Beta: None
Original Release Date: 4/30/16
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the canon Harry Potter universe or any other universe.
Chapter Forty Seven – Budding Business Developments
/*December 28th*/
Looking at the network usage graphs, Remus smiles as the usage for Social Share, the social networking project described by Fleur.
"Over seven hundred users since Christmas day in the UK and France combined, I am very happy. With more and more photos being added we will of course have to add more server capacity, or find a solution to do more with less" muses Remus to himself.
Looking up at the sound of knocking at his office door, Remus calls out, "Come in."
"Remus, it's wonderful to see you" comments Dumbledore conjuring a dark red armchair before sitting.
"As it is a surprise to see you, Headmaster. What can I do for you?" answers Remus with a smile.
Sitting back in his chair, Dumbledore inquiries, "Are you still sure that you will not come back in the fall to teach?"
"I'm afraid so. Despite the enjoyment of being back at Hogwarts, it has been hard on both Sirius and I to handle the Marauder Emporium's growth and low inventory issues. I do appreciate the opportunity however" answers Remus somewhat wistfully.
Sighing, Dumbledore rises from his chair remarks, "I'm sorry to hear that", before exiting the office.
As the door closes behind Dumbledore, Remus shakes his head before scrolling through a few more screens on his Omni Play. "Looks like we're low on quite a bit of our products. That's a good thing, especially with no major holidays coming up soon" remarks Remus out loud tapping a few times on the screen before the faint sound of parchment sliding across a wooden surface comes from the classroom.
Standing up from his desk and walking over to the MageSCP sitting on the classroom desk, Remus grabs the lengthy piece of parchment and scans over the list of products with amounts of ten or less in stock between both stores. Sighing, Remus places the list face down on the desk before exiting the classroom out into the hallway, absentmindedly locking the door behind him.
Arriving several minutes later at the portrait of the Fat Lady, Remus gains entrance and immediately finds Harry sitting in a chair with his headphones on, his back to the entrance of the common room. Crossing the room, Remus taps on Harry's shoulder, startling the teenager.
"Hello, err, professor? Or is it less formal?" inquiries Harry recovering quickly.
"It's professor currently. I have arranged your one week of detention to be with Professor Flitwick starting with the new term, starting at seven in the evening" answers Remus seriously.
Nodding his head, Harry answers, "Understood professor. But may I inquire as to why my detention isn't with you?"
"Partly because I think you might learn something by being with another professor, and another reason is I have a growing list of things to do, including managing the business as much as I can. Sirius is beginning to get about four hours of sleep, and it's slowly eating away at him, although he tries not to show it" answers Remus before smiling and taking a seat across from Harry.
"Now we can be less formal. How are your headphones holding up?" inquiries Remus curiously.
Turning the headphones over in his hands, Harry replies, "They aren't bad. Curved wood is nice, but it looks a little…shoddy. Cotton strips covering loose cotton for the ears is nice and I honestly can say that they fondle my ears, but they don't look professional. I do understand that they are simply prototypes however."
Chuckling Remus responds, "Of course not, yours and the twins are all prototypes like you mentioned. The finished product will definitely be much better looking and more refined. But the functionality is more of what I am interested in. I didn't hear any music when I entered the room, so I'll take a guess that the part that keeps everyone else from hearing anything works just fine. But how about noise cancelling? And how about the sound quality, is it wonderful, terrible, or what?"
"Oh, the noise cancelling works just fine. When you yelled at us the night Filch went to St. Mungoes, I couldn't hear him or the Dial A Decoys when they detonated, so I'd give them a perfect ten out of ten on that. The sound quality is…well I haven't really tried any comparable headphones so I can't really tell. But to me they sound pretty decent."
"Hmm, good point. Perhaps that is a step we should take, trying out the non-wizarding versions and see what else we can add and/or improve on" muses Remus.
"Um, I'm not certain if I should say this or not, but the twins and I…we modified ours to have way to communicate audio to each other" adds Harry hesitantly.
"You know what, if modified a bit to allow sound in but not allow what is communicated to be heard except for those wearing the headphones, that might be intriguing to Aurors and any other law enforcement officers. Once again you three break the rules but find potential and creative solutions to problems that may not have been resolved for quite some time. Will you allow me to inspect and possibly replicate your design for such use and sale?" inquiries Remus curiously.
Looking down at his headphones, Harry pauses before passing them over, "I hope that they can be helpful in some way. Communication is something I think is lacking in this world."
"Communication exists, but reliable, timely, and private communication is still heavily needed. If your headphones work the way I expect them to, this will take a step forward for such a matter. You truly are Lily's son, with her curiosity and talent in Charms. I'm proud of you" answers Remus tussling Harry's hair briefly.
"Thanks" replies Harry smiling.
