Beta: DarkerThanYin
Original release date: 02/08/15
Update: 2/11/2015
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Harry Potter universe or any other universe.
Chapter 22 – Unexpected Developments
Picking up the piece of parchment in front of him, Dumbledore adjusts his glasses and reads it. Finishing up the report, Dumbledore looks up as a knock on the door is heard.
"Enter" calls out Dumbledore.
Professor McGonagall enters and conjures a dark red recliner, trimmed with gold, before sitting down.
"Albus, I think we need to act on Amelia's suggestion of adding a house elf ward."
Leaning back and forming a steeple with his fingers, Dumbledore replies, "While it does have its merits, I don't believe it necessary."
Silence follows for multiple moments before Professor McGonagall comments, incredulously, "Don't…believe…it…necessary?"
"Correct, Minerva."
"But Albus, think of the students! We need to think about security, the safety of the students! We had the mountain troll on Halloween, and it almost cost three students their lives. Then the three-headed dog! When were you going to inform us of that?!"
Sighing, Dumbledore replies, "I understand your concerns, Minerva, but fear not. There won't be an issue this year."
Detecting a dismissal, Professor McGonagall gets up from her seat and exits.
/*the next day at Platform 9¾ */
"We've got time" mutters Sirius, entering Kings Cross station, alongside Amelia, Susan, and Harry.
"We've got just a few moments before the gate closes" reminds Amelia impatiently.
"Two minutes is enough time to get these two through the gate" replies Sirius.
Wordlessly Harry leans into his trolley as he aims for the barrier separating him from the Hogwarts express. Sliding into the barrier, Harry meets the barrier with resistance.
"We have to hurry, Harry" reminds Sirius.
Backing up a few meters, Harry pushes his trolley towards the barrier and once again is met with resistance. Noticing the resistance, Amelia comes to rest beside Harry and murmurs a question, "Harry, what's wrong?"
"I can't get through the barrier, it's solid" replies Harry quietly.
Pressing her hand against the barrier, Amelia discovers the barrier completely solid. Looking up at the clock, Sirius whispers to the other three, "It's 11 now. We've missed the train."
"What shall we do?" mutters Amelia.
"Well, we can get them to Hogsmeade, but they'd be there early" murmurs Sirius.
"What about our honeymoon dear?"
Smiling, "We're enjoying the beginning of our honeymoon in a more unique way than most couples do. Let's just get Susan and Harry to Hogwarts first, then we can begin our honeymoon."
"Don't the trunks have a miniaturizing function?" asks Amelia.
"And a weight reducing one as well. Susan, Harry, please activate the miniaturizing and weight reducing buttons on your trunks" instructs Sirius.
Less than seconds later, the trunks shrink to fit in their palms.
"Grab Hedwig, Harry, and please follow me outside" instructs Sirius, striding towards the exit to Kings Cross Station.
/*on the train*/
"I wonder where Harry is" remarks Hermione, leaning her head on Neville's shoulder.
Looking down at his watch and frowning, Neville replies, "He and Susan had to get on the train together. Perhaps they were running late or something?"
/*Hogsmeade a few minutes later*/
"Now what?" inquires Harry.
"Well, let's send Hedwig to the castle and see if they will get you through the gates" suggests Amelia.
"Then you write the letter" retorts Harry.
"Of course. It would be look odd if you did it" replies Sirius.
Watching Hedwig fly away to the castle, Sirius suggests, "Well, as we have time to kill, let's grab some lunch while we wait for someone to reply."
Walking around Hogsmeade, the quartet look for an open restaurant, noticing very few people walking around.
/*on the train*/
"Did he make it the train?" inquiries Ginny, sitting in the compartment with Neville and Hermione.
"I suppose we could try to initiate a video conversation with him" suggests Hermione.
Giving Hermione a peck on the cheek, Neville comments, "You seem to think of some of the most simple and effective ideas. Yes, let's contact him."
"Harry, where are you? And why didn't you get on the train?" asks Neville to his watch.
"Hogsmeade, and that's a long story. Just wait until you get here, then I'll explain"
Just then Hannah Abbott pops her head into the compartment, "Has anyone heard anything about Susan Bones?"
