HP fic: Greater Than, Lesser Be / Part One, B
Greater Than, Lesser Be
Part One, B
Part One, A
**London. December, 1983.
Harry never had to question Remus's loyalty. Years upon years of being removed from his friends and 'pack' left the man vulnerable to outside influences, but with Harry making contact with the remaining Marauder, Remus was able to suppress outside influence and easily consider what Harry told him of his journey to the past, as well as show him the file that his employer had delivered to Harry before that fateful evening in Wales.
After reading the file, Remus was ready to let Moony out to have some fun, but Harry sat him down and explained what he wanted to do-and while it meant leaving Harry-little-him with the Dursley's for the time being, and letting Sirius remain in Azkaban, it might possibly help them win the war in the future.
Remus, although he didn't always like the methods Harry was willing to take to get what he wanted (Dumbledore's "Greater Good" and the adage, "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions," sprang to mind immediately), the werewolf agreed to the rest-and having a steady job with annual income as well as time off during the full moon from an employer who knew what he was, was an added bonus.
The first thing the two wizards did was travel to Harry's warehouse.
The second was to debate the company name. Finally, despite already being registered, Harry changed the temporary name of the company to the new one: Cloak & Dagger.
Thirdly, he and Remus devised a plan to cultivate the little, precious money Harry had left and how to employ loyal workers who would do what Harry was going to ask them to do.
In the end, it was Remus would found a solution to the third problem. And the solution was named Artemis O'Donnell, an incredibly old and decrepit wizard who never left his rather large and intimidating estate in Ireland, who had no children, no mistresses, no issue of any kind and a very strange relationship with old, first edition classics.
Remus knew of him through several old contacts when he was working as an antiquity dealer a year previous, and had delivered several first edition novels to the old wizard. The wizard took a liking to him, and they kept in touch even after Remus was made redundant.
"And how exactly is he going to help us?" questioned Harry sceptically.
"You'll see," answered Remus, settling to explain. Harry remained sceptical, but the werewolf was optimistic. He went to see Artemis on a Wednesday morning and came back Saturday, ecstatic.
"O'Donnell is in. He'll want to meet you, but he thinks your idea if a good one, and is willing to finance us. He also updated his will to make you and Cloak & Dagger the sole inheritor," he explained on his return.
Needless to say, Harry was impressed.
The next day, he and Remus used a Port-Key to Ireland, and then Apparated to O'Donnell's estate. The man, stuck permanently in a levitated chair, greeted them at the front door with a house elf beside him.
"Mr. Potter, I presume?" the man asked in a scratchy, gravely voice, full still of an Irish lit that reminded Harry of Seamus Finnegan.
"Hello, Mr. O'Donnell, sir," greeted Harry, reaching for the stretched and feeble hand of the decrepit wizard.
The two shook hands briefly, and O'Donnell led the two to his library. Once they were settled in rather comfy armchairs, with O'Donnell near the fireplace, the Irishman asked Harry to explain.
"I'd sure Remus has already briefed you on what happened to me in the future," began Harry, questioningly.
"Yes," said O'Donnell, inclining his head.
Harry nodded. "Good-but as he doesn't know yet all of my plan, I might as well share it with the two of you. First, we need to go back to the future.
"The wizarding world didn't change once I defeated Voldemort for good. At all. In fact, I would say it almost fell into blind disregard of the past twenty-five years of guerrilla warfare that we engaged in. Once Voldemort was defeated, I'm sure that a few of us thought that Muggleborns would be given the same opportunities as Purebloods in the Ministry-that there wouldn't be fake trials or Death Eaters buying their way out of Az.
"That didn't happen. One of my supposed best mates, Ron Weasley, ignored the way that Muggleborns lived before Hogwarts-and yet he was courting one of the smartest Muggleborn witches that ever lived. Despite coming from a blood traitor family, where his father worked in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts department in the Ministry, they all considered Muggles to be below them. They didn't understand how they lived, or worked, or got by without magic. A life without magic was inconceivable to them, just like for most Muggleborns life with magic before their Hogwarts letters."
"Where are you going with this, Mr. Potter?" asked O'Donnell, frowning. He was from an old, Pureblood line.
"Could you explain to me, sir, where the Wireless came from?" asked Harry, nodding at the old-fashioned brown box that sat on the fireplace mantle.
O'Donnell turned, stared at the music box, and contemplated. Then, he realised. "Oh, very good, Mr. Potter. Very good."
"What?" asked Remus, glancing back and forth between the three objects.
Harry glanced at Remus. "Did you think the Wireless was a magical device first, Remus?"
"No…"
"Exactly. Wizards took a non-magical device and changed it, utilising its properties to suit their needs. So why did they stop there? A wireless radio has been around since the turn of the twentieth century in the non-magical world. The TV has been around since about ten years after the radio," explained Harry patiently, reaching into his miniscule non-magical education to present the facts. "Why didn't wizards utilise the wide-reaching expanse of television? Why stop at the radio? Why still use candles when you've already changed and mutated something that ran on electricity to run in a magical environment?Why not push it further?"
"You're talking about… about non-magical technology?" asked Remus, hesitantly.
O'Donnell shook his head. "Only a little, Remus. I think Potter here is talking about something larger. Otherwise he wouldn't need my financial backing on this."
"Pretty much," agreed Harry. "Ideally, I want to bring the wizarding world into the twenty-first century." (He ignored Remus stating that unlike him, they were still living in the twentieth) "Let's capitalise on what the other wizards failed to push forward. And then expand."
"You'll have a good, strong base with the Muggleborns," agreed O'Donnell, cackling. "But you won't win the Purebloods."
Harry shook his head. "I won't need to win the Purebloods," he began cryptically, "And as for the Muggleborns-a census was done in my time in the future, the same year that I disappeared from. How many Muggleborns do you think there are to a Pureblood, or Half-blood?"
Remus shrugged, as did O'Donnell, coughing into his hand.
"The ratio is nearly 6:1," stated Harry. "Hermione figured that out. For every six Muggleborns, or non-magically raised, there is only one magically-raised or Pureblood.
"But let's simplify. In my year alone, the magically raised were Ron Weasley, Parvati and Padma Patil, Neville Longbottom, Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, Pansy Parkinson, Theodore Nott, Millicent Bulstrode, Daphne Greengrass, Blaise Zabini, Susan Bones, Zacharias Smith, Ernie MacMillan, Stephen Cornfoot, Su Li, and Morag MacDougal. That's eighteen.
"And for those of use muggle-raised? Myself, Hermione Granger, Lavender Brown, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnegan, Tracey Davis, Hannah Abbott, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Wayne Hopkins, Megan Jones, Terry Boot, Mandy Brocklehurst, Kevin Entwhistle, Anthony Goldstein and Lisa Turpin. That's fifteen."
"And the magical-raised are more than the non-magical raised," stated Remus. "So?"
