He then inclined his head apologetically towards Madam Hooch. "I'm afraid they're only last year's models, though. I'm just a kid, and buying thirty Nimbus 2001s was simply too expensive for me at the time, so I had to settle for the Nimbus 2000s. Still, I think that after a bit of training with them, everyone will be able to get used to them in time for their first Quidditch match of the year."
"That's why I'm donating these thirty brooms to Hogwarts," Harry concluded, aware of how everyone was hanging onto his words. "They are to be used as the school sees fit, but I would appreciate it if anybody, especially the Quidditch teams, would be able to freely borrow and use them for games if needed."
'And I'm definitely reimbursing Ed for this!' he thought to himself. 'I just told him to buy a couple of better brooms for the school, not a whole bunch of Nimbuses!'
For a moment, there was just stunned silence. It was broken by a loud, "ONE HUNDRED POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR!" from Madam Hooch. This immediately opened the floodgates, and the Great Hall erupted in applause and cheering.
Harry was grabbed by the Weasley twins and then hoisted him into the air before being paraded around on their shoulders while Wood sobbed gleefully and shouted something about organizing new training regimens. The chasers gushed and thanked him, and the captains from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff both came over with their own effusive thanks, shaking his hands and patting his shoulders.
Heck, even some of the Slytherins were clapping, although their mood seemed to be more impressed by Harry's cunning play and reveal than anything else. And a quick glance at Draco Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherin Quidditch team revealed that their expressions had turned livid.
But there was also a hint of fear and disbelief on Draco's face. After all, he'd bragged how it had been his father who'd bought his team seven new brooms. Yet here Harry was, casually claiming to having purchased thirty brooms for everyone in Hogwarts to use. And while they were admittedly less expensive, it wasn't by much as they were still top-quality racing brooms costing upwards of several hundred galleons each.
The incredible advantage the Slytherin team had previously possessed was now gone. Sure, their brooms were slightly better, but as Harry had said, skill and talent could really make the difference between a good Quidditch player and a bad one. Didn't matter how expensive your tool was if you couldn't actually use it properly.
'Well, they can stew in their anger all they want,' Harry thought, ignoring the House of the Ambitious for the moment and instead focusing on his friends and admirers.
As he was thanked by what felt like the entirety of three houses for his generosity, Harry completely missed the look of loathing Snape sent his way, nor the calculating gleams in Dumbledore and Lockhart's eyes.
Only time would tell what would come from any of it, though.
....
'I hope Harry's ride to Hogwarts is going well,' I thought to myself as I entered my apartment.
After dropping off the kids, Mr. Weasley had kindly taken me back to my apartment. I'd offered him a cup of tea and to show him around the place, but he'd declined. As much as he wanted to see how Muggles lived, he still had work to do. The day kids rode the Hogwarts express was technically a Ministry holiday, but unfortunately he'd needed to go in and deal with a rogue cursed toilet.
Glancing about, the place felt empty, and I felt a bit depressed at being alone once more. I'd really enjoyed having Harry around. It was nice. It reminded me of having a little brother. One who actually liked me.
'No time to think about that,' I thought to myself, shaking my head and clearing away the morbid thoughts.
Rather than dwell on things beyond my control, I delved into something else I was capable of. Planning for Voldemort's return.
I had money thanks to my business and successful bet. Not to mention I was posed to make a fortune by short charging the pound when it collapsed later in the month. Now, I needed some muscle. Voldemort wouldn't be beaten with gold alone. I would require combatants to fight him. More effective than the ones Dumbledore assembled, at the very least.
So, what could I do? How could I justify having armed men around? Or even explain why I was buying weapons?
The answer had come to me a while ago while thinking about it. A security company! Pen in hand, I scribbled out a few words onto a napkin.
"Crucible Security Solutions," I muttered a moment later as I read aloud the name I'd written down.
I was going to establish my own security firm. And they would have to be people who knew about the magical world if I wanted to use them against Voldemort. Squibs, obviously, but perhaps some Muggleborn? I'd need magical expertise if I wanted to protect myself in both worlds.
"And I think I know where to start looking for my first recruit," I mused to myself, resisting the urge to laugh like a villain.
First things first, though! I had a contract to write up!
...
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