[Holmwood & Co] I want to play the game; I want the friction [Clayton]

Throwing all of her clothes onto the floor, Hadley wanted to scream her frustrations to the heavens; or at the very least, to the decades-old ceiling in her flat.  Her neighbors probably wouldn’t appreciate the sounds of a strangling water buffalo, though, so she held her tongue.  She hadn’t been able to sleep more than three hours the night before because she was too stressed.  Starting a new job meant perfect first impressions in her eyes, and now she couldn’t find the one pair of robes she had decided would make her look the most professional.  She had approximately twenty minutes to finished getting dressed, walk to the nearest place she could apparate without startling a few muggles, and get to work.

Her hair had already been swept into a neat bun at the nape of her neck, and secured with pins to restrain any loose wisps of her blonde hair that might try and make a break for it.  She had a nice pair of leather flats laid out, and had even deemed to apply a slight bit of makeup for the occasion.  But those robes, the fitted black ones that she had bought in celebration of her new position, were missing.  She felt nauseated, knowing time was ticking away, and rushed to the bathroom because it felt like last night’s meal was about to make its reappearance on her bedroom floor.

Of course, when you’re searching for something, it’s always in the last place you look.  Shoving the door open, she spied a loose black sleeve hanging behind the shower curtain. Just bloody fantastic, she snarled to herself.  She had put them there the night before to purposefully keep them out of the mess that was the rest of her flat, and promptly forgot them.  Grabbing the robes, Hadley shrugged into them as quickly as possible and put on her Bronze Cauldron pin before taking a last glance in the mirror.  Looking at her reflection, she noted she was flushed with anger and took a few deep breaths to calm herself.  She could have dressed in the rattiest attire she owned, and the pin she was wearing would have told the smallest-minded potioneer that she had worked hard in the few years she had been studying.

It’s just Holmwood, after all… she mused, rushing out of the door.  The snarky former Slytherin had been in a few of her classes, but the one that mattered most at the moment was, of course, Potions.  She remembered his meticulous eye for detail when it had come to the class, as they had been sitting very near each other.  He probably had never spared a glance for the muggleborn from Hufflepuff, even though she had been almost at the very top of the class.  Top, if he had not been so infuriatingly perfect with every antidote, elixir, or concoction they brewed up.

She had, in a few short minutes, quickly reached her spot to safely apparate.  Taking a quick look around, she turned and appeared a second later in front of the Leaky Cauldron, just far enough inside the anti-muggle charms that she wouldn’t be noticed by the non-magic folk nearby.  Hastily making her way inside, for once she did not stop and chat with any of the familiar faces that happened to be lurking around.  She made her way to the Diagon Alley entrance, and tapped her wand on the brick wall.  As the entrance widened, she looked at her watch on her left wrist and her eyes widened…three minutes!

With no regard for anyone else in her way, Hadley barreled down the street, determined to make it to work on time.  The flats she had chosen were not the best running option, and she vowed that no matter what, she was wearing trainers next time.  She skidded to a halt in front of a building with large glass windows and various potion ingredients laid out for the public eye.  Smoothing her hair, she reached to open the door, noting the lavender above it with amusement.  Now that wouldn’t have been my first choice for insect repellent.  She was already listing various other choices in her head when she took her first steps into the shop- for once, right on time.

Why the hell did his mother hire a new person? The woman insisted that he needed help, even though he would rather hex himself. Clayton Holmwood was already a silver in the Potion Master's Guild, but his mother thought he needed to calm down on working so much so she hired a new person. She said that the girl went to school with him. He hoped it was not that Bane girl. She really frosted his cookies. Half the time Clayton wanted to shove a sock in her mouth to get to her shut up about her store being better than his. His mother would tell them to kiss and makeup when the girl was not around. Why did she take it so not seriously? Clay was serious about almost everything though so it did not help that he was always pushing situations into even worse ones and laughing about it later. He had a weird sense of humor.

Clay was already dressed for work and waiting for the girl to arrive. He wore a black cloak over his black shirt and slacks. He had his jewelry on today to show off. He kept looking at his watch checking the time and waiting for her to be late. He would never let the girl live it down. He probably would tell his mother about it and hope she fired her. Clay maybe running the store but he still could not pick the employee's. His mother hired a bloody mudblood accountant because she felt like it would help the store after the happenings of his father. Everybody knew them as the snatcher's family. They were the family who did not care what happened to people... it was more they did not know it was happening.

