"Forgive me, Lord—but what about my position at the Ministry?"
"And what is wrong with that, Mr. Weasley? You will calmly continue your work as before, and in your free time you will assign tasks to your subordinates, clarify unclear points, and oversee the quality of their work. With a competent approach, it will not take much time. Previously, you pursued your hobby alone and spent money on it; now you will do the same in the company of others—and earn money in the process."
"When you put it that way… it could work," Arthur drawled thoughtfully. "But what about the fact that, to be perfectly honest, I don't fully understand Muggle devices myself?"
"That is not a problem, Mr. Weasley. I will find specialists among ordinary people who can explain to you and your team the presumed structure of the artifact devices to be created. And before you protest about violating the Statute of Secrecy—there will be no violation. These people will be told that you represent a secret research group engaged in developing cutting-edge technologies. The specialists will firmly believe this, so there will be no danger. Naturally, provided you do not perform magic in front of them."
"That is a solution… but…"
Arthur Weasley lingered over the contract, pretending to study the text carefully. In truth, he had sunk so deeply into thought that he had become completely detached from the world around him. The wizard sat like that for nearly ten minutes before shaking his head. Determination appeared on his face. He took up the quill from the table and signed his name.
"An excellent decision," Richard said with a dazzling smile. "You have made the right choice, Mr. Weasley, and you will not regret it in the slightest. Here are the documents for the land, and this is the cooperation agreement."
The boy transferred the papers from the folder onto the table in front of his guest. On top of them, with a bright clink of coins, he placed a small pouch.
"And this is a modest advance, so that your family will lack for nothing."
"Money? How much is in here?"
Mr. Weasley untied the pouch and stared at the gleaming golden Galleons.
"Two hundred Galleons. An advance so your family does not struggle. We will not begin work immediately. First, we need premises. Second, you will require time to select personnel. Third, I cannot simply withdraw money from circulation at once. Nearly all my funds are invested. I will release the capital for the projects by mid-June. By then, the building should be completed."
"A building?" Arthur repeated blankly.
"You were not planning to house a dozen wizards in your garage, were you?" Richard asked with a smile.
Mr. Weasley flushed and muttered, "As a matter of fact… that was precisely what I was thinking. I had already begun inventing an excuse for Molly. She's my wife. I can imagine how furious she would be about a crowd of wizards in the backyard!"
Richard barely suppressed a laugh.
"Mr. Weasley, you will not have to make such sacrifices. Do you have any preferences regarding the structure?"
"It would be good if it had a garage."
Richard placed a blank sheet of paper on top of the folder and wrote:
Spacious garage.
"Anything else?"
Mr. Weasley began thinking intensely. After a moment, he started listing ideas, and Richard continued adding to the list.
"There should be a potions workshop. It would also be nice to include an alchemical laboratory," Arthur grew bolder with each phrase. Before his very eyes, the dream of an ideal place for creativity—shared with like-minded wizards—was taking shape. "And there should be a storage room for various materials."
Richard added from himself, "A lounge, a kitchen, a reception area, and several offices. Is that sufficient, or is anything else required?"
"That will be enough."
Mr. Weasley nodded and then signed with a sweeping flourish the contract for the creation of magical artifacts for Richard Grosvenor. Under this agreement, all rights to the inventions belonged to Richard, and Arthur's group was to provide a full description of each artifact's creation, allowing any other wizard to replicate the procedure and produce an exact copy.
"Congratulations on the beginning of a long and productive partnership," Richard said, flashing the wizard a radiant smile.
"Thank you," the stunned wizard replied.
"Now, regarding our cooperation. By mid-June, you must find and hire your assistant wizards. Maintain contact with me by owl—or call me by telephone."
Richard handed Mr. Weasley his business card. The wizard turned it over in his hands with bewilderment.
"And this is…?"
"These numbers, Mr. Weasley, are a telephone number. You will dial them on a telephone apparatus in order to speak with me. If it is easier, you may send an owl."
"I shall do that."
"And one more thing. I would like to see a prototype of the flying car."
"Of course, of course!" Arthur smiled happily. "Lord, would it be convenient for you to come to dinner at our home this weekend?"
"Unfortunately, your weekend and mine do not coincide. I am free on Monday and Friday."
"In that case, if it suits you, I shall expect you for dinner next Friday."
"Splendid. Until then, Mr. Weasley. I will certainly come. Please confirm the time."
"Also at seven in the evening," the wizard replied.
Ordinarily, Arthur Weasley carried himself with greater confidence, but now he was overwhelmed by the sudden flood of prospects. Even more astonishing to him was the personality of his benefactor. He thought:
Who would have imagined that a small child would be the one to truly appreciate the work of my life? You can tell at once—a true Lord. Not like that upstart Lucius!
(End of Chapter)
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