Chapter 28
“Students implies current, where former student means anyone that had already left Hogwarts, like you and dad.”
“Ah.” Lily grunted.
“If you can come up with anything that will work better, please do.” Harry grinned. “We’re open to suggestions.”
“I’ll show you what we’ve come up with, Lils.” Remus said. “If you ride with me tomorrow, we can work on it.”
“Musical wagons?” Harry snorted.
“Sure, why not?” James asked.
“I’ll ride with Prongs.” Sirius volunteered.
“That would put Tonks with me?” Harry asked. “Cool, more Teddy time for me.” He grinned, earning himself laughter from his parents, godfathers and chosen brother.
~~~
June 9th 2920
Today’s travel would see them reach the Brandywine River and after an easy morning’s drive, they started to pay attention to the surrounding countryside. They were less than five miles from the river, when Harry heard his name being called, and turned his attention to the rear of the caravan.
“Harry! Harry, stop! There!” Colin yelled, pointing to a gate on the north side of the road.
Colin pulled his and Lavender’s wagon to a halt and jumped down off the drive-seat. In the middle of the road, the caravan stopped and Harry hopped down from his drive-seat, trotting back to join Colin, wondering what he’d missed.
The gate held a sign that read ‘Farm For Sale’.
“Nice one, Colin.” Harry grinned at the blonde dwarf, once he spotted the sign.
“It flapped in the breeze, otherwise... I’d have missed it.” Colin said. “It’s not well placed to draw attention.”
“That sounds good for us.” Harry said. “Let’s see what else it says.” He crossed the road and studied the sign.
FARM FOR SALE
350+ acres
Prime for grazing or crops
Small market garden
2 houses, 1 cottage, four barns
Stables, sties, dairy, coops
2 streams, 2 ponds, 4 wells
Apply at Brandy Hall
Ref~ EWR102
“Well…” Harry blinked a few times. “That’s… that’s pretty much exactly what we want.”
“Yeah…” Colin read the sign and looked at Harry. “We’re going to ask after it?”
“I think so.” Harry nodded. “We’d need to build a motel or an inn,” he knew Colin was a muggleborn and would know what both of them were, “as well as a camping area and maybe a livery yard and stables.”
Colin stared off into space as he thought about that. “Sure. We can do that. We’d be able to use wands, depending on where we put the main buildings. Those trees are almost a hedge, they provide a good bit of privacy from the road.”
“Let’s see if we can get it, first.” Harry chided. “No use in planning, if it’s already sold.”
“Ugh…” Colin grunted. “How far are we from the river?”
“About five miles.” Harry answered. “I think…”
“And we’re going to camp, where, tonight?”
“We’ve still got a couple of hours before sunset, I think we should keep moving.” Harry replied. “The sooner we get to Brandy Hall the sooner we’ll know if we can get this place.” He nodded towards the sign.
“Right.” Colin went back to his and Lavender’s wagon and climbed back up onto the drive-seat and waited for Harry to re-join Tonks on his own wagon and give the ‘move out’ call to the ponies.
“What was all that about?” Lavender asked once they were in motion again.
“That place was for sale.” Colin answered.
“Really?” Lavender was suddenly completely focused on Colin.
“Yeah.” The younger dwarf nodded. “And it’s almost perfect for us. Over three hundred acres, three homes, lots of barns, plenty of space for the ponies and half a dozen water sources.”
“Oh, wow…” Lavender gasped.
“Yeah…” Colin grinned and for the next little while, he told her what the sign said and what Harry had suggested.
They turned south onto the Brandy Hall Road and kept going. The sun was still high in the sky and while they had daylight, they were going to use it. Their maps and map charms indicated that there were places, just a mile or two from the East-West road, that could possibly be used as a camp site.
The first was quite crowded with nearly half a dozen wagons in a few groups, but the second had only a trio of hobbits puttering around a spluttering firepit that stubbornly refused to stay alight.
