Chapter 21: Patience Potter No More

26 December, 2031

The WeasleyVision studio in London was humming with activity, witches and wizards walking briskly back and forth behind the scenes, cameras were adjusted and pointed towards the set. Known by it's initials WVSC, specifically the WeasleyVision Sporting Channel, always gathered its biggest ratings on two days; the British and Irish Quidditch League's final day and the traditional Boxing Day matches. Over on the brightly lit set a man in rather garish robes and a rather unfortunate haircut shuffled short pieces of pale blue parchment, reshuffling his notes for the umpteenth time. He'd done it for years, manning the studio while the the play-by-play commentators gave the pre-game rundown of the match, then doing a bit of analysis before the start of the matches. They were at commercial, one of the few breaks during the pre-game portion of the telecast, but it was almost over. Before he knew it the assistant producer was there, waving his hand to give him his cue, and then the lights turned up a notch and the cameras swiveled towards him.

"Good afternoon, Quidditch fans, Tony Shaddad here at WVSC's Quidditch Central. We've just been out at the Appleby and Holyhead match, quite the crowd there at Holyhead, but now we go live to the premier match of the day as third-place Puddlemere United look to gain points and move to second over the always-impressive Montrose Magpies. Let's go out to Liam and Neil at Puddlemere. Lads, take it away."

Over at the Puddlemere grounds, high above the pitch in the broadcast box, the camera light went on and after the graphics package was complete the two men launched into their spiel. "Welcome to Puddlemere, where Puddlemere United continue their quest for the top of the table. Their opponents, the Montrose Magpies, look to solidify their push towards a repeat of last year's championship. I'm Liam Conroy and next to me is the former Wigtown Wanderers Keeper Neil Morrison. Neil, we're in for a good one today, aren't we?"

"Absolutely, Liam." The beefy, red-faced man with the close-cropped brown hair nodded emphatically. "Montrose comes in fresh off a three match win streak while Puddlemere hopes to regain their confidence after losing to Tutshill by twenty points at the end of a four hour match. And now the Puddlemere squad has taken to the air." The camera light switched off but Neil kept going. "There's Fiona McDermott, one of the top ten scoring Chasers in the league followed closely by Declan McLeod and Puddlemere Captain James Potter. They've completed a round of the pitch and are hovering over by the Puddlemere goal, discussing strategy. Wait a moment, McDermott has hit Potter on the arm, is there dissension amongst the ranks?"

The commentators looked at the little WeasleyVision display that stood on the desk in front of them, used to follow the action while they weren't on camera. Suddenly the focus shifted from the action on the pitch to the stands.

"Looks like the team chemistry is well and good off the pitch, Neil." Liam gave a fake chuckle as the view zoomed in on three spectators, their names appearing in text towards the bottom of the display. "There's McLeod's girlfriend, McDermott's wife and Potter's girlfriend..." As Potter's girlfriend raised her hand to adjust her knit cap there was a blinding glare that made everyone watching the live feed wince for a brief second. "Well, well, well, breaking news here at the Puddlemere pitch, ladies and gentlemen. It appears that Harry Potter, the Head Auror and known as the Boy-Who-Lived is gaining a daughter in law very soon. James Potter made Alice Longbottom's Christmas a very happy one, Patience Potter no more!"

The camera zoomed in very tight on Alice, who obliviously kept chatting with Jenny and Lucy, and once again she moved her hand and the ring came into focus. This time the cameraman was ready, though, so instead of keeping with the real-time feed the shot was stopped, enhanced, and enlarged to show Alice's very large, very bright, and very impressive engagement ring.

Before anyone could cover the microphones a female voice from in the studio blurted out "Bloody hell that's huge!"

Ever the professional broadcaster, Liam recovered quickly. "We at WVSC apologise for the inadvertent language, but in light of the revelations here at Puddlemere we expect a great game out of James Potter, newly engaged to his long-time girlfriend Alice Longbottom." He paused for a brief second as music began to play in his earpiece. "So as we get ready for a great match we throw you back to the studio."

-ooo-

For members of the press, specifically the tabloid press, Christmas came a day late. Old 'Pure Galleons' Playboy Potter hadn't been out in ages, not since the good old days of his dating Talia Rauge, but now with his engagement to the Longbottom girl it was just like old times. The society page writers left their Boxing Day celebrations and showed up at the office, sometimes before their editors had even requested their presence. Photographers left other matches and arrived at the Puddlemere grounds in such numbers that the Floo was clogged, the Portkey office was overwhelmed and the Aurors even made a few arrests for the creation of unauthorised Portkeys. Two reporters and a photographer from What Wizard! Magazine were arrested by Aurors when, in their excitement to make it to the Puddlemere pitch to cover the story of the holiday season, they confunded a Muggle couple to commandeer an automobile and drove it into a chip shop.