"Yeah, but some the magical raised are half-bloods. Meaning that they'd know how to hide and exist in the non-magical world. Those are Bulstrode, Cornfoot, Susan Bones, Smith and Li. Change the numbers: thirteen to twenty. Sixty-five percent are muggle-raised or can exist in a non-magical environment."
"That is a good number, but not definite," agreed O'Donnell carefully. "So where are you going with this, Potter?"
"How many are Quidditch fans?"
"Excuse me?" asked O'Donnell, clearly thrown but the new topic of the conversation.
"How many wizards and witches in the United Kingdom are Quidditch fans? Imagine-you don't have the Galleons to see a match. It's your favourite team and they're in the play-offs. You could listen to the match on your Wireless set-but why, when you have a television set instead where you can watch the matches like you're actually there?"
"Are you suggesting that, like the Wireless, the company does the same to a television set?" questioned Remus, almost sceptically.
"Yes," agreed Harry, nodding solemnly. "And after that, to cameras to film the matches; then to computer units, and phones, and expand from there."
"Let's say it could be done," argued Remus, sensibly. "There is still the legal issue of getting around the Ministry of Magic and their 'enchanting' non-magical items."
O'Donnell agreed. "How would you get around that law?"
"The same way the Wireless got around it. The WWN has been around for the same amount of time as the non-magical radio. If they can enchant it and have the Ministry approve it, then we can do the same to a television set," explained Harry, crossing his arms and leaning back in the armchair. "All we have to do is get the Quidditch fanatics on our side. The manager of Puddlemere would be a coup-think about the influence and money that they have. If they're interested in a television that will broadcast their matches to their fans who are part of the club's fanbase, but unable to get tickets… who loses?"
"It's a gamble," murmured Remus, scratching his chin. "But it could work."
"And where would you go from there? Why television?" asked O'Donnell.
Harry grinned, viciously. "Because in 1994, Hogwarts will host the Tri-Wizard tournament. And wouldn't that be a lovely way to introduce Voldemort back to the magical world, caught on camera and everyone unable to dispute it?"
"Oh," said Remus, eyes wide.
"Oh," echoed Harry back, darkly.
**
"But that's only one aspect," argued Remus a week later, as he and Harry sat down in their run-down office in the warehouse. "Television. We'd need cameras, and cables, and a way to broadcast it, and a studio to film things as well."
"Sure, this is why we have a large warehouse. We'll need another for other things, though," muttered Harry, flipping through various Ministry papers that would require him to fill them out before he enchanted anything. "And we'll need a greenhouse for plants, and a pretty sturdy lab for some other experiments, and offices to hold meetings and interviews, and a hell of a lot of loyal employees who won't jump ship at competitors."
"Competitors!" gapped Remus, "I hadn't even thought of any to Cloak & Dagger."
"That's because there won't be any for about a decade. Not at least until mini-Harry-me goes to Hogwarts. Essentially, I want to remain a private company that will mass-produce our goods once we perfect them and sell them in exclusive contracts and rights to the Ministry and the International Quidditch Association. We get them on our side, globally, and we're set."
Harry frowned. "Remus, do you still have those lists of the people involved in the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers? And the Society for the Support of Squibs? What better workers than those who others ignore?"
Remus sighed and passed the lists over from his own folder. "Well, if we're going to start hiring people, we're going to need offices that look pretty swanky and an idea of how we're going to keep them loyal to us without spilling secrets. As well as working out wages."
Harry looked up. "What the hell do you think I'm trying to do now, Moony? C'mon, let's start with Hassan Mostafa, from the Association. I'm thinking he'd be mighty interested in what we have to offer…"
It took Remus and Harry nearly four months into 1984 to get the company fully up and running, as well as set up numerous meetings with Mostafa. At first, Remus and Harry used O'Donnell's money to locate a rather nice plot of land in southern, rural England that had a view of the Channel. There, they purpose-built a four-storey office building, with an attached laboratory, greenhouses, and what Harry hoped to never use, a training and lab centre for an small army.
But once Remus and Harry, with O'Donnell's help, finalised their schematics for the television studio (which would remain in London), they decided to broach the IQA's head.
"You can't use your name though," argued Remus, from Harry's left as they sat in first class on an Air Emirates flight to Dubai.
"Why not?" asked Harry, affronted. He quite liked his name.
Remus glanced at him, askance. "Well, it's not like it's well known or anything, Harry."
"I booked the flight under Potter!" he argued back.
"In the non-magical world, sure," agreed Remus, whispering. "But in ours?"
Harry huffed. "Fine." He pouted a bit, but then a light blossomed in his eyes and Remus glanced at his best friends' son in worry.
"I don't like that look. I really don't like that look-James would get that look."
"Why, I have a new name to use! Perfect as the CEO of Cloak & Dagger, as well!"
Remus swallowed. "Which is?"
Harry grinned. "I'll be known as Harry Houdini, the greatest illusionist and magician there ever was! Perfect!"
Remus twitched. Despite not growing up under James and Sirius's rather watchful and influential eyes, Harry Potter had strangely, as a young man, managed to turn out exactly how Sirius and James would've wanted him to. Remus was utterly terrified.
**
Dubai was blisteringly warm and dry as the two stepped out of the air-conditioned airport. A sunglass-wearing, Armani-suited man was waiting for them beside a Lexus, holding the car door open as he ushered them in.
"Mr. Lupin?" he queried.
Remus nodded and offered Harry to go in first. The plush interior soothed Harry and Remus's jetlag, but both were eager to meet with Mostafa and begin negotiations. Winning his endorsement would seal the company's fate.
The building that hosted the IQA's head was elaborate, exotic, and exquisite. It was a typical stucco building, with many Arabic influences in the structure and architecture, but inside was typical wizard: larger than the outside, items floating or completing tasks without human hands, moving pictures (mainly of Quidditch).
"Ah, Mr. Lupin! Welcome, welcome," boomed a man from across the room. He was skinny, rather tall and weedy looking, and sported a fetching moustache.
"Hassan Mostafa, I presume?" asked Remus dryly, holding out a hand to shake.
The man reached forward and grasped tightly, pumping up and down. "Lovely Western tradition! Come, come, introduce me to your friend here, and let us go to the courtyard and have tea, shall we? Then we discuss work."
"Of course," agreed Remus smoothly, indicating to Harry. "This is the founder and CEO of Cloak & Dagger, Mr. Mostafa, Harry Houdini."
Mostafa took a second glance at Harry as they passed under an archway, pushing open two white-latticed doors, revealing a lush tropical oasis in the middle of the desert. "Houdini, eh?"
"I would like to say that it is my real name and my parents were messing with me at the time of my birth, but alas!" greeted Harry, dramatically, "I adopted the last name as my own."
"Eh, eh," agreed Mostafa, "No worries, young Houdini. Your name is not important to me-business is!"
