Chapter Sixteen
Harry fell out of his tree as he awoke the next day. A yowl coming from him as his cat reflexes kicked in and he tried to claw his way back onto the branch. Somehow, he managed it. Clambering back on to his perch with a soft growl of laughter. He shook his head, which carried on down his body to his tail and back up again. Not the most pleasant way to wake up but he had slept damn well for a change.
He climbed back down the tree and set off towards the castle. Frankly he wasn't actually sure how far away he was. So he bounded on to a fallen tree and ran up it. Leaping from the end in a graceful jump.
Then he shifted forms. Not something he had tried before that point but it worked well enough. With a beat of his wings he rose into the air, a few more beats and he was high above the forest. He was glad he had changed, it would've taken ages to run.
With a graceful tilt of his wing he angled himself and glided towards Black Castle. It was a flight of mere moments, but it felt good to feel the lift under his wings and the air around his body. He loved to fly in just about any way possible.
He sank down to the floor, dropping the last few feet as he shifted forms again. Landing on all four of his feet and bounding away with un-cat like enthusiasm.
The door posed a minor problem, but he worked the handle with his jaws and was inside of the large castle. His cat eyes making details out that his human eyes couldn't. As well as a sense of the magic that was around him. He padded silently down the hallways, deciding that before he headed back to Hogwarts he would go for a bit of an explore.
He had no wish to face Bell at that moment. He had a feeling he wouldn't be able to resist throwing her down. Pretty much the same deal with Cissy and Fleur if she was there. His forms were much more primal about such things. A case of Need = Do. Rather than the more human cogitation over ramifications. Not that he had been giving that much thought the other night.
A quick run and he was past the entrance to the Grand Hall. If Black castle followed a similar plan to Hogwarts he was heading to the Headmasters office. He supposed as the head of his house, and the owner of the castle and island that would be him.
Wary for traps, but not really expecting any it didn't take him long to get to a familiar gargoyle. Though this one was not animated in anyway. He flowed upwards into his Harry form and looked at the possible entranceway. Dumbledore's office was password protected. He had to think this would be similar.
"Open" he hissed.
Then smirked as the gargoyle rotated around and a stair way was shown. The place was scarily similar to Hogwarts. But then, that sort of made sense really. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Hogwarts had worked for over a thousand years, it only made sense one of the original architects of that school would stick to the plan here. Stylistically it was different. Oddly enough it was more... smart.
He walked up the stairs, half expecting to see Professor Dumbledore and his Phoenix. Obviously he didn't. The office was devoid of personal quirks, roughly the same size and shape. Only one portrait dominated the wall.
Harry walked up to it. That just HAD to be Salazar Slytheryn himself. The portrait looked at him as Harry looked at it. It was animated, so Harry had to guess it was 'alive' or at least awake.
"Hello" Harry said in Parselmouth.
The portrait, that of a very sharp faced man, looked surprised. "Welcome" it replied in the same language.
"Salazar Slytheryn I presume?" Harry said, sticking to Parseltongue for now.
"Indeed, and you are?"
"Potter, Harry Potter"
"You are the headmaster... You seem a little young."
"There is no headmaster, sorry." Harry replied.
Salazar frowned, "Damnable waste" he cursed. Which in Parseltongue was fairly impressive sounding. "I've sat here for 990 years waiting for someone to finally take control of the school... Nothing, and now a man that doesn't look old enough to hold a sword comes... Damnable waste."
"Hey" Harry said, "I may not be the Headmaster. I do own the island and this castle."
"My apologies." Salazar said, surprising Harry somewhat. "I have been alone so long I have forgotten how to speak in a civil tone."
"that's okay... I can only imagine." Harry said. "I would like to learn about this place. As I said, I own it now. It will probably never be a school. But a home, to myself and my friends. I'm sorry for that, but that's just the way it is."
"At least it will be used."
"Not all my friends are Purebloods, so I would hope you will remain civil?"
Salazar looked at him steadily, "I have nothing against those not of Pure blood. This school was created for Pure bloods yes. It is my belief that they should be trained properly and differently. Let Hogwarts have the rest. This was to be an Elite academy of learning for the Pure of Blood. That doesn't mean I don't think they need to be trained."
"Wow, well that's pretty much the opposite of what we've been taught about you."
"History is written by the victors. When my portrait activated I had a feeling as to who had slid in the blade..." Salazar said.
Harry conjured a chair absently and sat down, focusing on the portrait. Who, he noted wryly, looked mildly impressed. "By all accounts it was Godric Gryffindor."
"Really. That is of no surprise to me"
"You sound oddly resigned to that." Harry noted.
Salazar shrugged, "He was my friend. He was also very set in his views. He was also better with a sword than I gave him credit for."
Harry snorted a laugh. "God, I think I actually like you" Harry said sounding surprised by that fact.
"Oh dear... I have been painted in a bad light haven't I"
Harry nodded, "Not quite a dark lord... but close."
Salazar frowned, "Well I bloody am not a Dark Lord or close... Bastards... I would've thought my wife would at least have put pay to that."
"Your wife?"
"Rowena"
"Ravenclaw?" Harry said sputtering in shock.
"Is that such a shock."
Harry smirked, "That explains the picture in your quarters then" he noted.
Salazar laughed, it wasn't the chilling sound Harry had half expected. It was gay and full of humor. "You've found that then... You went to Hogwarts?"
"Still do, and yes I did."
"Of course, being a Parselmouth you would be able to gain entry... I wonder what else you found?"
"If you mean the bloody great snake... I didn't find it. I was the one that killed it a couple of years back though."
"You killed HissKiller?"
"I'm sorry what did you call it?"
Salazar actually blushed. "Never mind. But you slew him. What had he done to you, you, you, bastard."
"Whoa, I had no choice. Basic story... The supposed Heir of Slytheryn. Unleashed urm... HissKiller and was hurting people. Had already killed some time before. He then gained total control over... HissKiller... and I couldn't command him to stop. I had no choice."
"He was used... to hurt students?" Salazar said in shock. "But he was there to Protect the students!"
"Wow, you're just debunking legends all over the place aren't you" Harry noted wryly.
"I find it hard to believe that even Godric, dunderhead that he could be, would allow people to believe that of me." Salazar said, slumping into his chair, in the portrait.
"Maybe he didn't. History is Chinese whispers after all, especially that far back."
"Chinese what?"
"Urm... basically, things get changes the further they are removed from the source. A thousand years is a very long time. Stories get changed to fit with current political or social views. Your house is filled with Pure Blood snobs for the most part. People that don't think that Muggle-born of Half Bloods should be allowed an education, or to exist in fact."