It was three minutes till and Clay was staring at his watch, he was about to tell his mother that the new person was not there and he heard the door open. A girl came right on time... that is when Clay noticed who it was. Oh bloody hell! He stared for a moment then spoke up, "She bloody hired you? Are you kidding me? -- I am being pranked right?" He looked around and started to chuckle. "Whose doing it? Darren? Did he think it was funny to send you into my store?" He knew the girl. She was a muggleborn in his year. They were potion's partners half the time, but he really did not listen to her. She was a decent potioneer but she was a muggleborn. Why the hell would she hire her? Maybe to help out the sitation. She was trying to prove we were equal.... oh merlin, what did his mother do.

"Its not a joke is it? ...." He waited for a second then crossed his arms. "Well welcome to Holmwood and Company Apothecary. I'm, obviously, Clayton Holmwood. I'll be training you for the next few weeks, until my mother thinks you are suitable to be left alone." Which would be crazy in her part. "Should we start on a tour or just start on potions?" He waited for the girl.

Hadley had stopped on the threshold and was staring at the man in front of her.  Or more specifically, at his robes.  First of all, who wore that many accessories when expecting to work with possibly dangerous ingredients?  Something could snag on the cauldron, tipping it over.  Certain metals could react dangerously with fumes from the brewing.  Her eyes traveled over his form and she bit her lip, resisting the anger that came when she saw his silver pin.

She couldn’t grasp the concept at first. How, with all of her work and studies that she had labored over for years, had this arrogant little arse managed to surpass her?  His exclamation when she had first entered only aggravated her suspicions.  Being pranked, was he?  Did he not remember them working together in school?  Faintly, she recalled him taking charge in class, and her submitting to the few commands he deemed miniscule enough to give her responsibility for.  And who the heck was Darren?  This wasn’t going to work, she thought with a sinking feeling.

No. She paused in her thoughts, straightening up to her full height and almost glaring at him with defiance.  None of the other jobs she had applied for had accepted her, and although Holmwood was known for previously harboring a known Snatcher, it held a certain amount of respectability in potioneering circles.  With his next words, obviously talking down to her, she crossed the room and stuck out her hand, determined to be pleasant with him, no matter the circumstances.

“Hadley Rennoll, obviously,” she began, not able to keep the creeping sarcasm out of her voice as she repeated his tone.  “The tour would be welcome.  I shouldn’t just jump in without being prepared and knowing where everything is.”  Did he think her an idiot?  She couldn’t keep a slight smirk from appearing on her face.  If Holmwood thought to intimidate her out of the way, he had another thing coming.  “And you don’t need to hover over me every second once I start.  I know what I’m doing.”  That had definitely not been supposed to leave her head.  She clamped her jaw shut and withdrew her hand, blushing intensely until it covered her entire face and portions of her neck.

"Pleasure, Hadley." Maybe he should call her Mudblood. No- that would be uncalled for. His mother would probably just send him away and train her himself. It was just getting frustrating that they just keep getting new people in here. First it was that muggleborn accountant and now a muggleborn potion's master. Did she think that this would help out their situation? Holmwood was already given a bad name thanks to his father- now it would be worse to the other part of the magical community. She was snarky about her comment about the tour. Rude much? He raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Well my mother owns this place so that is up to her." His mother would let her jump him though, she was always thought to give people a chance. Clayton just did not want his place screwed up or someone messing up the potions and costing money.

As he pointed around the front he named off the areas. "This is where people ring out, each of us have to be in the front helping out customers at least three times a week. It just gives us a better name. If we have our potion's masters out here helping, then we do not have an issue with their potions or if they are looking for a certain herb we can help them with that." He continued by pointing over at the wall of herbs. "This is part of our herb inventory. If we do not have what they want it its possible it will be behind the counter. We keep wolfsbane locked up and a few others. They are our higher end herbs- just to help with theft." Weird- but people love to steal herbs. They don't cost that much, but they really want to. "We get inventory every Wednesday. I usually put it away but you can probably help-- depending if you are still here." He had to make a mean comment. He was just joking, but who cares... he can say what he wants when he wants it. If she cannot deal with it then she can just leave and he would be even happier. "In the center we can make potion's the on spot for clients. My mom thought it made the store more personal and pleasing for the clients." He messed with a potion bottle as he spoke, losing his distraction slightly. "Oh- the back... follow me."