"Oh, Messrs Weasley, I have your detention assignments. Fred, you will report to Professor McGonagall, and George you will be reporting to Professor Sprout, both on the day classes resume" calls out Remus with a smile, not turning around from his seat on the couch.
"Understood, sir" chorus the twins, exiting the common room.
Standing up, Remus speaks, "Just because you have detention doesn't mean you still can't enjoy the time you have to play games, to spend time with friends, and overall just enjoy yourself" before exiting the common room himself.
/*in France*/
"Mama!" calls out Fleur as she gracefully slides into the large kitchen where her mother stands cooking. "Mama!" repeats Fleur pointing at her Omni Play with animated photo of herself smiling on Social Share, the social networking service she had designed alongside a few of her friends.
"Wonderful! Excited I am for you!" answers Apolline with a smile, giving her eldest daughter a hug.
With a large grin on her face, Fleur floats out of the kitchen and into the communal living space where her sister sits.
"Maybe better name ees in order" comments Fleur quietly.
/*in the UK and one day later*/
"Have you had a wonderful break, Susan?" inquiries Amelia as she, Susan, and Sirius sit down at breakfast.
"Yes, auntie" replies Susan with a smile.
"It's nice to have the ability to sleep in a bit and stay home with family" remarks Sirius with a yawn.
"I agree, but I miss spending time with Hannah. Is it possible me to visit with her before I go back to Hogwarts, like today and maybe even New Years eve?" asks Susan curiously.
"I don't see why not, if Mrs. Abbott doesn't mind of course. I'll Floo her here shortly" answers Amelia with a smile.
Giddy with happiness, Susan quickly finishes her breakfast and politely excuses herself, skipping out of the room. Checking the medium sized bowl on the mantle over the fireplace, Amelia states, "Sirius, we need some more Floo powder when you go to Diagon Alley next."
Sighing Sirius answers, "Alright, I'll pick some up."
Hearing a hoot, Sirius looks up as a large barn owl swoops in and drops a letter at Sirius's place before flying out a nearby window. Undoing the seal, Sirius reads the letter before answering the unspoken question, "It looks like Beauxbaton is looking for a similar set up of Hogwarts with a system to be able to stream their own Quidditch games to parents and students, in addition to being able to watch any public broadcasts from their ministry of magic."
"When do they want to talk with you?" inquiries Amelia.
"Later today apparently" answers Sirius scribbling a response just as the barn owl that had delivered the letter swoops back in, allowing the response to be tied to its leg before flying back out.
"I suppose this means that getting more Floo powder will have to possibly wait?" asks Amelia.
"Possibly, but I hope the meeting doesn't take too long to prevent me from doing such a thing" answers Sirius giving Amelia a kick kiss on the cheek before bounding out of the kitchen.
Sighing, Amelia proceeds to take a pinch of Floo powder and begins the Floo call to Mrs. Abbott pausing as a smiling Susan enters the kitchen.
"And here she is, all ready to go" remarks Amelia from the floor of the kitchen.
Taking a pinch of Floo powder, Susan disappears into the roaring green flames smiling and giving Amelia a brief wave.
/*in France*/
Arriving at the French Ministry of Magic, Sirius mutters to himself as he hands his portkey and ID to the security guard, "I can't wait for when the twins will be handling this…"
Traveling down the marble hallways and finally arriving at the instructed door, Sirius knocks and enters when the English word 'open' is heard.
"Welcome Mr. Black, and thank you for coming on such short notice" welcomes Monsieur Delacour.
"No problem and thank you for having me" answers Sirius taking the only available seat amongst the five finely dressed individuals.
"Now Mr. Black, we are here on behalf of Madame Maxime, who would like to add the ability to allow the parents of her students to watch their Quidditch matches, in addition to the various club performances including but not limited to the dance and theater performances. Is that possible?" asks one of the unnamed individuals.
"The system itself isn't difficult to set up and it would be my pleasure to do such a thing. A question I have is are the cameras going to be mounted and then never moved, or are they going to be moved about during a performance or so to get a better view? If they are to be mobile, a stable platform will be needed and unfortunately we haven't developed one yet" answers Sirius.
Whispering quietly amongst each other, the clear spokesman for the group replies, "We believe mobile units for the performances with just a few mobile units for Quidditch matches, with a large majority of the cameras being stationary."
"I see. When would all of this be needed to be installed?" asks Sirius jotting some notes down on an offered piece of parchment.
"Madame Maxime relayed that she would like this to be done before the new term begins in a week. Which leads us to the next and quite possibly the largest point, Madame Maxime has requested several of your OmniVision units to be installed and connected for use for those unable to attend the Triwizard Tournament later this year at Hogwarts" states the spokesman.