Sitting at home, watching the Quidditch coverage on WVSN, Harry glanced over to his wife. "I didn't expect it this soon. Think I'll get a call or will they be able to handle it?"

Ginny rolled her eyes at her husband, got up from her chair and left without a word, leaving Harry confused. The confusion was soon lifted, though, as she reappeared with his shoes, official red Head Auror robe and his invisibility cloak. "I expect the Floo will start soon, though I'm not sure who will be first, Scarlet or Ruby...you know she always..." Before she could finish the Floo roared into life, the head of Harry's assistant Scarlet in the dancing green flames.

After a sigh Harry got up out of the chair, nodded towards his wife in appreciation and knelt down in front of the fireplace. "Hello, Scarlet. I take it you saw our family news on national television?"

"National?" Scarlet laughed, causing her image to break apart momentarily in the flames. "Harry, Marvin and I were in Budapest with Emily and Janos, they broke into the local Quidditch coverage here with an update. As soon as I saw that I knew we had to get a Portkey. Give me fifteen minutes and I'll meet you at the office. Hold on a second." She turned away from Harry. "For Merlin's sake, Marv, let the owl in." After shaking her head she turned back to Harry. "This will probably be worse than when he was born, but don't let those bastards in the press worry you. Congratulations to you and Ginny. Fifteen minutes."

After the flames dispersed, with a resigned exhale Harry looked up to his wife. "Why did I not think about this? They were horrible at that press conference when they figured out you were pregnant with him, you would have thought I'd have expected it. I just wanted to watch the match."

Ginny handed him his shoes and draped the robe and the cloak over her arm. "Honestly? I think you were just so relieved that you just thought like a father, not an Auror."

"Eh." Harry slipped on his shoes and waved his wand to start the Never Fail Shoestrings on their way. "Why the cloak? I won't need it."

"No, but Alice might."

"Good idea."

"I haven't been an Auror's wife for this long without coming up with a few of those." She handed him his Auror robe. "So where do you want to have the command center?"

Harry chuckled and adjusted his robe. "You're practically an Auror, you know all the terms. Puddlemere's closer to their flat in London, isn't it? But that's probably not the best place." He saw her nod. "Right, then, the manor, take everyone to the manor. I suppose you should stop by Nev and Hannah's place first."

-ooo-

At Colony House out in Stintborough Hugo Weasley sat out in the shed with his future father-in-law watching pirated Premier League football. It still seemed barmy to him, a bunch of blokes kicking around a ball and not being able to use their hands, but he'd grown fond of the game, even if he wasn't as mental about it as Hank. Even though they could watch the match on the proper WeasleyVision set in the house Hank had to show him the present he'd received from George, a portable WeasleyVision set that if you turned the right button and said the code word (Fucking Reds) the Muggle telly feed would immediately turn to the Everton match. It wasn't going well in the first half as the Toffees' star striker had picked up a 'fucking bullshit' yellow card and Hank had blazed through at least four cigarettes and two pints of Guinness.

Hugo slowly sipped his own Guinness but sat up suddenly as he felt his pocket get warm and begin to buzz; that only meant one thing, that he was being called by the Auror Office. He quickly reached into his pocket and brought out the modified mirror. "Weasley here." The image of his father appeared in the top part of the mirror. "Dad? What's wrong?"

"Sorry to bother you on Boxing Day son but you're an Auror and Harry's called an 'all hands.' Well, Scarlet called it, really, but...same thing. Need you in the office now."

"Uh, Dad? I've been drinking with Hank."

"How much?"

Hugo examined his pint glass. "Um, about half a beer."

Ron nodded nonchalantly. "You're fine, then. Haven't been watching Quidditch, then?"

"No, Hank's watching football. Mione doesn't play until the late match. What's happening?"

"Press figured out James asked Alice, showed the ring on close-up, reporters and photographers are going mental. Going to be a real fun day. Melody feed you yet?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Because who knows when the hell we'll get a decent meal, this could go on for some time. Enough chatting, get your arse into the office."

