H P Boy who livesYear 7- Summer
Chapter 43
The Ferret Fritter
--
One day of freedom left before 7th year begins and what better way to spend it than in Hogsmeade or at the Twins Shrieking Manor...
--
Harry and Hermione spent the morning preparing for the coming year.
"All right, then the passwords for Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff will be Snidget and Puffskein. Ours is still Thunderbolt, besides the Fat lady loves it, and Neville will never forget it." Harry absently petted Rad contently snoozing on his lap. "Kreacher wishes to be the new, how do I put this, uh, corridor and hall monitor. He says that unlike Filch his magic can port the students to class, Common Room, or straight to the Headmaster's office."
Hermione was engrossed with The Daily Prophet and The Quibbler issues and wasn't paying attention. "If you think its best Harry then I'm all for it."
"Ginny, Luna, Ron, and I are spending our last day of freedom in Hogsmeade care to join us?" Draco sat beside Harry.
"I'm up to my ears with Head Boy stuff, but we might join you four later." Harry looked over the schedules for all the Prefects. "I figure since you were so used to the dungeons that you and Gin wouldn't mind dungeon patrol every other evening after school hours."
"I'm fine with whatever you give me as long as Gin is with me." Draco glanced over at Hermione. "She's letting you have all the fun."
"The papers arrived and she's had her nose in them for what seems like an hour at least." Harry took a swig of his Butterbeer.
"Have you seen them yet?" Draco snagged a piece of bacon off a platter and munched on it.
"No doubt there's a pull-out section all about us spending the morning with Daisy. Complete with pages and pages of snaps." Harry focused on the schedule again.
"There is that in both issues, but I was referring to the idea that your mark on a Dark wizard or witch appears to mean certain death for the bearer. Knockturn Alley is clearing out and running for cover." Draco fixed himself a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast.
Harry choked on his Butterbeer. "They're all dropping like flies?" He coughed.
"Just the really nasty ones, Pansy is still alive as far as I know, as is Cho." Draco handed him the paper that Hermione was finished with. "Read it for yourself."
Harry read the article three times. "That should make my life easier. I mean eventually we'll have to deal with them, but for now them clearing off is less work for me."
"Durmstrang took in all the former Slytherin students, even though it's not a Dark Magic school anymore the parents thought it best." Hermione set down the paper and took a sip of her tea.
"That's one less headache to worry about." Harry finished the Prefect schedules and set them in the finished pile.
"They've amended the rules again and someone leaked to The Prophet that we're, um, expecting." Hermione set the paper in front of him.
'Daddy-to-be buys out toy store with mystery toddler in tow,' Read the headlines.
"Sources say the newlywed Prince and Princess are expecting a little boy and girl. Says, former student and confidant, Cho Chang. Currently following an Apprentice Liaison position in the Muggle Wizarding Relations Department, and was a former girlfriend of the prince. This is why Princess Hermione sent her to St. Mungo's as a slimy Flobberworm..."
Harry's face was turning red with fury; the perfect day became stormy in less than a blink of an eye. "Apprentice to her majesties Wizarding World Liaison! Uncle Albus and Gramps signed off on that and didn't tell me!" Lightning flashed outside.
James and Sirius sloshed into the Great Hall with Lady cowering between Sirius's legs.
"If you're toasted about the mix up about the twins, relax I set up an interview with Fred at noon to clear that up, and announce that Jen and Lil's are both expecting." James used his wand to dry himself off.
"Lady, is getting scared so knock it off!" Sirius picked up Lady's shivering form in his arms.
"Who the bloody hell, approved Cho Chang's new job with the ministry?!" Harry glared at his father.
James swore under his breath. "Dad wanted to make sure that she was kept busy, she applied for an apprenticeship in Muggle Relations, so he told them to set her up with a job that would load her up with work."
"She's Apprentice Liaison to the Queen! How the bloody hell am I gonna avoid her like the plaque if she holds that job?! That means that she'll be at any event the Queen wishes to attend or if she visits Hogwarts!" Harry was beyond put out about the entire situation.
"That's why she'll have a guard on her always. Angelina Johnson has volunteered to be her shadow during situations where the three of you could run into one another." Sirius walked over to him and went to get the other pup.
"First, back away from my puppy! Second, remind me to send Angelina a goody box from Honeydukes; last but not least please fix this whole bloody mess!" Harry sent the papers flying at his father with a gesture of his hand.
"Uh, Prongs...are you gonna tell him or not?" Sirius frowned at James.
"Tell me what?" Harry narrowed his eyes at them.
