Chapter 24

Autographs and Negotiations

Saturday, 3 August 1996

The two of them danced until Madam Rosmerta closed the bar. Harry stayed the night. In her room. Harry had stopped long enough to pick up the bag that he hadn't even bothered to unpack. It was even discussed as much as it was just felt and understood. Nothing new happened but comfort to keep the nightmares away, neither of them would turn that away. By comparison they even were able to sleep in because there was no sense to the workout routine away from the Burrow.

This time Ginny's eyes opened first, awoken from the sunrise. She had Harry's right arm as a pillow left arm around her. It was bliss. Her eyes came to focus on her hair bracelet still on Harry's wrist. In her mind she could see the Crimson Witch sitting in a chair watching her, smiling approvingly, then gestured for Gin to look behind her. She rolled over slowly to find a shirtless Harry sleeping peacefully. She bit her lip in appreciation. The summer had been good for his physique. Realizing he was shirtless Gin did check… andHarry's boxers were still on. She did a quick self assessment. Trousers were and bra were off, but she was in her tshirt and pants still, so perfectly comfortable. Mental check, clear memory of the evening and Harry had been the noble 'her kind of' bastard. She waited a moment… and Little Ginny was even keeping her trap shut. Even if Harry hadn't admitted to doing the same Gin absolutely would have taken the moment to just enjoy the view, but his prior confession did make the moment even better.

Ginny didn't know how long she laid there, she didn't care. Ever the nobel on Harry had brought his mechanical clock and set the alarm. The ticking was the only noise in the room, so as long as there was no bell the rest of the world could go to hell. Eventually, the knight started to stir. She took great pleasure in being here for his first waking sight. "Good morning," she simply greeted. Then leaned over and took their good sweet time kissing awake.

Eventually, Harry got around to saying. "Yes, it is," he replied with his cocky grin.

Even that was enough to get Ginny laughing. "You realize that I would love to stay like this all day, right?"

"Yes, but I also know that this is your first real day being Crimson Witch, I would never want to mess that up."

"Don't wanna," she jokingly pouted.

"Look at it this way." he said, rubbing her cheek. In less than a month we are back at class with a massive decrease in parental supervision. Crimson will have done her bit for king and country, you will be flying the fastest broom on the field, and you'll even have a couple galleons in your pocket for your trouble."

She smiled, "Good summer," she nodded. "Any reason you're not including my boyfriend in that list. Or are you planning on friendzoneing me?"

"Never," he reassured with a kiss. "I was going to give you the option to try to keep us a low profile."

Ginny cackled and laughed fully, as she fell back on the bed. "You're the Chosen One and I'm the Crimson Witch. Our relationship has already been printed in the Daily Prophet and now made the WWNN. We are likely the most well known couple on the planet right now. Baby, there is nothing low profile here."

"All valid points." Harry nodded with a full smile.

"Exactly, so we might as well be open and public. Because now that we are actually together, if I want to hold, hug, kiss, or snog you, I'm bloody well going to do it, audience be damned."

"Language." Harry teased.

Ever the competitor, Ginny countered. "Bloody well make me change."

"Never." he agreed with a kiss. With great sigh, he eventually pulled himself away from her and grabbed his bag for his spare change of clothes and grabbed his jeans.

Ginny looked over to see the black tshirt Harry wore under his dress shirt was on the edge of the nightstand. She couldn't resist, she leaned over and grabbed it. The movement caught Harry's eye who did catch a bare back view of Gin changing shirts, claiming his. "Enjoying the view?" she asked.

"You better believe it."

"Good." she said unashamed.

He waited a moment then realized. "I'm never getting that shirt back, am I?"

"You better believe it," she echoed. Once she got her trousers back on she came around brushing her hair. "Love, I never mention this, because I don't care, but I will this once, " she smiled, "You're rich, and you're in a relationship. The smart thing to do would be to just buy twice as many shirts as you need and expect half to be stolen."