“Hi!” Called one of the hobbits. “Pull in wherever, we’re under the trees over there.” He waved to a clump of coppiced birch trees.
“Thanks.” Lavender waved back and guided Golly around, until all their wagons were off the road, before coming to a stop.
One by one, the wagons were unhitched and the ponies unharnessed, Colin and Sirius taking the reel of rope and making the two enclosures for the ponies. Buckets were found and filled from a little creek, that fed into the Brandywine river, so each pony could be washed down, then watered and fed. It barely raised an eyebrow, when all three hobbits just joined in and helped. They might not be comfortable with the ponies, but they had no concerns joining a bucket line.
“Hi.” The same hobbit who’d spoken earlier, grinned. “I’m Rorimac and these are my cousins, Sigisimond and Bilbo.” The only reason that this gained a raised eyebrow was Bilbo’s name.
The Hogwarts crew all looked to Harry, who sighed and shook his head at them, before turning to the hobbits. “Greetings.” He replied. “I’m Harry, son James. These are my chosen family. Fred, son of Arthur. Colin, son of Russell. Lavender, daughter of Liam. Remus, son of Lyall. His wife, Tonks, daughter of Edward, and their son, Teddy. Sirius, son of Orion. And my parents, James, son of Fleamont, and Lily, daughter of Roger.” As each person was introduced, they bowed or curtsied, to the hobbits.
The trio blinked at the first few bows but quickly accepted it, waiting until they were done before replying.
“Rorimac, son of Gorbadoc. Please call me Rori.” Rorimac bowed to the ladies and nodded to the males.
“Sigisimond, son of Hildibrand. Call me Sigi, please.” He also bowed.
“Bilbo, son of Bungo. Bilbo, if you please, shortening it’s a pain.” Bilbo seemed to be the most well-spoken of the three.
“Where are you headed?” Rori asked.
“To Brandy Hall.” Harry replied and after a quick speaking glance with Fred and Colin, continued. “We’re interested in buying a farm, up on the East-West Road.”
“Really?” Bilbo asked. “Whatever for?”
“We need somewhere to base ourselves.” Harry said. “Each of us have our own trade, but we’ve come from the south of Gondor and we’re all tired of living in our wagons, full time. We want a home. Somewhere we can rest and work, as we want. We’re hoping to gain trade permits to travel through the Shire, each summer, just once-around trips. But we still need somewhere to live and work during the winters.”
“That sounds fair.” Rori nodded.
“We spotted a likely farm, up on the Road, and we’re hoping that the Master of Buckland, or his clerk, might be able to tell us a little more about it.”
“I’m sure he will.” Bilbo commented. “Uncle Gorbo’s only been the Master for ten years, but he was Great Uncle Marmadoc’s clerk for nearly twenty years, before that.”
“He wants me to take on the clerk’s post, but I can’t start any training until I’ve had my Tween Day and that isn’t for another four years.” Rori huffed.
“You’ll get there.” Sigi laughed.
“If he stops jumping into things head-first, you mean.” Bilbo added with a nudge of Rori’s shoulder.
“Oh, ha ha.” Rori replied sarcastically, earning a smothered snort from Harry.
“Sorry.” Harry bit his lip when the hobbit glared at him. “They just sound like Colin and Lavender, digging at Fred or I.”
“Ah, you’ve got them, too?” Rori said sympathetically.
“I do, indeed.” Harry grinned. “Although, payback when they do something stupid, is lovely.”
“Isn’t it?” Rori grinned back.
“Alright, alright.” Bilbo smiled at them both. “Enough with trading barbs. It’s a lovely afternoon, we don’t need snarking or fighting.”
“True enough.” Rori agreed. “So, what trades do you have? Dad’s always on the search for new traders.”
