DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter or any of it's Characters, and if you would be so kind as to review I would be very happy. Thank You
Chapter 12 -- Not Your Ordinary Trunk
The wonderful aroma of bacon, sausages, and hash browns slowly seeped into Harry's dreams until he was blinking away the last seconds of sleep as he sat up and reached over to the night stand, snatching off his glasses and putting them on. Looking around to gather his bearings, Harry realized where he was, he was at Harrington Palace. Ohh how he was beginning to love this place, smirking to himself at the thought of loving Privet Drive, he made his way over to the breakfast table. Digging in, Harry pondered what he had in store for today. Neville was coming over to review their memories from the Factory in his Pensive and then Harry was going to show Neville his dueling room, first hand. A little smile came to his face at that thought, we will soon see how strong Neville's magical core has become since becoming unbidden.
As Harry finished an amazing breakfast, Winky appeared and cleared the table before speaking. "Morning Harry, how was your breakfast? Good I hope." asked Winky as she slightly blushed.
"It was amazing Winky, thank you. Neville is coming by in a little bit, we will be spending most of the day in the dueling room, if you could make some sandwiches' and Butterbeers for us to snack on at lunch time." declared Harry as he made his way over to his luxurious bathroom suite to get cleaned up.
"Of course Harry, just call out when you two are ready for them." Replied Winky as she silently disappeared. After a lovely half hour in the bathroom suite, Harry walked out and into his walk in closet/lounge area. Walking over towards his clothes, he was slightly in awe as to how much clothes he now owned. Finally picking out a sweet work out like suit that was extremely comfortable and easy to move in. He read the label, Adiddas, hmm he decided he liked Adiddas. As he was checking himself out in the full length mirror as Dobby silently popped in just behind him that slightly startled Harry, but he tried to hide it.
"Dobby, where did I get all these clothes?" Asked Harry as he motioned towards the stacks and racks of clothes that now filled his onetime empty closet.
"Winky has been ordering you a variety of styles, ever since we got your official measurements, I hope that is okay with you Harry?" asked Dobby as Harry just smiled back at him. Figuring he would give Harry some good news to distract him from all the clothes that he now owned, something that Dobby and Winky thought he desperately needed, Dobby smirked before continuing. " I do have some good news to tell you Master."
"Oh really, and what could be better then having all of this." asked Harry as he waved all around his closet, as he looked around he noticed all the shrunken packages that were at one time stacked around were not there anymore. Smiling as he just figured out what Dobby's good news was, Harry decided to have a little fun with his little friend.
"I hope your not thinking of my two new school trunks that you picked up this morning. Because to be honest with you, that sounds to me like a lot of work ahead of me. All the organizing of all those books into the library. Storing all those potion ingredients into the potions stores. Planting all those plants and seedlings into the Herbology room and setting up the infirmary. Like I said, work, work, work!" Finished Harry with a fake defeated look on his face as he watched Dobby's expression shyly out the corner of his eyes.
Dobby looked at the ground bashfully as he was trying to think of something else he could say that would cheer Harry up, but he couldn't think of anything. Harry watched while holding in his laughter until he couldn't any longer and he started busting up laughing out loud as Dobby looked on bewildered.
After the laughter passed, Harry said, "I'm sorry Dobby, that was just to good to pass, I was only playing. I am ecstatic that the Trunks are finished. So, how did they turn out, have you checked each compartment?"
Dobby visibly relaxed as he pulled out two small credit card like boxes and handed them over to Harry as he described how to open them. "Just place your thumb on the corner there, and say enlarge, you will then have five seconds to place it on a solid surface before it resizes." declared Dobby.
Harry did as he was instructed and set the two credit card size boxes on the ground and watched as the two trunks enlarged right before his very eyes. They were beautiful, exquisite black leather with gold bindings with a very ornate looking crest stitched in to the front of each trunk, upon closer inspection, Harry realized that it was the Potter family crest. He had only seen pictures of it on his Gringotts documents but never like this, it was perfect.
Walking over to the first one he opened the lid and peered inside, it looked ordinary, just like any other trunk. Dobby walked over and showed Harry that just under the lip of the lid, were seven little black buttons. After telling Harry witch button did what, Harry pushed the first button and watched as the front part of the trunk opened right down the middle all the way down to the floor. Peering down he witnessed the little stairs and walked down inside it.