He laughed at the ridiculousness of it. "Not the worst plan." He said as he finally got a new red t-shirt on. Crimson Witch boo-ed in Ginny's mind again. They picked up the room and packed up with enough time to get breakfast down in the tavern before Trisha Williams flamed in.

The two girls met and hugged as soon as Trisha could set her cases down. Harry was surprised they were that friendly that fast, but wasn't going to judge. He did say his pleasantries, but didn't want to get in the way of actual work. So he excused himself, donned his jacket, and took a walk around the town square. He did a walk by of Spintwitches and a line was beginning to burst out. He smiled. 'Good for Gin,' he thought.

First stop was to Tomes and Scrolls. Hermione would be so proud. He had visited TWO bookstores this summer. Looking around he found a copy of the Apparition Training Manual. 'Seventeen is only a year away.' he reminded himself. 'Might as well start.'

Still noticing he had time, he slipped into Dominic Maestro's Music Shop. It was quite nice dancing with Ginny last night. He wouldn't mind repeating that often. Now muggles had things that would make that easy… but he knew that eventually he'd fry any of that. He had an idea, and mercifully, he found it.

Purchases in his sack he started heading back to the Three Broomsticks, up to Ginn's room. Contrary to Gin's philosophy, he did knock. "It's Harry."

"Come on in." Harry did and again was face to face with Crimson, make up and wardrobe, Including the gloves he contributed.

"Nice touch," Trisha approved.

"I do what I can, but she makes anything look good."

"Thank you, love."

Trisha continued, "So Josh from marketing is our dealership manager and will be the one in charge today. He's getting your area set as we speak. If you need anything from water, ink, or anything, just let him no. Oh and Harry!"

"I am just support, I'm not trying to get in the way."

"Oh we know that, but come here. You will want to wear this. Staff employee badge. That way the store doesn't think you are loitering or anything." He took it, which was a black outline of a witch on a broom with red hair blow back in the wind.

"Um, I'm not staff."

"Maybe not staff but you invested. Mr Whitehon made sure staff were aware both of you were given highest respects.

That got Ginny curious. "Harry, how much did you put in?"

Harry smiled. "More than my monthly allowance, less than 100%. Don't worry about it. If anything, call it putting my money where my mouth is."

"Mm - hm, see you at the next Stockholder meeting, Master Potter."

"Harry, did you buy the company?" Ginny asked.

"No! I swear, Trisha, tell her I didn't buy the company."

"He didn't buy the company."

"Thank you,"

"He bought 5%."

"Trisha!"

"Harry!" Ginny said with a grin.

"What, like she wasn't going to find out sooner or later!"

"Bill invested too!"

"Bill didn't buy 5%." Trisha said quietly.

"I heard that." Harry said with a smile.

"You were supposed to." she said loud and clearly.

Harry looked directly at Ginny, "I think I see how you too are getting along so well so quickly." Trisha broke out laughing.

"Harry love, please for my own nerves. If this all goes south, are you financially going to be okay?"

"Ginny, please, don't worry."

"Give me an honest answer then."

Harry watched the Crimson Witch in all her glory. No way he was going to win this.

"Now the whole point is I believe in you, so I don't think this is possible, but if this all crashed and burned and went to zero. It might affect me by a full percentage point."

Both girls fell silent. Then Trisha turned to Ginny, "How rich is your boyfriend!?"

"I really don't know. Obscenely is the best descriptor I've found"

"Can we start Crimon's Day to shine now?" Harry asked.

Ginny smiled brightly, "Yes!"

Harry headed for the door. He could hear Trisha in the background, "Girl, you better marry him…"

Harry happily took Ginny's arm and escorted her to Spintwitches. Nimbus staff at the store caught them about a block before and brought them around back, where they met Josh Fields, an early 30's athletic man with short sandy blonde hair. "Crimson!" He greeted, "Glad to meet you. And you Master Potter. Happy to have your support."

"Thank you. Don't worry about me. Take care of the lady."