“Oh, we got all sorts.” Harry answered. “I’m a locksmith, Fred’s a wood carver, Colin and Lavender are jewellers, Remus is a paper maker, Tonks is waiting for a base to set up her still, dad’s a potter and mum’s an apothecary and grows her own medicinal herbs.” Lily had decided that trying to sell vegetables to hobbits would be harder than trying to sell coal to a coalmine, so had decided that as Harry had access to magical plants, she would be better off as an apothecary.
“Well, now.” Bilbo nodded. “That’s quite a collection.” He frowned. “And the other fellow? Sirius, wasn’t it?” Trust a Baggins to pick up on Harry leaving Sirius out of the line-up.
“Once we have a permanent base, Sirius is going to build and run a halfway house.” Harry replied. “Not quite an Inn and not quite a tavern, but something that is a bit of both. With rooms for hobbits, dwarves and men, those that are travelling and don’t have wagons or that want to sleep in a bed for a change. Along with livery yards and stables, and plenty of space for travellers’ wagons and for those that prefer their own spaces.”
“And a pub?” Sigi aksed, eagerly.
“And a pub.” Harry grinned. “And probably a tea room for the ladies, too.”
Bilbo and Sigi exchanged a long speaking look.
“That would work.” Bilbo nodded, finally. “Maybe have somewhere that travellers can look at your wares, too?”
“Oh, yes,” Harry nodded, “we planned on having a small market area, somewhere that other travelling traders could ply their wares, too.”
“Yes, yes, that’s a good idea.” Bilbo said and all three hobbits nodded.
“What are you going to be doing for meals?” Rori asked.
“Not sure yet.” Harry shrugged. “We thought that we might ask the Master if he knows of a couple of hobbits that might be interested in taking on a kitchen.”
“Oh, I’m sure he will.” Sigi answered. “Talking of meals? What are you doing for dinner, this evening?”
“Tonight?” Harry blinked at the change in subject. “Fred and Sirius are making pasta and I started some peaches to poach for dessert.”
“Pasta?” Bilbo asked. “What is pasta…?”
“…ooh…” Harry grinned. “Why don’t you three join us and see?” He’d watched Fred show Sirius how to make pasta the night before and he estimated that there would be more than enough for the twelve of them, even if they all had Ron’s appetite.
“We’ve got some root vegetables that we were planning on baking around the fire.” Bilbo offered. “If we ever got the thing going.”
“And I’ve some mushrooms I planned on stuffing with eggs and bacon.” Rori added, earning himself a startled look from both Bilbo and Sigi. “What? It’s not like I wasn’t going to share.” He responded to the narrow-eyed glares.
“Well, come on, then.” Harry grinned. “Come over to our camp and let’s see what we can do with your vegies and mushrooms.”
An hour later, the hobbits all blinked in surprised as they looked at the mushroom, sweet potato, red onion, tomato and spinach frittata, that was served alongside a massive bowl of pappardelle Bolognese and crusty garlic bread.
“Oh, sweet Yavanna…” Sigi moaned as the flavours burst across his tongue, nearly making his eyes roll back in his head, in pleasure.
“Sigi?” Bilbo eyed his slice of the egg and vegie dish, in suspicion.
“It’s so good…” Sigi whispered.
“Hmm…” Rori sighed and his eyes closed in sheer bliss as he tried to identify the subtle spices of the dish.
Bilbo looked from one to the other and back, before he huffed and tasted his piece of frittata. “Oh, my…” He blinked a couple of times and took a larger bite. “Well, now…” Another bite. “That’s just… That’s just lovely…” He smiled as he and his cousins eyed each other’s plates.
All three were quite surprised when a second slice of the frittata landed on each plate.
“Oh, but…?” Bilbo looked at Fred, who had done the slicing.
“There’s another one cooking.” The redhead assured the hobbits. “And there’s pasta as well.”
Another hour later and the three hobbits leant back against in the seats that Fred had provided from his shop-cart.
“That was a grand meal…” Rori smiled.
“It was.” Sigi agreed.
“Definitely.” Bilbo added.
“We’re agreed, then?” Rori asked his cousins.
