Grecian Holiday

Bright sunlight streamed across the room, staining everything in its path with a golden tinge. The light slowly crept up to the black dog in the corner, who grumbled softly before groggily opening his eyes.

In moments, the dog transformed back to Sirius, and he stretched before taking in his surroundings. He had slept in his Animagus form, in Hermione's room yet again, finding comfort in having another living being near him. With a quick glance towards Hermione's bed, he found it empty. Why the hell is that girl up so early?

He padded down into the kitchen sleepily, and was a bit taken aback by all the activity in the room.

A kettle was whistling cheerfully on the stove, with a pan of eggs and bacon beside it, hissing with steam. Juice was being magically squeezed from some oranges in midair, and bread was baking in the oven.

Suddenly, somebody crashed into Sirius.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry, Sirius. Good morning, by the way." Hermione gave him a big smile, before gathering the Daily Prophet and local papers she'd dropped. "Do you care for any breakfast? Some tea, perhaps?"

Sirius simply stood in the kitchen, watching Hermione bustle about with a bemused look upon his face.

"The rolls will be done in a moment, and the eggs and bacon are just about cooked...and---Sirius, are you listening to me?" Hermione stood, with her hands on her hips, paper in hand, and looking not unlike Lily had back in Sirius' school days.

"Before I answer anything, may I ask why you're in such a hurry this morning?" Sirius walked over to the stove, and poured himself a cup of tea.

"I can't believe I neglected this for so long!" sighed Hermione, slamming the paper down on the kitchen table. "I have to find a job now, or I won't be able to finish paying the bills!"

"Is it because there are two of us now?" asked Sirius, feeling a bit guilty about not being able to help pay for expenses.

"Oh, no, not at all!" said Hermione hurriedly, noticing the look on Sirius' face. "I would've had to anyways, because I've been mostly just hanging about the house lately, and I've been too lazy to go searching for a job. But it's time to start looking, before I completely run out of money."

"Calm down for a moment." Sirius brought her over a cup of tea and a plate of food. "Eat some breakfast, then look through the paper. I'll help you."

Hermione gave him a wane smile, and finally calmed down. The two ate in silence, before picking up the local paper, and searching through the classifieds.

"You could be a dog groomer. Plenty of experience with that."

"Eww, and wash strange dogs?"

"I'm pretty strange myself..."

"You know what I mean! Hmmm...a waitress? Oh wait, I don't like this restaurant...it has cockroaches..."

"How does it stay open?"

"What do you think the main ingredient is?"

"Disgusting."

"My thoughts exactly."

"You could be a wine maker."

"I'd rather watch Snape dance the tango in a pink cocktail dress."

"Really? What on earth is wrong with you?"

"On second thought, I take that back---"

"Good."

"The only other job that sounds remotely interesting is being a bar maid down at the Gin 'n' Tonic. It's the local bar. There's an opening for a bartender as well."

"You want to work at a bar?"

"Not particularly, but it's the most exciting opening, and the only one that will pay the expenses and leave money left over. And I get paid once a week, plus tips."

After Hermione's decision, the two quickly cleaned up the kitchen, charmed Sirius, and got dressed.

"Sirius! Where are you?" Hermione was standing impatiently at the foot of the stairs, waiting for Sirius to appear. She was already dressed in a billowing skirt, and a taut top, complete with sandals and a scowl.

After a few moments waiting, Sirius came clambering down, grinning wolfishly.

"Sorry 'bout that. It took me a minute to figure out what I was supposed to be doing." He gave her a winning smile.

Hermione rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "At least you look presentable. Maybe you could get the bartender job, then you'd have something to do as well, and we can get double the money."

"I knew that was coming," said Sirius. "Well, come on. We don't have all day."

"Here we are," spoke Hermione. She and Sirius had paced from the villa into the town, and were standing in front of a dusty, but homey building; an unlit sign above the top had a margarita glass and the words "Gin 'n' Tonic."

"Quaint little place, I suppose," said Sirius, as he pushed open the door. A few people were sitting, scattered about some tables, each grasping a tankard of rum. Several turned, and gave the newcomers a small wave before returning to their conversations.

"It's actually quite lively during the night," commented Hermione. "Okay, we're supposed to look for Tabitha."

The pair walked up to the bar, and a woman of about fifty popped up. She had chestnut colored hair with a single streak of gray running through it, and sparkling gray eyes. She gave the two a warm smile before speaking.

" 'Ello, the name's Tabby, what's yer pleasure?" Tabby spoke with an inviting Scottish accent, and Hermione was reminded strongly of Old Tom at the Leaky Cauldron.

"You put a notice in the paper you needed a bartender and bar maid," said Hermione casually. "Is the offer still in the air?"