He moved his wand and the door opened up as he spoke a couple words. He brought her to a gloomy hallway completely different than the bright front. "We also sell potions to clients who do not have talent for potion making. That is a lot different than other stores. My mother specializes in healing potions. This is her office." He pointed to a closed door, then pointed to a door next to it. "She does healing there. Many clients come to her for healing." He pointed to a door straight back. "That is an exit... if you ever need to know." He smirked gently. Then pointed to another door on the other side of the office. "That is the break room." And then finally the door next to the break room. "That is where we brew. Everything is completely organized in alphabetical order and better stay that way. If you need something special you can ask my mother for it. So- any questions?" He turned to the girl next to him.

Initially, Hadley was even more embarrassed when Clayton seemed to shrug off her less than professional attitude.  She was going to have to watch what she said with more attention than she normally did if she expected to keep her job.  The shabby flat she had acquired wouldn’t exactly pay for itself, after all.  Quickly though, she readjusted her opinion.  Did Clayton really have to go and mention that his mother owned the place?  Hadley obviously had already figured that out as she had met and interviewed with the woman.  If Clayton thought to intimidate her by dropping his mother into conversation all the time, he had another thing coming.

The tour drew her attention away from his insufferable attitude, although she had to bite her tongue several times during the process to resist making a comment.  Nodding at the requirement that they would have to man the front counter a few times a week, she paused.  With the slight sense of disapproval she felt emanating from him, Hadley was sure that somehow she was going to end up behind that counter more often was mandatory, and that simply wouldn’t do.  If she wanted to be a glorified receptionist, she could have taken herself to any innumerable shops in the area.  She was going to do her three days a week, and exactly that. 

The herb wall attracted her interest completely.  Hadley cast her eyes over the multitude of dried ingredients with enthusiasm.  If this was what the public saw, there had to be an abundant amount of supplies laid away for actual potion-making, and this thought cheered her.  For too long she had struggled to find some exasperatingly rare ingredient in order to continue a potion.  At least, while she was working here, she wouldn’t have to worry about that.  When Clayton made the comment about people stealing those of the higher-end variety, Hadley couldn’t help hold back a small giggle.  Probably, Clayton had never had to go pick and prepare his ingredients himself to finish anything and wouldn’t understand.  The giggle died in her throat at his next words about the inventory, or rather, if she would be here to help him with it.

“I’d be happy to help, of course,” she said coolly, drawing from his earlier tone.  It was the first time she had spoken since beginning the tour, but she figured Clayton didn’t even notice.  The open area for on the spot potions reminded her of classes during school.  At least here, she wouldn’t have to put up with a partner dictating every single thing she did.  A potion was an exact science, to be sure, but Hadley knew enough about common reactions that sometimes a little improvisation didn’t do any harm.  Sometimes it simply made the potion taste better, and other times it had beneficial factors that went beyond that.  She noted with approval the exit in the back despite Clayton’s smirk as the tour continued.  If something ever went wrong, there was a quick and easy way out.  But you’ve never done anything wrong in your life, of course, she thought fiercely at him.  He wrapped up the tour with some more mundane rules about organization that Hadley rolled her eyes slightly at.  If you could tell a herb by the color and texture or even the smell of it, you didn’t need such strict organization.  Sometimes her best ideas had come from simply grabbing the first thing that came to mind.  If Clayton didn’t like that, then he could be the one to bring it up to his mother. Drawing herself up as the tour came to an end, she spoke.

“It’s amazing, really. “  She couldn’t help but let a little of her enthusiasm for the work shine through her words.  “You have a complete set-up.  I don’t think I’ve ever worked in a place that had literally everything I would need a few steps away.”  She looked at him warmly, more excited to begin than put off by his demeanor, and smiled.  “Where do you want me to start?”

You better help, he thought. He if had to help out clients in the front then everybody should. His mother actually helped out the most. That is why many of the people that came in just asked for her. He was not going to tell Hadley that. She would figure that out if she was start. Most of the time they just worked on the potions that ran out or just used their free time to think of their own creations. Clay would try to experiment when his mom was not telling him she was out of something or if a client wanted a special order. They had many special orders.