“Agreed.” Sigi nodded.
“Agreed.” Bilbo nodded.
“Excellent.” Rori grinned before turning to a puzzled Harry. “We’re heading back to Brandy Hall, do you mind if we travel with you? I’d like to talk to dad about your plans. I know a couple of our older cousins on the Took side that might be interested in joining you.”
“Who’re you thinking?” Bilbo asked.
“Flambard, Adalina, Magnolia, Hawthorn, Mirabard or Bellarosa.” Rori replied.
“Not Hawthorn or Mirabard.” Bilbo corrected. “Hawthorn’s bought the Green Dragon and Mirabard's gone in with Lombard to buy the Purple Hare over in Michel Delving.”
“Or Magnolia.” Sigi added. “She’s just started courting Balsam Maggott.”
“Ew…” Rori screwed up his nose.
“No, no, Balsam’s okay.” Bilbo replied. “Balsam, Bracken and Linden are decent enough. It’s Mace and Spruce that’re the nasty ones.”
“Yes, Mace and Spruce got caught by the Bounders a few too many times for their father’s liking, both have been sent away. Spruce to Bramble’s Uncle… what’s his name…? The one on the edge of the White Downs?” Rori looked at Bilbo.
“Cornel.” Bilbo answered.
“Right, Cornel.” Rori nodded. “And Mace was sent to his mother’s brother, Sorrel, down near the Sarn Ford.”
“Anything to split them up.” Bilbo agreed.
“Right…” Rori let his head rock back and forward while he thought about that. “So… Flambard, Adalina or Bellarosa?”
Bilbo nodded. “Yes, any of them would be fine.” He frowned. “Although… You could add Fosco and Ruby Baggins. Their son Drogo? I hear, he caught Uncle Fosco’s attention in the kitchen.”
“Huh, I wonder how he did that?” Rori muttered. “He’s only… what? Twelve?”
“Does it matter?” Sigi asked. “Uncle Gorbo will put forward whoever he thinks would be best, whoever we suggest is irrelevant.”
Both Bilbo and Rori sighed and nodded. “Yes…” Bilbo agreed.
Sigi looked across the firepit at Harry. “Sorry about that.” He shrugged. “But if you don’t mind us travelling with you, we’d appreciate the ride.”
“And if Rori and I can get a minute with Uncle Gorbo before you, it might help your chances of getting what you want.”
Harry looked at the faces of his family and one-by-one, they nodded.
“Sure, why not?” He shrugged.
~~~
June 10th 2920
The caravan left the campsite only a few hours after first light, ignoring the sleepy mutters of the hobbits. Harry harnessed Golly and hitched the stallion to his shop-cart, while Delilah was harnessed and hitched to James and Lily’s cart with Sirius driving her. Fred drove his own wagon, as did Remus and Lavender, but Colin drove Harry’s wagon and James drove the feed wagon. Bilbo rode with Harry, Rori with Sirius and Sigi with Colin.
Knowing that they only had twelve miles to cover, mean that it was a nice easy day’s travel. But that didn’t mean that they dawdled, either. Harry and Remus had them up and going, far earlier than many would have liked, James and Rori being the most sluggish to get moving, although Tonks and Sigi weren’t far behind them.
It took an hour before Bilbo finally sighed and straightened from his slumped position beside Harry.
“… and that’s how Aunt Hermione and I rescued Sirius and sent him off with Buckbeak…”
“Who’s Buckbeak?” Bilbo asked. “Which one of the ponies is that?”
“Ah.” Harry grunted. “You woke up, then? Buckbeak’s not a pony, not one of ours, anyway. He belonged to a friend of ours. Hagrid. Hopefully, he’s returned to Hagrid.” He frowned. “I hope so, I really do…”
“Oh…” Bilbo replied, clearly not understanding.
“Unimportant.” Harry huffed. “Are you going to stay awake, this time?” He wasn’t all that surprised at the hobbit’s ability to act while still three-quarters asleep, after all, he’d roomed with Dean and Ron for six years.
