Harry Potter and the Thunderstruck Muggles

Cho seemed to burst from energy. The most urgent task on her agenda was to get her rescuing party organized, and for good measure, she left the work to a doctor who had lost his employment - in some sense, though somehow still keeping to the habit.

Cho also left it to Harry's decision whom to invite - so long as Almyra, Marie-Christine, and Chrissy would be found among the guests. And of course Sylvie and Jesamine. Yes, and Beatrice - wasn't a party the best opportunity to talk business?

Harry went to Pinkerton and met his preferred detective in Lopez' office. "Francesco, the good news - you're invited to a rescuer party."

The detective looked startled. "All wizards, huh?"

"Not quite." Harry grinned deviously. "Some of them are witches." Into Francesco's groan, he added, "No, there are some other Muggles too; two FBI agents, for instance."

The detective eyed him suspiciously. "So if this was the good news, then I have a bad feeling about the other."

"No, it's not that bad. You have to find Beatrice."

"I knew it!"

"We know where she is; it's somewhere in Port-au-Prince."

Two days later, coming into Francesco's office, Harry was shown an issue of the Haiti Soir, with an ad spanning half a page.

This was followed by the phone number of Francesco's office. Harry had the strong feeling it was just a matter of hours until the call would arrive, and he was right - coming next day, Francesco had an address for him.

Beatrice looked horrified, hearing about the invitation. She looked panic-stricken when Harry told her that yes, Cho knew what had happened. Harry, not authorized to reveal anything, said, "Please, Beatrice. Aside from your role in the rescuing - she wants to talk with you."

"I bet. No, 'arry - please ..."

"She's very determined. If you don't come, I'm sure she'll order me to summon you - imagine that, you'd arrive as you are, maybe in a night dress ..."

Beatrice stared at him. "Are you blackmailing me?"

Harry smiled. "No - as I said, that's what she'll order me, and I'm in no position to object, not in this particular case, if you know what I mean."

"Oh my God ... All right, 'arry - better I do it voluntarily, so I'm dressed ... Tell me, what would be the proper dressing for this occasion?"

And that to him.

Then Harry knew. "Show off! You must know, you're not even the only guest from the Caribbeans; there's Almyra - she's from Jamaica, bit lighter than you ..."

Harry could feel Beatrice's relief, not being the only black woman.

"... remember that dress you wore that evening? That'd be just right."

She didn't think so.

"Beatrice, please - imagine, they look at you and think, blimey, Harry's taste really needs some improvement, or just the other way around, like, she certainly looks better undressed ..."

Beatrice twitched again, while otherwise this argument seemed convincingly enough.

* * *

Harry also had trouble with some other people in his guest list. Chrissy argued she was none of the rescuers, however agreed quickly and with pleasure when hearing that her presence was a must.

Lieutenant Garcia was a bit reluctant, yet still more intrigued. "All right, Mr Potter - although I'm afraid my cover will be blown to pieces."

"Well - I won't be surprised if some other people find out, but they'll keep their mouths shut."

Wayne Ellis and Tracy Chipman flatly refused. Harry declared this as not acceptable. The answer was sorry, but no. Only when Harry threatened to explain in public that two people were missing, and why they rated as rescuers, the two agents agreed to come, after giving Harry a short but informative lesson about bad language, American style, sub-category detective curses.

Sirius and Deborah were torn apart by their emotions - they didn't qualify as rescuers, they said, but quite obviously their desire to join the party was overwhelming.

"Deborah, you're the one who recommended Paul for the research." Harry thought for a second. "And you, Sirius - I mean, as Deborah's partner, you'd be booked anyway ..."

"I'm flattered," grumbled Sirius.

"... and in addition, it's been your party where I pursued for the first time ..."

"That's so awfully thin, Harry, you'd need a ..."

"... and you've been the one who brought me into the Dementor patrol. Remember?"

Sirius wanted to know what this might have to do with rescuing Cho.

Harry told him he could find out only at the party, because there he'd meet the people involved.

Still pretty sure the answer would be "Nothing whatsoever," Sirius at least had no more objections.

The twins wanted to know what they had to do with rescuing Cho. Harry asked them whether they'd forgotten their lessons in the basics which eventually led to nitroglycerine balls and other niceties.

