Beta: Demos [no comments]
Original release date: 01/11/15
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Harry Potter universe or any other universe.
Chapter Twenty - Developments
"Mister Harry Potter mustn't go back to Hogwarts" says the unknown voice.
"W-who are you?" replies Harry.
"Dobby, Mister Harry Potter. Such an honor it is to meet you sir" replies Dobby.
"I'm just Harry. Why can't I go back to-" begins Harry when a shaggy black dog nudges the bedroom door open, entering. Without warning, the dog treads over to Dobby, nudging Dobby's hand with his head. Eyes widening in surprise, Dobby pops out of the room.
Waiting a few seconds to see if Dobby appears, Sirius pads out of the room before quickly returning in human form.
"Harry, who was that, and why were they here?" asks Sirius with a serious tone of voice.
"The house elf's name is Dobby, and he was telling me that I shouldn't go back to Hogwarts this fall."
Blinking multiple times in silence, Sirius says, "Hold on for a minute or so", before disappearing. Two minutes later, Sirius returns, with Remus and Amelia."Now Harry, please recount what occurred" instructs Amelia.
Minutes later Harry finishes recounting his interaction with Dobby to the three attentive adults."Remus, I think we need to upgrade the wards" comments Sirius."Especially if I'm moving in with Susan in some months" reminds Amelia."We'll get it worked out, don't you worry. Remus, I think we need to some how designate what house elves are allowed through the wards" reflects Sirius, chin resting on a fist.
"I believe the non-magical folk have a system of 'black listing' and 'white listing', where 'black listing' is a list of items or people who aren't allowed, and 'white listing' is just a list of items or people who have unlimited access" replies Remus.
"Why not use something similar for humans as well as a secondary ward, closer to the house?" suggests Harry, participating for the first time in the conversation.
"Hmm. Harry, later today I, and a few other Aurors, are going to do a deep scan of Hogwarts for any more secrets of Dumbledore's. I'd like to use your idea of a ward closer to the castle, but used for the house elves. Having a set list of house elves allowed into the castle would definitely be a good idea. What if this Dobby had a more malicious intent, take you hostage, or even to kill you" states Amelia.
The three adults exit Harry's room a few minutes later, and Amelia requests quietly, "Sirius, dear, I need to borrow your Hogwarts map, while a team and I make a thorough check of the castle for any more surprises from Dumbledore."
"Certainly. Let's go to the kitchen and throw around some ideas on how to get the wards upgraded."
A couple of hours later, Harry enters the kitchen, yawning, where Amelia, Sirius, and Remus sit, sipping their cups of various drinks, all stone cold.
"Did I hear something about Susan moving in early this morning?" questions Harry.
Smiling, Amelia replies, "That wasn't to be revealed until later, but Sirius and I are getting married over the winter break. Then Susan and I will be moving in, seeing as you all have a few extra rooms."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Remus, shouldn't you get Fred and George for their training?" reminds Sirius yawning.
Getting up from his chair, Remus nods, before disappearing out the back door. Minutes later, Remus reappears with Fred and George talking animatedly.
"Fred, George, just a bit more before we leave. Tomorrow we'll be going directly to the store" states Sirius, standing up from the table.
Also standing up from the table, Amelia smiles speaking, "Well, it's time I get off to work as well. It's been good seeing you, Remus, Harry, Fred, and George", before walking down the hallway to the front door.
Minutes later the quartet disappear through the fireplace and arrive in the Marauders Emporium workshop. Looking around the workshop, Fred and George's jaws drop.
"Wow" chorus Fred and George.
"You need to remember that taking ideas and creating sellable products is just one aspect of conducting business. We shall begin with some basics. First thing, we need to take an account of what we have on the shelves, then add inventory to the shelves. Go with Harry and follow his lead. Once you all are done, report back to me" instructs Remus.
For the next fifteen minutes, Harry, Fred, and George take turns counting the amount of missing inventory from the shelves and adding more to be sold. Returning to Remus, Fred asks, "Now what?"
Smirking, Sirius steps out from behind the register, holding three ordinary looking brooms, "Now you three shall sweep the floors, without magic."
Wordlessly the trio take the brooms and sweep the floor, and within minutes the floor is dust free. Looking over the floor, Remus nods and then says, "Looks good. I think we can open the store. A few hours later, Sirius steps from behind the counter and into the workshop.
"So, are you three ready to get some lunch? Seeing as you all have only watched transactions and restocked the shelves so far."
A resounding 'yes' echoes in the workshop, causing Sirius to laugh.
"Alright, let's grab Remus and get some lunch."
Minutes later the five sit down in a corner booth of a hamburger fast food location somewhere in London. Ordering their food and drink together, the waitress brings their drinks before leaving to assist other customers.
"So we've had an-" begins Fred.
"Idea that we think-" continues George.
"Will sell well in the store" finishes Fred.
A look of interest crosses Remus's face while Sirius smiles and asks, "And what idea have you two come up with?"
Exchanging looks, Fred and George speak simultaneously, "Remotely activated fireworks."
Remus just adopts a blank look while Sirius's face adopts a gleeful look.
"Genius! Pure genius. I think that would be something you all would like to test at Hogwarts this coming term?"
"Of course" replies George.
"Wait. Let's add some way to keep them from being seen, and then place them around the Quidditch pitch, then have someone fire them off when we win matches" pitches in Harry.
"Is there a way we could keep them from being revealed with a spell?" asks Fred.
