Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter characters.
Chapter Thirteen: Plans in motion
McGonagal's warning rang true. The following day Arthur Weasley was beset upon by literally hundreds of howlers; screaming for his resignation, 'head on a pike', 'boiled in oil',… and the like. The besieged minister barely made it to the relative safety of his office, beneath a shower of screaming confetti as many of the howlers exploded in zeal to be heard over the din.
His puzzlement over what could have triggered such a negative public outcry was readily answered upon perusing the official Gringotts document awaiting his pleasure. He'd barely read the opening paragraph before he dropped the document and sighed in resignation…
"Well played, Harry. Well played…"
The document read:
Be it known that of 12 a.m. on the day of November 2, of the year of our lord, 2000: that all hereditary contracts for indentured elf kind have been summarily purchased at the rate of 5,000 galleons per individual, 7,500 galleons per family by the Phoenix Foundation, in conjunction with legal services provided through Gringotts Incorporated.
The private purchase of said elves is viable via provision thirty seven of the treaty of 1302 between the Confederation of Wizards and Magical Sentient Races, ie..Goblin, Elf, Merman, Centaur, Satyr, ect…
A legal copy of the entire treaty is provided herein.
Not wishing to place undue hardship upon magical society, the Phoenix Foundation has generously agreed to provide for continued Elvin Domestic Services at the rate of one galleon per elf per day. Said word day shall not exceed a ten hour period with no more than a five hour period without incurring a work break of less than one half hour-paid time.
The work week period shall not exceed five consecutive days with a scheduled day off on the sixth. Said day off may be filled by another contractual posting to ensure continuation of services.
Contracted Elvin Service is obtainable through all Gringott's branches within the European theatre.
Be it further known that all contractual service is under the strict employment guidelines of the Phoenix Foundation's charter for Fair Labor Practice. Any breach of said 'safe work environment guidelines' as contractually set forth, is punishable in the extreme by fine and, or Azkaban incarceration, depending upon the severity of said infraction.
Be it further known that the Phoenix Foundation will not consider sale for purchase of any contracted employee without exclusion.
Domestic service is on rental basis only, pursuant to contractual agreement by all parties therein.
Be it further known that…
SPLOOSH!
The ink ran from the page contained in Arthur's hands. A soaking wet Arthur Weasley sighed dejectedly, "Well played Harry."
"Merry Moist Morning, Minister" Peeves sang out as he made to hurl another water balloon at the already dampened spirited, Minister.
"I shall come right to the point, Mr. Weasley. I have two orders of business requiring your immediate attention. The first is non-negotiable."
Ron sat cowering before the expansive dark maple desk of the new president for the Chudley Cannons, Fine Claw.
He could almost feel the noose tightening around his neck as the goblin leeringly pushed a toward him, purposely falling short, forcing Ron to have to struggle out of his 'strategically lower in height seat' to gather the document.
It was.
It was as he was dreading. His contractual forfeiture of all payment for the 2000-2001 season as the Chudley Keeper, per his agreed upon lost wager made with Harry.
Ron gulped despondently as he signed away a full years pay
The goblin greedily snatched up the document before the ink could set.
"Now on to the second; how much?" the goblin asked coolly.
"How much what?" Ron asked completely puzzled.
"Come now sir, don't play coy with me?" the goblin growled.
Ron shrugged helplessly, completely stymied.
Fine Claw sighed in exasperation."Very well, sir. He warned me you were a shrewd man. I shall match the average rate of the top three General Managers currently under contract within the European Quidditch League. That sum comes to exactly nineteen thousand one hundred and fifty-four galleons, three sickles and two knuts, but I insist upon a contract of not less than five years with the usual incentive bonuses, of course."
Ron tipped over backward out of his chair in a dead faint.
Jane Granger stared at the front page of the Prophet with trembling hands. A smile tugged at the edge of her mouth as she read the declaration from Gringott's in the form of a full page ad advertising Elvin Domestic Services.
Round two started with a bang and Harry came out swinging and scored heavily. The count stood Potter-4, Weasley-0.
Harry was going right for magical society's soft underbelly by forcing the elite of the magical world to have to fend for themselves if they were going to eat today, or wear clean clothes, bu, she knew the real agenda was freeing the elves, the other, secondary goal, was merely 'sauce for the goose'!.
