Graduation was in less than a month, and Zel had no real, adult housing plans yet. All he knew was that he and Fig wanted to rent a flat or house together. Hopefully with a few other students, so that the rent and bills would be cheaper. Zel took some comfort in knowing that his sister's home was open to him in the event that he didn't have his own place immediately after graduation. He wouldn't hear until after the school trip whehter or not he got accepted into the auror training program.

If he got accepted, he'd start the first Monday of July.

If not, hopefully he would find employment elsewhere. Maybe at Figaro's family shop. Or maybe his sister could help him get a job at one of the places she worked... There were options. He was worried that his status as a werewolf would impact his eligibility for employment.

In the Daily Prophet, there were ads that listed places for rent-- he and Fig had some free time during Hogsmeade weekend, and after being shown the house, Zel hoped they could stop for a butterbeer. He owled the owner (Earl Grey. What a name. Zel wasn't convinced it was real.)

It was an older place, close to a photographer's studio.[1]. From the outside, it looked nice enough... Though the flowerbeds were full of weeds and looked like they needed care.

"I think this is the place." He told Fig, anxious shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "You go first."

1.	Audrey's cottage

Fig had to be convinced of the potential of Hogsmeade. It wasn't anything like the excitement of London where everything was happening, where both he and Zel planned to work.  But, as Zel had reminded him, Apparition and the Floo Network were a thing and gold was not easy to get. So here they were.

"It's leaning. To the left."

Figaro demonstrated with a careful tilt of his head. "There. If you just ... like this a bit ... it looks like your whole marble collection wouldn't end up in the floor vents."

It was about then that a short skinny old wizard came out of house.  It was Mr. Grey, presumably.  "You're Trumble, I take it? You look like nice, lads. Hufflepuffs. Good then. Here you are. You go in and have a look around on your own while I put out a few fires down the way. Wouldn't have done if you weren't good Hufflepuff lads."

He reached up and handed Figaro a pair of heavy keys on a ring. "Leave then in the flower pot by the door when you're through. Owl me if you're interested."  He Apparated away and Fig and Zel were left to their own devices.

Figaro's face told the tale. It was the first time in their whole lives, probably, where being a part of Hufflepuff had credited them anything net positive.

"Don't mind if I do!" Fig properly skipped up the path, stumbled on the left-crooked steps, and unlocked the door. He stepped back and waved his hand.

"That's a smell!"