Werewolf's business

"I'm bored. Don't you guys have anything to do when you're bored at Hogwarts?"

Ron and Neville looked up from their game of Exploding Snap, that none of them knew who's winning because it was better than Wizard's chess where Neville would lose instantaneously, but before either could answer him Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan came sit around the Gryffindor table, way before the human tide that's the student body rushing in chatting about what they just witnessed.

"I'd say Quidditch, but you all just didn't bother coming see the match between Hogwarts and Durmstrang."

"And not to mention how the pitch is out of comission now that the match's ended."

Ron turned to Dean after placing his card. "Did you win?" 

"Nah, our school won. Though, you guessed it, Krum got the snitch."

After all, Dean Thomas was the substitute chaser of Durmstrang team. Both Ron and Neville whistled before doing some sort of secret handshake to celebrate Cedric's win against Viktor Krum. Not only was Ron really loyal to his school's representative's seeker, but he was still mad at his athlete crush for having gone to Yule Ball with his self-claimed nemesis, Hermione Granger.

Harry could have snort of the absurdity but instead, he answered the two dorm mates of his friends' inquiries.

"I knew about the results. I mean, Cedric literally just selected the best of the best for teamplay, with most of them being sixth years on top of it. McLaggen as keeper, Pucey, Warrington and Davies as chasers, only the two beaters were chosen because both were seventh years and just wanted to prove themselves before graduating. The opponant? Malfoy that got hit by his own beater's bludger in the previous match, his enimity with Gin, and his lack of team spirtit with the last chaser. Thankfully, they had a change of player with Dean here, but Beaux Bâtons team were crushing Durmstrang if I was not beaten by Krum's large stature."

"True," Seamus agreed easily before turning to the ginger of the lot "Ron, you better watch out next year for tryouts. McLaggen won't be letting you easy just because you've been chosen as Beaux Bâtons' keeper thanks to your relation with Harry."

Dean went to their dorm mate's defenses. "Yeah, but Ron had already played with most of the Gryffindor team whereas McLaggen played with other houses."

"But mostly, Ron needed to focus on training for the last match, that'll put him against McLaggen."

"You guys are mean, can't you just encourage Ron like what friends do?" Harry stopped the three boys in teasing his best mate.

"That's how we always treated each other. You wouldn't understand being from France."

Well, Harry can't really argue against that, now, can he?

"Anyway, something to enjoy oneself when they're done with all the homeworks, for once, that not future match or event are in expected?"

"I like to propose the duelling club, but after the disaster with Lockhart, I doubt we could convince any professor to reinstall it."

"Especially not with Snape."

"Snape would say no just to spite us for being from Gryffindor house."

Harry raised a brow. "Does he still treat the students unfairly for anyone not from Slytherin house?"

"Well, no more unfairly than Crabbe and Goyle who must be a special case od Slytherin, and he did not take points just because we breathed the wrong way, but he does have some sort of personal grudge against Neville. He's coming after our mate relentlessly, who can only pass today's lesson thanks to Granger."

"Really?"

Not that Harry doubted their words, not when Neville's ears went so red, but he did not have any recollections of such case. Maybe, because he was too busy to check any steps of Crabbe and Goyle before either of the two blow the classroom if Harry ever took his eyes out from them.

And now that's pointed out, Harry can now recall how professor Snape also ruined the precious moment Neville had with his parents who turned up during the ball with Luna. Harry needed to have a few words with the man.

"So, no duelling club. I'd say vigilance constant like that former auror we got as dada teacher last year, but then, I'm not sure I won't be lynched by the whole of Hogwarts for reminding such traumatic year."

"Urh, don't remind me. He came just after the scam that was Lockhart, you can't have more dichotomy between them."

"Maybe play with the cratures like you usually do?"

"What do you think I stayed there after deciding not to attend the Quidditch match? Dad forbid me to even get close to the Magical Creature Reserve for today."

"Go study in the library to improve your alchemistry?"

Neville laughed nervously when both Harry and Ron glared at him. One, because he just said he was done with the homeworks and the second, because it reminded him of a certain someone that he really did not want to think about during his free time.

"I have some comics in my trucks, if you ever interested?"