Harry did in one day what Hermione was unable to so much as make a scratch on after years of failed attempts to educate magical society on the inhumanity of slavery.
What a surprise that all it took was money to affect a significant change. Jane thought ironically.
Unbeknownst to Jane Granger, while she was perusing the morning addition, the Weasley twins, having regrouped and re-gathered their shredded dignity long enough to go into their shop and begin the long and tedious process of manufacturing enough wares to restock their shelves.
"What gives?" Fred asked upon his key's failure to unlock their store's rear door.
George tried and several unlocking charms, all to no avail. "I've a bad feeling about this."
The two brothers shared a worried glance, before one nodded the other for toward the front of the shop.
The two went around front to find the front windows magically sealed, the locks changed and a sign on the front that read:
Closed for Redecorating
Join Us for the New Grand Opening of W-W-W on December First!
"What's all this then?" Fred remarked, staring suspiciously at the sign flashing on the front door.
Squeaky, maniacal giggling could be heard from within the shop at Fred venting his frustration.
"That sounds like… elves?"George ventured in alarm.
"Run for it!" his twin shouted over his shoulder as he bolted from the scene.
Hermione sat staring dejectedly at her magically powered laptop. Professor Dumbledore's tongue lashing still ringing in her head as she looked down at story she had been pouring herself into these past several months.
Dumbledore had been right, she realized after closely scrutinizing her story. She'd tried to be objective in her point of view, but the more she read into it, the more she realized that the story was just that; her point of view.
She knew what she had to do. It was time for a major re-write. That and to find something positive to do with her life. Writing could be her forte and it might not. The front page of the prophet was both a humbling and eye opening read this morning.
By all indications; Harry and company had effectively abolished elf slavery both legally , ethically,... and in a single day!
What had she done to help- nothing! She'd only managed to annoy a few people, beaten on a few doors, handing out annoying buttons and flyers and tried to force her point of view on others, just as she'd done with Harry, too often in past.
Dumbledore was right about one thing, well, if she was truthful with herself, most if not all things.
Why was she not at his side, helping instead of hindering Harry? He had come up with a brilliant idea that had bordered on insurrection and instead of listening to him, talking things out and ultimately helping him in any way possible- she'd squashed the idea before it could be initiated; all for love of family. She'd played on his sympathies and for what? The family was now divided anyway and he was gone.
Where had he gone?
She couldn't even begin to think where to look, or if she even should for that matter? His note had said he was beyond their reach and knowing Harry, he was. His note had also indicated that this was how he wanted things for now. In years, hell, in days past, she would have ignored his wishes and blindly pursued him till he saw reason- her reason.
She was a poor excuse for a sister and even more so for a friend. She loved him just as much as she loved Ron, but not in the same way. Despite that, had she been supportive? Trusting?...No. not when it really matter. Not when it counted.
She'd reexamined herself and her actions and what she had found had not been to her liking.
She'd used their friendship; used his deep seated feelings of friendship for her and the rest of the family against him.
Coerced and manipulated instead of reasoned with and supported.
That would change. It had to change if she was ever to repair their friendship to what it should be, not what she'd turned it into.
Harry was out in the world trying to make a difference. She should be trying to help him in any and every way possible. More so, she knew he was doing it partly for hers and the rest of his surrogate family's benefit.
She always considered herself a clever woman- it was time to start proving it.
Poof!
"Phew! What the..? Oh, for crying out loud! Harry? That purple skinned little freak is here." Draco called at the bathroom door, eyeing Ginny's familiar.
"Rowrrr" Lockheed growled his displeasure for the slight.
Draco tapped the hilt of his blade meaningfully. "Don't tempt me you oversized 'carrier pigeon'. There's not enough hide on you for a pair of boots, but gloves would be nice."
"Grrrr" with a feral growl the draconum pounced.
"What! Hey,…stop that ! Eww, no.. don't? Ger-Off!
"What in the world…? Harry came out of the loo and immediately broke into gales of laughter at the site of Draco Malfoy stumbling around his room shaking his leg as he tried to dislodge Ginny's familiar from vigorously humping his leg!
"Don't just stand there? Get Him Off!" Draco howled in alarm.
Still giggling, Harry snapped his fingers and the draconum teleported off Draco's leg and unto Harry's shoulder in a puple could of brimstone.
"Pheww!" Harry complained waving away the stench. "You could have walked, ya know?"