The man indicated that Remus and Harry should sit. In the middle of the courtyard, located under a white cloth that stretched from four wooden posts, was a rectangular coffee table with silver service china presented and readied for the three men. Two comfortable pillows, on the flagstone courtyard floor, were for Remus and Harry.
"Please, sit," offered Mostafa. "We begin with mint tea. Then, business."
The head of the International Quidditch Association poured three teacups of mint tea, and offered Madeleine's as a snack. After Remus and Harry both had a sip, Mostafa nodded. "Now, I was intrigued by Mr. Lupin's incredibly vague proposal. After all, what could I, Hassan Mostafa of the International Quidditch Association, do for a company that has not yet produced anything? Perhaps, Mr. Houdini, you could elaborate?"
Harry nodded, reaching for the folio he had with him. He and Remus helped clear a small section of the table and then opened the folio. He removed several pieces of parchment and A4 paper (which had Mostafa raising his eyebrows in surprise), and then laid them out for the man to read at his leisure.
"Mr. Mostafa, please allow me to explain the idea behind Cloak & Dagger and what your position as the head of the International Quidditch Association can do for us…"
**
On June 1st, 1984, Cloak & Dagger began its first round of interviews. They were for several genius wizards and witches from all over the world.
The seven sat in the large boardroom that Harry and Remus would use to conduct massive interviews for numerous positions, as well as briefings. However, at the moment they were using it to introduce the company, give a tour, explain the wages and the secrecy oath that any and every employee at Cloak & Dagger would be required to take (from the lowliest house elf and janitor, to the senior managers working under Remus and Harry), and give a basis of the job that these scientists/experts would be performing.
"Welcome to Cloak & Dagger," greeted Harry as he swept into the boardroom, shutting the door behind him. Remus was already at one end of the oblong table, with the first, handpicked, seven that Harry and Remus were interested in:
Camilla deBurgs, a middle-aged Swedish witch who studied at Durmstrang from a prominent Pureblood family but with the "unfortunate" baggage of a half-blood son from a failed affair with the Muggle, against her parents' wishes. She also had a strange fascination with all things Muggle that put Arthur Weasley to shame…
Jonathan Randolf, a young up-and-coming Muggleborn from the States, who struggled to meet ends' due and was working two part-time positions for thankless sickles in the American government's charms division and as a caddy in a potions firm.
Yui Takasami, a brilliant and super-polite, young Asian witch with nothing less than six offers from different companies, governments, and countries who all wished to poach her talent-a talent that lay with the emerging robotics in the non-magical world and applying them to magical fields within the international-equivalents of the Auror divisions for magical warfare.
Justine Hannah, a fresh-faced Aussie with a "dubious" background of having an Aborigine grandmother on one side of her family, which had her blacklisted and refused a magical-and for a while, a non-magical-education in rural north Australia. As bitter as Jonathan Randolf, Justine was eager and spoiling for a fight and ready to show that she was talented in magic and could work.
Piers Meeker, a rather lowly government official from South Africa, had the brains and insight, as well as shrewd disposition, to see things that others could not. This elevated him to the position of a senior analyst in the South African magical government and had him sent out to numerous communities to check on magical users in non-magical environments, and pass out the necessary punishments.
Sebastian Vienelli, an elderly Italian who had retired from service in the Italian magical government's potions and herbology unit in the mid-fifties, similar to St. Mungo's in Britain. He had created several revolutionary potions for dragon pox and crup's bite until it was discovered that he was selling the potions on the black market to Muggle parents who couldn't afford the treatments for their 'mudblood' children when the hospitals refused to help the muggleborns.
And Edith Glover, a no-nonsense Welsh squib grandmother who happened to somehow be in the possession of nearly every contact in the magical - and non-magical - world. She retained friends from all over the globe, and happened to be quite the botonist, as well as well known in the non-magical world for her liberal love for herbal treatments.
Each would contribute to Harry's company, adding bits here and there until everything was put together and he had a complete picture of the company he wanted to create-a progressive, competitive, and ruthless company that shredded Pureblood tradition and tied those which suited them to non-magical modernism.
"I know that you're probably wondering why you're here, or why you were offered hotel accommodation, airfare, and transport to come for an interview to a company you had never heard of. But before I get into all that, allow me to introduce my vice-president, Remus Lupin," began Harry, pointing at Remus and sitting next to him. "I am the founder and President of Cloak & Dagger, Harry Houdini."
There was a stilted snigger from Jonathan Randolf, the Yank, and Harry grinned. "Yeah, trust me, I get that a lot.
"Anyway; as for what you're here for, well, I can't really go into much detail. But here's what I can explain, and if you're smart-which I'm sure you are-you'll pick up where I'm going with this without revealing anything."
"Harry," cautioned Remus, rolling his eyes. "You're soap-boxing."
"Right you are," agreed Harry jovially. "Let's begin.
"My private company is here to conduct research and experiments that will ultimately be released for sale purposes globally. We already have the first idea and the necessary paperwork filled out and approved from the British Ministry of Magic. Once a working proto-type is up, we'd be travelling to Saudi where Hassan Mostafa will oversee our next contact, and finally, our first customer. I'm aiming for governments or Quidditch associations."
At first, the people Harry and Remus chose to attend the interview seemed interested, if not a little amused. Now, going down Quidditch, Harry could easily see the bored, vapid expressions the women were adopting. Eager to not lose them, Harry released a little more information.
"That being said, we're not actually creating anything Qudditch-related."
Camilla, Justine, and Yui now looked up. Edith was patiently taking notes and listening to what Harry had to say, regardless.
It was time to hook them, now that he had them baited. "In fact, what our product is, is something non-magical, turned magical for practical, everyday use."
Now everyone was sitting up, attuned to listening and waiting to see where this would go. After all, they were getting a free trip out of this.
Remus took over. "You might be wondering why you're here now. Some of you are potions masters, or botanists, or herbologists. Some work with charms, and transfiguration and non-magical items. You're here because you're the best at what you do and we want you. We want your talents and your skills. Each little bit that you're good at would add to the larger picture of the foundation of Cloak & Dagger."
Piers tentatively raised his hand. "Excuse me, Mr. Lupin?" he began, in a thick South African accent, "But this product that you will be creating-is it the first of its kind? What guarantee would we have as your employees that the company would not buckle under the first year and render us out of a job?"
Remus grinned. "Excellent question, Mr. Meeker. We're private, no one has come up with this product despite it being around in the non-magical world since the 1930s, and the oaths required to work at Cloak & Dagger require complete secrecy and compliance or there would be no job."
"As for whether or not the company will buckle," continued Harry, "it won't. We've a strong financial backer, as well as Hassan Mostafa of the International Quidditch Association and all his money and contacts involved in the project. For a near sixty percent of the British population, it won't fail. And if we expand globally, we'll have an unrivalled claim to the niche market. Our plans and product are impossible to copy or duplicate, as the secrecy oaths do not allow any employees to discuss their work outside of the building to anyone. Within the building, only those within your department unless in on your current project, will know what you are working on."
