Previously on Remnants No More 24: Nothing But Net
"I have made reservations at Opulence the small Wizarding hotel in London. Our reservations are for 10:00 am. It is now coming up on 9:00 so I suggest you get your lovely arse upstairs. Put a few things together and we will be off. I want to pamper you, make love then pamper you again. No mobile. No interruptions. Just you and I together enjoying some alone time."
Leanne grabbed Harry by the shoulders turning him so she could plant a kiss directly on his lips. "I love you Potter. You are such a thoughtful boyfriend. I'll be ready in ten minutes," she said running for the stairs.
Harry leaned back in the chair thinking how surprised Leanne would be when she found out what he had planned. Even though it was a Wizarding hotel, he had ordered what was called the Muggle Deluxe Package. The package included his and her bath soaks, his and her massages, a beauty regimen for Leanne, lunch and an elegant dinner. It would all be done through charms and spells, but it would be interesting for Leanne to see how Muggles spent their leisure time.
Leanne was back ten minutes later with a small bag clutched in her hand. "Let's go handsome. I'm ready for my mini holiday."
Harry kissed her on the cheek as he took the bag, shrunk it down and placed it in his inside pocket. He also had a few small surprises for Leanne tucked away in his other pocket.
Harry was a bit nervous over what he planned to do. But he was going to do it anyway.
"Alright my love. We're ready. Take my hand and we'll be off."
Leanne grabbed his hand and had managed a wide smile before being pulled into Apparition.
Chapter 25: Everybody Moves Forward
Hermione rose at a much more reasonable time to prepare for her day. She would be the first at Wired anyway. She prided herself now as she had at Hogwarts. Always early.
Random thoughts ran through Hermione's mind as she sat at the kitchen table having a bit of cereal and a breakfast tea. One of the thoughts had been she should leave a message for Paulo to see her that morning. They had previously spoken about him buying her out if or when she decided to sell the company. The time had come. She should also call George and Lee as well. They had also expressed interest in buying the company. Although in their case, Hermione thought they just wanted her product lines. She would speak to Paulo first then George and Lee. Maybe the three wizards could come to some agreement which would benefit them all. It also passed through her mind that when she sold Wired the new owner/owners could find a place for Earle Clarke. The only reason she hadn't hired him was his father. However, that issue would be moot if she no longer owned the company.
Hermione had sat at the table longer than she realized. It was coming up on 8:00 am and she should have been on her way. Hurrying to the bathroom mirror, Hermione gave herself a quick check. Mirrors didn't lie. Her unruly hair was standing all over her head. She hadn't taken the time to charm her hair into place after her shower so she had to take the few minutes to spell it into something resembling a bun.
She looked decent. She had to get going if she didn't want to ruin her record of being early. She moved quickly through the bedroom gathering her things. Then she was off.
/*/
Hermione arrived at Wired a hair before 8:00 am thus keeping her record intact. Before her arse had fully met the seat she had first sent an owl to Neville posing her question about employment. She had then pulled out her mobile to call Paulo who answered on the second ring.
"Good morning Hermione. What can I do for you this fine morning?"
Hermione smiled at her phone. There was seldom a time when Paulo was anything but sunny. Draco didn't care much for Paulo whom he thought to be way too happy.
Hermione let out a small giggle as a small voice sounding suspiciously like Draco materialized in her head. The bloke is too happy Hermione. There's something wrong with him.
Draco was a git. What did he know?
"Good morning Paulo," replied Hermione returning his greeting. "I'd like to have a discussion as to where the company is going. Are you available this morning at 10:00?"
Paulo replied a little hesitantly. "I'll make myself available. Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine Paulo. I simply want to discuss a bit of business with you. No worries."
A small sigh escaped Paulo's lips as he assured Hermione he would see her at ten sharp.
After she finished her call to Paulo, Hermione dialed George's number.
A grumpy George answered with a caution. "As much as I care about you Mrs. Malfoy. One can only wonder why you've let go of your manners to call a bloke before the sun has come over the horizon. Make it fast witch. And make it worth my while. I'm still sleeping."
Laughing into the phone, Hermione advised George he was definitely awake because he was holding a coherent conversation. And in order to do that, one had to be awake.
George let out a big sigh. "Of course I'm awake now Granger. You woke me. Please tell me what you need so I can catch a few more winks before I have to open the shop."