"Not any more," said Tabby. "Ye two have jus' nagged it."

"Excellent!" exclaimed Hermione. "When can we start?"

"Well, let me show ye the ropes, and ye can star' work t'night. And if is' alright with ye two, ye can work five nights a week," Tabby offered.

Sirius shared a quick glance with Hermione, who nodded.

"It's fine," said Sirius. "Just show me where the drinks are, I already know how to mix 'em."

Hermione gave Sirius a surprised look. "Since when?"

"Since I was a local at Three Broomsticks, Madam Rosmerta took it to her heart and showed me everything I'd ever need to know," replied Sirius, a mischievous twinkle gleaming in his eye.

"Corking!" Tabby looked extremely pleased. "Here are all the drinks, and everything ye could need. And, pardon me, wha' were yer names again?"

"Mina and Mark," replied Hermione, without skipping a beat.

"Alliteration...how charming." A busty blonde girl of about twenty sauntered into the room, wearing an insanely short skirt.

Tabby rolled her eyes. "Astrid, must I remind ye I've only hired ye cos yer pa said ye needed work? I can fire ye at any time, so go and change."

Astrid ignored the woman. "Who are you?" She had directed her question towards Sirius; she fluttered her eyelashes a bit, and puffed up her chest.

"He's Mark, and I'm Mina," shot Hermione, voice dripping with venom. "And is there something in your eye? You're blinking quite a bit. And do you have a breathing condition? You've puffed yourself up. Might want to check in with a doctor if it's anything serious."

Astrid gave Hermione a death glare, put her nose up the air, and walked back to the room where she'd come from. Tabby gave Hermione an impressed glance.

"No one's ever been able to handle tha' Astrid as quick as ye, lass. Good we got someone who can handle her. Jus' watch out fer her, though, she int' use' to bein' tol' off so."

"I can handle her," said Hermione lightly, not meeting Sirius' gaze. "Can you show me what I have to do?"

"Follow me," said Tabby, and lead Hermione back behind the bar, and began to explain the procedures.

"Here's the bar. Happy hour is usual'y five to six. We only serve cocktails at tha' time, so don' let anyone tell ye diff'rent. We're open till two, then we shu' down, and shoo all the nigh' owls. If it stars' to get a tad rough, Kostos, ye'll meet him t'night, will break things up. And the phone is righ' here, and to get the police, jus' push the red button. Got all that, lass?"

Hermione seemed to be mentally taking notes, and after a few seconds, straightened up and nodded. "What time should we be here, and which days?"

"I'm here all the time, and we open 'bout ten. You don' need to come till five, and yer days will be Monday through Friday," answered Tabby.

"Brilliant," answered Hermione. Before she could speak again, Sirius waltzed over, a three drinks in hand.

"Bloody Mary, double shot of Dragon's fire, Tabby, a margarita, on the rocks, for you, Mina," said Sirius, sliding the drinks down to their respectable owners.

"How'd you know what I like?" asked Hermione incredulously. "I've never told you. Or, at least, I don't think I did."

"You're naturally curious and clever, and you never take anything two heavy, lest it weigh you down with a hangover."

"Just wait until I tell your godson that you can figure out what drink a person prefers by their nature," teased Hermione. "Now, let me ask you this...how'd you know Tabby's favorite drink? You don't know her personality yet."

"I'm a bit curious meself," admitted Tabby.

"You're Scottish, and you have a knack to tell people exactly what you think, and also what is expected of them," said Sirius. "Very obvious, really."

"Good ta fin'ly have a real bartender 'round 'ere." Tabby downed her drink in one gulp. "And I'll be damned! This 'ere's the best drink I've 'ad in me life."

"I could make better," snorted Astrid's sugary voice, from behind. "It's not that difficult." Tabby gave her a stern glare.

"Then why haven't ye done it before, lassie?" Astrid flushed a brilliant crimson, and flew over to a table to take orders. "Knew tha'd get the girl."

"How you doing?" Hermione called above the noise. It was about midnight, and the Gin 'n' Tonic was packed of active drinkers bursting with talk and music. Sirius slid two tankards down to her.

"Peachy!" he shouted back. "I've never seen such a rowdy bunch in my life!"

"That must be something!" Hermione yelled back. "Who ordered the Budweisers?" A boisterous group of men cheered, and Hermione quickly distributed the drinks before dashing behind the bar. "Thank God our shift is almost over. This is worse than that party after Harry won that match back in third year."

"Two more hours, Mina, then we're done for the night. And it's Friday, what do you expect?" asked Sirius, who finally slumped down on a stool.

