Cassandra,
Happy Christmas! It is hard to believe another year is gone. But it has, so I wish for you to know just how much I appreciate all you do. To that end know that your account at Gringotts is fifty galleons richer, and that now that my money is making money, I have evaluated my income and my expenses and have decided that in honor of the service which you have provided for me I will pay you commensurate to what I feel your services are worth. As of the beginning of the year your salary will be doubled. The expense account will increase slightly. Because although your research has been invaluable, I want you to find a witch or wizard with shadier connections who can find out even more dirt on Fudge and Dumbledore who is going to be paid to risk themselves. You are too valuable to me! Enjoy the rest of your present; it's in the box. I'll see you on the second.
Affectionately, Harry
She pulled off the wrapping off her actual present and smiled to see a bottle of wine and an assortment of sweet treats, and a gorgeous blown glass ornament. She felt spoiled as never before, she loved working for Harry.
January second came and with it Harry bid goodbye to Nic and Nell.
"Au revoir, j'avais un temps merveilluex. (Goodbye, I had a marvelous time.)
"Jusqu'à la prochaine fois, peut-être tu puex visiter en été. (Until next time, perhaps you can visit in the summer.) Nell said.
"Je voudrais que. (I'd like that.)" Harry activated his portkey. After a few minutes going through customs he activated his portkey to Potter Place.
The first thing he saw was Cassandra. She looked at him searchingly.
"Was it a good trip?"
"I think it was the most fun I've ever had. I learned three new spells. My French is much better. I saw a bunch of movies. Nic gave me the next level of book in alchemy to study. I learned a bunch of wandlore, some history too. I should have an easier time finding stuff in the Hogwarts library 'cause Tante Nell taught me the magical equivalent to the Dewey system. Strasbourg was beautiful. The shopping in Paris was amazing. I got about half the fabric for my next wardrobe…" Harry stopped. "What are you smiling about?"
"I don't think I've ever seen you this happy and wound up before. It sounds like you had a wonderful time." Cassandra had to smile, Harry's obvious happiness was infectious. For once he was sounding and acting like a boy his age.
"I did, in fact they've invited me back this summer. I'll have to talk to Aunt Petunia and the trustees to find out what their plans are but I really want to go again. Do you think they'll let me?"
"I don't know, but probably. How was your Christmas?"
"Great. Thanks for the pen. I like that it links to a bottle and it came with the spell to link it to a new one when that one's empty."
"Well, it wasn't hard. I bought the pen in Mayfair and then sent it to Scrivenshaft's for spelling. The proprietor asked if he could get some more and sell them using you as advertising. I was thinking we could conceivably see about buying pens like that and supply them to him at a reasonable markup."
"In other words maybe supply him with pens from the muggle world and make some money. While you're at it you could sell him paper and ring binders." He teased knowing that those had been her favorite office supplies from the muggle world.
"That's not a bad idea, paper is less expensive than parchment. And I know it's what you use for note-taking in class and the rough drafts of your essays."
Harry chuckled. "If you want to deal with the headaches of setting up such a business, I'll front you the money for a one time setup and sign a letter of endorsement in exchange for a quarter of the net profit but I don't want to do any of the work involved."
Cassandra looked thoughtful. "I'll think about it. Now, not to bring you down, but tomorrow I've made arrangements for us to have breakfast with your godfather. It will be here. In addition to me, I thought we could ask the elves if they could bring a couple portraits from the Manse."
Harry lost his smile at her words. "I really don't want to see him."
"I know, but he promised to do anything to get another chance and you did agree to meet with him over the break. I told him we want access to the Black family library. I think that library is our best bet to find the information we want as long as Dumbledore is keeping us from Slytherin's library. Besides, I honestly believe that he'll be better this time, Harry." As Cassandra said this, she thought: "and if he's not I'll kill him." "Is there anything you need in London? If so we can get it today."
"Just some art stuff."
A few hours of shopping in London for art supplies had Harry more cheerful again and Cassandra really hoped Black didn't put his foot in his mouth again.
The next morning Cassandra met Sirius Black and to her surprise Remus Lupin outside the building that housed Potter Place. She was glad that the elves had brought both of Harry's great-grandparents' portraits and the first Baron Potter into the morning room.
"Follow me." They went into the lift and she used the key that allowed her access to the penthouse.
In the lift, Sirius did the gentlemanly thing and introduced Remus Lupin. "Miss Yaxley, may I introduce Remus Lupin. Remus, this is Miss Cassandra Yaxley. She works for Harry."
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