Morning, sun, a wonderful day. Stretching in bed, cheerfully got up and got ready for a jog and other physical exercises, simultaneously thinking about the end of yesterday, and making plans for today, and generally, for the coming week.
I returned home yesterday after dark, which, in principle, is not surprising. The time was not very late, approaching midnight. Parents and Hermione were sitting in the dining room, drinking tea with cookies and clearly waiting for me.
"Good evening!" I waved my hand to them, walking through and sitting down at the table. "And why are you sitting here?"
"Just waiting for one lover of visiting," mom smirked.
Father looked at me carefully. For several seconds.
"Drank?"
"Drank," I nodded.
"Drinking is harmful."
"It is harmful not to drink and not be on the same wavelength with significant wizards to whom I was introduced directly by the hosts of the evening. But, I didn't abuse."
"It's visible," father nodded.
"Did everything go well?" asked Hermione with clear concern.
"Excellent. There were no Dark Lords, but there were guys from Hog, their parents and many other important wizards. I had a chance to talk to them and even touch upon the topic of some of my developments."
"As if they would listen to a Hogwarts student," Hermione smirked.
"This bothered you little, Mione, when you churned out your projects and threatened to arrange a revolution, overturning the foundations of the world."
"Okay, my dears," mom smiled, finished her tea and put the cup on the table. "Since everything is fine and someone's worries, won't point fingers, turned out to be in vain... Propose to disperse. Just one question. Hector, are you hungry?"
"No, mom," I smiled back. "There was a rich buffet, and I don't think I can eat anything else. More precisely, I can eat, but it will be terribly uncomfortable for me."
"That's good. Everyone to sleep."
On this our short family council came to an end.
Now, having already run a circle around the district, enjoying the morning coolness, rays of the sun and the just emerging bustle in houses, whose residents were getting ready for work—Monday, after all—I was creating a project for another protective artifact for the house in my head.
The thing is that having finished with the bracelet, I came to a logical conclusion—why not make some flying attacking thing with control like spiders and hang it somewhere in the house under the ceiling? Diversify, so to speak, protective systems? Just haven't come up with adequate personal protection yet. If parents were wizards, there would be no problems. Or if I remembered how to make magic accumulators. But what is not there, is not there, and I don't even know from which side to approach this issue.
Only later, when I was doing my "elven exercises" in the backyard of the house, did a simply brilliant and simplest thought reach me. Make a pendant-observer, or something similar, so that parents carry it with them, and through which I could, if anything, see or hear "trouble". Of course, add there the same attacking function as the triangles of the bracelet—stupidly fly at high speed, be extremely durable, break through magical protection, feeding from it and crush enemies. Cannot count on long work in this mode, a minute maximum, but in an emergency case this minute is enough to create chaos around. Or else look at me, dug in my heels on autonomy so that the artifact could work for hours in active mode, but this is not at all necessary. Passive observation will work from background magic without problems, and there will even be a lot of it.
Having finished with exercises, nodded to myself and went to the shower.
At a hearty breakfast, the family stunned me with news.
"Any day now we are going on a trip," father smiled, and it is not clear at what—either an excellent breakfast, or his idea.
"Cool, and where?" Hermione immediately perked up, anticipating something new.
"Um..." I looked with doubt at parents, at sister. "I can't."
"Why?" mom was surprised, and the others silently supported her question.
"I have a bunch of things to do for the near future, a week, yes even for the whole month and further. Literally, up to my neck."
"And what kind of business does a schoolboy have in the summer?" Hermione was the first to voice the general question.
"Hmm... Well okay. To begin with," I leaned back on the back of the chair, experiencing slight relaxation and pleasure from a hearty breakfast. "Need to learn more about the black bird, so I will spend a lot of time in the public library in the magical quarter."
"Is there such a thing there?" Hermione's eyes literally lit up.
"There is, a block away, behind Gringotts. Haven't been there myself, and they say it's better in Hog, but for lack of an alternative..." I shrugged.
"Suppose. But books won't run away from you," father reasonably noted.
"That's true. Well within a week Mr. Delacour should write—we have a profitable joint project planned with him. That's one. It is unknown how much time after that I will have to devote to this matter. That's two. Possibly, some influential businessmen of magical England will write, and maybe even appoint a meeting personally or with a representative. That's three."
Father stopped me with a gesture.
"Stop-stop, and on what occasion might influential people need a meeting with you?"
"Theoretically interesting products that I can offer."
"And what is this that adult wizards haven't thought of?" Hermione smirked.
"Seen warming amulets in Hog?"
"Of course. Almost everyone has them... Wait, so this is your handiwork?" Hermione was seriously surprised, opening her eyes wide-wide.
"Yes, but it's a big secret."
"But Weasleys sell them."