-ooo-

The hotel room in Nantes was lovely. Quite lovely. It hadn't been her plan to stay there over the Christmas holiday but somehow she found herself at the front desk, extending her stay. She had ordered up room service, lounged in bed for most of the morning and had just emerged from the shower, a towel around her head and the extremely soft robe about her body when she heard something from the WeasleyVision that caught her ear. She'd turned it on simply to have background noise, ignoring the programme as her French was rusty at best, but the sudden juxtaposition of a British name made her stop and stand in front of the WeasleyVision set.

Looking around the room for a moment she finally located her wand, took the towel from her head and laid it on the back of a chair, letting her blue hair cascade down her back. With a quick flick of the wrist the translation enchantment took hold.

...no further details on the wedding, where it will be held and on what date, but it's a Christmas miracle. Playboy Quidditch player James Potter has proposed to his long-time patient girlfriend Alice Longbottom. We have no confirmation at this time but the ring Miss Longbottom was spotted wearing is most certainly an engagement band based on where she was wearing it, not to mention the composition of the piece.

Talia Rauge sat down in the chair in front of the set and smiled happily. Perhaps it was time to book a room at a certain lodge.

-ooo-

"Ow! Christ, Fiona!" James turned around in the locker room, rubbed his arse and glared at the nearly starkers Chaser. "Can't you give it a rest?"

"Awww, widdle Jamie's worried about his bum." Fiona laughed and started twirling the damp towel. "Maybe another one since you finally got your head out of your there and asked the poor girl. Still, you can't fault me, we're in second!" She expected a reaction out of him but, surprisingly, didn't get one as his attention was focused over her shoulder. As she turned around slightly she got a bit of a shock; Flora Kennick, the Puddlemere manager was walking towards them with two Aurors. "What's wrong, boss?"

Flora nodded towards the Aurors and then turned back to her waiting team which had quickly gathered around. "All right, listen up. We're skipping the usual press conference since they only want to talk to Potter. James, the press knows about your engagement and they've gone out of their wee bitty minds. McLeod, McDermott, your wives were also up there with..."

"She's no my wife yet, gaffer." Declan stood by James wearing half of his kit. "I havena even talked to her about that..."

"Shut up, McLeod." Flora pressed her eyes shut tightly for a moment and then put her hands on her hips and scanned the rest of the Puddlemere team. "The rest of you lot...no matter who asks you it's a 'no comment' from all of you or you'll be running until next Christmas. Once you've finished showering and dressing see one of the Aurors for Portkey instructions. You..." She pointed at James. "...stop by my office. Presser starts in thirty. Hop to it."

Fifteen minutes later James tried to fix his hair as he walked towards his manager's office. He should have expected something like this, the press going what Professor Muggle always called 'batshit crazy' when they found out about the engagement, but to be honest that wasn't the most pressing thing on his mind. He was afraid of what Alice would say, as she had suggested that he wear a nice suit to the match so that he would look smart during the press conference but he'd gone with his new green jumper from Granny Weasley, jeans and trainers. When he got to Flora's office he knocked and opened the door without waiting for a response and saw Alice sitting with another Auror in front of Flora's desk. Thankfully when the Auror turned around he saw it was Ruby Frye.

"Congrats, James." Ruby waggled her eyebrows and smiled. "I've just been telling your future bride a few stories she might not have heard before, let her know what she's really in for."

"Fuck." James ignored the comments about his language, conjured a chair and sat down next to Alice. "Don't believe everything she tells you."

Flora cleared her throat. "We can walk down memory lane later, we've got to prep for this. James..." She gave out a disheartened sigh. "...It's standing room only in there. We've had to have Security and the Aurors limit the number of people in there. To make things as short as possible you and Alice are going to go out there, smile, be lovely regardless of what the tossers ask you and read a prepared statement."

"A prepared...I didn't write anything."

"I did." Alice turned to him. "I didn't see the last part of the match, things got a bit out of control and they had to bring me down here. Lucy and Jenny have already left, they got swept up in it, too. Here. Tell me what you think."

James took the offered parchment from Alice's hand, skimmed through it and sat it down on his lap. "It's fine, Allie. You're a better writer than me, all of those proposals for Longpot and all." He saw her giving him a critical look. "What?"

"I laid out the suit, you could have just put it on, but no..."

"You're fussed about how I'm dressed?"

Ruby laughed. "Jamie, boyo, this will be the first photos of you two as a couple since your engagement has become news. They'll be all over the world."

"Bugger. Bugger, bugger, bugger." James rolled his eyes, reached over and took Alice's hand. "I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you."

Ruby elbowed Alice. "Get used to that."

Alice shook her head. "Old hat."

