I soon arrived at the public fireplace near the Burrow, choosing not to Apparate directly onto the Weasleys' property since I had no desire to suddenly appear in the middle of their home. After stepping out into the countryside, I decided to walk the remaining distance, enjoying the peaceful surroundings as I made my way toward the familiar crooked house in the distance.
I hadn't gone particularly far when several figures caught my attention.
The Weasley brothers were flying across the open field on their brooms, clearly taking advantage of the pleasant afternoon. As soon as they noticed me approaching along the path, they began steering their brooms in my direction, eventually descending a short distance away.
"Alastair," Percy called as he dismounted. "The twins didn't tell me you were coming."
"We didn't know," Twins immediately protested from behind him.
I looked between them before turning toward Percy with an amused expression.
"Percy, you're playing with them too?"
Percy sighed as though the question itself had reminded him of an unfortunate obligation.
"Charlie forced me. He's heading out to the dragon reserves for his internship next week, so apparently he decided I needed to spend some time outside before he left."
A hand suddenly landed on Percy's shoulder.
Charlie had approached from behind with an amused expression, and he gave his younger brother a gentle pat before speaking.
"Percy, you can't keep yourself locked in your room all day. I don't object when you're at school because your studies are important, but when you're home you should actually take some time to relax. Mum already gives you far too much leeway because of your grades."
Percy looked thoroughly unconvinced.
Charlie simply laughed before glancing toward me.
"Let's head home. Unless you'd rather send our guest back from here?"
"Of course not," Percy replied.
We began walking toward the Burrow together, and I naturally fell into step beside Percy while the others continued talking a short distance ahead.
"He's right, you know," I said after a moment. "You should get out more often."
Percy glanced toward me.
"I suppose."
"I'll be opening my shop soon, so I'll make sure you receive an invitation once the date is finalized. You should come."
"Your projector shop?"
"Yes. Arclight Beacon."
I smiled slightly.
"There will probably be a few Ministry officials attending as well. It would be good for you to become acquainted with people in those circles."
The moment I mentioned the Ministry, something changed in Percy's expression.
It lasted barely a second, but I noticed the subtle glint in his eyes.
He had already decided.
Apparently, Percy Weasley had found the direction in which he wanted his future to go.
Before I could say anything more, I suddenly felt two hands grab my shoulders from behind.
"Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"
Fred pulled me backward while George leaned over my shoulder with an exaggeratedly offended expression.
"Mum's been on our case ever since Christmas," George added. "She thinks we forgot to invite you."
"We didn't forget," Fred insisted. "You rejected us."
I laughed.
"I had some matters to discuss with Mr. Weasley. I was planning to come during the weekend, but I was already out today, so I decided there was no reason to wait."
"See?" George said triumphantly. "We weren't responsible."
Fred nodded.
"We told you."
I shook my head as we continued toward the house.
Before long, we reached the familiar kitchen entrance of the Burrow.
The moment we stepped inside, the warmth of the Weasley household surrounded us. The smell of dinner filled the room, and Molly was already moving between the stove and the counters, preparing the evening meal.
Without turning around, she spoke.
"Boys, go get yourselves cleaned up. There's still some time before dinner, so you can fetch Ron and Ginny as well. They're probably still outside playing with the gnomes."
Fred exchanged a glance with George.
"Mum."
Molly continued working.
"Yes?"
"Look who's here."
"Stop bothering me while I'm—"
She turned around.
The moment she saw me, her expression changed completely.
"Alastair!"
She hurried over and immediately pulled me into a warm hug.
"It's good to see you. How come you're here? The twins didn't tell me you were coming."
I glanced over Molly's shoulder toward Fred and George.
"Why does everyone assume it's our fault?" George asked indignantly.
Molly ignored him completely.
I smiled as she released me.
"I had something I wanted to discuss with you and Mr. Weasley. I'm sorry for arriving so suddenly."
"Nonsense," Molly replied warmly. "You're welcome here anytime. Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
I glanced toward the hallway before answering.
"I'll explain everything once Mr. Weasley gets home. We can wait for him."
Molly nodded, accepting the answer without pressing further.
"Then you'll stay for dinner."
It wasn't a question.
I smiled.
"I'd be happy to."
From somewhere outside came the distant sound of Ginny & Ron arguing over which of them had caught the most gnomes, followed shortly afterward by Ron's voice protesting that she was cheating.
Molly sighed.
I couldn't help laughing.
Just then the kitchen door opened once again,
"Molly, I'm home early today," Came voice of Mr. Weasley as he walked in.
"Ah, Arthur, you're just in time," Molly replied, turning toward him with a smile. "Alastair is here, and he has something he wants to discuss with us."
Arthur's gaze immediately found me.
"Alastair? I thought the twins said you couldn't come this summer. Oh, and congratulations. They told me you were successful in solving the projector problem."
