Chapter 268 - Christina Creations (1/2)
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was packed with customers; Chris could not get near the shelves. She stared around, looking up at the boxes piled to the ceiling: Here were the Skiving Snackboxes that the twins had perfected during their last, unfinished year at Hogwarts; Chris noticed that the Nosebleed Nougat was most popular, with only one battered box left on the shelf. There were bins full of trick wands, the cheapest merely turning into rubber chickens or pairs of briefs when waved, the most expensive beating the unwary user around the head and neck, and boxes of quills, which came in Self-Inking, Spell-Checking, and Smart-Answer varieties. A space cleared in the crowd, and Chris pushed her way toward the counter, where a gaggle of delighted ten-year-olds was watching a tiny little wooden man slowly ascending the steps to a real set of gallows, both perched on a box that read: REUSABLE HANGMAN — SPELL IT OR HE'LL SWING!
”'Patented Daydream Charms . . .'”
Hermione had managed to squeeze through to a large display near the counter and was reading the information on the back of a box bearing a highly coloured picture of a handsome youth and a swooning girl who was standing on the deck of a pirate ship.
”'One simple incantation and you will enter a top-quality, highly realistic, thirty-minute daydream, easy to fit into the average school lesson and virtually undetectable (side effects include vacant expression and minor drooling). Not for sale to under-sixteens.' You know,” said Hermione, looking up at Chris, ”that really is extraordinary magic!”
”For that, Hermione,” said a voice behind them, ”you can have one for free.”
A beaming Fred stood before them, wearing a set of magenta robes that clashed magnificently with his flaming hair.
”Like you won't give her a discount just for being your girlfriend,” said Ginny coming forward.
Hermione went pink and Chris laughed.
”Thanks for the Dragon jacket,” said Chris hugging Fred.
”Hey what happened to your eye, Hermione?” Fred noticed Hermione's black eye as he reached to hug her next.
”Your punching telescope,” she said.
”Oh blimey, I forgot about those,” said Fred. ”Come on, we have a great bruise remover — Oh, that reminds me, Chris, find George, he has something to show you. Follow me, Hermione, I will dab it on your eye, it'll be fine.”
Fred led Hermione away as Harry caught up with Chris and Ginny.
”What could be it?” said Chris surprised.
”Knowing Fred and George, something fun obviously,” said Ginny.
”This is some great stuff, isn't it?” said Harry grinning.
”I still don't know where did they get the money to do this?” said Ginny looking at a label, EDIBLE DARK MARKS — THEY'LL MAKE ANYONE SICK!
Harry and Chris looked at each other then Chris spoke, ”Well, Harry helped them to start and Sirius gave the rest.”
”Really?” said Ginny surprised.
”Yeah. Sirius said, he and my Dad always wanted to start something like this when they were kids,” said Harry smiling.
”C'mon, let's look for George,” said Chris and they pushed their way to back of the shop.
”Hey!” George came into view before they had to look for him anymore.
”So what's the thing you want to show me? Fred told me to look for you,” asked Chris after Harry and Ginny had greeted George.
”Oh, yes,” George led them a little deeper in the shop where Chris saw a stand of card and rope tricks.
”Muggle magic tricks!” said George happily, pointing them out. ”For freaks like Dad, you know, who love Muggle stuff. It's not a big earner, but we do fairly steady business, they're great novelties. . .”
”That's it?” said Ginny looking disappointed.
George chuckled.
”Well, here's the thing. . .”
George pushed back a curtain beside the Muggle tricks and Chris saw a darker, less crowded room. The packaging on the products lining these shelves was more subdued and it was labelled as DEFENSE DELIGHTS BY — CHRISTINA NORTON
Chris stared at the label.
”All of your creation and ideas,” said George beaming. ”We are still developing them but your inventions are already helping people a lot.”
”What kind of inventions?” asked Harry curiously.
”Shield Hats, Shield Cloaks, Intruder Detector, Unyielding Locks, Bruise Remover, Cut Healer, Quick Disguise. . .” said George. ”This is the Defense collection, there are a few products in our WonderWitch collection too, like Eye-colour Changers, Sneaky Jewelry and Perfect Perfume.”
”But why my name?” Chris finally found her voice. ”I just helped you both because I liked it, why on earth you mentioned my full name at your labels? It's your shop and your things, you are making them.”
”Of course we are,” said Fred coming towards them with Hermione, who's eyes were back to normal. ”But we have to give credit to the inventor. People should know how talented you are.”
”Yeah, you wouldn't believe how many people, even people who work at the Ministry, can't do a decent Shield Charm,” said George. ”Let alone brew a decent healing potion.”
”The Ministry had bought five hundred for all its support staff! And we're still getting massive orders on these stocks,” said Fred.
”So we thought we'd get into the whole area of Defense Against the Dark Arts because it's such a money-spinner,” continued George enthusiastically. ”This is cool. Look, Instant Darkness Powder, we're importing it from Peru. Handy if you want to make a quick escape.”