HLN CH 31 What Else Can Happen? A Lot!

Easter/ Ostara Break at Hogwarts

Minerva met George at the front gates. They walked in the great front doors, past the Hall, and began going up the wide central staircase. The building was almost empty. The few students still here were outside playing on the newest obstacle course or walking around the Loch to the picnic glade. "He's been here several times since I first called you. The Baron says he has been here on the 25th of each month, though I haven't seen him every time. When I do see him he always asks for you, saying he has something to tell you if he can just remember what it is. He also isn't able to leave the stairs, so I thought we could try to meet him there. He doesn't seem to know he's dead, which is normal."

George didn't speak. This was very hard for him. He still felt as though he was missing half his body. He had not told Angelina, knowing it would be equally hard for her.

The Baron, with his half-dozen ghost children, met them on the third landing. "He's there, and seems to be getting stronger as you get closer."

Fred was sitting near the top, rubble around him. Helena, Nick, and a few more ghost children who knew them were on the landing above. Fred stood as they approached. "George, where have you been?" Without warning he leaped at them with his arms wide. "Get back! Look out!"

George and Minerva, startled, stepped back by reflex, stumbling because they were on the stair, even though Fred was insubstantial. Behind him the stair exploded for real! Ghostly rubble became real, ricocheting off the other stairs and railings, tumbling down the stairs with a rattle.

Fred peeled himself off his brother, who was crumpled against the wall. "That was what I needed to tell you! The spell that hit me had a second part. It was keyed to hit both of us. It's been lingering here in the stone, waiting for you. Now I am free." However, he showed no sign of leaving as George got up and shook himself off.

"Can you stay and visit a while? It seems very hard to lose you again."

"Apparently." Fred was patting himself over. "I seem to still be here." The brothers sat side-by-side, ignoring everyone else, and began to catch up. Eventually they got up and walked together down the stairs and out. Fred went back to the shop, too.

Minerva collected the rubble, now real, so no one would fall, and conjured yellow safety tape. She'd have to get a cursebreaker to check the stairs, and the whole castle, to be sure there weren't more delayed curses before she dared fix the stair again.

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Harry's publicists began slipping the rumors out right after the Easter Break. Dragon was coming out with a completely new broom, something very different. Soon they let slip that it wasn't just one broom, but a whole new line. Various secretaries and gossipy sales crew were plied with goodies and coaxed to tell what they knew. One airhead said she had seen it and it was purple! A technician said he had ridden one being used to test heavy loads, similar to mundane trucks. Another in the bar scoffed and said the first was a known liar, that the new brooms were toys for children. They were flashy, but would never be as popular as the well-known sports brooms.

Any of the Dragon staff who were quoted in the papers got bonuses at work, because these were all deliberate leaks. Even the airhead had been coached before she went to the bar with her friends.

It worked well. The old pictures of the pretty girl sitting on the draped broom were resurrected – and someone noticed the girl was the airhead! This raised her credibility! (And her bonus.)

By May interest was raging in the papers. Was it really a completely new broom? Why was it purple? How much was it going to cost, and who was going to buy it? It was time for the official Press Release, followed by a presentation.

Harry, Hermione, and the Board set up carefully. This presentation was going to be out-of-doors, in Diagon Alley right in front of the offices. A stand was erected for the speakers, and rising bleachers set up across the road for the Press.

Harry stood up, walked to the front, and began to speak using a directed sonorus. There was no point in deafening the entire alley. "Welcome! I know you all have questions. We have prepared packets for all of you with the specs and some pictures of the new Phoenix Broom. These will be available as sales brochures in all of our offices after we are done here.

Yes, we do believe this is a completely new broom. While we were developing it I made frequent jokes that we ought to call it a rake. It looks different. The shaft is thicker, braided, and very comfortable. The tail is suitable for carrying packages, even heavy ones, or small children. Once placed, they cannot fall off and do not affect the balance or handling.

It flies differently. You won't believe how it feels until you take a few laps, preferably on a blustery day. It doesn't fight the wind. It rides it, moves with it, flows with the air, yet is steady and smooth.