Remus just smiles a bit and replies, "I think we can do all of that. Then once we have some working prototypes, we'll send you three with some to Hogwarts. Assuming they are strictly used outdoors."
/*the same day at Hogwarts*/
"Alright, Moody, take trainee Tonks and make an inspection from the dungeons to the Great Hall. Robards, you're with Longbottom and inspect from the Great Hall to the top of inside of the castle. Shacklebolt and I will sweep the grounds, faculty offices, wards, and the Astronomy Tower. If you run into an issue, send a patronus" explains Amelia.
Walking down the lawns towards the edge of the wards, Kingsley queries, "What are you looking for in the wards, director?
Continuing in silence for a few moments, Amelia replies, "First, I'd like to test the wards and second, look for possible physical entrance to an underground passageway."
Without expressing any emotions, Kingsley replies, "Do you believe that there are any ways onto the grounds, director?"
"You may call me crazy, but I think there is. It would explain how a mountain troll got into the castle."
"You make a valid point."
"I'd like to question Dumbledore regarding possibly adding a ward to only allow the house elves in the kitchen through the wards. An unknown house elf entered my fiancé's house earlier this morning, and the idea is to some how make it so only certain house elves are allowed in through the wards, and not everyone who owns one."
"Hmm. Boss, that is definitely an interesting idea for a ward. How would it work?"
"That's the issue, I'm not certain how to go about implementing it. The idea wasn't mine, but a combination of thoughts from Sirius, Remus, and of course Harry."
"I must say they are some of the most creative people I've ever encountered. The chest piece of their armor for our department is quite nice. Thick, protective, but not too heavy. Not cold yet not hot, but comfortable. They are geniuses."
Continuing on without talking for a while, Amelia and Kingsley continue their search around the fence part of the boundary separating Hogwarts from the rest of the world.
/*getting back from lunch*/
"Fred, George, Harry, you can go into the back with Sirius and begin on the fireworks and I'll continue with running the front" states Remus.
Filing into the workshop, Sirius pulls down a hidden metal door, separating the workshop from the rest of the store.
"What are you doing?" asks Fred.
"It's a safety precaution. The walls are also lined with this protective metal, so just in case an item or spell goes awry, it should be contained in here. You will also need to put on these protective goggles" explains Sirius.
Putting on the goggles, the quartet begin the production of remotely detonating fireworks. Hours later, Remus thumps his fist on the metal door before shouting, "Sirius, it's time to close the store!"
A minute or two later, the thick metal barrier rises back into its resting position. Emerging from the workshop, a small cloud of smoke wafts out, and out steps Harry, Sirius, Fred, and George, still sporting their safety goggles.
"What did you all do in there? Incorrectly mix chemicals or something?" jokes Remus, smiling.
"Not exactly, but close enough. But I think we have a product that can be tested now" replies Sirius, removing his goggles.
"So you four managed to create a product in the past six hours?" asks Remus.
"Yes. But obviously we need testing and a better name before we release it to the public" replies Sirius.
"There are a few more weeks before the term begins, but we need to verify that the product, code name RD-FW, is safe before we let Fred, George, and Harry set them off at Hogwarts" remarks Remus.
"I agree. We will need an open area that we can fire some RD-FW off, and not attract the attention of non-magical folk."
"Hogwarts?" suggest Fred and George in chorus.
Turning and facing the twins, Sirius replies, "We'd need permission from Dumbledore and quite possibly the ministry. We could use our backyard, but there's the possibility of things getting out of hand and non-magical folk being alerted. Let Remus and I figure out the issue of finding an area to test out the RD-FW."
Entering the store at that moment, Amelia walks over to the group and Remus says, "Harry, Fred, George, come this way with me, please."
Remus starts showing Harry, Fred, and George on how to close the store.
"Sirius, Dumbledore gave me a book on wards while I was at Hogwarts today, and I perused it on the allowing of certain individuals through the wards" says Amelia.
"Really? How does it work?"
"It is a combination of a unique phrase which they can not divulge to anyone else, like the Fidelius Charm and then use a few drops of blood on a block of wood acting as the specific ward's source, with separate ward anchor points around the property."
Taken aback, Sirius asks curiously, "Hmm. I like the idea. I wonder if it has to be wood or if we could enchant a piece of the armor we made for the Auror department, as it would be harder to destroy. Although, someone would have to gain access to the property first to destroy it. I think we will try it and see how it goes."
"But know this, if it works, Susan and I may be moving in, with our house elf, Jack, shortly after the wards are erected. Safety in numbers, and I'm afraid with my long work days, it isn't fair to have Susan in the house with Jack or have her sleep over with friends quite frequently."
Chuckling, Sirius replies, "Would you like the wedding to be shortly after the move in as well?"
Smirking, Amelia replies, "You have made the offer, dearest Sirius, and I'll take you up on that offer."
Taking a deep breath, Sirius calls out, "Remus! Clear your schedule, it looks like Amelia and I are getting married once our wards are upgraded. And she even brought some information on how to set up the wards to only allow certain individuals, or house elves."
Rolling his eyes, Remus finishes up closing the store, before escorting the twins home.
Author note: Thank you all who have kept with this fanfic for so long. It was difficult to get Dobby to introduce himself without copying and pasting from the books. I'd rather not do that, even with giving credit to J.K. Rowling. Classes for me resume on the 12th of January, so releases will take some time, but I do plan on releasing chapters as often as I can.