I had a review that said I should increase the rating due to the weed usage in the story. That was just one review though, so thoughts?

o-o-o-o

Chapter 9 – Commune

Neville moved into the east wing of the manor the following day and then a couple of days later Susan and Hannah made their move to the island. Although the manor was large, it was starting to feel like it was filling up and Harry couldn't have been happier.

With the addition of more people, and with Potter Island now supplying some of its own foodstuffs, Harry began additional plans to expand the farm the following spring. As he made plans, he was starting to think even more about the thoughts outlined in the book that Hermione had given him, Communes: Creating and Managing the Collective Life. Harry had heard the term 'commune' in passing once, but had never really known much about it, but as he read more about the different types of communes, including kibbutzim, Shakers, and hippies, the idea greatly appealed to him. He didn't think that what he and his friends were developing on the island would fit into any of the molds that had previously been designed, but he was beginning to think that they could perhaps design something unique of their own.

Soon August drew to a close and September flew by. October was ushered in with the first Hogsmeade weekend for the new school year, which also saw the grand re-opening of the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Hogsmeade branch. Ron and Ginny were both frantic for the last couple of weeks, but then the madness died down after the very successful re-opening.

Shortly before the Wheezes grand re-opening, Luna returned home to England after an extended trip to the Far East as part of a research project to write several articles for the Quibbler for her father. Still, she ensured she was back in plenty of time to support her friends. She had been gone for five weeks and the manor had lost a distinct flavor with her absence. Harry especially missed wandering from his office to her studio for occasional breaks and odd chats over any number of unusual topics. When she arrived home, it was unannounced just one day prior to the grand re-opening, so there was no time to arrange a welcome home party. Not that Luna minded, but her friends were a bit put out, wishing for a bit more time to focus on her and hear about her travels.

After the successful launch of the newly redesigned Wheezes, Harry invited all of the widespread group of friends to the manor the following weekend for a dinner to welcome Luna back home properly. The weather was such as October wore on that outside parties were no more, but the elves fixed a delicious dinner that everyone quite enjoyed. The pudding that followed dinner featured all of Luna's favorites and more than one person was amazed at how the small woman could put away so much food. After dinner everyone retired to the lounge where Luna passed around pictures and regaled her audience with stories for a couple of hours about the many known and unknown creatures she had seen on her travels. The night went late and the manor saw some extra guests stay over. If anyone noticed that Luna took Harry's arm and that they disappeared together at the end of the night, no one said anything.

When Harry and Luna woke the next morning, Harry decided to have a bit of a lie-in and called for Dina to bring them breakfast in bed. It was a rare treat that he didn't call for often, but he wanted to enjoy his time with Luna a bit longer. As they ate breakfast at a languid pace in bed, they talked about everything and gradually the topic of various businesses came up when Luna brought up another idea for Harry.

"You know Harry, when I was in Cambodia to study the demiguise tribes in that country I started to think about managing a tribe or two of my own. They're a bit difficult if you're not attuned to them of course, but for some reason, I had no problem seeing their auras. I also think that the stand of forest at the peak of the island would be ideal for them. And since we're south of England, I think it's temperate enough here."

"Really? That is interesting. I've been wondering if the forest could be used for any kind of farming without cutting it down. I thought about truffles, but apparently they're the wrong kind of trees. How do demiguise work as a business? I know we have to get the hair off of them."

"They're much like sheep. You shear them once a year. They build mud and stick dwellings in the trees and eat berries, flowers, and certain leaves. The forest is quite plentiful for them. Also, they occasionally lose nails and teeth and those can be used for potions ingredients. They live for 30-40 years and breed every 7-8 years with 1-2 pups per cycle. They're semi-intelligent and will work with a handler in exchange for food and trinkets that they like to collect, usually decorative shells and such. Mainly though if you provide them shelter and food they are content."

"Alright, well how much would it cost to get started? It doesn't sound like much for setup. I guess I'd just have to buy the demiguise really. How long to recoup that investment?"

"I haven't looked at those details yet Harry. I really just started thinking about this. If you're interested though, I'll contact some friends and get more details."

"Please. And I'll put you on the rolls as a consultant. I should at least pay you something."

Luna shrugged and proceeded to feed Harry a strawberry as talk diverted to more personal matters.

That morning, as Harry and Luna were finding it difficult to leave the bed, Hermione was awake and busy with her final project to modernize the manor by installing a telly. The initial set was placed in the game room and shielding it from magic hadn't been hard to begin with, but then the problem had been finding a way to power it and provide a satellite hookup. After a couple of months of work, Hermione had created a power runestone that was linked to the central manor runestone that fit over the plug of the telly to provide power outside of the shield bubble that the main electronics of the telly were placed in. Her next problem was a satellite hookup. She had bought a large multi-unit receiver that was installed in a shield bubble on the outside of the manor and then powered it the same as the telly. Then she placed an individual set top box inside the individual telly bubble as she spent Saturday morning tweaking her power and runestones, ensuring that everything was in place. The moment of truth came when she picked up the specially shielded remote and held her breath. When the first clear picture came on, she let out a whoop of jubilation that could be heard in both wings of the manor.

