May 1st, 1893 — Hogwarts Grounds

The heavy loop of alloy keys now attached to his belt was a weight Natty hadn't anticipated. He hadn't anticipated any of this — it had happened in the blink of an eye. One moment the Ghost Writer had been working as a Handiman in Hogsmeade, and then he'd spotted a job opening on the noticeboard at the Post Office — and now here he was. Heavy keys. Bright Spring sunshine. The rolling, wild Grounds of a school he'd spent only one year in; it was all familiar but nostalgic, there was a pain there too, a sudden reminder of lost childhood. He hadn't expected the weight of that either.

It was hardly news, the arrival of this new member of staff at the beginning of May. Alright so he was a bit well-spoken for a Groundskeeper. A bit handsome for a Groundskeeper. A bit well-groomed for a Groundskeeper. Natty didn't look like your every day odd-jobber, but nor did he look like the professors he quietly yearned to walk among; so he may as well belong here, getting his bearings on his first day, green eyes roaming over courtyards and thistles and greenhouses, an old home made new.

  

---

With spring in full swing and exams fast approaching, Fiona thought it was little wonder that she had any free time to herself these days. She hardly had a moment's peace before another student arrived at her door with springtime sniffles or an upset stomach from nerves. It was little wonder that she was running low on some of her supplies.

She had just sent off another student who had dramatically told Fi that she was dying. The child was fine. She'd forgotten to eat for two days. Fiona had given her the apple she was saving for herself and sent her to the kitchens. Now the hospital wing was blissfully empty for at least a few moments, and Fiona was taking the opportunity to go down to the Greenhouses to ask Professor Skeeter for a restock of some of her tincture ingredients. And if she enjoyed the excellent spring weather while she was outside, well, who could really blame her?

As she was making her way across the grounds, Fi saw an unfamiliar man. Not strictly strange--Hogwarts did get some visitors, after all--but he was alone, so as she came closer, she called out, "Good day, sir. Can I help you?"

---

  

Being a baseborn fellow filling a menial role at Hogwarts, his employment hadn't been any great piece of news, just a general introduction here and there to ensure students and faculty didn't think some stranger had wandered into the school. But keeping things humble meant some people hadn't heard of his appointment at all — the voice, for example, that called across to him now, had an element of gentle surprise.

From a distance, Natty briefly thought the small and young-looking lady could be a senior student, but he swiftly realised she was staff, going by what she wore. Matron, perhaps? "Good afternoon, miss. Jonathan Copper. I'm the new Groundskeeper, starting today."

  

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"Oh!" For her part, Fiona was suitably embarrassed. At least she hadn't assumed he was there for some nefarious reason! Still, mistaking the new groundskeeper for a lost visitor was awkward. Smiling a little sheepishly, she said, "I am Fiona Little, the nurse. Is this your first day?"

---

  

Natty gave an amiable smile in response, wishing her no embarrassment. It was a very easy mistake to make. An inevitable one, even. "It is", he confirmed with the nurse when she asked if it was his first day. "Any advice for someone who's never worked at a school before?" He'd had barely any encounters with students so far, but at a guess would assume it was quite different to working anywhere else.

  

---

Fi pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Well," she said after a moment. "I will say that the good news is that there is usually a limit to how much mischief the students can get up to, but the ones who are very determined learn fast which staff are less vigilant." Fiona would be more impressed by some of their creativity if they would channel it into something more productive. "Though at least students can be deterred by the threat of being caught and punished, I suppose."

Fiona offered a smile. "It's my own first year, actually. I don't know what you were doing before you came here, but I'm certainly finding it a nice change of pace from hospital work!" Quieter, certainly, even considering the current state of exam-stressed students.

---

  

Fortunately, Madam Little seemed happy to share a thing or two about life at Hogwarts. In all honesty, Natty hadn't even considered that there may be a bit of childminding responsibilities as part of his work.

"I was just a Handiman", he replied, "the change of pace is what attracted me here too. It sounds like you're not someone the students play for a fool", he observed with a slight smile. "I have no idea how I'll fare... children are something of a... gap in my knowledge. Total mystery to me."

  

---

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Fiona said. Probably, he would have less interaction with students than she did on a regular basis. Still, it never hurt to be on one's toes. "It gets easier, I promise."

Fi glanced back the way she'd come, thinking of her current errand and how quickly things could happen, especially at this time of the year. "Have you met the other staff? I was just on my way to the greenhouses to see if I could restock my supplies."

---

  

He was grateful for the reassurance. Madam Little already seemed like a good ally, and he hoped in time he could return the favour.

"Then I'll join you, if I may", he said when the lady mentioned being headed for the greenhouses. "I've yet to speak to many of the others. Anyone of particular note?

  

---

"Of course," Fiona said. She began walking again. "I suppose it depends what you mean by 'of note,'" she continued. "For myself, I spend most of my time in the Hospital Wing. Most of my interactions with other staff is at meals, or when they catch whichever illness is going around at the moment." Really, it was not so very different from her time as a student, Fi mused, only she'd swapped the library and studying for healing.

---

  

As they headed for the greenhouse, Natty was more interested in the young matron's words than his sundry green surroundings.

"Illness...?" he asked with slight surprise when she spoke quite casually of illnesses spreading round the school. Strangely enough, it had never occurred to Natty that schools were a hotbed for disease. He'd been an only child, only spent one year at Hogwarts as a boy, and had only been a father himself for a matter of minutes...

Children were really not his area.

  

---

"Yes?" Fiona tilted her head curiously at Mr. Copper. Admittedly, she was so used to these things that it wouldn't have even occurred to her that someone else wouldn't be. Such was the nature of her work, she supposed. "With so many people living in such relatively close quarters, one person's head cold can sometimes become everyone's head cold."

---

  

"Certainly makes sense", he replied, feeling a mite foolish. But he recovered quickly, accepting that there were bound to be gaps in his knowledge — he was just grateful they were being filled.

"Can I help you with your restocking?" he asked, as a row of greenhouses came into view.

  

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"Of course," Fiona said. "It will go much faster with two pairs of hands, thank you."

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ooc: good place to wrap?