There are several models available at this time, and we may add more. Each model comes in several colors. Each has one deliberate variation, and several options can be added to any. If you want something special we can talk about it. We can personalize them with name plates or trims, or you can do it yourself.

We have a different illusion on them. Our popular sports brooms have beautiful dragon illusions. These are mundane bicycles, ordinary and deliberately forgettable. They have headlamps, and carrier baskets. Your wife can ride it to the store, leaving it parked in the public rack, and no one will notice. Your children can ride theirs to school, or the park.

Enough of this. We have prepared a small parade!"

A small band started up, and brooms began to issue from the doors behind the podium. First came the entire Dragon Sport line, fully displaying their illusions. They filled the entire street with a wheeling display. They pulled up in a neat row, high in the air. For once, no one would notice when they left.

Around the end of the bleachers came a line of bicycles three meters in the air, wheels spinning on nothing. The first was a glittering purple, being ridden by the secretary with a smirk! The second seemed a bit chunkier, was red, and was ridden by two quite chubby janitors in tandem. The third was blue, carrying a woman, two small children in pannier seats, and had a stack of shopping bags in the baskets and dangling from hooks at the rear. The next was green, looked more like a pedal cart, and had four seats! It was followed by a small brown pedal truck with two front seats, the wide box in back stacked with lumber, bricks, and bags of garden soil. These circled beneath the racing brooms, forming a second line. This was the first look the Press had gotten at the real Phoenix brooms, and cameras were flashing!

The parade wasn't over. From beneath the other end of the bleachers came helmeted children, riding school size bikes, stunt bikes, trikes, scooters and wagons in all colors, most with flags or bells. All of the illusions were canceled after they formed a line at ground level, but not before a professional photographer quickly snapped a full width shot for a company poster. The adult Phoenixes landed in a second row across from the children, and the Press was released from the bleachers. Aides standing at the bottom of the stairs held out stacks of the fliers as the Press surged down for a closer look.

These brooms, as mentioned before, looked different. The wax of the shafts shimmered with hints of the color of the illusion, highlighting the braids and enhanced by using only flower petals of the matching color. Men headed for the cart and truck, unique – they had never seen anything like these! Young women headed for the secretary and her stylish purple broom, discovering half a dozen more in all colors had joined her. Women with children examined the child seats, discovering they came with the same safety charm used on childrens brooms and optional on adult brooms. Before long the air above the street was full of people trying out the ride and handling characteristics.

The advertised specs showed that these were slower than the racing brooms, but speedy enough for everyday use. They were sturdy, stable, easy to ride even in rough air. The extremely generous weight allowances, especially in the 'truck' versions, suggested all kinds of uses! The seats were wide, well cushioned, and the thickly braided shaft turned out to be very easy to hold. Headlights were not a new idea, but these were the first incorporated right into the shafts instead of clipped on. Some people knew about the similar brooms Hedge witches used, but these were superior in every way.

Finally the Press examining the fliers discovered the price guides in the back. They expected these would be in line with the prices of the other Dragon brooms. They weren't. These brooms were shockingly – cheap! Almost anyone would be able to afford any model. The childrens toys were close to the prices of the mundane toys they were masquerading as! Photographers were rushing their photos to their editors while the writers were calling in stories to secretaries back at the papers.

Harry, his staff including the Jones technicians, and his own publicity staff were forgotten. They would not need to do much advertising for a while. As the crowd cleared, Harry signaled the staff in the road that they could go home – with their brooms. This was another advertising idea. He wanted to get these brooms out in the public eye right away. Even the staff children taking the toys home was planned, because other children seeing them on the playgrounds would want them, too. His showrooms were already stocked for the expected shoppers. These brooms would not replace the popular (and expensive) Dragon series, but they were not intended to. Harry was aiming at a whole new market!