"Tonks and Kingsley asked for someone to be promoted to royal guard. They chose Angelina, because you're friends with and trust her." James winced when Harry began swearing in Parseltounge.
"She just passed her Auror trials and is officially an Auror. This makes her more than capable of handling any trick that Cho may try to pull." James had rarely seen him like this.
"Angelina's your new warden? Cheer up mate maybe she's changed after three years." Draco sympathized with him.
"Son, she's your warden as well. We adopted you and Luna, so that makes you a prince of the realm." James clued him in. "Although, guard doesn't constitute ordering any of you around. That happens to be my job."
"And mine." Sirius grinned.
"They grew overnight and now my favorite jeans don't fit!" Lily was indeed beginning to look pregnant.
"Sweetness, you look radiantly beautiful as always." James pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
"Maybe the two of them growing is a good thing, since The Prophet reported that Hermione and I are expecting twins in April." Harry managed to calm down enough to talk civilly and calmly to his mother.
"Did they really?" Lily narrowed her eyes at James. "Hiding the morning papers from me not nice James."
"CAN WE FOCUS ON THE MAIN PROBLEM HERE? TERM STARTS SEPTEMBER 1ST AND THAT HAPPENS TO BE TOMORROW. PLEASE CLEAR THIS MESS UP TODAY OR I WON'T BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR MY ACTIONS!" Harry's bellow had woken up Rad who licked his face to calm him down.
"Relax honey your father and I will fix it. Who was the source that they used for the article?" Lily walked over and took Rad from Harry.
"Cho gave them the wonderful scoop." Hermione was calmly sorting through Harry's done pile.
"That little bitch needs another week in Azkaban!" Lily snarled.
"According to that rubbish she's my trusted confidant, as well as former girlfriend. How does a nondate count as being an ex-anything! We were only at the cafe for ten minutes, before the nondate from hell ended, and I went to find Hermione!" Harry reached across the table to hold her hand.
"Relax flyboy. I'll protect you." Hermione laced fingers with him.
Harry brought her hand up to his lips and kissed each of her knuckles. "Of course my Lioness and my heart," He was calm now, so the skies were clear and the sun was shining again.
"What are the three of you doing cooped up inside for? Go enjoy your last day before term starts." Lily's mood changed again.
"Draco, Gin, Ron, and Luna are going to spend the day in Hogsmeade. Hermione and I are finishing preparing for our Head boy/Head girl duties." Harry refocused on the parchment in front of him. "Look angel, we can hug, hold hands, and kiss each other on the cheek in the halls and corridors. They bent the rules for us."
"You did threaten to drop out of school, so for once they did the intelligent thing." Hermione smiled at him.
"We do listen every once in awhile." Lily winked at her.
"Does the weather always act this strange around these parts?" Andrew walked into the Great Hall.
"Only when some of us are in moods. Hello Andrew, the boys are upstairs with our girls." James turned to look at Andrew. "Sorry for your loss."
"Yesterday was quite a shock for all of us. Mother isn't handling this very well, which is understandable since both father, and my older brother died so suddenly like that. She had just finished reading the file before the tragic attacks happened. She's torn between what she thought of them and what she knows now. The situation is even more complex now the media are aware of the girls. Thousands of requests for interviews are pouring in. Our kids' romance is overshadowing the deaths of my father and brother. Mother was very impressed with your girls. That's making this easier on her. Wills, has to finish school by correspondence and Harry has to think if he wishes to go into the army now or later when Wills does. The list is endless." Andrew looked like hell.
"Easy there mate have a seat and relax. You're with family; we're going to help you with all of this, as much as we can." James led him over to sit on the bench beside Harry.
Harry shot him a guilty look. "Uh, maybe we should go upstairs to the Family wing where I can confess something to you."
"Confess? Is that headline in The Daily Prophet true?!" Andrew felt a migraine coming on.
"First, Hermione and I have been a couple for a month tomorrow, so what they claim isn't possible. Second, they're talking about my parents. Cho gave them bad Intel. Lastly, rumor has it the magic number for our firstborns is three." Harry took a healthy swig of Butterbeer.
Andrew rubbed his temples with his fingers to ward off the pain. "I could really use some aspirin right now."
"Uncle Andrew, um, I made Harry do something yesterday that started a temporary time paradox and that's what we need to discuss in private upstairs." Hermione now that she had seen the state her uncle was in was also feeling rather guilty.
Andrew looked at the obvious guilt on her face and sighed. "Very well... It can't be any worse than last evening..."