The draconum mad a dry hissing bark in response that sounded suspiciously like laughter at his discomfort.
He curled his pointed tail over and around Harry shoulder to display a note tied to the end.
"From Ginny?"
The draconum shot him an obvious look.
"Right, sorry." Harry apologized
"Quit making friends with it." Draco barked. "Just skewer the damned thing and let's eat already.
Lockheed hissed challengingly at Draco.
"That's enough you two."Harry spat in warning.
With uncertain hands Harry untied the note and opened it to read:
Harry, please come home. Love, Ginny.
He stared at the note in his hand for much longer than he realized when Draco interrupted him from his thoughts with…
"Well?"
The note was both less and more than he could have hoped for. His eyes were fixed on two words: 'Love, Ginny'
Part of him wanted to return, as fool hardy as that would be. He'd made his oath and magic accepted it. If he returned to British shores whilst Arthur Weasley was still minister, he'd forfeit his magic.
Despite that, he neither wanted nor was ready to return and wouldn't be for some time.
He'd made his decision and it was the right one.
He wrote a hasty response on the same parchment, folded and tied it to Lockheed instructing as he did so:
"Return this and do not return. I won't accept any other missives from her. Don't try to bring her here either. It's too far for you to attempt and you'd just end up killing yourself and her along with you. Besides that, the wards wouldn't accept her either. If you cross me on this, I'll be forced to adjust the wards to deny you entry as well. Understood?"
Lockheed mewled mournfully in his obvious disappointed undersatnding.
Harry scratched under the tiny creature's leathern chin reassuringly. "It'll be alright, little one." he told it with more conviction than he felt. "Return to your mistress."
Lockheed gave a last mournful cry and left in a cloud of purple smoke and flame that Harry dispelled with a wave of his hand.
"That is one disturbed little creature. " Draco commented regarding Lockheed.
Harry shrugged, grinning churlishly. "Well, he's a draconum and you are named "Draco",... after all." Harry intimated with a snicker.
Draco sot him a disgusted look and changed the subject. "Was it that bad?"he referred to Ginny's note.
"On the contrary; she asked me to come home."
Draco nodded, suggesting half heartedly. "Maybe you should go home and.."
"I am home, Draco." Harry reassured him ending the conversation.
Ginny nearly ran across the room to snatch the note from Lockheed's tail, barely stopping to thank her familiar profusely in her zeal to see what Harry had written. She found that below he one lined note of: 'Please come home. Love, Ginny', whilst Harry had replied.
I am home.
Please don't send anymore messages with Lockheed as I won't accept them and will be forced to alter the wards to deny him entry.
Don't attempt to coerce him into teleporting you here, either. It's too far for him to safely bring you and it will only result in you injuring him and yourself.
What I'm doing is important to me and to a lot of other people who have put their faith in me. I will not abandon them for purely selfish reasons, however much I might want to.
Besides,…I told you in the note I left that it's up to you to tell me how the story ends and I don't think it's anywhere near finished yet?
Good Luck in any and every thing you do, Ginny.
Love, Harry
Ginny was about to crumple the note up until she read that last line, blinked and read it again.
Love, Harry
Did he? Could he, especially after everything she and the rest of the family had put him thru?
She resolved herself to find out. However long it might take to do, she'd do it. The question now was…How?
Sunday morning Ron and Hermione arrived just minutes before the ten o'clock mass at 's.
Sitting in the back pew, Hermione marveled that so many other family members had the same idea.
Scattered throughout the congregation were suspiciously familiar shades of red hair in varying lengths.
In addition were a pair of brunets one with hints of gray at his temples, the other with a young squealing child on her hip named Lily, after Harry's mum.
When the priest asked them all to kneel in silent prayer, Hermione kneeled in the sure knowledge that her extended family and she were of the same mind.
Please, God,… please watch over and guide Harry.
Nearly a month later….
Sunday dinner at the Burrow was a boisterous affair as always. Arthur was chuckling as he relayed to Remus the latest antics of Peeves and Moaning Myrtle, which after the initial shock had died down, it sounded as if he was quite enjoying the distraction.
Whether or not the rest of the Ministerial staff was of a like mind was another question.
"You two have been busy this week." Ron commented to his unusually quiet twin siblings, initiating conversation.
