102 Conference

Delvin Whithorn POV***

Delvin chose to ignore the annoying pest behind him as he stared into the mirror, looking over his appearance. His dark eyes narrowed as he spotted a few streaks of grey starting to peak out in his hair. Moving closer to the mirror, he brought up his wand and banished the offensive grey strands.

Delvin paused when a deliberate cough from the pest behind interrupted him. Annoyance bubbled up within him. Not bothering to turn around, he demanded, "What is it now, Gimley?"

A nervous voice corrected, "Mr. Whithorn. It's actually Gimbel."

Delvin stopped what he was doing and slowly shifted his eyes from his appearance in the mirror to the bespectacled brown-haired wizard holding stacks of papers in his hands behind him. They locked eyes for a moment before Gimbel's eyes turned downward in submission.

Satisfied that Gimbel wouldn't presume to correct him again, Delvin snapped, "I'm still waiting for an answer, Gimley. Or do you intend to stand there all day like a buffoon?"

"It. It. It's the board, Sir." Gimbel stuttered. "They're concerned about releasing the Nimbus 2001 little more than a year after the Nimbus 2000.

Delvin smugly curled his lip, "That's because the board members are idiots and lack vision. Last year profits soared when we released the Nimbus 2000. Releasing the 2001 will net us similar profits allowing us to expand into some new areas."

Gimbel nervously bit his lip, trying to build the courage to voice the board's concern. "Sir, the board is worried about alienating our customers, particularly the professional quidditch teams, who made up a majority of our sales last year. They're worried that the teams will be feeling tricked and betrayed if a new and faster model comes out a year after they purchased large quantities of the Nimbus 2000. Especially when you consider our past business practice has been to release a model once a decade."

Delvin flashed a look of disdain at Gimbel. "They can complain all they want to, but in the end, it won't matter one bit as long as we're the producer of the fastest broom model out there. They will have to buy our products if they want to stay competitive."

"But sir."

"SHUT UP, GIMLEY! I don't want to hear another word on this matter. The board can burn in dragon fire for all I care. This is my company. I built it. I made it into the most successful broom company in the world. I've made the board wealthier than they ever dreamed. All they need to do is sit down, shut up, and watch the galleons roll in. Do you understand me?"

Gimbel paled and nodded rapidly and refused to say another word on the matter.

Delvin let out a deep breath. "Good," he said. "Now, what have you uncovered about this supposed new broom company that there have been whispers about?"

Gimbel nervously readjusted his glasses. "Well, Sir. Not much, mostly just rumors. We feel that whoever they are, they will announce themselves at the Flight Conference."

Delvin rolled his eyes. "Really? That's it? I could have told you that much. Why in Merlin's name am I paying you when I can do your job in my sleep? Just get out of my sight, you useless piece of garbage.

Gimbel turned to flee but hesitated at the doorway. Turning around, he spoke up one final time. "Mr. Whithorn, one last thing. When I was investigating the rumor about a new broom company forming, I came across something else."

Gimbel paused, waiting for Delvin's reaction. Seeing Delvin turn in his direction, Gimbel explained. "Someone is making moves in the dark. The word is, there is a new player that is supposedly going to revolutionize the world of flying."

Devin rolled his eyes. "I've heard that rumor almost every year. It's a common tactic used to build interest before the conference. Truth be told, I've done it myself."

"But sir."

Delvin held up a hand, silencing Gimbel. "If there were any truth to the rumor, I'm sure I would know about it. I have my sources, and they haven't said a word about anything."

"But."

"But nothing," Delvin coolly rebuked. "I've said all I am going to say on the matter. Now get out of my sight, or I'll turn you into a doorknob. At least then, you would be useful."

*******

"ALEX!"

I grinned at the sound of my name being shrieked after Anna's disproportionate response to my keeping the Frogger Curse attached to her for admittedly a tad too long. We had spent the last two months one-upping each other in a magical war of pranks with neither one of us surrendering.

My latest gambit originated back when I was sitting in the hospital wing with the goopy solution Madam Pomfrey whipped up. Apparently, my situation wasn't all that unusual. Madam Pomfrey informed me that Zonko's Joke Shop sold magic markers that left permanent ink on all types of surfaces. So, while the makeup was a new touch, it wasn't anything she hadn't dealt with before.