"Those are pretty tight security measures," mumbled Justine, frowning. "Just what are we creating that would need such secrecy?"
Harry sighed inaudibly. He had one already onboard, without talking wages. "It's not this actual project that would require the secrecy. It's the later projects that will come once we make a name for ourselves. We'll be the premiere manufacturer for progressive, modern magical items with a non-magical twist. Integration into the magical world will take some time unless you hit the biggest consumers in the market-the Quidditch and Quadpod fans. From there, we can expand easily into the daily home. But that's this product-the rest…" Harry faltered. "They might not be to everyone's tastes, I understand that, but once you're within the company you have a right to bid and turn down projects as you see fit. Your salary would be secure."
"What salary are we talking about here?" asked Sebastian, quietly. He sat at the table with his hands folded neatly on top, wearing an expensive, tailored wizarding robe. Clearly, money wasn't an issue, but he was still curious.
"The current annual wage for a British ministry employee is under 1000 galleons. That's mid-level management within most departments. That's the equivalent to £5000, and pretty worthless to live on as an annual wage," said Remus steadily, if not a touch bitterly. "Cloak & Dagger is registered in the non-magical world because of our close ties to the British government and companies. That means, should you work for C&D, you will not only need to be knowledgeable of non-magical customs and their culture, but you would need to be able to move effortlessly between the two. That places you in a company that is predominantly in the non-magical world, but selling magical items. You would easily receive, then, a non-magical annual starting salary of £40,316.44, or 8063G.4S and 25 knuts."
There was a sudden inhale of sucked breath as the seven interviewees considered their wages. For Edith, she would be rejoining the magical community and receiving more than her retirement pension would ever pay her; for Jonathan, we would be making nearly twelve times over what he was making in his two jobs on a good day; the others were thinking similar thoughts.
Remus smiled gently. "Yes. The company does have these funds to pay you, and keep you quite happy with our projects, as well as any projects you wish to come up in your time here at Cloak & Dagger. Your ideas are our intellectual property, of course, but you do receive commissions and bonuses when they are sold."
Yui and Camilla had not added to the conversation at all, and Harry was doing his best to keep his face impassive. It was hard to sell a company, and an idea, to a carefully selected group of talented people he wanted to hire without actually telling them anything.
"Where do I sign?" asked Camilla suddenly. "I've got a son to feed and I'm not stupid enough to turn the money down. You said we can turn down any projects we don't like?"
Harry and Remus nodded. Remus even went so far as to slide the contract to Camilla, near his seat, and point out the appropriate clause within it that allowed her to make that decision.
Camilla began reading over the contract, a pen withdrawn from her purse and the cap off before she finished the first page.
The entire table was watching her, waiting for any outbursts. After a tense thirty minutes, as she carefully read over the contract twice, and asked questions about turns of phrase, which had Harry deferring to Remus, Camilla nodded.
She initialled every page, and signed the final one and dated it.
Harry smiled and stood, coming around the table to shake her hand and welcome her to company. In the meantime, there was the buffet table off to the side behind; would she care for some sandwiches and a coffee before they went on the tour?
As Harry played host, Jonathan requested a contract, as did Edith and Sebastian. Justine, Piers and Yui remained undecided, but asked to look over the contract as well.
"What length is the contract for?" asked Jonathan.
"Currently there is a probation period of three months, or until the completion of the first project with a review afterward. From then on, it's renewable each year or indefinite for however long you wish to stay with the company until you want to retire, or if we have cause to think you might harm yourself or the staff," replied Remus.
"Where would we be required to work?" queried Justine.
"In these offices, with a private office for personal work as study and research-but you also share a lab with your team members for when you need to collaborate or share information."
"Who are…?"
"You're looking at them," responded Remus.
"Who do we report to?" asked Sebatian.
"Harry and myself, but predominantly Harry. This was his idea and it's his baby," answered Remus.
"What about family? I assume we'd be required to move and not floo in?" asked Jonathan.
Remus nodded. "We'll help you find housing, pay the down payment or first months' rent on a place of your choosing and help settle any moving costs for your family. We can't go as far as get them jobs too, unless they have something we can use within Cloak & Dagger, but we can send them to the right contacts in the right places that can help them with employment or schooling."
Jonathan signed, stood, and joined Harry and Camilla on the far side of the room.
Edith nodded in places and as she and Sebastian, the eldest in the room, began a low murmur of conversation and discussing their work as well as the contract, Remus watched with a careful eye as they signed their contracts.
Justine bit her lip, and making a firm internal decision, signed her contract as well. Only Yui and Piers remained undecided.
"Are there any questions you would like answered?" asked Remus, moving to sit near the two, who remained at the large table while everyone else got drinks and snacks.
"I do not like not knowing what we'd be producing," admitted Piers, grudgingly. "I'm tired of following blind orders."
"You can always turn this down," replied Remus steadily. "You don't have to take the job if it's not sitting right with you-both Harry and I would understand that. As for the product, I can completely assure you other than possibly making wizards lazier than they are now, it won't actually harm them."
"Swear it?" asked Piers, eyeing Remus.
"On my magic," he agreed, raising his wand. There was a flash of brilliant light that startled the other occupants in the room and which ceased their conversation.
Yui and Piers signed.
Harry shared a grin with Remus, clapped his hands for attention just like he used to when he was fifteen and leading the Defence Association, and smiled. "Now that's all out of the way, let me show you Cloak & Dagger. Despite it's rather ominous name, I promise we're not really that bad. In fact, I can now tell you that our first product is actually a magical version of a television…"
"Are you fucking serious?" blurted Jonathan, mouth dropping open.
Harry displayed a wide, toothy smile. "Scarily so, Mr. Randolf, but not all the time. In this case, we're catering to the Quidditch fans to get a strong basis of the Ministry never over-ruling our product. And justthink of the revenue it will generate… as well as the monopoly we'll have on studio space, and television shows and acting schools…"
As Harry got caught up in his daydream of pulling the wizarding world into the future, the rest of his new employees, save Remus, began to see the extent of Harry's dreams. And slowly, they too, realised that if they stuck with him, they could be a part of something that would change the world-or, alternatively, if they were young and ambitious, they realised that they would have a huge share in the market of creating the one-and-only items that Harry was hinting towards, as well as the prestige.
They didn't know it, but those first seven employees would be Harry's cornerstone in the niche market he was hoping for, as well as some of the brightest and most talented people he would ever find.
With their help, Cloak & Dagger was going to be on the map and bigger than even Harry envisioned. But first…
"Um, boss?" asked Jonathan, the young American, still spotty, broke into everyone's daydreams. "How 'bout instead of taking us on this tour, you show us where the toilets are, yeah?"