George shrugged."Been scouting a new store location in Hogsmeade."he returned.
"Expanding then?" Bill assumed from across the table.
"Hardly" Fred shot back sarcastically.
"What's all this then?" Tonks asked curiously.
"Need to set up shop someplace new." George vaguely explained.
"Then why are you redecorating the store in Diagon Alley and why advertise a "Grand opening"?" she asked with a puzzled expression.
The twins shared a wary look.
"We're not redecorating anything…." George started.
"It's all Harry doing." Fred picked up.
"He's got those little fiends of his running the show." George continued.
"Don't dare get within a hundred miles of the place…." Fred reasoned
"Lest one of the little blighters pranks us." George intimated with a nervous tic pulling at the corner of his left eye.
"Or worse!" Fred finished with a knowing shudder.
Snickers and chuckles around the table responded to that statement.
"Have Harry's elvish friends caused you two some difficulty?" Remus asked curiously from his place next to Arthur.
George dropped his fork nervously at that and Fred paled beside him.
"W-We'd rather not discuss it…" George began.
"If you don't mind?" Fred finished his brother's thought, keeping his eyes fixed on his plate.
More laughter eschewed.
"Maybe if you two just admitted he's beaten you, he'd let up and forget the whole th…" Hermione began to suggest when…
"Never!" George howled defiantly.
"That amateurish upstart?" Fred blurted aghast.
"Crude pretender to the throne!" George further sullied Harry's image.
WHOOSH… A glittering spectral Phoenix appeared in the center of the table and growled, actually growled- menacingly at the twins, who quailed in trepidation.
There was no doubt as to who was responsible and that he accepted the verbal gauntlet the twins had thrown down.
"What,… but how could he..? Harry! Harry, please talk to us?" Hermione called out desperately, hoping he would relent and engage them further.
Pensive moments passed and….nothing. The spectral phoenix vanished as quickly as it had come.
"He won't, Hermione." Arthur informed the crest fallen table in an apologetic tone of voice.
"He swore he would not aid us in anyway once he left British shores. I think that last warning is merely a challenge indirectly." He eyed the twins dubiously at their folly.
"F-Forever?"Ginny hesitantly asked with pleading brown eyes seeking reassurance.
Arthur understood the vague question and shook his head, offering what hope he could. "No, it's not forever. He will not aid Britain nor seek contact with us as long as I'm Minister." He explained pointedly.
"Then resign." Ron blatantly demanded.
Arthur spread his fingers out helplessly, tapping them on the dinner table gently as he struggled with explaining his dilemma.
"I've thought of doing just that, yes, but, in all good consciousness I truly believe that not doing so is in the best interest of the world at large and the British Isles as well. We've all seen this week's papers? If even half of what they've reported is accurate, than Harry is undertaking an extraordinary service to the world as a whole. If I were to step down and Harry did actually return, what then? Would he continue with his plan or would he lose focus mired in the drama that we would needlessly place him in with our own short comings and dubious copying skills.
Whilst the world might be ready for someone like Harry, whether they deserve him and what he offers or no,… the majority of this family is not."
Rather than blurted denials and rebuttal, many lowered their eyes around the table in solemn contemplation in their own part they'd played, knowingly or not, in alienating Harry and driving him from their lives.
Arthur sighed regretfully. "I'm sorry if that is harsh to hear, but I think McGonagal and Dumbledore made a valid point and I'm sure I'm not the only person here that has reevaluated themselves this past week and found his or herself-wanting?"
Dejected murmurs of agreement echoed softly around the table.
"Alright then." Arthur began more positively. "What are we going to do about it? While on the surface; I'd like to resign, have Harry return and throw myself at his mercy, begging forgiveness. On the other hand, I firmly believe that I can and will help the magical realm as Minister for the time being. I know that sounds a touch arrogant, but I really think we're starting to make strides here in dragging the wizarding world into the twenty-first century. Despite that, I don't want to complicate Harry's life anymore than I already have lest he loose focus and I inadvertently do the rest of the world a disservice merely to expunge my own conscious."
"What about me and what it would mean for both of us if he were still here?" Ginny asked unashamedly, surprising both herself and the rest of the table.
"There is that, Ginny." Arthur agreed that Ginny and perhaps, Harry too, would benefit from having the chance to pursue a relationship. His next statement both dashed her hopes and emboldened her.
