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Chapter 25: Last Minute Preparation

At the dinner table there was much discussion about the items that had been purchased during the day in both the magical and muggle shopping areas. Tonks demanded an explanation as to why 30 phones had been purchased but was told she could wait until after dinner, when the Weasley twins were going to drop by.

Over coffee and sweets, Hermione got the elves to review her inspiration photos on one of Harry's new laptops. There was much oohing and aahing. There was also some discussion about the options available, along with the pros and cons for some items. As part of their shopping trip they had picked up some fabric swatches and some other samples to gauge the elves' opinion.

"Mr Harry Potter, Sir," said Dobby trying to get his attention.

"It's just Harry, Dobby," he responded.

"Kreacher and Dobby have been workings on the house and talkings about the new buildings today when you were out, and we think we needs more house elves. Now you know Winky is lookings for a family and she is a friend of Dobby. She is also a niece of Kreacher. There are also two other elves at the castle who wants to come and work for you as well. What we are thinking is that for the Padfoot house we will uses the two youngs elves. Winky and Dobby will looks after this building and the gym place and Kreacher will be the boss elf, managing and organizing everyone. Winky is a good cook and house cleaner. She can manages the Padfoot kitchen at the start, and train the two young elves in the cooking. What does you thinks of our idea?" implored the elf.

"Kreacher, are you happy with this idea? I don't want to tread on any toes here. Would you like to be the Major Domo elf for the three buildings? Please tell me if it is too much because we want to look after you," inquired Harry.

"Three buildings would be best this ways and Kreacher could train all the young ones to a good standard. Kreacher would enjoys more company too," advised the elf.

"Now, Kreacher, if you are going to be the Major Domo, you are going to have to buy a uniform for all the elves and you will also need to make sure everyone has beds and bedclothes. With more of you here, you will need to schedule everyone's rest day. Also, we will have to increase the house elf pocket book amount we set up today in the bank. Do you think we can get Winky and the two young elves to agree to the Potter household set up? You know, dinners and holidays too?" asked Harry.

"Winky will agree because she wants to has a family," advised Dobby.

"I think we can be sure that the other two young elves would be keen if it means they could work for Harry Potter," advised Kreacher.

"Well, in that case ask the elves you are thinking of to come and see me and so we can sort everything out," advised Harry.

There were instant hugs from both elves and much glee. After a tight squeeze of Harry Potter, Dobby was off to get Winky and the two young elves before the evening guests arrived. In less than 15 minutes, the Grimmauld Place house elf population increased from two to five.

oOoOo

When the twins arrived at 8pm Hermione was already waiting for them. With the assistance of Kreacher and Dobby she had set up a production line for the phones to put into action her dual band mobile communication system: muggle mobile and magic wandband.

Hermione had done the research and development during the last 12 months and had managed to get a working model up and running quite successfully. She had got Harry involved in the innovation testing to ensure she had it working well and from their trials it seemed that everything was green to go. Now it was time to extend the trial to a large scale pilot, with a greater range of user types. The trip at Easter proved that they need a communication system for the team but the purchase of mobiles just for the two weeks was not cost effective until the initial testing process was complete.

So it was with great pleasure that Hermione and Harry presented the potential new product for Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. A standard muggle mobile phone with the addition of a micro wand, which was charmed to run the phone, and the use of the stannum potest telephonium charm, which had been developed by Hermione, would enable the phone user to connect to either the muggle mobile network or to the magical wandband network. When Hermione used a white board to explain the concept, the twins became very excited about it. Harry went on to explain that they were currently going to be modifying a total of 30 handsets for a wide scale test and the users were all selected to attend a house party in Japan for the month of July, which of course would include the birthday bash for Harry's coming of age. Hermione demonstrated the adaption of the device for dual band usage and then gave the twins the job of doing the conversion for the rest. When they had finished they were both given a handset each, an invitation each which included vouchers for a Goblin international portkey and Tonks made them sign for their passports, which she had collected that day from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

After a quick rundown on the use of the phone, the house elves were all presented with one as a communications device. Harry, Hermione, Tonks and the twins each took an elf and worked with them so that they could make a call, answer a call, save a number and do text messaging. The new elves, Fern and Flower, seemed to take to the technology really easily; this could be something to do with their young age.

oOoOo

Over the late night cocoa before bed, Tonks handed the official Apparation Information booklet to both teenagers before announcing, "We're going to do the theory here tomorrow and go to practice for the practicals over the next couple of days. I have scheduled both your licensing tests for early Wednesday morning, so that you can go to Japan with an apparation licence. Don't stay up too late reading the booklet – you know most of it already, Hermione."

oOoOo

The next weekend was a blur of meetings for Padfoot Manor, the building refits and everyone else who seemed to want a piece of them. Andromeda Tonks moved into Grimmauld Place on the Saturday, along with Remus, as they would be working together on the Padfoot Manor project and Harry wanted Andi Tonks to be satisfied with the Black Manor refurbishment, since it was her former family home.