"I'll get right to it then George. I've decided to sell Wired. I was hoping to discuss you and Lee's level of interest in purchasing the company. If you are interested, there are several points that need to be hashed out. If you aren't, that simplifies things. If you and Lee cannot take a meeting here, I can stop by the shop around noon."
George yawned directly into the phone before agreeing to meet Hermione in her office at 11:30.
Hermione ignored George's rude yawn. "Excellent. Thank you George," she had replied in her sunniest voice. "I'll see you at 11:30."
"Great." George grunted before disconnecting.
The die had been cast. Hermione had started the process. Hopefully she would soon be in a position to start a real career in the field of Research and Development.
/*/
Hermione spoke separately to the interested parties. Paulo was still interested in the company, but thought he would have another year or more to get his finances together. He told Hermione he would have to pass on the offer.
"Listen." Hermione said scolding him a bit. "You've expressed interest in this company long before anyone else. Before you give up entirely. Let me speak to the other interested parties. I'm sure we can work something out. We are finished for now. I'll release you so you can get on with your day. Please be prepared to come back to the office later this afternoon. We'll speak then."
"Thanks Hermione," Paulo responded a bit dispiritedly. "I'll speak with you later."
/*/
George and Lee had been right on time.
Lee came through the doors grinning and giving orders. "Here are our terms. We pay you Galleons. You go away."
"Don't be rude Lee." George said lazily resting his feet on Hermione's desk.
Hermione knocked George's feet off her desk and used her wand to close the door to her office. "I have a serious proposition. First. I need to know if you two are still interested in Wired."
"We are," replied both wizards simultaneously.
"Good. I want to sell to you, but there are stipulations. Nothing unseemly. Just some loose ends I would like to see tied up."
"We're listening oh brilliant one," said George a bit facetiously. "Does this have anything to do with the Clarke bloke? If so, we've already hired him."
"Thank you for that George. Lee. I believe he is a hard worker. You won't be sorry. Earle isn't the only end that needs to be tidied up. I am hoping you will allow my Sales Assistant Paulo Argent to become a third partner. He expressed interest in owning Wired a while back. However, my sudden decision to sell has left him without the necessary financing in place. Paulo would not be adverse to heading up Wired. He is in tune with our products and the customers adore him. Having Paulo as head of Wired would increase WWW's customer base and product lines while making you tons of Galleons."
George grunted.
"A grunt is not an answer George Weasley. What do you think?"
Lee answered first. Since Mr. Weasley is in a grunting mood, I'll field the question. "Does this wanker have any money? We'd love to have a third partner as long as he isn't as poor as George."
"For fucks sake Jordan. Will you be serious for just a minute?"
Both Lee and George had sat up straight when Hermione swore at them.
"Bloody hell Mrs. Malfoy. We haven't heard language like that from you since Michael Corner tried to come between you and Malfoy. Calm down. We'll have a conversation with your boy to see if he is worthy."
"He's worthy," snapped Hermione. "I mentioned I would be calling him back into the office. If you two gits want to have some lunch in the break room, I'll get Paulo back in here."
"Lee and I will decline your offer of lunch as we need to check on the shop. Earle and Angelina are capable. But not as capable as us. We will return at 1:30."
"Thanks boys." Hermione had shouted at their back as George and Lee prepared to leave her office. "As an extra incentive. I want you to know Earle is experienced as a Product Installer among other things. I'm sure you could find a use for him at Wired when he isn't needed at WWW."
"We're making out like bandits. Aren't we George? We should let Hermione handle all our transactions. The only way it could be any better is if she found us a prospect with a few Galleons in his pockets," teased Lee as he ran for the lift leaving George to be hit by the pen Hermione had thrown at them.
Hermione was satisfied everything would turn out right. George and Lee were jokers, but they knew a money spinner when they heard it.
Now all she had to do was inform Draco she had sold yet another of her hobbies.
/*/
Neville had given Alice a dose of potion right off. He had been worried that his mother was reverting back to her former state. But after examining her, it became clear she had simply fainted from stress. Nothing more. His potion was doing its job.
Neville had been quick to give Frank his dose as well. But Frank was fine. In fact, he had assured Neville of his good health telling him to see to his mother.
/*/
Alice Longbottom woke in her own hospital bed feeling quite fit to find her handsome son smiling down at her. It felt a bit odd to Alice to have a young gentleman sitting so close, but she would get used to it. Neville was her son after all.