"But if I'm to be honest? You are not ready for Harry yet, Ginny."
She bristled at this but her father drove his point home, humbling her.
"Are you ready to stand by his side as his equal, because Harry deserves nothing less? Now, I'm not expecting you to be his equal magically speaking, because the cold hard fact is, is that I'm not sure there's a soul alive that could be. Quidditch wise, you are. You're both world class caliber players, but quidditch, great sport that it is, is still, after all, just a game."
"Here now!" Ron interrupted indignantly.
Arthur nodded chuckling, "Yes Ron, I know; quidditch is life to some."
The rest of the table chuckled along at that.
"However, no one, perhaps not even Harry Potter, can play quidditch forever. What will you do then, Ginny?"
His knowing eyes sought his daughter's own uncertain ones.
"Once quidditch is over, what then? Are you ready to fight by his side? Run international business concerns? Do you have any research expertise? Are you even ready to give yourself wholeheartedly to another man, let alone, Harry? I know this sounds harsh and I'm sorry, but you're still young Ginny. You have much to learn and experience, especially if you're going to be seriously seeking a relationship with a man like, Harry. Personally, I think you're up to the task. You just need to decide what you're going to do with the rest of your life once quidditch is over, which could be tomorrow, Merlin forbid, barring injury."Arthur both advised and encouraged his daughter.
At length, Ginny nodded her understand,… and her appreciation for his advice. Many of the things he had envisioned, she hadn't even considered for herself, at least not consciously so.
Molly Weasley spoke up next. "Your father and I have raised seven wonderful children that we are very proud of. We've also had a limited hand in rearing two other children that we are as proud of as our own. I am, of course, referring to Harry and Hermione. That said, we cannot take responsibility for any of your individual accomplishments as adults. What you've done in that aspect you've accomplished for yourselves. Harry overshadows the lot of you, however."
Molly held up a hand seeking their patience, knowing she'd ruffled more than a few feathers.
"Yes, Yes, I know; Harry has certain advantages that have made his accomplishments that much easier to obtain. But is it really the fact that he's so wealthy that he was able to get a project like this Phoenix Foundation off the ground? Or,… was it the drive and compassion to improve the lot of the rest of the world that is the key? Oh, there's courage and talent there, to be sure, but, was he born with it or has adversity brought it out and driven him to hone it to a razor's edge by the sweat of his own brow?
My point is this; Harry has undertaken a venture that will have far reaching, if not world altering effects. I don't expect any of us here to match that, but what can we do to facilitate it? If we're his family and we truly love and care about him, as we say we do, than what can we do to help him? We need to stand by his side and support him, not stand in his way. As much help as he's obviously garnered to his side, isn't there something we, as a family, and/or individually, can do to help as well?
Bill, you're one of his financial managers. As vastly wealthy as the Potter estate is, even it's not limitless. The financial expenses of such an endeavor must be staggering?"
Bill snorted at that. "That's an understatement."
"Then what are you doing to help? Have you sought out any new opportunities for him that would generate new capital?" Molly put him on the spot intentionally.
"What,… but I…?" Bill was taken off guard.
"Get busy, William." his mother stated in her, 'I'm not asking, I'm telling' voice.
"Charles," she used his full name which immediately put Charlie on the alert. "You handle dangerous creatures everyday and I'm told you're rather good at it. Don't you suppose that Harry and company might benefit of having said expertise at their disposal from time to time?"
"Er, um… Yes, Mum." Charlie agreed sheepishly.
She eyed the table. "I'm not asking any of you to give up your lives or livelihood? I'm suggesting that you use what you have and know to help Harry, if and when he needs said help. He would do anything, anything for any of you at a moment's notice and you know it. It's well past time we've proven ourselves worthy of that honor in whatever way that we are most capable."
"You two hooligans?" Molly snapped at her twin sons. "Certainly you could both grow up long enough to be of assistance? Many of your products are quite inventive; surely you could put your talents into finding a product or two that could be of use in a firefight? Harry risks his life every day; can't you find a way to make his job easier, if not safer?"
Fred shared a pointed look with George.
"We've a few good ideas actually, but.." George began.
"Do we really have to grow up too?" Fred beseeched his mother.
Molly scowled at that, suggesting, "Not as long as you're doing something that's actually useful?"
"What kind of money are we talking here?" George asked skeptically.
