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(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No, no, no!" Harry yelled at the cowering man. "I want the kitchen filled with muggle-appliances! Not a wood stove!"
The man squeaked and quickly nodded vicious agreement, scurrying to fix his mistake.
"Don't even think of it Kyle!" Harry yelled at one of the men attempting to transfigure something. "All your transfiguration attempts have ended in explosions! I don't want to replace another window!"
The man jumped but also quickly nodded. Harry dragged a palm down his face and sighed. At first he had tried being quiet and polite, staying out of the way of the professional construction workers and interior designers. But they had proved to be quite immature and arrogant. They knew what was best, so little children should step aside and be seen, not heard. After ten minutes of it he'd exploded. His magic had blasted them all into chairs and he'd yelled at them for a good five minutes. When he'd finished they'd been much more up to listening to him and doing their job right.
A movement caught his eye.
"Samantha! I said no pink!"
.-.
Harry heard a knock at the door and quickly hurried towards it. He flicked the lock undone and opened the door to come face to face with a tall man with shaggy brown hair and blue eyes. A large trunk rested beside him in the dull light of the alley.
"I'm here to do a painting job." The man said.
"Ah. You'd be Mr. Hurst then?"
"Yes."
"Come in." Harry smiled.
Once inside he showed the man the layout of the store and showed him what he wanted. He could have had the workers earlier paint the store, but he hadn't wanted just plain colored walls.
"I had a rough sketch of the main room walls here." Harry said grabbing some papers from a crate that made a make shift table. "I also had some bathroom sketches. Have you ever read Alice in Wonderland?"
"The muggle book?"
"Yes."
"I have."
"Then you'll get my theme."
Harry slid him the sheets with the sketches and the man looked them over.
"I can do this." He shrugged. "Magical paintings on the magical side?"
"Yes please."
.-.
Harry huffed as he set the last chair in place. The workers, all besides the painter, had left and the place was blessedly silent. True to Griphook's words they had brought catalogues with them earlier. Harry had looked through them, picked everything he'd wanted, and then sent Hedwig off with the order. Five hours later everything had been delivered. Magical service was much faster in areas then Muggles ones. They were also more specific in certain areas. Harry had picked tables he liked, asked for a few changes, and with a few spells had them, as where muggles would have had to remake the whole set of tables.
He looked about the muggle side of his store. Within a single day it was finished. How he loved magic. The walls were all like a forest scene with green and brown trees and only about an inch at the top of blue sky. But the forest wasn't normal, no. There was a painted sign that said 'Here', 'There', and 'Somewhere'. A purple and pink striped cat grinned from a branch. A white rabbit rushed through the trees, down a forest path. A small break in the trees on one wall showed the mad tea party. Near the hall to the bathroom was a scene of playing cards trying to paint the roses on a bush red. In another spot two chess piece queens, one white one red, were having tea and talking.
The tables, all black and metal, looked like old Victorian style. Tall back chairs sat behind them, more arm chairs then actual chairs. They were all cushioned and all various bright colors from green to yellow to red. They looked almost a cross between Victorian and cartoon. Brand new lights hung from the ceiling lighting up the store beautifully. On the left side of the store was a set up counters and a till. Instead of just wooden counters though, there were fridge like glass display cases that were ready for delicious treats. An old fashioned till sat on a black toped counter. A large sign sat behind the counter and till, mounted on the wall. Harry would fill it with menus and prices.
The open doorways to the kitchen now had deep red saloon doors that opened both ways. The hall leading to the bathrooms had no paintings on it, but was instead a shade of beautiful red. The bathroom doors were each a soft green. On the girls one was a picture of Alice looking curious while on the men's one was a picture of a laughing mad Hatter. The words 'Women's' and 'Men's' were painted in loopy letters under the pictures. The bathrooms themselves were a mixture of smoky greys, reds, and blacks making a comfortable warm atmosphere.
Against the far wall in the center was a small raised platform, only about a foot high. On it sat a beautiful black baby grand piano. Harry had added it after some consideration. Harry had also added a set of bells that tinkled beautiful above the door to warn him of customers.
The magical side was almost exactly the same, but as it was magical there were differences. The wall paintings would move instead of being stationary. And as the room was bigger almost every character of both Wonderland books were on the walls. The 'second floor' was more of a balcony and had had tables and chairs added to it. Black metal railings had been added to the balcony floor and the metal was twisted into the shape of metal flowers and plants. Harry had also had some hanging plants added, hanging from the balcony railings. Large leafy plants hung down adding to the scene.
The matching piano on this side of the store was also more magical and was charmed to play music by itself. It would stop if someone sat on the piano bench or if Harry stopped it.
The kitchen was completely filled with everything it would need, all in the muggle style. Counters and appliances lined the wall while a large island sat in the middle. It was well lit and well heated. The newest pans and pots and such filled every cupboard along with every baking ingredient needed. It was a cooks dream kitchen.
The staff room above the muggle side of the café had been painted a comfortable mixture of reds and blue and held a couch, a table and chairs, a fridge, a few shelves, a couple open lockers, and a stocked bathroom. There was also a corner used up for storage.
