Sam sighed as he entered his flat, it was still as awful as ever. Being the cheapest he could find it wasn’t ever going to be much honestly, but it was still a place to live. He doubted the landlord had ever visited outside of the showing people in, no one ever went for viewings he supposed. He hated this place, it was terrible, it was damp, likely infested with something. And things had gone missing, but it was his. He didn’t own it, but it was still his own place to live, his own place to be himself, no one was watching. A lie most likely, he had nothing to put credence to his theories but he was fairly certain there were holes watching everywhere, he didn’t doubt he had no privacy. But he could pretend. Pretend that it was his solace after all, his sanctuary for now.
He had some money now! It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was still an amount and helped greatly, far better then the £50 he was given monthly by his mother, ultimately the job was something completely unexpected he would ever do, he had used the Knight Bus several times, namely because he cannot apparate, nor was it something he wanted to do. And while he was decent on a broom, it was hard to not fly a broom, it wasn’t ideal for long distance or for comfort, or transporting. The Knight Bus had helped him so much, especially after he had run away from home, taking all his main possessions with him as he started his journey.
But he never really expected, or though about, being the conductor of the Knight Bus. It also always seemed like it would be a really difficult job, predominantly due to the motion of the bus itself and the lurchedness of it all, with sudden stops, starts, momentum. But surprisingly it was easy for him to catch onto. He was given a couple of days training on how to do his job, given some tips to do so, most helpful was a spell to help himself self orient and right with the bus itself. That had been a lifesaver as it meant he could pour drinks and transport them without someone getting a lethal dose of creamer all over them.
It was a job, and it was making money, it was something he could do. And it helped him, it gave him a chance to talk to people, it gave him a chance to make drinks, and it let him travel. He also overhead gossip, he was never really one for gossip, but it was always interesting to listen to as the bus went about, and so far he thinks he is doing well. He’s only spilt someones hot chocolate once, and was due to a particularly nasty stop that even veteran Knight Bus passengers stumbled upon when it happened. He thinked people liked him, he atleast appeared friendly anyway, which he thinks is better then some previous conductors. Some had mentioned a Stan Shunpike being a conductor and later a Deatheater, that is a bit too far of a career change for Sam to ever want to go to down.
But Sam was home now, he was being paid weekly, which he preferred, especially when he didn’t think he would be able to survive long enough to get a paycheck on a monthly payout, its not like he can’t survive on a budget of about £5 a week, but he really did not think he’d survive a job and that.
He took off the jacket and hat, placing them on-top of his dresser and waving his wand to get them perfectly pressed and folded. Followed by a switching spell to have himself change from the remaining work uniform with a set of comfy jogging trousers and a hoodie he had on his dresser, he had learned not to put anything in the dresser itself. One time he opened it to find his clothing gone and replaced by a snake. Upon slamming shut and reopening again neither were there, since losing the underwear inside he had refused to put anything inside of them again. Instead keeping on the dresser or in his trunk, it helped with if he was to be evicted or quickly moving out for when the time comes eventually. Hopefully he can afford to move out soon.
Sam stretched himself and put down his shopping, he had decided to splash out, now with money he can afford things! Like actual food! It was amazing what an actual budget per week allowed him to buy. He quickly put away the food he had, genuinely surprised that cockroaches did not leave the cabinets or his magical fridge, but then its not as if they had any food to actually eat inside either as he lived off of bread half the time. Most excited of all was that he used a muggle food store and managed to get himself some good quality ice cream, a luxury that he hadn't been able to have for nearly a year now.
But his main happiness was in new clothes, a mixture of things, some being casual clothes to replace those he didn’t bring with him when he left home, himself considering those now lost as he didn’t want to return home, they didn’t want him, even his mother sending him money was more out of curtesy and to keep him away he reckoned. He wasn’t even sure if his stuff would of even remained or if they’d sold them already, it had been a year.
He pulled out a couple of items, he smiled and started to change, impatient to try them on, one of the items he wanted to see the effects of it himself, being a bra with a few...enchantments, typically assumed for a girl with a smaller...size. The woman at the counter gave him a gentle smile as he bought it, he wasn’t sure if its encouraging or somewhat mocking but he made sure to leave quickly. He dressed himself quickly in the full outfit he had purchased,
He finished and stood himself infront of the mirror, wearing
[1] a black mid length skirt, with black tights, a white top with a black leather jacket. He stared at himself for awhile, before his knees went weak followed by him starting to cry, his heart pounding in joy as he felt like himself for once.
He spent half an hour in this state, euphoric in his body, even so far as the size gained to his upper half from the enchanted clothing. Everything felt...right, but he knew he couldn’t stay like this forever, as much as he wanted to, he had things he still needed to do. For a start eat, having not had anything to eat for the previous day.
So with a regretful sigh he stood himself up, wiping away at the tears and relieved he hadn’t put on makeup as of yet, less it smears down him. Maybe next time he goes out, for now it was an outfit he will certainly wear again, potentially even in public, with a hope he would look okay doing so, just the idea of people staring frightened him, what if people could tell? They wouldn’t accept? He thought he looked cute in it, he loved the outfit, but would others?
Slowly he cast a switching spell again, placing the clothes into his trunk with other similar clothing, and with a sigh he wiped the remains of moisture from his eyes. Going over to the potentially explosive oven and turning it on, he prepared a pizza and smiled as he put it inside. Prepared with a new book to read while he waited and to spend the evening with, just a shame the flat didn't even have a bath to let him relax, just the somewhat mouldy old bed.
Things seemed to be turning out alright for him, hopefully soon he can get a proper place to live. but things were looking hopeful for him in the future.
[March 1st] The First Paycheck! [Snapshot]