As she spoke up about the set up and they were finished with the tour he gave her a small smile. "The only reason why we have this set up is because of my father. He would always bring some weird or new herb back from his business trips." He shut up for a second. Maybe he should not give her fond memories of his father. He was locked up because he tried to hurt a lot of muggleborns.... and Hadley  was one of them. Clay maybe seem like a jerk, but he did not want to make this way to awkward on the first day. "I-- I took over doing it now. When I go deliver special orders I pick up herbs from that area or the ones we are out of stock on them. If you have a non busy day you can always do that also- it will make a job easier." He was thinking of it would be easier for him to relax and not have to be the glorified errand boy for his mother. If someone else helped, then he would have free time to do whatever he wanted.

"Let me look at the list my mom needs done." There was list on the wall of potions that needed to get done. There was a few salves and healing potions, but only a couple items. "You can pick anything from this list. When the list is done, usually about five potions or salves each, then we can do whatever we like." Clay picked out Draught of Peace potion. It relieved anxiety. This girl might needed it, but he was not going to joke to her about it. He begun to pick out the ingredients that he needed.

It was extremely quiet, Clay kind of hated that. He usually played music when he worked by himself so there was not silence. Instead he spoke up to the girl, "Need any help?" Maybe he should add something mean in there so he did not seem he was being nice. "If you can't do the job, I can always take on your potion." He smirked gently at her. She really did not seem that bad for a muggleborn.

When Clayton mentioned his father, Hadley froze for a second, considering.  She had been fortunate enough to be attending Beauxbatons during the majority of the war, but she had several friends who experienced terrible things at the hands of snatchers.  If Hadley hadn’t been in France, she might not be standing in the shop today.  She narrowed her eyes a bit and peered at Clayton, trying to ascertain his meaning on bringing up his father.  After a moment, she decided that he had simply been answering her comment about the stores.  Hadley remained a tad on edge though, because it had been so easy to forget who she was dealing with.  She mustered up the resolve to not let it happen again.  The Holmwoods seemed innocent enough at first glance, but who knew what went on behind the scenes?

Not forgetting that she was attempting to be pleasant, she voiced a query after he finished his explanation.  “So, I’m assuming the busiest times of year are during holidays and right before school starts?  With all the students needing supplies, and all…”  she trailed off under his gaze, hoping he didn’t notice the slight tremble of her voice.  Hadley had considered becoming a Herbologist before settling into potions, and the thought of being able to go out and collect ingredients and be paid for doing it excited her.  Of course, that would have to wait until the day to day work around the shop was done, a fact that Clayton was now drawing her attention to.

The list he indicated was quite short, and Hadley raised an eyebrow at it.  Did that mean Clayton had been keeping up with all of these by himself?  No wonder he was being so pleasant!  For one thing, Hadley had assumed that Davina was lending a hand in the beginning, but that was obviously not the case.  She ran one finger down the list, eyeing the trickier ones for a moment before passing on them.  Hadley wanted to get the feel for working in this new environment before taking on anything too drastic, although Clayton might very well look down on her for it.  She simply considered it to be a good use of common sense; Hadley didn’t want to completely mess up a potion with possibly expensive ingredients to prove a point.  Tapping her nail on Pepperup Potion, she smiled to herself, remembering the feeling of having steam shoot out of her ears when sick as a second year.

Following Clayton’s lead, she began to pick through the ingredients to find what she needed.  Pepperup Potion needed a lot of stirring, but took a relatively short time to make.  Reaching up to grab the last thing she needed, powdered bicorn horn, she stopped to glare at Clayton before snatching it.  Huffing, she took the station directly across from him and put all of her supplies down rather forcefully.  “I’m fine, thank you,” Hadley murmured through gritted teeth.  Must be pleasant.  Must be-  “If you need any assistance, on the other hand…”  she realized she was pointing at him with the knife she held, and set it down with a sharp snap.  “I’d be happy to guide you along.”  This last was said in an almost sickeningly sweet tone, damping down her desire to do something a little more violent for his obvious slight.  Humming to herself, she began to chop up her lacewings, keeping an eye on her cauldron to make sure it remained at the correct temperature.