"While you're there you can say hello to the Queen of Hearts. The girls outdid themselves on their first Wizarding portraits." Lily produced a vial of hot pink pain potion and handed it to Andrew.
"The girls painted Diana?" Andrew was so distracted by the news that he downed the potion without asking what it was for. "As in a moving and talking painting of Diana?" His headache was clearing off, so his mind was able to focus again.
"That would be correct the boys have talked themselves hoarse conversing with her." James grinned.
"What an endearing gift to give my boys. Those two are stuck with them forever now, because talking to their mother has been a wish and dream of theirs. It's been seven years today since their mother died." Andrew eyed the bottles beside Harry and Hermione's work piles and forgot what he was going to say. "Are those bottles of Ale that you've been downing?"
"These?" Harry held up a bottle of Butterbeer and Andrew nodded. "Try one for yourself its just harmless Butterbeer." He handed him a frosty cold bottle.
Andrew took a swig and liked the taste of it. "Not bad. So does your confession have anything to do with our sudden loss of not so nice people? I'm just relieved that Alex and Katherine came out of this unscathed. If the other driver who will remain nameless hadn't been distracted by that...hold on a second let's go you two. If what I'm thinking is correct it's not something we can discuss down here."
Draco and the others headed off to Hogsmeade, leaving Harry and Hermione to fend for themselves, while everyone else packed up and headed upstairs.
--
Harry waited to say anything while Andrew watched the video of his stunt.
"I have to say this first. Hermione was going to try what you just saw on her own. So I chose to save her parents and her life by risking my own. The exposure of my world was also at stake. So that's how I weighed my final decision. I put my people's lives above my own, just as any of my ancestors have done through the centuries." Harry looked Andrew directly in the eyes.
"YOU ARE NEVER TO DO THIS AGAIN IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!" Andrew managed to find his voice again and let them both have it. "YOUR INTENTIONS MIGHT HAVE BEEN GOOD, BUT IT'S NOT WORTH RISKING YOUR FUTURES. THAT PARADOX COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE HAD ANYTHING HAPPENED TO EITHER OF YOU!"
"Yes, Uncle Andrew." Hermione had never seen him so angry.
"We understand completely and gave the Time Turner that Hermione snagged from the Department of Mysteries, back to Uncle Albus. Trust me, after seeing it from every possible angle, I never wish to do that stunt again. I had nothing but bad dreams of what could have been." Harry reassured him.
"Now to see to my sons and see these portraits of Diana." Andrew got up from the couch and headed for the stairs. "Are they up on the top floor?"
"We'll show you the way Uncle Andrew." Hermione and Harry both headed for the stairs.
--
They checked the studio, but neither the portraits nor the others were there. So they checked Dromi's rooms and found Henry and Dromi curled up asleep on her bed.
The painting was set up on an easel near the bed. In this portrait, Diana was dressed in some of her favorite clothes that being jeans, a white shirt, and sneakers. She was happily being lazy on the grassy meadow scene from Highgrove, one of her former residences that she had shared with his brother. Two younger versions of the boys were happily climbing a tree in the backdrop.
"My god, it really is Diana..." Was all that Andrew could say even Hermione was speechless.
Di looked up at who had spoken, a smile lit up her face. "Hello Andrew it's so good to see you again."
"Hello Diana...Sarah, the kids, and I have missed you terribly. Although, Sarah has really gotten herself in order since she lost her best friend to..." Andrew couldn't say the words.
"I believe the words that you are searching for are a murderous assassination." Hermione spoke up. "Hello Aunt Diana."
Diana took in her completely grown up cousin, who had always been like a niece to her. Katherine and she had been great friends as well as third cousins. "My little Ducky turned into a beautiful swan princess that fell in love with a very handsome prince."
Hermione blushed. "Actually, I fell in love with a boy who it turns out is a prince."
"Can this prince of yours talk or is he shy." Di glanced over at Harry.
"Sorry about that, uh, I'm Harry James and it's a honor to meet you." Harry flushed a little with embarrassment, but managed to say something intelligent.
"The honor is mine, after all you're just as famous, and loved as I ever was. You achieved something at sixteen, that elder's a hundred years or more your senior could not do. The evil that poisoned your world is gone, allowing peace to settle in your world. That's something that Muggles, otherwise known as mortals will never achieve." Di smiled at him.
"I was just protecting everyone that I loved and will continue to do so all of my life." Harry was flushing even more crimson; he had not been prepared for such commentary about himself.
