The Proposal

The next day at ten o’clock in morning Harry joined Mr Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Percy, George, Ron, Seamus, Dean and Lee Jordan on the ground floor of the Ministry of Magic beside a huge fireplace manned by an official from the Floo Network Office.

The group would be flooing to America for George’s stag night in Los Angeles. They would be flooing right into the offices of the American Ministry of Magic itself. Their stay would be for two days and they would be staying in a nice hotel Harry had found on the internet during a trip to a library in muggle London.

Percy looked extremely apprehensive as he stepped into the fireplace.
‘I’m not sure about this father’ He said grabbing a handful of floo powder

‘Loosen up Perce you old fart’ Bill said ‘It’s about time you let your hair down'

‘Yeah Perce hurry up or I’ll hex with Harry’s Dragon Dung Hex’ Ron said pointing his wand at Percy ‘Go on the ceremony is on Sunday not Christmas’

Percy scowled as everyone laughed. He then threw the floo powder down and said…’American Ministry Of Magic’

In a flash of green flames he was gone.

‘I can’t believe I’m related to Percy sometimes’ Ron said to Harry as Charlie stepped into the fireplace ‘He’s the most uptight person I’ve ever met. He’s the only person in the world that would wear a tie to go on this bucks night. I swear if he wears it when we go out on the piss tonight I will rip it off and incinerate it’

George snorted.
‘I dare ya to do it anyway Ron’ He said with a laugh ‘Go on just to shit him off’

Ron grinned.
‘Okay I will’ He said ‘When we get to the Ministry in Los Angeles, in front of everyone. I’ll have to think about what spell to use though’

‘The plain old and simple severing charm ought to work’ George said.

‘Okay George you next!’ Mr Weasley called beckoning George over to the fireplace ‘Then Harry you next!’

George disappeared in a rush of green flames then Harry stepped into the fireplace.

‘Remember speak very clearly’ The Floo Network Office official said as Harry grabbed a handful of floo powder ‘This is especially important for international travel’

Harry threw down the floo powder and called out ‘American Ministry Of Magic!’ There was a great heaving like the ground was pushing him upwards and a flash of green light that Harry saw through his tightly closed eyes, several times his shoulders painfully hit what felt like hard stone walls, then when he thought he was going to be sick he landed with a thump in another stone fireplace. He opened his eyes just as George helped him to his feet coughing from the inhalation of magical ash.

‘That was awful!’ Harry spluttered rubbing his right shoulder ‘Ah shit my shoulders!’

‘Yeah international flooing is a bit rough’ George said helping to brush ash off Harry’s robes ‘I prefer to apparate myself'

Seconds later Bill appeared in the fireplace closely followed by Dean and Ron. Seamus and Lee followed in quick succession and last of all Mr Weasley.

A tall slim wizard dressed in navy blue robes Harry hadn’t seen yet spoke up as Mr Weasley stood up.

‘Arthur old son good to see ya!’ He boomed shaking Mr Weasley’s hand.

‘Good to see you Jack good to see you it’s been too long!’ Mr Weasley exclaimed.

‘It has been, are you going to introduce me?’

‘Of course these are my sons Bill, Charlie, Percy, George and Ron this is Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas, Lee Jordan and Ron’s best mate Harry Potter. Everyone this is Jack Ryan he's the head of the Auror office in the Department of International Magical Law Enforcement. Jack, George is the one getting married on Sunday’

Jack greeted them all enthusiastically particularly Harry.

