Chapter Text
Harry had finally began to settle into this newfound routine at his new job that he started about a week ago.
It all started on Harry's 14th birthday when the Dursleys have had enough and decided well, since Harry is now a teenager surely he can work for his own keep and sent him off to get a job as they will no longer be providing him with his needs (not like they did that anyway) when he can just get them himself.
This was the first time the Dursleys had even acknowledged his birthday which made Harry consider that they always had the ability to acknowledge it but simply brought it up this time for their own benefit.Figures.
"I want to hear no complaints about how tired you are when you get home!" Aunt Petunia had practically shouted into his ear, "Just because you have a job doesn't mean this excuses you from your chores, Am I clear?"
"Yes Aunt Petunia" Harry answered at the time
His first day last week ended up going well as Harry managed to catch on quickly, they showed him around the store explaining what items corresponded to which aisles which would help if a customer ever needed help locating something.
What was a bit more tricky was the cashiering as he was told that each of the fruits and vegetables had a individual code and best to remember them during a rush, otherwise there was the binder with all the codes nearby.
Harry was showed how to properly bag items, keeping sturdier heavier items at the very bottom and keeping lighter more fragile items near the top like eggs and bread. He was told that they needed to bag items after ringing them up but if they were in a rush to not even bother as the customer themselves would do it.
Beep!
Beep!
Beep!
Sounds of the nearby checkout counter machines rang throughout the store as more and more customers began to file in line.
The grocery store was quite busy today, as Harry had been helping stocking the aisles earlier but was moved last minute to work the cashier in order to accommodate the incoming rush.
"That will be £28.72 , cash or card?"Harry inquired
The elderly woman began to fumble into her overly bulky purse, struggling to open her wallet ,"Cash" she mumbled and proceeded to hand over a 30 pound note.
Harry took the cash and typed in the balance on the register which opened in turn which allowed him hand over the remaining change.
"Thank you and have a nice day!"
Harry glanced at the clock, it was 3:45pm, fifteen more minutes and he will be able to go on break.
Despite the Dursleys being the prime culprits of throwing him into this situation Harry found that he was not as bothered as he thought he would be. Working allowed him some time away from the Dursleys which was a respite he welcomed and also allowed Harry to simply be himself. Here he wasn't the Boy-Who-Lived or a "Freak" as his relatives so lovingly put it. For once Harry did not have to meet anyone's expectations on who he was or face any assumptions, as far as anyone was concerned he was simply Harry who worked the afternoon shift.
That seemed to be the case until today.
The conveyor belt began to move forward as items started to move in his direction. Harry glanced down to see the next incoming customer but what he saw made his blood run cold.
No
No no no no
Standing before him on the other side of the register stood the last person he wished to see.
Professor Snape.
Harry quickly turned around before the Potions Master could catch a glimpse of his face. He fumbled for his cap, hoping that using his fringe to cover his scar will help and avoided looking directly at the professor.
why the hell is HE here? Since when does Snape shop in the muggle world?
Harry focused on looking downward towards the items and began scanning, his hands beginning to sweat.
I just need to quickly get this over with so he can leave faster.
In his internalized panic, Harry reached for the next item, a can, but it fell from his grasp
Shit.
Harry quickly reached for the can that fell, it had a dent in it. Great just GREAT.
"S-sir, Harry began, "Would you like for me to fetch anoth-"
"Not necessary." His professor quickly interrupted
Harry nodded and continued to avoid the professor's gaze as he tried to calm himself.
"In that case I will apply a discount for the inconvenience sir."
Harry continued scanning as time seemed to be intentionally moving slower.
You're almost there just don't look up
Harry finally reached for the last item and filled with relief. Thank God just a few more minutes and he'll be gone.
"Paper or plastic? Harry quickly asked.
"Pardon?"
Harry cleared his throat, "Would you like a paper or plastic bag sir?"
"I have no preference."
Just PICK one it's not the hard damn
Harry decided paper bag it is, silently hoping it rips later on.
"Alright, your total will be £10.78 would that be cash or car-"
"Sorry, excuse me Potter," A voice behind him said," don't mind me I just need to check something really quick on your counter I think I left something behind from the morning shift."