Salazar looked sickened by that thought, "I merely said we should teach Pure Bloods separately. Differently. I don't know how it is now, but then... The power differential alone meant that any Pure Blood would outstrip a what was it you said... Muggle-Born within a month of teaching. I take it that Muggle-Born means those born not in the magical world?"
"Yeah... I suppose they had a different name back then." Harry said with a shrug.
"We called them people." Salazar said absently. Then shook his head, "Now I'm GLAD my school never came to pass. Dear Merlin."
"You know... I wonder what Merlin says in situations like that... Dear... Me?"
Salazar blinked at him twice before throwing back his head and laughing himself silly.
"You realise that just speaking Parseltongue is considered dark now. Mostly because of you." Harry said after the portrait had calmed himself.
"What?" Salazar exclaimed, "Dear oh dear. Why? Because people think I am dark that automatically make the talent dark? That's stupid. Why in my day it was considered a gift." he smirked, "Particularity with the ladies."
"urm... Why?" Harry just had to ask.
"Speaking Parseltongue whilst betwixt a wenches thighs brings them great pleasure... if you see what I mean?" Salazar said with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
"Oh, I'll have to give that a go." Harry said and made a mental note to do just that.
"What I don't understand is that A Parselmouth is a talent. But Parseltongue is a language... It can be learned. Surely no one thinks... French is dark... apart from obvious reasons."
"urm... I didn't actually know you could teach, or learn Parseltongue." Harry admitted.
Salazar rolled his eyes. "Oh for Merlins sake." he said with a sigh, "How many Parselmouth's are there at Hogwarts?"
"I can pretty much name the ones I know of in England... That should give you a clue. Myself, Tracey and Voldemort. Who by the way is your Heir by all accounts. He's the one that opened the Chamber of Secrets Originally, and in a way opened it when I had to kill... Urm... HissKiller."
"I have an Heir still... That's something I suppose" Salazar said. "One would wonder how though... Since I had no issue"
"Urm... okay, brothers sisters? Cousins?"
"Of course."
"That must be it then, but Voldemort is nothing to be proud of. I'm sorry Urm.. Salazar is that alright to call you that?"
"Call me Sal."
Harry smiled, "I'm Harry. But Voldemort is a Dark Lord. I'm sorry."
Salazar rolled his eyes, "That doesn't help matters one would thin. If he is going around saying he is my heir. Rather than a non direct descendant. Oh my, what to do about that one."
"I have to kill him at some point. It's prophesied."
"Bleah... Fuzzy nonsense if you ask me. Helga was always more into that sort of thing than I. Her only saving grace was her imaginative uses of root vegetables"
Harry just sort of blinked at that. He already knew by Slytheryns chambers that he was a bit of a dog. That last sentence pretty much proved it. "You and Helga..." he trailed off
"Yes, so did Godric and Rowena. We spent a lot of time up in Scotland alone. A little variety was needed."
Harry blinked again before cracking a smile. "Why are there no portraits of the founders in Hogwarts. The things we could've found out..." he said laughing then got serious, "Actually, Godric and Rowena... So if she was your wife, then Helga was..."
"Godrics" Sal filled in for him. Then frowned, "I would be interested in finding out why you think there are no portraits of us in Hogwarts... Wait there." he said and promptly disappeared.
Harry frowned, sitting back and crossing one leg over the other. He knew portraits could shift frames if they had more than one. Apparently Sal did. Sal, what a trip. He was calling one of Hogwarts founders by a nickname. Worse, he was finding out they all shagged. His life was... filled with interesting times.
Sal reappeared with a scowl. "The headmasters that followed were bloody idiots. The room where our portraits are is covered in dust. It is obvious that it has not been visited in many a year. Probably at all!"
"Where's the room? I'll talk to Professor Dumbledore and take him there."
"Ah, excellent idea." Sal said, then went on to describe a somewhat chaotic route around Hogwarts leading to a small room in a tower.
Harry frowned and fished in his pocket. Then he brought out his new map and laid it on the floor. "Hang on, that route... doesn't exist" Harry said. He waved his hand over the map which sprung into life.
"That's impressive" Sal said.
"Thanks, it's a redesign of a map my father made." Harry said, tracing where Sal had said to go. From the Headmasters office and all around. He came to a dead end and shook his head, "According to my map there's a dead end there."
Sal got a sudden inspiration, or at least the look on his face said that. "I think I know what's happened" he said. "Your wonderful map. How does it work?"
"It uses the internal warding schema to map out the basic layout. Then the magic from each portrait to stretch around the area. I added the Chamber of Secrets here, see. But other than that it pretty much collected the data by hopping frames and the internal wards."
Sal nodded, "Right, you must be in Ravenclaw?"
Harry shook his head, "No Gryffindor. But if it makes you feel better the hat wanted me in Slytheryn. But I'd met someone that had just been sorted there and frankly the blokes an arse."
"Such a shame... Rowena would've loved you... Alright now let me think." Sal said going silent for a moment.
"You have a ... mode to work with the spells?" Sal asked, scaring the crap out of Harry since he had been silent for so long.
"Yeah, of course" Harry said and waived a hand at the map. It changed, to show floating symbols the runes and Arithmancy formula. Which was the basic building blocks of a spell. Especially the pure Arithmancy.
Sal nodded, "Can you make your map work with the power sapping wards?"
Harry nodded, he pulled out his wand and began to swirl and cast. "Why by the way?"
"Because there is a ... conduit of power, well quite a few actually. One such conduit goes from and too the tower. It was meant as facility housing, Offices and there are a few extra classrooms there as well."
"Right" Harry said, "The map should update shortly... It's working with the wards now..." he said as the map swirled and blurred.
"Really, Rowena will love talking to you." Sal said with a fond smile. The fondness directed at the thought of his wife. "It's a shame I can't get into her portrait. I think it's frozen."
"I'll sort... woah!" Harry said cutting himself off, "Blimey look at that. I thought that was the astronomy tower... It's not. I can't believe I've never counted the towers."
Sal waived it off, "The tower itself is actually hidden from the outside. In case of attack. We didn't want the entire facility to be wiped out with a single dragons breath."
"Dragons Breath?"
"A Common form of battle... Oh... but then if Parselmouth has fallen from favor you don't know.."
"I do, not many do... Dragons speak Parseltongue"
Sal nodded, looking proud of his new student. "Excellent. Well back in my time Dragons were ridden, and their breath makes for a rather effective artillery."
"Hmmm... Interesting."
"You could try it sometime. Dragons are prone to like those that speak the tongue."