‘Welcome welcome!’ He said ‘Welcome to Los Angeles! If you’ll all like to follow me we need you all to sign a few papers and have your passports verified’

‘Peculiar place this isn’t it?’ Ron said to Harry as they passed a fountain with a sign saying ‘All proceeds go to St Merlin’s Hospital For Magical Maladies And Injuries’ ‘Loads like home’

‘Hey Jack what do we do for money?’ Ron continued we only have Galleons, Sickles and Knuts’

‘After I’ve gotten you all through the Passport Office I’ll organize for you all to be escorted to Gringotts America the wizarding bank here so you can exchange some Galleons, Sickles and Knuts for US Galleons, Sickles and Knuts’ Jack said as they arrived at the lifts bay ‘I’d recommend for you to get some US dollars too while you’re at it. The passport office should only take a few minutes’

Like the lifts at the Ministry in London the lifts at the American Ministry went downwards. There was a similar ethereal voice announcing each floor and eventually they came to level one

‘Level One, Minister of Magic’s office and Department for International Wizarding Immigration, incorporating the Office for Magical Tourism Donmestic and International and the Passport Office’

‘Here we go folks’ Jack said leading them out of the lifts ‘A good mate of mine Louie works in the passport office he’ll make sure things are hurried along so you can all get out on the town early to start celebrating’

‘Great I need to get out on the town!’ Lee declared ‘Wherever the good looking ladieeez are’

‘Oh get your mind out of your pants Jordan you’re incorrigible’ Charlie said rolling his eyes ‘I’m surprised you haven’t gotten married yet. In fact I expected you to get married before George. What's happening you and Pavarti too busy shagging?’

‘Pretty much’ Lee declared with a grin ‘I don’t need a ball and chain yet’

‘Oh that attitude with get the ladies swarming’ Ron said with a laugh.

‘Ha ha’

Jack led them down a long hallway and into a room that was much like the Auror office in the Ministry Of Magic back in London, several desks were scattered in stations of four around the room and several witches and wizards dressed in black robes with the American Ministry Of Magic logo(An American flag on a flagpole of wands) embroidered on the left breast were seated. One of the wizards got up and made his way over to them. Harry noticed his nametag read ‘Louie’

‘Ah Jack is this your group?’ He said casting an eye over the group which still looked disheveled from their trip through the floo network.

‘Yep this is my old friend Arthur Weasley his sons Bill, Charlie, Percy, George and Ron and their friends Seamus Finnigan, Lee Jordan, Dean Thomas and Harry Potter’

At the mention of Harry’s name every head in the office snapped up. Harry went pink and tried to look inconspicuous.

‘Yeah it’s Harry Potter and if any of you mention it to anyone outside this office I will Hex you to Alaska!’ Jack said staring them all down ‘Let the poor man have some privacy for once for chrissakes!’

‘Come in come in!’ Louie said to the group ‘Harry if you’d like to follow me’

Harry followed Louie into a side office while everyone else filtered out to the other witches and wizards in the main room.

‘Take a seat Harry’ Louie said shutting the door behind them ’Welcome to America Is it your first time here?’

'Yeah it is’ Harry said ‘I’ve only been in and around Britain and Ireland and once to France’

‘Well I hope you have a good time while you are here do you have your paperwork?’

‘Yep hang on’

Harry pulled the backpack off his back opened it and pulled out a folder.
‘Here you go’ He said handing Louie the folder ‘In there is my visa and passport from the Visa and Passport office in the Ministry back home’

‘Brilliant I’ll just check these would you like a drink? Butterbeer, Firewhiskey, Redcurrant Rum?’

‘No thanks it’s a bit early to start on the booze yet’ Harry said ‘I want to leave that til tonight’

‘Celebrating something?’

'Yeah George out there is getting married to his longtime girlfriend on Sunday’ Harry said ‘We’re spending a couple of days here living it up, seeing the sights all that sort of stuff’

‘Ah I see there are plenty of good places to see here for a group of men on a buck’s night’ Louie said dipping a quill in a pot of blue ink ‘Even the muggle areas of town are quite good’

‘Any suggestions?’

‘Nah you’d want to chat to Jack about that’ Louie said signing a piece of parchment ‘It’s been a while since I’ve been on a bucks night. Jack is muggle born and is more in tune with all the muggle haunts’

Five minutes later Harry left Louie’s office and met the others out in the hallway.

‘Okay I’ll be taking you to Minson’s’ Jack said as they headed back down the hall ‘And if you like I can show you all around town’

‘Thanks’ George said ‘Dad’s led us to believe you got him right and properly pissed on his bucks night’

‘Weeeel he did get a bit anebriated’ Jack said with a laugh as Mr Weasley went scarlet ‘I do believe there was a bit of naked broom riding involved'

‘Father you didn’t!’ Percy said looking scandalized as everyone else roared with laughter.

