HP and the Parseltongue Chronicles - Chapter - 7
Added 2024-12-06 16:06:08 +0000 UTCThe summer was in full swing, and Harry was spending his days alternating between rigorous training, planning for the Stars Club’s next year, and exploring his properties. One afternoon, as he was buried in a tome on advanced defensive spells in Runestone Castle’s library, an owl arrived, carrying a letter from none other than Daniel Granger.
The letter was succinct:
Dear Harry,
The auction has been a resounding success! We’ve finalized everything, and the total amount far exceeded initial estimates. I’ll handle the remaining formalities as per your instructions. Let me know when you’d like to discuss the details or if you’d prefer the funds transferred directly.
Warm regards,
Daniel Granger
Harry sat back, the weight of the letter sinking in. He wasn’t particularly surprised by the success of the auction, given the quality and rarity of the items they had found in Godric’s Vault. Still, he hadn’t fully anticipated how much money they would rake in.
Sharing the News
Without wasting time, Harry used the Floo Network to contact Neville and the Weasley twins. They arrived at Highgarden shortly after, curious about the urgent meeting.
“What’s the big deal, Harry?” George asked, flopping onto one of the plush armchairs in the drawing room. “Don’t tell me another dragon’s involved.”
Harry chuckled. “No dragons this time. Mr. Granger just informed me about the auction results.”
Fred’s eyebrows shot up. “You mean the auction with all those Muggle treasures?”
“Yes,” Harry said, pulling out the letter. “The items sold for more than we could’ve ever imagined. We’re now officially millionaires—Muggle millionaires.”
The room erupted in chaos. Neville looked stunned, while Fred and George whooped loudly, nearly toppling a vase.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Fred said, grabbing Harry’s arm. “How much are we talking about?”
Harry grinned. “Enough that we each get an equal share and still have plenty left for future projects.”
The group gathered around a small table, Harry laying out a parchment where he’d done the calculations.
“Here’s the breakdown,” Harry explained. “We’ll split the profits four ways: me, Neville, Fred, and George. Each of us gets a share. I’ve also set aside a small percentage for reinvestment into the Stars Club’s initiatives.”
Neville looked overwhelmed. “This is... a lot of money. More than I have ever seen.”
Fred and George exchanged glances, their usual humor briefly replaced by seriousness. “This could change things for us,” George said softly. “Mum and Dad won’t have to scrape by anymore.”
Harry nodded. “That’s the idea. Use it wisely. Whether it’s to help your families, invest in your dreams, or save for the future—it’s up to you.”
After the initial shock wore off, the group began discussing their plans for the money.
“I’m putting most of it back into Highgarden and my other properties,” Harry said. “There’s so much I can do to preserve magical creatures, expand the library, and fund my projects.”
Neville was still processing. “I think I’ll use it to expand the greenhouse at home. Gran’s always talking about how limited we are in space.”
Fred and George grinned mischievously. “Well, we’ve been saving up to start our joke shop,” Fred said. “But now we don’t have to wait. We can get started immediately.”
“That’s brilliant!” Harry said, genuinely excited for them. “And if you need help, let me know.”
Daniel Granger handled the remaining formalities with efficiency, transferring the funds into secure accounts. He also provided a detailed breakdown of the auction results, highlighting the highest-selling items.
“You’d be surprised how much some of those old Muggle toys and lamps went for,” Daniel had written in a follow-up letter. “Collectors were practically fighting over them.”
The auction’s success gave Harry and his friends not just financial freedom but a renewed sense of purpose. They were no longer just a group of curious students poking around Godric’s Vault—they were young entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and visionaries.
As the meeting concluded, Fred raised a butterbeer in a toast. “To us, and to the Stars Club!”
“To the Stars Club!” everyone echoed, clinking their glasses.
Harry leaned back, watching his friends laugh and plan, a smile tugging at his lips. Their journey was far from over, but for now, they had the resources to dream bigger and aim higher than ever before.
The bustling streets of Diagon Alley were alive with wizards and witches of all ages, their chatter blending with the clinks of cauldrons and the occasional whoosh of a broomstick overhead. Harry, however, wasn’t part of the crowd. He was peering out from a small, discreet entrance near the back of Flourish and Blotts, ensuring no one noticed him.
“Alright, all clear,” he muttered, pulling his hood further down to obscure his face. Sirius had insisted on him wearing an enchanted cloak that blurred his features just enough to make him less recognizable in the crowd.
Luna Lovegood was the only reason Harry had braved Diagon Alley today. He’d promised her that he would accompany her to Diagon Alley for her Hogwarts shopping. Luna, being her usual whimsical self, had expressed no concern about Harry’s fame but had been delighted when he’d offered to help.
Harry checked his watch. “She should be here any moment now.”
Soon, the familiar ethereal figure of Luna appeared, floating through the chaos of Diagon Alley as if it were an enchanted meadow. Her silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her bright eyes scanned the crowd with an innocent curiosity. She was wearing a pair of her signature radish earrings and carrying a small, patched bag.
“Harry,” she called out, her voice dreamy yet confident, as if she had known exactly where he was hiding.
“Luna!” Harry stepped out of his corner, relieved that no one seemed to notice him immediately.
“You look like a hooded specter of mystery,” Luna said with a smile. “It’s quite fitting.”
Harry laughed. “I suppose I do. Ready for your shopping?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Daddy wanted to come, but he’s busy writing an article about the migration patterns of Heliopaths.”
“Heliopaths?” Harry asked, intrigued.
“Fiery spirits,” Luna said matter-of-factly. “But they’re very shy, so their migration is hard to track. He’s trying to map their patterns.”
