Chapter 241: A day at Flourish and Blotts!
Flourish and Blotts was not silent despite it being yet to be opened to the public this early in the morning.
It didn't need people either to be noisy, for the books, sheaf of parchments, and locked trunks were more than enough to wake the ghosts out of the deepest slumbers.
Among the chit-chat and snarls of books, Mr. Hillam gave the Assistant Manager and the new Page a tour of the bookshop. "The place has seen its fair share of assistant managers," he told them, taking out a watch and noting the time. "Now with Madam Villanelle and Ms. Malfoy to help me sort out this mess, the shop will soon see better times. I've got strict instructions related to you, young lady.
"First, unlike Madam Villanelle, who is now a full-time employee of the bookshop and will receive payment according to her post, you are on unpaid employment. Second, the timings for winter and summer differ, though not by too much. In winter, I usually keep the shop open from 8 in the morning to 6 in the evening.
"As a Page, Ms. Malfoy, you will be required to arrive at the shop no later than 7:30 am. For quite some time, you won't have to deal with any customers. In fact, I've prepared a list of your tasks, and you may not need to go out of the boundaries set by that list. If I remember true, then you are only to work till lunch, perhaps 12:30, right, madam?"
Madam Villanelle smiled at her. "Yes," she nodded. "After lunch, we will dedicate at least 2 hours to your elementary education, based on the parameters set by the ministry of magic.
"Once we are done with the lessons, you may pursue your own tasks as per your desire. You can remain in the shop, go back to your room, or, as I can tell by the look in your eyes, visit other shops. But under no circumstances you are to leave anywhere without informing me or Mr. Hillam first."
Darcie gave a solid nod.
"Come, ladies," Mr. Hillam said cheerily. "Let me walk you through the shop before starting with the day."
Flourish and Blotts was quite a large establishment, Darcie observed.
It was divided into two halves; front and back. The back half had two floors, ground and first, and the front half was a single, tall hall, with the floor's size larger than the Brews and Stews, despite the latter being a restaurant. Stairs, bolted to the left wall of the bookshop, were leading to the second floor of the back half.