‘Actually I don’t really remember’ Mr Weasley said chuckling 'I was too drunk'

‘I dare you to try it again tonight Dad’ Charlie said with an evil grin ‘Is there a Quidditch pitch anywhere near here Jack?’

‘Yeah there’s one about fifty miles away but you may as well come to my place. My wife and I live on a horse ranch and have plenty of land you can fly about on. I could have a word to my colleagues in the Department for Magical Games and Sports and see if I can get you some brooms’

‘I’m not riding a broom naked!’ Percy exclaimed indignantly ‘One of us has to show some dignity and composure’

‘Geez Perce loosen up for once will ya?’ Bill said shaking his head.

Suddenly Ron pointed his wand at Percy’s tie and cried ‘Diffindo!’

With a great ripping noise Percy’s tie severed itself just under the knot. Percy let fly with a roar and an accompanying string of vulgarities then lunged after the material but Ron was too quick and cast another spell.

‘Lacarnum Inflamare!’(Remember that spell Hermione used to set fire to Snape's robes in the Philosopher's Stone?)

Two shots of flame shot out the end of his wand and connected with the severed tie. It caught fire and within seconds it was nothing but a small pile of ashes.

The look Percy gave Ron was murderous but everyone else laughed.

‘Ron that’s a really good flame throwing charm’ Jack said admiringly ‘My aim with that sort of thing is crap. Not that I have to use it much’

‘My girlfriend taught me how to perfect it’ Ron said pocketing his wand ‘I perfected it by aiming at an archery board or clay pigeons’

‘Ah interesting I might give it a go it may come in handy sometime'

They reached the main floor of the Ministry and followed Jack across the stone floors and through a huge door.

‘How are we getting to Gringotts?’ Harry asked in interest.

‘I’ll be driving you all’ Jack replied leading them down a flight of steps ‘Magus(Latin apparently for Magic) Avenue the equivalent of Diagon Alley is about twenty miles from here in Burbank to Los Angeles city itself it’s in between Rodeo Drive where all the rich muggles shop and Beverly Drive’

‘I’ve heard of Rodeo Drive’ Harry said as they entered a large underground car park full of a wide range of vehicles ‘It’s really really posh all the muggle celebrities shop there and several movies have been filmed there’

‘How do you know that?’ Ron asked.

‘I surf the internet at the muggle library sometimes and when we all decided to come to Los Angeles I did a bit of research’ Harry said nonchalantly ‘If we can find a muggle library while we’re here I’ll show you’

‘Fuck the library Harry I’m not going to a library while I’m here’ Seamus said ‘I had enough of them at school. Let Jack show us around town I want to concentrate on getting on the piss!’

‘Finnigan you are slowly murdering your liver!’ Ron said ‘I’m surprised you’re still walking after Neville’s stag night. I’ve never seen anyone chug back Firewhiskey like that in my life. I hate to think what you’ll be like when you celebrate your own stag night eventually’

‘Comatose’ Lee and George chorused.

‘Okay everyone In you get!’ Jack announced unlocking the car ‘And prepare to see L.A!’

They all piled into the car who Harry saw had had it’s interior magically expanded. He slid along a red leather lounge chair next to Ron and fastened his seatbelt. Mr Weasley slid in next to him marveling at the magic.

‘Ingenious!’ He muttered closely investigating a cigarette lighter ‘Fasinating!’

‘Wipe ya chin Dad there’s plenty of time to drool later tonight when we go to a girlie bar’ Bill said with a grin.

Everyone including Percy laughed Mr Weasley was famous for his muggle artifacts obsession.

‘I heard about that Ford Anglia incident a few years ago Arthur’ Jack said with a chuckle starting up the car ‘Got another like it?’

