Moving Forward ch23
Lavender Brown was frustrated with her boyfriend nearly two years. She had, after a string of guys landed firmly in the friend zone, realized she was in love with Harry Potter. From then on whenever she had a few days off, she'd portkey to Australia to spend time with him.
Right now they were making out quite heavily on the couch in his new house.
"Harry! You've got me so hot I'm dripping into my shoes. It's time you pulled your finger out and ask me the question you've been dancing around since you started carrying that ring box with you, So I can just fuck you already!"
The poor bloke looked like a deer caught in the headlights as he pulled his hand from inside her pants, literally pulling his finger out. He stood up straight, fished the box from his pocket and knelt down before her.
"Lavender, I love you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife."
"Yes!" She said trying not to cry. She held out her hand so he could place the ring on her finger. Once it was in place, she kissed him passionately then took his hand and started dragging him to the bedroom.
000
Margaret Henderson of number seven privet drive hadn't known Arabella Figg very well. Truth be told she hadn't known the crazy cat lady's first name until today. She doubted that more than a very few in this crowd did.
She was outside smoking with Mrs. Number twelve and Mr. Number eight. When the slick black Maybach rolled slowly through the church parking lot. She and the others watched as the elderly driver opened the door for an attractive young blonde woman and a young dark haired man both dressed in very expensive designer clothes. Maybe the old cat lady had some wealthy family.
As the couple approached the church, Margaret saw the young woman's hand bag and recognized the brand. That purse cost more than her husband's car! This was a couple she had to meet.
She approached them holding out her hand to shake.
"Hello, I'm Margaret Henderson was Mrs. Figg a relative of yours?" She asked sweetly.
The blonde shook her hand. As she did Margaret noticed the two carat diamond on her finger. "Lavender Brown. No she used to babysit my fiancee Harry." The woman said patting the man's arm.
She took a closer look at the young man. He looked familiar. As he reached out to shake her hand she noticed his diamond encrusted watch and saw the words 'Patek Philippe' written on the face. His watch was worth more than her house. "Harry Potter" he said shaking her hand.
"Little Harry Potter? Petunia's nephew? Where did you two meet?" She asked.
"Oh, Harry and I both attended The Argyle School for gifted children." The blonde said casually.
"If you'll excuse me I think I just saw my cousin. Lavender if you want to stay and chat I don't mind." Harry said before entering the church.
"Mrs. Figg's death hit him hard. Her house was his only real refuge from his abusive relatives. I still can't believe they only got eight months in prison." Lavender said quietly.
"Prison?" She squeaked.
"Yeah, he found the courage to tell someone just before he turned seventeen. Where did they say they disappeared to for ten months?"
"They said they went on a cruise."
"How on earth did they think anyone would believe they, could afford that? He's just a drill salesman." Lavender scoffed. "Well if you'll excuse me, but Harry is going to need me."
"No problem dear."
000
Harry strode in George's shop with a smile on his face. He'd just had a meeting with Gringotts. The hotel he had commissioned beside the amusement park would be ready for the start of summer. That should help increase attendance.
"George how's it going? How was the second store opening? Sorry, I couldn't make it. I had a funeral that day and just didn't feel up to it after."
"I'm good. The new store is thriving, you picked a good location." George said from behind the counter.
"So, I finally popped the question. Would you like to be a groomsmen? Mitchell agreed to be my best man."
George's smile got bigger. "Congratulations Harry! I'd be honored."
"We still haven't set a date but it will be at the little chapel in Godrics Hollow." Harry said a little sadly.
"Um Harry have you talked to Ron at all?" George said cautiously.
"No, why?"
"He's been talking a lot of trash. He's been talking about challenging you to a duel. I think he might be serious."
"Well, I'll refuse. He might be an arsehole now but I owe him enough not to hurt him."
"Harry, he's talking about killing you." George said very seriously.
"George, what do you want me to do? I don't want to have to hurt him. Has he even dueled since the war?"
"Except for drunken bar fights no. If he challenges you though, take it seriously. Try not to kill him but don't let him kill you. You're as much my little brother as he is."
Harry smiled at that. "Thanks George. I promise to take him serious."
"Good, now want to see the new products?"
000
"Potter, how are your numbers so much higher than ours?"
Harry looked at the other team owners, who looked at him anticipating his answer.
"Promotions." Harry said simply.
"Please explain more Harry." Dennis Creavey said before the meeting exploded into shouts.
"Okay, we have family night. If they buy two adult tickets children under fourteen can see the game for free. Last weekend we gave away plushy beaters bats, snitches and quaffles to every kid attending the game, some girlfriends too. We've been giving away free tickets on the wireless. And Gringotts bought a block of tickets to give away to new vault holders." Harry explained.
"Well giving away free tickets and stuff explains your attendance but your profits are two and three times higher than ours."
"Well you see, kids may get in free but then they want hot dog, cotton candy, butterbeer, sodas and souvenirs. Now that free ticket just cost the parent five or six galleons. The plushies, when you buy the ten thousand at a time cost four knuts each. On a ten sickle children's ticket it's an easy cost to swallow. The plushy keeps the kids quiet so the parents can enjoy the game and because the kids are quiet dad can have a beer. Then because the kids were so good during the game they can pick out a souvenir from the shop. That four knut plushy just earned me six or eight Galleons." Harry explained to the now silent room.
"How were you not a Slytherin?" Dennis asked breaking the silence.
000
A/N: Someone pointed out a mistake I made on chapter 12. Good catch. This is how I post. Think up an Idea, write it down, save, post, think up the next chapter. No proof reading. I'm the type that if I go back to read it, I'll nitpick and edit over and over and the story will never get posted.