Author: Lash_Larue
Title: "Small Things"
Pairing: Ginny/Hermione, others
Rating: Adult
Summary: Things gang agley
Warnings: Sexual references, but nothing explicit
Word Count:1900
Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling
The Hunters Part 35
"Small Things"
"I need to start things in motion," Pansy told Ginny as she kissed her lightly.
"Should we tell Fleur anything, do you think?" Ginny asked.
"I guess that's up to you and Hermione, Bill could have been wrong about the value, I suppose. But it's hard to see him making all that stuff up. Do you think he might have been delusional?"
"They say anything is possible, but I just can't see Bill being deluded and still able to handle the curses. He told me once that being able to see things as they actually are is the key to curse breaking. So I'd have to say no."
"Then you are safe in telling her that I'm going to check and make sure that Bill's share is everything that it should be. But keep it in this house; I don't want Smithers getting any warnings, okay?"
"Deal," Ginny promised.
"Something I should know about?" asked Hermione as she entered the room, carrying a nursing Tris.
"Pansy is going to get started on things about the treasure," Ginny explained, "we're trying to decide what to tell Fleur."
"Nothing is certain at this point, right?" Hermione inquired.
"Nope," Pansy allowed, "first thing is to find out how big a lie Smithers is telling. I can handle that with a little help. After that it's just a matter of horticulture."
"Horticulture?" Hermione asked, plainly puzzled.
"Yep," Pansy confirmed, "I'll be in touch as soon as I have real information, but it might take a while. As soon as I'm sure what's up I'll be in touch, but I really need to get started. Later Gin," Pansy said as she kissed Ginny again and rose from the bed. "Thanks, Hermione," she told her, kissing her as well, "you were as marvelous as my dreams. Tris, you're a lucky girl, that stuff is delicious." Hermione smiled and Pansy carried her clothes into the bath.
"How is Fleur?" Ginny asked.
"Sleeping, do you think Pansy can really help?"
"She can if anyone can. I don't feel sorry for Smithers, but I'd hate to be in his shoes," Ginny said earnestly.
xxxx
"Better than last time, Arthur," Pye told him, "not so much growth."
"Likely running out of raw material, I expect," Arthur replied.
"You've lost a lot of weight, true," Pye allowed, "how's your appetite?"
"Not much to speak of, food just doesn't interest me."
"Give this to Molly," Pye said as he handed Arthur a large bag, "I've already talked with her about its use."
"What on earth is it? Looks like weeds," Arthur asked him.
"It's a kind of oregano…"
xxxx
"So you want to know the usual procedure for excavating ancient sites, cataloguing the finds, transport, appraisal, and that sort of thing?" Harry asked Pansy.
"Yes, I know Smithers is a snake, I just don't want him to slip through a crack."
"This shouldn't take too long," Harry told her, "what are you going to do about it if you're right?"
"I'm going to make sure that Fleur gets what is owed to her, to the knut. And I'm also going to strongly suggest that Smithers make a generous donation from his own share."
"And then?" Harry pressed.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Call it idle curiosity."
"I'm going to see he takes a vacation someplace exotic…"
xxxx
"You really think that Mr. Smithers is lying about the treasure?" Fleur asked, taken aback. "But why?"
"Two reasons," Ginny told her, "money, and you."
"Me? He can't possibly think-"
"He knows that you have two kids and a huge mortgage," Hermione broke in, "he doesn't know about your Veela heritage, and I guess he doesn't know much about your parents. He thinks you're desperate enough to accept his offer."
"But that would make me a…"
"Yup," agreed Ginny.
"I shall have a word with this man," Fleur said as she stood up.
"Maybe later," Hermione suggested firmly, "let's let Pansy run with her idea first."
"Seriously Fleur, Pansy will handle it," Ginny agreed.
"D'accord, I hope she makes it painful, that is all," Fleur muttered, "I fancy a swim. Anyone else?"
"Go ahead 'Mione, I'll watch the kids," Ginny volunteered.
"Thanks, I could use a swim myself," Hermione admitted.
"At least I don't have to worry about you drowning," Ginny told her as she stared at Hermione's chest.
"They really are impressive," Fleur allowed.
"They do seem to be central to life just now, oh well, come on girls, let's take a little break from gravity."
Hermione and Fleur left for the beach, while Ginny went upstairs to check on the children.
xxxx
"The usual procedure is that treasure is sent to a special vault immediately after it is de-cursed," Harry told Pansy, "and my contacts at Gringots assure me that procedure was followed in this case. Normally, Bill and his assistant, along with Smithers, would have inventoried everything together after the expedition concluded. They would have been the only ones with access."
"So since Bill and Rigdon are dead…"
"Right, just Smithers," Harry confirmed, "the Head Goblin knows what's there of course, but he won't interfere unless Smithers tries to cheat the Goblins, and he can't be that much of a fool."
"But…"
"Well, I did manage to get Bill's inventory confirmed," Harry told her, "Smithers is lying his ass off. He's trying to steal Bill's money."
"And use it to buy his wife. What a piece of shit," Pansy sighed.
"No doubt about it," Harry agreed. "You know of course that I cannot allow you to commit murder here in England, though, Pansy. No matter how well deserved," Harry told her.