‘I-I erm...own a car’ Mr Weasley said going pink ‘I don’t advertise the fact though, I may not be in the Missuse Of Muggle Artifacts Office anymore but I still like to tinker with things’

‘No shit you spent two hours in the shed before Harry and I apparated to Neville’s place on Sunday’ Ron said ‘How much longer after that did you er how do you say it? ‘Tinker’?’

‘Only about half an hour’ Mr Weasley said ‘You mother wouldn’t let me spend any more on it’

‘What have you got this time Arthur?’ Jack asked reversing out of the park ‘A Ferrari? A Lambourghini?’

‘No a nineteen eighty five Toyota’ Mr Weasley said ‘It has a better invisibility booster on it than the Anglia did. I’ve made sure of that’

‘Mum would remove your testicles if she knew that Dad’ George said with a grin ‘I take it she doesn’t know?’

‘Don’t be a prat George if she knew Dad wouldn’t be alive now’ Ron said

‘And she’s not going to find out is she boys?’ Mr Weasley said in a mock threatening tone staring all five of his sons down.

‘No Dad’ They chorused.

Minutes later they were out on the road traveling through Burbank. All nine of them pressing their noses against the window, Mr Weasley the most excited as Jack announced various landmarks.

‘Down the third street on the left is Burbank’s strip club district’ Jack said as they made their way through an intersection ‘Girlie Clubs, Adult shops the lot’

‘Is the Rhino Bar still there?’ Mr Weasley asked in interest.

‘Yep though it’s three times the size it was when you were here last’ Jack said as they passed the street signposted as ‘Exorbatus(Stripper in Latin) Parade’

‘Frequent this area muck Jack?’ Seamus joked.

‘Nah way mate if I did the wife would kill me’ Jack said ‘Generally only bucks nights. I haven’t been to a bucks night for ages so this part of town of not something I’m overly familiar with. It was only when I was young footloose and fancy free that I used to go to these places’

Due to the heavy traffic it was another half an hour before the group reached the Rodeo Drive. Jack parked in a high rise carpark and waited as they all piled out.

‘Now getting into The Drunken Witch is similar to getting onto platform nine and three quarters at Kings Cross’ He said as Bill left the car ‘Just keep an eye out for a bit of graffiti in a yellow circle just lean on that and you’ll be in the beer garden’

‘Beer Garden?’ Ron asked.

‘Yeah it’s an outdoor eating and drinking area’ Jack said as they crossed the road ‘Quite a pleasant place to dine in the warmer weather. We can have something to eat there later if you like I know with the time difference it’s nearing lunchtime for you’

They walked across Rodeo drive and around towards Beverly Drive a perfectly round circle in yellow spray paint was on a freshly laid brick wall.

‘Okay go in groups of two’ Jack said ‘Gather by the Plane Tree in the corner’

‘Okay Harry Ron you first’ Mr Weasley said as they gathered by a council rubbish bin.

At a run Harry and Ron headed toward the wall. Seconds later they entered through into the beer garden. It was busy but no one took notice of their sudden appearance. Lee and Seamus came next followed by George, Bill, Percy and Charlie then lastly Mr Weasley, Dean and Jack.

‘Right lets go to Gringotts first’ Jack said leading them out of a small gate ‘Then we can get something to eat if you like’

‘Great I’m starving!’ Ron declared.

‘Ronald you are a bottomless pit’ Charlie said witheringly ‘No wonder Mum has to go shopping three times a week. Gin, Hermione and Harry don’t eat half the amount in a week as you do in a day’

All of them but Ron laughed.

‘Fuck off Charlie how the hell would you know you haven’t lived at home for over ten years’ Ron said rolling his eyes.

‘What are you going to go when You Hermione and Gin go and live with Harry at Godric’s Hollow?’ Bill continued ‘Do you know where all the food shops are? Coz you’ll have to buy your own food as well as wipe your own bum when you move out of the Burrow’

Ron drew his wand.
‘Capillus!’(Hair, in Latin)He cried.

Bill’s already long hear sprouted and his eyebrows grew so long and thick his vision was obscured.

