"But that's… that's two hundred Galleons a year in rent! I'm afraid I can't afford such expenses."
"You are mistaken, Mr. Weasley. Of course you will be able to afford that—and even greater expenses. You will have enough for building homes for your children and for a comfortable life. All you need to do is turn your hobby into an income!"
"Excuse me?!" Arthur drawled in astonished confusion.
"Surely you could enchant another car to fly and turn invisible?"
"Of course."
"I will provide the automobile and pay you ten thousand Galleons to enchant it."
At the mention of the sum, the wizard's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
"Ten thousand?!" he breathed.
"Yes, sir. Would such payment satisfy you? It's not too little?"
"No, no, what are you saying? It's far too much! I can't take that kind of money. Well… five hundred Galleons, perhaps."
Richard smiled good-naturedly.
"Sir, this is the first time I've heard of someone bargaining in reverse. Mr. Weasley, surely you'll agree that any labor deserves payment. Wouldn't you?"
"Well… yes," Arthur nodded in agreement.
"Exclusive work requires appropriate compensation. So, can you enchant a car for me?"
"Yes, I can."
"Then I trust we have come to an understanding—that you will not insult me by undervaluing your own work, and that you will accept ten thousand Galleons as payment for it."
"Very well!" Arthur agreed gladly, allowing himself to be persuaded. "Then I shall enchant you the finest flying car in the world!"
"That is precisely what I expect from you, sir."
"But…" The wizard suddenly grew flustered. "But enchanted Muggle inventions aren't allowed to be used…"
"I've heard otherwise. They cannot be used illegally, but one may use them privately, provided ordinary people do not find out. Is that not so?"
"That's true."
"In that case, I see no problem."
"Indeed… no problem," Arthur agreed. "Forgive me."
"Besides," Richard added with a pointed wink at Mr. Weasley, "I happen to know a department head at the Ministry of Magic who oversees the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts. And suppose, suddenly, something unforeseen occur, would he not lend a friendly hand to a young Lord? I have no intention of abusing such an acquaintance, of course—but life is full of surprises."
Arthur was torn by contradictions. He was an honest and responsible man. But when so much was offered to you—when temptation beckoned like Satan luring a righteous soul—it was nearly impossible to resist. There was land in a prestigious location, money to build houses for his dear children…
"Of course, Lord," Arthur forced out. "How could I refuse assistance to a good man?"
"You are a remarkable man, Mr. Weasley. Tell me, are you capable only of enchanting automobiles, or do your talents extend further?"
"What are you interested in?" Arthur asked curiously. "There's quite a lot I can enchant."
"Here, take a look at this."
Richard laid a stack of comic books before him and began pointing out various gadgets used by supervillains and superheroes, explaining what each was and how it was roughly supposed to function.
Mr. Weasley studied the comics with indescribable enthusiasm. At the sight of the illustrated devices, his eyes burned with excitement.
"This is simply incredible!" the man exclaimed. "Have Muggles truly created so many fascinating things?"
"Not exactly, Mr. Weasley. These are merely prototypes—concepts that will appear in the future. I, however, would like to have all of these things now."
"Ah…" Mr. Weasley sighed with profound regret. "What a pity… A terrible pity, but I'm afraid I lack the knowledge to enchant such items. Perhaps some of them—for instance, the flying steel wing. Besides, I have little time because of my work."
"Please, do not rush to refuse. Mr. Weasley, I anticipated something of the sort, and therefore devised a way out of this situation. I will allocate targeted grants for the development of various artifacts. Substantial grants, including the cost of materials, salaries for assistants you hire, and your own remuneration."
"Assistants?"
"Precisely, sir. Would ten assistants be sufficient to enchant these devices within a year?"
"Why, five wizards would manage it!"
"Then you will hire ten talented wizards, with a salary of three hundred Galleons per month."
"Three hundred?! That's even more than the salary of the head of a small department at the Ministry!"
"Sir—talented wizards! And talent must not go hungry; it must go to work with joy. For example, in your youth, would you have agreed to pursue your favorite craft instead of working at the Ministry, for such pay?"
"Certainly! Without a doubt!"
"Then other wizards will consider such an offer advantageous as well. Are we agreed on the assistants?"
"Well… all right."
Arthur was at a loss. Too much had fallen upon him in too short a span of time.
(End of Chapter)
P@treon: /SadRaven
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