"That's what makes you who you are and why you will embrace what's to come in your life. I can tell you this much Harry James, after the clock strikes midnight on the last day of the year your life will truly begin." Di thought that he needed to hear that. "You need to embrace your newfound family, for very few get the second chance you've been given. Don't fight it just embrace the love, support, and guidance that they bring to you."
"I really am trying. It's just that I've been alone for a very longtime, and its taking a bit to get used to being surrounded by family again. Dad and I are so alike that we tend to clash with each other." Harry felt even worse about his attitude of late.
"He has our Harry's attitude when it comes to authority figures in his life. It took time, but Harry's almost grown out of that phase." Andrew looked over at his sleeping son, holding Dromi in his arms, and saw something that had long been missing in his life. He was relaxed and at peace.
"Harry has been angry at the world and hiding it behind fake smiles and whatever you say attitude. That's why he agreed to go into military life. I don't agree that he needs that in his life. Was it his surrogate father and grandfather's wish that he do so?" Di was not happy with it at all.
"Harry has been boozing and clubbing as of late. He had a serious lack of judgment when it came to choosing friends and a first real girlfriend that was only using him because of his title. They saw it as a serious lack of discipline and respect on his part. They believed that military life would shape him up, like it did me. I thought that going to Africa did wonders for him. It gave him something to be a champion for. He loves his kids." Andrew yawned. "Excuse the yawning I've been up for nearly twenty-four hours and it's starting to show."
"Harry and Wills are naturals with children and helping others. They're both going to make wonderful fathers and humanitarians. The two of them would do more good helping people, rather than shooting at them. The world is a mess. I do not wish for my boys to have to go into a situation, where they will have to shoot someone. I don't think that either of them could handle that." Diana made her wishes known. "As for the yawning you need to find a corner, curl up, and get some sleep."
"I know that you wouldn't approve of what's going on in the world right now, but this is out of both of our hands, now that Wills is going to be king, and Harry is next in line after him. They are too important to ship off to the desert, besides that I won't allow that to happen. After seeing both of them going about their gap years, I agree that they would do better as Humanitarians. Trust in me to do what's right by our boys." Andrew remained focused on the discussion.
"I do trust you. I know that they will have to serve, but I don't have to like it. Now both the boys are sound asleep, so take advantage of that and get some sleep yourself. The weeks to come are going to be hectic, but you'll get through it." She turned towards Harry and Hermione. "As for you two go out and enjoy the day, for the days ahead will be challenging, as well as time-consuming for the both of you."
"It was wonderful for the girls to give you back to our boys. That said I am going to go crash in the guest quarters downstairs. I look forward to talking with you soon. Now as for you two, go join the others in Hogsmeade. The hours of your free time are quickly ticking away." Andrew herded them out of the room.
"Nice talking to all of you, I'll just happily look after my kids." Di called after them.
--
Harry and Hermione happily strolled down the main street of Hogsmeade seemingly oblivious to the staring and gossiping by the shopkeepers, villagers, or shoppers.
"Your highness, is it true the two of you have little ones on the way?" Someone shouted behind them, it was Tessa Tesseract a reporter from Witch Weekly.
"Yes, your highness, my source that is never wrong, is sure of it. It's why there was a rushed private ceremony and why her highness has been acting so out of character as of late." Marietta Edgecombe, who had managed to land a job as a Daily Prophet reporter, chimed in.
"Oi, baby brother! Uncle James and Aunt Lil's gave us the exclusive on the new arrivals their expecting this April. This is the scoop of the summer, a new prince and princess in April! I mean who wouldn't want a coup like this when their big brother is so famous and everything." Fred made himself known.
Angelina walked out of Honeydukes, before Harry could respond to him. "Is there a problem out here or did his highness call an impromptu press conference without consulting me first?" She did not look happy, as she tapped her wand in her palm.
"Angelina, what are ya doing here in Hogsmeade?" Fred was very surprised to see her. "Uh, did I forget a date or something?"
Angelina rolled her eyes at Fred. "No. Fred. I'm here on official assignment."
"Official assignment in Hogsmeade sounds boring if ya ask me." Fred drawled.
"I happen to be their royal guard, so I doubt that it will be a dull assignment. Now what are the three of you badgering Harry about now?" Angelina pointed her wand at each of them.
"The public has a right to know the truth about our own royals!" Marietta glared at Angelina.
"Marietta is right we have the right to report the facts!" Tessa agreed.
"Oh, are you two still on about the rubbish that you printed in your magazine and paper? These two aren't expecting. Do the math and you'll find that Cho's once again spewing lies. You Marietta being a sneak wouldn't know the truth if it slapped you in the face. She was never Harry's girlfriend. They never had an actual date. The girl's certifiable and this latest batch of codswallop proves that. She should be locked up in the crazy ward at St. Mungo's." Angelina glared at the two reporters and then at Fred. "You know better than to hang with this lot. Off to the castle with you or you'll be late for your interview with Prince James and Princess Lily."