On Sunday morning, Grandmère D'Angers arrived bright and early and proceeded to organise with Kreacher and Andi the interior design plan for all three buildings. The petite firecracker took to Harry like he was her favourite grandchild when he started to loiter around the kitchen when she was cooking with Kreacher. Before long there were discussions about his dream kitchen, while his hands were learning how to cook her family specialties.

When questioned by Hermione as to why trade secrets were being given away, the young witch was promptly put in her place with a simple statement. "He is family!" There is something to be said about arguing with a French Grandmother – the advice is DON'T, as they are coiled springs of steel, wrapped up in stylish clothes to hide their core. The steely eyed look that Hermione got was enough.

On the Tuesday night before they were due to leave, there was a large semi formal dinner organised by Grandmère D'Angers and Kreacher, where they used the formal dining room for the first time. There was a very eclectic group of guests and much merriment was enjoyed by all, even the dour Potions Master who was on a supervised evening release from the infirmary with his gaoler, Poppy. Andi and Remus were on pre-dinner drinks serving duty, since they were empty handed according to Grandmère.

Charlie and Victor had come from Romania and Jeff Coe and Madam Sakura had come together, as she had demanded he escort her from her central London hotel. All the members of the Phoenix Dojo tour team were there, plus other friends who were familiar with Grandmère and Grandpère D'Angers. The twins were warned when they came through the door to behave or there would be no desserts for them.

Bill, who was behind them, laughed heartily and mentioned that Grandmère certainly had the Weasleys pegged. When people tried to shush him, worried about the painting, Grandmère advised that there was no trouble as they had had a tête-à-tête. Fleur did a double take and then gave her best Gaelic shrug, as if to say, "Okay, we will leave that one well alone."

Griphook and Flitwick were also included in the dinner invitation along with all the house elves, so there were some seating reorganizations for balance and conversation partners at the dinner, after Grandmère's pre-dinner drinks observation of individuals. Neville Longbottom had escorted Luna Lovegood and his Grandmother to the dinner. The Longbottom Matriarch was a little out of her depth until the arrival of Minerva McGonagall, as they had been close associates for years through the Hogwarts board.

Present as well was Unspeakable Croaker, who seemed to be worried that he was intruding. It was very enlightening for the Unspeakable to see the links and friendships that Potter and Granger had within a number of different communities. It was particularly interesting for Croaker that Headmaster Dumbledore was not present, nor was the younger two Weasleys.

After the dessert course Grandmère stood and announced that for coffee and fruit they were all to adjourn to the formal salon as there were some presentations to be completed and everyone needed a walk too, so they would have some space for fruit. With the assistance of magic and some of the many hands round the table, the dining room was cleared and the next part of the evening was ready to begin.

The twins made a presentation with the assistance of the Potter house elves explaining the dual band adapted mobile phones and then presented handsets to all those who did not currently own a device, explaining that they needed help from a variety of users to test their effectiveness. Croaker was amazed when it was revealed that each of the elves had their own unit. The twins went on to advise that each person who had a device had all the numbers of everyone else pre-programmed into their device for them. There was a specially prepared user booklet with moving pictures to demonstrate each function of the device. The potential of the unit was exciting, as it meant that non-magicals like Coe could easily communicate with magicals.

The next announcement was given by Hermione Granger saying that all were invited to a summer house party in Japan. Tonks had the passports for those who had not previously owned them and these were issued. Griphook issued Goblin international portkey vouchers to all, while Harry went round the room in the opposite direction issuing out trip briefing booklet folders.

"As you can see, I have prepared some information notes for those who have never been to Japan before and I have also included a draft itinerary of activities so you can come and go when you are able to. I would really like it if those who have limited time could be there for the last week of July, as that is when the Kendo world championships taking place and I need my magical cheer squad. Also, we are planning a birthday party for Harry's 17th so we need you all there since it such a special birthday. RSVPs and any tricky questions are to go to Mémé here or my mother, Hélène; both their phone numbers are pre-programmed for you," advised the witch.

Coffee and fruit was then served to all before Harry stood up to make the final announcements. Harry went on to present an overview of the restoration project for 12 Grimmauld Place and the two adjoining buildings. He introduced the new director of Padfoot Manor, a magical children's home, Andi Tonks. A new business initiative was also announced and all present were given automatic free membership to the new Phoenix Leisure Enterprises Healthy Living Facility that would be in the building on the other side of Black Manor.

oOoOo

It was a quiet day at 12 Grimmauld Place. The two teenagers had flooed into the Ministry at 7am and had completed their theory test. By 7:30am they were doing the practical and at 8am they had a newly issued apparation license each. By 8.02am they were back at Grimmauld Place.

Hermione was organizing the final packing for their trip, going over her lists with her Grandmère and Kreacher as an itemised check was undertaken. Harry had learned long ago not to mess with either the list or the list maker and was hanging out with Remus, safely out of the way.

Remus was concerned about coming on the trip during his furry time of the month and the difficulty of accessing Wolfsbane, so Harry decided, why not cut to the chase and ask a professional? Using his mobile, he rang Severus who was able to provide the name of a couple of Potions Masters whose product he would trust and also the reassurance that Hiroto and Melina, his cousins, would be able to sort it out. It was during this conversation that the dour man summoned Harry Potter for a private visit in the afternoon.