Fred said, "Yes we did. With your performance, Harry, we thought it an act of mercy to forget."

George said, "Well, no, but - that's pretty far-fetched, Harry."

"Then it just fits. I had to fetch her from pretty far."

Fred looked at his brother. "We have to come. If that's the average level of jokes on that party ..."

Rex Ballantine and Ray Purcell both found their qualification wanting but, come to think of it, sufficient.

Fleur couldn't find a trace of qualification in herself or her husband - which was meaningless, wasn't it, because she felt tremendously high qualified to celebrate the rescuing.

Samantha frowned. "Wouldn't know what I had to do with rescuing your girl - "

"Of yourse you know! You've been the - "

"Shut up! Don't interrupt grown women, that's an awfully bad habit of yours." Seeing Harry's twist, Samantha grinned. "But I certainly qualify as someone rescued, and I'm dying to meet your Cho."

"Very good. Then you won't object being the one who has to tell Snape, right? So we're sure it's not me who's interrupting you." Harry quickly stepped out of reach - after all, Samantha had this nasty habit in common with Cho: hitting without forewarning.

* * *

The other people simply said yes of course, started to get excited and - as far as they were female - to talk about party dresses.

Checking his list, Harry felt pleased seeing a nearly perfect balance. He and Cho, Ron and Janine, Hermione and Viktor, Almyra and Lupin, Sirius and Deborah, Bill and Fleur, Samantha and Snape were the - er, genuine couples. Then the twins with their girl-friends - Fred and Mary-Ann, George and Katie, ranking somewhere close. Then Ellis and Chipman, who balanced out by different sex but equal profession. Five single women or girls - Ginny, Marie-Christine, Sylvie, Jesamine, and Chrissy, who had announced to come alone - were balanced out by five single men - Paul, Francesco, Garcia, Rex, and Ray. Only Rahewa had no counterpart, which, somehow, felt right, too.

Oops - he'd almost forgotten Beatrice. But this was balanced too, as he'd almost forgotten someone else.

Kenzo simply bowed, smiled, and accepted, not bothering with useless remarks about qualification. They would have been ridiculous anyway, as they both knew.

Counting the people in his list, Harry realized that, for some reason, he didn't like the resulting number at all. It felt too unbalanced. Then who ...

Mr Spinbottle found the idea rather absurd yet very appealing, yes indeed. After all, facing absurdities was a lawyer's daily business, wasn't it?

Checking again, Harry became aware that there still were two rough edges in his list - arguably so, maybe, but Cho had said it was his decision.

The Headmaster found the idea ridiculous. Yes he qualified as a rescuer, but still more as the one who'd helped to cause the trouble, so ... And with so many teachers and ex-teachers around, they'd feel embarrassed ... Although ... At closer inspection - if Harry was sure ... Well, then, perhaps, for a little while ...

The Gryffindor Headmistress seemed pleased and disappointed at the same time. Pleased for being invited, disappointed for having to put him down. "It's impossible, Harry - there won't be any teacher left in Hogwarts. We can't do that."

Staring at her, Harry felt pretty sure the disappointment was genuine. "If I'd asked you first, you'd have agreed, right?"

Professor McGonagall smiled. "Harry, what's the sense in hypothetical questions?"

"Okay, then let me ask you a real one. If, like, next weekend there's another invitation, and maybe Sylvie and Jesamine will be around, will you come?"

The witch beamed. "Yes, Harry - to be honest, I'd come even to you and Cho alone."

So this was settled, but suddenly the list looked unbalanced again. Harry should have asked McGonagall first and Dumbledore then, the Headmaster had no problem leaving the students to themselves for an evening - and wasn't Binns a teacher?

But wait - there was someone else, someone wo'd level it out, someone who'd never forgiven him if ... Harry swallowed at the thought - a lifetime of reproaches barely avoided.

Gabrielle seemed ready to show him how this would have been. "You didn't come to tell me, 'arry - I had to hear it from others, the newspapers knew earlier than I."

"I'm sorry, Gabrielle. It wasn't on purpose - I couldn't leave Cho alone, for a few days."

A twelve-year-old Veela looked at him. "Has she been raped, 'arry?"

"Erm - something similar."