Once everyone had a chance to view Hermione's handiwork, which soon included the addition of a DVD player, she was inundated with requests to spread the telly units around the manor to more locations. It would take a couple of more weeks, but eventually the manor would have a half dozen tellies spread around.

With all of Hermione's runes proven to be working well, Harry encouraged her to market her creations. First though she would have to patent the runestones, which she began working on at the start of November. The process was long and tedious, requiring many hours spent at home filling out forms, as well as spent at the Ministry answering questions the following weeks after the paperwork started to be processed. She was even brought in for questioning by Arthur, who had been forwarded copies for review out of fear that she was somehow using her runes to misuse muggle devices. It was all beyond frustrating, but she knew that moving magical society forward was going to be a large battle.

While Hermione was slogging through Ministry interviews, Luna was officially hired as a special consultant to Potter Industries and portkeyed back east to talk to some of her contacts about potentially buying a tribe of demiguise. She was gone until the first week of December, but came back with good news. Her portkey deposited her back on the island shortly before dinner and Harry opted for an informal discussion over appetizers and drinks with everyone at the manor contributing their thoughts.

"Alright Luna, so how did everything in Cambodia go?"

"Cambodia was fine, but not very helpful for what we need. The tribes there are all quite established. I had more luck in Laos. There are a couple of young tribes that could be easily moved. It would actually help some crowding they are having. One tribe is a male and three mates and the other is a male and four mates. They all range from four to seven years old, quite young really. Demiguise start breeding around five to six years old so the groups are just getting ready to enter their first seasons as established tribes."

"Excellent, it sounds intriguing. So your contact is willing to sell, do the tribes have to be willing?"

"Yes to both Harry, but I got along well with both tribe chiefs. I think they will accept my lead."

Hermione looked fascinated and Harry nodded for her to interject.

"So Luna, what's the procedure, how are they moved and when?"

"And how much?"

Harry nodded a thanks to Tonks for adding in the practical question.

"Well, first, the cost is 8,000 per demiguise. Considering their lifespan that is quite reasonable since each will give about 1,400 galleons worth of hair per season. So the investment pays off in about six years. As for the procedure to move them, they should be moved when they are semi-dormant which will be January for the peak time when it's cold. Bring them here to acclimate in temporary dwellings and hopefully the older females will go into heat come spring. I'll set up special crates and travel with them via portkey. Move each tribe separately a week apart. There's plenty of space for two large tribes, so there's room to grow."

Harry nodded, taking it all in. He was glad he had Luna. He knew that demiguise were quite difficult to work with, especially if you couldn't see their auras. The cost was quite high, but he thought it was well worth the risk.

"Alright, that sounds good Luna. Please move ahead with the plans. If a down payment is needed, let me know and I'll arrange a transfer of funds."

"Thanks Harry. I'm so excited to have demiguise to work with. I love my painting, but I miss working with animals."

With the details outlined, talk shifted to other subjects, including the fact that Andromeda was going out of town the following week and Tonks needed someone to look after Teddy. There were always others around the manor, but they were usually working or busy with projects. It was Hannah who unexpectedly volunteered.

"I can look after him actually. I don't have much to do. I've been studying for my Charms mastery, but I don't have a timeline on that. I'm basically living off of Susie. I help around with odd jobs for the nursery, but nothing definite."

"Really Hannah, I'd appreciate it. I could pay you."

"No Tonks. We all help each other around here. I'd love to spend some more time with Teddy."

"Well okay. We'll see how you feel after a week with an almost two year old though."

A week after the dinner with the demiguise discussion, two businesses moved forward. Luna's contact in Laos made an agreement with Potter Industries for the two demiguise tribes and Harry arranged a transfer of 20,000 galleons down payment. Meanwhile, Luna began outlining the details to make the move as seamless as possible for the animals.

Also, during the same week, Hermione received her finalized patents from the Ministry and was able to officially start her business, Granger Runes. While she had been waiting for the patents, she had talked to George and used some of his manufacturing contacts to begin negotiations so that, as soon as the patents were clear, she began mass manufacture of rune stone sets that could be bought and installed in homes for lighting or for water (using an aguamenti charm). She also marketed her set of runestones that could be affixed to muggle devices to allow them to work with and around magic.

Rather than setup her own storefront, Hermione opted to add her various runestones to the offerings at a new side store that George had opened called Weasley's Wizard Wares. The new side store offered non prank items and was an immediate success, if not as much of one as the Wheezes storefront was. Her first runes went on sale shortly before the holiday season. It would take a while for sales to pick up, but she was happy to even see her dream coming to fruition.

