Chapter 33
In which Harriet contemplate an expansion
Yule Ball at Malfoy Manor this year was filled with even more Politicians and Ministry personnel from all over the world. Considering how busy Lucius last year was, straightening up Slytherin's and Gaunt's many businesses, it was hardly a surprise that they all flocked to the Steward with Business Proposals and what not. Let it not be said that Lucius Malfoy is not a savvy Businessman, the man had tripled the vaults under his stewardship, and that's after the many, many reparations to his Lord's victims.
Harriet stared at the many foreigners in the party with curiosity. As it happened, many of them also took interest in the Conservatory and were offering various menageries and even lands to open a Conservatory in their countries. Harriet accepted the offers of menageries, but declined the lands for the time being, citing that The Conservatory is not fully operating yet and she wanted to concentrate on that first. She actually wondered how they knew that she was behind the Conservatory since they had agreed that Mr. Scamander's son, Brett was to be the public face for the Conservatory. (She didn't know that the Scamanders had been bragging about her when they went around to find magical animals)
The younger Thomas was mingling around, having seen that Lucius invited some officials from the Dueling Competition Committees. She frowned as she recalled the commotion earlier in the morning when she came to the Malfoy Manor to help with preparations. Turned out that the younger Thomas and the older Thomas (currently occupying a snake) were both really possessive, jealous, and were prone to childish bouts of fights. The younger Thomas, she could understand. He was possessing Clarence Higgs, a competitive dueler, and was the memory of the older Thomas' sixteen years old self. The older Thomas…, not so much. She voiced this confusion to Narcissa when she'd had enough of their antics.
"I mean, weren't they the same person? Why would I have to get two separate gifts for each of them? The younger Thomas isn't going to possess Professor Higgs forever, is he? So anything I gave him is probably going to be a waste. On the other hand, I can't, for the life of me, imagine how the older Thomas read the book I gave. He's a snake for Merlin's sake! Why can't they just share?" she grumbled after she got fed up with their fight over her Yule and Birthday gift.
"My dear Harriet, you don't have work yourself over them. They will solve it between themselves. You just have fun here. Oh, did I tell you about these marvelous little balls I found the other day when I went shopping with your Aunt? It's called Bath Bombs. Lucius and I couldn't get enough of it, so he spent a whole day with your Uncle to procure these large Jacuzzis for the Manor and installed it in every room. He barely left the tub, these days…" Narcissa giggled fondly.
Draco confirmed it when he arrived at her house on the 27th for their day in the Conservatory.
"It is very strange to see Father lounging in the tub with that fizzy bubbles, but then again, he looked really tired. It's brilliant, really, very relaxing, but I wished it didn't smell so girly." He told her thoughtfully.
"Huh… your Father didn't mind the scent?" Harriet asked curiously.
She couldn't really imagine Lucius smelling like Narcissa or her Aunt.
"Not at all. He said it helped him to sleep, and I think he charmed his cologne to mask the Bomb's scent. I like the Tea Tree one. Not so girly, but still…" He said.
"Hmm…tell your mom to try the woodsy scents next time they went." She suggested as she waved to Daphne and headed to the car with him. Uncle Vernon is driving them today because he also needed to go to the area.
"Oh, and Father asked me to schedule a meeting with you in London." He said, looking at Daphne who nodded and opened her notebook to pencil the appointment.
After that they were busied by the meeting, taking notes and observing the presentation. Harriet brought up the Basilisk Problem that they have at school and discussed it with Mr. Scamander while the Warding Team brainstormed about how to put a viewing glass in the Chamber so that viewers can observe the Basilisk through the Conservatory without accidentally being petrified. The Herbologist Team suggested that they start to stock on Mandrakes, which was also entertaining enough to be put in the Flora Section, just in case.
This led to a discussion with the Managerial team to open a new section for Creatures to be observed in their natural habitat, especially those that are too dangerous to be put in a park (like the Nundus and the Chimaeras). Harriet was content to let them discuss amongst themselves and get back to her with a proposal as the clock struck twelve and she left with Daphne and Draco to meet up with their friends in the restaurant.
There was a surprise when Draco returned with their friends.
"Harriet!" her best friend exclaimed as she swept her into a hug. "Happy Yule, and Happy Christmas!"
"Su Li, I thought you were being held prisoner at school?" Harriet squeezed her a little, being pleasantly surprised at her appearance.
"Well, Professor Higgs folded two days before Christmas and sent us home. So, tell me the juicy details! Did he visit you?" she whispered conspiratorially.
"Oh, how did you know that?" Harriet whispered back as Padma approached to give her a hug.
"Well, he seemed put out that you weren't there, and we saw him arguing with Professor Snape. Your name was mentioned a few times. When he announced that we should go home for the holiday and will continue the camp after New Year, Let's just say that we all knew why we were let go. So spill! Did you make him grovel?" Su Li asked excitedly.
"For what? I told you that I understood his reasons. He did come to explain, and I've punished him, so that's behind us and shall not be discussed further. Tell me about the camp! Was it exciting?" Harriet asked back curiously.
"Well, the first day, we have a Battle Royale. It's free for all until only one person left, and the last one standing got a reward from Professor Higgs and a trophy. It's Maxwell for the senior team and Warren for the junior team." Su Li waved her hand in excitement. "I felled a few, but was down on the last four people, so yeah. I didn't do so bad, but not so good either."
"That's interesting. You have to be in offense and defense at the same time." Harriet analyzed.
"That's right. Susan got me from behind. You wouldn't guess, but Ronald made it to last four too." She laughed merrily.
"Really? So, the last four is three second years and Warren? Oh, the third years must be so pissed." Harriet giggled.
The dueling team consisted of twelve people for each Senior and Junior team. Each year contributed four representatives, two in the starter team and two in reserves. So, if one of the starter team was unable to compete for any reason, the reserve will go in his or her stead as the Second. Su Li is Harriet's Second, while Ronald is Susan's.
After Lunch, they went for a guided tour in the muggle section before going to the magical section. Harriet smiled as her friends all were mesmerized by the animals. They were very excited when the tour guide offered them to feed the animals. Those expressions were the reason why she added the Muggle section to the original plan.
Draco, as predicted, was completely enthralled by the Dragon Section. He stared wide eyed at each of the holding pens and got misty eyes when Charlie Weasley showed them the eggs in the Breeding Center.
"They were predicted to hatch in your early summer holiday, so you can sign up for announcements in the reception area. We will notify you when it started to hatch so you can observe them." He said with a wide grin.
Needless to say, all of them signed up for the notifications while Harriet gave Charlie two thumbs up for his innovative way to bring visitors to the Conservatory. At the end of the day, every one of them was really reluctant to leave the place.
"It would be nice if there's an inn or pub where we can stay so that we can come to see more." Parvati lamented. She really loved the visit to the Conservatory. It's a new experience for all of them.
"That's actually a good idea." Harriet commented and looked at the area thoughtfully.
She turned to Daphne.
"Can you make a note to remind me to see the floorplan? I want to see if we can develop a Business Section here."
"Sure." Daphne penciled a note on her book.
They said goodbye to their friends and boarded the car to go home.
"So, did you have fun?" Uncle Vernon asked them in the car.
"Yes! We loved the Conservatory, and Draco was in love with the dragons." Daphne exclaimed.
Uncle Vernon chuckled in amusement as he drove them home.