The girl nodded. "Yes, that's a reason not to come." Then she smiled. "Of course I'll come - I'll ask Cho how you made her recover from that."

"Urgh - well, as long as you don't ask in public ..."

This glance was really full of reproach. "Sometimes I wonder about you, 'arry."

Harry inspected Cho's bungalow, this time from the perspective of stuffing thirty-six people in, and food, and drinks ... Bit tight, there wouldn't be much of dancing - unless they used the porch for that purpose, except the noise would reach all through the neighbourhood ... Then Harry remembered that noise from a party crowd counted as a status symbol here in the hills above Santa Monica. So then, they could come.

And come they did.

* * *

It was Harry's first opportunity for playing the host. Well, maybe opportunity wasn't quite the right term, it felt more like a duty, but by and large, Harry enjoyed standing with Cho near the entrance, ready to welcome their guests.

Cho looked splendid, radiant in her dress. Red, of course, entirely Muggle style of the Western fashion but with a strong emphasis on attributes found otherwise at kimonos, or cheong-sams. The long slit, for example.

Marie-Christine was already there. She and Cho had been busy to ease each other's nervousness, and to make sure their appearances were in perfect trim.

Chrissy, Sylvie, and Jesamine came together, pretty early, apparently anxious to lend a helping hand, not finding much to do - Harry had made sure of that.

Then came the Hogwarts bulk at once, including Rex and Ray. With so many people together, Harry found no opportunity to watch any particular remark, for example between Cho and Hermione, and he was distracted because Janine used this moment to deliver her own hugging and kissing to him.

But Samantha took her time, letting the crowd pass, not responding at all when Snape tried to send her forward and quickly leave the focus of attention - with him of course. Samantha examined Cho with appreciation.

"I've been looking forward to this moment, really, I did, because - until now, I could admire you only from the distance."

"How's that?"

"Well - everybody tells me only you can teach Harry how it feels to be scared. Although I'm the last to complain."

Cho wasn't quite used to welcomes Texan style. Snape stepped in. "Hello, Miss Chang. I feel a bit displaced, among all the heroes and victims, but Samantha's been very determined."

"Hello, Prof." Cho grinned. "I remember a story with a train and some Muggle-born students, in case you forgot - and I'm very pleased to see you in such company."

Snape's cheeks flushed a bit while Samantha grinned back. "Me too, honey, me too."

Then came Sirius and Deborah, Spinbottle with them, and Paul. Harry said, "Cho, this is the genius who tracked Voldemort down to the Boston area."

"Hello, Paul - I owe you more than this party, that's for sure."

"Nonsense - not after this incredible premium from Harry."

"Premium?"

"Yes, sure - er, didn't he tell you?" Paul looked embarrassed.

Cho smiled. "He's very secretive - about money, that is."

People around started to snort with laughter, though some of them with a bit unease. At moment later, the twins arrived, and Cho and Katie had to exchange a few remarks.

Then came the FBI agents together with Francesco Lopez. Harry introduced them.

Cho examined the Pinkerton detective. "Mr Lopez, I've been looking forward, learning to know the Muggle who's done what you did. I'm burning to talk with you."

"Hello, Miss Chang." The detective grinned. "It might violate Pinkerton policy, but so what - after all this publicity ..."

"Yes, you're the new hero - and mine in particular."

Francesco smiled, looked at Harry. "I'd know someone who's better suited for that role - for me, publicity's always bad publicity."

"Why's that so?"

"How to sneak around and asking people if everybody knows your face? Maybe I should look for a beauty surgery."

Into the laughter, Cho said, "Let's talk later. Until then, you might want to think about how you'd like to be Chief of Security for Groucho. Recently, I've come to think about this issue."

Cho and Harry seemed the only people who could laugh about this wisecrack. Then Lieutenant Garcia arrived, a moment later Bill and Fleur with Gabrielle.

Cho and Fleur were still talking when Harry saw the last guest arrive - Beatrice. For him, if not for the others, her nervousness was palpable.

He stepped forward. "Hello, Beatrice - you look great."

She did - wearing not exactly the same dress Harry remembered, however a similar one. Beatrice and Almyra would have run a tight race, had there been a contest. Fleur studied her with great interest, showing no intention whatsoever to get lost inside. Gabrielle, not knowing anything but owner of some Veela senses, followed her sister's example.