"Absolutely. Crimson, we have a bit of a gathering already. If possible, I'd recommend maybe saying a few words to give the people what they want. Then it is on to the meat of the day of autographs and such. Feel up to it?"

"Absolutely," she smiled as she looked back to Harry, they exchanged winks, and out they went. Harry gave it a good 10 count then did slip out and as quickly as possible went off to the side to get a good view. Harry scouted the store and an entire wall had been set for the Reign of Fire / Crimson Witch debut. Obviously a large selection of the brooms but also the posters he had previously seen including shirts and other materials. Based on the conversation from earlier, He picked up two shirts. Both black but a red Crimson Witch written on one for her and the 2nd with big white letters, His Name Is Riddle. He bought them both but opted to skip the autograph line. He was pretty sure he'd be able to get one later.

He started watching the promotions. Josh took the stage first. "Ladies and gentlemen, it gives Nimbus Brooms great pleasure to see so many of you here today for the new members of the family. First we have the world fastest broom, field tested to 160 miles per hour, the Reign of Fire. And for a special kind of broom, we have a representative, Victor of the Battle of the Burrow, Crimson Witch."

Ginny took the stage with Crimsons standard wicked smile,to legitimate applause and fanfare. "Thank all of you for coming today. Now for reference for any autographs I'll be happy to handle a few brief questions individually then, but as we have some time with you who come early and put in the time, please let's see what's on your mind.

Was it really 40 to 9? How do you know.?

"Great question. Yes, well I know the nine on a first name basis, and keep in mind I was the witch in the sky. So while I admit I didn't stop to count, you know raining hellfire and everything, I know roughly 40 plus would be accurate, additionally the local auror's confirmed."

You fought with brothers, you all must be so close?

"You know it's funny, I will fully admit before the fight I was having a typical sibling rivalry with one of my brothers before the fight. But since the fight, we've gotten a lot better."

How can you be so brave?

"You know that's a fair question, but think personally it's a matter of your heart. What do you care more about? Are you more afraid of what's in front of you? Or how much do you believe in what is beside and behind you. I am fortunate that I have a fantastic family that I love very much."

What about Harry Potter?

"Harry's family. We've nicknamed him the Eighth Weasley."

Are there plans for marriage?

Okay, Harry was curious how she was going to handle this one. But Ginny handled it like a pro. "Well, first we'd like to finish Hogwarts, and we'd prefer this damn war be over, and not even in that order. After that… " insert wicked grin to Harry " there's been conversations." Which resulted in a mix of "Ah" largely from the ladies, and some chuckles from the men.

"Alright I think on that note, we'll go ahead and start autographs, but truly, thank you all for coming."

Damn, Ginny's could work a crowd. If she ever went into politics she could be the Minister. From there the lines started to get processed. Crimson expressions changed slightly from friendly and joyous to the younger fans to slightly more wicked to the teen and older. Harry could be content looking at her all day.

Shortly though a little boy, couldn't have been older than 8, also with classes came up to Harry. "Excuse me, sir. "

Harry reflexively took a knee. "Hi buddy, How can I help?"

"You're him aren't you?"

Harry smiled, "No, you want the pretty girl with the red hair on stage, She's the Crimson Witch."

The little boy shook his head vehemently. "No, I already got her to sign my poster. But you're the one who's not afraid, aren't you?"

That hit Harry straight in the heart. Not 'the Boy-Who-Lived', not Chosen One, but an innocent child calling him, 'the one who' s not afraid.' Harry didn't try to fake a cocky grin. He straight out smiled. "Ya kid, that's EXACTLY who I am."

"Could you sign too?" he unrolled the bottom of a His Name is Riddle poster.

"You got it," Harry said and he took his pocket quill from his jacket and signed.

Once done the little yelled thanks as he turned to run back to a lady watching. "Mommy, Mommy, I got them BOTH!"

Harry rose and looked over to find Crimson had seen the whole thing and flashed him the warmest smile.