At the bottom of the stairs was a large black door with the Potter family crest in bright gold embroidery. Reaching for the handle to open the door, as his hand grabbed the door knob, it glowed bright gold for a second as a little clicking noise was heard before the door swung open revealing a huge potions lab.
Walking into the lab slowly, Harry took stock of the entire room. Once he cleared the door, it closed itself and Harry noticed something hanging on the wall where the opened door was blocking. Walking closer he realized this was the monitoring system that Mister Whitehead was referring too, it was absolutely brilliant. There was a little screen that showed what was going on outside the trunk, he could see Dobby still standing there, not sure if he should follow down into the trunk. Harry also realized he could hear what was being said outside as well, he wondered if Dobby could hear him, he called out "Dobby?"
Silently Dobby appeared right next to him inside the trunk, "Yes Harry, what is it?" Dobby replied.
"I was wondering if you could hear me outside of the trunk?" said Harry as Dobby was shaking his head that he could.
"Yes Master, I can hear you summon me from almost anywhere, even behind very protective warding." Dobby beamed with pride as he straightened himself up.
"That wasn't what I was talking about. I was referring to you actually hearing me speak out loud." Finished Harry as he motioned towards the little surveillance area near the front door. Dobby looked confused for a second before it finally dawned on him as to what Harry was asking.
"Oh, I understand…I am sorry Master" said Dobby as he made his way over to the little screen area before continuing. "Yes you can transmit audio to the outside of the trunk by pressing this button hear while talking, you must hold down the button until you have finished talking." Dobby declared while demonstrating.
After Dobby's little demonstration, Harry was extremely pleased with his purchases from Mister Whitehead, even though they cost him a small fortune, he was sure they were worth every Gallon. If all the compartments were like this one, he was going to get so much envy for having this trunk, let alone two of them. As he pondered that thought, he wondered what Hermione would say if she could see this trunk, and for that matter, what would Ron say? Those thoughts sent a small pang to his chest, he really did miss his two best friends, or at least his former best friends. But the way things were shaping out, it looked like He and Neville were fast becoming best friends. He smiled at that thought as he explored the potions lab further.
He noticed The counter tops were of the finest Marble as he ran his hands over the counter tops. He let out a small whistle as he realized he had enough space to brew up to twelve caldron's at one time in here. Mister Whitehead has definitely outdone himself. Looking towards the back of the room, Harry noticed several cabinets for storing different size caldron's and supplies.
This was one of the best potions lab he had ever seen, way better then anything Hogwarts had to offer. Just think about what I could brew in here privately without anyone disturbing me. Polly Juice, Felix Felicis, Healing potions, and just about anything he wanted. Of course he would have to learn how to make some of those more advanced potions, but having the ability to brew twelve different potions at once, and not having to sneak around the castle and hope no one came across his caldron hiding in Myrtle's Bathroom stall was bloody brilliant!
As he made his way to the door with Dobby right behind him, he noticed several small wrapped boxes stashed in the corner of the room. Dobby who seemed to understand Harry's question before he actually expressed it, said "Those are some of the supplies for this room that Winky and I have gathered already, we were not sure how you wanted to organize the rooms, so we left the packages in the corner of each room. We will of course gladly put those items away to your liking once you tell us what you want."
Harry smiled as they made there way to the door and Harry took a quick glance at the monitor that showed outside the trunk before opening the door and walking out to the hallway that lead to the stairs. "Dobby that is quite all right, I will take pleasure in organizing and storing away everything in each room, that way I will know where everything is. Although I would of course appreciate some help." Harry finished as he noticed Dobby's grin spread across his face.
As they got to the bottom of the stairs, Harry was about to make his way back up the stairs when he noticed on the wall right at the base, was the seven black buttons that were under the lid on the outside of the trunk. Turning to face Dobby with a smile, Harry pushed the second button and heard a faint click and as he looked down the hall, he noticed the door had changed. Where their once was the black door with the Potter crest etched in gold, now stood a green door with the same Potter crest etched in gold.
Harry quickly walked down the hallway and reached for the handle to the green door and opened it quickly. He felt so excited at exploring everyone of these amazing compartments, why hadn't he bought something like this years ago. He couldn't quite explain this feeling that was coming over him as he walked into the most amazing Herbology room he had ever entered. He was starting to understand what his other dorm mates were feeling on Christmas, that giddy feeling that was welling up in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't wipe the smile off his face no matter how hard he tried, especially as he thought about what Neville would say when he had one of his very own of these immaculate trunks.