Cho smiled evenly. "Hello, Beatrice. I only know your first name, which is just fine. I'm Cho."

"Good evening - er, Cho. It's Chagrin."

Which meant trouble, or sorrow, probably the reason why it took Cho a second to register that this was Beatrice's family name.

Then Cho started to giggle, steadied again. "I think Beatrice suits better. Come inside and have a drink before we talk. There's something I want to discuss with you."

There was indeed not much of dancing - the most likely candidates were too busy eating, drinking, talking, probably also suffering a bit from the time difference. At any rate, talking seemed everybody's favourite. Checking around, Harry saw people sitting, or standing, either way absorbed in some conversation. It was totally different from another party which had taken place in these hills, almost a year ago.

Cho was talking with Beatrice. Harry remembered that this particular conversation had started a while before, and that Sylvie and Jesamine had joined them for a few minutes. Then Sylvie joined Lupin and Almyra, while Jesamine moved over to Rex, probably to talk about dragons.

Sirius was talking with the two FBI agents and Francesco Lopez. Police talk, no doubt. Harry glanced around to locate the detective who was missing in this group, and found him sitting with Marie-Christine, apparently giving a damn for professional talk, considerably more interested in some other topic.

Driven by curiosity, Harry stepped closer.

Marie-Christine looked up, saw him, and smiled. "Ramon just told me how you two met in the Groucho basement ..."

Ramon, huh?

"... must have been quite a scene, you with Nagini ..."

"No," protested Lieutenant Garcia, "his Parseltongue wasn't the worst - " He stopped and looked as if biting his own tongue.

Marie-Christine waited a second for him to continue, but suddenly frowned. "Parseltongue? How come you know about Parseltongue?"

Harry started to laugh. Marie-Christine looked at him with astonishment, then at the detective. Next moment, her eyes went wide. "Don't tell me you're a wizard."

Lieutenant Garcia had blushed. "I'm afraid so, yes."

With little surprise, Harry watched as Marie-Christine lacked any sign of disappointment, quite the opposite seemed rather pleased. He turned to the detective. "Well, you've been forewarned, haven't you?"

Ramon Garcia shook his head in disbelief. "And then it was my own mistake."

Harry looked at Marie-Christine, back at the detective. "Mistake? I don't think so."

Bewildered, the lieutenant looked at him, then at Marie-Christine.

Noticing the lieutenant's reluctance in responding to what he saw there, Harry stood up. "I'll get me a new drink."

* * *

Walking to the bar, Harry passed another pair lost in a conversation: Ginny and Paul. These two didn't look up, and for all Harry could sense without snooping too intimately, they didn't register anything else in the room.

With a fresh glass, he walked out onto the porch and found it empty of dancers. Next moment, Viktor stood at his side.

"Harry, it's a real shame you didn't call me to help in the fight, together with the others."

Harry felt his cheeks flush. "I'm sorry, Viktor. At this morning - when Hermione called for the brainstorming, I couldn't think too straight. And then, somehow the group had formed ..."

"And Hermione didn't bother to call me either." Which seemed upsetting Viktor even more.

While Harry knew why. "Oh, that's quite obvious."

"Is it?" Viktor stared at him.

"Remember the fight against the crazy Muggles? There was a scene - you were up on the tower, we were at supper, and Ron and I were talking about what to do against them outside. Then Hermione made a remark to Ron - it was something really bad, and Ron went white, got up and left ..."

Viktor listened with full attention.

"... and I was about to say something to her, and just in time, I realized what was the reason. I've never seen Hermione so close to hysterics. I asked her, and - well, she said yes, that was the reason, and then I told her to go talk with Ron and tell him, so he knew why she had said that."

Harry looked at Viktor. "She was scared - for you. She said, if we were going to start something, you'd be found right in front. She said - she said, 'Harry, he's as reckless as you, only he's not as lucky as you.' That's why - well ..."

"I didn't know that." There was wondering in Viktor's voice.

Harry kept silent.

"She never told me. She's very reluctant to talk about certain things." Viktor's voice was almost casual. "While for others, she's surprisingly frank - honest, you might say."

Harry felt his stomach twist.

