If you read this yesterday, don't worry about re-reading. There are only a few spelling fixes.
HLN 22 Spring Has Been a Long Time Coming
"Report. And sit – I'm too tired to look up at you." Harry sipped his mug of tea as his elves came in.
Dobby stood, shaking his head. He would stand. "Things were much as last year. There were several attempts to open the cases, serious attempts, not just curiosity. None managed, and we has marked them in the Guest register. Multiple scrying and listening charms were scattered around, including on guests as they arrived. All went home on the caster. If they were not here, the spells peeled at the Floo and were attached to standard Return-to-Sender and stinky paint balls. A few Ladies arrived without their escorts, but stayed for the party anyhow. We made sure they had everything they liked and went home with nice treats and flowers. Nothing was stolen, though attempts were made to remove and shrink some of the artwork. We thought it best to give them illusions, and marked them in the Ward Book, too. We found the usual assortment of IOUs and mislaid clothing in odd places. All have been returned. The party things are cleaned and put in storage, but the elves is still cleaning the guest rooms. We have not found any left-behind magical traps, like the lightening bolt of last year, but we are checking."
"Mattie wants to know what to fix for dinner? Will Missy Weezy be staying?"
"Something light, but I think not fruit parfait. Grilled fish with couscous? NOT tuna, and no cream sauce!"
Mattie giggled. Master Harry's reaction to feeding the babies in the kitchen was still one of the funniest the elves had ever seen. Harry continued, "I have no idea what Ginny is doing tomorrow night, but I know she has practice early in the mornings. Her schedule is on my office calendar, and she has a game on Wednesday. Assume she is staying over, and prepare early breakfast tomorrow. After that, check with Daisy about meals. I will need to go to the office early, and I have Auxiliary class tomorrow night so I will eat with Ron."
Mattie offered, "Our fishmonger offered us an entire small White Shark, made into steaks. They are in the locker. They would grill nicely, and have no bones."
"That sounds very good! We will eat at 7, in the small formal dining room since Ginny enjoys dressing for dinner. Dobby, find me something formal to wear."
Upstairs, Ginny was awake. There was still no sign of Harry in her suite, not even day robes in his closet, though some of his formal wear was there. She placed tracking and listening charms on all she found. Then she pulled on pink sweats and fuzzy socks, and began doing her usual daily stretching routine on the mat in front of the windows. The trainers would never let her get away with being stiff. Most of the Harpies had been here last night, so they would all be gone over thoroughly tomorrow. The trainers knew how to deal with after-party soreness and would have them all in top shape by the next game. By six o'clock she was sweaty, with bits of hair in her eyes. She dropped the sweaty clothes and took another shower, scrubbing the last of the glitter and hairspray out. At 6:30 Daisy was ready with a rose pink satin dinner frock, and began brushing out her hair. Braided into a long whipped 'fish' braid, Ginny descended to dinner only a few minutes late. Harry was waiting at the bottom of the stair, in a plain dark blue robe. He offered her his elbow and escorted her to dinner.
The grilled shark was delicious. They had lemon sorbet for afters, in a small lounge with a crackling fire. Neither felt much like talking. They were tired, and had to get up early.
Finally, Ginny rose, so Harry did too. Manners. No Gentleman stayed seated while a woman was on her feet. "It's time to go to bed. You will be sleeping with me again. We have been separated long enough. It's time to go back to real life." She turned and headed for the door, expecting him to follow her instructions.
"No."
"What? I must have misheard you? Come along, Harry, it's time for bed! You are my husband, I am your wife. I expect to sleep with you."
"No. I said what I meant and I meant what I said. We are still separated. You are of course able to stay in your room as often as you like, with or without baby James. I do not sleep there. I have a busy week ahead. I will see you at the game on Wednesday."
Ginny was in absolute shock as she watched Harry go through the door and go down the hall without her! For the first time she realized Harry wasn't going to submit to her will, and wasn't ready to take her back. The parties, the weekly dates, the beautiful Ball, had meant to her that they were getting back to normal. What Mind Healer Jones had said about Harry had washed over her unheard, because it didn't fit what she wanted. Now it occurred to her that there might be a new normal, and what she wanted was not what she was going to get. She rushed to the doorway to call to him, but he was not there. She sank to the floor, and for the first time in many years she cried.