Everything was perfect. Mr. Hurst was finishing his painting of the balcony floor. Magic was ever so helpful in speeding the process up.
.-.
Harry yawned softly and sipped at his hot chocolate. His day had been very well spent. His three cats curled up beside him, Alice flopping over his lap. Keiruim sat on the back of his couch with Hedwig cuddled up next to him. Both had been quite happy to see Harry. Keiruim had even had a package for him from Sirius. It was just a letter laughing at him for falling for his 'trick' and 'congratulating' him on his new position as Head of Black family. He'd also told Harry that both he and Remus were well and loved his pies.
Harry stared out his window at the sky lit with pinks and purples and blues.
Griphook was Harry's godsend. He'd helped with everything, organized everybody's pay, paid for everything, and even 'counselled' Harry. Without the goblin Harry would still be struggling to buy a house most likely and trying to learn how to pay bills. He wouldn't have a licence and wouldn't know half the things he did now. He would still be reliant on what he had learned at school, he wouldn't have had a chance to see Japan, or entered a cooking contest. He would never have met the Henderson's or Dorothy and Randal.
Harry smiled just slightly. He'd have to thank the goblin someday. Truly and utterly thank him.
.-.
July 26th
Tuesday
.-.
Harry looked over the sheets and twitched. He had one person apply for the job. One.
He sighed and palmed his face. The main focus of his café would be cakes and desserts. But he'd also wanted to add lunch foods like soup, sandwiches, and salads. He'd add a few other things perhaps if business demanded it, but he wanted to be more of a tea and cake shop. But he would never be able to run two store fronts by himself. He'd opted to hire a few waiters and an extra cook. He had started looking for a cook first. Only one person applied. Only one bloody person applied that even knew how to cook. Oh there were five other applicants. But none had ever cooked before! Idiots, applying for a cooking job and never having cooked before.
He sighed again and looked down at the one applicant sheet. Griphook had taken care of sending ads out at Diagon and the magical stores in London the day Harry had come to talk with him about the idea of a cafe. The final choice on who to hire fell to Harry though. He looked at the one applicant. It had only been a week.
The one applicant looked okay though. The small moving picture showed a tall man with brown hair that fell to his shoulders, perfectly straight, yawning every few seconds. The man had light brown eyes and looked almost bored or lazy. His resume said he had taken muggle food safe courses, attended muggle college cooking classes, and had already worked in more then a few restaurants. Which he had been fired from for laziness. His application also said he was a pureblood, but Harry didn't care one little bit. He'd read over that word without even contemplating it.
Harry finally nodded to himself and started to write out an acceptance letter. He needed a cook and this one would have to do.
.-.
Harry twirled the quill in his fingers. The letter he'd taken an hour to write, out of uncertainty and hesitation, was finished. All he had to do was write the recipients name and send it off. He stared at the letter softly in contemplation. Finally he dipped his quill in the ink and in his neatest scrawl wrote 'Harold Van Den'.
He set the quill down and blew on the ink until it dried. Then he gave a sharp whistle. A few moments later Keiruim ducked in his bedroom window, trilling his question. Harry held the letter up.
"Can you please deliver this to Harold Van Den?" He asked softly, seriously. "I have no idea where he lives though."
The bird seemed to frown then trilled and grabbed the letter. He flapped back to the windowsill, cuddled to Hedwig, then took off. Harry wondered how long it would take for a reply to reach him.
.-.
Harry focused on the hoop across from him. He closed his eyes after a moment and focused on being in that hoop. There was a loud noise and Harry felt he was being forced through a tube. He stumbled a bit as he opened his eyes. He was inside the hoop, ten feet from where he had started.
"Excellent." A goblin off to the side said, writing something down. "And without a wand after only your fifth try. And no splinching as of yet."
"So I can get my Apparation licence?"
"Yes. I'll send the papers to the ministry now." The goblin said hopping up.
Harry had went to Griphook about the apparation test to see if he could get it now that he was an 'adult'. He could. Griphook had even made it easier for him by letting him use on of the apparation training rooms. The goblins made sure all their warders and curse breakers could apparate excellently before sending them out. As a precaution. They were even allowed to give licences to those they thought could use them. So once they sent the paperwork to the ministry Harry would be able to apparate legally.
"Can I practice some more?" He asked the goblin as he headed for the door.
"Go ahead. I won't be around if you splinch yourself though."
Harry shrugged. In his last ten tries he hadn't even come close to splinching himself. He wanted to try and get the noise of the crack apparation made quieter. And what better way then practice?
.-.
Harry walked down Diagon, doing his best to stay unnoticed. He'd made sure to pull his long hair into a braid and brush his bangs over his scar. And his new silver wire frame glasses, black slacks, and white button down shirt he looked like a new person.
He paused as he reached a mostly empty corner and looked to the sun. By its position it suggested it was just over four o'clock. He'd turned in an acceptance for an application, sent his letter to Harold, and gotten an apparation licence. A fulfilling day if he did say so himself and said day was not even over yet.
Harry smoothed his shirt as he reached his destination, a small restaurant out of the way, tucked between two large buildings. He entered and found that most of the tables were filled. A waitress smiled politely at him as she appeared.
