Varity Peppers looked quite normal if she was viewed by an ordinary person. Well, as normal as a young woman with blond dreads could look. Some of the older folks would just stare at her and shake their heads and mouth the words “Kids these days.”

Most people in the other world would never have guessed she was a witch. Odd, definitely, but not an attendee at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and hardly that she worked seasonally at a magic joke shop during the summer by the name of “Weasley Wizard Wheezes.”

Most wouldn’t expect that she was now a full grown witch, could apparate, and used a wand to channel her magic. Magic that she was now allowed to use whenever she liked, seeing as she had just turned seventeen. Unlike most girls her age, Varity could care less what “most” people thought of her. She hardly cared what her own parents thought of her, especially when she had come home with less than satisfactory grades.

“Is potions really that difficult, Varity? Or do you just not care? A Poor in any of your classes is completely unacceptable. Perhaps you should quit the joke shop this year.” Mrs. Peppers suggested one evening after Mr. Pepper had gotten home from his job at the Ministry Department of Magical Education, where he revised the questions on the OWL and NEWT exams taken during a students fifth and sixth years at Hogwarts. He also headed N.E.W.T exams. Which, Varity would be taking this very year.

“I think your mother’s right, Vare. What with the instatement of a new Minister for Magic and everything happening, your grades just aren’t up to par.” Mr. Peppers agreed. Varity’s face turned a deep shade of scarlet against her pale white skin.

“I’m not quitting my job, Dad. They need me and I need the galleons.” She replied, twisting her hair at the ends. Mrs. Peppers rolled her eyes and continued mixing the mashed potatoes. Mr. Peppers huffed loudly and opened up the daily prophet.

“The answer is final, Varity.” Mrs. Peppers added. Varity stood up in anger.

“I will not!” She shouted angrily at her mother. Mr. Peppers slammed his paper down.

“Raymond, do something.” Mrs. Peppers said in a serious voice.

“You will not speak to your mother in that tone, young lady. Now sit down.” Mr. Peppers barked. It was a lose-lose situation, but Varity knew that her father, nor her mother, could force her to do anything. She had turned Seventeen June 29th, she was an adult now. It was just a matter of respect now.

Varity sat down as instructed and chewed her words over carefully.

“This is my job right now. You of all people should understand that, Daddy. I’m the only staff besides the owners. I refuse to leave a fellow Gryffindor in need behind.” She said this as though it settled the matter. Varity knew her mother and father wanted what was best for her, but taking away something she enjoyed was unbearable.

“Okay, Okay. If it’s that important, you may stay. Just quit skiving off on your lessons, will you?” Mr. Peppers conceded. Varity nodded yes and helped herself to her mother’s cooking. Mrs. Peppers remained quite cordial and cold with Varity throughout dinner, ignoring her when Varity asked her to pass the bread. This didn’t bother Varity one bit. She had one, and that was ALL that mattered to her. Varity knew this was a serious character flaw. She also realized that she ought to try to take other people’s opinions into consideration, but it was so difficult when she felt she was right.

Who was her mother to tell her to quit her work? Mrs. Pepper had never once held a job before, or earned her own money in any fashion. Since Varity could remember her only job had been to make home in their on the harbour home in Falmouth, raising up Varity and her twin brother Vinson. Varity was deep in thought, when an owl tapped at the window to be let in.

“Varity, get the owl.” Mrs. Peppers said.

“No way, ask Vinson to.” Varity replied.

“Varity, get the owl.” Mr. Pepper synchronized. Varity huffed and puffed all the way to the window, and let the ruddy bird inside. It was a tawny, and could have been much out of babyhood.

“It’s addressed to you, Mum. Looks ministry stamped.” Varity announced. She closed the window on the background of whooshing waves. Varity took the letter to her mother, and permitted the owl to drink from her glass of juice. It drunk deeply, thanked her with a nibble and asked to be let out again. Mr. Peppers lit up his tobacco pipe and took in a good amount of smoke, breathing it out at the corner of his mouth.

Varity took this as she could smoke as well, and lit up a fresh non filtered cigarette and lit it with the tip of her want. Mr. Peppers found this disrespectful as he took the cigarette out of her mouth with his wand, and deposited it into a his cup of water. Mrs. Peppers eyes were darting across the page from the letter Varity had given her. Mrs. Peppers glass of juice fell to the floor and shattered dramatically.

“What is it, Dear.” Mr. Pepper asked with concern. Mrs. Pepper looked at him, speech failing her. Mr. Pepper took the note from her and read it himself.