"Oh... I don't need to ride a dragon" Harry said with a smirk. "It's my form."
"Merlin!" Sal said a smile on his face, "There was one of you around just before this portrait was made... Amazing... A source... Fabulous."
Harry shrugged, "I don't know much about that." he admitted, "I've actually been having some serious control issues with it lately."
"That is of no surprise." Sal said. "Myrthyn, the Source I knew... He came into his power later on than you obviously have. Yet even he struggled to control the flow of raw magic. There should be a book I asked him to write in the Library."
Harry looked at Sal in shock, "Library?"
"This is a school" Sal replied with amusement.
Harry grinned.
-oOo-
After getting the book from the library, and finding it was an equal to, if not superior to Hogwarts own. Harry had gone back to the headmasters office and spent the rest of the day reading and talking to Sal. Frankly he liked the guy, liked him a lot. He was funny, dry, a little perverted. All the things he liked in a friend.
But it was night time and Harry knew he had something to do. For which he would have to go back to the school. Having read Myrthyn's words he was feeling a little better about his control. So he was willing to risk it. For one thing he was a day late in helping Severus.
"I'll be back later Sal... Can I just say it's been an honour to meet you."
"Thank you" Sal replied. Then waived, "See you later."
Harry smirked, and disappeared in a swirl, heading directly for Severus's chambers.
He appeared exactly correctly, and then exclaimed, "OH GOD MY EYES!" before spinning around.
The was a panicked struggle from the couch. Snape throwing on a robe. "What the Devil!"
"My EYES"
"What are you doing in here!"
"OH GOD MY EYES"
"Stop that" Severus said, smirking slightly. But after what he was just doing, there was no way he wouldn't smile.
"Harry?" Capelle said, putting on a robe of her own.
"Oh, my eyes, my eyes" Harry said, but his shoulders were shaking with laughter.
"Harry!" Snape said in a low tone.
"Oh don't be a sour puss. You just were getting laid... One would think you'd be of a more sunny disposition" Harry commented, still facing away.
Capelle snorted a laugh.
"I thought you were... away" Severus said with a put upon sounding voice.
"Nope, well, yes. But I made you a promise I had to delay... All magic under control and I even have options for you."
"You can turn around now." Capelle said.
Harry laughed, "Urm... you know... If I look over there I'm just going to get after images of his lilly white arse going up and down, up and down..."
"Harry!" Capelle snapped, only her laughing kind of ruined the effect.
Severus wiped a hand over his face, totally failing to hide his smile. "I take it you are referring to my dark mark."
"No, I was talking about your a..."
"Harry!" Severus said, a chuckle in his voice.
Harry smirked. Apparently getting laid had removed that last bit of stick from up Snapes arse. "Sorry, I'll behave... Oh but the missed opportunities for black mail!"
"Harry!"
Harry turned around and smirked, "Nice robe Sev. But yeah.. I'm here to remove your mark. I can do what I did before... Or, I've been going over Fuck Face's memories.."
"Fuck Face?" Capelle said curiously.
"Voldemort" Harry supplied, "I've found his knowledge of the mark, the changes he made to the original slave mark and I think I can remove it. It may hurt a bit, but... not as much as the other method."
"Oh, well obviously less pain is good" Severus commented.
"Yeah... about that... That method will remove the mark... But not the taint. My previous method will get the dark magic out of you."
"Ah" Snape said nodding.
"It hurts more though." Harry felt he had to supply. "But the upshot is, it hurts Fuck Face as much. If not more, than it hurts you."
Severus smiled somewhat evilly at that thought. "Indeed? It really does?"
"Oh yes." Harry said with a matching smile.
"Severus" Capelle said, her tone soft. "You shouldn't put yourself through extra pain."
"Perhaps not my love." Severus said, to Harry making gagging noises. He reached out and clipped the young man around the back of the head before continuing, "But the taint of the Dark Mark must be removed. Hurting ... Fuck Face, I like that, is just a bonus. You have no idea how the dark Magic effects me."
"So tell me" Capelle said, obvious concern in her amber eyes.
Harry backed up a step, and made to put up a silence field for them.
Snape stopped him, "It's alright... You should hear this as well. The Dark Magic inside of me means I cannot perform light spells. Healing, or such are beyond me. Despite the fact I know several healing spells. It's part of my potions training. My offensive spells are limited (To an extent) to the darker, and much more violent spells. Meaning that I'm much more likely to cause lasting harm even in a simple duel. It has long been a fear that I would harm a student with a hex I meant to be harmless. This would mean I would no longer have that fear. Despite the extra pain."
Capelle moved to him and kissed him.
Harry smiled softly at the display, "I'm glad to see you two together" he noted. Once they had finished kissing. "I saw the spark. I just didn't know if you'd get through to the ... man." he said the last to Capelle.
"You saw the spark? Unusual for such a young man." Capelle said.
"So... Original plan then?" Harry said, brushing that under the carpet. "You realise what that entails?"
Snape nodded. "You should leave Capelle."
"I want to stay."
"I do not want you to see this" Severus replied.
"Tough"
Harry smirked as Snape wilted under her glare. "Oh... the missed opportunities" he reiterated.
"Shut up Harry" Severus said, half smiling.
Harry smiled, then moved to the Potions Master and DADA teacher. He pulled up the mans sleeve, hissing at the dark mark. "It's raw man... He has called you?"
Snape nodded. "Yesterday."
Harry shook his head, "You are far too good at hiding pain" he said, "Voldemort has given far too much pain to those around him for too long. The last time I did this I was impressed at how long she held out before blacking out."
"She?" Snape asked.
"Never mind... You ready?"
Snape nodded.
Harry looked at Capelle, who nodded at him. He flashed her a smile, "Back off please... All the way over to the far wall if you would."
Capelle paused, dithering. She wanted to stay by her.. boy friend, lover? She had yet to classify him, either way she wanted to be close.
Harry sighed, and Capelle flinched as a shield popped up between them and started moving backwards. Forcing her away to the wall he had mentioned. It then stayed there, wrapping around so she couldn't dodge it.
Harry and Severus's eyes met and Snape gave him a nod of thanks.
Harry nodded in reply. Then his aura flared. The room groaned, the sapper wards of Hogwarts flared, the reserves suddenly found an influx. Then Harry focused his power and poured it into the Dark Mark.
Once again Death Eaters and Voldemort himself began to scream. Shortly afterwards Severus began to scream too. Capelle's hand went to her mouth. Her eyes filling with tears. Watching as the amazingly powerful young man poured more and more raw magic into her... love.