After she had her bearings, Alice glanced around the room to make sure her husband was nearby and in good health. After locking eye with Frank, Alice settled down to enjoy the attention she was receiving from Neville. "I'm fine Neville. Really." she remarked softly. "I was overwhelmed by all the information. That's all."
Neville nodded in acceptance. "Although you've heard most of it. We will take it more slowly from here on out." Glancing over at Frank, Neville leaned in to whisper to Alice. "I'd better step aside. It seems Frank is anxiously waiting to speak with you. We can speak later."
Neville was quite right. Frank was hovering anxiously in the background waiting to speak with his wife. She had frightened the shite out of him falling out like that. For a second he thought he had gotten his life back only to lose the witch he loved above all else.
He was in good spirits because Neville had assured him that Alice would be fine. He had to go with that. Alice was awake and talking so he had finally allowed himself to exhale the breath he had been holding in since she'd gone unconscious. He was watching the interaction between his wife and son. He had been a proud and powerful Auror before being attacked by Death Eaters. Yet he stood there feeling helpless as tears of joy formed in the corner of his eyes.
Alice recognized how her husband was feeling. She held out her hand gesturing for him to sit on the other side of the bed. After Frank had seated himself, Alice turned to their son to tell him that she and his father wanted to have a private conversation with him.
Neville gave Luna a wide grin. "My parents want to speak privately. Perhaps they won't mind if the witch I plan to marry sits in."
Luna grinned right back at Neville but left it up to Frank and Alice whether they would allow her in on their private conversation.
"The witch you plan to marry?" asked a very surprised Alice. At the moment, no matter what was in front of her, Alice still saw her son as a one year old toddler. Talk of marriage seemed so odd.
Alice glanced at Frank then at Luna. "Frank and I would love to have the witch our son plans to marry sit in on our conversation. We will learn about each other together."
Luna thanked Alice for the invitation promising to do more listening than talking.
Both Frank and Alice smiled at their future daughter-in-law while Neville sat red as a beet having disclosed information he hadn't even discussed with Luna.
Luna winked at Neville to let him know she was alright with his faux pas. He figured the wink meant he'd better get a ring on her finger before revealing his plan to anyone else.
It was at that exact moment Neville remembered he had ordered Luna's ring but failed to go pick it up. In his long list of things to do, picking up Luna's ring had just gone to the top of the list.
Luna was hesitant to mention it, but she had just remembered that Headmistress McGonagall was waiting to sit with Frank and Alice. Clearing her throat, Luna inquired if it would be an imposition to have Minerva sit in with them as well.
Alice had let out a small giggle. "The more the merrier. It will serve Frank and I well to have three people explain our past. When will we do this?"
"Minerva is waiting in the room I had set up for her" answered Neville. I'll get her and we can meet back in the breakfast room. A few well placed charms will make it comfortable enough. Luna will escort you back to the room. See you in a bit."
While Neville went to get Minerva, Luna accompanied Alice and Frank back to the breakfast room where she made them as comfortable as possible.
Five minutes later, Neville was back with Minerva in tow. They had all taken one of the comfortable chairs conjured up by Luna and settled in to discuss the long and short of what had transpired since 1981.
/*/
Draco arrived at the Ministry early and had sat in on a short court case which ended before 10:00. He had been pleasantly surprised to find all the information he had requested from Gringotts's laying on his desk. Removing his purple, Wizengamot robes, Draco sat down to get his information in order. The head Goblin had enclosed a short note.
Wizard Malfoy;
We have expedited your request. Thank you for the additional information. We Goblins may not see eye to eye with Wizards. However, we will always stand with the just and true. No goblin, wizard or beast should ever subjugate another. No matter the reason. All vaults in question have been liquidated and locked. The totals which appear on the enclosed sheets are true to the best of our knowledge.
Maldrow
Head Goblin
Gringott's
Draco read the message through a second time. A Goblin had actually sided with a Wizard. That was a first. Whatever it was, Draco would take it. The Goblins had sent him everything he needed. All he had to do was verify the claimants, calculate totals then write disbursement requests.
Draco sent a quick note to the healer in charge of the Subjugation victims at St Mungo's. He asked the healer to verify and correct his list of Wizarding names so the proper disbursements could be made.
Draco had had a previous conversation with Kingsley over disbursements. The Minister had charged Draco with figuring out a way to compensate the Muggles who had been caught up in this Wizarding mess with as little fanfare as possible.
Draco had struggled to find a way to carry out the task Kingsley had set to him and met with little success until he mentioned it to his brilliant wife.