Walking around he noticed there were four small greenhouses, each had a temperature control just to the right of each door with the temperature number in bright gold numbers that floated above each greenhouse. Along the walls were equipment ranging from shovels to pots and everything in between.
Thinking things couldn't get much better then this, Harry pulled open the first greenhouse and walked in. The greenhouse was at least ten times larger on the inside as was on the outside. Staring at rows and rows of various plants all lined up beautifully, if all four of the greenhouses were as large as this one, Harry couldn't possibly think of what to do with all that space. "I will definitely need Neville to see this compartment right away." Suddenly Harry was thinking he had loads to do, lists of things he wanted to get done today. He didn't have the time to walk around this huge compartment and evaluate each greenhouse. Stepping out of GH1 what Harry dubbed would be what he was going to call each room, it was easier that way he thought as he left the compartment, closing the green door and walking down the hallway. Just as he reached the base of the stairs he glanced down at his watch as he took a step and froze, Dobby walking right into him as he stuttered his apologies, Harry was still staring at his watch.
"Dobby, we have been in this trunk for at least fifteen to twenty minutes, but my watch isn't moving, how long have we been in here?" Harry asked as Dobby smiled.
"You are correct Sir, time is different in here, every hour you are in the trunk is equal to one minute outside the trunk." said Dobby with a grin as he stared at Harry's expression change from that of bewilderment to that of childish little boy as he took the stairs at a run jumping out at the last stair landing square into his closet and screamed, "Yeah!"
Dobby just laughed as he popped from where he was watching Harry to inside his closet near the exit door where he continued to watch his Master dance around like a little girl before he froze again and looked right at him with a confused look he asked.
"Dobby, why do these trunks have a time delay function like this, I mean it's ruddy brilliant, don't get me wrong, but this is a very expensive option. And come to think of it, that Herbology Room was rather extensive, and the Potions lab was bigger then I requested as well?" Looking much more stern, he asked again to Dobby, "Dobby, why is this trunk better then I requested and worse yet paid for? WAIT A MINUTE! THE POTTER CREST!"
" I didn't even think about before, How Dobby? What happened?" Harry was beginning to panic a little bit, his cover was blown and now he was thinking of how the compartments could be monitored or spelled against, his mind was going a hundred miles an hour as he paced around his closet. Suddenly, a small red light appeared out of seemingly nowhere and started flashing as a small siren went off that sounded like Uncle Vernon's car alarm. Suddenly a side panel in the wall opened and a huge TV screen was showing an intersection of Privet Drive and Spinner Street. Covering his ears he looked to Dobby who had huge bug eyes and was slightly dazed.
"Dobby, please shut off that noise" Harry hollered above the siren as Dobby rushed to the TV Screen and hit a small button and the flashing light and siren disappeared. He turned to face Harry with a sad expression.
"I'm sorry Master, I hadn't had time to show you the monitoring system I set up with the help of Whiplock at Gringotts." Dobby said as he motioned towards the monitors. Harry looked closer as he noticed two people standing just off the side of Spinner street wearing dark colored robes that were pulled up over their faces. One of the two, pulled a wand and cast something, he touched the other and then himself as the two slowly fizzled out of sight, "Disillusionment Charm this is interesting." Harry thought.
"That's quite all right Dobby, I understand. Everything seems so mixed up right now, so much for that boring summer huh?" Harry finished as he turned and walked over to the lounge area and took a seat, keeping his eye on the huge screen that changed to inferred and showed the two intruders in a shimmering orange color as they crossed the street onto Privet Drive but the opposite side of where Number 4 is.
The small monitors showed different areas all surrounding Number 4 and the largest screen showed the perpetrators as they walked and it switched automatically to the camera angle that best viewed the unwanted guests. Harry turned to Dobby and said, "please explain the trunk thing to me Dobby?"
Dobby who slightly fidgeted, looking extremely nervous before he silently popped away, leaving a bewildered Harry sitting there until moments later He silently reappeared holding a small brown package.
"Here Master, this is from Mister Whitehead and should explain everything." Dobby declared as Harry took the package and set it on the seat next to him as he refocused on the monitors that were tracking his guests.
"How does this system work Dobby, please explain it to me." Harry asked as he begun to get curious as to his options that were available to him.