"Of course I do Harry. I would never dream of it," Pansy assured him, "I simply plan on encouraging him to do the right thing. For once."
"That's what I thought," Harry said with a smile. "Anything else I can do to help?"
"Not that I can think of, this information is all that I really needed," Pansy answered. "So, you think we ever will?"
"Dunno, but I have to admit that I've thought of you now and again," Harry admitted.
"Add this to your thoughts, then," Pansy suggested, and she gave Harry a kiss that left him thoroughly confused.
" 'Struth…" whispered Harry, "and I'm gay."
"Harry, ain't nobody that gay," Pansy promised him. "Except maybe Christopher."
"Meet you next Friday to go over the club plans?"
"As long as this mess is done, you bet. Thanks again, Harry."
"Anytime at all, it was only a small thing."
xxxx
"Amazing! These are wonderful, Molly! What did you say they were again?" Arthur asked as he wolfed down his second portion.
"Brownies," Molly told him.
"Astonishing! I never would have thought those pests would taste so good!"
"They aren't made from Brownies, Arthur, dear. It's a Muggle recipe, using that oregano that Pye sent over. They are a sort of cake."
"Oh, that makes more sense, then. May I have another?" he asked.
"Certainly dear, after dinner," Molly promised him.
"Bring it on! And lots of water, please, Mollywobbles. I'm parched. Oh, I say! Would you look at this, I can catch my own hand!"
xxxx
"Edward Smythe-Davies and Boyd Coddington to see you, Mr. Smithers," Smithers' secretary announced.
They had no appointment, Smithers knew, but Smythe-Davies was head of the most powerful wizard law firm in England, and Coddington was curator of the Great Britain Wizarding Museum.
"Send them in please, Roberta." Smithers stood and rounded his desk to greet his visitors.
"Gentlemen," he said, "it is an honor to meet you both. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"It's about your recent expedition in Assyria," Smythe-Davies began as they all took seats, "Mr. Coddington is here to offer his services in the authentication and appraisal of the artifacts recovered."
"Well, that is welcome news to be sure!" Smithers exclaimed. "It's not often we get such learned consultation. And forgive me for being blunt, but I'm not sure we can afford your services, sir. No doubt when the collection comes up for auction, individual buyers will –"
"I ask no fee," Coddington broke in. "The chance to examine such a find will be reward enough."
"No? Well that is a welcome surprise, welcome indeed. That expedition really was frightfully expensive," Smithers told them.
"Indeed," Smythe-Davies agreed, 'in lives as well as treasure."
"Quite, such tragic losses," Smithers said as he bowed his head.
"And it is one loss in particular that brings us here today," Smythe –Davies told him. "I represent the estate of Mr. William Weasley, and his heirs." He reached into his briefcase. "This is a list of treasure catalogued by Mr. Weasley as recovered and transported to secure storage at Gringots. You will immediately surrender total control of, and access to, any and all articles recovered by this expedition including, but not limited to, these articles here named."
"And why should I do that?"
"Because it is the right thing to do?"
"Nonsense. Weasley was not authorized to submit such a list to anyone but me. If he chose to indulge in fantasy it is no concern of mine, though it is a cruel joke to play on his widow. As much as I would like to have Mr. Coddington's opinion on the surviving artifacts, I must decline your offer," Smithers said stiffly.
"Oh," said Smythe-Davies with a cold smile, 'it wasn't an offer. It really isn't subject to debate. You will comply at once, sir; my principal was most firm on that subject."
"You principal, eh? And did they tell you what to do should I refuse? For I do refuse!" blustered Smithers.
"In point of fact, they did, sir," Smythe-Davies replied as he reached again into his briefcase. He placed a small object on Smithers' desk, and the high color drained rapidly from the outraged banker, his face assuming the hue of cream left in the sun.
"My principal also strongly suggests that you contribute generously from your own share of the treasure towards the future of Mr. Weasley's family, as a gesture of respect, and… regret," Smythe-Davies said smoothly.
"Yes, yes, of course! Only proper, only the decent thing to do, yes, yes…" stammered Smithers. "I'll have the necessary authorizations drawn up at once."
"No need," Smythe-Davies assured him, "I took the liberty, you'll find them all in order." He handed a sheaf of parchment over. "When may we expect an initial payment to Mrs. Weasley?"
"I shall issue a draft immediately," Smithers assured him, "I'll draw from my personal account to save time."
"An excellent idea, I know your check is good. Have no fear; we shall keep a strict accounting of everything. Now then, access to the vault?"
"Here is the key, the only key," Smithers promised as he handed it over.
"Thank you. Oh, I should point out that Ragnok himself has expressed an interest in this matter," Smythe-Davies informed him.
"That's good to know, but scarcely necessary," Smithers said tightly.
"Right then, Coddington, shall we have a look at this treasure?"
"Indeed! Oh, and Smithers?" Coddington quizzed.
"Yes?"
"Even for a banker, you're a bastard."
The two men left, and Smithers collapsed in his chair and looked at the thing on his desk that had ruined him.
"Such a small thing," he mused, "and quite pretty, really, this little purple flower with a smiling face…"