Hermione had taunted him about being the brilliant, young wizard who had been invited to the Wizengamot, but who couldn't figure out the simplest of things.
Draco had sat there sucking up Hermione's taunts because he wanted to hear her solution promising himself that after he had his answer he would take her over his knee.
Hermione had finally stopped teasing her husband, plopped down in his lap and disclosed the way they could compensate the Muggles. "After they've been Obliviated and returned to their proper lives. They will win top prize in a contest. They're Muggles. They won't question winning some contest. What contest? I don't know. Perhaps a contest for the best garden. If they don't have a garden, perhaps a contest for shopping at a certain market. You're brilliant. You'll figure it out. The point is for them to win some anonymous contest."
Draco grabbed at Hermione as she jumped up off his lap, but she had managed to get away.
"Thank you for your assistance my little minx. You may have gotten away for now, but you will pay for your escape when I get back from the Ministry. I love your brilliant arse. I'll be back shortly."
Then he had stepped over to the floo where he called out. "Ministry of Magic, London."
Draco now had everything in order. As soon as final verification came back from St Mungo's, he would meet with Kingsley and the CW to go over his results. Then the disbursements would be made. The Muggle contest scenario had already been set in motion with the help of the Muggle Studies Professor at Hogwarts. The subjugated Muggles would soon receive a visit from a very proper looking woman who had showed up at their door to deliver contest winnings.
Kingsley and the CW had been very pleased with Draco's results. They had both complimented him on his fine work.
Before he let either wizard leave his office, Kingsley had more to share. "Gentlemen. We have just closed an unfortunate chapter in British Wizarding history. I'd like to do something to get our minds off what has recently transpired."
"What do you have in mind Kingsley?" asked the curious CW.
Kingsley had stared down at something on his desk before raising his eyes to glance between Draco and the CW. Handing each wizard a copy of the file he had on his desk, Kingsley commented on what he had in mind. "I would like for us to form a committee to plan for a 10th anniversary End of War Gala to be held on 5/2/2008. Two years may seem far away, but time passes quickly. I want people working on it now. I have scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, 7/15. Postings will go up throughout the Ministry tomorrow. I want a good turnout for the initial meeting. Let's give Wizarding London something to think about other than the bull shite we've just gone through. Draco. I'd like Hermione in on this. Please let her know. Now. If you gentlemen will excuse me, I have other pressing matters. I'll see you Tuesday if not before."
Draco and the CW rose to shake hands with Kingsley. Before they could get away Kingsley added one more thing. "Before the committee meeting is called to order on Tuesday. I will be presenting certain Ministry employees with the Order of Merlin, 3rd Class in a simple ceremony to be held in my office. I am not trying to undermine what they've done by making the ceremony private. I simply want to keep the two events separate. Thank you."
/*/
"That was interesting," remarked the CW giving Draco a wink. "I suggest you keep your head down Mr. Malfoy or you'll find yourself serving on the committee alongside your lovely wife. Have a good afternoon."
Draco hurried back to his office to check the afternoon schedule only to find he had been scheduled to sit a case at 1:30. He had hoped to get home early, but that would not be the case. With a sigh he headed to the lunch area to get a bit of food before the case was called.
/*/
Eva Frost was scheduled to go before the court on Friday. Anyone looking at the witch would be hard pressed to believe the pretty woman sitting in a chair waiting patiently for her visitors was the same witch who had almost blown up half of Devonshire.
Eva had already met with her solicitor who had given her hope that the court would be lenient due to extenuating circumstances. Eva knew she had done wrong. She simply hadn't known it back then. She was nervous to face the court, but knew she would have to face whatever was to come.
Eva was still in a bit of a fugue state when the Security Wizard called her name. "Miss Frost. You have visitors. You are allowed a maximum of one hour with your visitors. I'll alert you when time is up. Would you like me to provide a light snack?"
Eva smiled at the wizard. "Thank you Bailey," as she stood to receive her ex-husband and son. "Please show them in. A light snack would be lovely."
Kyle and JA came through the door and stood stiffly in place waiting to see how they would be received. Realizing what she had put her husband and son through, Eva was hesitant to approach either man. The three stood there waiting for someone to make the first move.
Finally Eva spoke. "Thank you for seeing me. I want to apologize for what I've put you both through. It was not my intention to hurt you. But I did. I can only hope you will forgive me now you know it wasn't by choice."