"Of course, Master, well First off, it monitors any magical disturbance in a four block range surrounding Privet Drive on all four sides. Getting extremely detailed all down Privet Drive itself. The wards surrounding Number 4 are extensive. The closest anyone can Apparate nearest here is that intersection at Spinner street. Only Albus and you can actually Apparate on Privet Drive itself, that's why it is important to monitor the surrounding neighborhood. There are also timed and trigger wards placed all down Privet Drive as well as all over your front and back yard."
"Timed and trigger wards?" asked Harry a little perplexed.
"Yes, those are specialty wards that only activate when a certain phrase is uttered or a specific action sets it off." puling out a small remote from the side of the largest screen, Dobby handed it over to Harry as he continued explaining.
" This remote will control most of those, the directions and locations of each is located on the back, you can also press this button here called grid and it will materialize in front of you, it's quite impressive. I think it was Whiplock's way of apologizing for the Gringotts disaster." said Dobby as Harry pressed the Grid button in amazement as the Hologram visualized in front of him with cretin trip wards and security functions, all in all it was bloody brilliant!!
"Wow Dobby, you are correct, this is amazing, do you have any idea how many Death Eaters I could capture if they tried and attack on Privet Drive with this." Harry started laughing hysterically at the thought of him single handedly turning in over a hundred Death Eaters without even leaving his closet.
After several minutes of vivacious laughter, Harry settled down and leaned back and put his feet up as he asked Winky for some chilled pumpkin juice out loud and it silently appeared on the little coffee table without him even seeing Winky, He shouted out, "Thank You Winky!" as he focused again on the monitors as Dobby came over and sat next to him. As Harry took a sip of his pumpkin juice, he instantly spit it out as he noticed the monitor change to show a slightly awkward Neville appear just off Privet Drive as he looked around he straightened himself out and began his short walk up Privet Drive.
"Oh No, Neville!!," Harry grabbed his invisibility cloak and pulled it over himself as he pulled his wand he yelled out, "Dobby take me directly behind Neville but do not make yourself be seen."
Dobby replied, "Yes Master" and with a snap it was done. Harry appeared jut like he hoped, right behind Neville. He quietly whispered, "Hey Nev, don't panic, it's Harry, there are unknown wizards monitoring my house, I'm here to guide you in to my place safely, I don't know their intentions. Whistle if you understand." Harry asked as he heard Neville whistle, Harry grabbed his side and rushed him around to the back of Number 4 and into the house very quickly. They made it up to his room as Dobby sealed it off and Harry made a bee line to his closet with Neville slowly on his heals as he looked around Harry's room. Once Harry sat down and looked over at Nev, he noticed Neville looked slightly upset.
"What's wrong Nev? I'm sorry if I scared you or what not but I justed wanted you to make it safely." Harry reassured him
"Ohh it's not that, I guess I was kinda hoping you would have some gorgeous girls in here so I could finally meet them. Neville declared as Harry started laughing again.
"Don't worry Nev, you will get the chance, I promise you, in fact Jennifer has been asking about you." As Neville looked on completely surprised by that, Harry continued, "You know, the Longbottom family is very well known in the wizarding community, I wouldn't be surprised if you were Wizards Weakley Bachelor of the week, well….maybe number two, after me of course." Harry finished as he puffed out his chest before both boys busted up laughing.
After calming down, Neville looked at the amazing surveillance system as he let out a low whistle. "Some set up here Harry, quite amazing actually. This is way better then my Gran's" Neville finished as Harry zoomed in on the two unwanted guests as he played with his remote until he had audio to their conversation.
"That was Neville, I'm sure of it! What is he doing here?" said the first visitor before the second one spoke.
"I don't know, but we have our orders, were to stand guard an keep track of all visitors and follow Harry if he leaves the house."
Harry looked over to Neville as they both had the same idea, "I know those voices, that's Ron and Hermione!" Harry said as Neville just nodded his head that he agreed.
"What orders could they be talking about? Surely not Dumbledore's, I mean, after all, he is still in the private ward in St. Mungos." finished Neville as Harry pondered who they could be taking orders from.
"Well I suppose they could be working for the Order, but without telling me? This is just what I was talking about Nev, how long have they been spying on me? I wonder if they have done this every summer since I started at Hogwarts?"
Neville simply shrugged as he chose his next words carefully, he knew this was bothering Harry more then he was letting on. The one thing Harry and Neville had in common, was their hatred at being betrayed, and that's what Harry felt this was, a betrayal.