"Oh, you'll make a go of it." The Auror looked over to James, sizing him up. "Ok, Jamie, because you'd never hear the end of it and I owe Harry a few million favours, stand up and I'll transfigure you a suit. You're getting navy, though, so I hope you'll find that acceptable. Bad news is that it'll wear off in about a half hour. Good news is you now have a time limit for the press conference. Stand up and strip down to your boxers. Don't worry, all of us here have seen you in as much or less."

As the women sniggered at him James stood up and started peeling off his jumper. Ruby was right; they'd all seen him in much less. Somehow it wasn't comforting.

Ten minutes later James walked out into an almost strobe light effect of cameras wearing a navy suit with a white shirt and a borrowed Puddlemere tie, holding Alice's hand. The jumper, pea coat and woolen stocking hat from earlier in the match was gone as Alice wore a pale yellow dress she'd borrowed from Flora. They'd had to transfigure it a bit as well, as Alice was at least five inches taller than Flora, not to mention a little smaller in the bust. James was happy to see Duncan Smithwicke sitting there at the conference table, and even though he and James didn't have the best relationship it was a comfort to see the head of Public Relations take command of the situation. After pulling out Alice's chair James sat down, Duncan's cue to rise and go to the podium. A quick Sonorous spell later Duncan started his address.

"Quiet, quiet please. We have a strict time limit of twenty minutes. Miss Longbottom and Mr. Potter will read a statement, after which we will take questions. Mr. Potter?"

James nodded and took the parchment that Alice slid over to him, feeling the slight tingle in his throat as Duncan cast the Sonorous on him. "As discovered during the match today I have asked Alice to marry me and, thankfully, she's accepted." He paused as there was quite a bit of laughter. Once it subsided he continued. "The proposal was a private matter and will remain so. As for our plans they are also private, as we wish to retain our normal schedules as much as possible. We have received the blessings of our parents and family, and ask for your patience in regards to the details. We will release photographs after the ceremony..." He turned to look at Alice, and she nodded, prodding him on. "We will release photographs after the ceremony to a publication of our choosing with the stipulation that all proceeds from the publication go to Saint Athelrod's Children's Hospital in Poole." He paused, as that was the end of the statement, but he didn't quite want to start in with the questions but he knew he couldn't delay it any further. Suddenly, though, he looked out at the assembled press horde. "Hopefully this'll put all the rumours to rest because I'm marrying the woman I love. I guess it's question time, then, Duncan."

That was the signal for every single member of the press to start shouting, trying to gain Duncan's attention. The tall PR man held out his wand and cast a spell at a woman, causing everyone else's voice to fade away. The woman stood up with her notepad in her hand, True-Quote quill at the ready. "Liv Wandsworth, Daily Prophet. Let me be the first to officially congratulate you on your engagement. Can you tell us about the ring?"

Flashes went off again, nearly blinding Alice. She put her left hand on James' arm, giving them all a clear view of her ring. With the Sonorus still on him James answered. "I contracted the goblin firm of Blickwhistle and Sons to create the ring. I highly recommend them, their work is amazing."

More shouts went up and a thin wizard with a scraggly beard stood up. "Is your sudden engagement after all these years because you're expecting a new addition to the Potter family?"

James nodded, sending them all into a frenzy. "It is, we're adding a new Potter. Alice." Groans went up from the press. "Next question?"

"So the rumours about Talia Rauge..."

James shook his head vehemently. "Are just that, rumours. Talia is a good friend, nothing more." Alice prodded James as his navy suit was beginning to lose it's colour. "Last question."

"Finally decided to buy the cow?"

James stood up, met the man who asked the question eye to eye, and glared. After a few seconds he smiled. "No, I decided to not let the best thing to ever happen to me get away." He turned to Duncan. "And that git is never to step foot in any of our press conferences or this is the last press conference I'll ever attend."

Alice just gave the man who wrote such terrible things about her a smile as he was led away quite forcefully by Security. After he was gone she stood up, took James' arm and they had almost made it out of the room when another question surfaced above the tumult.

"Miss Longbottom, do you have anything to say?"

Alice stopped, nodded, and Duncan cast a Sonorous on her. "Yes, I do. I couldn't be happier."

"Give us a kiss!" The shout came from the back of the room and caused everyone to laugh, but James gave them one of his sly smirks, half-twirled Alice around and gave her a big kiss right then and there much to the delight of all the photographers. After that they waved at the press and left the room.