The process felt to Snape to last a very long time. His throat was raw mere moments after the spell had begun. But in fact it didn't take long. His mark faded, becoming a duplicate to Bellatrix's. Then Harry yanked back his power stumbling ever so slightly. His eyes glowing with it for a short moment. He caught the man he had once hated, before he could fall and hurt himself. Lifting him with surprising ease he walked to the couch. He put him down and glanced at Capelle. She was banging on his shield crying openly. With a thought the shield dropped and she was across the room in a flash. Her hand lashing out and slapping him, before she kissed him full on the mouth and then went to Severus.
Harry staggered from that mercurial emotional flurry. Then backed away silently. Leaving Capelle to look after Severus. He could be out for some time after all.
Capelle looked up, "Thank you" she said.
Harry nodded his reply. Slinking into the shadows. Then Capelle realised she was alone, somehow he had left. This Harry Potter really was interesting, very interesting.
-oOo-
"Hey Albus!" Harry said with a big fat grin on his face as he appeared in the headmasters office.
"Oh bloody hell!"
Harry laughed his arse off, having never heard the Headmaster swear before.
"Merlin Harry I'm an old man... Have a care for my heart. Are you well lad?"
"Yes thank you sir."
"It was Albus a second ago."
"Only for comic effect"
Albus shook his head, "Is there a reason you appear to be trying to kill me?"
"Actually, you better stock up on that heart attack potion... Because I've been talking to a VERY interesting bloke all day."
"Oh... Knowing you as I do it was probably Merlin." Dumbledore said thumping his chest. "Start ya bugger start!"
Harry laughed again, "No, not quite" he said mysteriously.
Albus narrowed his eyes at the younger man. He liked this new playful Harry he had to admit. Loosening up on him had allowed him to become his own person. It was something he probably should've done before hand. Oh well, even he lived and learned. It looked like today would be the day he learned something new as well. "So..." he said leadingly.
"I suggest you grab the heads of houses. They are your... Leadership... Oh, except Sev. He's having a lay down right now." Harry said, only to be hit in the head by an Adfero. He shook his head and laughed, "I look forward to the twins release." he said apparently randomly. "It seems Sev has woken up. I'm glad I got the power level right. He's on the way up with Professor Zabini."
"Ahh, well I will message my other heads then" Dumbledore said, flicking his wand to and from his head, spurting out little phoenix's.
"Does Fawkes get jealous?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore smirked in reply. The Phoenix in question... tittered at him.
It didn't take long for the Heads of House to arrive. All of whom looked at Harry curiously as they entered. Considering what he knew, Harry was happy to see Professor Sprout there. He smirked a secret smirk. "Right, well. My esteemed colleagues, if you would follow me please?"
Snape looked at him and smiled. He was then the first to line up behind Harry. The rest were quick to follow. Capelle tagged on to the end. She was obviously not a Head, but she was curious to see what the hell Harry was up to now.
Harry led them on a merry dance through the hallowed halls of Hogwarts. Eventually leading them to a blank wall.
"Oh yes, very impressive" Severus drawled sardonically.
Harry half turned and lifted an eyebrow. The move just screamed, watch it mate... I know your secrets. "Long ago" Harry began, "Hogwarts was built, it grew and as time passed something were lost. One such thing has come to my attention only today, and I think you'll like it. For one thing..." he smiled, "Nah... I'll let you guess." He tapped the wall, "It's an area that we guess hasn't been used since Hogwarts was handed to the second or third headmaster."
"We?" Dumbledore asked. Excited as he was about a new area, he was also cautious enough to ask.
Harry smiled at him and wagged his finger, "No spoilers" he said with a big grin. "This area is facility housing... offices, a few classrooms and a VERY important room." he told them, causing some smiles. None of them were what you could call happy with their cramped quarters or offices.
"How do we get in?" Flitwick asked, his usually enthusiastic tone, more so.
"It's password protected, for obvious reasons. We don't think it's been changed so..." Harry smirked, looking at Professor Sprout as he said, "Helga's Sticky Turnips"
Professor Sprout glared at him. Just then the wall began to shift sideways, covering the sound of the other heads laughter.
"Godric Gryffindor set that password... by all accounts he would know" Harry mentioned casually as he sauntered into the space left by the moving wall.
This got him some confused looks. They followed him in quickly, however, as the door was already starting to move back. Once inside they looked around with glee.
"Now now" Harry said, "Not yet... Explore later, for now I HAVE to show you something. Especially you Headmaster"
Dumbledore smiled, "Judging by your show so far this should be interesting" he commented.
Harry smirked, and let them up the stairs that were at the back of the area. Those stairs let to another set, and another until finally they were at the top of the tower. "This entire tower is protected. Pranksters were around even back then" Harry said with a chuckle, "Also, can't see it from outside. Something about Dragons... anyway. Here we are. This is the room I wanted to show you. It's like a common room, not a staff room but a common room. Basically somewhere for you professor types to chill out."
"Chill out? Is it cold in there?" Macgonagal asked.
Harry smothered a laugh and pushed open the door. He walked in with a sure smile, ignoring the dust. "Please note the portraits" he said. His voice low and reverent.
"Oh my..." Dumbledore said.
"Godric Gryffindor" Harry said walking to a portrait and tapping it with his wand. It promptly came to life and looked around a little dazed. "Give them a minute they've been frozen for a long time." Harry said. "Helga Hufflepuff" he said tapping that portrait. Then he smirked, "AAAAANNNNNNDDDD Sal" he said winking at the portrait of Salazar Slytheryn.
"Oh thank you for such a marvellous introduction" Sal said dryly. "You couldn't have woken Rowena first?"
"No... I have your measure Sal. I do that, you're in like Flynn."
"True" Sal said, then drew his sword with a wicked smile, "You Did wake my old friend up though... I owe him one." he said and jumped frames.
"Hello Sal" Godric said with a big smile, as Sal appeared in his frame. He was still a bit groggy but was coming around.
"Hello Godric. You killed me"
"Oh... Did I... Sorry about... Ow!"
Harry shook his head, "Ignore them... Some issues to work out." he turned to see the entire Head Facility was gawking at him. "What?" he asked innocently.
-oOo-
"Why have you yet to active Rowena Ravenclaw's portrait Harry?" Dumbledore asked. He and his staff had been chatting to the founders available for a while. Which brought him to ask about his personal favourite. Despite the fact he had been a gryff.
Harry smirked, "'Cuz" he replied.
"Oh, yes, very informative" Albus remarked dryly.
"I'll do it now. But You'll spoil Sev's fun." Harry remarked. Walking to the portrait and tapping it with his wand.