"Our work doesn't come cheap." Fred added with an imperious air.
Whap
Hermione simultaneously cuffed the two of them across the back of the head.
Molly nodded her appreciation, warning her twins, "You'll do it for free and you'll like it."
"Free?" George blurted out aghast.
Fred made gagging sounds, holding his stomach and grumbling, "Ugly,… oh, the horror… THE HORROR!"
THE PHEONIX FOUNDATION
Dedicated to the three "R's", Research, Rescue and Recovery; the Phoenix Foundation arrived on the scene from seemingly out of nowhere, though the truth be told, Harry Potter had its conception in mind for a few years previously. Recent events had pressed him into making the foundation a reality, sooner, rather than later.
The Foundation at its introduction consisted of six facilities spanning the globe, each dedicated to researching medical disease and trauma, spell development, safety and security equipment; anything and everything that could possibly improve the human condition, both magical and non-magical.
Each facility was manned with several, specially trained tactical units that carried out rescue and recovery operations around the globe. Working under the direct authority of both the International Confederation of Wizards and the United Nations Security Council, the Phoenix Foundations specialty tactical unit division: Knight Watch, was available to answer the call to deal with any potential threats to the life and safety of all sentient beings, first and foremost and to recovery of lost or stolen possessions, humanoid remains, recovery of dangerous articles and artifacts for either destruction or protective containment, and the like, as a wholly secondary objective. Lives came first.
Said services were provided internationally –Free of Charge. Though being a non-profit humanitarian agency was supposedly not a deciding factor in their ratification by world governing bodies as a specialized 'peace keeping' type force; that aspect was certainly not a detriment in their acceptance either.
Each facility's location was unknown to any outside its charter members and their immediate families. Complete and total anonymity was a mutually agreed upon security precaution that was held inviolate and would not be divulged for any reason to even the highest ranking governmental agency and, or person.
For those in the know, each base facility and its surrounding private community existed under a Fidelious charm whose secret keeper was the base's commander. Command never left said base at anytime, for any reason, save resignation or death. Upon death or resignation, the next commander would be inducted as secret keeper under the same protocol. Therefore, there was absolutely no chance of a breech in security-none. Despite this first precaution, every possible combination of additional warding; wizard, goblin and elf alike, had placed a web of advanced wards over every compound, with the added touch of Harry's own unique blood wards that were tied to his life force. Besides the ward system, every advanced security system the non-magical world could offer had been installed. The security of each base was beyond any other structure in existence, magic or muggle.
Lives came first.
The base systems were already operational when the personnel arrived. Individual housing and ancillary facilities were in the process of being built. No expense was spared. The Potter,Black and Gryffindor fortunes had paid out in the neighborhood of about Two Hundred million galleons, or nearly one billion dollars by comparison.
Despite his vast wealth, that number had made a dent, albeit a small one, in the Potter/Black/Gryffindor fortune. The money to Harry was nothing more than a means to an ends. Lives came first and he intended to not only keep his personnel safe, but provide for their well being and happiness as best he may. They would be risking their lives. The least he could do was make sure that their lives were equal to their risk.
Contracts through the Goblins were issued to arm and outfit each base's tactical force with the latest advanced protective gear and armaments; again both magical and non-magical. It wasn't enough though, not nearly enough for what Harry had in mind. No, for some of his more clandestine ventures; specialty equipment would be required. For that he would need people with vision and a brilliant knack for inventiveness. He had the perfect team in mind already.
NOVEMBER 30th
KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK
A wary eye answered the door, peering out through a crack from behind the would be safety of a still engaged security chain, his hand still gripping the dead bolt whilst his other held a wand at the ready.
The visitor's grey eyes held not a hint of trepidation, if anything they were amused.
"May I come in?" He asked politely.
"Just because he trusts you, doesn't mean that we're so naive." the other returned skeptically.
Draco Malfoy sighed impatiently, suggesting: "I could offer my magical vow?"
"You could offer an unforgivable vow and we still wouldn't trust you." a voice came from behind the door and the person, Draco was addressing, nodded his agreement.
"Gentlemen please, I've come here in Harry's behalf to offer you a business proposition, one that I'm sure you'll find extremely lucrative.
The door slammed in his face, but before he could turn away, he could here locks being disengaged and the door swung wide open and a grinning duo greeted him cordially.