She gestured for him to come on up.

Harry shook his head no.

Crimson flashed a stern look, and specifically pointed to table space next to her.

Harry gestured his hands outward and mouthed the words "Your day."

Then something chilling happened. Crimson flashed a very wicked smile. The type Ginny only released when she had the trump card and was going to use it. She turned to the side and waved Josh over, whispered in his hear, who nodded as she spoke. A few moments later Josh appeared. "Crimson, and I, would really like you up there."

"It's Ginny's day, I don't want the Chosen One to take that from her."

"Wow, she word for word, said you'd say that."

Yep, Harry was that predictable. "What did she say?"

"I'm quoting her. 'Rule 3. Partners.' I'm assuming that's an 'couples' inside joke' thing. Can I ask what that means?"

Harry sighed. "It means she wins. Show me to the table."

As they approached Crimson, rose to take his hand. Quickly but deeply she whispered, "Thank you," Harry nodded with a warm smile.

Crimson turned back to the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Man Not Afraid, Harry Potter!" as she raised both their hands together in the air. She had the most joyful smile. Harry recognized the flash of photography, He knew this one was going into the papers somewhere. He was happy to help, and knew the crowd expected something. Figured best to keep it simple.

"His Name is Riddle!" he called out with that devilishly cocky grin he knew Gin liked. The crowd liked it as well with cheers and applause. Harry nobley kissed her hand. Then sat in the newly placed chair that Josh acquired.

The rest of the day went normally. Autographs, smiles, repeated questions. But all in all a positive experience. Later that day when Ginny had returned to her traditional Weasley form and they were checking out she clarified with a hug. "Harry, when I invite you, come."

"Crimson deserves her own time to shine."

"Crimson shines better with you near."

Monday, 5 August 1996

Professor Dumbledore flamed into the floo at Grimmauld Place precisely at 7:00 PM. He left the basement kitchen and walked up the stairs to the meeting hall. As he did he found Harry Dressed in a black suit, new glasses, sitting at the head of the table, reading a leather bound edition of DADA 7th year and taking notes.

Harry looked up, and registering he was there, rose to greet him, "Albus! Welcome to my house. Please come in." Harry reflexively put a hand out to shake when he noticed the Professor's own hand blackened and shriveled looking like it had been burned. "Apologies," he said, withdrawing his hand. "Are you all right, sir?"

Dumbledore smiled at the changed Harry before him. This summer more than any other seemed to have been quite transformative for the lad. He looked at him through moon shaped lenses. "Hello Harry, It is good to see you. But especially seeing you so well."

"I've been in good hands." Harry answered, gesturing to the corner where Arthur was sitting with a copy of Daily Prophet on his lap.

"Hello Albus," he said with a smile. "Don't mind me, just parental supervision. Harry has been a joy to have."

"I had no doubt of either point," Albus said, looking back and forth to both men. "I see you have taken your recent inheritance seriously Harry. It suits you."

"Well, thank you sir. May one ask about your hand?"

"Tale for another time. It looks far worse than it is. As for tonight, I do offer a house warming gift." Dumbledore tapped his wand on the table and from the table four small gusts of wind rose up to form three glasses and a bottle of wine. "Madam Rosemerta's finest oak-matured mead." With another flick of his wand the cork popped and the bottle floated in the air and filled the three glasses, which in turn floated to each of the men there.

"Thank you, sir." Harry did sip the mead, quite nice.

"Thank you, Albus." Arthur replied. As they all took their seats. "Well Harry, we may not have been meeting but I've heard much of you, including last Friday night. You could have told me you were going to be on WWNN."

Harry shrugged. "It was Ginny's interview, through her new job at Nimbus. The rest of us were her guests. I was there for… moral support."

"Moral support indeed," the elder wizard chuckled. "You were quite well spoken, Harry. I am most impressed. I don't suppose a word of caution would find any purchase?"