**
Next...
Part One, B
Part One, A
**London. December, 1983.
Harry never had to question Remus's loyalty. Years upon years of being removed from his friends and 'pack' left the man vulnerable to outside influences, but with Harry making contact with the remaining Marauder, Remus was able to suppress outside influence and easily consider what Harry told him of his journey to the past, as well as show him the file that his employer had delivered to Harry before that fateful evening in Wales.
After reading the file, Remus was ready to let Moony out to have some fun, but Harry sat him down and explained what he wanted to do-and while it meant leaving Harry-little-him with the Dursley's for the time being, and letting Sirius remain in Azkaban, it might possibly help them win the war in the future.
Remus, although he didn't always like the methods Harry was willing to take to get what he wanted (Dumbledore's "Greater Good" and the adage, "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions," sprang to mind immediately), the werewolf agreed to the rest-and having a steady job with annual income as well as time off during the full moon from an employer who knew what he was, was an added bonus.
The first thing the two wizards did was travel to Harry's warehouse.
The second was to debate the company name. Finally, despite already being registered, Harry changed the temporary name of the company to the new one: Cloak & Dagger.
Thirdly, he and Remus devised a plan to cultivate the little, precious money Harry had left and how to employ loyal workers who would do what Harry was going to ask them to do.
In the end, it was Remus would found a solution to the third problem. And the solution was named Artemis O'Donnell, an incredibly old and decrepit wizard who never left his rather large and intimidating estate in Ireland, who had no children, no mistresses, no issue of any kind and a very strange relationship with old, first edition classics.
Remus knew of him through several old contacts when he was working as an antiquity dealer a year previous, and had delivered several first edition novels to the old wizard. The wizard took a liking to him, and they kept in touch even after Remus was made redundant.
"And how exactly is he going to help us?" questioned Harry sceptically.
"You'll see," answered Remus, settling to explain. Harry remained sceptical, but the werewolf was optimistic. He went to see Artemis on a Wednesday morning and came back Saturday, ecstatic.
"O'Donnell is in. He'll want to meet you, but he thinks your idea if a good one, and is willing to finance us. He also updated his will to make you and Cloak & Dagger the sole inheritor," he explained on his return.
Needless to say, Harry was impressed.
The next day, he and Remus used a Port-Key to Ireland, and then Apparated to O'Donnell's estate. The man, stuck permanently in a levitated chair, greeted them at the front door with a house elf beside him.
"Mr. Potter, I presume?" the man asked in a scratchy, gravely voice, full still of an Irish lit that reminded Harry of Seamus Finnegan.
"Hello, Mr. O'Donnell, sir," greeted Harry, reaching for the stretched and feeble hand of the decrepit wizard.
The two shook hands briefly, and O'Donnell led the two to his library. Once they were settled in rather comfy armchairs, with O'Donnell near the fireplace, the Irishman asked Harry to explain.
"I'd sure Remus has already briefed you on what happened to me in the future," began Harry, questioningly.
"Yes," said O'Donnell, inclining his head.
Harry nodded. "Good-but as he doesn't know yet all of my plan, I might as well share it with the two of you. First, we need to go back to the future.
"The wizarding world didn't change once I defeated Voldemort for good. At all. In fact, I would say it almost fell into blind disregard of the past twenty-five years of guerrilla warfare that we engaged in. Once Voldemort was defeated, I'm sure that a few of us thought that Muggleborns would be given the same opportunities as Purebloods in the Ministry-that there wouldn't be fake trials or Death Eaters buying their way out of Az.
"That didn't happen. One of my supposed best mates, Ron Weasley, ignored the way that Muggleborns lived before Hogwarts-and yet he was courting one of the smartest Muggleborn witches that ever lived. Despite coming from a blood traitor family, where his father worked in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts department in the Ministry, they all considered Muggles to be below them. They didn't understand how they lived, or worked, or got by without magic. A life without magic was inconceivable to them, just like for most Muggleborns life with magic before their Hogwarts letters."
"Where are you going with this, Mr. Potter?" asked O'Donnell, frowning. He was from an old, Pureblood line.
"Could you explain to me, sir, where the Wireless came from?" asked Harry, nodding at the old-fashioned brown box that sat on the fireplace mantle.
O'Donnell turned, stared at the music box, and contemplated. Then, he realised. "Oh, very good, Mr. Potter. Very good."
"What?" asked Remus, glancing back and forth between the three objects.
Harry glanced at Remus. "Did you think the Wireless was a magical device first, Remus?"
"No…"
"Exactly. Wizards took a non-magical device and changed it, utilising its properties to suit their needs. So why did they stop there? A wireless radio has been around since the turn of the twentieth century in the non-magical world. The TV has been around since about ten years after the radio," explained Harry patiently, reaching into his miniscule non-magical education to present the facts. "Why didn't wizards utilise the wide-reaching expanse of television? Why stop at the radio? Why still use candles when you've already changed and mutated something that ran on electricity to run in a magical environment?Why not push it further?"
"You're talking about… about non-magical technology?" asked Remus, hesitantly.
O'Donnell shook his head. "Only a little, Remus. I think Potter here is talking about something larger. Otherwise he wouldn't need my financial backing on this."
"Pretty much," agreed Harry. "Ideally, I want to bring the wizarding world into the twenty-first century." (He ignored Remus stating that unlike him, they were still living in the twentieth) "Let's capitalise on what the other wizards failed to push forward. And then expand."
"You'll have a good, strong base with the Muggleborns," agreed O'Donnell, cackling. "But you won't win the Purebloods."
Harry shook his head. "I won't need to win the Purebloods," he began cryptically, "And as for the Muggleborns-a census was done in my time in the future, the same year that I disappeared from. How many Muggleborns do you think there are to a Pureblood, or Half-blood?"
Remus shrugged, as did O'Donnell, coughing into his hand.
"The ratio is nearly 6:1," stated Harry. "Hermione figured that out. For every six Muggleborns, or non-magically raised, there is only one magically-raised or Pureblood.
"But let's simplify. In my year alone, the magically raised were Ron Weasley, Parvati and Padma Patil, Neville Longbottom, Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, Pansy Parkinson, Theodore Nott, Millicent Bulstrode, Daphne Greengrass, Blaise Zabini, Susan Bones, Zacharias Smith, Ernie MacMillan, Stephen Cornfoot, Su Li, and Morag MacDougal. That's eighteen.
"And for those of use muggle-raised? Myself, Hermione Granger, Lavender Brown, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnegan, Tracey Davis, Hannah Abbott, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Wayne Hopkins, Megan Jones, Terry Boot, Mandy Brocklehurst, Kevin Entwhistle, Anthony Goldstein and Lisa Turpin. That's fifteen."
"And the magical-raised are more than the non-magical raised," stated Remus. "So?"