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Ron and Hermione's wedding was finally here. The church was lovely, but small, so only the wedding party and the actual families were present. This did include the tiny French Grandmother, who was thrilled to be there! She had brought her own wedding jewelry for Hermione, and insisted on her keeping it. "Some day your daughter will wear it, and perhaps think of me!" Baby Rose was being tended in the Nursery at the Manor, but she had been brought for Nana to meet. They had precious pictures taken together.

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The Reception

The Reception was held in a golden tent in Harry's gardens. The design this year was 'Starry Night', again using the blooming of the various flowers to cause a sense of movement through the seasons. Every breeze caused a beautiful ripple effect, and for some reason the butterflies were particularly thick, clouds of them swooping around, all colors and sizes.

The Grangers didn't have a place here, and no one wanted to deal with the trip to Australia. Memories of Fleur and Bill's wedding meant the Weasley gardens were out. Harry offered his place, pointing out that the mundane relatives would think it was a rented venue, and it was close enough to the main roads for easy driving. There was even a bus stop at the corner near the gate house that was his legal address. People could walk through his drive and enter the gardens easily. He would cover the place in notice-me-nots, of that useful variation that encouraged you to think nothing was strange.

Arthur and Dan arranged for the orchestra and that pretty dance floor again. Dancing after supper would continue until 11. The elves would cater a fine meal and a late dessert buffet under the tent, dressed in neat black server's uniforms and glamours to all look Welsh like Dobby did. Most people thought the Welsh were smaller than they really are, often encouraged by the Welsh, who thought it was hilarious. Harry was convinced his elves were growing, were taller and healthier than most other elves. He had not actually measured them, but sometimes was startled when he visited other Manors. Something was going on.

The Grangers had invited all of their relatives, friends, all of their co-workers, and all their professional contacts to the Reception. Hermione had even invited some of her primary classmates and teachers that she had liked.

Emma Jean overheard some of her relatives at the back of the tent.

"I heard rumors that she eloped last Summer, but I guess they weren't true or her parents would never blow this much on a church wedding and Reception!"

"I guess they are doing all right in Australia. I know this is a rented venue, but it's very posh, sort of French styled! The taxes must be very high! It's almost a pity these fine old places have to rent themselves out. These gardens are quite lovely! I wonder if I could get clippings of some of these? I've never seen that lily before, but I'm sure it's a 'Blue India'. My garden club would be green with envy if I could get that to grow in Manchester!"

"Yes, they moved during Hermione's last year in that boarding school. She went to college Down Under. I believe she got a job managing a broom factory. Sounds dead boring! Now she's married a shopkeeper? She'll be popping babies anytime now!"

Emma Jean decided it was about time to intervene. "Hello Cousin Susy, Cousin Dorothy! I'm glad you could come! Do you like the gardens? They are quite famous, you know? They exhibit at Chelsea every year! They are not normally open to the public but Dan knew someone who was willing to let us come. I'm told even HRH has taken notice of some of the rarer varieties here." She led them forward, still talking. The ladies were clearly a bit uncomfortable but were unable to escape. "Come meet Dan's Grandmother! We brought her from France! She loves Hermione very much and we couldn't possibly have left her out! We took Hermione to visit her in her chateau every year! She's right up here with the Vicar and Dan's other French relatives."

Near her Great-Grandmother, Hermione, still wearing her silk and lace wedding dress, was standing with Ron. The lace on Hermione's dress, and her veil, which was sewn to Grandmother's slim diamond tiara, had been made by their friend Millicent. The jewels around her neck, wrists, and on her ears sparkled with every movement. Ron had refused to cut his hair. The pony tail was crisp and professionally done, as was Bill's. He was wearing a bespoke Armani suit and boots, as were all the men of the wedding party including Harry. Harry's hair was down in his usual braid with gold clips. All of the men looked sharp, but they were eclipsed by the bride and her bridesmaids who were wearing pastel flowered chiffon gowns with picture hats. The photographer was having fun, clicking away! He included Grandmother in as many as he could. There were no bad angles among the flowers, though he did try to keep the buildings out of the pictures. Many pictures had unexpected flocks of butterflies around the people.