"She had a weird story the other day ... And now you come with this story." Viktors voice became sharper. "What did she say to Ron?"

"Er - Ron and I, we were talking about what to do, and Ron said something that we should use acid balls, because they wouldn't make much noise, only the Muggles would when hit, and - then she said, 'Charlie didn't say much when that ball came'."

"That's ..." Viktor nodded. "She was beyond herself, huh?"

"Yes. You were commander of defense, and she said our rescuing Samantha had already consumed all luck that was around, probably more."

Viktor smiled. "She'd bite her tongue before ... Harry, I owe you for that ..."

Harry swallowed.

"... while I'd owe you something totally different, according to Bulgarian standards, only that these standards are somewhat stupid, and besides, you've saved my life once, which raises a conflict with some other Bulgarian standards, so I'd say, it balances out."

Harry looked at him. "I feel guilty toward you, Viktor."

"Well - you didn't say I'm sorry, which is just good, because it would have been an insult, and" - Viktor grinned - "it would have been a lie too, right?"

Harry nodded.

"You're something, Harry ... Anyway, I don't think you're luckier than me."

"No. She loves you."

Viktor looked pleased. "Your story counts more. But please tell nobody that I didn't kill you - it's bad for my reputation."

"I won't." Harry hesitated, then added, "But there's one more person who knows."

Viktor looked curious. "And?"

"Well - I'm alive ... still."

People looked wondering, seeing the two coming inside, giggling madly.

* * *

The guests from England started to look a bit tired, paying tribute to the time difference. The first of them had been a twelve-year-old: Rahewa, her eyes closed, sat crammed tightly between Almyra and Lupin, totally relaxed in her sleep.

Harry looked at the picture, smiling. "How's life with a daughter?"

"Great." Almyra's face confirmed it. "And she'll set a new record in transfiguration, no doubt."

"Really?"

Lupin said, "Well, not in size - I figure there you have an all-timer. No - in speed. You know why?"

"Why?"

"She has this picture - all five of us, running around as dogs. The other day, we transfigured to play with the poodles, and she was the only one left human. Since then, she's working day and night. Harry - within the next year, she'll manage, mark my words."

Harry felt pretty sure Lupin was right. Looking over, he saw another twelve-year-old losing the fight against sleep.

The small groups had gathered to a larger round. They were talking about the future, what with a dark cloud gone, a new challenge between two worlds, and with some students who would finish school within a few weeks.

Fleur said, "Remember the dinner in my parents' house, 'arry? We were talking about your plans. That's been - yes, two years ago. You said you had a task to perform. Now it's done. So what are your plans, 'arry?"

"I don't know yet."

Fleur looked in the round. "Then let's hear the others, what they think you should do."

Nobody spoke.

Fred said, "C'mon, ladies first."

George said, "No, Muggles first."

Paul grinned. "Muggle ladies first."

Into the laughter, Tracy Chipman said, "If I had a saying, he'd join the FBI."

"No," said Francesco Lopez. "Pinkerton - the salary's better."

"That's no argument for him," protested Ginny.

"Then he must work for Hogwarts," said Samantha. "Their salary is the worst."

More laughter, most of all from Dumbledore.

Snape said, "Albus, did you ever think of retiring? That might be your chance."

The Headmaster stopped laughing. "I've been thinking about that quite a lot."

People were looking at him, then at Harry.

Harry said, "No way. And besides, there's a much better candidate."

"Who?" The question came from several people.

Harry looked astonished. "Ron. He's the perfect administrator."

Ron blushed. "What a nonsense. I'm not playing in the same league as Professor Dumbledore or Harry."

Lupin said, "Harry's right. The greatest wizard isn't necessarily the best Headmaster" - he grinned toward Dumbledore - "which doesn't mean it's impossible. But the challenges of the next time have a lot to do with administration and coordination."

Ron muttered, "I was planning to go into politics."

Dumbledore said, "Hogwarts is politics. Within the next years, the wizarding world will be integrated into the Muggle world, which means they'll keep their individual part of politics only in the essential nucleus. And this is of course the education. The European Magical Education Council will be a centerpiece of wizard politics, and they'll recruit people from the schools."

Ron giggled. "You mean three years Headmaster, and then - up and away toward higher aims?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Why not? The same leader for decades, that might be a bit outdated."