"Intermediaries. I needed to cover all sales directions, and some purebloods would not buy crafts of a Muggle-born on principle."
"That's... How much money have you already earned? And when did you manage only? Also the best student..."
"Well, everyone has their hobbies. Among other things, I need to establish contacts with a few more wizards, calculate and work out a couple of blanks... Cedric threatened that he would make every effort for me to become a prefect this year. Need to plan everything at least in general terms. We have two small clubs in the house, for example—will need to, as soon as I receive notification from Hog about appointment, request papers from the Head of House, prepare their activities... In general... I just can't take off anywhere now. Simply have no right to take and disappear after the Malfoys provided me with useful acquaintances."
"Are you going to sell warming amulets throughout England and France?" Hermione quickly accepted the information as a given, and now asked a quite correct question.
"No, of course, I have a bunch of other ideas in my head. Only this, my dears, not a word to anyone. Not under any pressure of circumstances. For now. Especially you, Mione."
"Why me immediately? I'm not talkative."
"Just in case, because it is you in our family, besides me, who actively contact wizards. No need for them to know extra ahead of time."
"And I said, dear," mom looked at father simultaneously with reproach and a smile, "that everything had to be coordinated in advance. Children grow so fast nowadays."
"Okay. Suppose," father nodded and folded his arms on the table. "Even if it seems to me that your activity is somewhat... optimistic, as is your mood, no offense..."
I could only shrug—not every parent will easily accept the fact that their child, not so long ago a vegetable, is stirring up some obscure dealings.
"...but we are going on vacation. And how to leave you here alone?"
"I'm a big boy, independent."
"But we would be much calmer knowing that there is someone to look after you and help if something happens in our absence."
Mom nodded at father's words. What can be said about this? I understand them. No, seriously. Could be indignant, like: "Co-co-co, I'm an adult, I can do everything myself!", but what's the point? After all, they will really be calmer.
"Your suggestions?"
"Hmm..." father thought, but mom, judging by her face, already saw a possible solution to the problem.
"Son..."
"Yes?"
"You went to visit the Weasleys last year, didn't you?" she asked with a smile. "Had a good time."
"Yes, with benefit. Then I should write to them and find out if they can shelter me... and for how long? And from what to what?"
"From July fifth, for three weeks. We planned to modestly celebrate your birthday and leave the next day," mom nodded.
"Okay, I'll write. And don't be so upset," a frank smile crawled onto my face. "It is really important for me to try my hand at all this. Great opportunity to recommend myself in a not bad light."
"We understand," mom continued to smile. "And next time we will plan everything together."
"That's what we'll do. Well, I'll go write a letter."
Returning to my room, I quickly wrote this very letter, in which I greeted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and asked if they had the opportunity... In general, asked. As soon as finished with the letter, Pigwidgeon immediately jumped out of the house, cheerfully landing on the table.
"Here," I handed him a miniature letter rolled into a tube—it's easier for him due to dimensions. "Deliver to Mrs. Molly Weasley, please."
Pigwidgeon chirped something unintelligible and, as soon as I opened the window, he immediately flew out.
Stretching, I took a clean sketchbook sheet and began to conduct calculations on two protective artifacts. This business turned out to be exciting, and only two hours later I was distracted, but not because of readiness of calculations, but because of the return of the little owl. With a note.
"Come on, let's see what's there."
Checking the note with magic, took it in hands and unfolded. Mrs. Weasley wrote that they would spend this summer not at their home and she cannot say for sure if there is an opportunity to invite me to where they are. To clarify this issue, I should contact Headmaster Dumbledore directly.
"Interesting... Being secretive?"
I need to calm parents one way or another, and I'm not going to lie. So what? Means write to the Headmaster.
Ten minutes later Pigwidgeon, damn pleased that he started his direct duties, again rushed off in an unknown direction, holding a note for the Headmaster in his paws. Of course, I remembered that Dumbledore is a busy person and can be in the middle of nowhere, generally on the other side of the world, so I instructed Pigwidgeon to return if the Headmaster is too far. Or else this little owl might fly across the sea somewhere. Well, while waiting, continued to work on calculations.
This time Pigwidgeon returned as soon as I finished and double-checked the scheme for the security artifact for the house—a kind of shuriken with video and audio surveillance function and remote control.
Dumbledore wrote that he would like to meet in the Leaky Cauldron, if possible, in an hour—he will be "passing by" there. Well, why not?
Slowly got ready for the road. Looking out the window, took a jacket with me—the weather was deteriorating and not a trace remained of the morning sun, only a gray sky completely covered with clouds.
Going down, I found only Hermione, interestingly buried in a book. My sister climbed onto the armchair in the living room with her legs. Noticing me, she immediately asked:
"Are you for long?"
"Hmm... For two hours. Need to agree on staying as a guest while you travel."
"And letters?"
"Isn't it easier to meet in person, especially since there is time?"