Everyone laughed.
‘Okay okay I deserved that’ Bill conceded his voice muffled by his eyebrows which were now three feet long ‘Can you take the hex off Ron?’

Ron pointed his wand at Bill and muttered ‘Finite Incantartem’ The length of his hair fell off and disappeared and Bill resumed his normal appearance.

‘You’ve been practicing that’ Bill said as Jack led them back down Magus Avenue.

‘How can you tell?’

‘I’m a seer’

‘Idiot’

A few minutes later Jack led them into Minsons back. Like Gringotts it was staffed by Goblins but instead of robes the Minsons Goblins wore little three piece suits with gold and black cravats.

‘Interational Currency Exchange is where you want to go’ Jack said

‘Lee and I will go over here’ George said to the rest of he group pointing to the other side of the cavernous hall where a sign read ‘Withdrawals’

‘How come?’ Ron asked 'Expecting us to pay for everything are you?’

‘No you stupid great prat Lee and I have the shop in New York so we already have an account here’ George said rolling his eyes ‘Wake up Ron the time difference isn’t that much’

‘Well you lot go down to the vaults and meet you back here’ Lee said to his Mr Weaasley 'Okay?'

‘Right-o’

After he’d filled in some forms Harry followed a goblin, Seamus, Ron, Dean, Bill, Charlie, Percy and Mr Weasley through a tall door where a bay of what looked like roller coaster carts were lined up. Harry followed the goblin Seamus, Dean, Lee and Ron into a cart while Mr Weasley joined Bill, Charlie and Percy in another cart. Without any signal from the Goblin the two carts moved forward through a door into a darkened tunnel exactly like the ones at Gringotts.

‘Are the Gringotts goblins related to the Gringotts America ones? Harry asked Ron as the carts began picking up speed.

‘Dunno possibly’ Ron said ‘Goblins are Goblins they all look the same to me’

Harry had to squeeze his eyes shut to stop them stinging as the cart hurtled forward into what seemed like nothingness. Then eventually it came to such a sudden stop every one of them slid off their seats and onto the floor of their cart. Harry fell heavily on top of Ron and banged his left elbow hard on his head.

‘OW!’ Ron bellowed as an elbow connected with his forehead ‘Whoever that is gerroff me!’

‘Oof sorry mate’ Harry said getting up and helping Ron to his feel ‘Alright Seamus?’

‘Yeah I’ll live’ Seamus said getting to his feet and straightening his cloak ‘Bit rough eh?’

‘At least you don’t feel like spewing after the cart rides here’ Ron said climbing out of the cart.

Now that he was out of the cart and had his eyes open Harry could take in his surrounds. Unlike the stone surrounds of Gringotts the vaults at Minsons were made of solid cast iron with no discernable locks or handles.
The Goblin ran a hand over the door in a complicated pattern then with a soft pop the door disappeared. Inside this vault were thousands upon thousands of American Galleons, Sickles and Knuts and muggle American dollars all piled high in the center corralled by a brass and gold circular table.

‘You are to go in and count out the amount you signed for upstairs’ The goblins said to the group ‘Spells placed on the vault will not allow you to take any more’

‘Cheerful git isn’t he?’ Ron muttered to Harry as they went into the vault and started counting out their money.

‘Ever met a cheerful Goblin?’ Harry counted picking up a handful of Galleons which were peculiarly in the shape of the a five pointed star and counting them out.

‘No’

As he had planned to do a lot of shopping while he was in Los Angeles Harry counted out a five Hundred dollars and five hundred galleons then made his way out to the cart. Percy was already there looking quite dignified save for his ripped and torn tie.

‘Have you thought about going back to work at the Ministry yet Harry?’ He asked in interest ‘A lot of people want you back’

‘I’m considering it’ Harry said I’m sick of twiddling my thumbs at the Burrow’

‘Well you’ll be most warmly welcomed back into the fold if you do decide to return’ Percy said ‘I’m not pushing you though’

‘Thanks Perce’

Once everyone had collected their money they got back into their carts and made their way back up to the ground floor though this time not falling off their seats. Lee and George were waiting for them on an elegant brown chesterfield lounge suite situated near the main entrance.

