Chapter 183: Ch. 185
"No, they're great. Once I get measurements and the rest of the materials we're in business for your clothes. The fabrics you sent me are fabulous. I'll be sending you swatches to choose from next week for the rest. No, what's come up is a friend of mine from design school saw them and the other sketches in the book. She wanted me to ask if she could purchase some of the designs."
"The clothes?"
"No."
Harry thought for a moment of what other sketches were in the sketchbook. "You mean the oriental motif sketches?"
"Exactly, her family has made kimono in Japan for centuries. One of the ways they're trying to keep the art alive is through new variations of classic designs, and she loved your sketches and wants to buy them. Would you be interested?"
Harry didn't think. "Yes. I'm definitely interested."
"Great. The only problem is meeting with her. She's heading back to Japan in four days. She'll want to know your price before she leaves."
"Okay let me think about it overnight and I'll let Cassandra know. She can act as my proxy. Wow. I never expected anything like this."
"Me, neither. But, Harry, you shouldn't doubt your talent. You are a gifted artist. I suspect this is just the first of many commissions you'll get in your life."
"I hope so."
The next morning before classes Harry conversed with Cassandra. "I'm willing to let her have the designs. For every three motifs I want one kimono at cost there are fifteen in the sketchbook. If she thinks that is asking too much, I'm willing to go up to four designs per kimono. I know which ones I want on those kimonos. There's a bamboo, crane and stream that I think would look good on a gray or green background, that would be the first, there's two others one of Hedwig, a plum tree on a rocky outcrop above waves, that one on blue or silver gray, specify Hedwig's colors or they'll make her like a normal phoenix's red and gold. That one is for a man's kimono. The third one is Hedwig, again in her colors, peonies, and clouds. I want that one as an uchikake of light blue. Cassandra, the price she tells you is likely to be high, but kimono like this are worth thousands. They are works of art. Even at cost they are quite valuable. If I need to pick a fourth let me know, somehow I suspect I'll be lucky to even get three."
"Okay. Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm positive."
"Alright. I'll talk to you after classes."
Late that afternoon, the cadre was surprised because Harry lacked his usual focus. He was all but vibrating in place until his mirror activated.
Harry didn't bother to greet Cassandra. "What did she say?"
"It will be four designs to every kimono, she thinks her family will go for it but she took pictures of the designs to show them first. She says if they approve, she'll send the contracts the day after she gets home. You and your aunt will need to sign them They'll want fifty percent of the kimono price up front. "
" How many kimonos?"
"The three you wanted. Harry, you realize that the final cost of the kimonos is going to be nearly five thousand galleons?"
"Yeah, but it'll be worth it. You'll see. I've got to go, quidditch practice. Thanks, Cassandra."
"It's what I'm here for. Can I talk to Aaron?"
Harry passed the mirror to Aaron, and waving goodbye to his friends he headed to practice.
Later that evening Severus Snape looked up at the tentative knock on his office door. It was still during his office hours but usually students gave him a heads up before coming to his office, and he'd already seen everyone he was expecting that day. He was shocked at who was standing there. "Come in, what brings you here?"
"My mum's letter to me said you were a legillimens, I've gone as far as I could in my self-study of Occlumency. I need to work with someone. Unfortunately legillimens aren't exactly scattered around on the ground like flowers waiting to be picked in the spring. I will want a unbreakable vow that what you see in my head stays between you and me. Neville Longbottom is willing to be our bonder. I'm willing to match twice your hourly teaching pay. Think about it and let me know."
…..
Remus felt hesitant about taking the job Harry offered. He really wasn't sure he believed the boy's stories about Albus manipulating the situation. But a job was a job, having a place to live thrown in… well, it was better than his last two jobs. It was almost as good as being a professor. He had met Miss Yaxley outside the building that housed his proposed flat as well as Potter Place.
"So Mr. Lupin, I hope you know your way around the muggle world."
"Mostly. It's always been easier for me to get a job there."
"Good. Here's your keys, the silver colored one is to the building. The lobby is locked before nine a.m. and after nine p.m. Guests have to ring up both during the day and at night, but during the day the building manager is in the office off the lobby. The brass key is to your flat, and the small brass key goes to the elevator that leads to Potter Place. It's the penthouse really, but there's a floo, and a secure office space that you can use. The Potter elves usually keep a small supply of muffins and fruit there in the mornings and bring a lunch in. Dinners you're on your own. Do you want to see the flat?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Follow me then." She led him to to the seventh floor to door 705. "Here we are."
Remus used the keys she had given him to open the door.
Cassandra wasn't surprised to see the flat was a mirror of her own, right down to bare essential furniture. "Harry said that you can have the day today to get yourself settled, but he hopes you'll be ready to start tomorrow. You'll need to stop by the offices of Corner, Davies, and Ogden for routine paperwork and a confidentiality oath either today or tomorrow, then I'll brief you on your job. Any questions so far?"
"No."
"You seem hesitant, is there some question I can answer?"
"I'm not sure I like the idea of spying on people."
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