"She's here with me" comments Harry.
Susan's face appears in the miniature watch screen and speaks, "Hannah, I'm so sorry I didn't get on the train."
Taking off his watch, Neville hands it to Hannah to allow her and Susan to continue their conversation.
"I don't think the non-magical folk have anything this advanced yet" remarks Hermione.
"Of what I understand, we magical folk really haven't really made any advances until the Marauders Emporium opened up. Now we have trunks that can shrink, weigh less, have an organizational system, or compartments when you open it, versus having seven or nine different compartments with different keys, having to open each compartment to find what you need, these watches that allow video chat, the Quidditch gear for safety, etc" states Neville.
"Neville, thanks" says Hannah, handing the watch back to Neville, before disappearing.
A few minutes later, "Did Potter miss the train? What a loser" drawls a familiar voice.
Looking up, the compartment sees Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle standing in the open door.
"Seems like your boyfriend missed the train. Did he not want to be seen with you, Weasley?" chortles Draco, nudging Crabbe and Goyle to laugh along with him.
"And I remember you running out into Diagon Alley, screaming like a little baby, because your robes were on fire" retorts a voice behind Draco.
Turning around, Draco comes nearly face to face with Fred and George, arms crossed. Opening his mouth to reply, Draco is beaten to it by George, "I dare say he won't make it too long if he forgets how to put out a small bit of fire with his wand."
"Now, if you don't mind, slither on back to your own friends" adds Fred.
"Mudbloods and traitorous purebloods in the same compartment, the world is going up in smoke" utters Draco.
A dead silence covers the surrounding compartments, with George, still smiling, finally replying after a long pause, "And I hope you get petrified. Now, you might want to beat it before a bunch of Gryffindors come help you learn a few lessons in advanced charms."
"Just wait until my father hears about this. Me, a pureblood, being threatened" mutters Malfoy.
Giving the twins the evil eye, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle leave, quickly leaving the vicinity.
"Should I?" questions George.
"Of course, it's only fair I got him the last time" replies Fred.
Tapping on his watch, George smiles as he counts down, "Five...four…three…two…one."
In the distance, a shrill sound followed by a soft but still audible booming sound resonates, quickly followed by a high pitched shrieking sound.
Fred and George high five each other as Hermione turns her gaze to them in an accusing tone, "What did you two do?"
Turning around and adopting a look of mock surprise, Fred replies innocently, "Whatever do you mean?"
"You know what, I don't want to know" comments Hermione.
"Mum will be mad if she hears this" taunts Ginny, smiling confidently.
"Hears about what?" asks George, turning to Fred.
"I'm not quite certain brother. I suspect we are needed else" replies Fred as he begins to walk down the corridor, away from the direction that Malfoy went.
/*in Hogsmeade*/
"Alright, it's time to get you two into Hogwarts" reminds Sirius.
Without arguing, Harry and Susan leave, following Sirius and Amelia out of the restaurant and towards the direction of Hogwarts. Arriving at the Hogwarts gate, Sirius stiffens slightly, but continues a few more steps before speaking as politely as possible, "Hello, Severus. How nice of you to greet us."
Sneering, Snape replies, "Black, how interesting and of course disappointing it is to see your legacy of constant rule breaking to fall upon Mr. Potter and Miss Bones."
"Mr. Snape, may I remind you that no matter what has transpired between you and Mr. Black are bygones, and to let bygones be bygones."
Curling his upper lip, Snape replies, "You are quite correct Director Bones, or is it Director Black? Anyways, I shall escort Mr. Potter and Miss Bones to the castle."
"It's Director Black or Mrs. Black, and I'm afraid that Sirius and I need to speak with the Headmaster."
Barely moving his head, Snape wordlessly strides off towards the castle, not even waiting to see if anyone is following. While following Snape, Sirius pulls out two rectangle sized pieces of glass, and hands one to Susan and Harry.
"Susan, Harry, these are a test device that I was hoping to let you all test over the winter break, but I think these will help you two kill time. It is called the 'Omni Play', which emulates board games. Now, there aren't too many games on it yet, but it can connect to a database just like the mirrors and watches, and will allow you to add more games to play, once more games are added of course."
"Thanks" chorus Susan and Harry.