"I don't know Harry but you have my word, that I would never betray you, even under torture, I would gladly give my life before ever committing such a crime." Neville finished with a deadly resolve.
Harry paused to look Neville in the eye before a little grin came across his face. "Thanks Nev, that means more to me then you know. I also pledge to never betray you and I will do my very best to ensure your safety in the fields of battle. After all, what would winning the war be like if I didn't have my blood brother with me to celebrate?" Harry asked with a little smile as Neville looked at him before smiling as well. The two met with a firm handshake as Harry sat back down, almost sitting on the small brown package. Setting the package on his lap he almost forgot about it. Neville turned his attention to the TV Screen as Harry opened the package noticing what looked like a small bracelet and a note. Picking up the note he began to read.
Dear Mister Potter
Please forgive me for being so forward, but when my wife and I began finishing your order, we began setting the security wards to match your DNA, it was at that moment we realized that Lord Harrington was actually Lord Potter. Please relax, first off, your secret is completely safe with us, in fact we have made a trunk for your Father years ago. My wife and I understand and appreciate the long and hard path that lies in front of you and we understand the need for having such a trunk, it is with this thought in mind that we took it upon ourselves as the finest trunk makers in all of England, to make our finest pair of trunks we have ever created.
For we could think of no other in such a need or as worthy of one other then yourself Mister Potter. I hope you appreciate the changes and additions we have contributed to your trunks. I would list them all here, but alas I would run out of ink. But let me explain some of the finer additions, I will of course let you discover the others as you explore your new trunks. First, there is a very unique time delay function on both of your trunks. This is one of my favorite functions for as you will soon discover, you can quite easily spend hours and hours inside your trunk, this of course would make that time more like minutes and minutes. Quite handy when you need that little extra time to get your homework done or extra dueling practice or even a little break in your lovely Jacuzzi.
Harry thought "Jacuzzi? I will definitely need to explore those trunks a little better." before he continued reading.
Secondly, we expanded each room to as large as we could possibly construct. We figured this would be a great advantage for you when you are in need of creating a mass storage of supplies and essentials that will be needed along the path to your quest. Third, the security features we included in both your trunks are nothing short of miraculous. The security system, complete with monitoring and warding was the combined work of over eight professionals, the best of the best in security warding in the entire wizarding world.
Rest assured I would pledge my life for any one of the eight, an when told of who the trunk was for, all agreed to do such amazing work, rearranging their busy schedules to work simultaneously on your trunk, all free of charge. Make no mistake Mister Potter, you are not alone and we are proud to say that when push comes to shove, we did our part to make sure our savior was as prepared as he could be to save us all. Because we know you can and will save us Harry.
Lastly, please take this bracelet as a gift from my wife and I, it is charmed to hold up to five shrunken trunks and makes them completely invisible along with the bracelet. Once activated, it will also be undetectable to any inspections, even at Gringotts, and that is saying something, my wife's most finest work to date. This of course could come in very handy if you were ever captured, once alone you can enter your trunk and flee to safety via the special floo connection, or rearm your self and plan for battle. Which of course reminds me, the floo that only worked between trunks is now a full fledged untraceable floo connection, of course it is mostly one way but you and you alone can travel into the trunk that way completely untraceable, did I say that already?
Finally we wish nothing but the best for you Mister Potter, I understand that as your numbers grow of your closest comrades, you will want more and more of these types of trunks. I want you to know that my wife and I are at your beckon call and pledge here and now that we will do as you request in the name of the light but please note, that we could never make another trunk as extensive as yours, those two Potter trunks are one of a kind, or two of a kind I suppose. Please understand the amount of magic spent making those was all we could give, but of course we could make others the way you initially requested in a more realistic time frame of lets say three weeks. We look forward to our next meeting as well as your business, good luck Mister Potter, we know you will succeed.
Long Live the Chosen One, Harry Potter!
In your service,
Always
Mr. & Mrs. Whitehead
Harry clutched the letter to his chest as he leaked out a few tears as he tried to compose himself. He was so used to getting nothing but negativity from the general public that he never knew there were people that felt the opposite, and here was proof that he was fighting for something, for someone other then himself. He vowed that he would bring down Voldermort if it's the last thing I do. He slowly started to chuckle at that thought, "it just might be the last thing I do," he thought as he shook his mind clear of that thought before calling out, "Dobby"
"Yes Master, what can I do for you?" asked the little Elf who silently popped in front of Harry and Neville, who was still staring at the monitor watching a disillusioned Ron and Hermione.
