Chapter 6 – Moving In

Harry and Hermione arrived back in England early in the morning as usual and made their way to the Burrow, where Molly was waiting as always with a large breakfast for them. She of course was curious how NEWTs had gone, but there wasn't a lot to say since the results would take another month to arrive. The house seemed all too quiet with only Molly and Arthur since the girls were back finishing up at Hogwarts, but it was good to see Arthur as well before he left for the Ministry.

During the long and lazy breakfast, Harry broke the news to Molly that both he and Hermione planned on moving to Potter Island immediately. Molly was predictably unhappy, having hoped to fill some empty beds at least for a while, but they were firm in their plans. They would be back often to visit, but Harry was not ready to be back under Molly's thumb, no matter how much he knew she cared.

Arthur left for the Ministry shortly before eight and Harry decided to accompany him, as he had to visit the Floo Control Office. In the meantime, Hermione had some supplies to pick up in Diagon and they agreed to meet at the Leaky in an hour at the earliest. They both realized the floo could take longer, but if so, Hermione would wait and read a book in the pub.

After parting hugs, all three departed the Burrow. Harry parted ways with Arthur in the lifts at the Ministry and Arthur wished him good luck with the floo. The next two and a half hours were a maddening succession of paperwork and clerks in the Floo Control Office for Harry. Although he was only hooking up a disconnected, already existing floo, it was still considered a long range in-country floo and required secondary forms in addition to the standard range forms. Every stage that Harry went through also required separate fees. The last step he reached had an expedite fee and he gladly paid it. He finally left at a quarter to eleven with a stamped certificate that showed his floo would be established by twelve noon the following day. Along with the time investment, all the fees had totaled 310 galleons. Still, Harry felt it was worth it and gladly left the Ministry to go meet up with Hermione.

Hermione had been waiting for close to two hours, but she truthfully wasn't surprised given the bureaucracy of the Ministry. When Harry showed up looking a bit frazzled, she just smiled at him.

"It looks like they put you through the wringer. Were you able to get it done though?"

"Yes, it's done. Bloody impossible paperwork. Fees for every piece of parchment as well. And a monthly service fee to keep it hooked up of 10 galleons a month. Still, by tomorrow, we'll be floo connected to the mainland. Tinworth is the biggest connection and from there we can apparate or connect to other floos. There are a couple of small towns as well, but Tinworth will be our main connection."

"Sounds good. Well, as you can tell by the bags, I finished the shopping. I picked up my rune supplies, a few personal items, and enough groceries for a week or so. We should be set."

"Brilliant, thanks for shopping. Let's go."

They stepped into the back of the pub and Harry pulled out his chain as Hermione took hold and soon they were transported to the island. When they arrived, the weather was a bit cool and a storm looked to be blowing in, so they quickly ducked into the manor.

"Alright Hermione, I'm going to take the large master suite in the west wing. You can take your pick of rooms upstairs, or you can have the other wing."

"I think I'll stay in the same wing as you Harry. One wing alone is three times the size of a large house as it is. Anyway, I remember one of the en-suites had a nice view and a small office nook with bookshelves."

Harry nodded and they both went to claim their rooms. The house really was massive and Harry was glad to have Hermione there with him. Once they each were settled into their own spaces, they met downstairs in the kitchen and began to put away the groceries. All the appliances were off, so they set everything with cooling charms for the interim until the house had power again.

"I guess that should be my first task after lunch, go out to the generator and get it working. I don't fancy knocking about in the dark with just my wand and a lumos."

"I'd like to go with you Harry. If for no other reason than it will be good to have both of us understand how things work around here. I've been thinking a lot about how magical households run though and I may start working on an alternative."

Harry nodded, he was happy to have Hermione along.

The two friends ate lunch on the veranda and then made their way to the generator building. If the machine was anywhere as old as the copyright of the book, it was about sixty years on and was starting to show its age a bit. Still, with Hermione reading the manual and Harry running the controls, they managed in about forty minutes to find some old oil and get it greased up and turned on. Once it was running, it was impossibly loud and the small shed grew quite warm as excess heat was bled off through the chimney. Hermione noticed runes on the door frame when they entered and she tapped them to activate them. The runes immediately canceled any noise that escaped the shed, but she was shaking her head.

"Well I guess it works, but it's really terribly inefficient."

Harry shrugged, as long as he had power. He knew though how much Hermione hated inefficiency. They walked back to the house and were glad to find that the lights were now working, as well as the appliances.

"Alright then, so that was step one. Next I think I want to look around the offices for some journals. I need more documentation like we had for the generator."

"Sounds good Harry, I'm going to take a book out back to read."

