Pack!

Chapter Sixteen
“All right, lets get to discussion on the new items. We have two choices, we can go for subcomittees to get into details, or we can as a group, briefly, and I stress briefly, go over the generalities of each. It’s now 10:45 PM, and done or not, I’m going to cut off all discussion at 2 AM, tomorrow is going to be insanity itself, there’s still far too much to do that’s critical, especially regarding supplies, and we all need to get some sleep before getting back to it at 6 AM. What we can’t get sorted tonight we’re just going to have to live with. Show of Lumos for subcommittees?” It was readily apparent it was a small minority. “Okay, so looks like we’re working in generalities. We need to keep reminding ourselves that we’re fortunate to get a say in this at all, so if we stuff something up, we’re just going to have to look at it as an adventure in problem solving on the other side. I’m also going to mention that these are all things we asking for, and while I’m sure Hogwarts will do her best to find us a match, it might not be a perfect match. But, Hogwarts? Ollie’s broom thing is non-negotiable, he’d never speak to us again if we interfered in that.” He paused when a wave of laughter ran around the gathering. “I’m going to tick off a few items right now that I don’t think need further discussion as they seem self evident, but holler if you need to say something regarding it.”
Harry placed an X next to several comments, the list now showing as:
Travel
Relative time era
oceans, lakes, navigable rivers
must support wizard flight options in general, and very specifically broomsticks
unobstructed ports
site location, water access, water type
xx Nearby iron deposits
xx Nearby quarry site
xx No regularly occurring natural disasters
xx Equivalent day/night cycle
xx Human livable, comfortable, and stable climate
xx No wars, peace is a priority for all.
“Anyone want to add anything to the ticked off items? Going once, going twice, SOLD to Hogwarts. Hat, if you want to feed Hogwarts the information as we close the topic, she can get a head start on things if she wants. This should be an easy one, let’s go over flight options. We currently have brooms, flying carpets, and to whoever came up with that flying pickup I really want to know how you did that. Mr. Patil, I know you currently produce carpets among other things, do you know what’s involved in flying carpets, and is that something you could add to your production, or is it a completely separate process that could be handled as a separate business?”
Mr. Patil stood up. “We have a general idea, but it is not something intrinsic to the carpet and can be readily outsourced as a separate enterprise. We know it involves potions, charms, and embroidered runes, but little beyond that. I’m not eager to take it on, my family is going to be focused on reworking our plans to a new model in response to what the new production expectations will be and will be relying on using our existing stock to cover us as we do so. We anticipate a two year adjustment and evaluation period, adding a new production line is not something we’ll be able to do well if we have to split focus.”
“Understood. Remus, I know you already have a list going, or have delegated someone to handle it. Who is keeping track of existing business and potential business opportunities? Lee, is that your hand waving? Okay, Lee Jordan is keeping up to date as much as possible on that. Lee, add flying carpets to your notes. If you currently own a business we’re unaware of, talk to Lee. If you think of a possible business, have Lee make a note of it. If you want to claim that business for yourself, have him note that too. For right now, you can claim an idea you offer if nobody else has nominated it. If someone else nominated something, but hasn’t claimed it, you’re free to claim it. For right now, I’ll ask that we limit claims to only one business per adult, so make sure it’s something you want. You’re going to be responsible for the equipment and supplies to run that business, make sure you get all that picked up tomorrow. Ask Seamus to get you some help if you need it. We’re not going to hold you to those plans, and we’ll make sure you’re reimbursed and sell your stock on to a new claimant if you choose to relinquish your claim, but keep Lee in the loop. We’re going to be heavily revising how we go about things once we’re on the other side, we’re talking theoretical plans right now. Once on the other side, we’ll look at some sort of process to be getting on with. Moving on, and back to travel, Mr. Whitehorn, are you planning to bring your broom factory? Yes? Outstanding. Please ensure you bring what supplies you need to continue, and if there is specialized anything you’ll need in the future, such as wood from specific types of trees, bring that and a stock of the live trees as well. Ask Seamus to get you some help if you need it.”