Janine said, "Not necessarily, while for Ron, that sounds about right. And then it's time for the first Hogwarts Headmistress."

Sensing glances toward her, Almyra said, "Not me."

Viktor said, "Then it's between Minerva and Hermione."

Cho said, "Then it's Hermione."

Everybody looked at a deeply blushed face under a curly mop of brown hairs, not hearing a denial of such ambition.

Fleur said, "Now that this is settled, let's come back to 'arry's job for the future. Who's going to suggest more?"

Sirius said, "Just for the record - Law Enforcement Squad pays better than Pinkerton, but we're ready to let him pay instead."

Sylvie interrupted the laughter. "And when he's broke, we send him on tour with a Quidditch team."

Ray said, "Portkey programming. Harry's portkeys carry Muggles - imagine the chances."

"No," protested Cho. "First he has to find out how to program a personal portkey."

Another laughter, joined neither by Harry nor by Ray.

Deborah asked, "Cho - what's your choice?"

"For my choice, first I have to explain something."

Everybody was looking at her.

"Groucho's going to expand. We'll found a new branch - Groucho Biochemicals. It's about potions, and Beatrice here ..."

Heads were turning toward a beautiful young woman, right now looking a bit uneasy.

"... is our main scientist and probably the one to run that daughter company. Competition's hard in the potions business ..."

Cho was staring at Hermione who looked at her like stunned.

"... so maybe we have to split these jobs. Anyway - that would make four daughter companies altogether, each of them run by a woman. Somehow, I'd say, now it's time for a chairman."

Laughter, applause. Bill asked, "Harry, what do you think of it?"

"Erm - comes a bit of a sudden, and quite surprising, in a way." Harry had to wait until Jesamine and Sylvie had recovered from a bad fit of laughter.

"I could imagine myself as a consultant for unconventional ideas, or dirty tricks, while for day-to-day money business - come to think of it, it might be better to talk Ron out of politics and catch him for that job. If Professor Dumbledore keeps a while longer, he might pass it over directly to Hermione."

Heads were turning again to Hermione.

She was looking at Cho. "That's pie in the sky, this way or the other. Right now, I'm just a potions witch - "

Cho interrupted her. "With a new and unexpected competition, right?"

Hermione smiled. "Sometimes you see competition while at closer inspection, there's none. What I can see right now is a company which is going to do potions business, and I'm looking for someone who's doing the marketing for a new Wolfsbane potion. It needs a bit honing, but otherwise it's perfect."

Cho looked at her, then at Beatrice, then back at Hermione. "I guess you're right. The more I think of it - yes, that sounds like a very good idea."

People had noticed that some more messages had been exchanged. Into the moment of silence, Marie-Christine said, "Well, 'arry, after so many suggestions, you should come up with your own. Normally you're not that slow."

Another laughter.

"Yes, I might know something." Harry looked at Cho. "Something nice and simple - at least for a while. Something with little responsibility, like a vacation, in a way. There's a guy, Tony Chee, who offered me a role in a movie - as an aikido fighter. I think I'd like to give it a try."

Cho started to smile.

Sylvie said, "I can see it right before my eyes - he's the young Caucasian hero, and the slitfaces are the bad guys, except of course that he falls in love with a slitface girl - brother of the gangleader or so ..."

More laughter. Beatrice said, "And the brother is of course mad, only then 'arry saves his life, so his aikido honour forces him to support them, but he has to do it secretly against the others, and then 'arry is in danger, and only the brother can save him, and he's torn apart - "

"Hey, Beatrice - movie's my branch!" Sylvie glared as upset as she could. "You keep to your potions."

The young woman from Haiti looked a bit uncertain, but the laughter and Sylvie's grin put her quickly at ease.

Jesamine said, "It's obvious - that's good for a sequel, and then another - although, I'd know a better role for Harry."

Cho said, "Me too - the bad guy with the sister."

Next second, some people were bent over in helpless fits of laughter, most of all Ginny. Jesamine waited impatiently to place her punch line, when Almyra, another sister, stopped laughing and stared at her.

"Yes of course!"

"What?"

Almyra grinned. "Jesamine, tell them."

