Some Last Minute Souvenir Shopping
The following morning, a vibrating ring was the only sound pouring through the pitch black Room 7, which awoke Sirius Black with a jerk.
"Bloody hell!" he murmured.
Harry, meanwhile, leaned up and put his glasses back on, tracing the sound to the black landline phone on the nearby desk.
Recalling the other day, he picked up the receiver, but was more surprised at the voice on the other end.
"Are you awake, Harry?" came the voice of Lex. "Grandpa says we're going to breakfast soon."
"Yeah," Harry yawned. "I'll be along in a few minutes. Come a'knocking when you're ready?"
"Sure," Lex confirmed. "I'll see you in a few minutes."
"You too," Harry replied.
He hung up the phone, narrowly avoiding Sirius's wolf whistling as he took his duffel back into the bathroom. He didn't worry about his wand after pulling out his toothbrush, light brown shorts and black guitar t shirt.
After changing and brushing his teeth, Harry placed his pajamas and clothes from the previous evening into the plastic bag. He then stuffed it into the duffel with the zipper case, toothpaste, and toothbrush, again wrapped in toilet paper.
Leaving the bathroom, Harry noticed Sirius was just barely out of bed as he heard a knock upon the door.
Snatching his key, he ran to open the door, finding Lex wearing a tight fitting green top with a sunflower pattern, a fresh pair of jeans, and her boots, cleaned off like Harry's trainers, with a pair of magenta butterfly clips in her hair.
"Morning," he drawled with a dopey grin.
"Good morning," she replied. "You're ready?"
"Yeah," Harry replied.
"Hey, have a look a me?" Sirius barked. "Does this look ready to you?"
Harry and Lex glanced back at Sirius, who tried to cover himself up, although his black and white pinstriped pajamas were sticking out.
"Two against one," Harry smirked over Lex's giggling.
The children ducked out the door, racing back through the hotel, into the lobby, where the Grangers conversed on a sofa bench with Grant, Sattler, and Malcolm, who comfortably rested both feet on the floor.
Tim was also listening in, standing perfectly on his own two legs with a clean face and hair no longer sticking up.
"Good morning everyone," Harry greeted.
"Good morning!" Hermione squealed.
She stood up to take Harry by the hand, but felt Tim shove her aside with a larger grin.
"Look at me!" Tim exclaimed. "They put this stuff in my leg and it got rid of my limp and…"
He was interrupted by Malcolm clearing his throat, presenting him with a deadpan stare before standing up and walking over with relative ease.
"Let me guess?" Harry requested.
"No need," Malcolm denied, standing up perfectly. "Some people are looking better this morning, right?"
"Does that apply to unflattering stuff, Ian?" Sattler questioned.
"Are you sure you're asking the right guy, there?" Interrupted the voice of Sirius.
The group looked up to notice Sirius entering the room, his clothes switched to a white t shirt, black vest, tight fitting black jeans with a silver Cerberus head belt buckle, and pointed black boots.
"You're late for the family breakfast, as per usual," Harry teased. "If you weren't, we could have found out what you kept under those pajamas…"
Most of the group began howling with laughter, except the Grangers, who eyed their daughter to detect any disapproval. Yet even Hermione couldn't restrain herself for very long.
"Cheeky little bugger," Sirius snickered. "You really are your dad's son, you know."
While Dr. Grant got his last laughs, he gestured towards Phipps, Fobbs, and Hammond, who'd just finished speaking with the Maître D' off to the right.
"We've discussed a last minute addition to our breakfast reservation," Hammond explained.
"For whom?" Grant requested.
The Maître D' stepped aside to reveal Dumbledore, McGonagall, Mr. Weasley, Lupin, and Tonks entering the lobby from the outdoor restaurant area. Like Dumbledore, McGonagall and Mr. Weasley had switched to something more presentable in the Muggle world.
In her case, it was the tartan shirt over a white t shirt, for him, it was the straw fedora and green Hawaiian shirt with white palm leaves.
"I believe Professor Dumbledore said we have some unfinished affairs to attend to?" McGonagall reminded them.
While the other adults rolled their eyes and groaned, Harry was developing a few assumptions himself.
Phipps, Fobbs, and Hammond led the group to the outdoor seating area where the same three tables were pushed together, with another three set up forming an "L" shape.
Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Mr. Weasley took up the first table, Lupin, Tonks, and Sirius gathered at the second. Harry, Hermione, and the Murphy children took up the third, with the Granger parents, Hammond, Phipps, and Fobbs at the fourth. The last table was occupied by Grant, Sattler, and Malcolm, who eyed the remaining witches and wizards at an angle.
They noticed Dumbledore double taking before rising from his table, back to the doorway. He clapped his hands, creating a vibrating bubble which engulfed and absorbed into the doorway.
"Professor, exactly what was that?" Harry requested.