That piece of information led me to conclude that if I truly wanted to win, I would need to go to the drawing board. The main problem is so many spells, and hexes are repeated variations of themselves. I would need something new, something that Madam Pomfrey couldn't get rid of in a few minutes.

In the end, I was inspired by Ryan, my muggleborn dormmate. He spent one evening trying to explain to us about a muggle play called OZ. Or something like that. I was only paying half attention at the time. The part that really stuck out was that there was a green witch in the story, and wala, the beginnings of a new hex was hatched.

Now, there were plenty of spells out there that could change the color of someone's skin. Anna and I had even experienced it back when we were younger when we all went to quidditch matches. Dad would use magic to color our skin showing support for our team. The problem was there were dozens of ways to counter or remove the spell like that. I needed something that would stick, something new.

So, I spent a few weeks inventing a new unique hex I had dubbed the Slytherin Special. The best part of the spell was it was designed to resist all common counterspells. Short of going to Professor Dumbledore and having him overpower the spell, the only way to remove this hex was to say the magic words, so to speak.

While I was mentally patting myself on the back, Cedric, who was leaning against a tree in the courtyard sighed.

"Alex, what did you do now?"

I blinked innocently. "Whatever do you mean?"

Whatever he was going to say was interrupted by a door to the castle being slammed open. In the doorway was a young teenage girl whose normally pale skin was solid green and had silver hair hanging down past her shoulders.

Although I was gleeful that the hex was working as planned, I kept my face carefully neutral as if Anna's condition had nothing to do with me.

Blazing purple eyes glared at me, silently accusing me of malfeasance.

After a few moments of me pretending to be innocent while Anna glared at me, she finally broke down.

"Well." She gritted out through clenched teeth.

I turned to her in mock surprise, "Anna, I know you're proud to be in Slytherin, but don't you think this is going too far."

Anna's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I know it was you."

"Ahh." I sagely replied while holding up a finger. "But it's not what you know, but what you can prove that counts."

Anna stamped her foot, "Alex, undo it, right now."

I curled my fingers and examined my fingernails as if they were the only thing that mattered. "If you don't like the look," I replied. "I'm sure Madam Pomfrey can clear that right up."

She gritted out through clenched teeth, "She already tried. When she couldn't lift the hex, she asked me about the spell. I told her it was a spell I found in an old book in the Library that I must have messed up. She sent me to find the book so she could learn more about the spell."

Once again, Anna stared at me with daggers in her eyes.

I smirked, "Good luck tracking down that spell. You won't find it in any textbook. It's a Fawley original."

Anna's eyes widened upon hearing I invented a hex to deal with her. "You…" She struggled. "You cheater."

My only response was to show her my teeth.

Abandoning her attempt to convince me, she turned to Cedric. "Ced, make him undo it."

Cedric waved his hands, "Nope. I'm staying out of this. You're both being childish."

"Come on. Tomorrow's a Hogsmeade visit." She pleaded with wide, unblinking eyes that began to glisten.

I inwardly smirked at the doe-eyed innocent look she was making. I had two conniving little sisters. I've become immune to that sort of trickery.

But, as Cedric turned to me, I realized I lost my ally. He had no such immunity and thus was defeated.

We had a wordless argument made up of head gestures and eye movements.

Finally giving in, I surrendered, "Fine."

I turned back to Anna and rolled my eyes. "Ok, Anna. I can tell you how to remove the hex. In fact, it's so easy you won't believe it."

"But first, let me give you a small lesson on how to really make magic sink in and make it harder to get around. It's all about your loopholes. The bigger the loophole, the stronger you can make the effects of the spell."

I pointed towards her green arm, "For example, the reason why Madam Pomfrey can't lift the hex is because of the gaping loophole I built into the spell. It doesn't even take any magic to lift the hex."

Anna leaned forward, wanting to know how to remove the Slytherin Special.

Grinning from ear to ear, I enlighten her, "All you need to do is say the magic words. Three, to be precise."

Anna's eyes narrowed, not liking where this was going.

"All you have to say is, Alex, you win. And you need to really mean it for it to work."

Anna recoiled like a cat that just got sprayed with water. "Never," she hissed.

Getting up to leave the courtyard, I snorted in amusement, "Well then, I hope you like being green because you'll stay that way until you surrender."