"Yeah, but some the magical raised are half-bloods. Meaning that they'd know how to hide and exist in the non-magical world. Those are Bulstrode, Cornfoot, Susan Bones, Smith and Li. Change the numbers: thirteen to twenty. Sixty-five percent are muggle-raised or can exist in a non-magical environment."
"That is a good number, but not definite," agreed O'Donnell carefully. "So where are you going with this, Potter?"
"How many are Quidditch fans?"
"Excuse me?" asked O'Donnell, clearly thrown but the new topic of the conversation.
"How many wizards and witches in the United Kingdom are Quidditch fans? Imagine-you don't have the Galleons to see a match. It's your favourite team and they're in the play-offs. You could listen to the match on your Wireless set-but why, when you have a television set instead where you can watch the matches like you're actually there?"
"Are you suggesting that, like the Wireless, the company does the same to a television set?" questioned Remus, almost sceptically.
"Yes," agreed Harry, nodding solemnly. "And after that, to cameras to film the matches; then to computer units, and phones, and expand from there."
"Let's say it could be done," argued Remus, sensibly. "There is still the legal issue of getting around the Ministry of Magic and their 'enchanting' non-magical items."
O'Donnell agreed. "How would you get around that law?"
"The same way the Wireless got around it. The WWN has been around for the same amount of time as the non-magical radio. If they can enchant it and have the Ministry approve it, then we can do the same to a television set," explained Harry, crossing his arms and leaning back in the armchair. "All we have to do is get the Quidditch fanatics on our side. The manager of Puddlemere would be a coup-think about the influence and money that they have. If they're interested in a television that will broadcast their matches to their fans who are part of the club's fanbase, but unable to get tickets… who loses?"
"It's a gamble," murmured Remus, scratching his chin. "But it could work."
"And where would you go from there? Why television?" asked O'Donnell.
Harry grinned, viciously. "Because in 1994, Hogwarts will host the Tri-Wizard tournament. And wouldn't that be a lovely way to introduce Voldemort back to the magical world, caught on camera and everyone unable to dispute it?"
"Oh," said Remus, eyes wide.
"Oh," echoed Harry back, darkly.
**
"But that's only one aspect," argued Remus a week later, as he and Harry sat down in their run-down office in the warehouse. "Television. We'd need cameras, and cables, and a way to broadcast it, and a studio to film things as well."
"Sure, this is why we have a large warehouse. We'll need another for other things, though," muttered Harry, flipping through various Ministry papers that would require him to fill them out before he enchanted anything. "And we'll need a greenhouse for plants, and a pretty sturdy lab for some other experiments, and offices to hold meetings and interviews, and a hell of a lot of loyal employees who won't jump ship at competitors."
"Competitors!" gapped Remus, "I hadn't even thought of any to Cloak & Dagger."
"That's because there won't be any for about a decade. Not at least until mini-Harry-me goes to Hogwarts. Essentially, I want to remain a private company that will mass-produce our goods once we perfect them and sell them in exclusive contracts and rights to the Ministry and the International Quidditch Association. We get them on our side, globally, and we're set."
Harry frowned. "Remus, do you still have those lists of the people involved in the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers? And the Society for the Support of Squibs? What better workers than those who others ignore?"
Remus sighed and passed the lists over from his own folder. "Well, if we're going to start hiring people, we're going to need offices that look pretty swanky and an idea of how we're going to keep them loyal to us without spilling secrets. As well as working out wages."
Harry looked up. "What the hell do you think I'm trying to do now, Moony? C'mon, let's start with Hassan Mostafa, from the Association. I'm thinking he'd be mighty interested in what we have to offer…"
It took Remus and Harry nearly four months into 1984 to get the company fully up and running, as well as set up numerous meetings with Mostafa. At first, Remus and Harry used O'Donnell's money to locate a rather nice plot of land in southern, rural England that had a view of the Channel. There, they purpose-built a four-storey office building, with an attached laboratory, greenhouses, and what Harry hoped to never use, a training and lab centre for an small army.
But once Remus and Harry, with O'Donnell's help, finalised their schematics for the television studio (which would remain in London), they decided to broach the IQA's head.
"You can't use your name though," argued Remus, from Harry's left as they sat in first class on an Air Emirates flight to Dubai.
"Why not?" asked Harry, affronted. He quite liked his name.
Remus glanced at him, askance. "Well, it's not like it's well known or anything, Harry."
"I booked the flight under Potter!" he argued back.
"In the non-magical world, sure," agreed Remus, whispering. "But in ours?"
Harry huffed. "Fine." He pouted a bit, but then a light blossomed in his eyes and Remus glanced at his best friends' son in worry.
"I don't like that look. I really don't like that look-James would get that look."
"Why, I have a new name to use! Perfect as the CEO of Cloak & Dagger, as well!"
Remus swallowed. "Which is?"
Harry grinned. "I'll be known as Harry Houdini, the greatest illusionist and magician there ever was! Perfect!"
Remus twitched. Despite not growing up under James and Sirius's rather watchful and influential eyes, Harry Potter had strangely, as a young man, managed to turn out exactly how Sirius and James would've wanted him to. Remus was utterly terrified.
**
Dubai was blisteringly warm and dry as the two stepped out of the air-conditioned airport. A sunglass-wearing, Armani-suited man was waiting for them beside a Lexus, holding the car door open as he ushered them in.
"Mr. Lupin?" he queried.
Remus nodded and offered Harry to go in first. The plush interior soothed Harry and Remus's jetlag, but both were eager to meet with Mostafa and begin negotiations. Winning his endorsement would seal the company's fate.
The building that hosted the IQA's head was elaborate, exotic, and exquisite. It was a typical stucco building, with many Arabic influences in the structure and architecture, but inside was typical wizard: larger than the outside, items floating or completing tasks without human hands, moving pictures (mainly of Quidditch).
"Ah, Mr. Lupin! Welcome, welcome," boomed a man from across the room. He was skinny, rather tall and weedy looking, and sported a fetching moustache.
"Hassan Mostafa, I presume?" asked Remus dryly, holding out a hand to shake.
The man reached forward and grasped tightly, pumping up and down. "Lovely Western tradition! Come, come, introduce me to your friend here, and let us go to the courtyard and have tea, shall we? Then we discuss work."
"Of course," agreed Remus smoothly, indicating to Harry. "This is the founder and CEO of Cloak & Dagger, Mr. Mostafa, Harry Houdini."
Mostafa took a second glance at Harry as they passed under an archway, pushing open two white-latticed doors, revealing a lush tropical oasis in the middle of the desert. "Houdini, eh?"
"I would like to say that it is my real name and my parents were messing with me at the time of my birth, but alas!" greeted Harry, dramatically, "I adopted the last name as my own."
"Eh, eh," agreed Mostafa, "No worries, young Houdini. Your name is not important to me-business is!"
