"If you and Arthur don't mind, then I have no issue with it at all." Alan was genuinely fond of Ginny; having been at the hospital when she was born, he felt a natural bond with the girl.
Besides, his mental age wasn't much younger than Arthur's, so stepping into the role of a godfather felt perfectly natural.
"I don't mind! Of course I don't mind! We're both relieved to have Ginny recognize you as her godfather," Arthur laughed heartily. Despite the years between them, he and Alan were very much on the same wavelength, and he agreed with a wide, supportive smile.
"But isn't this a bit strange?" Bill protested from the side. "If Alan is Ginny's godfather, doesn't that mean we have to call him Uncle?"
"Yeah, we much prefer calling him Big Brother!" the twins chimed in, speaking as one.
"It's fine," Alan said with a teasing glint in his eye. "From now on, you can call me Uncle, and I'll call you little brothers. We'll each stick to our own terms; I certainly don't mind the promotion."
"Well, we do!" the Weasley boys grumbled, rolling their eyes in unison.
*I mind too!* Hog, sitting nearby, quietly raised a paw in mental protest. He could already envision his future if this human hurricane became the master's goddaughter.
The boys' protests went ignored. Arthur and Molly settled the matter then and there, and Alan accepted the title gladly.
Ginny, still nestled in Alan's arms, didn't understand the technicalities of the conversation. She only knew that the person holding her felt safe and warm. That warmth translated into a sudden burst of joy, and she began to clap her hands, her silver laughter ringing through the room.
"It seems Ginny is quite satisfied with her new godfather," Molly said, her hands on her hips and a loving smile lighting up her face.
Alan lifted Ginny up so they were eye-to-eye, watching her small, light-brown eyes sparkle. "Hey, Ginny, can you say 'Godfather'?"
"Gao... God-fa," Ginny repeated, her voice small and incoherent. She reached out excitedly, her tiny hands patting Alan's face. Alan leaned in, letting her explore freely.
"Alright, then it's official. Alan is part of the family," Arthur declared, watching the two of them.
Alan laughed, and then, with a flicker of intent, an exquisitely carved silver bracelet appeared in his palm. With a pulse of magic, the band resized itself until it was perfectly scaled for a child's wrist.
"A welcoming gift from your godfather." He gently slid the high-grade protective amulet onto Ginny's hand.
The bracelet was a masterpiece crafted from refined mithril. It contained three layers of a Shield Charm that could automatically recharge, along with a mental protection spell designed to trigger at the first sign of distress. It was a piece of equipment Alan had originally designed for his own use, but he gave it away without a second thought.
Ginny was instantly captivated by the shimmering metal. She shook her wrist, fascinated by the way it caught the light, and let out another clear peal of laughter. Bill watched the exchange and licked his lips enviously. He knew Alan possessed incredible artifacts, but aside from the standard communication amulets and basic protection charms everyone else had, Alan had never handed out anything this advanced. Now his sister had a top-tier alchemical treasure just for being born.
"Ginny is a lucky girl to have such a doting godfather," Molly chuckled. "Oh, I almost forgot—dinner is ready! Everyone to the table!"
Alan enjoyed a magnificent meal with the family. His mood was buoyant, and the lively chatter about Quidditch and school pranks provided a sense of domestic warmth he hadn't realized he was missing.
After dinner, Ginny sought out her favorite "pony," Hog. She proudly climbed onto his back, occasionally scratching his ears. Hog, usually so restless, offered a forced smile and trotted obediently around the room. He knew better than to act up now; Alan was watching him with a "benevolent" gaze that promised a very long lecture if he dumped his new goddaughter on the floor.
After staying a while longer, Alan finally said his goodbyes and left the Burrow with Hog. The wolf looked immensely relieved to be back in the quiet of the night.
Over the next few days, Alan took a break from his research. He sent a letter to Karkaroff, asking him to keep an eye out for any movements from Fenrir Greyback or the Silver Spear organization. This brief period of relaxation allowed the pressure of the summer's experiments to dissipate just in time for the new school year.
His fifth year at Hogwarts promised to be different.
First, there were the O.W.L.s. The results of these exams would determine his eligibility for N.E.W.T.-level courses in his final two years. If his scores met a professor's requirements, he could move forward; if not, he'd be stuck in remedial loops until he passed. These exams were the gateway to professional life in the wizarding world, and every fifth-year would undergo career counseling with their Head of House to map out their future. Effectively, passing the O.W.L.s meant being half-graduated.
Secondly, Alan had received his official Prefect's badge. He was now responsible for the actual management and "rectification" of Slytherin House.
His plan was clear: spend the next year or two reorganizing the House as he had promised Snape. Simultaneously, he aimed to perfect the magic lathe before graduation. He needed that automated production line functional so he could open his alchemy workshop and secure a stable income for the high-level research that lay ahead.