Harry went to the first office in the west wing downstairs, which had a large portrait of Ralston Potter. It had been sleeping when they came through before, but now he was awake. Apparently turning on the power had caused some additional effects. Harry had chosen this office, as it had a portrait of the island's founder and was hoping that it may have been the main office because of it. Now he thought he may have another avenue for information. As he entered, the dapper 17th century gentleman looked him over thoroughly.

"I do say who are you? You look like a Potter."

"Yes sir, Harry James Potter, son of James Charlus Potter. I just moved in today."

"Oh quite good! And the lights are on again, magnificent. I haven't seen anyone in quite a while. Fleamont was the last."

"Yes, I was told my grandfather liked the island. He passed several years before I was born. My parents were killed when I was a baby. I am the last Potter. So, I'm kind of fumbling around the house trying to figure it out. I was hoping to find journals."

"Dear me, the last Potter! I do hope you have a young lady you plan to wed soon to secure the line quickly."

"Um, no. Right now my focus is on the businesses and the house."

The man in the portrait grumbled and sighed.

"Well I can help you with details of the house. This is the Potter's main office. This was the original part of the manor. It was Charlus Potter, Fleamont's grandfather, who decided to do the massive addition and add the entry and second wing for his son Henry and his family. It allowed the two families to live side by side without intruding on each other. The shelf to your right has numbered journals. Is there anything specific that you want to know?"

"Well, we found the generator and it had a manual so that's how the power is running. I want to fill the pool next. Since there is hot water, I guess it's tied to the hot springs?"

"Yes, the springs were the most important reason for placing the house where I did. There should be a book on the third shelf about the building of the pool. That was Henry's project and he was most proud of it. I bathed in the springs outside on the side of the house, but now you don't even have to go out of the house since the expansion."

"Excellent, thank you."

Ralston nodded and Harry went to retrieve the books in question. He spent the next several hours reading about the pool and also skimming through his grandfather and great-grandfather's journals. The island had never been a permanent home to them, but they had always spent long seasons there and Harry cherished getting to know some of his long lost family a bit better. As the afternoon grew late, he set the journals aside and headed for the basement.

Once Harry was in the basement, he used what he had learned to start cleaning and setting the various valves on both the enormous pool, as well as the hot tub and sauna. The pool would take a while to fill, so he decided to go upstairs and start on dinner. Hermione still wasn't around, but he knew how absorbed in her books she could get. Once dinner was mostly complete, Harry went back downstairs and only had to wait a few more minutes before he was able to turn off the valves when the pool was full.

With that task done, Harry returned to the kitchen to finish his dinner prep and then went to find Hermione. The house truly was too big and he thought that he needed an intercom system. He did find her though and they enjoyed a simple dinner together.

"I appreciate you cooking Harry, but you know you didn't have to."

"I know, but I enjoy it and it's better to cook for two than one."

Hermione nodded and they settled into a companionable silence. After dinner Hermione insisted that she do the cleaning and then they retreated to a parlor with separate books. It was a nice evening, but it was very quiet and Harry sighed and voiced his thoughts.

"This is nice here with you Mione, but I miss the telly we had back in Sydney. I wish we could mix some of the non-magical world with ours."

"Actually, I've been thinking on that Harry and that's what one of my rune projects is about. We actually used some magic in the house in Sydney and never fried anything. It's only heavy magic use that causes a problem. I think I can make a rune protection system that may allow electrical devices in magical areas more. This house actually doesn't use much magic either, although I have an idea for upgrading the electrical and the funky plumbing that rattles like crazy."

"Well, any improvements you can make are welcome. I'm going to spend tomorrow checking out the island more."

The two friends talked for a bit longer and then made their way upstairs. By mutual agreement, Hermione joined Harry in his large bedroom for a bit of a celebration shag. It wasn't something they really discussed, but when Harry kissed her on the stairs, the fire both felt naturally drove them together. They barely made it through the large house and to the master suite before they were joined.

The next morning Harry was up early and Hermione just mumbled at him as he kissed her and decided to let her have a lie-in. After a quick breakfast, he grabbed his broom and headed out into the slightly chilly morning for a fly around the island. As he flew around the expanse of his land, Harry reveled at the feeling of the sea breeze in his face. Seeing the island from the air gave him a unique perspective and he began to have ideas of what he might do with some of the land. There was some good crop land and he also had a flat area of sea grass not far from the manor where he thought greenhouses may work. Of course, he never was the best at Herbology. Maybe he could grow his own weed. That would certainly be helpful. He still liked the idea of getting a few horses. The land held a lot of potential.

After several hours flying, Harry circled back to the house and landed in front of where Hermione was studying on the veranda. She had several books and several blocks of runestones spread out on the table in front of her. As he landed, she looked up and smiled.

"Good flight?"

"Oh yeah. This island is quite good size. I have a lot of ideas of what I want to do around here now. I need to talk to Neville though. I thought I might invite him to dinner and I figured I'd invite Ron as well. Maybe we can go for a swim before."