Harry blinked at Dean before an idea popped out of his head.

"Right, you're great with a pen, aren't you? Don't you also know those Asian comics, the mango?"

"Mango? Isn't that a fruit?" Ron pointed out.

"Well, no, it's also a Japanese word for comics."

"Oh, I think you meant manga," Dean helpfully corrected him.

"Dear, oh dear, I hope I wasn't being hurtful, I didn't mean to mangle Japanese culture and their words."

"Well, I think it's not too serious, people tended to do mistake with foreign terms. But to answer you, I do read manga from time to time, never tried to draw one, though. Looks challenging."

"Right, comics in itself is challenging. But your drawings are really something, ever ask mr. Filch about getting an art doctorate?"

The four boys gaped at him, his friends definitely forgetting about their Exploding Snap game. Dean recovered first because he was still asked a question.

"Uh, no, should I?"

"Duh. If anyone knew more about arts, it would be Mr. Filch, he's literally the restorator works of arts of the school. Why do you think he asked the headmaster to remind students to not do magic in the corridors? To not damage any work of arts Hogwarts hold, some for centuries, as he will be the one to deal with it."

He was met with four pairs of numb eyes.

"You never wondered why he was hired as Hogwarts staff while not being wizard like us?"

"Wasn't it because professor Dumbledore pitied him and gave him a place where he thought he belonged being born with inactive magic genes?"

"No! Do you really think that Hogwarts needs a non-magical caretaker? Any professor could be see as caretaker! Mr. Filch got the position because of his knowledges in arts! So were the previous caretaker, though I have to admit some used their autority in some unadvisable ways. And how do you think he knew about some of the secret passages? Not thanks to the map, it only open for those who had the password! He was told by all the portraits he helped restored, of course!"

As Dean and Seamus were marvelling at the existences of theses famous secret passages, Ron and Neville exchanged an enlighten look in recognizing the Marauder's map in the Weasley twins' possession that even them didn't know about the passwords as they were not part of the secret. Neither was Harry, for that matter, not that he cared even less after the fight he got with Sirius.

"Well, we had no idea. Guess, Filch did have his usefulness."

"As I said. And how surprising, you know nothing about this, all the staff knew, any of them could have told you. Wonder how Hogwarts' known to be the best magic school when you didn't learn anything."

An awkward silence settled as Harry's harsh critic. None could even say anything because they had no idea what's studying at another magical school was and they were not raised at Hogwarts like Harry was.

"Well, what I learn from the manga, Slam Dunk especially, is that when the students wanted to enjoy themselves, they go to the arcade room. Unfortunately, there's no such thing here and even the closest would be the trip to Hogsmeade, that are already very scarced."

"Dean, mate, you're onto something! How about we just create our own arcade room?"

Before any of the boys could answer Harry, the game of Exploding Snap just did his job and explode under Neville's nose, knocking him unconscious.

 

"So, as I'm saying, we should create an arcade room just next to the Hospital Wing so those waiting for the injured could at least distract their thoughts because brooding won't help the healing faster. At the very best, people should learn basic healing spells, we're wizards after all. If we can destroy, we can also create."

The three remaining fourth years Gryffindor were watching Harry without actually seeing him, whether they were brooding as he was saying or thinking what he said was anyone's guess.

"Any electronic devices doesn't work inside the school, because of the magical charm of protection."

"I know. I just said that we're wizards, we can create those arcade games, muggle inspired, with magic!"

Both Dean and Seamus finally lightened up while Ron became even more confused.

"Hang on, what even are arcades?"

Harry smiled at his best mate before turning to the muggle knowing boys. "Do you guys knew any other muggle raised? We need more braincells in this project so we could cover a large area of customers!"

"We're going to turn it into a business?!" Dean looked shocked.

"Nah, it's a figure of style! Customers as in people that could be interested to distract their mind while in the waiting area! Now, let's get moving! We had to at least make something before Nev's up!"

Despite his words, Harry was definitely acting like a businessman in this instant. So, leaving Ron waiting for their friend getting consciousness, Harry followed the two boys looking for the muggleborn and raised they knew.