"FINALLY!" Sal shouted suddenly. Stopping Professor Snape in mid sentence. He dived out of his frame and landed in his wife's in a flash.
Harry walked up to Severus, "They're going to be a while" he said with a smirk.
"Yes I can see that. I didn't even know Portraits could do... that" Severus remarked.
Harry laughed then suddenly got very serious, "Severus Snape... I am calling you out." he said in a dead tone.
Severus got a startled bunny expression and a hint of worry cross his features.
"Harry?" Capelle asked.
Harry smirked suddenly, "A duel... Cleaning charms at the ready" he said, eyes sparkling with humor.
Much to his fellow teachers shock, Severus's lips grew into a smile, "You're on boy!" he said mock seriously.
The two pulled their wands, and walked to the centre of the room.
"Ready Sev?" Harry asked.
"Of course."
Harry looked at Dumbledore, "You want some of this?" he asked.
Albus smirked, "Very well young whipper snapper." he said drawing his wand. He then walked to the centre of the room as well.
The three then had a mini competition to see who could clean fastest. Harry used a few cleaning chains he had never actually thought he would find an occasion to use. Meaning he was actually out ahead. Before Dumbledore stuck him in a body bind. "Hey cheater" Harry called out, laughing as best he was able.
Albus smirked at him, then became stiff as a board. He dropped next to Harry with Severus looking smug behind him.
"Cheater!" Both Harry and Albus called out.
"Of course" Snape said dryly, "How would I win otherwise." he said, then toppled over suddenly with a shocked expression.
"Can't let you boys have ALL the fun now can I?" Capelle said with a smirk.
In short order she and the rest of the faculty had tidied up leaving the place spotless. After another ten minutes she then released them.
"You'll pay for that" Severus said with a playful growl.
"Oh I do hope so" Capelle purred at him, making the man blush.
"Oh for a camera" Albus said as Harry put in, "Oh the missed Opportunities"
The other Heads of House were a little shocked at the playfulness that existed between Harry and Severus, but not that shocked about Albus. He was well known for being a mad old codger and for good reason... He was.
Harry smirked at the shocked expressions around him and walked to Sal's picture frame, then to Rowena's. "Hey... you two... Cut that out till later will ya." he said tapping the frame with the back of his knuckle. The couch placed in the portrait bumped and wiggled form the actions of the 'paint' behind it.
Then Sal's head appeared over the top, "Do you mind Harry, I have 990 years to catch up on here!"
Harry snorted a laugh, "I merely thought you would like to clear your name Sal."
Rowena's head appeared then, "Clear your name... Of What?" she asked.
"It appears people think I'm akin to a Dark Lord my love" Sal replied.
"WHAT!" came from Rowena, Godric and Helga. Godric and Helga were in much the same position as Sal and Rowena, only in Helga's frame.
Harry smirked at the redoubled shocked looks on the Facilities faces. "Oh... the Missed Opportunities" he muttered dryly.
-oOo-
"Harry!" Hermione said with absolutely no aplomb whatsoever. She dived off of her chair in the common room and didn't touch the floor again. Landing as she did, in Harry's arms. She then hugged him for alls she was worth. The year before, there was no way she would've been able to do this without knocking him flying. Harry was made of much sterner stuff these days. She knew that, because she was pressed against him.
"Hey there 'Mione" Harry said, his voice soft and smile wide. He hugged her back, not letting her drop to the floor. Since she was rather nicely pressed against him, including her breasts, he wasn't thinking about letting go any time soon. "Miss me?" he asked rhetorically.
She backed off and looked at him. Still not noticing she was being held off of the floor. "Where have you been? I've been worried about you!" she said, her tone a bit softer than her normal one.
"I was... learning, and meditating, and today I've had a VERY interesting day long conversation with one of the founders of Hogwarts" he said. His expression showing no hint that he was actually telling the truth.
"Oh you! I'm serious here."
"No... You're Hermione..." he said slowly, as if talking to an idiot. "I know this because Sirius didn't have boobs. You do, very nice ones too."
She blushed scarlet, and a round of chuckles floated around them.
She frowned, "You've not seen my breasts... yet" she told him, her eyes flirting with him.
"For shame" Harry noted wryly, then he smirked. "I was gaining control... Nothing big, just some meditation and a good nights sleep helped."
"Oh thank god, I was worried when you blacked out in the Great Hall" she told him. Her arms still around his neck. Which was getting her a few mean looks and smirks. Mean from Lav, smirking from Parv.
"Well, so was I... but I was out less than a day, that's got to be some sort of record"
Hermione chuckled, then frowned slightly, "Harry..."
"Hmmm"
"Is that a wand in your pocket?"
More laughter.
"No" Harry said seriously, "I'm just pleased to see you too."
"Harry! I can't believe you used that old line." Hermione said over the renewed laughter.
"Old, and still fresh" Harry replied.
"Seriously what is it?" she asked.
Harry whispered in her ear.
"Really?" she purred, then shook herself, "Put me down." she ordered, blushing slightly.
Harry smiled sexily at her, "Do I have to?"
"Yes!"
"Okay" he grumbled, letting her drop.
Hermione then poked what had been pressed against her, "Ha! I knew it. Typical man, all talk. It's a... lighter. Harry!"
"What?"
"I thought you quit?"
"What made you think that?"
"You told me you had."
"Oh... I lied"
"Harry!"
Harry smirked, "Well, now I've assured you I am well and in good spirits... I have to talk to Dean... coming?" he asked.
She smiled at him, just a little invitingly. Her mind was obviously miles away from what he had meant by that statement. Which was fine by him. He rather liked that she had a dirty mind actually.
He walked over to his 'artistic consultant' "Hey mate" he said, attracting Deans attention. Who had to that point been submerged in the world of color. AKA working on his art.
"Oh, hey there mate. What can I do for you... I did you're board by the way, it's on your bed."
"Great stuff, but I'm actually after the design work. Ca... Professor Zabini said she gave you hers to give to me with yours" Harry replied.
"Oh yeah, it's upstairs. Want me to grab your board while I'm there?"
"Yes please mate" Harry said with a smile.
Dean dashed off, giving Hermione and Harry ample time to look at what he was working on. "That guy is seriously talented" Harry said tilting his head from side to side.
"I'm quite jealous really" Hermione noted with a wistful sigh.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"I have no talent"
Harry swatted her bum, "Hey!" she said.
He frowned at her, "Don't you dare say you have no talent. Do you not think being intelligent is a talent. Or the way you can work with spells? Is that not talent... I think it bloody is."