"No need to get ratty I'm goin...we'll talk later about your new assignment." Fred beat a hasty retreat.
"Once again your fine establishments have printed nothing but tripe. The Daily Prophet has become a tabloid and The Quibbler is now the only paper telling the truth. That is why our family favors them and not you." Hermione got all noble with them. "You will retract those articles immediately. You will also never use Cho as a source again, no matter if she happens to be your best friend or not. That is unless you don't wish to keep your job, if not continue to use her."
"We're starting seventh year this week, that's enough of a load on our shoulders. I am thrilled that my parents are expecting twins and not us. We aren't ready for that yet. Now unless you wish for Angelica to jinx you, I would suggest that you clear off and leave us alone." Harry was in prince mode. "I had no idea that baby-sitting my baby cousin would cause you to get egg all over your faces again. My Gramps and Uncle Albus are Co-Ministers of Magic, add to that the little detail that Gramps is King, and you've found yourselves in a real mess. Good day to the both of you, be sure to catch Fred's article in The Quibbler tomorrow." Harry and Hermione entered Honeydukes.
"His majesty was on the way to your London offices to have a word with your bosses. If you hurry you may still have a job."
The two reporter's disapparated out of sight.
"I love this new assignment it's not nearly as boring as my previous ones were." She headed back into Honeydukes.
--
They met Draco, Ron, Luna, and Gin at The Three Broom Sticks for lunch.
"So it's true then? Angelina Johnson's your new guard." Ron, pausing between bites, was busy wolfing down his roast chicken and potato meal.
"Honestly Ronald, you happen to be seventeen, so try talking without your mouth full of food." Hermione wrinkled her nose in distaste.
Ron shot her his signature exasperated look. "Like I care, Hermione! Did you see my schedule? It's packed and I don't recall ever choosing my career, which frustrated the heck out of your Aunt...Maybe this is her idea of revenge or something."
"I doubt it since Uncle Severus is setting up class schedules this year." Draco paused from eating his meat pie.
"Snape did the schedules, well, that does it then, he did this just to make my life miserable!" Ron lost his appetite.
"Which reminds me, Ronald have you and Luna gotten your books and supplies from Diagon Alley yet?" Hermione arched a brow at him.
"She has a point, Ron. Did the two of you get a letter yet?" Ginny frowned. "If not you'd best get to it today."
"Leave Ron alone, of course he has his supplies and books all set. Don't you Ron." Harry hated to eat when there was bickering around him.
Ron's ears turned red. "Actually, with everything that's happened I kind of forgot."
"We just got our letters yesterday. We were about to go shopping, but Ronnie wanted to show off to you and Hermione that he got his new license and when I discovered my kitten well any thought of shopping slipped my mind." Luna sighed dreamily.
"That's right so it's Harry's fault that we aren't all set for tomorrow!" Ron stated with vigor.
Harry narrowed his eyes at Ron. "You had plenty of time yesterday, while you were wolfing down my lunch, growling at me about the kittens, or better yet when you were in London that morning getting your Apparation license. So don't blame this on me!"
"Oh, yeah, there was that, but I didn't get the list until I got back, and went to find you and Hermione." Ron grumbled.
"Fine Ron, as usual lay the blame on me! You know what; I don't feel like eating anymore!" Harry got up and stalked out of The Three Broomsticks.
"Way to go Ronald! Harry needed to relax today and actually eat more than just breakfast, but no your juvenile attitude had to emerge! Go get your school list done and perhaps when we see you tonight neither of us will jinx you on sight!" Hermione set out coins for hers and Harry's lunches on the table, and then headed off after him.
Angelina shot their table a glare, and then headed off after her charges, leaving her half-eaten lunch behind.
"Ron, the last thing that you need is the wrath of Angelina on your ass or to alienate Harry and Hermione. So get your books and supplies and stop whining about your classes." Draco was determined to finish his lunch in peace.
"Do you need more money?" Ginny asked her brother.
"Thanks for the offer baby sis, but I've got more than enough. Fred, George, Charlie, Bill, Percy, Mum, and Dad pretty much set me up for the year. I'll think of a way to make it up to Harry and Hermione." Ron paid for his and Luna's lunches. "Come my moonflower, we'll take the Knight Buss to London." The two of them left.