Kyle listened to Eva speak recognizing the witch who had infatuated him and whom he had married. His dick made stirrings he hadn't felt in some time. He wanted this witch who used to be his wife. So did his dick.
Kyle moved several steps closer to Eva before making any reply. "JA and I have learned a lot in the past month. We now realize you were not in your right mind when….when certain things happened. I loved you Eva. It was very hard watching you toss us aside to be with Nickles. It will take us a bit of time to reconcile then with now. But we'll try. I plan to be there tomorrow to show support….."
"For Merlin's sake dad. She smiles at you and you go all soft. She tossed you aside to shag another wizard. She tossed me aside because her wizard didn't want me. Lovely witch that one."
"Control yourself JA," snapped Kyle. "You're speaking to your mother."
JA rolled his eyes at his father and continued his tirade. "My mother? She's rubbish. I don't care if she goes to Azkaban for the rest of her life. All I want from her is the whereabouts of my real father. I'm grown now. John Nickles will not have the luxury of turning me away."
"Justin," Eva cried out. "I know I deserve your scorn, but your father does not. Do not do this."
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" screamed JA. "WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME ANYTHING?"
"ENOUGH!" Kyle answered in the same loud voice. "If you don't want to be here, leave. Your mother has apologized for something that wasn't her fault. I understand you are angry and confused. If you will not accept her apology, that is your right. But I will not stand here and let you scream at her. Leave. Now. We will discuss this later."
"I'll leave KYLE and I won't be coming back. I've had enough of both you and her. And for your information there's nothing to discuss. You want to cozy up to her and listen to her lies. Suit yourself. Just hope another wizard with a big dick doesn't cross her path because she'll be gone again and you'll end up with another child who isn't your own.
JA pounded on the door to get Bailey's attention. When Bailey opened the door, JA strode past the Security Wizard without so much as a glance.
"Is everything alright Miss Frost?" Are you in distress?"
"I'm fine Bailey," Eva answered wiping away the tears sliding down her face. "There was a difference of opinion between my son and myself. We're fine now."
"If you say so Miss," he replied giving Kyle a sidelong glance. "You have forty minutes left with your visitor. I'll be at the Security Desk. Ring if you need me."
Kyle flopped down into one of the visitor chairs and put his face in his hands.
Eva quietly across the room and bent down in front of her ex-husband. "Thank you for standing up for me. JA has a right to be angry. I left him. I left you. You've raised another wizard's child without ever being told he wasn't yours. If it wasn't for John Nickles, we probably would have had our own son or even a son and daughter. I'm so sorry I allowed myself to be duped. You were the perfect husband who deserved the love, respect and loyalty of a good witch. I'll understand if you don't turn up tomorrow."
Kyle removed his hands from his face to stare into Eva's eyes. "You sound like the Eva I fell in love with. The Eva who loved me."
Without warning, Eva leaned in and pressed her lips to his. Kyle didn't pull away. Instead he put his hands gently on her face deepening the kiss and moaning into her mouth.
The kiss had been spontaneous, but Eva's hand on his inner thigh was what she chose to do. She was moving her hand slowly down Kyle's thigh while he rested his head in the crook of her neck. For several minutes they remained that way. Then just as the tip of Eva's fingers reached the crease between Kyle's dick and thigh they heard the lock on the door turn. Eva sprang to her feet while Kyle adjusted his robes.
Bailey may or may not have seen their interaction. But all he said was that the visitors hour was over.
Kyle knew he was flushed, but stood when the Security Wizard made his announcement. It was awkward. The Security Wizard remained in the room until Kyle was at the doo. Kyle didn't have a chance to say anything else to Eva. But Eva had been quick to ask for a moment of privacy.
Bailey had nodded and stepped outside the door.
Eva walked over to Kyle. She didn't touch him, but she moved close enough for him to tell her that he could smell her.
Eva gazed into his eyes. "You remember that? Whenever I wanted sex you would say you could smell me. Those words always made me want you more."
Kyle smiled. "Of course I remember. I'll see you in court. I hope it all goes well."
"Depending on what happens I will either go directly to a holding cell or I will be returned here for further treatment. More than likely in a different area of this same floor. I'm hoping you will come back to see me."
Kyle turned away from the doorway so Bailey wouldn't hear his words. "I can smell you Eva as I'm sure you can smell me. I most certainly will be back. Have good evening. Get some rest."
Kyle walked on air as he headed to the lifts. Eva Ayres was back…and he could smell her.