"I am only visiting today," I replied. "Actually, the projector is what I wanted to talk to you about. Shall we sit down?"
Arthur nodded, and the three of us moved toward the table while the noise from outside continued in the background. The Weasley brothers had apparently already taken it upon themselves to settle an argument between Ron and Ginny, although from the shouting that reached us through the open window, they had predictably decided to side with Ginny.
Once we were seated, I placed my hands upon the table and looked toward Arthur.
"Mr. Weasley, do you remember our conversation about the projector and the CD player?"
Arthur gave a slightly embarrassed smile.
"You really shouldn't focus too much on my ramblings. I simply enjoy tinkering with Muggle devices, and sometimes I talk more than I should when I become interested in something."
"Those weren't ramblings."
I shook my head.
"Actually, that conversation helped me finish the product. Your explanation about how the CD player stored and reproduced information gave me the final piece I needed to solve the problem with the projector. Without that conversation, I might still be trying to work out how to make the discs function properly."
Arthur looked genuinely surprised.
"I didn't realize my suggestions had helped that much."
"They did."
I reached into my bag and withdrew the contract Ted had prepared.
"Which is why I want to give you ten percent of the profits generated from the projectors and discs."
I barely managed to finish the sentence before Molly immediately shook her head.
"No, Alastair. We can't take your money."
I had expected that reaction.
"It's not simply my money, Mrs. Weasley."
I turned toward Arthur.
"With Mr. Weasley's input, he could reasonably be considered one of the inventors of the disc system, or at the very least someone whose contribution was essential to its development. Giving you only ten percent could actually be considered unfair considering how much his advice helped me."
Arthur looked increasingly uncomfortable.
"I only told you about something I happened to understand. I didn't invent the projector."
"You provided the information that allowed me to solve a problem I couldn't overcome."
I opened the contract and placed it upon the table.
"I knew, however, that both of you would probably refuse even if I explained it that way. So I made another arrangement."
Molly looked suspiciously at the parchment.
"What arrangement?"
"Instead of giving the money directly to you, I arranged for the ten percent to be placed into Gringotts vaults."
Arthur's expression changed slightly.
"Vaults?"
I nodded.
"The ten percent will be divided equally between Ron and Ginny and placed into educational funds under their names. The money can be used for their education when they are old enough to require it, whether that means Hogwarts expenses, books, equipment, or any other school needs. You both will be in charge of these vaults. You could also use these funds for twins and others as well according to your discretion."
Molly immediately opened her mouth to object again.
I raised a hand before she could speak.
"And before you say no, it is earned because Mr. Weasley's contribution helped create the product that is generating the profits in the first place."
Arthur stared at the contract for several moments.
"I still don't know whether I should accept something like this."
"I understand."
I leaned back slightly.
"I also see Ron & Ginny as my younger siblings. Don't reject it"
Molly remained unconvinced.
"But Alastair, that's still a considerable amount of money."
"It will be."
I smiled.
"That's precisely why I don't want it sitting in my vault when it can instead ensure Ron and Ginny never have to worry about whether they can afford the education they want."
Arthur looked toward Molly before returning his attention to me.
"You've thought this through."
"I had to. I knew you'd both refuse if I simply handed you money. Blake has agreed too. We both have already signed the contract. It only need your signature."
A small smile appeared on Arthur's face.
"You know us rather well."
Molly sighed.
Arthur looked down at the contract again, his expression becoming more thoughtful.
"I appreciate what you're trying to do, Alastair."
He placed one hand upon the contract.
"And if this is genuinely your decision, then I won't insult you by refusing simply because I'm uncomfortable accepting it."
Molly looked at her husband in surprise before shaking her head.
"Arthur..."
"I know."
He smiled at her.
Molly remained silent for several seconds before finally looking toward me.
"Then we'll accept it on one condition."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What condition?"
"You'll still come here for dinner without bringing contracts every time."
I couldn't help laughing.
"I think I can agree to that."
"Good."
She smiled warmly.
"Then it's settled."
Arthur picked up the contract again and began reading through the relevant sections more carefully. I allowed him the time to examine everything without interruption, knowing that there was no reason to rush him into signing something that would remain in place for years.
While he read, I glanced toward the window.
The shouting outside had grown louder.
Fred and George were apparently attempting to teach Ron and Ginny some new method of catching garden gnomes, while Percy stood nearby pretending not to be interested despite having clearly been dragged into the activity earlier.
The sight brought a smile to my face.
This was exactly why I had wanted the funds established.
Whatever financial difficulties the Weasleys faced, their children should never have to sacrifice opportunities because of it.
Eventually Arthur finished reading the contract and signed before looking up.
"I think we can work with this."
Molly smiled faintly, though she still looked somewhat overwhelmed by the entire arrangement.
"You're a good boy, Alastair."
I smiled.
Just then Ron came in crying followed by others and Weasley household fell into usual chaos.