Entering the castle, the quartet find themselves in the company of Dumbledore, Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick.
"Amelia, I've heard that you wish to speak with myself" speaks Dumbledore.
"Yes, I do. Sirius and I need to speak with you, in private" replies Amelia.
"Follow me to my office then" instructs Dumbledore, heading towards his office.
Standing in the entrance hall, Harry turns to Professor McGonagall, "Professor, I know that Susan and I are here early, but is it alright if we put our things in our respective dormitories and possibly sit in the Great Hall for a few hours?"
Exchanging a few looks, Professor Sprout replies, "I don't foresee an issue with that. Minerva, do you see an issue?"
"No, I don't foresee any issue. I do believe some of the ghosts will need to be on hand, as I'm fairly certain that we professors are still preparing for classes."
"Susan, does that sound good to you, or is there something else you'd rather do?" asks Harry.
"Um, that sounds good to me" replies Susan.
Traveling to their respective dormitories to put away their belongings, Susan succeeds to gaining access while Harry is stopped by the Fat Lady.
"Password?" inquires the Fat Lady gently.
Realizing that Professor McGonagall hadn't provided him with the password, Harry opens his mouth to speak when someone beats him to it, "Wattlebird, my dearest Fat Lady."
Turning around, Harry sees Nearly Headless Nick floating towards him.
"Hello Sir Nicholas."
"Why Harry, how was your summer?"
"Fred and George began working alongside Sirius and Remus at the Marauders Emporium and other than some practice on my skills, nothing I couldn't handle. How about yours?"
"Mmm, the twins may become a force to be reckoned with then. Sirius Black and Remus Lupin?"
"Yes, they are my guardians and my family. How did you know about me being here?"
Chortling, Sir Nicholas replies, "Word passes quickly, Harry. Especially when an owl arrives very late after mail arrives."
"Am I left to wait for you two to catch up, or will you enter?" asks the Fat Lady sarcastically.
"Oh, sorry, I'll enter" replies Harry, turning red from embarrassment, entering the Gryffindor common room.
A scant few minutes later Harry dashes down the many staircases, changing like normal, to the Great Hall. Entering the Great Hall, Harry spots Susan at the Hufflepuff table and walks over, taking a seat.
"Get lost?" jokes Susan.
"Ended up at the top of the Astronomy Tower instead of Gryffindor Tower" Harry jokes back.
"So how do we use these devices?" inquires Susan, turning the Omni Play over and over in her hands.
"Knowing Sirius, it probably is voice activated or needs a tap of a wand" replies Harry, placing his hand on the glass side of the rectangle.
Within seconds the glass lights up, eventually settling on a screen showing a menu of options.
"Not a very intuitive design" remarks Susan.
"You are correct. But you should remember that this is still in development, although I believe I can help with this" states Sirius, sitting down beside Susan, pulling out two small wooden boxes.
"What are these?" inquiries Harry, turning the box with handles over in his hands.
"It is, what Remus and I hope, a way to sync our products across the board. It is called the, 'Omni Connect'. Each drawer does something different. There is a drawer to hold your music, just like the personal wireless, which will connect with this. What you hold in your hands will connect to this, just without a drawer, yet, and get updates to the interface and get more board games. To make it simple, your devices connect to the "Omni Connect', and then it pulls back updates to the interfaces and the likes. Future updates and the unlocking of drawers for future products, will occur automatically, by this connecting to our master server" replies Sirius.
Shaking her head, Susan replies, "That's complex."
Laughing, Sirius replies, "Don't worry about knowing how it works, it's just supposed to seamlessly work."
"Sirius, it's time to leave" calls out Amelia, entering the Great Hall and giving Susan and Harry both a hug.
Tousling Harry's hair and giving Susan a one armed hug, Sirius joins Amelia and together they exit the Great Hall, hand in hand. Walking down the front lawn of Hogwarts, Sirius and Amelia walk hand in hand silently until they leave the grounds.
/*back at Hogwarts*/
Hours later, sitting down at their respective tables, Harry and Susan don't have to wait long before the thunderous sound of students entering the castle is heard. Barely a minute later students begin to pour into the Great Hall.