‘All cashed up? George said brightly jingling his own money bag.

‘Yep now it’s over to Harry apparently’ Dean said ‘Harry didn’t you say you’d organized somewhere for us to stay?’

‘Yeah a nice little place I found on one of my trips to muggle London’ Harry said with a grin ‘But I’m hungry lets get some grub at the Drunken Witch first’

Minutes later they were all ensconsed in a corner of the Drunken Witches beer garden each with their preffered beverage.

‘So Harry tell us about this place we’re staying in’ Lee Jordan said sipping one a bottle of Budweiser beer one of the many muggle beverages the Drunken Witch offered.

‘Well it’s a nice clean place just around in Beverly Drive 8555 to be exact’ Harry said mysteriously leaning back in his chair ‘Just a short walk from here’.

Jack suddenly snorted half his mead up his nose. That rose George’s suspicions at once.

‘You know something Jack don’t you?’ He said ‘Come on fess up!’

‘Nah you’ll find out after lunch’ Jack said with a grin wiping his nose.

And nothing that George or anyone else in the group did convinced Jack to elaborate further.

Just to annoy everyone Harry to an extraordinarily long time to eat his lunch and when he eventually laid down his knife and fork even Percy looked ready to murder him. All except Jack who was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

‘What?’ Harry said with a grin wiping his mouth very slowly and deliberately.

‘Harry you’re a great mate but I just want to hex you into oblivion!’ Seamus said in annoyance fingering his wand threateningly ‘No one takes half an hour to eat a stew. You’re just shitting us’

Jack snorted.

‘Oh okay’ Harry said ‘I suppose we better get going then just remember to keep your wands hidden once we’re outside Magus Avenue where we’re staying is a muggle hotel. All on me’

‘You’re paying for everyone’s accommodation?’ George asked in disbelief.

‘Yeah it’s my contribution to the trip’ Harry said ‘Mind you all have to buy me a drink while we’re here’

‘I’ll do that as long as the roof doesn’t leak’ Dean said.

‘Pal that’s one thing this place won’t do’ Jack said with a chuckle as they gathered by the entrance.

Harry and Ron went though the entrance first then waited by the rubbish bin til everyone else made their way through into Muggle Los Angeles.

‘This way’ Harry said leading tem down the footpath.

‘How the hell do you know where to go?’ Bill asked with a mixture of annoyance and intrest.

‘I read a map’ Is all Harry said.

A few minutes Harry with Jack walking beside him led the group into Beverly Boulevard.

‘Whoa!’ Lee exclaimed.

Every hotel in Beverly Boulevard was an upper scale luxury building and more than one had a spectacular water fountain in the front of it that would be lit once night fell.

'Mate none of these places look like they are a Galleon a night!’ George said catching up to Harry as the group made their way down the bustling thoroughfare.

‘They’re not’ Harry said with a laugh ‘Not for you lot anyway’

They walked for several minutes then Harry brought the to a stop in front of the most spectacular hotel on the street. All of them stood on the spot gaping at the obvious opulence and extravagance.

‘Okay here we are’ Harry said leading them up the long drive where several limousines were parked ‘Welcome to the Los Angeles Sofitel’(This hotel actually exists I did a Google search for hotels on Beverly Drive and picked the one that had the most expensive rate per night)

‘Maaate this looks really posh!’ Lee groaned in disbelief as they made their way into the lobby.

‘It is’ Harry said with a snort ‘C’mon lets all check in’

Harry led the group past the Concierge and the bellhops to the main desk where a very clean cut man in his forties wearing a navy blue uniform much like a military squadron leader greeted them.

‘Good afternoon sir may I help you?’ He asked.

‘Yeah we’re here to check in’ Harry said ‘Under the name of Potter and Weasley’

The man turned to his computer and tapped in some details.

‘Ah yes Mr Potter welcome to the Los Angeles Sofitel we’ve been expecting you!’ The man said enthusiastically Please if each guest in your party could fill out our card I’ll make sure you are escorted to your room. Do you have luggage?’

