She gave a nod and asked, "The second?"
"It would have to be to provide aid to the House of the witch and with her prior consent."
She thought about that, seemed to accept it when she nodded and asked, "Any others?"
"Of those witches I know there is currently only two I would consider doing that for. There may be others, but I couldn't name them."
"And, who are the two?" she pressed.
"Daphne Greengrass and Luna Lovegood," he immediately replied.
She thought about those two and said, "I can see why you'd do it for Greengrass; she's of an allied House, just like Susan. But, why Luna?"
"For her protection," he immediately replied. "Her father is... Let's just say he's a couple of ingredients short of a Wit-sharpening Potion and leave it at that. He's the only family she has left."
"And Lovegood could make a good House added to the alliance," she added.
"Yes, but it wouldn't be the reason I'd do it."
Hermione was about to say something when there was a pop and a house elf appeared standing next to the table next to Hermione.
"Miss Grangy?" it asked.
After getting over being startled by the sudden appearance of the elf, she asked, "Before I answer that, who are you and why are you here?"
"I be Fluxy," replied the elf. "I be honoured to serve House Longbottom." Then it held out a letter and said, "This be note from good Master Neville for Miss Grangy."
She immediately said, "Put it on the table. And thank you for your service."
With a finger snap of its off hand, the elf caused the letter to disappear from its other hand and appear on the table. Then it popped away again.
Harry was already casting detection charms over it.
Hermione, looking at the letter, said, "That's Neville's handwriting."
As soon as Harry stopped casting she picked it up and opened it. If he'd found anything she knew he would have immediately mentioned it.
As she read she said, "Neville's inviting us over to Longbottom Hall for tomorrow. He wants us both to get to know his parents better and is returning the offer to visit."
"Christmas shopping," Harry immediately returned. "How about... Sunday? I'd like to go Christmas shopping in the muggle world on Saturday."
"What about inviting him on Saturday and he can go Christmas shopping in the muggle world with us?" she suggested.
Harry thought for a moment before he snorted in amusement. "Do you really want to subject pureblood and wizarding-raised Neville Longbottom on a trip to a muggle shopping centre on the Saturday before Christmas?"
"Errr... no," she sheepishly replied. "I see your point."
With a grin, he nodded and said, "However, taking him on a shopping trip to the muggle world after Christmas? That sounds like a great idea."
Pulling a small sheet of parchment towards herself, she said, "I'll ask if we can postpone until next Sunday."
As she reached for the ink and a quill, she said, "After that, you and I are going to talk some more about concubines and other matters."
He nodded back and said, "I've got no problem with that."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Neville was in one of his greenhouses, working on clearing out weeds that had sprung up in pots of his recently re-potted frost mint - also known as American Dittany - when Dobby popped in alongside him.
"Mister Neville, Sir," said Dobby.
Neville looked at him and asked, "Dobby, right?"
"Yes, Mister Neville, Sir," replied Dobby, clearly happy to have been recognised.
"What can I do for you... or, Harry?" he asked.
Dobby produced the letter Hermione had only just finished writing and offered it. "From Miss-tress Herm'nee, Mister Neville, Sir."
Neville gave a nod to the bench alongside him and said, "Put it on the bench for me, please. I need to clean my hands." And reached for one of his ever-present rags.
As soon as Dobby placed the letter on the bench he popped away again.
Once he felt his hands were clean enough, Neville picked up the letter.
"Christmas shopping tomorrow and Saturday..." he muttered. "Sunday week?"
He thought for a few moments and called for Fluxy to bring him some parchment, ink and a quill.
Sunday, it would be.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Arriving earlier than expected, Sirius received the appraisement quote by way of being floo-called at the Tonkses' place. When he entered the room the person on the other end, the wizard he spoke to when he visited the offices of the company, greeted him.
"I have your quote, Lord Black," the man immediately said. Then it was simply tossed through.
Sirius quickly asked, "Could you hold a moment?"
"Certainly."
As soon as he perused the quote, he said, "I accept. How soon can you get started?"
"Sign it and send it back," the wizard replied. "As soon as I have it I can send my team lead to your property and you can hand over the wards to her."
"Excellent," he replied. "Excuse me while I get a quill." And left the room.
After returning and tossing the quote back through the flames, he said, "I'll apparate to Grimmauld right now."
Less than ten minutes later, Sirius had handed over control of the wards on Grimmauld Place to who would be the company on-site fore-witch.
Returning to the Tonkses' he was pleased to get that lethifold off his shoulders. The place would be cleaned within two months and he only had to pay to get it done. He really didn't want to have to do it himself.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
When the Grangers arrived home, Harry was quick to get on his mirror to let Sirius know. He apparated in to the arrival point just inside the front fence less than a minute later.
When he came in, he quickly corralled Wendell and the two men went into the office.
When they came out fifteen minutes later, Sirius was almost dancing a jig while Wendell appeared quite bemused.
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