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Disclaimer: I own nothing, nothing I tell you! All the characters, places etc. belong to JKR.
*** HAPPILY EVER AFTER?
*** This was the first time that Seamus had ever had to explain his job to anyone, save his parents who knew exactly what went on at the Nimbus Corporation. People who he had talked usually merely inquired where he worked, and when he told them they were happy to leave it at that. Employees of the Nimbus Corporation weren't exactly known for being vocals about their jobs. "As you already know, I'm not a pure blooded Wizard," Seamus explained, deciding that this was the best place to start his story. Ginny gave him a patronising look. "You're right. I did know that. Can you cut to the chase?" Seamus licked his lips. "Right. Well, about forty years ago, my grandfather, my mother's father, left Hogwarts and not being able to find a job that he was satisfied with, he founded a small laboratory where other organisations and even the Ministry of Magic paid him, and several others that he employed, to conduct experiments and do research into a variety of causes." "So?" Ginny asked, not quite understanding what he was getting at. "So they got results. They did their jobs and they got money. With the money that my grandfather earned, he invested it into the company allowing the Nimbus Research Facility to expand, even merging with several other companies which specialised in different areas of magic and research." Seamus began to tap his fingers on the table, in an almost impatient manner. "The company became the Nimbus Corporation," he told Ginny. "What exactly does that have to do with you?" Ginny asked. "You work for your grandfather's research company?" "No." Ginny looked perplexed. "You don't work there?" "I own it." "Oh." Ginny's eyes widened. "Uh..." She was lost for words. What exactly could you say to that? She had believed him to be cheating when he had in reality been running a major company. "My grandfather died when I was fifteen," explained Seamus, "and it turned out that he left the company to me." "And what exactly was a fifteen year old supposed to do with a research company?" Ginny asked, bemused by this. Seamus shrugged. "I don't think he was expecting to croak when he did. Until I left Hogwarts the company was looked after by various executives. As soon as I could I took over everything at Nimbus." "But why all the secrecy?" This was the part that Ginny was most confused about. After all, the Nimbus Corporation was only a research facility, wasn't it? Frowning, Seamus tried to put into words why the company was shrouded in secrecy. "Some of our experiments could be called a little... controversial. We test things that people would otherwise like to forget about." "Like what?" "Our main project at the moment is a cure for lycanthropy," Seamus told her calmly. Most people, when told about this, would become shocked and almost distraught at the prospect - werewolves were not people whom one should associate with. The very thought of being near these... monsters, was distressing for some people. Ginny merely blinked. "Why's that so secretive?" Seamus was astounded. "You're not worried?" "I know several werewolves," Ginny explained. "I'm not opposed to curing them. It's not even their fault half the time. What else do you do?" "All sorts of things. Our divination department is always working non-stop - I'm never too sure what goes on in there, though. They're all dotty!" Seamus smiled slightly. "We have a team of twelve necromancers..." Ginny pulled a face. "As in... necromancy?" "Like I said, some of the things we do are a little controversial," said Seamus with a shrug. "Oh, are you going out today, Hermione?" asked Lavender. She was at the Cottage, Hogwarts currently being on their Christmas break. She was in the kitchen with the others when Hermione arrived. Harry looked up from his Quidditch bag, which he was putting his black and white robes into. "Yeah," replied Hermione, smoothing down her skirt. "Do I look all right?" Hermione was wearing a plum-coloured roll-knew jumper, and a straight black skirt which fell just below her knees. She also wore her favourite pair of knee-length black boots and a long black coat. A long, cream scarf hung around her neck. "Where are you going?" asked Harry, the concern evident in his voice. Hermione sighed. Since her pregnancy had been discovered two weeks previously harry had become unbearably overprotective. "To watch the Quidditch match," she explained. "But I didn't get you tickets," Harry reminded her, as she summoned her bag with her wand. "I know," she told him, placing her wand in her bag. "But I don't like sitting in the top box anyway - no-one cares about Quidditch up there. It's all about politics." "Since when have you liked Quidditch?" teased Ron with an impish grin. Hermione narrowed her eyes and playfully threw a nearby tea towel at him. It landed on his head, covering his face. Unfortunately for Ron, it was also extremely damp. "I'm going with Parvati - she managed to get a couple of tickets for us in the east stands." "Are you sure that's a good idea?" asked Harry. "I'm pregnant, not an invalid." Hermione placed her hands on her hips and stared at Harry. "I'm a perfectly capable Witch, Harry. There's no reason for you to worry." "You're my wife, of course I'm going to worry!" "I'd love to stand and fight all day, Harry, but I have to meet Parvati: we're going for a coffee before the match." Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Hermione walked up to Harry and placed a kiss on his lips. She smiled broadly and added, "Good luck, today - I'll be cheering for you." Hermione Disapparated with a 'pop', leaving Harry standing there, the rest of the house mates staring at him. "I still don't think her going to the Quidditch match is a good idea," he said to them. "Since when has what you thought stopped Hermione?" asked Ginny grinning. "She'll be fine - Parvati'll beat up anyone who tries to upset her." She put down her cup of coffee and winced, looking at the clock on the kitchen wall. "I've gotta run - things to see, people to do!" Ignoring the un-amused expression on both Ron and Seamus's faces, Ginny Disapparated. "I'd better get going too," said Seamus, standing up while folding up his copy of the Daily Prophet. "Only a couple of days until we close up for Christmas. Good luck at the Quidditch, Harry." Harry nodded and Seamus Disapparated, leaving only Harry, Ron and Lavender in the kitchen. Harry checked that all his robes and pads were in his bag before zipping it up. He slung it roughly over his shoulder, and picked up his broomstick. While he still preferred to use his Firebolt, Harry was increasingly using his Firebolt Infinity in league matches, not just international matches. "Duty calls," he said sullenly. "You'll be find, Harry," Ron told him warmly. "Wood is the Captain of the other team, though - he knows all my moves!" Harry moaned. That was probably the worst thing about having your old Quidditch captain on the opposing team. "Well, you'll just have to think of some new ones," said Lavender. "Now get going - you want to win the Cup, don't you?" Harry nodded, and Disapparated with a 'pop'. "Looks like we're all alone, Mr Weasley," said Lavender, moving to sit on Ron's lap. "What are we going to do with ourselves?" "I don't know," said Ron with a grin. "Though I have some ideas," he kissed her gently, and smiled at her. "These ideas sound quite good. How about we go over a few of them?" suggested Lavender. "Fine by me," agreed Ron, confirming this with another, more heated kiss. At the Quidditch grounds, Hermione and Parvati found themselves sat next to a hyperactive-looking blonde witch, who was just a little too enthusiastic for Hermione taste. She was probably a couple of years older than Hermione and Parvati. "This is really exciting!" she grinned. "Have you ever been to a Quidditch match before?" "A few," said Hermione, not quite sure what to make of her. "I've been to loads!" she told them happily. As Hermione and Parvati politely listened, the woman proceeded to list all the Quidditch matches she had been to over the last five years and which were her favourites. "Do you want me to get you a drink?" Parvati asked Hermione. Hermione nodded, and Parvati quickly departed. Hermione scowled, realising that Parvati had only offered to get them drinks so she could escape the woman's incessant chatter. "It's my ambition to meet Harry Potter," the woman told Hermione happily, showing Hermione the match programme where there was a picture of Harry smiling for the camera. Hermione recognised it as a picture she had taken about six months previously. "I've met almost every other player in the league." "That's nice," said Hermione blandly. "Have you ever met any Quidditch players?" Hermione smiled. "A few," she informed her. "Oh, that's nice. How?" "Through work," Hermione said, reading her programme. It wasn't even worth making eye contact with the woman any more. "I'm a photographer." "Have you ever met Harry Potter?" Hermione nodded, and it was at this moment Parvati arrived back with two drinks, one for herself and one for Hermione. She evidently heard the woman's last question. "Of course she has!" Parvati exclaimed. "She married him!" Smiling almost smugly, Hermione turned to the woman, holding out her hand. "Did I forget to introduce myself? Hermione Potter." The woman's face blanched. Shaking, she shook Hermione's hand. "Enid Lettager," she managed to say. Needless to say, she didn't talk much after that. A/N: Thank you for all the reviews for the last chapter. The next chapter will probably be out in about a week, depending on how much I write - I also have several other fics I'm working on. (P.S. Not that it really matters, but I've now been writing fanfiction for just over a year! Yay!) Here's a thanks section for Chapter Twelve:
Review, Flame, Whatever. silverphoenix |
Happily Ever After?
By: silvernatasha
***COMPLETED*** The sequel to 'So What Now?'. After seven years at Hogwarts the gang are ready for the real world, but is the real world ready for them?
Rated: Fiction K+ - English - Romance/Humor - Harry P., Hermione G. - Chapters: 21 - Words: 50,369 - Reviews: 458 - Favs: 74 - Follows: 9 - Updated: Oct 31, 2002 - Published: Mar 20, 2002 - Status: Complete - id: 669417
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Full 3/4 1/2 Expand Tighten
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