The man indicated that Remus and Harry should sit. In the middle of the courtyard, located under a white cloth that stretched from four wooden posts, was a rectangular coffee table with silver service china presented and readied for the three men. Two comfortable pillows, on the flagstone courtyard floor, were for Remus and Harry.
"Please, sit," offered Mostafa. "We begin with mint tea. Then, business."
The head of the International Quidditch Association poured three teacups of mint tea, and offered Madeleine's as a snack. After Remus and Harry both had a sip, Mostafa nodded. "Now, I was intrigued by Mr. Lupin's incredibly vague proposal. After all, what could I, Hassan Mostafa of the International Quidditch Association, do for a company that has not yet produced anything? Perhaps, Mr. Houdini, you could elaborate?"
Harry nodded, reaching for the folio he had with him. He and Remus helped clear a small section of the table and then opened the folio. He removed several pieces of parchment and A4 paper (which had Mostafa raising his eyebrows in surprise), and then laid them out for the man to read at his leisure.
"Mr. Mostafa, please allow me to explain the idea behind Cloak & Dagger and what your position as the head of the International Quidditch Association can do for us…"
**
On June 1st, 1984, Cloak & Dagger began its first round of interviews. They were for several genius wizards and witches from all over the world.
The seven sat in the large boardroom that Harry and Remus would use to conduct massive interviews for numerous positions, as well as briefings. However, at the moment they were using it to introduce the company, give a tour, explain the wages and the secrecy oath that any and every employee at Cloak & Dagger would be required to take (from the lowliest house elf and janitor, to the senior managers working under Remus and Harry), and give a basis of the job that these scientists/experts would be performing.
"Welcome to Cloak & Dagger," greeted Harry as he swept into the boardroom, shutting the door behind him. Remus was already at one end of the oblong table, with the first, handpicked, seven that Harry and Remus were interested in:
Camilla deBurgs, a middle-aged Swedish witch who studied at Durmstrang from a prominent Pureblood family but with the "unfortunate" baggage of a half-blood son from a failed affair with the Muggle, against her parents' wishes. She also had a strange fascination with all things Muggle that put Arthur Weasley to shame…
Jonathan Randolf, a young up-and-coming Muggleborn from the States, who struggled to meet ends' due and was working two part-time positions for thankless sickles in the American government's charms division and as a caddy in a potions firm.
Yui Takasami, a brilliant and super-polite, young Asian witch with nothing less than six offers from different companies, governments, and countries who all wished to poach her talent-a talent that lay with the emerging robotics in the non-magical world and applying them to magical fields within the international-equivalents of the Auror divisions for magical warfare.
Justine Hannah, a fresh-faced Aussie with a "dubious" background of having an Aborigine grandmother on one side of her family, which had her blacklisted and refused a magical-and for a while, a non-magical-education in rural north Australia. As bitter as Jonathan Randolf, Justine was eager and spoiling for a fight and ready to show that she was talented in magic and could work.
Piers Meeker, a rather lowly government official from South Africa, had the brains and insight, as well as shrewd disposition, to see things that others could not. This elevated him to the position of a senior analyst in the South African magical government and had him sent out to numerous communities to check on magical users in non-magical environments, and pass out the necessary punishments.
Sebastian Vienelli, an elderly Italian who had retired from service in the Italian magical government's potions and herbology unit in the mid-fifties, similar to St. Mungo's in Britain. He had created several revolutionary potions for dragon pox and crup's bite until it was discovered that he was selling the potions on the black market to Muggle parents who couldn't afford the treatments for their 'mudblood' children when the hospitals refused to help the muggleborns.
And Edith Glover, a no-nonsense Welsh squib grandmother who happened to somehow be in the possession of nearly every contact in the magical - and non-magical - world. She retained friends from all over the globe, and happened to be quite the botonist, as well as well known in the non-magical world for her liberal love for herbal treatments.
Each would contribute to Harry's company, adding bits here and there until everything was put together and he had a complete picture of the company he wanted to create-a progressive, competitive, and ruthless company that shredded Pureblood tradition and tied those which suited them to non-magical modernism.
"I know that you're probably wondering why you're here, or why you were offered hotel accommodation, airfare, and transport to come for an interview to a company you had never heard of. But before I get into all that, allow me to introduce my vice-president, Remus Lupin," began Harry, pointing at Remus and sitting next to him. "I am the founder and President of Cloak & Dagger, Harry Houdini."
There was a stilted snigger from Jonathan Randolf, the Yank, and Harry grinned. "Yeah, trust me, I get that a lot.
"Anyway; as for what you're here for, well, I can't really go into much detail. But here's what I can explain, and if you're smart-which I'm sure you are-you'll pick up where I'm going with this without revealing anything."
"Harry," cautioned Remus, rolling his eyes. "You're soap-boxing."
"Right you are," agreed Harry jovially. "Let's begin.
"My private company is here to conduct research and experiments that will ultimately be released for sale purposes globally. We already have the first idea and the necessary paperwork filled out and approved from the British Ministry of Magic. Once a working proto-type is up, we'd be travelling to Saudi where Hassan Mostafa will oversee our next contact, and finally, our first customer. I'm aiming for governments or Quidditch associations."
At first, the people Harry and Remus chose to attend the interview seemed interested, if not a little amused. Now, going down Quidditch, Harry could easily see the bored, vapid expressions the women were adopting. Eager to not lose them, Harry released a little more information.
"That being said, we're not actually creating anything Qudditch-related."
Camilla, Justine, and Yui now looked up. Edith was patiently taking notes and listening to what Harry had to say, regardless.
It was time to hook them, now that he had them baited. "In fact, what our product is, is something non-magical, turned magical for practical, everyday use."
Now everyone was sitting up, attuned to listening and waiting to see where this would go. After all, they were getting a free trip out of this.
Remus took over. "You might be wondering why you're here now. Some of you are potions masters, or botanists, or herbologists. Some work with charms, and transfiguration and non-magical items. You're here because you're the best at what you do and we want you. We want your talents and your skills. Each little bit that you're good at would add to the larger picture of the foundation of Cloak & Dagger."
Piers tentatively raised his hand. "Excuse me, Mr. Lupin?" he began, in a thick South African accent, "But this product that you will be creating-is it the first of its kind? What guarantee would we have as your employees that the company would not buckle under the first year and render us out of a job?"
Remus grinned. "Excellent question, Mr. Meeker. We're private, no one has come up with this product despite it being around in the non-magical world since the 1930s, and the oaths required to work at Cloak & Dagger require complete secrecy and compliance or there would be no job."
"As for whether or not the company will buckle," continued Harry, "it won't. We've a strong financial backer, as well as Hassan Mostafa of the International Quidditch Association and all his money and contacts involved in the project. For a near sixty percent of the British population, it won't fail. And if we expand globally, we'll have an unrivalled claim to the niche market. Our plans and product are impossible to copy or duplicate, as the secrecy oaths do not allow any employees to discuss their work outside of the building to anyone. Within the building, only those within your department unless in on your current project, will know what you are working on."