The end of November also saw the arrival of NEWT results for Neville and Ron. Neville passed all three of his tests, with an expected O in Herbology, an E in DADA, and an A in Charms. He was a bit disappointed not to have done better in Charms, but still quite pleased to have finished with three total. As for Ron, he passed three of the four exams he took, receiving E's in Charms and DADA and an A in Potions, thanks in large part to his work at Wheezes and tutoring with the twins. Unfortunately, even tutoring with his brothers wasn't quite enough and he just missed passing his Transfiguration exam. Molly wasn't the happiest, but still she was somewhat appeased that he had at least taken the exams.

The beginning of December saw a change brought to the grounds of Potter Manor. Harry decided that he wanted to utilize his land more and become more self-sufficient. As one of his first steps toward this, he had the elves build a large multi-season chicken coop. Then, at the start of the month, he stocked it with several dozen hens and two roosters. He had more plans for the spring, but just seeing his chickens run around in the field by the coop and tasting fresh eggs each morning gave him a unique sense of accomplishment that surprised himself.

By the second week of December, Harry and the rest of the residents of the manor were in full decorating mode festooning the manor with every ornament that could be imagined. The elves were beside themselves with excitement that was only followed shortly behind by a certain little boy and then by the adult residents of the manor. On the second Saturday of the month, everyone spent the entire day either decorating or eating a plethora of baked goodies that Dina constantly kept supplying whenever anyone turned around.

With the holidays came the usual madness at Wheezes that kept Ron and Ginny both working long hours. Tonks was even called in to work some extra patrol shifts to monitor heavy shopping areas and Hannah regularly volunteered to look after Teddy, who she doted on. Luna was busy arranging some last details with a flurry of regular international owls being sent east to make arrangements for the demiguise, while Neville and Susan remained with their usual schedule with the nursery. Hermione was busy with promoting her runes and Harry had all his businesses to keep track of. Everyone was busy despite the season, but still the group managed to come together at least a couple of times a week for dinners or even just to catch an occasional movie together in the game room.

Eventually the madness of the season settled and Christmas Eve descended on Potter Manor. All the shops were closed and even Tonks had finished her last shift for a full two days. All of the residents of the manor were back together and the elves were thrilled as everyone gathered on Christmas Eve for a fantastic meal of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. The plan was to celebrate all together on the eve and then many of the group were due to split off to other locations on the day of the holiday. A few hours really didn't make much difference as everyone enjoyed their time together.

After the wonderful meal, everyone adjourned to the family room and gathered around the large tree as gifts were exchanged. Teddy of course was the focus, receiving a bounty of gifts, while his mum muttered something about his 'being spoiled beyond reason'. Not that anyone much cared, everyone in the house doted on the small boy.

As everyone settled back with drinks after the gift exchange and watched Teddy with his flying pegasus that flew about the room on a string leash, conversation stilled for a moment and Harry thought he would try to voice what he was thinking.

"I want to thank everyone for this. For a true holiday. I didn't have Christmas when I was growing up with my aunt and uncle. We've created a unique group here. We're family of a sort, a community. I've been reading this book that Hermione loaned me and I think I know what we might be becoming. I wanted to talk to everyone here. We're a family, but I think as a whole what we are developing is a commune. A communal group living together in harmony with common goals, sharing our lives."

Hermione was contemplative for a moment and then spoke up.

"I agree with Harry. I've been thinking commune describes us well. It means a gathering of people sharing a common life, including work and assets. That's what we're doing here. I don't know the exact details, but I know Ron and Ginny insist on paying you something for living here and most everyone else is essentially working for the businesses that are contributing to the community. I haven't paid you monetarily, but I contributed largely with modernizing the manor and I plan on contributing more financially when I can in the future. With the greenhouses, the incoming demiguise, the chickens, regular fishing, and your plans for the spring, we even display a lot of the usual agricultural and ecological hallmarks of many communes. And our attitudes toward sexual freedom our another hallmark."

Neville was the next to speak.

"You know, I like that idea. A commune does fit us."

Luna nodded.

"I definitely think our more open ideas to personal relationships fit the ideas of many communes. I've visited a couple when I traveled and they have been equally unencumbered with rules in regards to sex and partnerships."

"Well, commune works for me. I'm happy with what we've created here. It works for me, although I truthfully don't think I'm going to plan on inviting many more people. I can't honestly think of anyone else I trust right now. Maybe that will change in the future. I guess we're all in agreement at least."

Everyone gave a mutual assent. It wasn't something that anyone had thought was terribly important, but still the agreement somehow added a new sense of permanency to the unusual family that had been built over the last year on Potter Island. That night, as different couples split off, there was a subtle sense of acceptance over and above even what had been in place before.