"Bloody hell, there you are" remarks Ron, sitting down across from Harry.
"What happened?" asks Neville sitting beside Harry.
Taking in a deep breath, Harry begins explaining with random questions being tossed his way.
"What a rather boring tale, don't you agree brother?" comments Fred sitting beside Ron.
"Agreed, brother of mine" replies George sitting down on Ron's other side.
Opening his mouth to remark, Ron is interrupted by the Great Hall doors opening with Professor McGonagall leading the first years to where the Sorting Hat rests on a three legged stool. Slowly but surely Professor McGonagall goes down the list of first years, finally arriving at Ginny's name.
Sitting down on the stool, Ginny's head is soon engulfed by the Sorting Hat. Within seconds of having the Sorting Hat on and around her head, the hat announces, "GRYFFINDOR".
Applause and cheering begin when the unmistakable sounds of explosions begin resonating throughout the hall. Looking to the back of the hall, the entire school see scarlet and gold fireworks forming and fading in the shape of a lion.
As silence descends on the Great Hall, Dumbledore stands and speaks, "Well done, well done for that display of charmed fireworks. It does announce to all that Miss Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor, for those unable to hear the Sorting Hat. Now, eat, and renew friendships."
Taking a sampling of food from the nearby plates, Harry only manages to lift a fork laden down with food when Ginny, on the other side of Harry, asks, "Harry, did you do that fireworks display?"
Looking discreetly around him, Harry replies, "Now's not the time, Ginny."
"Hmph" replies Ginny, returning to her meal.
Some time later, Dumbledore stands and silences once again falls across the hall, "As normal, it is time for friendly reminders. The Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students, all students must be in their respective dormitories when curfew hits, no magic in the halls between classes, and for the most complete list of forbidden items please check Mr. Filch's office door. Now it is time to turn in as classes begin tomorrow bright and early."
Slipping out of the Great Hall before the rest of the students, Harry quickly and nimbly navigates his way to the Gryffindor common room. Dashing across the common, Harry almost makes it to the dormitory stairwell when the first of the students arrive and a female voice calls out, "Potter!"
Turning around, Harry comes face to face with Ginny.
"May I help you?" inquires Harry.
"Please explain the fireworks" reminds Ginny.
Exhaling loudly, Harry replies, "Fred and George came up with the idea of remotely setting off fireworks, and the fireworks needed to be tested."
"And there wasn't any other reason?" responds Ginny, narrowing her eyes.
Shaking his head, Harry states, "Not that I'm aware of."
"Hmph. Thanks anyways" speaks Ginny, taking a seat in a nearby armchair.
/*hours later at the Marauder's home*/
"I think we should look into developing our own ward specialist program" comments Sirius.
Giving Sirius a weird look, Remus replies, "What do you mean?"
"You know the pamphlets that McGonagall had for our fifth year for careers? I think we should develop a program for people who analyze wards and recommend what wards are needed to be placed in accordance to what the client wants but only take a few at a time."
"Hmm, we could set some standards on wards being established. There might be a small side business for that. But what areas would our prospective students need to have NEWTs in would be something to think about" remarks Remus.
"Agreed. Perhaps tomorrow would be better, depending on if Amelia is done at the ministry for now."
"Yes, perhaps tomorrow is best" states Remus, getting out of his chair and heading towards the stairs.
Author note: First thing, Dumbledore is not evil, but he does seem to be outside of the canonical version, and I do have my reasons why. Second, thank you all who have read, reviewed, and the likes. I do try to read every review and while I don't reply to every single one, but I do try to get back or reply to the ones with suggestions and likes. Now to the obvious change in Ginny vs canon one, is that she has friends, and is more confident in herself than canon Ginny.
Thanks to Danneyland for some inspiration on the idea for the warding career with the Marauders. If I didn't convey it clearly enough, the twins dropped a Dial-A-Decoy into Draco's robes at the bookstore, with the resulting explosion of the device causing his robes to catch on fire.
Update: 2/11/2015: I was going through previous chapters for prices on items in the Marauders Emporium when I noticed that Pettigrew had already been caught [chapter 13 I believe] and sentenced to Azkaban. I have since removed him being caught in this chapter. Apologies for my mistake.