"That was a Muffliato charm I have placed upon these doors, Harry," Dumbledore explained, returning to his seat. "Another security measure, when you realize what it does…"
"If I may Professor," Hermione interrupted. "It's going to keep anyone on the other side of the doorway from hearing what we're about to discuss?"
"Precisely, Miss Granger," Dumbledore complimented. "It will only fill the ears of anyone who steps within a metre of it. But we have filled unquestionably this whole restaurant, so we may only expect anyone's entry from over there, perhaps?"
He gestured to a black door at the back end of the dining area, disturbingly with another viewing window. Harry sighed in relief, as he'd recalled both Juanita's entrances during his stay.
"Now then," Dumbledore continued, "I believe Professor McGonagall may remind us where we left off?"
"Before that, Professor," Harry interrupted. "Where are the others that came with you?"
"They have returned to Britain, all safely, Harry," Dumbledore explained. "No doubt thanks to this…"
From under his seat, Dumbledore removed the dustbin lid with the yellow bungie cord still attached to the dented handle.
"We managed to turn this into a portkey," Dumbledore explained. "One of our more unusual means of transport, it brought us here to San Jose, at whence we continued our search by air. I suspect that answers your next question, Harry?"
"Yes," Harry replied after a stumped beat.
He shoved the dustbin lid back under the table as Dumbledore launched into a much more detailed explanation of how the search went, compared to the night before.
The other witches and wizards there made sure to add their input, all directing their attention to Harry, who directed their attention to Hammond, whose head was up when McGonagall contributed her latest bit of detail.
Harry directed Hammond to the heads of scientists turning toward him. A paler pink-faced Hammond held out his hand to Malcolm's mouth before he could even open it.
"That other island you came upon would be my Site B of this whole project," he explained hesitantly. "I leased that one as well, so my company's cloning might be brought out on a grander scale, if you will. We had a team of nurses prepare them before coming to the main island."
He missed the stares of disbelief from Grant, Sattler, and Malcolm, even as they sat at the next table over, yet it didn't take much to shift his focus.
"Uh huh," Malcolm muttered. "I'm guessing Dr. Wu's contributions had nothing to do with it."
"The ones they were doing now would have come to the park after opening," Hammond continued. "Though too late now, it's all as much at stake as everything you've built, as well as my public image..."
A wash of grief spread over Harry's face watching Hammond lower his head, while Dumbledore leaned back in his seat. He'd already learned, even before starting Hogwarts, that one person's happiness often comes at the expense of another's.
Before he could say anything, a liquid ripple filled the air as the one Dumbledore created was released from the doorway, back into his hands.
The only sound that filled the air afterward was a slight clinking coming from behind. Leaning over the edge of the gathering, Harry twirled his finger behind Dumbledore to reveal a platter on a stand, carrying a pitcher of orange juice and a pot of coffee.
Once Dumbledore turned around for a peek, he reached over for the coffee pot, only to find Hammond had already come to claim it.
"Well, that's enough of that," Hammond exhaled. "Who wants a cup of joe?"
While Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Mr. Weasley each held out a glass, Harry still leaned over as Lex jabbed her finger toward the pitcher of orange juice.
"Shall I be mother, then?" He offered.
"I'd have expected Ron to say that," Hermione replied.
"Who?" Lex requested.
As Harry slipped from his chair, Hermione began explaining the life and identity of their friend, Ron Weasley, with the length and articulation only she could provide. When he returned with the pitcher, he noticed Hermione was leaving out a vital piece of information, no doubt concentrated on even the most menial details.
"He was the first friend we ever had," Harry added. "He was there for me during the summer when my family wasn't."
Ignoring Tim stretching over an irritated Hermione with his glass, Harry poured juice into Lex's glass.
"Thanks," she whispered.
"No problem," Harry replied.
He noticed Hermione pull away in a huff before squeezing past Tim, pouring into her glass, which brought a smile back to her face. After pouring some for Tim, he heard a throat clearing at the next table over.
"Don't mind us there, Harry," Paul teased. "We can go two more days without a drop, can't we?"
Harry laughed through his nose before his juice even touched his lips. As he handed the pitcher to Paul, the back door swung open as Juanita entered, balancing two steaming platters.
She was followed by another waitress with curly dark brown hair, rounder in the face, with a nametag reading Carmen.
She set down another couple of warm platters, each with several plates containing the same breakfast of eggs, Gallo pinto, and plantains.
Harry missed the winks from both of them, instead noticing Lex's frown when she found eggs on her plate. She picked at them with her fork until she saw Harry holding out his plate.
"Can I take those off your hands?" he offered.
"Thanks," she agreed.
Lex scooped the eggs from her plate to his before helping herself to some Gallo pinto. It didn't take long for either of them to finish eating, but Harry patiently eyed Phipps and Fobbs until they'd completed their meals.