"Sounds fun. I've got a bit more work here and then maybe we can have lunch in an hour or so."

"Sure. I'm going to check if the floo got connected. If it did, I'm going to pop over and visit Ron at the shop and send Neville an owl since I think he's working today."

Hermione nodded, already focusing back on her studies, and Harry left her to it as he made his way to the large, central fireplace in the entry. Although it wasn't yet noon, he threw in the floo powder and was happy when the flames went green. Saying the name of the pub in Tinworth, he stepped into the fire and floo'd to the mainland. Harry stepped out of the floo into a quaint little pub that was sparse with just the early lunch crowd. He nodded to the barman and then apparated to the Three Broomsticks, where he then walked up the street to Wheezes. As soon as he stepped in the door, Ron spotted him.

"Harry!"

"Hi mate, wow the shop is looking great. Busy."

"Sure thing. Come on in the back."

Harry followed Ron into the back storeroom where the noise from the crowd lessened.

"So what's up?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to come to the island tonight for a visit? Bring your trunks for a swim first and then we'll have dinner. The floo is hooked up to the Crossed Wands in Tinworth. I've keyed it to allow you and Nev in."

"Wow, sure thing. It will be good to get away for a bit."

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Problem mate?"

"No, not really. Fred and George have been great, and the apartment was fine with three of us, but now with five of us and the two of them being all lovey, it's a bit much. They don't mind each other as couples and their girls get along, but I'm sort of the third wheel."

"Whoa! So Angie and Alicia have moved in?"

"Might as well have. They spend three or four nights a week in the apartment. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them and all, but it's hard for a single guy. I've been thinking about moving back home, but mum is a bit much to take and she's been worse since we all left. She hates having an empty house. Anyway, I'll be glad to get away tonight."

"You know mate, I've got a huge house. See what you think of the commute tonight, but if you don't mind catching the floo to work, you can always come live at my place. It still needs some work, but it's not bad."

"Really!? I mean it's you and Hermione right now, you wouldn't mind? Do you think she would?"

"Look, you know how it works with us, we're just friends and more. I know she would tell you the same. So pack your bag and move out tonight if you don't need too think about it. If you're worried about intruding, we can put you in the other wing."

"Bloody hell, thanks mate!"

"Well, now that that's settled, I need to go send Nev an owl about dinner. Come by whenever you get off work. We eat around 6:30, but I want to try the pool out first."

Ron nodded, looking positively jubilant as he and Harry exited back into the chaos of the main shop. Harry then went back out to Hogsmeade and sent an owl to Neville. He then picked up a few more groceries before using his portkey to return home.

When Harry arrived back at the manor, he had a talk with Hermione about Ron and she was thrilled with the prospect of Ron moving in. It was obvious that she had missed him a lot and Harry was glad that he had extended the invitation.

That night Ron arrived shortly after five with two shrunken trunks, but Neville had not arrived yet. Hermione was the first to hear the floo chime and came to greet him with a Hermione hug.

"Ron!"

"Hey Hermione. So I take it you don't mind that I'm moving in?"

"Hardly. This place is huge. It will be like when we were all staying together in Sydney, but much bigger. And Harry doesn't even use the other wing. You do want to stay on this side with us? You can go to the other wing."

"Nah, I don't need to rattle around over there by myself. I think I'll go look at bedrooms if that's alright."

"Sure, all the free ones have open doors. There are a couple of en-suites left. Nev isn't here yet so you have a few minutes."

Ron nodded and made his way upstairs to pick his room. A few minutes later Neville arrived and this time Harry pulled himself away from his ledgers at the sound of the floo. Ron also came bounding downstairs when he heard the latest arrival. Harry grinned and looked around at all his friends.

"Well now that everyone's here, I'm ready for a swim. I do have one quick chore. I want to show Nev a part of the property a short distance from the manor that I'm thinking about putting greenhouses on. It's only about a five minute fly. I've got some extra brooms. Do you mind?"

"No problem Harry. It sounds interesting."

Hermione made a face at the sound of flying and declined.

"I think I'll change and meet you down in the hot tub in a few guys."

Harry wasn't surprised and led his two friends to the back veranda where he had his broom and extras waiting. He led the way as they took off to the patch of level ground to the side of the barn where not a lot was growing and where he thought greenhouses would sit well. There were no trees around to shade them either, so he thought it was ideal. Once they arrived over the area, he circled for a minute and then landed with Ron and Neville seconds behind him.

"So Nev, what do you think?"

"It should definitely work Harry. Close enough to the manor by broom and not a horrible walk either. This space could accommodate ten or twelve greenhouses if you ever wanted to go commercial. Or just one or two depending on what your plan was."