"Extremely lucrative, you say?" George nearly crowed in his delight.
"How can we be of service, good sir?" Fred added with a charming smile.
Draco rolled his eyes as he stepped through the now inviting portal.
He made to reach into his cloak, but his hand faltered in mid air as a pair of wands materialized in front of his face.
"Careful ferret" George warned.
"I am merely withdrawing a bank draft from my cloak, along with another object that my employer feels may benefit the research he wants you to undertake. " Draco explained.
Fred flicked his wand warily, indicating he should proceed-carefully
Again, Draco rolled his eyes and with drew a Gringott's draft from his cloak and handed it to the twins.
"A HUNDRED THOUSAND GALLEONS!" they shrieked as one voice on seeing the amount indicated.
Draco ignored their initial shock and pulled a small blue object from his other breast pocket.
"This is what we need, or more to the point; what we need you to base your research on."
Fred's eyebrows raised in alarm. "Is that what I think it is?"
Draco nodded. "It's Moody's eye. Moody claimed, when he was alive, that it could see in the dark, through invisibility cloaks, glamours, disillusion spells ect… We need the technology applied to individual eyewear; either contact lenses or eyeglasses that we can use in the field. Cashing that draft by the close of business today will constitute a magically binding contract to provide such service in its entirety and with complete discretion on your part. Do we have an agreement?"
Fred was about to jump on board, but his brother nudged him in the ribs in warning to hold back.
"How do we know that we can trust you? For all we know; you could have killed Moody yourself in the war and now are looking to outfit your own private little army of Death Eater wannabes?" George ventured skeptically.
Draco fixed him with a dubious steely glare. His hand moved so fast that they could barely get out a yelp of surprise, let alone draw their wands in defense, before Draco's sword hissed from its scabbard, concealed beneath his cloak.
Draco dropped to one knee and placed the tip of his sword to the floor and rested his forehead against the pommel as he vowed.
"I swear on my magic, my sword and my soul to serve Harold James Potter, Lord Potter-Black, Magical Knight in service to the magical races. Till sword may break and in death I fall, I make this pledge to one and all!"
A blinding flash of light surged through Draco's sword and enveloped his body. Magic had both judged and accepted his vow. His mortal and eternal life hedged against serving Harry faithfully.
The twin staggered back in complete awe at his show of such inspiring allegiance to a once hated foe.
Draco rose and, with a practiced ease, returned his blade to its scabbard home without even the slightest glance. His hand unconsciously knew the way.
"Will that do?" Draco asked confidently.
The twins nodded dumbly in unison.
"H-How soon do you need the finished p-product?"Fred asked still struggling to comprehend what he'd just witnessed.
"As soon as you can make it work, but I've been instructed to tell you to not cut any corners nor take any short cuts. The finished product must be of the finest quality. Lives will depend on it."
George gulped and nodded his understanding. "How many pairs do you need?"
"Three Hundred pairs to start, five hundred in total, with an option to procure more on an as needed basis.
Fred whistled between his teeth.
"It'll take a few months if it's just the two of us and that's working on it exclusively every minute we can spare from the joke shop." He warned.
Draco grimaced. "Employ any additional help you may require to operate the shop or assist in the manufacture of our requirements, but keep the finished product's base technology between yourselves and Knight Watch."
"Knight Watch?" George asked puzzled.
"What's Knight Watch?" Fred added curiously.
Draco opened his cloak and showed them his Midnight blue uniform with blazing phoenix insignia on his left chest and surname and rank on his right.
"It's the last uniform I'll ever where. Be patient. I'm sure you'll be hearing about us soon enough." Draco returned assuredly
He drew out a card from his cloak pocket and handed it to the still stunned twin, whether it was Fred or George he neither knew nor cared.
"I am to be your contact on this project and any addition future endeavors of a like nature. You can call me at this number anytime, day or night, with questions. If you need additional capital to make this work, it will be provided. Remember-no short cuts. Just cash the draft by the end of business today and the contract will sealed." He reminded, turning to leave.
"M-Malfoy?" George called out to hold him up. "W-Why?" George asked uncertainly.
Draco cocked his head puzzled by his meaning.
"Why are you, of all people, er... helping Harry?" Fred clarified.
Draco nodded his sudden understanding. "Because he cared about me when nobody else would or could. He gave me a chance that I didn't deserve."