"Respectfully, sir, at our last meeting. You gave me a prophecy of my death. If one believes that, how much worse can it get? "

"You do not believe, Harry?"

"Believe what, Professor? A wise man taught me, 'God and the Devil are in the details, but you need to mind the details to know which you have.' Arthur smiled silently. "Do I believe I'm the Chosen One? Absolutely. Do I believe my future lies with dealing with Riddle? Absolutely. Do I believe I have no escape from the whispered statements from someone 15 years ago… No. Prophecy, can go to hell. If fate wants me it knows where to find me. I'm not hiding. You gave me a death sentence, I seek a second opinion."

Dumbledore smiled. "There is much of James in you Harry."

"That's one of the highest compliments you could pay me, sir." Harry raised a glass.

Dumbledore (and Arthur) did indeed raise a glass and drink to that.

"Harry, this is a matter I wish to discuss with you. Grimmauld Place is unique in its strength of guards and wards issued within it. It has made this location both one of the few and ideal for the meetings of Order to meet and coordinate in the efforts against the Dark Lord."

"His name is Riddle," Harry said with a grin. "But please continue."

"We operated here under Sirius's blessing for quite some time. Especially as you have shown a… very vocal willingness… to stand against Voldemort, (Harry let it slide.) We would ask for your blessing to continue.

Harry smiled. "I am happy to help support the Order."

"Thank you, Harry."

"Which chair is mine?"

Arthur suspected something like this would happen, he smiled.

Dumbledore actually looked confused. "Pardon?"

"Well I know technically I own them all. And I know we Potters are known for our arrogance, but even I would not dare suggest I sit at the head of my own table while the Order is in session. I will fully admit that seat, seat is yours. So just to avoid embarrassment, where do you want me, Albus?"

Dumbledore understood Harry's meaning. "I believe you misunderstand me. I was not seeking your presence in the Order, simply the blessing to use your house."

"Really? Well Albus, as you have just testified, I have been very vocal in my opinion in my position against Riddle, one might say I'm one of the most vocal on the planet. I've had interactions, dare I say friendly relationships, with many members of the Order. Is there a reason my presence would not be welcome at this meeting."

Dumbledore sighed. "Harry, your heart is strong but you are still young, last week just 16."

"Well then, yes, Albus, there has been a misunderstanding, a very grave misunderstanding. For could have sworn that Riddle and his Death Eater have come for me more times than I could count. Tell you what, you get him to agree to hold off one year and I will be the best little student you ever had in Hogwarts. Hell, I'll out score Hermione."

The Professor sighed again, "Harry you know the Dark Lord will not rest, but just because he is tireless does not mean we ought to forsake the innocent and rob them of their childhoods."

Harry's eyes grew very cold. "I think it's a bit late for that, Albus. The Durslesy did that quite well. "

Those words cut through the Professor more deeply than any curse or blade… because they were true… and he knew the fault was his.

Harry rose in anger. "You know what the worst part is. I don't think you realize it yet. I am NOT the exception." Harry looked over and quicker that would be thought possible changed from rage to Dumbledoor to sorrow to Mr. Weasley, "and Arthur, I'm sorry for this," He snapped back to Dumbledore in rage "Ginny's got issues we're still working on. Neville holds it together better than us, but he ABSOLUTELY has an ax to grind with the Death Eaters. Susan Bones is next in line. And around here we don't forget Cedric Diggory! So I do NOT want to hear this we are TOO young crap!"

Harry took a breath. Then he returned to the table and sat. Far more calmly, he continued. "Professor, I admit to a bit of cockyness, but I'm not stupid. I am not saying we should be in charge. All I'm saying is I have a team of 30 people willing to step up. YOU need to figure out some way to put us in the fight… or we'll keep doing it ourselves."

Dumbledore looked more closely at the Harry sitting before him. Arthur was right, and after reading the article and listening to the wireless, this was no boy. He took a deep breath and finally answered, "Yes, Master Potter, I believe you will. What you ask is unique, but as your compatriot so aptly put it, we indeed are in a different kind of year. I give you my word, I will consider how."

