reached the tower's entrance when the doors opened.

Kreacher came out and looked to the first in the line.

It was obvious from their standing position who had cut in line, so Kreacher addressed Penelope, „Follow me inside."

„Elf, stop! We are the first in line. Escort us first!" Cassius Warrington ordered, knowing how to handle a house elf.

Kreacher bowed, „I'm sorry, young masters. You have to go to the end of the line, Master Lord Black's orders, no exceptions."

Cassius Warrington clicked his tongue disparagingly, „Has the Black Family really forgotten simple etiquette? Don't they respect their fellow Noble Families anymore?"

This comment made Kreacher hesitate.

Because this young master actually wasn't wrong...

Kreacher was frozen in indecision until he reminded himself about his priorities.

„MASTER LORD BLACK MAKES THE DECISIONS HERE!" Kreacher suddenly yelled at the two young masters.

Then Kreacher ushered Penelope inside and slammed the doors in front of the two young masters' noses.

Kreacher led Penelope into the foyer, that was set up like a sales room.

Four people were seated behind a long desk, a single chair in front.

„Welcome. Do take a seat, please." Draco greeted her with a friendly smile, and gestured to the lonely chair in front.

„Let me introduce ourselves first. This handsome gentlewizard right next to me is Ted Tonks. Next to him sits his lovely wife Andromeda Tonks. And next to me sits the unmatchable Narcissa Malfoy. And as you probably know, my name is Black Malfoy, Draco Black Malfoy."

When Draco introduced the others to Penelope, the Tonks couple nodded at her, Mr. Tonks even smiled, but Mrs. Malfoy eyed her critically and pursed her lips.

That could've started off better, but also a lot worse, thought Penelope to herself.

And why did Draco have to introduce himself so pompously?

Obnoxious brats... Every single one of these purebloods.

„We four are your interviewers today. We have many applicants, so let's start right away. Please introduce yourself." Draco Malfoy could really smile nicely when he wanted to.

Penelope nodded and braced herself.

„My name is Penelope Clearwater." Penelope paused for a second to see if they wanted her to continue talking or if they wanted to ask the next question.

When none was forthcoming, Penelope continued, „I am eighteen years old. I graduated from Hogwarts two months ago with six O's and four E's in my N.E.W.T.s..."

Penelope didn't know what else to tell them, about her desperate search for a job or what?

Fortunately, Draco asked his next question when she went silent.

„What job do you want to apply for?"

„I was always fascinated by enchanting, and I have an O in Ancient Runes and in Charms, I would like to do something with that, if possible." Should Penelope directly mention, that she would also take almost any other job?

She decided to hold off on that until later, she didn't want to appear too desperate, and she could still say it later when it looked like she wouldn't get an job in enchanting.

„Alright, I understand. That was it from me. Does one you have any questions for her?"

„What? That was it? You don't have more you want to ask? Do you want to reject her?" Andromeda questioned Draco.

„No, from me she gets a pass to the next round. I have a good feeling about her." Draco really did gain a good impression in this short time, he realized how malleable Penelope still was, no wonder since she was still so young, and he already knew she was competent, and he wanted to keep an eye on her in the future.

All arguments for hiring her.

„You can't decide on someone just like that. At least dig a little deeper." Andromeda admonished.

„That's why I brought you guys, didn't I? To help me with this..."

To help him, and to get closer as a family, Draco thought to himself.