"What chance?" George asked intrigued.
"The chance to do what was right, not what was easy; the chance to make a difference in the world. I would die for Harry Potter and gratefully so." that said, he turned and left the shop in a swirl of his cloak that Snape would have envied.
"If it had been anyone else…?" Fred gasped.
"I'd never believed it." His brother finished next to him, staring at the door Draco left by in disbelief.
Three hours later…
Fred and George Weasley were gleefully depositing their bank draft. A smiling Goblin handed each of them a quill to sign their perspective receipts as it was a dual account.
Strange that, a goblin smiling? Fred considered as he penned his name. Rather unsettling too.
He'd just finished signing his name when the port key he was holding activated.
"No,..not..!" Fred barely got out before he felt the pull behind his navel carry him away.
"again!" George finished as they landed next to each other.
"What?"
"Where?"
"Good evening, sirs" Dobby smiled cruelly.
"NO!" They manage to scream in unison, just before the twin stunners hit them from behind.
They were shaken awake at approximately 7:55am by an extremely attractive witch leaning over them.
Fred found himself captivated by her rather shapely backside as George enjoyed the view as she leaned over in front of him in a skin tight tank top enquiring breathlessly "Am I late?"
" Er,..Late?" George asked uncertainly, admiring the view afforded him.
"I'm supposed to run the aerobics class her this morning and forgot my watch; it's not 8a.m. yet is it?"
They hurriedly took note that their shop was just as it had been previously before Harry last prank, only far larger. The elves must have magically altered the interior dimensions of the shop. There was now an empty large section in front that had a thick rubberized mat covering the floor in its entirety.
"No,.. not late, not late at all." Fred remarked in a rather lascivious manner from beside his brother.
"Whew, that's a relief. I'd not like making a bad impression my first day. Mr. Potter went out of his way hiring me, Said I was exactly what he was looking for. He thought I'd be a welcome change over what last month's shop owners had to go through? He said the shop owners here went thru hell last month and he wanted to make a better impression this time around. He said that I would probably be a perfect fit for anything that might come up."
"I'll say you would!" Fred chortled, enjoying the wide eyed blush suffusing his twin brother's cheeks.
"That's great. I'm Candy by the way." She introduced herself. George started coughing at that.
"I'm sure you are." Fred smirkingly agreed. "I'm Gred and thats, er,.. I mean, I'm Fred and this is my brother, George. We own the shop along with ."
"Oh,.. I'm ever so pleased to meet your acquaintance." Candy returned. "I better start getting ready. The others should be arriving here soon for the 8:30 a.m. class."With that she dropped her athletic equipment bag and started stretching in front of them, touching her toes with her shapely bum directly in front of the twins as she bounced on the balls of her feet.
George and Fred's heads bobbed up and down, their eyes glued to her backside as she did so.
"You, er,… mentioned others?" Fred asked, blushing furiously as hius head bobbed up and down.
"Uh- huh, the other women in the class. Mr. Potter said we could have the class here every morning before the shop opened at nine. He said we'd be an inspiration."
"That's er,.. very thoughtful of Mr. Potter, very thoughtful indeed." George chuckled appreciatively.
"It is." Candy agreed. Now she was twisting her torso from side to side, highlighting her profile as her outfit pulled tight with each revolution.
"Um,..t-these other w-women are they all like you?" Fred gulped and asked.
"Oh no. I'm nowhere near their league. You can join us if you like? It's always nice to have a strong man or two around to help out in class. Some of the women need a little extra 'hands on' assistance with some of the stretches."
The two brothers shared a wide eyed-'Christmas came early' expression of anticipation.
"We'd be delighted."George nearly sang.
"I've a smashing idea?" Fred chortled. He pulled his wand and transfigured his and his brother's clothes into training shorts and shirts with their first names and floo number on the front left breast.
George smiled appreciatively- "Brilliant!"
They both started stretching and flirting with Candy.
So enthralled with their impending 'supposed' good fortune, they never bothered to consider the prior circumstances of last evening and what it may have portended.
If they'd have bothered to scan the store, they would have noticed the floo and appiration wards in place as well as the locking and impervious charms on all the windows and exit doors, keyed to their own magical signature.
They couldn't know that the sign on the front of the shop proudly proclaimed their new name:
W-W-W
WEIGHT WATCHERS for WITCHES