Hermione blushed, "Thank you that's very kind Harry..."
"...Shhh... I mean it. It's a talent. You created the contract for the DA last year from scratch. That seems pretty bloody talented to me. So let's have no more of this 'I have no talent' bollocks. Anyway" he smirked, "You have other talents."
"Such as?" she asked, playfully.
"You make me stand up when you walk in the room." he said.
"You don't stand up when I walk in the room. You stay sat down."
"That's not what I meant" he said with a wink.
"Harry!" she said blushing, but smiling with it.
Dean chose that moment to return, handing Harry his Board and an artists Portfolio folder. "Professor Zabini said this was the thing for design work?"
"Yeah, Thanks mate." Harry said with a grin. He hefted his board, admiring the detailed dragon rampaging around the wood. It was breathing animated paint fire and roaring with no sound. It curled itself around 'Harry' written in graffiti style writing and breathed another flame. He flipped the board to see that Dean had outdone himself with an even more finely detailed Jaguar. Meaning unwittingly he had both Harry's form. Dean had done the dragon because of the sculpture Harry had made. Not realising that Harry was also a Dragon Animagus. Which is why he had put the Jaguar on the top. It stretched and growled at him, fangs flashing in the fake moonlight.
"Oh that's lovely" Hermione said with a smile.
"Thank you" Harry added, "This is wicked."
"Yeah, I was quite proud of it. Magical art is... cool" Dean said with a grin.
"Right, now I must away to my awaiting partners in grime... No, crime" Harry said with a smirk.
"Okay mate, let me know if you need more. I have a few ideas." dean said, patting his now ever present sketch book.
Harry flashed him a smile. "I will don't worry. Get the payment alright? Goblins set up your vault okay?"
"Yes, thanks for that Harry. It's weird having a vault at Gringotts" Dean said with a shake of his head, "But cool."
Harry smiled again, "I'll leave you too it then. Come wench, let's be away." he said the last playfully. As he shrank the portfolio and stuck it in his pocket. Dean smirked at the move, since Harry had said no spell and his wand was god alone knew where.
"Who are you calling a wench?" Hermione said with a mild glare, tempered by her smile.
Harry smirked, dropping his board as he said, "Urm... You" he said, then grabbed her around the waist and lifted her on to the board. Then holding her so she didn't fall off he pushed off. Flying through the portrait as someone happened to come in.
Hermione held on for dear life as they gained speed, flying down the corridor smoothly. "Harry!" she gasped. Her arms wrapping around him.
Harry smiled at her. She looked at him, and smiled back. Then faced forward and just enjoyed the rush. She wasn't in Gryffindor for no reason after all.
Harry propelled them a little faster, pushing the envelope a bit. In truth, he could make the board move without help. He had figured out how the night before as he free associated a little. It was so bloody simple it was almost funny that he had missed it. Now seemed as good a time as any to give it a go. It wasn't dangerous after all.
Hermione yelped as they suddenly got faster, a surge that had not been accompanied by Harry moving. Which was a shame as far as she was concerned. Because he was pressed into her and the movement was, quite nice. Another surge, and no movement again.
"How?" she managed.
"Wandless Banisher's" Harry replied, "Aimed at the back of the board" Harry went on to say.
"Clever" Hermione said with a smile. Her hair streaming passed Harry's head they were now travelling so fast. She frowned slightly, "Have you given any thought to stopping?" she added, looking at the wall that was looming ahead of them.
"Ah, spotted the deliberate mistake have you?" Harry said, a smirk in his tone.
"Harrrrryyyyyy" she drawled.
Harry smiled, giving her waist a squeeze, "You're safe with me. I won't let anything happen to you" he said.
"I know Harry, but the wall?"
Harry smirked, "Fancy a trip off the grounds?" he asked.
"Harryyyyyyyy"
"I'll take that as a yes"
Just as they reached the wall his magic flared and the disappeared in a swirl of magic.
-oOo-
"Harry!" Hermione yelped, as the board was tilted backwards, killing their speed within seconds. She jumped off the board and looked around agog, "How?"
"I know, you can't apparate in Hogwarts... Luckily I didn't"
"Is this more of what you were talking about before?" she asked.
Harry nodded, "Yep."
"Care to share a bit more information than that? Oh, and where are we?"
Harry smirked, "I brought you so I can take you to dinner. I'll tell you more then."
"Oh" Hermione blushed, "You're supposed to ask a girl you know."
"Oh, I knew I forgot something... Would you do me the honour of having dinner with me?" he asked.
"I suppose" she said impishly.
Harry smirked, "As for where we are... Diagon Alley. Or just off of it."
"Really? Why?"
"Well, there is a nice restaurant at the end by all accounts. Also, I have to meet with Fred and George."
Hermione looked down at her attire, "I can hardly go into Diagon Alley like this Harry"
"So change it"
"I can't. I can't use my wand out of school."
Harry smirked, "I'm always using my wand out of school."
Hermione smirked back at him, "I'm sure" she remarked dryly, "That doesn't mean you get to 'Use your wand' tonight"
Harry's eyes burned with lust for a moment, causing her to catch her breath, "That's a shame" he said in a virtual purr, then he smiled, "Perhaps another night"
Hermione didn't dare answer that the way she really wanted to. "What about this" she said fingering her school uniform.
"It's quite fetching I suppose." Harry remarked ironically.
"I mean! How can I go out like this."
"Change it?"
"Harry!"
"Oh..." Harry waved his hand at her. A wash of magic hit her and changed her uniform completely.
Harry's smile grew wicked. "There... changed."
"Harry!" she sputtered, "This is a mini skirt... And how do you expect me to walk in these?" she said indicating her heels.
Harry's eyes drifted up and down her.
She waited, and waited a bit longer, "Harry! Stop eyeing my like a side of beef and take this off!"
Harry just 'moved' and Hermione found herself pressed against the wall, virtually nose to nose with him. "Can I take that as an invitation" he purred, before kissing her passionately.
Once he broke off Hermione found herself wanting to shout, 'YES' as loud as she could. She had kissed him twice now. Each had been better than the last, and that kiss just then had blown off her socks... If she had been wearing any. She cleared her throat, "Not yet" she replied, a half smile on her face that made Harry want to shag her there and then.
"Shame" he said, looking all the world like he meant it with every fibre of his being.
"I can't go out there... like this" she said, clearing her mind of all lustful intent. With a great deal of difficulty too.
"So change it" Harry said smirking, and moving back. He had to, otherwise his more primal needs would force him to kiss her again.
"Harry!"