He cleared his throat, causing Phipps and Fobbs to upturn their heads.
"If you're done, would you mind if I talked with you both for a minute?" Harry requested. "Over there?"
He gestured towards the doorway, to which Phipps and Fobbs shrugged at each other before getting up and following him in.
"I've had some thoughts about getting in some last minute shopping," Harry explained. "If you'll spot me a little…"
He leaned into their ears, whispering his plan before secreting the raptor teeth from his pocket, drawing his hand to his face as he noticed Hermione, Lex, Tim, and Sirius staring at them.
"There's a little shopfront down the road," Harry explained. "Maybe they can make something of these without taking too long."
"Care to show us the way?" Phipps requested.
"Sure," Harry replied.
He led them back into the hotel as Fobbs gestured to the other three kids who were coming their way. Fortunately, he was fast enough to get them out the door before Hermione and the Murphy kids could see where they'd gone.
He took them in the same direction they'd gone clothes shopping, arriving at the Souvenir Necklaces sign. Underneath was a series of racks on the left wall, with tiny bits of shells strung together into necklaces hanging from each.
Over on the right wall were more racks, from which hung pointed, teeth-like talismans in varying sizes, each strung to a thin loop of elastic.
At the back of the shop, a black curtain was pushed off to the right, covering a wooden workbench topped with different drill heads. Plugged into the wall was a drill operated by a chisel-faced man with a curly black mustache and hair, wearing a sleeveless grey t shirt and black cycling shorts.
On a stand in front was a chrome bell, which Harry pressed rather hard, as Phipps and Fobbs covered their ears from the drilling.
After a few more dings, the bell was jerked out of Harry's hand by the shopkeeper waiting before him.
"Buenos Días," he greeted. "How can I help you?"
Harry presented his raptor teeth, which the shopkeeper zeroed in on with excitement, ready to snatch them from his hand.
"Can I get two necklaces, please?" Harry requested.
"No problema," the shopkeeper replied, grabbing the teeth. "Una momenta, poor favor…"
He ushered Harry outside, who didn't look irritated as Phipps and Fobbs crowded around him, leaning against the wall.
"There was no trouble understanding any of that, Harry?" Phipps queried.
"None whatsoever," Harry replied, presenting them with an expression that stated the obvious.
"Good man," Fobbs replied, patting him on the shoulder.
Thankfully, only two more rounds of drilling were heard, with some high pitched whirring before the shopkeeper returned with a teal blue plastic bag.
Opening it, Harry found both teeth, each with a loop of black elastic strung through and a tiny clasp at the end. Most impressive to him were the holes in each tooth smoothened out, no doubt to prevent any withering.
Harry removed one necklace and, with help from his thumbnail, clasped it around him while Phipps and Fobbs stepped into the shop. They handed something to the shopkeeper, exiting in time for Harry to offer his thanks before crossing back up the street.
"How much did it cost?" Harry asked.
"Apparently not very much," Fobbs replied.
"Probably since we provided the key piece of the necklace," Phipps added.
Returning to the hotel, it was no surprise that they found Hermione, Sirius and the Murphy children waiting on the top step.
Sirius and Tim shared a look of pride at Harry's reward, Lex drew her hand to her chin, while Hermione presented him with her usual attitude, realizing what was around his neck.
"Is that where you've been?" she requested. "How can you resort to something so cruel?!"
"Was it crueler that we got away from those raptors alive?" Harry countered.
As Harry, Phipps, and Fobbs re-entered the hotel, Hermione dropped her hands to her sides before Sirius reared her in, while Tim dragged his sister after.
In the lobby, Hermione was released as Sirius and Tim crowded Harry's behind, slightly blocking Lex's view. Phipps and Fobbs' hands remained firmly upon Harry's shoulders as they led him towards the front desk, where Hammond was waiting.
"Right on time," he began. "I've got a jet standing by at the airport. They'll be taking us to New York in a couple hours."
Hermione, at Lex's left, opened her mouth again, her perspective also hindered until something squeezed her shoulders, tracing a pair of familiar hands up to her parents' faces.
"Time to start packing, darling," Jane whispered.
Hermione sighed as her parents removed her from the crowd, who'd already started back down the corridor. When they reached the bedrooms, Harry felt the grasp on his shoulders removed as Sirius swatted Phipps and Fobbs' hands away.
"Let's get ready," Sirius instructed.
"You go on," Harry suggested. "I'm already packed."
He reached into his pocket and handed Sirius the key before knocking on the door to Room 9.
"A minute!" called Tim's voice on the other side.
When the door opened, Harry noticed Tim was busy balling up his own pile of dirty clothes.
"Do you mind if I came in for while?" he requested.
"Sure," Tim agreed.
He dropped his bundle of laundry when he noticed the blue bag in Harry's hand. But Harry was on his knees, picking up all of Tim's clothes, carrying them to the closed bathroom door.