“If I must…” Bilbo huffed back.
“Not a morning person, I take it?”
“Oh, it’s not the morning, that’s the issue.” Bilbo replied. “It’s Sigi’s snoring, that kept me awake half the night.”
“Ah.” Harry pursed his mouth. “I had a friend like that.”
“How did you deal with it?”
“Usually dumped a bucket of water over him.” Or hit him with an aguamenti, it depended on whether Harry could use his wand or not.
“Hmm…” Bilbo tilted his head and considered that.
Entering the village that was home to Brandy Hall, had Rori dropping from the cart that he’d shared with Sirius and trotting up alongside Harry’s cart.
“Take them to the Party Field.” He told Bilbo. “I’ll talk to dad and Uncle Orgie. Help them set up camp and I’ll bring either dad, or Uncle Orgie to the field.” He didn’t wait for Bilbo to answer but ran off ahead.
“Alright, then…” Bilbo muttered. “Next left, Harry.”
“Right…” Harry exchanged a partially-amused-partially-resigned look with the hobbit.
Harry, Remus, Colin and Sirius had barely got the ponies’ enclosures up and the ponies in them, while the others saw to preparing the camp, when they saw Rori and three older hobbits enter the field from the road.
“Show time…” Sirius grinned at Harry. “All yours, pup.”
“Oh, gee, thanks, Sirius.” Harry replied flatly, earning himself a giggle from Colin and an amused headshake from Remus. But that didn’t stop him from heading over to meet the hobbits.
“Eru’s blessings on you, this day.” He said, giving a formal bow.
The hobbits blinked before they responded.
“Father, with your consent, I introduce Harry, son of James, leader of his caravan, Master of Knives and Journeyman Locksmith.” Rori spoke in a slower, more regal manner, similar to what Thorin or Balin used. “Master Harry, I introduce my father Gorbadoc, son of Marmadoc, current Master of Buckland. His primary clerk, Orgulas, son of Marmadoc. And Willibald, son of Hamsley, who monitors the traders’ registry.”
“Well met, Master of Knives.” Gorbadoc gave Harry a shallow bow.
“Well met, Master of Buckland.” Harry had seen that Fred had the firebox going, with water already at the boil and a tray of scones in the box’s little oven. “Would you join me, for tea? Something to drink and nibble upon would make our business and the thought of the ensuing paperwork, that much easier to bear.”
“Paperwork… the bane of the businessman…” Gorbadoc sighed. “And yes, Master Harry, we would be pleased to join you. Will you be introducing your companions now, or later?”
“Perhaps later, might be best.” Harry grimaced. “Get the worst of the discussion out of the way, before bringing in new faces.”
Gorbadoc laughed quietly. “That is a fair suggestion, Master Harry.”
Harry led them to the seats and trestle table that had been hastily set up while he talked to the hobbits. Once seated, Fred and Lavender deposited teapot, crockery, cutlery, scones and condiments on the table and after giving them smiles, retreated back to the wagons.
For a few minutes, they exchanged various pleasantries about the day and the local roads, but finally, Gorbadoc sat back and studied Harry.
“Now, tell me. What is it you’re after?” Gorbadoc asked.
“Two things.” Harry replied. “Firstly? Trade permits to travel through Buckland and the Shire, once a year. And second? We’d like to purchase a property, preferably up on the East-West Road. We’ve seen a sign on one, that might be suitable, it’s certainly large enough, but we don’t know what sort of conditions there are on the sale.”
“Ah.” Gorbadoc grunted. “That will depend on the property. Do you recall if you saw a reference number?”
“I do.” Harry nodded. “It was EWR one-zero-two.”
“Oh, that’s the Smedley place.” Gorbadoc replied. “Orgie? Conditions on the sale?”
Orgulas opened the satchel that he’d laid at his feet and removed a large-ish book from it.