He smirked, turned and started to walk away. Hermione growled at him, semi playfully. Then drew her wand and transfigured a handkerchief into a long coat. Which she flung over herself. It covered her somewhat, and allowed her some semblance of control back over her modesty. Though she was definitely keeping this outfit.
She stumbled slightly, then caught her balance and walked after Harry. "Wait up" she said, "These aren't exactly easy to walk in you know."
"Apparently you get used to it" Harry remarked.
"One of your... Harem?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked at her, gauging her jealousy from that statement. There had been no hint of it or censure.
She rolled her eyes at him, "I've done some research over and above what I had done previously. It's your nature Harry. I'm not totally sold on playing my part in any Harem. That said, however, I'm not totally against it either."
"You're just trying to get me to shag you aren't you" Harry commented dryly.
"Urm... Not sure how you get that from that comment" she had to admit.
Harry smiled, "It's not the comment. It's that you accept me for who I am... Unconditionally, and without reservation. You have no idea what you mean to me Hermione, you really don't. If you decide you want no part in any... Harem. I'll understand, honestly I will. I hope you don't decide that, but I'll understand. Even be fine with it... Just as long as you always, always stay my friend"
Hermione tottered over to him and laid a kiss on his cheek, "Always. That I can promise"
Harry kissed her back, not on the cheek. Leaving her breathing hard and a little flushed. "Good" he said, then took her hand and walked into the alley.
They were pretty much ignored, it being quite late in the evening. Harry had found it was Friday. Keeping up with what day it was, was becoming more and more difficult of late. It all just seemed to blur into one long adventure lately. He was glad it was Friday though for many reasons. No class, for one. Secondly he and Hermione wouldn't be missed any time soon. It also meant the twins would still be open. It had to be about 6pm, meaning they would be closing within half an hour. Which suited him perfectly. He led his 'date' to the garish green store front.
"Oh my god" Hermione said laughing. "I swear Wizards are color blind"
Harry snorted softly, "The twins are at least." he agreed. Then led her into the shop. It was mostly empty, just a few customers browsing. The twins were no where to be seen.
"OI! Ginga's!" Harry shouted at the top of his lungs.
Fred walked out with a scowl, "Who the fuck are you calling a ... Oh Hey there" he said, his face breaking into a smile.
"Fred" Harry said smiling.
"Harry!" Fred said smiling.
George walked out, "Harry!" he said.
"George" Harry replied.
"Hermione!" Fred said.
"Fred!" Hermione replied
"Hermione!" George said.
"George."
"Harry!"
"Hermione"
"Fred"
"George"
"Harry"
"George"
"Fred"
"Hermione"
"Fred"
"George"
"Harry"
"Hermione"
"George"
"Fred"
"He... Who are you again I've lost track." Hermione said with a grin.
Harry shrugged, "I'm Fred"
"I'm Hermione" George said.
"That makes me... Harry" Hermione said.
Fred clicked his fingers, "Damn... I wanted to be Harry... I suppose I'm George then."
"I dunno" George said, "I've totally lost track."
They all looked at each other and fell about laughing. The few remaining patrons of the store floating out of the door and tossing them 'worried' looks.
They watched them go, and laughed some more.
"Oh Merlin, that was fun!" George said, "Oh well. May as well shut up shop." he said with a grin.
"Yep, twin o mine. It was a slow evening anyway. No doubt Harry has EVEN MORE work for us to do." Fred said, nodding to the board tucked under Harry's arm.
Harry smiled at them. Then reached in to his pocket and retrieved the shrunken designs. "I have those designs we wanted actually" he said.
"Right'o mate, bring them out back" George said, coming back from locking the front door and putting over the closed sign.
Harry and Hermione followed Fred and George. Hermione a little worried about what she was being led into. She was pleasantly surprised to find a large comfortable space with some arm chairs and various scribbled on black boards around the place.
"Blackboards are new" Harry noted.
"We need them. Keep running out of bloody parchment" George said with a chuckle.
"We've been working on the phones... urh what's that word, oven procedure... No... Something system..." Fred said.
"Operating?" Hermione hazarded.
"That's the one." Fred said, pointing at her ala Charades.
Hermione giggled slightly, being around the twins was always fun.
"But before we start business." George said
"We have to talk personal." Fred finished.
"Ginny?" Harry guessed.
The twins nodded, "We had Bill in here." Fred began.
"He told us what happened" George ended.
Harry nodded, used to the way they spoke by now. Well as used to it as it was possible to get. "Yeah... that was not good."
"Ron did the right thing..."
"... But he didn't"
Harry nodded, "Yeah, I thought the same. If it had been me that was chasing Gin, then he'd be well within his brotherly rights I reckon."
The twins nodded in their usual eerie syncronicity.
Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed, "I think Ginny is quite capable of looking after herself. If she is chasing Harry there is nothing ANY of you can do about it. Violence is NEVER the answer."
"No, Violence is the question... The answer is yes" Harry said with a smirk. The twins laughed, mostly at the glare Hermione was shooting him. "I also think I at least have a say in it don't I?"
Hermione shot him a superior smile, "No"
The twins laughed once more.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Either way, I'm not angry at Ron... I have No Clue what to do about the situation though."
"Bill's dealt with it"
"For the most part at least."
"He's called off Charlie."
"But couldn't call off Percy."
Harry nodded, "I'm surprised. He read me the riot act. He owes Cissy and Fleur a bloody apology as well."
"He said he was going to.."
"... do that when he saw them..."
"... the next."
"Can you two stop that. It's bloody confusing" Hermione put in.
They smirked at her, with Harry joining in for the fun of it.
"So what is it you wanted to say to me about it then?" Harry asked.
"Partner or not."
"Friend or not."
"We'll kick your arse"
"If you hurt Ginny"
"I'd like to say I won't. But either way it's likely she will get hurt."
"We know that." George said.
"Just don't hurt her on purpose." Fred finished. "Now we've done our brotherly duty."
"On with the business."
Harry smiled, and pulled out the designs, "I've not seen these myself yet" he said, then looked at what he was retrieving, "Wow" He passed out the sheets, "These are seriously professional looking."
"I don't get it?" Fred said.
"What are we looking at?" George added.
"Designs dumb arses" Harry put in.
"Tut" Hermione tutted, "They are Orthographic projections. Front, Back, and side. See..."
"Ahhh" the twins said in unison, "Now we get it"
"It's weird when they do that huh?" Harry said with a smirk.
Hermione nodded her agreement.
"I like them. Lots of different shapes." Fred said.
"There's some little ideas for designs to put on the shapes too" George added.
