Chapter 4:
Disclaimer… I do not own Harry Potter or any related characters; they belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers
Once the Reverend had left, Harry asked Lily, "You said we were interested in buying land. You're forgetting that we have no money."
As Lily paled a bit, Ginny answered, "Don't worry. While Harry got his cloak, I found a spell so we can transfigure some stuff into money for this time."
Lily asked, "Isn't that counterfeiting?"
Ginny ignored her and held out the spell. "I wasn't any good at it, but my mum got me
this weird bead set over the break, so I brought some to transfigure. Either of you want to give it a go?"
James took them and successfully transfigured them into several dozen one-pound
notes (A/N: In case you forgot, 300 years ago this is a good amount of money.),
which he divvied up four ways and passed around.
Just then, the Reverend Parris came in. "I hope you've made yourselves warm." The four nodded. "Good. Onto
business. I know a man not half a mile
from here who's looking to sell a bit of land.
It's only an acre, and it's a bit back into the woods, but it's the
closest place for sale. Will that do?"
Another silent conference went on, and James answered, "Yes, that will do. Whom should we contact?"
"The man is actually coming here this evening about some other business. He should be here after supper. Would you care to stay?"
Ginny smiled. "That would be simply lovely, Reverend. I trust it's not too much trouble?"
"Of course not. Actually, it should be
ready soon, so I'll have Tituba set a few extra places."
At dinner, the Reverend talked a bit about the history of the town. Eventually getting bored and changing the subject, he asked, "Do you attend Meeting?"
Knowing the only possible answer to stay on his good side (assuming he had one), Lily answered sweetly. "Of course. Every Sunday."
"And forgive me if I seem prying, but may I inquire as to
how old you are?"
James, Lily, and I are sixteen, and Ginny is fifteen," Harry answered.
"Isn't that a bit, er, young for such young people to
live alone unmarried?"
Ginny quickly made up a lie, giving a small giggle at the irony of her next
statement. "Oh, silly us, just before
leaving England Harry and I were married.
Only a few months before, James and Lily were married as well. It's been such a short time, all of us are
always forgetting. Isn't that
right?" Not wanting to be caught in a
lie, the others nodded.
"Do you have the papers?"
James answered this time when the others turned to him. He pretended to search his stiff, awkward
jacket and then smacked his forehead.
"I must have left them in my other jacket." Yet again, the Reverend fell for it. Obviously this had not been used enough times to become
unbelievable.
After a short lull as everyone finished supper, a knock was heard at the door, and a moment later John Indian came in and announced that Mr. Smith had arrived.
Mr. Smith came in and sat down. After a tedious introduction (Mr. Smith is slightly deaf), Reverend Parris said, "Mr. Smith, these kind folk are interested in buying your patch of land out in the woods."
"Eh, is that so, eh? You can have it for £10."
James whipped out his money and said, "You've got a deal."
"Eh?"
"We'll take it I said!" James practically yelled.
"I heard, I was just…testing you. Are you sure you don't want to look at it first?"
"I'm sure that it will be fine." James handed over the money as Mr. Smith handed over the deed. "Thank you for your business. It was a pleasure meeting you. You too, Reverend Parris. I hate that we have to leave like this, but we'll be seeing you around, I'm sure. Now, Mr. Smith, where exactly is this little patch of land?"
"Follow the road about half a mile east. It's the little fenced in area with the sign that says 'Smith.'"
"Thank you. Good evening, gentlemen."
The four teens left, and headed towards their little patch of land. When they got there, they stood in silence for a minute, and then Ginny voiced what they all had been thinking. Incredulously, she said, "This is it?"
A/N: How was this for a fourth chapter? It took me forever to get off of my lazy butt and type this stupid thing, the next few I did type over my dad's laptop over Christmas, so they will be up within a few days. School is boring, not like anyone cares, so I should have time after it to get the ninth chapter written. It's taking much longer than expected, so sorry to the handful of people who have waited for this, assuming anyone other than Bri remembers me. I'll put the fifth one up now, too. Bye for now.