"So Dragon, what do you wish to do next?" Ginny sipped her iced tea.
"Let's go see what your brothers have done to the Shrieking Shack, but first open your present." He produced a velvet pouch from his pocket and set it in her palm.
Ginny eagerly untied the golden strings and dropped the contents into her palm. "Draco they're gorgeous!" She looked at the set of Claddagh rings in her palm. "One for each of us to wear," The rings had emerald hearts.
"There's a matching necklace and charm bracelet as well. These are to show everyone that we are promised to each other." He took one ring from her palm.
"Oh Dragon, that's a lovely idea," Ginny smiled at him.
Draco took her left hand in his and slid it onto her ring finger. "I want all the boys to know that you're mine." He kissed her hand.
Ginny slid the ring in her hand onto Draco's left hand ring finger. "And that you are mine," She found herself kissed by her prince.
--
Harry stood at what was now the front gate to Fred and George's Shrieking Shack. An army of workers were busily renovating the once eyesore, now more like Victorian manor, with a massive addition of a workshop to his right. "They really have been busy."
Hermione nodded. "They bought it just before your birthday, but kept quiet about it until a week ago. It really reminds me of that show The Adams Family from the American Telly."
"I don't know Hermione, it kind of fits into the whole theme of the old shack." Harry pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
"Harry! Hermione! It's about bloomin time you two fancied us a visit!" George walked up to the gates and opened them.
"We've been swamped as of late, but they finally set us free of Head Boy/Head Girl duties." Harry grinned at George. "You've really changed the place."
"Yeah, it's actually quite livable now." George was very proud of his home. "Would you two fancy a tour?"
"A tour would be lovely." Hermione was dying to see what they had done to the place.
"You kidding of course I want a tour. I haven't been near this place since end of third year." Harry led Hermione through the gates.
"To your left is the workshop. The walls are blast proof in case an invention blows up. There are also fire retardant spells that go into effect in case of fire. Plus it has anything that we need for our ideas to come to fruition." George opened the main doors to the workshop.
It was amazingly organized. Walls of shelves banked the walls, filled with what looked like every kind of potion ingredient imaginable. An enormous fireplace took up one whole wall, where copper caldrons were brewing some new project of theirs. Worktables were loaded with various works in progress. Another wall was packed with volumes of books, endless scrolls of parchment, ink, quills, and the like. Every magical gadget Harry had ever seen was in this workshop. Lastly, huge stacks of scrolls were piled on an ancient desk.
"This is very impressive George," Hermione was awed by the twin's new playground. "I mean it, this place is amazing."
"Did you make that offer to Zonko's?" Harry walked over to a worktable, where a vat of colorful liquid was simmering, beside it was a formula for Self-Correcting Artist Paint, and beside that was another formula for Self-Correcting Artist Chalk.
"They came to us with a proposition. Since WWW Inc is outselling their stores and we only have Diagon Alley, Godric's Hollow, and the shop opening here. The thing was that we didn't like the pitch they gave us. Can you believe that those gits wanted us to give up our company and work with them?" George checked the vat of liquid, and then added something from a vial. The result was a colorful cloud forming above it. "No scratch that it was more like for them."
"That was rather bold of them," Hermione was leafing through a guide to creating Wizarding artists supplies. "You can buy and sell them ten times over."
"Which is what we told the blokes and they went on about being in business since the age of Merlin. That they were not going to be taken down by two wet nosed youngsters." George added another ingredient to another vat causing a powdery rainbow cloud to form above it.
"Wet nosed youngsters are you, well, the phrase no mercy comes to mind." Harry was looking at another project, this one was titled Kaleidoscope Flowers, and a pot containing a white Ever-Blooming Mum was changing iridescent colors.
"We told 'em that we were prepared to buy 'em out, while keeping everything employee wise basically intact." George took what looked like a spray bottle and spritzed the pot of pink fairy roses that instantly became vibrant and iridescent.
Hermione had never seen either twin at work, it was fascinating to watch. "So what did they say after that?" She picked up some sheets of parchment that contained what appeared to be a manuscript of some kind. "The Trials of making quality joke products while under a mother's watchful eye?" She read a line aloud.
George grinned sheepishly. "That would be my way of keeping our formulas, potions, and such in some kind of order. I was just doodling a chapter, but it's just me thoughts really. As for Zonko's, not even they could say no to that many galleons, besides the name lives on just under a subdivision of WWW Inc." He walked over to an ever-freezing freezer and took out two colorful popsicles. "These have been a hit in Diagon Alley and Godric's Hollow." He handed them to Harry and Hermione. "It's a popsicle with a twist."