Taken back at the statement of the Triwizard Tournament, Sirius quickly recovers and answers, "That shouldn't be a problem, other than however many OmniVision units are needed. We currently have seven created and ready to be installed."
"We will want all seven of those. Final request, Madame Maxime also wants her students to be able to watch our public broadcasts. Is that possible as well?"
Smiling Sirius answers, "Easily so, yes."
"What will be the cost of goods and installation?" inquiries the spokesman.
Doing some quick math on the parchment, Sirius asks, "Is there a known quantity of cameras?"
"Approximately twenty is what was given by Madame Maxime" answers the spokesman after consulting the others.
Continuing his calculations, Sirius finally answers, "Our estimated cost for the products and installation will be 320 galleons. This includes a one year warranty of all products if they failure from general use and not from abuse. If you can wait until the new year, I will gather three or four of our employees and arrive to do installation."
Conversing with the others in French, the spokesman smiles and answers, "We agree to that amount. Please return here at nine in the morning on the first of January with everything and everyone you need, and we will take you to Beauxbaton."
"I shall thank you. If you don't mind, I must make preparations to make this happen as flawlessly as possible" states Sirius, receiving a dismissal and exiting the room.
Returning to England, Sirius starts a video call and jumps in when Remus's face appears, "Remus, I need you to gather Harry and the twins on the first of January to help do a large installation at Beauxbaton."
"Slow down and start at the beginning" instructs Remus, getting a piece of paper and pen and taking notes.
Several minutes later, Remus answers, "We'll have to sneak them out, as I doubt Dumbledore would willingly allow them to leave, but I don't think anyone would miss them if we can make it fast."
"This…may not be a fast installation. That many OmniVision units, that many cameras, and we need to quickly develop a platform for the cameras to sit on to keep stable. Why don't you ask Dumbledore about—" begins Sirius.
"Ask me about what?" comes a jovial voice from the doorway.
Looking up from the Omni Play, Remus sees Dumbledore himself standing in the doorway.
"Sir, I am requesting that Fred, George, and Harry accompany myself and Sirius to France to do a large installation at Beauxbaton, on the first of January" speaks Remus.
Giving almost no time at all to think, Dumbledore answers, "Approved. The boys need some time to see the world around us. And give my warm regards to Madame Maxime."
"I will, and thank you sir" answers Remus with a smile.
Entering the Gryffindor Common Room, Remus spots the trio and makes a beeline for them.
"Hello sir" welcomes Fred.
"You three will be coming with me early in the morning on the first of January to France. Dumbledore has given permission for you three to help Sirius and I do an installation at Beauxbaton" states Remus.
"Isn't that where Fleur attends?" George asks of Harry curiously.
"Yes, and you might see her. This isn't a social trip, this is a business trip and as such you will be on your best behavior. Oh, and someone bring a broom or two, as we will be installing cameras in their Quidditch pitch. I don't care who does, just as long as it is done" states Remus, giving the three a quick smile before leaving.
On January first at eight in the morning, the twins and Harry make their way down from their dormitory and arrive in the entrance hall where Remus, Dumbledore, and even Professor McGonagall stand.
"Don't embarrass Hogwarts" warns Professor McGonagall with a hint of a smile on her face.
"Let's go" says Remus leading the way onto the snowy grounds.
Leaving Hogwarts grounds minutes later and finally outside of the protective wards, Remus pulls out a plastic cup and has the three boys hold on, with seconds later a pull behind their navel disorienting them as the travel to France. Spotting Sirius, the twins and Harry jog over to him while Remus sighs and continues to walking the short distance.
"I got us uniforms with 'Marauders Emporium Staff' on the back and our names on the front" says Sirius holding out black robes with gold lettering with their respective names over their hearts.
Changing out of their Hogwarts robes to the more plush robes, the five make their way into the French of Ministry of Magic, bubbling with excitement with seeing another magical school other than Hogwarts for the first time.
Author note: Thanks to all who have read, reviewed, favorited, etc! :D
-Daisycb – I'm sorry that the photo is creepy. I'll look for a better and less creepy one of me (I partially enjoy the anonymity of it in addition to not being one for taking photos of myself). And no, I am not a member of Anonymous.
-Blackangel150 – I wanted to show that they aren't invincible/never going to get off without getting into some form of trouble.
-Katiek121 – As did I. I was hoping for some more feedback, but I think that'll happen later on when I introduce…other things. Fourth year is when a lot more happens, including romantic relationship(s).
- meekerprincess9778 – I won't say too much to hopefully not spoil anything, but Remus does have a partner lined up, don't worry.
If anyone would like to propose on a better name than 'Social Share' for the social networking service, feel free to. I'm not the happiest with the name, but it was the best that didn't copy some other social media name.