Susy and Dorothy were now sitting nearby. "Can you imagine? MEN with long hair? Scandalous! Just look at the one with the braid all the way down his back! I just bet he's gay! They had better be careful with those rented tuxes! Emma Jean, who is the one with the long braid? Is he gay?"

"Who? Oh, that's Harry. He's one of Ron's friends from school. No, he's married to Ron's sister, that tiny redhead. They have two little boys. You came on the bus, right? You walked down their lane. That cute stone gatehouse is theirs. They are the ones who suggested we might have the party here."

"And who is that Bridesmaid? The Black one? Another school friend?"

"Yes. She's the wife of one of the older brothers. They have four children, including twin boys."

Emma Jean was glad to escape before her cousins could grill her on everyone in the wedding party. Her cousins were awful! She was glad they had never married.

"They should have had a cheaper wedding and given the cash to the kids for a down payment on a house. I hear they have an apartment in an office building. It's probably the janitor's apartment in the basement, don't you think? I wonder where the honeymoon will be?"

"Probably Brighton, if they take one at all. It's still cheap this early in the season. Did you look at that cheap lace on her dress? I know lace and that heavy stuff is cheap quality, possibly even homemade. I can't decide whether the jewels are paste or hired, but no one can afford the real stuff. I know they cut corners in places they didn't think would show! Everybody does!"

Dan called for attention. "While the photographer finishes the pictures there is no reason the rest of you cannot move to the pavilion and begin eating! The caterers tell me they have everything ready to serve. The wedding party will join you in just a few minutes!"

"It's about time!" Huffed Susy. "We've been waiting forever! I hope there is something I can eat. I have to be so careful because of my allergies!"

"I agree," chimed Dorothy, "I have to watch my diet very carefully."

After all of that, no one will be surprised that Susy and Dorothy ate like horses. Prime Rib and lobster, with second and third helpings of boneless baked pork chops were washed down with champagne. They ate more than their fair share of Pilaf, broccoli salad, and buttered rolls, too. When the wedding cake was cut and distributed Ron did not smash one on Hermione, nor she on him. Susy and Dorothy, disappointed that one of their favorite traditions had not been observed, only managed to eat two pieces each and tuck a third wrapped in linen napkins into their huge bags.

They were surprised the next day to find the cakes neatly boxed, instead of on the pretty plates. Their cup and saucer 'souvenirs' were missing. They must have set them down somewhere instead of in their bags? Both blamed the champagne, since it was cheap quality and too strong. It was a pity, because the sets were so pretty, translucent with tiny lilies of all colors scattered all over. They were probably cheap, since there wasn't a makers mark. Caterers never used expensive china. Both cousins had large collections of teacups with saucers, from many weddings and special events over the years. They were disappointed to not add these.

Dorothy was particularly disappointed that she had forgotten to pull up that blue lily she wanted to try to grow. She knew she could order one, but they were expensive and very delicate, particular about growing conditions. She didn't want to waste her money on a failure! Potter Gardens would never miss one bulb!

The next Saturday she and Susy took a bus ride back to the same stop. No one was around as they walked back up the lane to the little gatehouse they had passed before. It was cute! No one was home when they looked in the windows, so they were undisturbed as they walked the brick drive that led around the copse to the bridge. There, they were stopped. Both ends of the bridge had high iron gates, which were firmly locked, including shining steel chains. All along the other side of the little river a tall fence continued as far as they could see. There was no unauthorized access from this side. Dorothy had remembered the bridge as a stonework arch, which it was, but neither had remembered the gates or fence.

Susy was growing restless. "Let's go! We aren't going to get in today. You will have to watch for a garden tour ticket on offer. It might be cheaper and quicker to just order one from a catalogue! I have things to do at home!" She turned and began marching back to the bus stop, almost running. Dorothy, who had been wondering if the water was shallow enough to wade, swiftly caught up and passed her cousin in her haste. "Hey, what's the rush? The next bus isn't for 20 minutes."