Harry sucked on the frozen treat that tasted like oranges, cherries, grapes, lemons, and limes. "This is delicious!" He squawked like a macaw parrot.
"These are wonderful!" Hermione squawked. "Oh my..." She giggled. "
"This is brilliant!! I see that you've done it again big brother." Harry laughed he still sounded like a parrot. "So what did you call it?"
"Parrot Pops, that's not even all of 'em there's more. Kitty Creams ice-cream that makes you mew like a kitten. Moo Moo Malts after drinking it you moo like a cow for five minutes." George was proud of that one.
"Were the two of you brainstorming during the heat wave in July?" Hermione asked.
"Pretty much, it was just too hot to sleep that week, but then Harry managed to sleep through it amazingly." George grinned at Harry.
"I was in a coma, not like I could help it now could I." Harry rolled his eyes at George. "So what else have you been working on?"
"Oh, loads of new sweets to add to our candy line. There's Laughy Taffy, looks like ordinary taffy but, when you chew it, makes you laugh uncontrollably. Belching Butterscotch, it makes the person sucking on it burp odd noises. Pucker Up Drops, so sour that your lips almost instantly pucker shut. Lemur Licorice turns the chewer into a furry little monkey for five minutes. Fred very nearly trashed our flat when we tested that one. Mood Sweets, a variety of lollypop, gumdrops, gum, and jelly candies that when you chew or suck on them turns your hair colors according to your mood. If you're sad it's the color blue, fiery red for really cheesed off, and sunny yellow for when you're happy. Its temporary only lasts as long as you're eating the candy. Lastly, we decided that we needed another pastry that transfigures a person into an animal. Ferret Fritters in honor of our boy Draco. They turn the consumer into a ferret for a few minutes." George went down the list of new items, as he tested his new inventions, first on a blank canvas, a brilliant cobalt blue color was splattered on it, so he covered that with red. Then he used his wand, cast the magic words Emendo Picturatus, the result the red paint vanished leaving only the blue paint behind. "Splendid results now I can go on with the other colors."
"Are you creating new art supplies for Trista?" Hermione watched as he poured a rainbow concoction into an inch deep mold. The result was a complete line of the color spectrum that formed into artist chalk.
"Harry suggested buying her some top-of-the-line art stuff, so I decided to make some instead." George added an ingredient to another rainbow colored vat of ingredients. Once again a cloud formed above it, this time it had an oily quality to the cloud. "What artist doesn't need Self-correcting Art Supplies?" He poured this substance into another molded tray, the result was oil pastels.
Harry, who was starving, took a chance and sampled a fritter from a plate that he was eyeing. It was an error in judgment, because he transformed into a black ferret.
"That's odd usually the person becomes a white ferret." George scratched his head. He found a piece of parchment, an eagle feather quill, and jotted down his thoughts about that and his successful try at making the art supplies.
"Harry James, don't even think of escaping under those doors!" Hermione chased after him, but he was too quick for her to catch and out he went.
"Bloody hell, not good not good at all, I've yet to test it on an animagus! Maybe it has side effects!" George raced out the doors past Hermione.
"SIDE EFFECTS! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT!? YOU GET BACK HERE GEORGE WEASLEY!" Hermione chased after him.
--
Draco and Ginny walked through the open gate, only to have it clang ominously shut behind them.
"And you thought the summer home was creepy." He took in the wicked looking Victorian manor in front of them.
"It has to have a dark sort of ambience, where as the summer home does not. Did you see that Beware of Dogs sign at the gate?" Ginny looked around for any sign of a dog.
"Yeah, I noticed it, since when do your brothers have any dogs?" Draco watched as a furry black creature shot out from the workshop. Then seconds later George and Hermione came chasing after it.
"Did she just shout what did you do to Harry?" Ginny frowned at Draco.
"There's only one way to find out let's go." The two of them joined in the chase.
Angelina was watching from her spot under a tree, "Bloody jokes are a menace!" She also went to join the chase.
Ten minutes later they had chased him up onto the roof, where he kept pacing back and forth along the peak of the roof.
"George, why isn't he changing back?" Hermione glared at George.
"Maybe it takes longer for it to wear off on an animagus." George kept glancing down at his watch.
"Wear off?! Did one of your inventions turn him into a ferret?" Draco glared at George. "If so it isn't very funny."
"Let's just hope that he bounces or something when he falls off the roof." Ginny bit down on her lip, as she watched him pace the roof.
"He's a Merlin-in-training of course he'll bounce." Draco kept a close eye on the dark furry creature slinking across the highest point of the roof.