First, Hermione Granger because that girl could not let it sleep that she's a proud and clever muggleborn. Then, Justin Finch-Fletcher who looked at Harry with wide eyes ever since knowing he was a werewolf. Kevin Entwhistle from the Ravenclaw and the Crivey brothers, because no one could forget them. Harry also involved the twins because their father was a fanatic of muggle artefacts and because Beaux Bâtons was a free space that mixed both worlds as easily as they mixed nine nationalities.

"OK, everyone got the gist, so shot up all the arcade games you know so we could turn it playable inside Hogwarts. With magic, of course!"

Like in class, Hermione Granger was the first one to raise her hand and say something.

"Well, since we're not putting money into, I suggest we implant slot machines where instead of money people get to put their own knowledges and get another new spells, mnemotechnics to study or even a history anecdotes in exchange!"

The twins whistled.

"Slot machine? You're what? 14?"

"Muggle sure are the gamblers!"

Both Harry and Hermione glared at them with distaste and answered at the same time.

"I'm 15."

"She just said not using money! Learn to listen! But that's a great idea, Granger! People should always aim to learn new things everyday!"

"Thank you, you can call me Hermione, you know."

"No offence, but I rather not."

"Oh."

The poor girl looked actually upset but Harry couldn't really care when he glanced at Ron, who was fuming from the waiting bench not far from the group sat in the middle of the corridor just before the Hospital Wing. How dare his best mate Harry get close to his mortal enemy? Thankfully, madam Pomfrey was busy in her workspace because she wouldn't appreciate to have a bunch of student disturbing the traffic to healing in case of emergency.

"Harry Potty, how cruel of you!"

"If it's because of you-know-who, we thought you were better than let his mood impact your behavior to a girl."

"Obvisouly, you two don't know me enough if you think I won't start a world war just to defend my loved ones."

"You never act like this for us!"

"I don't remember saying you were part of this category."

A twin gasp but Harry had already changed topic.

"For the interactive, I leave you with the twins, they have an interactive parchment that could be useful. Next!"

"How about the Pinball?" Kevin suggested before shrugging. "It's a classic."

"And one of the first arcade game! It could be good, maybe in board size and to think about the mechanism with the buttons and how it could connect to the ball inside the board. I let you think about it, I'm sure Ravenclaw diadem could help you! Next!"

"If I ever got to book it," the Ravenclaw boy muttered.

Now that they knew that Harry wouldn't actually be the one to create the arcade game but merely giving advice on how to create it, the rest of the group stayed silent to give time on how they could create it by their own.

"Pac-man? That Japanese video game that could give an adrenaline rush when the ghoasts are all out. It's as old as most of us, created in 1980."

"Nice, Dean! I see that your Japanese culture is bearing fruits! Do you have an idea of how to make it possible? Board size with buttons like the pinball?"

"Actually, I was thinking of life size. But as in, a maze big enough for puppy to be in? And that we could use plushes for Pac-man and the ghosts?"

"Great! Really good, mate! We can see your artistic side, Dean, will you be the one to make the plushes?"

"Huh, no, my artistic side only cover drawings. Actually, I was thinking of transfiguring things to the plushes. And for the coins, how about using your Philosopher's Stone to change the metal?"

Harry lost his smile really fast.

"Hey! The creation of the arcade room was your idea! You could put some of yours too!" Seamus was quick to defend his friend's honour.

"Calm down, of course, I will help build such a great idea! But using my stone for this is... I mean, how will you even make Pac-man and the ghosts move?"

"Locomotor for Pac-man and the ghosts ones could be bewitched to move in the maze as soon as the player charmed the former. Ah, right, there's also how to make plush Pac-man eat the coins."

"Hm, I know! How about make it magnet? It could still work inside Hogwarts! The coins are magnet and we place the main magnet under plush Pac-man! Alright, we're in the right direction, next!"

But Seamus and Kevin were glaring daggers at him, while Justin and the Crivey brothers were showing hesitance of his manners of handling the whole business.

"How about whac-a-mole?" Justin proposed really slow, hesitating on each of his words, scared to be the one to operate alone on his idea.

"That's an idea there! We could enchant various spot of the board to make each of the nine moles show up. Let's transfigure something to a toy hammer!"