"Lex is in there," Tim chuckled. "She'll call you when she gets out."
The bathroom door creaked open as Lex stuck her head out, clutching two vinyl zipper pouches, one in lime green, the other with black and white checks.
"I bet you wish she had toothpaste on her…" Tim added before Harry covered his mouth.
"What Tim's trying to say is that he needs a bag for all this rubbish," Harry interjected. "And I happen to know where to find one, if you'll let me."
He gestured to the bathroom door, which Lex opened for him to retrieve another plastic hotel bag from the towel rack, dropping the clothes in.
"Here," he offered. "Go pack them up,"
Tim only begrudgingly took the bag, but Harry ignored him as Lex followed him into the bathroom, where he drew the other tooth necklace from his blue bag.
"I thought of it as a little present for two, maybe," Harry explained.
Tim's eyes lit up as he reached for the necklace, but Harry missed him as he opened the clasp with his thumbnail, stretching it towards Lex, who looked like she was ready to blanche.
"Why me?" she whispered.
"I knocked that thing in the head for you, didn't I?" Harry reasoned.
He strung the necklace around Lex, who presented him with a sweet smile until they were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Well well well," teased Sirius. "Already gotten to the PDA, it looks like."
Harry and Lex jumped as they discovered Sirius leaning in the bedroom doorway with Harry's duffel slung over his shoulder. A slightly put off-looking Tim leaned against the other wall, carrying his Jansport bag.
"Let's go," Sirius requested. "There's a flight waiting and plenty of free love where we're going."
He tossed the duffel to Harry, who offered Lex an awkward smile before she threw Tim his checkered pouch. She then ran back to her bed, grabbing her paisley rucksack, dropping her pouch in the front pocket.
Grabbing Harry's hand in her right and Tim's in her left, Lex pulled the boys out the door, where Sirius motioned for them to follow him down the corridor.
Sweeping past Room 5, the Grangers had just exited as Hermione pulled her parents along after them.
Back in the lobby, they found Grant, Sattler, and Malcolm gathered at the hotel doors with Hammond as at the concierge, Phipps and Fobbs noticed their arrival, holding out their hands.
"There you are," Phipps greeted.
"Keys, please," Fobbs added.
Sirius, Lex, and Paul handed over their respective keys but Harry darted his head about, beginning to recall the others who'd dined with them that morning. He only needed Phipps and Fobbs to usher him and the group outside, where Dumbledore awaited with McGonagall, Lupin, Tonks, and Mr. Weasley.
Yet Harry's concern detracted as he spotted Hagrid in his moleskin coated glory, looming over them, waving.
"Din't think I'd leave yeh yet, did yeh?" he bellowed. "I 'ad 'o pick up a few more things furst."
He reached his hand into his pocket before opening it to reveal Harry's trunk shrunk down to about the size of a half pound coin.
"It's shrunk and all packed, with ev'rythin from yer ol' room," Hagrid explained. "Din't wanna ferget yer Nimbus, or yer books, or yer dad's cloak, an' 'specially not this…"
He reached into his coat and removed a large, round-topped cage containing a snowy owl, hooting with delight.
"Hedwig!" Harry cried.
As Harry grabbed Hedwig's cage and his trunk, Hagrid motioned toward Sirius, reaching into his coat again. This time, he revealed a tiny motorcycle with a sidecar, about the size of a Matchbox one, resting in his palm.
Sirius silently cried with joy as he seized back his beloved motorbike, regaining his composure once he twisted his head over his shoulder.
Hagrid too cleared his throat when he noticed the others' stares of curiosity.
"If yer alright, I'll let yeh say yer goodbyes," he offered.
"I'll see you at Hogwarts, Hagrid," Harry promised.
He threw his arms around the half giant, who returned the affection before allowing him and Sirius to offer goodbyes to their Professors.
"Tell Ron I'll be back in September?" Harry requested, stopping at Mr. Weasley.
"I will," Arthur replied.
"Don't leave me out of your heart this time, Moony?" Sirius teased.
"No need," Lupin assured him. "Dumbledore did a little talking with Mr. Hammond and recommended we join you… mainly for Harry's sake."
"Not a bad idea," Sirius remarked. "There'll be plenty more snogging that way, won't there?"
He flashed a cheeky grin at Tonks, who swatted the top of his hair before putting on a pair of doe eyes at Remus.
"I think that's everything," Harry acknowledged to Dumbledore. "Thank you, Professor."
"Good luck, Harry," Dumbledore replied.
"He pulled out the dustbin lid, offering the bungee cord to Hagrid to grab as they, McGonagall, and Mr. Weasley were swept out of sight. Harry and the others ducked, missing Phipps and Fobbs, as a couple of Rolls Royce Silver Spurs pulled up the block.