"If he breaks something I will make you pay George Weasley." Hermione tried to zero in on Harry with her wand, but he was too fast.
"Me?! It's Fred's bloody idea not mine!"
"If Harry gets hurt then there goes your no harm no foul agreement out the window." Angelina growled.
"He took without asking, so that's void in this situation." George countered.
"Argue later I think its finally wearing off." Ginny pointed up at the roof.
--
Oh cripes how did I end up here?! Harry was now normal again and very disoriented, causing him to lose his balance, and slide down the backside of the roof.
Accio Firebolt! He thought.
Oh brilliant move Harry. You'll hit the ground before it gets here! He silently berated himself, as he bounced off the roof onto the roof of the sunroom/greenhouse, slid down the side of that, and landed hard against the unforgiving ground. He heard, then felt his arm and wrist go crunch in a few places. It was then that he noticed Fluffy and Fang lounging in the back forty of the twin's backyard.
The five of them raced into the back to see if he was still in one piece. Three of them screeched to a halt at the sight of Fluffy.
"What the bloody hell is that doing in your yard?" Draco hissed at George.
"And why is he so mellow?" Hermione slowly made her way towards Harry.
"We researched what he ate and found out why Fluffy is so grouchy. He eats fire and brimstone. So we created a bonfire and he happily feasted on it for hours. He's been mellow since and not the least bit grouchy." George walked over to Harry. "You all right there baby brother?"
James zoomed into the yard with the summoned Firebolt and Lily was with him. "That explains why I lost control of the broom." He landed next to where Harry was laying, with his eyes squeezed shut, and his teeth gritted in pain. "Start talking why is he broken?!" He was not happy with what he was seeing.
"He ate a Ferret Fritter, your highness; it went all downhill from there." Angelina responded to the question.
"Harry, was a ferret? What did you do chase him up on the roof?" Lily tended to her son.
"Yeah, uh, that sort of, uh, happened. It works differently on animagus. It took nearly twenty minutes for him to revert to normal." George winced when Harry cried out in agony, because Lily had moved his arm.
Hermione glared murderously at George. "What'll it be then a Flobberworm or mule?"
"Neither..." Harry gasped ignoring the pain long enough to defend George. "I ate the fritter...not his fault."
"Then its Ronald's fault for driving you out of The Three Broomsticks before you finished your barely eaten lunch." Hermione was itching to jinx someone.
James glanced up at the sky. Sirius was riding Buckbeak, and was circling them. "He's gone and broken himself again! Get your ass down here, Padfoot!" He shouted up at him.
"I suppose that's safer than riding him out of here on the broom." Lily set his arm as best as she could.
"Load him up then and you can follow us." Sirius landed beside James.
"The three of you can meet us back at the castle. I suspect that George has work to get back to." James eyed the others.
"Some of the stuff in the shop is nearing final stages and I want to finish with Mel's surprise. Sorry about the trouble, it wasn't meant; after all he's like a baby brother and everything." George headed back towards the workshop.
James set Harry in front of Sirius then turned to Lily. "You want to ride with him or me?"
"You hands down! I don't trust Sirius when it comes to flying." Lily got on the broom behind James. "He'll be fine as soon as I patch him up, so enjoy the rest of your day." She reassured the others.
"I'm going with Uncle Sirius." Hermione wasn't about to leave Harry, so she climbed up behind Sirius.
"We'll see you back at the castle." Draco wanted to get some stuff for Harry at Honeydukes.
"Don't worry son, your mum will patch him up good as new." James grinned at him.
I've had worse." Harry groaned.
"We know kid you're used to breaks in several places." Sirius admired his bravery as they flew off towards the castle.
"Just no Skele-Gro... I'm begging you that stuff tastes like tripe..." He pleaded.
Sirius chuckled, "You still have the bones in your arm, so I don't think that will be needed. Would you rather we go visit Lockhart, he could really make your arm better." He teased.
"Shut it Uncle Sirius and focus on your flying, to this day that man is forever on my blacklist." Harry grumbled.
"You two have to tour this place before we head back to the castle, besides it'll make George feel better about this whole mess." Angelina led them out of the backyard. "Not to mention the inside of the house is amazing."
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Chapter 44
Master Chen Lee Wu
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I do not claim any of JKR's characters only that I love being able to create my own kind of mischief with her beloved characters. I do not claim any other things that are owned by other companies that I may mention once and a while in the stories...Although the original characters and ideas are mine and I loved creating them. So please review if you wish but try not to flame me too badly.
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Cindra 2004-2008