****

The following day as we all began making our way to Hogsmeade, I caught a glimpse of Anna next to Alicia. Her skin and hair were back to being pale and blond.

I smiled at the sight. She must have given in and said the magic words. Deciding I would be magnanimous. I didn't say a word as I joined them. Although I couldn't keep a small smile from peeking out, what can I say? I'm only a wizard.

We soon learned that this Hogsmeade visit wouldn't be like the others. Hogsmeade was filled to the brim with witches and wizards from around the globe. The one thing they all had in common was they were passionate about flying through the sky.

On the far side of town, tents and stalls had been set up side by side, forming a maze filled with items related to flying that you previously never knew you needed. But having seen them, you were now convinced you couldn't survive without them.

I smiled at the sight of all the people haggling and hawking items. It sort of reminded me of the bazaar Uncle John took me to when I was younger.

I pushed through the maze, looking for my parents. There was a large stage on the far side of the maze where companies could reserve times for showcasing new items.

I spotted Dad pacing nervously back and forth. He was dressed in a set of expensive dress robes colored dark midnight blue with hints of bronze. His normally tangled dark brown hair was combed to perfection, and his short beard had been neatly groomed. He was even wearing his gold guild ring, noting his mastery of enchantment.

Mum was next to him, wearing her own set of fine silky red and black robes. Her blonde hair looked professionally done but with magic. Who can tell?

Standing next to them were the twins, who both appeared to be unhappy that they had been forced to dress up as well. Keeping an eye on them was Grandma, who looked as she always did. To her there was no such thing as dressing up. Being dressed in expensive fine clothing was her norm.

Mum appeared to be rubbing Dad's back, trying to calm him down. I didn't blame him for being nervous. This was our first step in taking down Nimbus. We didn't just want to top them as the producer of the fastest broom. That was an assured thing set in stone. What we wanted was to seize the company from Delvin. Nimbus was built off the back of my grandfather's hard work. And we wanted it back in the family, back where it belonged. But to do that, things needed to happen in a specific order.

What really pleased me to no end was it was going to be my spell that sealed the coffin for Delvin. He had no idea what was coming. Today was the beginning of the end for him.

Dad's eyes lit up when he caught sight of me. He scooped me up into a hug, "Alex," he greeted. "This is it. Are you ready?"

"Of course, he's not ready," Grandma interjected.

Turning, I saw grandma evaluating me with a critical eye.

"Where are your dress robes? We're revealing your company to the world today, and I will not have you dressed like a ragamuffin."

"Grandma," I protested. "I'm wearing my Hogwarts robes. I think ragamuffin may be a tad harsh."

Waving a hand at my robes, I continued, pleased with my ready-made excuse, "I didn't pack any dress robes to school. Otherwise, I would have worn them."

Grandma gave me her customary wolffish smile, letting me know I had just walked into her trap.

"No worries," she beamed. "I have a set for you."

Part of me wanted to protest, but I knew, in the end, she would win.

"Fine," I grumbled.

A short while later, I found myself in a similar set of dark blue and bronze robes to my dad's robes. Grandma wanted us to match today.

Back at the stage, I asked Dad. "So when do you go on?"

"A little after lunch," Dad replied.

Motioning me to lean closer to him, Dad whispered conspiratorially, "I've gotten word that Delvin is announcing a new model for the Nimbus brand. So, I made sure to get the spot right before him. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he realizes that he isn't the producer of the fastest broom anymore."

I grinned at the look on Dad's face. He had been waiting for this day for a long time, ever since Delvin betrayed my grandfather and stole his work for his own.

"What about my company," I asked. "Are you sure we should go ahead with my announcement? Today's kind of a big day for you. We don't have to announce Fawley's Arcane Solutions."

Dad snorted, "Are you kidding? The Firebolt is going to send Delvin into a panic, but it's your slipstream charm that is really going to send him over the edge of despair. In one day, he's going to go from having the fastest broom to competing with several other companies who can now produce brooms at far cheaper rates but who's brooms can match the Nimbus's speed."

A happy dreamlike smile appeared on Dad's face. "I even made sure to schedule you to appear right after his presentation. I can't wait to see the look on Delvin's face when he realizes that the only way to stay competitive is to try and convince you to lease Slipstream Charm to him."

Joining in on Dad's fantasy, I murmured, "Me too."