"I want you to sit and watch our little snoopers, come and notify me if they step one toe on Number 4's property or if anyone else joins them. Also I want you to pay attention to everything that is said between them, I will be taking Mister Longbottom here on a little tour of my new amazing trunk. Did you know about this Dobby?" asked Harry as he waved Mister Whitehead's note around.
"I did sir, but only after they realized your true identity, I was planning on obliviating them but they talked me into doing otherwise." Said a bashful Dobby.
Harry simply hugged the little Elf before jumping from his seat and calling Neville to follow him. " I am so glad you didn't Dobby, you have an excellent judge of character." Harry called out as he made his way to the trunks. Harry heard Dobby call out softly as he waited for Nev to catch up.
"Of course I do, I chose to hang around you didn't I?" said a smiling Dobby as Harry just laughed. As Neville caught up he looked at the two amazing looking Trunks and let out a small whistle. "Wow Harry, those are the infamous trunks huh?" said Neville as Harry simply nodded.
"These are way better then I could ever describe with words, wait till you see, follow me." Said Harry as opened the lid and pushed the second button to open the Herbology room and watched Neville's expression as the front opened up and revealed the stairs.
"Wow Harry, you were right, words just couldn't do this trunk justice." Harry laughed for Neville hadn't seen anything yet as Harry strapped on the trunk bracelet and put Mister Whitehead's letter in his pocket before walking down the stairs. When he got to the bottom, he realized Neville was not with him so he walked back up and spotted Neville about fifteen feet away on the other side of the closet, sitting on his bum rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh man Neville, I'm sorry, I completely forgot that you are not keyed in to enter yet." said Harry as he rushed over to help Neville stand up.
"That's okay Harry, that trunk packs one hell of a punch!" said Neville with a slight smile. After keying Neville to the trunks wards, permanently, Harry and Neville disappeared down in the trunk. Several minutes later they came stomping out both holding several pieces of parchment with lists and to do's to add to Harry's already growing list. Neville looked down at his watch and smiled.
"You were right Harry, we have only been down there for about five minutes, unbelievable! Imagine all we could get done down there." said Neville shaking his parchment.
Harry simply smiled as he shrunk both trunks and placed them in his bracelet slots. Pressing the red button on the middle of the bracelet, He and Neville watched as the entire bracelet, trunks and all, disappeared.
"Wicked" said both Harry and Neville at the same time as they both looked up and started laughing. Neville reached out and touched Harry's arm where the bracelet once was and felt nothing but skin. Harry asked if he could feel it as Neville just shook his head that he couldn't and both boys added another "Wicked" to more laughter.
Harry and Neville made their way back to the lounge area and sat down next to Dobby who had a small note pad out and a quick quotes quill recording everything Ron and Hermione were discussing. Reading over the transcripts out loud, Harry found something interesting and he read it aloud.
"Did you see Neville Apperate here, did you even know that he knew where Privet Drive was?" said Ron as Hermione added, " Do you think Dumbledore knows that he can Apperate, I wonder if he has his license like we do?"
Harry turned to Neville who quickly explained. "My Gran got a special circumstance appeal for me years ago, and I got licensed then, it was easier with all my trips to St. Mungos." finished Neville as he suddenly found the ground very interesting before he added, "And yes, Dumbledore knows I'm licensed."
Harry simply nodded that he understood as he looked over the rest of the transcript finding nothing of real interest he excused Dobby with a ton of thanks and asked Winky if she could make Neville and him some sandwiches for all that work down in the trunk really worked up their appetites.
After eating, Harry got a brilliant idea and walked out of his closet right over to Hedwig's perch and gathered her up, petting her feathers as he walked back into the closet and took a seat next to Neville.
"What if I send a little note to Ron and watch Hedwig try to deliver it to him across the street, wouldn't that be hilarious!" asked Harry as Neville started to bust up that he completely agreed. Harry walked over and scribbled a little useless note to Ron that said that they needed to talk soon and tied it to Hedwig, come with me Neville, they already know you're here, just try and suppress your laughter until we are back inside.