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Harry was at his Diagon office very early on Monday, almost before the Sun was up. The night Security guard opened the door for him, struggling to conceal his yawns. Harry waved on the lights and raised the heat. In his office, he started calling in the upper level staff he needed for an early meeting. He sent the first sleepy secretary to arrive down to the Leaky for the Buffet Breakfast he had ordered. That went on tables in the meeting room, and a second order of cookies, pastry, and plenty of tea went in the lobby. Sleepy, rumpled staff wandered through the Floo and into the meeting room. When the last had arrived, he told the secretaries and augmented Security staff to let the reporters into the lobby to warm up. He would take questions soon. He locked the meeting room door with strong locks behind him.
Harry passed around copies of the Prophet, with the front of the business section folded out. Few of the staff had read it yet, so there was a brief period to do so. Everyone helped themselves to tea and breakfast.
"There's no stuffing this one back in the stable now. The question is how much to tell them. We are NOT ready to show them a model, and we will never tell how they are made. That's under Contract, Family Magic. I don't want to drag the techs out. Facing the sharks is NOT in their Contract. Let's hear a few suggestions."
Hermione spoke up. "I have seen in mundane adverts vehicles displayed under sheets, imparting an air of mystery. Another method is to have a white screen with a bright light behind it, casting only a shadow. Either could be done with a set of sizes. Both are often used to build anticipation before a release."
More discussion, and someone sent for bright lights, sheets, a white screen, and a set of Phoenix brooms. While Hermione and her crew experimented, setting up a small stage that could not be exposed by magical methods (no scrying, no mage-sight, no one vanishing the props), Harry and his PR people prepared a Press message. Finally ready, they allowed the elves to give the room a quick cleaning, saving leftovers to the staffroom.
When the doors were opened, Harry was almost blinded by the flash of dozens of cameras. Some were aimed at him, but many were aimed behind him, hoping for a shot of the new broom. Those were disappointed. His staff filled the doorway behind him. Harry stepped forward to speak.
"I understand from an article in the Prophet that there is great interest in a new broom we are working on. Please understand that any company is going to have several projects at the same time, and not all will make it to the sales floor. The working name for the project we believe you are interested in is the "Phoenix". We have not decided if that will be the final name, if it gets to that point. Will someone point out to me the young man who broke the story from the boxes of paperwork at the Ministry? Come forward, please. I'll let you ask the questions to get things started."
A tall boy, gangling, red headed, very young and freckled, and wearing of all things a huge green bow tie, was shoved forward. "I'm Jack Larson, cub reporter for the Prophet. Someone had the idea of sending me to the Ministry with the assignment of reading all of the applications. F-first Q-question?
Is this going to be a new racing broom, in your popular Dragon line?"
Harry smiled. "Good question! The answer is 'No'. This one will be something rather unique, aimed at a particular niche market. We really like some of the features we are trying, and if popular they will probably be crossed to other styles in the future. Do you have a second question?"
By this time other reporters were slipping the nervous boy bits of paper. He looked at several, and asked, "How soon to you think you'll be ready?"
"Another good question! Maybe in another year? The time consuming part really isn't the broom, but the paperwork. The broom regulations were so far out of date that we have had to waste months doing what the Wizengamot should have done for itself. That is, go through all the regulation and petition to have useless regulations canceled. Many applied to only one brand of broom, and many of those are no longer made, but the regulations were still on the books. I thank our Associate, Hermione Granger, for applying her formidable skills to this. Do you want to try a third?"
Poor Jack was white as a sheet, but gulped and managed, "What type of wood have you chosen to work with?"
"Third good question! But, I'm afraid that is one I can't answer right now. Many types of wood are almost specific to certain types of broom, and we don't want to let that out. I can say it is a common wood, often used for wands. There are similar woods, and we are trying them all, to be sure we are working with the best type. We might offer several, to see what people like best.
Now gentlemen, you have been very patient, so we are going to give you, sort-of, a first look at a prototype model of the Phoenix. Have your cameras ready because you only get one shot apiece before we lock it back up in the R&D department. You may form a line and come to this doorway one at a time, but not cross the sill. Only employees can do that."
The staff stepped back and to both sides, opening the doors wide. The tables had been removed, except one forming the brightly lit improvised stage. Hovering just above that, a very pretty witch from the office was perched on the sheeted Phoenix, her knees up, feet on the handle, and hands crossed on her knees. The broom was clearly in the air, holding her steady without moving forward. The bright lights were behind her, above her, and a little bit on her. The broom was completely covered in a wrinkled, pleated white tablecloth, only a bit of dark shadow showing it was there. With some grumbling, the photos were taken.