"Sort of yes."
"And where are mom and dad?"
"Left," Hermione shrugged, returning to reading. "Need to finish something in the clinic before departure."
"Clear. Well, don't be bored."
"Uh-huh..." she was already completely immersed in reading.
Smiling, I left the house.
"Looks like rain is gathering..." I muttered and chuckled at this thought. And the phoenix sits in a nest of a scarf, full, warm. Amusing duality of perception allows neglecting not the most comfortable weather that will play out soon. But something familiar in it... Storm energy reacts? Maybe somewhere nearby a thunderbird flies? Who knows...
Hiding myself with magic, walked to the same minimarket and, entering the alley, Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron.
The pub was half empty. Or half full—depends on life position. Looking after a decent table for two, well maximum three, since on one side it was against the wall near the window, I decided to settle exactly behind it. Taking out the sketchbook, began to make notes and calculations already for personal protection for parents.
"Serve something, young man?"
The bartender approached me... Although, what kind of bartender is he? He performs various duties here, although there is one witch in service—look, walks, carries orders. Apparently Mr. Tom is extremely bored wiping a glass and the counter constantly.
"Um... Good afternoon, sir. Something tasty, invigorating, without alcohol."
"Of course without alcohol," this gray-haired uncle chuckled. "You are still young."
"This is a temporary disadvantage."
"Truly. Then, I offer an excellent herbal decoction. Tasty, with notes of mint and wild berries. It will both warm in such cloudy weather, and give proper vigor to the mind."
"Be so kind, sir," I nodded with a smile.
A couple of minutes later he himself brought me a large mug.
"How much..."
"Pay when you leave, don't get distracted from work."
Just reached the most difficult, in my opinion, moment in calculations, when from the exit to Diagon Alley Headmaster Dumbledore appeared. He looked as always. Still the same purple robe, just as gray long beard and unchanged half-moon glasses. Many nodded to him good-naturedly while he approached my table.
"Mr. Granger," he greeted, nodding.
"Headmaster Dumbledore," I nodded back and put my sketchbook in the backpack.
"Oh, I see Tom got herbs for his signature decoction delivered."
Catching the bartender's gaze, the Headmaster smiled at him good-naturedly, nodded and pointed his hand at my mug, like: "And same for me".
As soon as the bartender brought the same mug and put it in front of the Headmaster, Dumbledore spoke:
"As I understand, you need a place to live for some time."
"Yes, Headmaster. Parents are leaving on a trip with Hermione, relax, all that. But this turned out to be a surprise for me, and the summer was already scheduled by me. Possible affairs, possible meetings, a lot needs to be done. For their peace of mind I thought to invite myself to visit the Weasleys, but..." I spread my hands, showing the full depth of this "But".
"Understand. The matter is undoubtedly important. The problem is that due to the return of the Dark Lord," the Headmaster began to speak. "Some wizards who are in slight disgrace or just fear, preferred to be in a safer place than a comfortable, but poorly protected house."
"Understand. By the way, since such is the case, consider it important to say in advance that I maintain contacts with the Malfoys, correspondence there. And other wizards who may not be included in the circle of persons who can be trusted... Those who are against the Dark Lord."
"Oh, there is nothing wrong with that. Just I will have one request—not to tell anyone anything about what you hear or see in the place where we will go in a couple of days."
"Why requests? I prefer contracts. But in return I ask not to ask and not try to otherwise learn from me what I saw or heard, or will see or hear, during meetings with wizards not included in your... Interest club. Did I understand correctly that you gather there with a quite specific team?"
"This is even better than a promise," the Headmaster nodded. "Just usually young people treat contracts extremely negatively. Offended, because how so, their word is not trusted..."
We smiled at each other.
"In that case, let's draw up a contract..."
"Not now, Mr. Granger. I, unfortunately, am in a hurry..." The Headmaster drained the mug in one gulp, which surprised me a little. "Eh... Tasty thing. Let's do this... As I understand, need to shelter you from July fifth for three weeks?"
"Yes."
"Before the fifth I propose to draw up our versions of agreements, and on the fifth we will meet here again, formulate a version satisfying both, sign, and go."
"Quite."
"The agreement will be on behalf of the organization, its members and me personally. Consider this in the wording. So that there are no claims later, Mr. Granger."
"Good, Headmaster."
"And now..." he got up from the table, leaving a couple of coins for the drink. "I am forced to bow out."
"All the best, Headmaster."
"And to you, Mr. Granger. And to you. How well and quickly negotiations with smart people go..."
Tom approached the table just when I was about to leave. Paying for my portion, I left the Leaky Cauldron. Hmm... Well here, it seems, some problems are solved. Will need to draw up as competent a contract as possible—hope my own brains and a shard of memory of a cunning dwarf will be quite enough for this.
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