“Smedley, Smedley… Smedley…” Orgulas flicked through the book and ran his fingers down the pages. “Ah, Smedley, here we are.” He laid the book on the edge of the table and Gorbadoc and Willibald moved cups and plates to a safer distance. “Previous owner was Garrat Smedley. Died two years ago. No living children, or siblings. Owed back taxes for six years, unpaid due to illness. His wife’s brother was offered the place, but he refused to cover the taxes. Same for the brother’s only son. Property reclaimed by the Master of Buckland, in leu of taxes. No interest from Buckland or the Shire. Two inquiries by outsiders, neither progressed past the initial inquiry. To be sold as one lot.”
“The cost and the details of the property?” Gorbadoc asked.
“Cost is listed as payment of taxes and honorarium to be negotiated.” Orgulas replied. “Details of property are… three-hundred-fifty-six acres, fenced as over a dozen fields and paddocks. Suitable for either grazing or crops. A small-ish market garden, approximately two acres in size. Two houses and one cottage. Four barns, stables for six ponies or horses, five pig sties, a dairy and milking stall, two chicken coops and four bee hives. Water sources are two streams, two ponds and four wells, but a fifth is marked, but labelled as uncompleted, on the farm’s map.” He lifted his attention from the book and quickly sipped at his almost forgotten tea, before returning his attention to the book. “The main body of the farm is on a south-facing shallow rise, not subject to flooding even with two streams. Before Garrat’s son, Mackle died, they farmed mostly grains, but after the lad’s death, Garrat let the fields lie fallow and turned two acres, nearer the cottage, into market a garden. Grew mostly melons and squashes.”
He turned a page and continued. “All three homes are above ground. The main house is four bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, parlour, den and two reception rooms. The second house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, two reception rooms and a sunroom. The cottage is also three bedrooms, with only one bathroom, kitchen, one reception room and a sunroom. The barns are simple but solid structures, all have haylofts and grain storage rooms. The stables are large enough for horses but Garrat only ever had ponies. The sties are large, with one predominantly used for farrowing sows. A separate dairy with the milking stall on the south wall. The chicken coops were timber, one on a sled that was often moved around the fields. The hives? I have no further information on them, other than their existence.”
Harry had listened carefully to Orgulas as he’d listed each item, nodding slowly the whole time.
“Master Harry?” Gorbadoc asked. “Are you still interested?”
“I am.” Harry nodded. “But it will depend on trading permits.”
“Ah.” Gorbadoc grunted. “And they will depend on what you sell. Also, while I can issue permits for Buckland, I can only give you a letter of introduction to the Thain, Gerontius Took. That may count for quite a bit, though, he is my father-in-law, after all. But I also spy Bilbo Baggins hiding among your companions. His mother, Belladonna, is Gerontius’ favourite daughter. Getting Bilbo to speak for you, will hold far more weight than any letter I can issue. But… again, it will depend on what you sell.”
“Ah.” Harry nodded. “That is understandable. As Rorimac stated, I am a locksmith. I sell coin purses and pouches, locks and keys, lockboxes, strongboxes, money-tins, jewellery boxes and a selection of trinket boxes.” He explained. “My companions include, a woodcarver, two jewellers, a papermaker who also does some book-binding, a brewer, a potter and an apothecary who will also sell herbs.”
“And the missing person?” Gorbadoc knew enough about dwarves to know that all of them had their own trade.
“Will be looking to build a… what we are tentatively calling a halfway house, halfway between an inn and a tavern, with a tearoom and a dining area, in addition to a drinking room.” Harry replied. “We’ll also have space for campers and livery stables and yards. And Bilbo suggested a small market area, where travellers could market their wares, as well as permanent stalls for our own wares. ”
Gorbadoc nodded. “Rori mentioned you’ll be looking for hobbits to run a kitchen?”