Harry nodded, "Yeah Capelle is pro, but Dean has some serious promise in that regard too. You can tell who did what though. Capelle's designs are functional, simple, almost... graceful in a way. Deans are a little more fun, wild and probably would suit the younger market more. Can you fit the workings in these?"
George nodded, then waved at the black board behind him, "That's a special irreversible shrinking charm we cooked up. With it, we can fit the workings into just about anything."
Harry got up and walked to the board studying it.
Hermione looked at the twins with an impressed look on her face, "That's really clever" she complimented them.
The twins blushed slightly, still not sued to people complimenting them on their brains. More used to being congratulated for their pranks.
Harry picked up a piece of chalk as the twins swapped the designs around. Including Hermione as well, which she was grateful for. For one thing she got to see the amazing designs, for another it made her feel like a part of it all. Lately she had been missing Harry quite a bit with him dashing around she hardly saw him. With Ron going off with Lavender every ten seconds she had spent quite a lot of time alone lately. This was not something she liked much. Perhaps another reason on top of the many she already had, to join Harry's 'harem'. The chief reason being, of course, she fancied him rotten.
"Yeah... if you change this here" harry said, jotting on the board as he spoke, "And added this..." his hand flowing and chalk lines appearing, "You can change the shape as well. So the workings will fit better. Other than that though this is amazing work fella's... Nice one."
Fred walked up behind Harry and looked at what he had changed, the nodded, "Yeah nice one Harry... We didn't think about shape."
Harry waived it off, "How's the Occlumancy and Legimancy going?"
"Done" they said together.
Harry reached out and brushed up against their shields with his mind. He could get through easily enough, he had a way of bypassing shields completely. But anyone else? No chance, "Nicely done lads. I'll come back tomorrow and cast the Fidelius"
"You can cast that?" Hermione said, surprise lacing her voice.
Harry smirked at her, "No, I'm in fact lying."
"Oh..."
The twins looked at each other, than Harry, then Hermione and laughed.
"Oh Harry!" Hermione said, blushing slightly.
"Right, on to this" Harry said walking over and hefting his board.
"What is it?" George asked.
"Fun" Hermione put in with an impish grin.
"That it is" Harry agreed, "It's a skate board... sort of."
"Should that be hover board really?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head, "Not really no. You can see it. But there is a field under the board, it's a levitation charm, but there is also a bit that 'rolls'. It creates the friction that slows the board down" he said, hunching down and rolling the board to her.
She moved forward, her coat sliding down one leg as she did. Harry's smile grew.
"Nice legs!" Fred said with a mad grin.
Hermione blushed and covered up again,"Blame him" she said glaring at Harry as she rolled the board back.
"Blame?" George said. "Thank more like"
She blushed prettily at them.
"Hey... stop chatting up my date" Harry said mildly. "Anyway... This is fun and a lot of people have been asking about it. It's dead simple actually. But I figure there is a market for it. So... I won't tell anyone the charms. Well except you two of course."
"And Me?" Hermione asked with a slight smile.
"For a price" Harry replied with a sexy smile.
"They're flirting" George said in an aside to his brother.
"Cute init" Fred replied.
Both Harry and Hermione blushed.
"So.. nah, this is getting too much mate. There's only two of us." Fred began.
George nodded his agreement, "We'd like to help but..."
"How about I help you?" Harry said, and pulled out a piece of parchment from one of his many coat pockets. He passed it to Fred, since he was closest.
The two twins huddled around the parchment, then looked at Harry. "Are you serious?"
Harry nodded, "Can't think of two people I would rather do this with."
They looked at each other, then leaped on Harry capering all around him.
"Do what?" Hermione asked.
"We're going into business!" Fred said gleefully.
"Big business!" George added in the same fashion.
"It's a ... gerroff you two... It's a partnership deal." harry explained, "GFH Industries. That's a basic business plan. I'm fronting the cash and those two will be doing most of the running around... Since I'm still in school."
"No no, one change" Fred said glancing at his brother.
George nodded, "It has to be HFG"
"Or HGF" Fred said.
"Or bugger off" Harry said.
"Your ideas, it's fair you get top billing" George said.
"You two will be doing the lions share of the work. Hiring, Research and all that boring crap." Harry argued.
"We don't care." George said.
"Business is as fun as pranking" Fred added.
"You're the ideas man." George said.
"You thought of the phones" Harry put in.
The twins glared at him, "Alright, alright. But I am not posing for a publicity photo" Harry said with a laugh.
They smiled at him widely. Then began to caper around him again.
Harry shook his head and shot Hermione a smile.
Hermione looked serious, "Starting a business as big as you are talking about takes quite a lot of outlay."
"I know... but we'll get it back within a month" Harry said confidently.
The twins looked at each other, "You're talking about starting it straight away, the phones won't be ready till Christmas"
"At least"
Harry smiled, and reached into his pocket. He pulled out what appeared to be a piece of clear plastic. A movement of his fingers and it split into another four pieces of clear plastic, "Shall I cast the Fidelius now?"
The twins and Hermione seemed confused at this apparent blast form left field.
Harry smirked and walked to the odd machine that stored numbers for the new mobile network. He then peeled off a sticker, which showed it was in fact sticker. Then he put it on one side of the machine. Then repeated the process for each side. Leaving him with one final sticker. "I made these as a proof of concept" he said with a smile. "In all honesty, using this method for this spell... not a great idea. It does, show how powerful it is though." he said then slapped the last sticker on top of the machine.
The twins and Hermione blinked and shook their heads. Harry then passed them each a piece of parchment.
'The Mobile Number Storage device is in the back room of WWW" Hermione read aloud. Then gasped as the machine suddenly appeared. "Bloody hell!"
Fred and George made similar, but more coarse, sounds of surprise.
Harry smirked, "Instant Fidelius" he remarked. "Those stickers are just sticky back plastic. Runes pre printed on them. We can ship housing security to those that can't afford proper ward schemes. Build in a 'use by' or 'good for date' and we have a repeat market, might want to hire bill for that by the way... Anyway... The runes hold the magic. So oddly enough they can be laser printed, that's a Muggle thing cheap way of creating thousands of copies. You see it's the actual rune schema that is magic. Not the person doing it. Which is why you can paint, scrape or use a felt tip to create wards"
Fred and George looked at each other then started jumping around again, this time shouting, "We're gunna be rich!" every two seconds.
Hermione was shooting Harry a very odd look at that moment. "What?" he asked.
"God you turn me on" she said breathing hard her eyes lustful.
This caused the twins to stop dancing and fall on the floor laughing themselves stupid.