‘Not at the moment it’s coming later’ Harry said grabbing a pen and starting to fill out his card.

‘Very well I’ll have someone escort you to your room soon’

Ten minutes later a bellhop came to escort the group to their room.

‘Welcome to the Los Angeles Sofitel’ He said ‘If you’d please like to follow me to the executive lifts’

‘Executive lifts?’ Ron whispered to Harry ‘What have you organized exactly?’

‘You’ll see’ Harry said with a grin hoisting his backpack over his shoulder.

The bellhop led the group over to a set of lift doors that were elaborately decorated with brass and plated gold he pressed the up button and the door opened to reveal a burgundy carpet and crushed velvet mirrored interior.

‘Marvellous!’ Mr Weasley murmured as they all filed into the lift ‘Just extraordinary Harry’

‘Wait til you see your room sir’ The Bellhop said to Mr Weasley ‘I think you shall all find it to your satisfaction’.

‘May I ask why we are using a different set of lifts?’ Percy asked in a dignified air.

‘Yes sir this lift is reserved for only our most valued guests’ The Bellhop said ‘The card you each received shall allow you acess to your room and the use of the lift. Your lodgings for your stay is not accessible from the main set of lifts’

‘We’re valued guests?’ Ron asked in disbelief.

‘Yes sir for the duration of your stay you have access to the executive wet area. A personal butler and housekeeping twenty four seven and you can check out when you like’

‘Harry just what did you organize?’ George asked again.

‘You’ll see’

The lift arrived at the topmost floor and the doors opened. The Bellhop led the way out of the lift and down a short hallway to a huge set of wooden doors. He swiped a card in the card reader and pushed them open.

The opulence of the room even floored Harry. The carpet was ivory and the walls had mahogany panels every few feet. To the left of the main door was a small parlour and on the right was a small sitting area with three squishy armchairs in it. Further along the hall was an elegant dining room with a ten seater glass topped table and ebony sideboard. Harry walked past the dining room which Mr Weasley and Bill and Charlie were investigating into the main lounge area with Ron.

‘Fuuuckin’ ‘ell!’ Ron exclaimed.

The lounge area had floor to ceiling windows that leant slightly outward that gave a full view of the street below and in one corner was the most enourmous television Harry had ever seen in his life.

‘Hey Arthur come and have a look at this!’ Harry said with a laugh dropping his backpack on one of three lounge suites in the room.

Mr Weasley came out of the dining room and into the loungeroom where Harry and Ron stood in front of the huge television.

‘What is that?’ He exclaimed his jaw dropping.

‘That sir is the latest in widescreen projector technology' The Bellhop said to Mr Weasley picking up a remote control and pressing a button.

For the next half an hour the Bellhop showed the group around the suite showing them how everything worked. Harry had never seen Mr Weasley so enthusiacstic about all the muggle contraptions and more than once Harry had to stamp on his foot to stop the Bellhop giving them odd looks.

When the bellhop left the suite Lee Jordan squealed like a pig ad took a flying leap onto a king sized bed he had claimed for himself.

‘Harry Potter I can’t believe you!’ He said incredulously.

Harry grinned.
‘Control yourself Jordan’ He said ‘Whatya think George?’

‘Mate you didn’t have to do this for us’ He said sitting down on a bed he had claimed for himself ‘You didn’t need to go to this expense’

‘Yeah I did Harry said flouncing onto his own bed ‘I don’t need the money and this is my contribution to the night have fun. All we need to do is pay for our food and drink’

‘And the rest of us will do that for you’ Bill said to George ‘This is your bucks night and as your eldest brother it’s my duty to see you get well and truly pissed as a it!’

‘Great let start there’s some whiskey in the mini bar!’ Ron declared ‘Staying for a drink Jack?’

‘Nah pal I have to go for a minute but I’ll be back at eight to pick you lot up for the night out’ Jack said ‘I have to get the car back to the Ministry then get home to do a few things. Don’t get blind too early will ya? The night is young and you need to be awake for where I’m taking you’’

‘Right on’

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