7. Making Plans

The final term was flying by.

The 8th years could field a team, but due to their heightened experience, they would not be in contention for the house cup.

Fair enough, Harry decided. He assembled a team with Ron as Keeper, Michael Corner, Ernie Macmillan, Blaise Zabini as Chasers, Tracey Davis and Terry Boot as Beaters, and himself as Seeker.

He was relieved he would not have to play with Ginny as part of the team. She was waddling around, her pregnancy visible, and Zacharias Smith was strutting proudly by her side.

Harry's team won every match they played, and Harry told himself it was good practice for the rest of the school.

He decided he would join an amateur league after graduation; he knew that his former teammate Angelina Johnson was already organizing one.

Career Day came early, and Harry admitted to McGonagall that he no longer wished to become an auror.

"Enough," he declared. "I've fought enough for one person's lifetime, and someone else can lock up any dark wizards that come along."

"In fact," he considered, "I don't know that I care to work for the Ministry at all."

McGonagall peered at him over her pince-nez. "You could clear up much corruption, Harry."

"Maybe," he conceded. "But I think it would be easier said than done. Anyway, it would be faster going through the Wizengamot than the Ministry. I have political leverage, and will use it."

It was true, but not entirely true.

The Potter coffers had been severely depleted throughout two wizarding wars. The Black vaults were robust, but their many rental properties in Diagon and Knockturn Alleys were in dire need of maintenance.

Harry perceived that he'd have enough to do to build up the family fortune without putting all his efforts into a time-consuming job at the Ministry of Magic.

Neville agreed. "I may want to teach one day," he confided in his friend. "But now, well the Longbottom vaults are nearly empty. Care for my parents is not cheap, and Gran is growing too old to be able to manage."

"You know, mate, I think we may be able to help each other out," Harry said thoughtfully. He was thinking of the floral arrangements Neville tended to bestow on his friends for birthdays and other holidays.

"I enjoy floral design," Neville admitted, "but I don't know I'm talented enough…"

Harry would have none of it. "Nev, you're an artist! A magical florist would go over very well in our world! There's a vacant shop right near St. Mungo's that would be perfect. People would buy them when they visit the sick."

His friend gave him a wry grin. "You've talked me into it, Harry. What'll we call our new business?"

"Oh, I know!" Hannah jumped right in. "How about Flower Power?"

Harry could tell Neville didn't care for the name but didn't wish to upset his betrothed. He cast a look of appeal at Harry.

"Sure, Hannah, that'll do." He didn't like it, but concessions must be made to keep the peace.

Neville appeared relieved.

"You needn't spend all your time there," Harry assured his friend. "Why not do a book of basic designs, and teach a few employees how to construct them?"

"I can do that," Neville beamed. "Then we can move on and do other things with plants and flowers!"

Harry agreed; he had many other ideas and was eager to implement them.

He decided to involve Daphne in one of them.

"You need help with…decorating, Harry?"

"Yes! You have the best taste of anyone I know!" Harry made a mental exception in favor of Narcissa Malfoy, but knew better than to say so.

"For your house, you mean?"

"No! Well, yes, maybe later." Come to think of it, Grimmauld Place could use a makeover. But first…

"Where do people in the wizarding world hold their weddings and other parties?" Harry inquired.

Daphne looked surprised. "On their estates, or in their homes."

"What if they don't have an estate? What if their home is too small?"

"There's private rooms at the Leaky Cauldron," Daphne mentioned. "But that pub is …well, rustic. So I'd say there's room for another possibility."

"Good. I wouldn't like to take business away from Hannah. But suppose there was a beautiful venue right in Diagon Alley?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes, I could see where many people might want to use it."

"So, are you in?"

"Yes!" Daphne could feel excitement building. And if she considered the project would give her more time with Harry, she tried to not let that desire influence her. "I think…we could really make a success of a place like that! I'll think of a good name…in French."

"Huh? Why French?"

"People always think anything French is elegant!"

"Of course I don't object, Harry." Hannah insisted. "It sounds like the sort of place you're thinking of is very different from my pub."

Harry was relieved.

"Anyway," Hannah pointed out, "everyone must pass through the Leaky to access Diagon Alley. So my business couldn't possible suffer."