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Hermione was having lunch with Aurora. They met at the Pasta Palace, a popular take-out spot on Possible Alley. They took the bags to Hermione's apartment to eat, and then went to Aurora's favorite travel shop.
"We'll start you out with an Ancient Greek Language memory potion, and a copy of Hesiod to help settle the language in your mind. I suggest you take it at bedtime on Friday night when you will have the whole weekend free. Stay home, read and use Hesiod for copy work, because you will find it difficult to speak English or any other language for a couple of days. I'll loan you some Histories and Mythology to help you learn the culture."
"These are actual memories? How does that work?"
"They are, and it works very like a Pensieve. You've seen those?" Hermione nodded, and Aurora continued, "The potion is like the fluid in the Pensieve, except it dissolves the memory straight into your mind instead of holding it. After it settles in, you know everything and can speak like a native. Old languages like this have been passed down this way for generations. It's a memory copy, so the person it came from can do it again and again. Some people do this as their living, learning and selling multiple languages. The shop keeps cases of the potions – they don't spoil - and makes a steady profit. The original speaker makes a fee for every copy sold. Some of these vials are mine. I consider it only fair to share to the future.
It's not a good idea to learn more than one at a time, or to try to learn them too close together. Travelers will learn the language for where they want to go before their vacations. Students will learn one so they can read a reference or resource in the original. Purebreds, usually Ravenclaw, usually start learning a language a year while they are still in school. Politicians learn them to deal with International affairs. Some people make rather a hobby of learning a new language every few months. "
"I heard during the Tri-Wizard that Barty Crouch, SR, could speak over 200! Was that really true?"
"Yes, it probably was true. He was quite useful in the Ministry, always getting called over to one Department or another to translate something. If the same person called him over for the same language too many times he was known for getting sarcastic about them being too lazy to learn.
Dumbledore also knew many languages, though I never knew just how many. He always seemed to know whatever he needed, like Mermish. When he died we found thousands of rare volumes on his shelves in many ancient languages. Madame Pince was quite put out. She had been looking for many of those for years! Most were willed to Hogwarts. Many others seemed to have been borrowed from friends, and never returned. I know dozens went back to the Potters, many to the Weasleys, and some to the Flamels. The Unspeakables confiscated some that had come from Grindlewald. When they were all finally sorted out, Aberforth received barely enough to fill a bedroom bookcase. Almost everything Albus 'owned' turned out to be borrowed."
"OK, Hesiod and I have a date for this next weekend. Friday is the Wizengamot session, and I can go home after that. I'll tell Ron I'll be too busy for chess. So, I tell Winky I will want meals and such all weekend, but may not be able to speak to her while the language settles in. She can take messages and I'll call anyone back on Monday. In fact, she can tell anyone who pesters that I have gone to Greece for the weekend!"
"That sounds good. Also tell her to contact me if you seem to be really in difficulties, or if you can't speak English by Sunday afternoon."
"I already added you to my Floo and Wards today, while we were there for lunch."
"Good. I'll send over the books I mentioned. Some are in my apartment, and some are in my office at Hogwarts, so it may take a few days. Meanwhile, I need to get back to Hogwarts. I have a Literature class this afternoon. I'll send you the reading list for that, as well."
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After a quick lunch at his desk (Dobby brought him some delicious garlic buttered angel hair with red sauce and mushrooms from the Pasta Palace) Harry checked his schedule for the rest of the week. It was going to be a busy one! Tonight was the Auxiliary meeting, knife training followed by a workout sparring with Draco and Theo. He had better see if he could get in to the Spa this afternoon between appointments and get that masseur to loosen him up! Tuesday morning was his actual class at the college, and his karate session with Ron at the Do Jo. His homework was already done, and he had read the books several chapters ahead. Since it wasn't his week to see Healer Jones, he had signed up to take his monthly ride-along with the Aurors. Wednesday morning was the WWW Board meeting, where he was sure to be heavily quizzed about the Phoenix. Wed afternoon was the Harpy game, in an indoor dome. The evening was his online bookkeeping class. He would take a computer along to the game in case the game ran late. His homework for that was also already done and turned in, but that class had a lot of homework every week. Thursday morning was still free, though he expected it to fill with appointments when the paper came out. Thursday afternoon, of course, was Teddy's time and dinner with the Tonks. They would go to the Cinema. He had heard there was to be a special showing of "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe". He made a note to add the books to his next book order. And finally Friday was going to be no fun at all, starting with the Wizengamot and finishing with taking Ginny out to dinner. He had better make a reservation today. He would be glad to get to Saturday so he could spend time with baby James and the flowers.