"We have no available seats at the moment. If you wish I could put you on the waiting list."
"I'm supposed to be meeting a Mr. Bishop."
She got an odd look but quickly nodded and led him off to a booth against one of the walls. Harry found himself looking at an average height man who looked to be early fifties. He had short dark brown hair that was still fairly rich and was combed neatly. His skin was a soft peach and only a few wrinkles were visible. A pair of oval glasses sat on his nose and he had a naturally kind look about him. He stood as he saw Harry and held out a hand.
"Mr. Black, I'm Leonard Bishop."
Harry shook his hand firmly and slid into the seat across from him. The waitress quickly took his drink order and handed him a menu.
"Mr. Bishop." Harry said politely, offering a slight smile. "I have heard you saw my ad for a server at my new café. You wish for the position?"
"Yes. I formerly worked at a restaurant in France for about nine years but left after it closed down. I found myself here and came in contact with the information that you were seeking a waiter."
Harry nodded and folded his hands politely.
"Tell me Mr. Bishop, are you a pureblood?"
The man gave a rueful smile and shook his head.
"I am what you would call a half-breed. My father was a wizard and my mother was a siren."
Harry blinked in surprise at this information and took a quick look at his eyes. They burned silver. Silver eyes were a sign of strong siren blood in someone. Males though, never got the voice of a siren that could control people if strong enough. It was one of those things that made the males more 'human'. Sirens were classified as Magical Beasts, not Creatures as the females could not control their voices and thus weren't considered 'human' or 'creature'. Veela had barely made the 'Magical Creature' list as their control was just barely enough. Magical Beast were legally allowed to be owned. Which meant Sirens were legally be allowed to be owned. Harry wondered if the man in front of him had ever had to watch his mother be paraded around as a pet.
"So you have skills as a waiter. Now, I have to ask this, are you in anyway intolerant to any species?" Harry asked seriously.
The man blinked but then shook his head.
"I'm half siren, it'd be a bit hypocritical to hate other magical beings or normal people, though the siren blood in me is a bit uncomfortable around banshees for some reason. I can tolerate it though."
"Good." Harry nodded. "You're hired."
The man blinked slowly, as if confused. Harry just smiled.
"I really do need a waiter."
.-.
July 27th
Wednesday
.-.
Harry hummed to himself softly as he watered his garden plants. They were all blooming beautifully. The magical ones in his greenhouse were growing even better, pretty much taking over the place. Even his vegetable garden was bearing loads.
Harry almost yelped as Keiruim suddenly appeared, diving under his hose and sitting on the decorative bird bath near the hose.
"Keiruim." Harry hissed. "Don't do that. You scared the life out of me."
The bird gave a smug squawk.
"Amusing."
Harry spun at the voice, hand immediately going for the holster tucked at his waist with his wand. He blinked and slowly relaxed as an amused looking Harold stood on his path. The man was wearing an eighteenth century looking outfit of blacks and blues, a cane in one hand.
"I did not expect you to get my letter so soon." Harry muttered.
"I was in Scotland doing an exorcist for some old lady. She had a poltergeist in her basement."
"Oh." Harry blinked.
Harry moved to the house to turn off the hose, dodging the wet mud left behind from his watering. He wiped his dirty hands on his weeding apron and headed for the door.
"Come in, I'll make some tea."
Harold followed him in the house and Harry ditched his dirt apron in a basket near the door. Then he headed for the sink waving Harold to the table. Within a minute his hands were washed and there was tea in front of them both at the table. For a moment Harry busied himself stirring his tea and sipping at it.
"You said, at the tournament, that you had a job for me?" Harold asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes. I wished you to summon up two spirits for me to talk too."
"Ah. A usual request." Harold nodded. "The only problem is I need something tied to them for this to work."
Harry paused.
"Would blood work?"
Harold glanced at him sharply.
"Theirs?"
"Their sons."
Harold eyed him with something akin to sympathy.
"Yes. That would work. But I will only be able to hold two spirits here for an hour."
Harry just gave an odd smile.
"When can you do it?"
"Anytime. Right now if you want. I will need half an hour to set the ritual up though." Harold said.
"Tonight." Harry said.
"Here?"
"Can you do it here?"
"Yes. I just need an open space."
"I'll show you the third floor."
.-.
Harry idly twirled his quill as he tried to think up some fairly normal letters to send to his friends. Harold had left to get some things for his ritual which they had decided to do later tonight. Harry was left a bundle of nerves, waiting for the sun to dip down in the sky.
After a few minutes he had something scribbled out and set the letter aside for later. He wanted Hedwig to be there when he met the spirits of his parents. Then he stood. He headed from his room to the space he could apparate or portkey from and closed his eyes as he pictured Gringotts
Loving the story so far? There's a whole world of magic and mystery waiting for you with over 85+ chapters still to come! By supporting my Patreon.
You not only get early access to new chapters but also exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special perks just for fans like you.
Join us on this enchanted journey and help shape the future of the tale. Your support makes all the difference—discover more and become part of the adventure today!
http//patreon.com/BLAKE025
(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~