The timing was perfect as just after they left the press room James' suit turned back into his jumper and jeans. Flora stood there, waiting alongside Ruby and, proud as could be, Harry Potter.

"Well done, you two." Harry took off his glasses and rubbed his chin. "Well done."

As Duncan canceled the Sonorous spells Hugo Weasley came bounding in, beaming. "That was brilliant! Thanks to you two Dad owes me twenty Galleons!"

"What?" James looked at him oddly. "What was the bet?"

"That I could get you two to kiss at this thing."

"Hugo!" Alice looked at him, shocked. "That was you at the end?"

"Guilty." Hugo chuckled. "And twenty Galleons richer."

-ooo-

When James and Alice arrived back at the manor the place was quiet, a complete contrast to the tumult and insanity they had just left. They'd used a portkey from the players only Apparition point as the Floo network was still jammed around the stadium, and when they arrived the first person they saw was Bill Weasley out on the grounds, etching a rune into a stone.

"Strengthening the wards around the place." Bill glanced up and them and finished his rune. "How'd it go?"

James made a 'not bad' face so Alice responded. "I think it went ok, they weren't bad at first but that arsehole who wrote the 'cow' article was there. James had him kicked out."

"Good. Deserved it." Bill knelt down, set the stone into the ground and tapped it with his wand causing the rune to flash blue momentarily. With a quick glance he looked up at them. "If you don't want Mum planning everything you'd better go up to the house. Ginny and Hannah are trying to get her to ease up but, well, you know Molly and weddings."

"Merlin." James ran a hand through his hair. "We haven't even talked about it."

Bill stood up and dusted off his trousers. "No time like the present then. Go on, I've got about thirty more to go."

"Thanks, Bill." James nodded thoughtfully. "Really, I mean it. We really appreciate it."

"Consider it an early wedding present. Oh, I know they'll ask me, did the ring..."

"Yep." James laughed. "We should be in pretty well with the goblins now, gave them a ringing endorsement."

Bill rolled his eyes. "You're as bad as George. Go on, off with you."

As they walked up the lane towards the manor James took Alice's hand. It was cold, their breath forming little clouds as they walked, but halfway up to the house James stopped, causing Alice to take a step before she felt the tug on her hand.

"What is it?"

He looked over to her and pulled her close into him, wrapping his arms around her. "I just wanted to stand here for a moment. Tell me what you see."

She looked over towards the manor house. "I see a house that's lit up as if it was Christmas, I think every candle we have is on as well as the charmed lights. What do you see?"

"I see the house we're going to live in for the rest of our lives, the house we're going to raise a family in, the house where our grandchildren will come to have Christmas. Most of all, though, I see a house that you love and that fact makes me happier than anything. Even though it wasn't how I wanted it to be, everyone finding out we're engaged, I'm glad they know. I want to show you off, show everyone how lucky I am."

"James...that's..." She tightened her arms around him. "That's wonderful."

"Good. That's what I wanted to hear. Ready to face the next round of questions?"

"Maybe." She laid her head on his chest. "Have you thought of where and when?"

"I've got some ideas. Sure you have some as well. I thought about 'West Carolina' since it's the first place we spent time together, and it's an island, better for security and all, but the thought of those barmy old witches making sappy faces at us the whole time makes me shiver."

"Either that or because it's bloody cold." She felt him laugh silently. "What about here?"

"Here? Up at the house?"

"No, out by the loch. We could have the reception in the ballroom. I still can't believe I live in a house that has an actual ballroom."

"Whatever you want, Allie."

"That's what you said we'd do on our first date and then you drug me off to that war thing at the Ephemera."

"All right, then, look at it this way. You're finally getting the first date I promised you all those years ago."

She shook her head. "You're not getting out of it that easy."

They were silent the rest of the way up to the house, and when they opened the door it was apparent that the manor house was filled with people, mostly relatives. Thankfully Jolly met them at the door, taking their coats.

"Jolly watched you on WeasleyVision, Jolly did! Miss Alice you looked beautiful!"

"Uh..." James gave Alice a confused look and turned to the elf. "That was on the WV?"

Jolly nodded emphatically. "It was, it was, they put it on and stopped the wizards talking about Quidditch." She turned back to the murmur of voices from further inside the house. "Mistress Ginny and Mistress Hannah came over and told Jolly that peoples would be coming so Jolly and Mimsy made the food. Is you being hungry? Mimsy made treacle tart."

"At least Dad will be happy. Thanks, Jolly. Are they in the library?" Seeing her nod affirmatively James took Alice's hand and let the happy little elf take care of their coats.