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Tuesday evening Ginny was supposed to be resting before the game, but she went to see Mind Healer Jones anyhow. She was upset.
"So, how was the Ball?" Was NOT a good opening question.
"You were there! The Ball was beautiful. The house party was fun! Every minute was fine. What wasn't fine was after everyone had gone home Sunday. In fact, everything was fine right up until bedtime! I hadn't seen Harry except at the Ball, and at dinner Sunday, but I wasn't surprised. He was visiting with all the company. He danced with me, but I think he also danced with every single female teacher. I went straight to bed Saturday morning, but he was already up and gone, not a sign of him in our bedroom. He was already downstairs greeting guests when I came down. Sunday morning after the Ball, he was talking to guests again when I went up and showered. I fell asleep quickly and never heard him come in. In the evening I dressed nicely for dinner in a rose satin gown. He was waiting for me, and escorted me nicely to dinner. We had afters in a small parlor, just us, and we were both tired and didn't talk much.
Finally, I got up and told him it was time for bed, that I had an early practice. I thought we were going to go back to normal life! He's my husband, and he's healthy now! He ought to be in my bed! But he said 'no', that we are still separated. He walked away! When I realized what he said, I ran after him but he was gone. I haven't seen him since. He said he would be at tomorrow's game, but it's unlikely I will see him there unless I happen to fly past his box during warm-ups."
"That sounds much as I expected, really. He feels strongly that Potters ought to be sociable; that he should be holding Balls and going to parties even though he personally does not like crowds. I gave him a calming draft to relax when he went to bed Sunday morning, so he could get a few hours of sleep. He also had one for Sunday night. As to where he's been – have you looked at the Prophet?"
"I looked at those nice pictures of Friday's game in Sunday's paper. It was in my room when I woke up. No, I haven't seen it since. We've done nothing but drill for two days, starting early and going late. I came straight here from practice. The trainers ordered us to go home, eat well, take long hot baths, and sleep late in the morning. We're to be at the Dome by 10 and the game against the Magpies starts at one. Just enough time to eat and warm up. Actually, I need to be there by 8 because Seekers have to do their own calculations for the game. I'm usually a Chaser, but I back the Seeker so she can take breaks. That's how I was in the right place on Friday!"
Jones nodded. "You did miss it. Harry had to be at work very early on Monday because a reporter broke a story on his company, on a new broom they are developing. He's probably been there all week. Here's the picture and Press Conference in last night's paper."
Ginny took the folded paper and opened it. "No it isn't. The front page is about the weather being so frightful. The mundanes seem to be having a lot of trouble with it."
"Wrong section. Turn to the Business Section. It will be front-page news soon enough."
She opened the paper, and soon found the section. Front and center was the pretty witch perched on the shrouded broom. Below it was a smaller picture of Harry talking, clearly in the lobby of his building. She skimmed the lines before looking up. "Not a racing broom, but intended for a niche market? He does know how to make them want it, doesn't he? That explains why Hermione is here in his Wizengamot office instead of running that factory in Australia."
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Harry had been right about the WWW meeting. They had barely served the tea when George turned to him and said, "Spill it."
"Everyone has projects being developed. Dragon Brooms has been working on this one for 18 months or so. We hired new techs. Hermione is here to deal with the paperwork, which has been worse than you can believe! You know her – she loves to get into projects! I'm hopeful this new broom will be ready in the Summer. I'll tell you more about it then!"
"Is this going to be anything we will want?"
"Actually, yes, I think your wives will want it." And Harry refused to say any more about it. "Bill, I have a question for you. I've been thinking about my Wards at home. I think I've spotted a flaw."
"Really? You know Gringotts developed most of yours, right? You've added a few, we've all tweaked them. What do you think we need to add? I'll take it to work and kick it around."
"Twice, three times, in my life I've lived under wards that are or were supposed to be unbreakable. First was the Fidelus, unbroken but opened by a traitor. Second were the useless Blood Wards Dumbledore put around my Privet Drive neighborhood, which may have protected from DE but were no good against dangerous muggles inside. Third is my own home now, best wards money can buy, many designed by ME. Problem with all three is the same – none of them protect anyone inside from anyone else inside. Think abut Hogwarts, where they did keep telling us 'no magic in the halls', but no one listened and plenty of bullying and attacks happened anyhow. So, what can we come up with to stop internal dangers?" Harry and Bill talked quietly while the others dealt with the WWW plans for a new outlet store.
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Expected Publish date Nov 5, 2020. Next chapter should be Nov 19.