“For the flying pickup, that’s absolutely brilliant, but I want to make sure it doesn’t run on internal combustion. Please advise yes or no.”
A lanky figure stood up from amidst the quidditch section. “Ah’m Jedidiah Calhoun-” Another voice from the same general area interrupted, “Call him Einstein, we all do.” Jedidiah just sighed. “Yeah, alright. Naw, it’s not a real truck, just looks like one. It’s really a tandem mounted heavy duty broom setup that’s transfigured to look like a truck. It can run on the road or air, but it’s broom powered, not by combustion.” He sat back down.
“Very cool idea, you’re going to get quizzed on that quite a bit more, I’m sure. Any other options we want to consider for flight?” When no further wands were lit, Harry added “and flying carpets” to the note , then ticked it off and gave the go ahead to Hat for that line.
We’re going to take on travel, for the moment leaving out boats. What options currently exist? We’ve covered brooms and rugs, we’ve got foot power and I’m working on draft horses, cows and sheep, all of which are able to pull a cart to varying degrees. Oh - Dogs. Lee, dog breeder, emphasis on working dogs.”
Seamus absolutely rocketed to his feet. “Me! I claim that!” He sat back down, frantically pulling paper out of his pockets and using a pencil stub to furiously make notes, completely checked out of any remaining conversation.
Harry smiled in real affection at Seamus’s head, bowed over his notes. He wasn’t in the least surprised. “Also, Lee, a farrier, a cobbler, someone who can rig a harness for various animal types, and cart maker, or is it cartwright?”
A wand came up. Harry nodded at them, and the young girl rose. She looked to be Hogwarts aged, maybe a second year? “I’m Monty Graham. What about the Hogwarts Express?” She sat back down.
Harry chewed his lip. “Okay, we’re getting into two points here, and I suspect the Muggleborns among you are going to have a slightly different experience to draw from on this. Bluntly, I don’t really want to take anything running on coal, or refined petroleum. If it generates smoke, other than steam, I’d like us to considert taking a hard pass on it. I’ve seen muggle cities that have barely breathable air due to massive amounts of byproducts from engine exhaust. We’ve all seen the Diagon Alley shops get more and more discolored from London’s air pollution, although they’ve gotten much better about it in recent years. I don’t want to repeat that. We don’t need to burn wood for fires, we have heating charms. We don’t need to use internal combustion engines when we have other non-polluting options. As well, when I added the point of relative time era, I realized I was internally picturing our new village as no more industrialized than early Georgian. Or really, anything resembling Tudor to Georgian. In feel only, not in reality. I’m not in favor of three fourths of us becoming serfs to Lord Remus.” Another wave of laughter. “Really, I just don’t want noisy cars or smoky trains running about. I don’t want to live in a rush, I want to slow down and enjoy things. I want time to ramble around and explore, try new things, learn new things. Which doesn’t mean you should make slower brooms, Mr. Whitehorn.” Devlin Whitehorn gave him a sly wink. “Anyone have thoughts?”
Several wands lit up, with Harry choosing the closest. “Alasdair Maddock,” the man said, rising to his feet. “If I understand correctly, you’re not asking us to regress how we do things to that era, you’re good with the status quo in most everything, with what are minor caveats, but you would like the new world itself to equate itself to having nothing currently in existence that exceeds our view of the Georgian period, correct? Minus Einstein over there, to my knowledge we’re all British, so we all have the relevant history knowledge to draw from, but you intend to apply that worldwide, yes?” He sat back down.