Harry smiled. He wasn’t entirely sure Heliopaths existed, but Luna’s unwavering belief in such creatures was part of her charm.
The pair moved through the alley with Harry guiding Luna. They first stopped at Madam Malkin's for her new school robes, where Luna admired the bright purple lining of Harry’s cloak, saying it reminded her of a moonlit night.
Next, they visited Flourish and Blotts, where Luna picked up her textbooks for the year. Harry discreetly helped carry her books, all the while scanning the room for anyone who might recognize him.
At Ollivanders, Harry waited outside while Luna had her wand checked for any issues. She emerged shortly after, clutching her wand and beaming. “He says it’s perfectly attuned. Good as new.”
Their final stop was the Apothecary, where Luna carefully selected ingredients for her potion-making. Harry helped her avoid an overpriced cauldron by pointing out a better option on a nearby shelf.
“You really know your way around here,” Luna observed as they exited.
“I’ve had to do this a few times now,” Harry replied, grinning.
As they walked back toward the exit, Harry noticed a group of younger witches whispering excitedly and pointing in their direction. “I think we’ve been spotted,” he said quietly to Luna.
Luna tilted her head, unconcerned. “They’re just curious. We could wave to them.”
Harry chuckled. “I don’t think waving will help keep me unnoticed.”
The younger witches began moving toward them, and Harry gently nudged Luna toward a small alleyway. “Come on, let’s go this way.”
They ducked into the side street, and Harry cast a quick Disillusionment Charm to cloak them both.
Luna giggled as she looked at her nearly invisible hands. “This is rather exciting.”
“It’s either this or getting my cheeks pinched,” Harry joked.
Once the coast was clear, they emerged back into the main street, blending into the crowd with ease.
Finally, as they approached the Floo Network station at the end of Diagon Alley, Luna turned to Harry. “Thank you for today, Harry. It was lovely.”
“It’s no problem,” Harry replied. “I promised, didn’t I?”
Luna gave him a soft smile. “You always keep your promises. That’s a very rare quality.”
Harry felt a warm flush of pride at her words. “Well, I’ll see you on the train to Hogwarts, then.”
Luna nodded, stepping into the Floo station. “Take care, Harry. Watch out for Nargles.”
Harry arrived at Stars Furniture in Diagon Alley, weaving through the busy street with ease. His hood was drawn low over his face, keeping curious eyes from recognizing him as he stepped inside the shop. The familiar scent of freshly polished wood and enchanted varnish greeted him.
The shop was bustling with activity. Customers were examining beautifully crafted tables, sturdy chairs, and luxurious armchairs, all enchanted with the unique anti-magic tampering properties that made Stars Furniture so popular. Harry spotted Remus Lupin, sleeves rolled up, standing near a display set and talking animatedly with a couple of buyers.
Harry quietly observed as Remus showcased a large furniture set, his calm demeanor and eloquent explanations captivating the customers. Remus’s soft-spoken charisma made him the perfect choice for managing the shop. Harry noticed how effortlessly he handled questions about the products, explaining the materials and their unique properties.
After a few minutes, the customers nodded in agreement, and Remus shook hands with them. The couple left the shop, looking pleased with their purchase. Remus turned and spotted Harry, smiling warmly as he approached.
“Harry!” Remus greeted him, wiping his hands on a cloth. “You’ve come at a good time. Business is booming.”
Harry grinned. “I could tell. That was quite the sale you just made.”
Remus chuckled. “A full set for a wizarding manor. They were particularly impressed by the anti-magic tampering features. I have to say, this whole venture is turning out better than I ever imagined.”
The two moved to the back of the shop, where they could talk without interruptions. Harry glanced around, impressed by how well-organized everything was. Each piece of furniture was displayed elegantly, with tags detailing its features and magical properties.
“So, how are things going overall?” Harry asked, taking a seat on one of the chairs.
“Smoothly,” Remus replied, pouring them each a cup of tea from a small enchanted teapot. “We’re selling products faster than I anticipated. The quality and uniqueness of our pieces speak for themselves. But we’re running low on stock. If the demand keeps up, we’ll need more raw materials soon.”
Harry nodded thoughtfully. “No problem. Once I’m back at Hogwarts, I’ll make sure to regularly send out new materials from the vault. There’s still a ton of untapped resources there.”
Remus smiled appreciatively. “That would be fantastic. I’ve already made arrangements with a few carpenters in both the wizarding and Muggle worlds. They’re ready to start work as soon as we get the materials.”
Harry leaned back, sipping his tea. “I’m glad everything’s working out. This shop was a long shot, but you’ve made it a success.”
Remus shook his head. “It’s not just me, Harry. You, Fred, George, Neville—everyone in the Stars Club contributed to this. It’s a team effort.”
Harry smiled. “Still, I’m glad you’re the one running it. I don’t think anyone else could’ve handled it as well.”
They discussed more details about the shop, including potential new product lines and how to expand their operations. Harry promised to send letters to the Stars Club members, updating them on the shop’s progress and encouraging them to think of new ideas for furniture designs.
As Harry stood to leave, Remus walked him to the door. The shop was beginning to fill up again, and Harry could see more customers browsing the displays.
“Take care, Harry,” Remus said, patting him on the shoulder. “And don’t forget to enjoy the rest of your holidays. You’ve earned it.”
“You too, Remus,” Harry replied. “Thanks for everything. I’ll be back soon with more materials.”
With a wave, Harry slipped out of the shop, pulling his hood up as he disappeared into the busy street. His heart swelled with pride at how far they’d come, and he felt a renewed sense of determination for the adventures and challenges that lay ahead.