"Well, I haven't decided yet. I'm thinking about possibly starting a rare ingredient business, but I only got an E in Herbology. I'd probably need to hire you. First though I want to grow my own weed. I don't know if it's illegal in magical England, but I'm remote enough out here."

"Actually, it's not illegal for personal consumption or medicinal use, but magical England follows muggle laws regarding distribution. So for your own use, one greenhouse should be enough. I can definitely help with that. I'm only working part time right now like you know."

"Anyway, let's get back to the house and we can talk over dinner after a swim."

The three friends flew back to the manor and quickly changed into trunks before joining Hermione in the downstairs pool. They swam for an hour or so and then went upstairs to fix an easy meal of pasta and salad. Much like they had been in Sydney, the group of friends settled easily into a companionable evening and talk turned back to the greenhouse project as Neville wondered about Harry's long term plans.

"So Harry, you were talking about possibly starting a commercial nursery operation. When would you do that? What would you grow? What kind of volume would you be thinking about?"

Harry chuckled and held up his hands in a surrender gesture.

"Whoa, that is much further than I had gotten in my thought process. It was just a tantalizing little grain of thought for now. Something to expand my business holdings. It's just that I've got this nice big island away from everyone and it's a blank canvas. I want to use it, but I need to figure out the best way, or ways."

"Well, if you decided you wanted to build a nursery, I'd be interested in heading it up. No offense, but Herbology is more my specialty than yours. So that you know, England's nurseries specialize in subtropical to tropical plants mostly. The other ICW countries' nurseries specialize in continental, Mediterranean, or in the case of Scandinavia, tundra plants. Arid and highland plants are unique, rare, and not populated heavily, especially in Europe. If you were to develop good strains of some of the more unique varieties from those regions that are needed by apothecaries, you would do quite well. I'd probably dedicate one greenhouse to cannabis, both for your own consumption and to sell medicinally, since that is allowed in small quantities. Then I'd say five arid greenhouses and three highland. That's nine total and you have the space."

Harry pondered for a moment. It was intriguing and obviously Neville had the knowledge needed, still it would be a huge investment in resources.

"That sounds very interesting Neville, thanks. I will definitely think about it and you will be the man I come to if I decide to start the business. It probably won't be long either, I'm really itching to get going on this place, but I know I need to think before I leap."

Neville nodded, he understood. The conversation changed topics and soon dinner finished and the group moved to the large upstairs game room to play pool. Eventually Neville had to leave and thanked Harry for inviting him. Hermione had been sitting in Ron's lap for the last half hour, so Harry took the hint and left his other two friends for the night. He knew he'd been getting a lot of Hermione's attentions, but he also knew that he didn't own her. If he was truthful, he felt a small pang of jealousy, but he carefully squashed that. Ron had agreed to not be jealous of all the time he had been with Hermione, and now it was his time to return the favor.

When Harry left them and disappeared to his room, Ron finally relaxed a bit and leaned up to kiss Hermione like he had been wanting to all night. He knew what had been agreed on, but he still felt a bit strange snogging Hermione in front of the other guys. Now though it was just them and she responded eagerly to his attentions. After a few minutes as hands started to wander and shirts were loosened, she climbed off his lap, took his hand, and led him to her bedroom.

The next morning arrived and Ron woke to his tempus alarm. He smiled at the pile of bushy brown hair in his face. He was a bit tired this morning, but last night had been worth it. He really wished he could have a lie-in with Hermione, but he had a job to get to and a shop to open. He sighed and leaned over to feather a light kiss on Hermione's brow. She barely woke and muttered lightly.

"Morning beautiful. You sleep, I have to get to work."

"Mmmkay, have a good day."

Ron reluctantly pulled himself out of bed and crossed the hall to the bedroom he had claimed as his. He cleaned and dressed quickly and then went down to make himself a quick breakfast of toast and cereal. Then he caught the floo to Tinworth before apparating to the shop to start another day.

As hour or so after Ron left, Harry woke and Hermione wasn't far behind him. They met downstairs in the kitchen around the same time and fixed their own breakfasts. They ate together and discussed their projects for the day before separating, Harry to his office and Hermione to the library space she had claimed for the rune studies she had ongoing.

This pattern continued for the next week as Harry, Ron, and Hermione found a comfortable domesticity among themselves in the large manor. They went about their days separately, but sometimes met up for joint breakfasts and always came together for dinner, which Harry usually cooked. Hermione slept on her own some nights, and other nights she picked one of her guys to sleep with. Harry knew some may find his life boring, but he had tried the travel and party scene and it had worn through quickly. He was happy now.

o-o-o-o-o

A quick note. Some have asked for story recommendations. I know a lot of authors post them on their stories, but I try to keep my notes minimal. That said, I do have a community called Epic Sagas where I post well written, 40k plus stories that I like. I'm a bit picky, but the community is a good place to look if you want to know what I'm reading.