Surprisingly the first person they met sat in one of the benches in the hallway on the way to the library. Ron Weasley sat there in his Auror robe, tie undone, eating roast beef sandwich while a plate containing three more sandwiches sat beside him on the bench. He saw them coming and stopped eating.

"I'm not very pleased with you, James."

"Me?" James pulled a face. "What did I do?"

"Let's see." Ron held up his hand and extended his index finger. "One, I'd just sat down to watch Chudley take on Portree when all hell broke loose and I got called in by Scarlet. Two..." he extended his middle finger "...I found out later they won and I missed it. Three..." the ring finger was extended "Hermione had just fixed me a plate and I had to leave it, hope to Merlin she put a statis spell on it." The little finger raised to join the rest. "Four, I had to go down and do a bunch of stuff because some press idiots confunded some Muggles and stole their car, crashed into a chip shop and destroyed the place. Obliviators, Fire Brigade, Muggle Worthy Excuse lot, had to deal with the Muggle Aurors, whatever the hell they're called, but at least Harry's cousin showed up so that made it easier since he's one of the Auror liaisons. Oh yeah, your Uncle Dudley says congratulations. But you caused me a lot of paperwork, kid. And five...five..." He held out his thumb. "You morons cost me twenty Galleons to Hugo. Little git isn't a gracious winner." He closed his fingers but kept the thumb extended and jabbed towards the library. "Now get in there, plan this thing out and leave me alone. I'm hungry."

James stood there and tried to act offended. "What about Alice? She was part of you losing your bet."

Ron glanced up at Alice and winked. "I like her. Beat it."

As they walked hand-in-hand towards the library, their steps echoing slightly in the vast hallway, Alice turned towards James. "Which part do you think irritated him the most?"

"Honestly, all of it. Probably not seeing Chudley win, though. Notice he just skimmed right past that?" After a few steps he reconsidered. "Probably the food thing."

"I'm not surprised. He is full Weasley."

"Oh, that's an understatement."

For the next three hours it was as if Christmas continued at the manor, as people chatted, ate, drained a few bottles of Chameleon champagne, but generally they recounted their experience of seeing the big reveal at the Puddlemere pitch. Ginny let them know what Scarlet told them, that their engagement was an international story, and James was never happier to have an uncle who was a curse-breaker and could set really nasty wards. There was some discussion about the wedding plans, and Alice was very pleased that her mum and Ginny made sure to not let Molly, however well-intentioned, run away with the wedding planning. In the end everyone came to the conclusion that James and Alice needed time to talk about things, since it was their wedding, and people began to drift off back to their homes.

Later that night, when everyone had finally left, James and Alice laid in bed, too exhausted by the entire ordeal to speak very much, not to mention that James had played an entire two-and-a-half hour Quidditch match. They didn't mind the silence, though, and James closed his eyes, almost asleep, when he felt Alice's hand on his chest. He reached up and put his hand over hers, feeling her ring. He ran his fingers over the ring, rubbing around the band, the stones and especially the large central diamond.

"Jamie?"

"Hmmm...?"

"We're going to need some help."

"Help? We're lousy with help."

"I know, but we need someone to help with the schedules, all the details...I put in that bid on a house the other day. If that comes through I don't know how we'll manage that project, the lodge...we're opening up officially after the first of the year, remember, we still have to staff that place...we have to do all that and plan a wedding? We need a Scarlet. We talked about that, remember?"

"I do and you're right. We do need someone. Add that to the other interviews." He was silent for a moment. "You know Mrs. Fraser said she'd help us get it started, so there's one. Mimsy said she could help, too, but...bollocks. Maybe we should just staff the place with a bunch of house elves and old Netty. That'd be a first, wouldn't it? The House Elf Hotel. Hermione's hair would go straight when she found out."

"That's not a bad idea. We could hire them...contracts like the others have...I like it. I'll talk to Blocky. If he didn't want his granddaughter working like a regular elf I'm sure there are some traditional house elf families who want the same."

"Ok, that's sorted, then. House elf interviews, check. How do you advertise for an assistant? Daily Prophet?"

Alice stretched her shoulders and moved her hair back off of her neck. "I'll send Melody Boyd an owl. She'll know, since she runs Witch Weekly. Maybe there's someone who didn't meet her criteria that would work for what we need."

"Good idea." He was quiet for a while. "You were wonderful today, you know. Hopefully they'll back off and we'll be old news."

"James, when have you Potters ever been old news?"

"Point. Let's get some sleep. I'm knackered."