The Yashnid Household

Jake frowned. "That's horrible, Selia! We don't have an extra room in the house, so I can't let you in, but we do have a couch!

"Just for a few weeks, at the most. I've gotten a job at Honeydukes, in Hogsmeade. So I won't need to stay for long. I want to open up my own sweet shop.."

Jake froze. "But, Selia! You haven't even completed school!"

"I can't afford the supplies or anything. I have no way to get there, I can't apparate.." Selia said. "I can't pay for the entering fee, either. I need to start working."

Jake frowned. "But, hey, you're rich, aren't you?"

"Um, no.. Not anymore. My dad took all the money after my mum died, and we're getting just enough money from our grandma to pay for taxes and groceries. And, when Serenity had trouble getting a job, it only got worse, with the taxes.." Selia seemed a little uncomfortable.

Jake decided to drop the subject. "Clearly you can't afford school." he said softly. "Here's what you should do. Sell the house. Sell EVERYTHING. Altogether, that's going to lead to much money for you. Right? Put half aside. Use that said money to finish school, then the rest- you'll be getting much, right? and find something you want to do."

Selia smiled at him, then put down her bag and hugged him. "You're right. I'll do it all this week. Thanks, Jake. I owe you, okay?"

"No you don't!"

"Jake, you always insist on me not owing you.. I don't think it's right for me to mooch off you like this. May I go inside?" Selia asked, wiping off her face again.

Jake grinned. "Yeah, come on in."

"Thanks.." Selia walked in and sat down right on the couch, taking off her shoes.

Jake entered with some water. "Hey, Selia. You know, you owning a bakery doesn't seem too bad. You'd be amazing!"

"Thanks. I only know how to make brownies and peanut brittle, which is why I wanted the job at Honeydukes before I got started doing anything else. But going back to school won't be that much of a setback."

"My mom has some cookbooks. Her and my dad went to France for their honeymoon, and they have some pretty traditional French dessert recipes books. You could borrow them, copy down the recipes, and edit them in your own way!"

"Really?! That sounds wonderful! I'd love to learn some new recipes.." Selia curled up and stared at the table. "Well.. How are things for you? Just enjoying summer?"

Jake laughed. "Summer's kind of over now, isn't it?! But, yes, I enjoyed most of it while I could."

"That's fun." Selia sat there awkwardly, not really knowing what to say.

Jake groaned. "But now, I'm boooored."

"Why don't we play hopscotch? That's not boring." Selia said, smiling. "Or we could play jumprope. Or climb trees."

Jake stared at her like she was crazy. "We're not 5 anymore!" But he stood up. "The woods my house- amazing trees. Follow me!"

"Great, I love climbing trees. I hope I don't get scabbed up, though. Those trees hurt." She followed him outside. "And just because we're not five, doesn't mean we can't do fun things."

Jake grinned. "That's true. Hey, so, this is my favorite tree." He looked up- pointing at a tall tree with small branches that you could barely hold on to.

Selia got a little paler. "Alright, let's go then. You go behind me so if I fall I'll take you out too." And then she started climbing the tree, being careful not to break any branches.

Jake frowned. "Oops, wrong tree!" He laughed, and pulled Selia to a huge, fat tree that rose up really high, and was covered in light green leafs with large winding branches all the way to the top. "This is my favorite tree."