"I was looking at the river and saw a huge snake swimming under the surface! I swear it was an adder, the biggest one I've ever seen! There might be more if it has babies! That bus can't come quickly enough! I wouldn't live there if you gave it to me! That young couple had better be very careful of their children near the woods and water. Even if it is a cheap rental it isn't worth it."

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This year at Lammas, Harry and Ginny took both boys to the same glen on the farm where they had picnicked last year. As James ran around with Puff, crumbling buns for the birds, and baby Al slept in his basket, Harry asked Ginny, "well, it has been quite a year, hasn't it? Was it worth it to you? Shall we stay together and build a real family with our boys and each other?"

Ginny looked around, watched James playing for a while, and the baby sleeping in his basket. "Yes, it's been quite a year, but worth every moment. Yes, I will stay."

They spent the rest of the afternoon in the sunny glen, Harry holding her close, nibbling on their picnic and talking quietly. They had plans to make.

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Dr. Jones was going over his notes, talking with Harry and Ginny. "Your mother did that? By now she knows how you feel, but you will have to consider how to talk to her. I know you are a very close family, but there is going to be some strain over this for years. You don't want a rift to develop. I suspect none of you are going to be allowing her to be in a delivery room again?"

Harry and Ginny nodded at each other. "Even Ron and Hermione are upset. They named their girl 'Rose Jean', but Molly is still calling her 'Muriel' after her favorite Aunt. It's actually confusing some of the other children."

"Ginny, you need to pay attention here. YOU deciding you knew best is exactly the same as Molly deciding she did. This attitude is spread throughout Wizard culture because we do have the power to follow through, as you did. It's not unique to you, or to your Mother, but you do need to be aware it is there.

I'm not surprised you threw the teacup, but the flames indicate you still have some control issues. You were exhausted, you were upset, and you lost it. Anger under provocation is quite normal, but you need to direct it in safer expressions. We'll have to practice some possible situations and discuss what would be suitable responses without being dangerous. Having some patterns in your memory will help.

After all, you have children, and children can cause you to pull your hair out as they get into mischief. You can't throw fireballs at a disobedient child! I will have you both read a few books on proper child discipline and we'll discuss appropriate rules and discipline before you need them. You and Harry will need to agree in advance on some 'if-then' situations. Time-outs, loss of privileges, even small spankings can be appropriate. Not fireballs or hexes! Each supporting the other is essential or kids will play you against each other.

Harry, you did great. You expressed the problem clearly, actually confronted Molly, politely explained why you disagreed with her choice, AND still managed to express your acceptance of the baby. Those are all huge steps forward!"

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Ginny's post-natal checkup suggested she should never have another child, even though the births had been without trouble. She had a circulation problem developing. It wasn't her heart. Her blood vessels through her body were not dilating and contracting properly. With the baby needing so much of her bloodflow to support it, the rest of her body was shorted. She was cold. She didn't get as much oxygen as she wanted, so she tired easily. This might even be part of the reason she was so tiny, though most of her short stature was probably inherited from Molly. It was still a lesser problem, so Andi and the team Doctor agreed to monitor her. They started her on an iron and vitamin supplement to enrich her blood. She didn't need to quit the Harpies, but if she got pregnant again they would probably insist she take a leave of absence.

They also decided to put both boys on the vitamin enrichment, and monitor their growth. Neither showed any sign of problem, but no one had seen it with Ginny, either. They would be careful. Andi decided to check Molly and all of her other descendants when they had their next physicals. Putting all of them on the supplement wouldn't hurt anyone.

Meanwhile, management had all of the team doing the shorter Summer morning workouts, and Ginny continued to work on the Publicity team. She really loved Journalism and had a great time writing the releases about what the team was doing during the off season. There were visits to all the Orphanages, the Zoo, Botanical Gardens and other photogenic spots that tried to attract vacationers by sponsoring visits from the Harpies and other teams. Dragon Brooms sponsored a picnic ride through the Forest of Dean, which was full of riding trails, with all of them on Phoenix brooms of every color. That was fun!

HLN CH 32 is due on April 1, 2021. For a couple of reasons I will probably post the night before, March 31. Happy Easter, everyone!

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