"Thank Merlin!" Harry said with a slap to the table. "As a show of good faith, the Order of the Phoenix is welcomed here at Grimmauld Place. I will not ask for any seat or position."

Dumbledore nodded. "Thank you, Master Potter."

"But you will give the Weasleys full authorization to relay to me the discussions of these meetings."

Dumbledore looked suspiciously at Harry. "Professor, look at me and HONESTLY, tell me if any other lord of any other house would be willing to allow meetings on their properties without even so much as a report. In fact I am relatively certain those lord's would have a seat at the table. The days and no one telling me anything are over. I am not just the front line of this damn war, I am its epicenter. If you're the one giving me a death sentence I think I'm entitled to briefings. And let's be realistic, If you don't give them permission they'll just do it anyway over family supper. Make things easy, please."

Dumbledore took another breath. "While you may not have reached the age of legality yet, you clearly have reached the age of understanding," nodding his head ."You have a right to know." He turned to Arthur. "You may speak with Harry freely. He has earned that much at the very least."

"Speaking of speaking freely. Harry, have you spoken to Kreacher yet?"

"What creature?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Not a creature, as Master you have a house elf named Kreacher. If you have not, may I suggest you summon him."

Harry shrugged, "ACCIO KREACHER!"

With a snap the house elf appeared… and quickly bemoaned that fact "NOOO! He looked at Harry. I won't serve you! Won't! Won't! Won't!"

Blood already pumping from debating with the Professor, Harry didn't have the patience, "Silence!"

And like a cord being cut Kreacher was silent, choking on the silence in fact.

Dumbledore snickered. "Well, if there was any doubt of your veracity of the House master, that is magical evidence. Your word is his command."

"I have a house elf? Hermione is going to kill me." Then Harry had a thought. "Hey, where the hell were you when I got shocked?!"

Kreacher was still choking and throwing a proper fit on the floor.

"Answer me!"

"Hoping you would DIE!" the elf spat out in vile.

"SILENCE!" Harry ordered back. Kreacher returned to choking silence.

"Harry, if I may?" Dumbledore asked.

"Please Professor."

"Kreacher has been here in the house during the last year of meetings for the Order, but clearly finding… flexibility in his rules of loyalty to the house. May I suggest he be reassigned to the kitchen staff at Hogwarts? He would be contained, cared for, and not an annoyance to us."

"Thank you. Kreacher, you are hereby ordered to never speak of any information you have heard spoken in this house. You are ordered to serve the Hogwarts kitchen and complete all duties assigned to you there.

"NOOO!" Kreacher shouted as he popped away.

The sound of silence was greatly appreciated. Dumbledore asked, "Shocked, Harry?"

"We were clearing the house taking inventory. An average day in the life of Harry Potter. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny had me back up by the end of the day." Harry wanted to be honest, but also felt it prudent to keep the horcruxes close to his chest.

Dumbledore nodded. "I have no concern regarding the skill and care of the Weasleys. Seven fine children are proof of that. But I have imposed it long enough. Master Potter, I thank you for your time and your contributions. If I may, I will speak with you again before class begins."

"You're my Professor and Headmaster, of course you may. Perhaps next time will be an opportunity to speak of that." Harry nodded to the Professor's hand.

"Perhaps." then he turned to Mr. Weasley. "Arthur, your care for Harry is to be commended. I truly thank you."

"Harry is an honor and pleasure to have."

Dumbledore made his way and Harry and Arthur both instinctively waited for the roar of the floo. Once it did, both of them smiled.

Arthur began clapping, "Well played Master Potter."

"You don't think I took it too far?"

"No… not at all! Harry, he actually called you Master Potter, and I don't think he was humoring you. I think you actually got him to recognize you're not a boy any more. That is a HUGE step forward. I am quite proud of you son. It's a rare man that summons the back bone to yell at the Professor."

Harry smiled, "Not my first time."