"Those are pretty tight security measures," mumbled Justine, frowning. "Just what are we creating that would need such secrecy?"
Harry sighed inaudibly. He had one already onboard, without talking wages. "It's not this actual project that would require the secrecy. It's the later projects that will come once we make a name for ourselves. We'll be the premiere manufacturer for progressive, modern magical items with a non-magical twist. Integration into the magical world will take some time unless you hit the biggest consumers in the market-the Quidditch and Quadpod fans. From there, we can expand easily into the daily home. But that's this product-the rest…" Harry faltered. "They might not be to everyone's tastes, I understand that, but once you're within the company you have a right to bid and turn down projects as you see fit. Your salary would be secure."
"What salary are we talking about here?" asked Sebastian, quietly. He sat at the table with his hands folded neatly on top, wearing an expensive, tailored wizarding robe. Clearly, money wasn't an issue, but he was still curious.
"The current annual wage for a British ministry employee is under 1000 galleons. That's mid-level management within most departments. That's the equivalent to £5000, and pretty worthless to live on as an annual wage," said Remus steadily, if not a touch bitterly. "Cloak & Dagger is registered in the non-magical world because of our close ties to the British government and companies. That means, should you work for C&D, you will not only need to be knowledgeable of non-magical customs and their culture, but you would need to be able to move effortlessly between the two. That places you in a company that is predominantly in the non-magical world, but selling magical items. You would easily receive, then, a non-magical annual starting salary of £40,316.44, or 8063G.4S and 25 knuts."
There was a sudden inhale of sucked breath as the seven interviewees considered their wages. For Edith, she would be rejoining the magical community and receiving more than her retirement pension would ever pay her; for Jonathan, we would be making nearly twelve times over what he was making in his two jobs on a good day; the others were thinking similar thoughts.
Remus smiled gently. "Yes. The company does have these funds to pay you, and keep you quite happy with our projects, as well as any projects you wish to come up in your time here at Cloak & Dagger. Your ideas are our intellectual property, of course, but you do receive commissions and bonuses when they are sold."
Yui and Camilla had not added to the conversation at all, and Harry was doing his best to keep his face impassive. It was hard to sell a company, and an idea, to a carefully selected group of talented people he wanted to hire without actually telling them anything.
"Where do I sign?" asked Camilla suddenly. "I've got a son to feed and I'm not stupid enough to turn the money down. You said we can turn down any projects we don't like?"
Harry and Remus nodded. Remus even went so far as to slide the contract to Camilla, near his seat, and point out the appropriate clause within it that allowed her to make that decision.
Camilla began reading over the contract, a pen withdrawn from her purse and the cap off before she finished the first page.
The entire table was watching her, waiting for any outbursts. After a tense thirty minutes, as she carefully read over the contract twice, and asked questions about turns of phrase, which had Harry deferring to Remus, Camilla nodded.
She initialled every page, and signed the final one and dated it.
Harry smiled and stood, coming around the table to shake her hand and welcome her to company. In the meantime, there was the buffet table off to the side behind; would she care for some sandwiches and a coffee before they went on the tour?
As Harry played host, Jonathan requested a contract, as did Edith and Sebastian. Justine, Piers and Yui remained undecided, but asked to look over the contract as well.
"What length is the contract for?" asked Jonathan.
"Currently there is a probation period of three months, or until the completion of the first project with a review afterward. From then on, it's renewable each year or indefinite for however long you wish to stay with the company until you want to retire, or if we have cause to think you might harm yourself or the staff," replied Remus.
"Where would we be required to work?" queried Justine.
"In these offices, with a private office for personal work as study and research-but you also share a lab with your team members for when you need to collaborate or share information."
"Who are…?"
"You're looking at them," responded Remus.
"Who do we report to?" asked Sebatian.
"Harry and myself, but predominantly Harry. This was his idea and it's his baby," answered Remus.
"What about family? I assume we'd be required to move and not floo in?" asked Jonathan.
Remus nodded. "We'll help you find housing, pay the down payment or first months' rent on a place of your choosing and help settle any moving costs for your family. We can't go as far as get them jobs too, unless they have something we can use within Cloak & Dagger, but we can send them to the right contacts in the right places that can help them with employment or schooling."
Jonathan signed, stood, and joined Harry and Camilla on the far side of the room.
Edith nodded in places and as she and Sebastian, the eldest in the room, began a low murmur of conversation and discussing their work as well as the contract, Remus watched with a careful eye as they signed their contracts.
Justine bit her lip, and making a firm internal decision, signed her contract as well. Only Yui and Piers remained undecided.
"Are there any questions you would like answered?" asked Remus, moving to sit near the two, who remained at the large table while everyone else got drinks and snacks.
"I do not like not knowing what we'd be producing," admitted Piers, grudgingly. "I'm tired of following blind orders."
"You can always turn this down," replied Remus steadily. "You don't have to take the job if it's not sitting right with you-both Harry and I would understand that. As for the product, I can completely assure you other than possibly making wizards lazier than they are now, it won't actually harm them."
"Swear it?" asked Piers, eyeing Remus.
"On my magic," he agreed, raising his wand. There was a flash of brilliant light that startled the other occupants in the room and which ceased their conversation.
Yui and Piers signed.
Harry shared a grin with Remus, clapped his hands for attention just like he used to when he was fifteen and leading the Defence Association, and smiled. "Now that's all out of the way, let me show you Cloak & Dagger. Despite it's rather ominous name, I promise we're not really that bad. In fact, I can now tell you that our first product is actually a magical version of a television…"
"Are you fucking serious?" blurted Jonathan, mouth dropping open.
Harry displayed a wide, toothy smile. "Scarily so, Mr. Randolf, but not all the time. In this case, we're catering to the Quidditch fans to get a strong basis of the Ministry never over-ruling our product. And justthink of the revenue it will generate… as well as the monopoly we'll have on studio space, and television shows and acting schools…"
As Harry got caught up in his daydream of pulling the wizarding world into the future, the rest of his new employees, save Remus, began to see the extent of Harry's dreams. And slowly, they too, realised that if they stuck with him, they could be a part of something that would change the world-or, alternatively, if they were young and ambitious, they realised that they would have a huge share in the market of creating the one-and-only items that Harry was hinting towards, as well as the prestige.
They didn't know it, but those first seven employees would be Harry's cornerstone in the niche market he was hoping for, as well as some of the brightest and most talented people he would ever find.
With their help, Cloak & Dagger was going to be on the map and bigger than even Harry envisioned. But first…
"Um, boss?" asked Jonathan, the young American, still spotty, broke into everyone's daydreams. "How 'bout instead of taking us on this tour, you show us where the toilets are, yeah?"
**
Next...