"Well - it's obvious, isn't it? A dragon - a real dragon who's following orders of the director."

People looked baffled.

Ron said, "The idea is great, yes, but what makes you think he'd follow orders?"

Into the new laughter, Dumbledore said, "That reminds me - Harry, there was a letter for you. I took the liberty to bring it with me." He extracted a letter which obviously had been carried by an owl.

Harry stared wonderingly at his Headmaster. Dumbledore forgetting something like that, remembering only through some association - that was highly unusual. Then he inspected the letter. It didn't look unusual at all - no, it looked somehow familiar.

He opened the letter and read. Short as it was, it took him a moment to register what he was reading.

Expectant silence around. Cho, her voice evenly, asked, "Fan mail?"

"Huh? Er - no, it's from Gringotts."

"Ah - you've lost another hundred grand, and now they're asking you - "

"Never," said Katie. "He's got another Goblin Request."

Harry stared at her. "Yes. How did you know?"

After a moment of stunned perplexion, people where applauding and shouting. Hermione said, "Harry - for God's sake, tell us which one."

Cho said, "Must be a Personal - for spending money so rapidly." The joke didn't catch, in particular since Cho didn't look too joyful.

"No," said Spinbottle. "It's a Classified - his provision for Voldemort's money the Goblins can keep now."

Chrissy looked pleadingly into the round. "Please - can somebody tell me what's a Goblin Request?"

Cho answered. "It's like a free wish, only that the Goblins must be able to fulfill it. His last one was a Privileged - cut them short a million or two - galleons, mind." She turned to Harry. "So it's another Privileged, huh?"

Harry's face showed confusion. "I don't know - the letter doesn't say which."

"What?" Bill's head jerked up. "That's impossible! Harry, may I have a look?" Bill reached for the letter and started reading. Suddenly he stiffened. Then, slowly, his arms with the parchment sank down, revealing a face gone pale.

"What is it?" The shout came simultaneously from Cho and Fleur.

"A Request."

"Goddammit, yes - we know that already. WHICH ONE?"

Bill swallowed. "What I - wait, wait!" His hand came up, stopping a Cho who seemed ready to strangle him. "It's the real one - you might call it unspecified. You must know, originally a Goblin Request wasn't further categorized. Then - but that's been so long ago, nobody knows when - they categorized them as a help to know how it was meant. These titles - Personal, Classified, Privileged - they're all some kind of restriction. This one" - Bill pointed at the letter - "that's a full one - unrestricted, I mean."

Kenzo broke the awkward silence. "Could you try to quantify it, Mr Weasley?"

"Quantify?" Bill gave a harsh laugh. "There's nothing to quantify. The last one I know something about was a kind of order, to come to terms with the wizards. The result was that they founded Gringotts and made themselves indispensable for us."

A choked sound - maybe from Harry, maybe from Cho, or both.

Dumbledore asked, "Bill - what else do you know?"

"Well, it's unique. I mean, there's always just one. Here" - Bill pointed the letter again - "they don't say a Request, they say the Request. There's just one Request pending at any time, and it's the current holder's obligation to select his successor - maybe even without claiming it. I figure the previous holder was more than happy to have found someone."

Said someone saw his chance, looked around. "Anyone interested in a Goblin Request?"

Nobody dared to look at him. More than one face seemed genuinely scared.

Harry leaned back. "Well, could have been." This joke didn't catch either. Then he muttered, "Oh, shit! I just thought now it's time to stretch your legs ..."

Dumbledore looked at Cho, then at Harry. "I'm sorry - I didn't know what I did, presenting the letter now. But then - Harry, I don't think it's an urgent matter. It sounds more like a lifetime job."

Bill nodded. "Definitely." Then he grinned. "Hey, Harry - I just realized, that settles the issue with the godfather for our next child."

"Huh?"

"You're a Goblin. The Request can only pass over to a Goblin."

Harry nodded. Then he held his hands at his temples, forming two flap ears, and snarled, "Gobble-di-gook, gobble-di-gook."

The tension broke in hysterical giggles.

Harry looked at Cho. "C'mon, it's not that bad, could be - " He stopped, his eyes growing, then a wide grin spread his face. "Yes, of course - that's it. No sweat, none at all." He looked up. "Hey folks, listen, we just ..."