As Neville nodded, Harry called out for Dobby. "Dobby, can this monitor system record for later viewing?" asked Harry as Neville just smiled that he sure hoped so. Dobby simply nodded that it could and grabbed the remote and hit the record button, as Harry and Neville made for the front porch with Hedwig still perched on Harry's shoulder. Before opening the front door, Harry addressed Hedwig.
"All right girl, I want you to deliver this to Ron, he is hiding out across the street, disillusioned but he doesn't know that we know that, so he will be very surprised by your delivery, he may even run or try to shoo you away, don't let him, keep nipping at him until he takes the note, then come right back home, okay girl? Be careful." Harry finished as he fluffed her chest feathers one last time as she purred and then hooted that she understood before Harry opened the door stepping out onto the porch with Neville right beside him.
Harry called out, "Have a good flight girl!" and watched her instead of heading up into the sky, she veered low and straight across the street. Harry and Neville tried their hardest to look bewildered at her flight pattern before they could plainly hear Ron scolding the owl with words such as, "Get off, Go Away, and Help me Hermione!" before taking off down the street with Hedwig flapping away madly chasing after him hooting really loud the whole way. Harry stepped off the porch a little so he could witness the bizarre interaction before stating rather loudly to Neville.
"What was that Nev? I think that was Ron across the street Disillusioned, but why would he do that?" said Harry trying his hardest to keep a straight face.
"I dunno Harry, but I think I heard him say Hermione's name as well, but why would they be across your street spying on you, I mean if they were your friends, why not knock on the door and have a conversation with you or something to see how you are?" returned Neville, also trying to keep a straight face.
"I'm not sure Nev, but I know that was them, and I'm not happy, come on, we have a lot of work to do." Said Harry trying to sound upset and hurt as Neville made his way back inside and Harry closed the door. Harry and Neville ran back to Harry's room, shutting the door and running into the closet, shutting that door, before both of them ran over the sofa and collapsed in a fit of laughter.
"Classic!" said Neville as the laughter finally began to subside, still holding his sides as Dobby entered the Closet with Hedwig perched on his little shoulder. She flew over and landed on the back of the sofa as Harry was picking himself up off the ground, holding his sides and wiping away the tears from all the laughing.
"Man that was so awesome, thank you Hedwig, I think that is one of my best memories this summer, and that is saying something." Harry finished still wiping away his tears.
Neville stood up and picked up the parchment he wrote out down in Harry's trunk before turning to Harry and speaking.
"I have some supplies to pick up and a few chores to get to, and I think your right about those two girls from Chewies Bubblegum Factory, they defiantly looked like they knew something, I think we should give it a week or so before we make another appearance and do some interrogating with those two. I will return around seven for dinner, will Krista and Jennifer be here by then?" Neville asked with a shy look of hope on his face.
"Yes I think they will, oh and Dobby has keyed you into Number 4's wards so you can Apperate into my closet but only in my closet here okay, and I agree, I think we should train and get the trunks in order this week and then stop by the Factory and do some more digging early next week." Harry declared as Neville simply nodded. " Oh and by the way Nev, you were pretty amazing earlier when we dueled, your power is almost fully restored." finished Harry as he beamed proudly at his blood Brother.
"Thanks Harry, maybe even one day I could be stronger then you." said an equally beaming Neville as Harry simply laughed as Neville joined in before Harry declared, "don't get too carried away there Nev." Harry said jokingly as he punched Neville in the shoulder before adding, "seriously Nev, I think you might already be there."
Neville's laughter suddenly ceased and he took a good look at Harry with water welling up in his eyes before he spoke. "Only because of your help Harry, because of you!"
Neville reached out a hand to shake Harry's but Harry enveloped him in a manly hug before letting go he broke the eerie silence by declaring; "I figured we should get that out of the way, because there's no way I'm hugging you later tonight when the girls are present, I wouldn't want them to think that I bat for the other team, so to speak, like you do."
"Hey!….you better not even joke like that when they are here Harry, or else you will feel just how powerful I have become first hand." Neville said as Harry's laughter slowly ceased as he raised his hands in a truce sort of way declaring over and over, "Just kidding Nev, just kidding, don't hurt me oh powerful one!" As he began to bust up laughing again and this time Neville joined in just as Dobby started pushing some buttons on the remote control. Suddenly the image of Ron running down the street with Hedwig flapping like crazy nipping at his ears, was displayed on all seven monitors. Harry and Neville started laughing even harder and this time Dobby joined in.