Justin took on more confidence for having hint on the making of his game. "That's feasible! But I was also thinking that each mole could have a scale transplanted? Just so we could also measure the player's force? Like, we merge two arcades game in one, whac-a-mole and punching bag!"

"Hey, smart, mate! I know that some macho students wanted to show off their strength, it could attract them! The result of the scales should be showed along with the end result of how many moles the player got. For this, we should sollicitate professor Flitwick to see if he had any spell to propose that could help. Okay, let's keep up the rhythm guys, next!"

"How about a shooting stand? With floating balloons? People could use it as training dummies but it's more delicate as the balloons are inside a cage and in constant movement!"

"Not bad, Colin, not bad!"

The two youngest shared an ecstatic smile, overjoyed by Harry's compliment. Harry looked at Seamus who did not say a thing of his yet. The boy shrugged under the insistant gaze.

"I was thinking of the claw game. That how the machines are such a scam and I was wondering if we could just bewitch the prizes to be slippery so even the player had hard time to accio it."

"Well, then it wraps it all! Let's make it pool size, the prizes are under water and the walls could be see through so the players could name what they want to attract to them. but said water is made of potion against the attraction charm or at the very least, not fond of the charm. Now, to think of the prizes!"

"Plushes that we transfigured?"

"But also other artefacts! Some people could just play for the challenges, but the winners won't be pleased with just plushes! I had some idea, since we all knew about muggle world, let's just put inside muggle artefact! I recently ordered bath bombs, to relax after transformation, lots came in double and I don't like some, so I'll be putting those in! What about you?"

"Muggle artefacts? How about kaleidoscope? It could baffle wizards! It still baffles me even after knowing I'm wizard!" Dennis Crivey supplied with excitment.

"I'm sure kiddo! That also gave me an idea! A snow globe! I saw no wizard having one, probably they did no see the interest but it's a prize and they could be intrigued! And stamps and thermos, and thermoreactive mugs!"

"All of those are souvenirs," Granger commented.

"Yeah, well, what they don't know can't hurt them."

"Pretty sure that with the way your voice carried, everyone heard you."

"Pff, in this empty corridor?"

After that, each of them suggested their own muggle prizes, that they had to supply by themselves, before moving on.

"Before we wrap it up, I'd like to suggest some other arcade games. Sport games, like air hockey, indoor basket and the snooker."

"Dean, I knew you were a sport enjoyer, but even snooker? Do you even knwo how to play this?"

"It's not that difficult. And for the coins, I was thinking of rubber coins if using actual metal is too much. You know, those corks we got with take out butterbeers. And to earn it, the player should go to the coin pusher first."

"We said no gambling, Dean, mate."

"Oh, OK. But then, should we just display the rubber coins to free usage?"

"I mean, the arcade room is only really interesting for those in the waiting area and in recovery. I doubt other people would be interested."

"What if they are, though? That's why we create so many games, right?"

"Good point. Well, as wizards, we all know about the doubling charm, so they could just cast it and enjoy themselves, right? Right. Also, we should put on some signs with the protean charm to notice future player that some booth are taken, to avoid lines or worse, arguments."

"And you expect us, fourth years, to know about a charm only in seventh year curriculum?"

"Of course not." He totally did, it wasn't such a big deal back at Beaux Bâtons with two thousand students that needed to be noticed at the same time. "I was just thinking out loud. But I'm sure that Granger could learn it quickly and teach you all!"

Granger nodded eagerly and all her age-mates barely hid their groans. Only the Crivey brothers were as enthused, though Colin had to calm Dennis down because he was still a first year.

"Alright! We're done, let's go in creating and transfiguring! Dean, your last ideas of sport game, taking tables would be best. Also, how about adding table football too?"

"But then, that means I have to explain the rules."

"Weren't you going to do so for the snooker, too?"

"But it's snooker, it's easier to explain. I best create a table Quidditch at this rate. You know what? That's what I'm gonna do. A table Quidditch!"

Harry's growing fonder and fonder to the boy. Such a rare gem. But anyway, Harry had one last game in mind and it's for the twins, who just finished with Granger.