Harry nodded in reply. “Yes, we want a dining room, but none of us are accustomed to cooking for large numbers. If we can find hobbits to run it, we’re prepared to build a… a smial, is it? Right. We’ll build a smial for them and they’ll run the kitchen as their own business.”
“Their own business? Not running it for you?”
“No, their own business.” Harry answered. “Although, there will be a contract and they’ll be required to maintain a certain level of competence. If they don’t, they forfeit the contract and loose the smial.”
“Oh, of course, of course.” Gorbadoc nodded in agreement. “That’s a very generous offer.”
“They’ll earn it.” Harry said. “They’ll have their own home and business, but it’s not a gift, they’ll be working their backsides off, to get it up and going.”
“A public dining room.” Orgulas said. “A tearoom. An ale house. A livery stable and yards. A marketplace with permanent stalls. And overnight accommodations.” He sat back in shock. “You’re looking at creating an entire town, practically…”
Gorbadoc blinked in surprise as he thought about that. “Oh, Yavanna… you are…”
“That wasn’t our intention…” Harry was just as surprised at the revelation.
Gorbadoc narrowed his eyes in consideration. “How are you off for funds? I’m asking… because… the Smedley property isn’t the only one, just there, that’s for sale and if you’re going to build an entire village, you’d be best off, doing it from scratch.”
“There’s a strip of land between the Smedley place and the Brandywine.” Orgulas added. “It’s been Buckland land for centuries, with no reason to consider selling it. But if you were interested…? It might worth considering. There's also a few other plots around there that might interest you.” He knew exactly what properties were available and felt sure that this was what Gorbadoc meant.
“I… I…” Harry didn’t know what to say.
“Perhaps something to think about in the future?” Gorbadoc offered and gave Orgulas a subtle nod of approval. It was nice when your clerk could read your intentions.
“We just want a home…” Harry whispered.
“The taxes owed on the Smedley place are… six years… on three-hundred-fifty-six acres. That’s… §1, Ç1, Š8, ƒ10, ‡1, Þ5. Oh, my…” Orgulas whispered.
“And that doesn’t even take the honorarium into account…” Willibald added, quietly.
“And the honorarium is… how much?” Harry looked at Gorbadoc.
“I…” The hobbit swallowed and tried again. “I was going to suggest one-tenth, but….”
Harry’s eye flicked back and forth as he tried to work out what that would be, but numbers weren’t his strongest suit. “Um… Ç2, Š6, ƒ17, Þ2? I think…?” He finally offered up. “Which is…? Um…? §1, Ç04, Š06, ƒ07, ‡01, Þ07, in total… I think…? Numbers aren’t my strongest skill.” He could be wrong, but he figured he was pretty close.
“Make it §1, Ç4?” Gorbadoc countered. “The honorarium is just a token.”
Harry narrowed his eyes as he considered that. “And the river frontage?”
“That’s…” Orgulas’ eyes widened even further. “That’s another sceptre…”
“§2, Ç4 for both properties…?” Harry asked, his eyes wide.
“Or if you’d prefer, one filled sceptre?” Gorbadoc offered. “And I’ll issue trade permits for Buckland.” He paused as Harry blinked. “I’ll even have Orgulas travel with you to view and inspect the property and if you decide you want it, he’ll have the authority to sign it over to you, on the spot. Then all you need do, is visit Tuckborough and speak Gerontius regarding Shire trade permits and Bilbo will be of more help to you, there, than I would.”
Harry looked over at his family, blinking at them, before what Gorbadoc had offered, actually made it into his mind, then his eyes snapped to the hobbit.
“A filled sceptre for the two properties and trade permits for the nine of us?” He summarised.
“Yes.” Gorbadoc seemed uncertain.
“And what of our… halfway house?”
“The buildings have to be deemed safe, but other than that?” Gorbadoc shrugged. “It’s up to you, what you do with them. I do suggest that, if you’re going to provide accommodation for dwarves and men in addition to hobbits, that you have someone familiar with their building practises view them, before you open, but that is your concern.”
~~~