"Astrid seems to enjoy her job," remarked Hermione, giving her a cold glare; Astrid was comfortably seated upon a young man's lap, giggling like a mad woman. It was uncanny how she resembled Pansy Parkinson at that moment.

"You don't care for her much, do you?" Sirius took a swig of his beer. "That much was clear within the first minute we met her."

"No, I don't care for her. She's a horrible bitch, and I'd like to slap her to New York City," said Hermione with a look of pure disgust. Sirius raised his eyebrows, but didn't comment.

"Cheer up, Mina," he answered, trying to cheer her up. "The night is young, and...hey! Maraschino cherries!"

A hooded figure stepped out of the shadows, into a crowded bar. He looked furtively around, and found the person he was looking for. He grabbed her wrist, and she immediately complied. The woman slipped a few coins to a wizened old man, who unlocked a door for them, then slid it shut.

"I didn't think you'd come," she said simply.

"Have I ever broken a promise to you?" he asked. He pulled off his cloak, and threw it over a chair.

"So, is there any news? Anything I can pass along?" the woman asked, popping open a bottle of wine. She poured the red liquid into tall fluted glasses, and handed one to the man sitting opposite her.

"Not yet, but things are beginning to heat up," he answered.

"Bollocks," she snorted. "That's what you said last time. Give me the real news already." The man sighed.

"Fine. They're gathering forces, and it won't be long before they strike. But it's not at Potter right now. They're after others, those who've resisted." He took a sip of his wine. "And that's not all. Have you heard the latest news?"

"No," said the woman. "How could I? The paper hasn't printed anything worth reading in months."

"True," admitted the man. "They're gathering all dark creatures to them. Soon, a mass war will be at hand, but not for a year or so."

"Can't we tell anyone?" pleaded the woman.

"No," replied the man firmly. "Not until I've gathered more information."

"I wish we could," she said wistfully. "I worry about you, what with the company you keep."

"Don't worry about me." He stood up, and set the empty glass atop the dusty wooden table. The woman looked at him with sad eyes. He gave her a small smile, and pushed back her curls. "I'll be alright." He leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss upon her lips.

"Good bye," said the woman. The man gave her a small nod, pulled on his cloak, and apparated.

"I have possibly the worst hangover in the history of my life," groaned Hermione. She and Sirius had somehow managed to stumble through the crowd, and back to the villa, where they promptly fell asleep; Sirius on the armchair, and Hermione on the couch.

"It was your idea to pick the town with the rowdiest bar," said Sirius, pushing the heel of his hand into his forehead.

"But you're supposed to be responsible!" exclaimed Hermione indignantly. "You're the older one!"

"Arguing's going to get us nowhere," said Sirius. "And I'm guessing you don't have any Headache potion about, do you?"

"Never needed it before, so no." Hermione stood up, and swayed a bit. "I'm going to make some tea, would you like some?"

"That'd b---holy shit." Sirius' eyes widened. He had picked up the Daily Prophet, and he'd gone completely white.

"What?" Hermione hurried over to stand by his side. She took the paper from him, and read the front page. "Oh my God."

Dementors Escape From Azkaban, Prisoners Gone

A group of Aurors were sent last night to Azkaban to interrogate some of the more recent prisoners, and found the prison empty. The few guards stationed around the cells were dead, throats slit, and every capable prisoner was gone. Those who were mentally unstable were also found dead.

"An alert owl should have been sent immediately to us," says Minister Cornelius Fudge angrily. "We may have been able to apprehend those who destroyed the prison had we received the owls."

Ministry officials have combed the island, and found that it had been broken into a month ago, much to everyone's dismay.

"We have searched through the records, and found several prisoners to be missing, but most notoriously, Mr. and Mrs. Lestrange, who were large time supporters of You-Know-Who," says Auror Patrick Clanstean. "If they are reunited with old supporters, there could be another wave of death and destruction. The fact that the Dementors have also escaped gives us a time to be wary and alert..."

The article continued on for about seven pages, but Hermione only skimmed it.

"That damned fool!" growled Sirius angrily. "Fudge saying an alert owl should've been sent? They should've been checking the prison with people, not with animals!"

"What about Harry?" asked Hermione suddenly. "He's alone with those Muggles! I know he has that blood protection, but that can't prevent people from finding him!"

"There is a person who has made Harry's home unplottable, and no one can find it, unless they apprehend about two dozen devices," said Sirius, running a hand through his hair.

"But---but what if they come South? To here?" Sirius went rigid.

"I-I don't know," he stammered.

"They could find you! And they still remember who you are---"

"NO! Just---just shut up and leave me alone!" Sirius stormed up the stairs, into his room, and slammed the door, leaving Hermione standing in the living room feeling hurt and confused.