"You two, I have one perfect idea for you! You know Gatchapon? That's okay, it's like a slot machine, you put in a coin and you got a ball of toy in exchange. I was thinking you could supply your second rate Philosopher's Stone for a knut and take the investment and change it to sickles!"

"Har har. What a wonderful idea, Harry."

"You're so smart and clever, Harry! Why didn't we think about this? A way to ruin any business, because the people gaining our Philosopher's Stone won't be richer than use in no time."

Harry was sporting a shit-eating grin and cruelly laughed at the twin's face when their look kept on waning. Then, done making fun of them and judging having punishing them enough, Harry recovered in seriousness.

"Alright, seriously. I was thinking you could put on display some of your invention in the balls. People pay a knut, that you could change into sickle, for a model of what you will be selling, like those nosebleed nougat to skip class, even though it's absurd because school is the place to learn. This way, you have a first rank of customers and a somewhat base of finances."

This time, when the twins complimented Harry, they were more genuine. And they shook hands, Harry knew that their relationship would just improve from there after the long cald war they were in.

 

When Neville was fully healed, he suggested to mix stinksap with water for Seamus' claw-game and proposed his own Minbulus Mimbletonia plant to have stock of said liquid.

A Christmas gift he received from his parents some days later after said holiday on top of the main gift they sent for the same day. It was to apologize to appear so suddenly and have professor Snape on his back again, so he could have a defensive plant with him.

That alone made Harry go into action, because as he said, he'll go into war for his loved ones.

"Hey, Sev, mind to give me some time?"

"I think, mr. Potter, that you will insist to talk to me whether I have time or not3"

"You're damn right about that."

Professor Snape's face snapped to his direction but Harry didn't even flinch. He even dared to step in resolutly.

"Language, mr. Potter. I'll let it slip because I know we're close to the full moon."

"How lenient of you, professor. It's unfortunate that such leniency isn't given to everyone."

"Careful to what you're implying."

"Or what? You're dock points from any house to scare me? Of better, target the Gryffindor like you're used to? Maybe Neville in peculiar?"

"Mr. Potter," the cold voice whipped in the colder classroom.

"Sev. You may be my mentor and taught me a lot of thing, things that I would never throw out the window and show ungratefulness, but when you do something wrong, I have to tell you so. And you can't harass Neville just because he got to have his parents back, while the Potters would never got such luck."

"How dare y-"

"I dare, because it also concerned me! You're vicously bullying Neville, because you unfairly think that he could have been the boy of the prophecy as much I could be, right? Sure, you did not hear the entire prophecy and are convinced that it didn't have to be the son of Lily Potter, your friend was the word you used, but professor Dumbledore refused to tell more about said prophecy and he is convinced that I'm said boy. All that does not give you the right to unwind on Neville because you think he got out lucky, with living parents that even came back for him and make his school life a living hell."

There's a beat of silence where only the brewing potion was audible. The man threw the next ingredient in the cauldron without a glance, as automatism, before eventually speaking up.

"You know nothing what you're advancing."

"Maybe not. That was only suppositions, I admit. But what I know is that you're shamelessly terrifying a poor student who's gift in herbology but could not blossom in potion because the teacher's not clement with him."

"He's just really bad in class."

"He's not. He has Granger's help. He even has mine."

"You being the apprentice of the potion master does not make you a good teacher."

"Speaking from experience?"

"That cheeky tongue of yours should be severed as example of irrespect."

"Fine. Let's talk as mentor-mentee, adult-teenager and all those etiquettes of good manners. As professor, adult supervising students, you should not be mistreating one kid because of his family background. If student Neville Longbottom was a poor potion brewer as you're claiming, you should make him be tutored by a student with correct ability, like Granger, or even let me check on his work after him. In no given oppotunity, belittling and demeaning said student is a good way of education. The headmaster may not see or do anything against bullying, but I won't let it slid just because the bully was someone who taught me a lot of things."

"You may leave, mr. Potter."

Harry let some times pass to see if his words did get through, but the man just kept on brewing his mixtures without showing sign of acknowledging his presence anymore.

"Please, think about what I said."

He left the room, noting of the number of adult he argued against in the last month. It came to two, which couldn't be considered as much in general but both were men who shaped who he was. And Harry wondered if, sometimes, he's not the problem.