Harry looked over to the Durmstrang contingent, who Mr. Maddock apparently hadn’t met as yet, but Victor just waved a hand at him to continue, it looked like they were good with their generalized understanding. Looking back at Mr. Maddock, Harry nodded in agreement. “Yes. I’m not asking that the entire world share an identical history or capability, but you can’t stop pollution from spreading in the air and you can’t stop fouled water from following the currents. I want to start with unspoiled, and I want to work to keep it that way. I don’t personally see that mechanization has ever helped a single small scale community. It results in Cheap, Fast, Good; you can have any two. For big cities, sure, I can appreciate the need, but we’re not going to have those. And since we as a community already don’t use much in the mechanization, thank you Magic, I don’t want to have to deal with the results of others doing so. And I think, going back to Ms. Graham’s question, that the Express is something we love, but don’t need.”
There was some conversation taking place in the group, and he saw a number of furrowed foreheads as people gave full consideration to his thoughts.
Another lit wand rose, and Harry nodded at the gentleman. “Connor McReedy. And we have a guarantee we’re free to live as we currently do, we’re not going to be arbitrarily assigned as tenant farmers or the like?” He sat back down.
Remus stood up to take that one. “No Mr. McReedy, no one is ever going to be forced into an occupation simply because there’s a need and we have a handy body nearby. If someone can’t find an occupation doing something they like, simple economics are going to make them take an available job that might not be loved, but they’ll never be locked into it against their will. That said, neither can we offer a guarantee that life will continue on for most of us without change. There might be minor changes, there could be major changes, we simply don’t know, and will have to adapt. If we don’t have someone who makes ink, it will be difficult for anyone running a newspaper. We are going to have to take the changes as they come, and do our best to be flexible and help each other through the rougher moments.” He sat back down to a bit of minor applause.
Harry looked around at the thoughtful crowd. “Anyone else?” There were no further hands raised, so Harry continued. “All right, amending relative time era with world not to exceed the understood parameters of the British Georgian period. Any dissenting votes or final thoughts you’d like us to consider on that?” After another long pause, Harry said “Okay, Hogwarts, that one’s all yours as well. Now, back to travel and the final option for currently known travel means, boats. Durmstrang contingent, I know you have a heavy interest in that field, and are likely to use either your current boat or new construction. Shipyard; Lee, add that to the list.”
“I claim that,” said two of the Durmstrang professors rising and speaking simultaneously. They eyed each other, then shrugged. “There is more than enough for two, we own jointly, yes?” “Yes”, the other agreed. “The Oryol Shipyards, yes?” “Da!” The two sat back down, much satisfied with themselves and later to be identified as Lev Alekhin and Sasha Egorov.
“Can we agree to stick to magical propulsion, manpower, or sail only? If another option presents itself in the future, it’s open to discussion, but no steamers, paddlewheels, engines or turbines, yes?” The majority of heads nodded. “Any other opinions to put forward on this topic?” when no response was forthcoming, Harry added “no combustion related options” to the travel bullet point, and handed it off to Hogwarts.
Discussion continued, finalizing into a site with strongly running water, nearby granite or ironstone deposits, and landing in an area not currently claimed by any country or current landowner.
As the clock ticked closer to 2 AM, Harry started things winding down. “All right, that’s all she wrote about that, it’s time to stop for the night. Everybody get some sleep, meet back here at 6 AM. At that time, you’re free to finish Pack!ing up anything you still need to see to, and then please see Seamus or any assistant drafted by Seamus if you’re available to be sent out on supply runs. We’ll go over some specifics first thing, so don’t leave until you hear that brief. Night, all.” And with that Harry went over to Remus and Sirius, giving them both a hard hug. He’d had a chance to speak with Sirius earlier, but it hadn’t been for long, and Harry wasn’t all that willing to let him out of his sight, even as exhausted as he was.
Sirius pulled Harry to his chest, rocking him slightly from side to side. “Shhhh, pup, you need to get some sleep. I’m not going anywhere, I promise. I’ll see you in the morning, and you can order me about to your heart’s content.”

“Holding you to that, Padfoot. I have ideas.” And with a tired grin, he headed to his room, where he once again dove headfirst into sleep, barely remembering to set an alarm.