This is it I'm done for
Harry internally cursed himself for thinking this would be easy, of COURSE something had to go wrong considering his luck
"Potter?" Snape asked, voice dripping with disdain and a hint of confusion.
Harry braced himself and reluctantly looked up to meet the gaze of the Potions Master, "Good Afternoon Professor," he said quietly
Snape blankly looked at Harry, his face betraying nothing on what he was thinking in the moment.
After a brief pause he finally said," What on Earth are you doing here Potter?" he asked in accusatory tone.
I don't even know why I am here either SIR at this point Harry internally argued.
"I work here sir" Harry replied.
"Yes, yes a two year old could have deduced as much." Snape quipped, his irritation increasing as he put his hands on his temple.
Snape met his gaze, eyes filled with mockery,"Here I thought I'd never see the day where Prince Potter would be seen working diligently. I suppose I owe Minerva a few galleons." Snape's face contorted to a familiar sneer,
"Aren't you supposed to be with your doting relatives or did they finally decide to teach you the lessons of hard labor?" Snape taunted, "I can't say I fault them for the attempt."
Harry's temper began to flare. His lips pinched into a fine line, fighting the urge to let his anger take control and say something that might land him into trouble.
Suddenly he had a different idea, he put on his best smile and ignoring the jab asked in the most polite voice he could muster, "Will that be Cash or card sir?"
Snape taken aback that Harry didn't fall for the bait, reluctantly grabbed his wallet and got his bank card.
"Card", he spat out while giving Harry a look of disgust
Harry grabbed the card and told him, "One moment please" as he swiped the card into the scanner.
"Arrogant, just like your father. Never could own up to any responsibility while his family tended to him hand and foot." Snape continued.
Harry suddenly wished he was dealing with Malfoy instead of Snape at that moment
"Let's just hope you actually pick up some life skills at thi-"
Beep!
Harry looked at the scanner and trying his best to hide a grin, happily said
"Professor your card declined"
"…."
"Oh for the love of Merlin! Give me that" Snape hissed as he snatched the card out of Harry's hand.
Gee professor you yourself could use some financial skills Harry thought to himself.
Snape began to pull some cash out of his pockets and roughly handed it over, "Here!"
Harry took the cash and as he counted the notes and told him "You are 3 pounds short, should I add the senior discount?, don't worry I won't tell my supervisor" He said before he could stop himself.
Snape's eyes flared dangerously, "Why you insolent little-"
"Hey! Can you hurry it up already, I've got kids to feed!" The man next in line shouted.
Snape then roughly handed over the remaining quid and grabbed his groceries in a rush, all while giving Harry a death glare.
Well there went any chances of surviving the next term
Severus Snape was not having a good day
The Potions Master had been returning from a nearby home visit to a incoming muggle born student.
As head of house it was one of his responsibilities to visit and explain how the magical world works for incoming muggle born students and their families as it was quite a transition. Snape hadn't had to do this visits for a while, as he would successfully pawn the task off to the other head of houses such as Minerva or Filius since he would use this time to stock the potions for the infirmary.
Unfortunately the other head of houses were already with their hands full so today he would brew for most of the night to make up for the lost time.
Having exhausted his patience for the day, he began to walk out of the neighborhood to find a place to apparate from when he realized he needed to go grocery shopping in spinner's end.
So he figured why not kill two birds with one stone and go to a grocery store he spotted nearby and then apparate home.
If only it had gone that smoothly.
Of course his luck he had to run into the famous Potter spawn today.
Snape grumbled and muttered under his breath as he opened the front door to his home.
He made his way to set the grocery bags on the table when suddenly the abrupt noise of paper ripping filled the room.
His grocery bag had split open, items falling out and spreading across his living room floor.
"Blasted Potter." Snape spat
Speaking of Potter, what was he doing outside the wards anyhow? No matter how much he wanted Potter to finally learn some semblance of responsibility and hard work it was probably not a good idea at this time as his dark mark had begun growing clearer and clearer by the day and talk was beginning to form among the former Death Eaters.
Perhaps he should inform Albus.
After cleaning up the mess, he grabbed some floo powder and went into the fireplace.
"Headmaster's office!"