As Mrs. Weasley moved closer to her husband to see what was written on the paper, she couldn't contain her curiosity. "Arthur, what is it?" she asked, her voice tinged with anticipation.
Mr. Weasley, still in a state of disbelief, struggled to find the right words. He glanced up at his wife, his expression a mixture of shock and elation. "Molly, you won't believe this," he finally managed to say, his voice tinged with awe.
Ron and Percy, sensing the tension in the air, joined their parents, their curiosity piqued. "What's going on, Dad?" Ron asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Fred and George exchanged a knowing smirk as they watched the scene unfold before them. The shocked expressions on their family's faces only added to their sense of satisfaction. Mr. Weasley turns to the twins, "Is this true? Is everything in the paper really the truth?"
"Yes, dad. Everything is true.", George replied with a smirk.
As Mrs. Weasley took the piece of paper from her husband, she scanned its contents with wide eyes. Over her shoulders, Ron and Percy leaned in, their curiosity getting the better of them.
Meanwhile, Mr. Weasley approached the twins, his emotions evident in his eyes. Without a word, he enveloped them both in a tight hug, conveying his pride and love through the simple gesture. His silent embrace spoke volumes.
Harry, who had been standing behind the twins, watched the scene unfold with a soft smile. Sensing the depth of emotion in the room, he quietly made his way over to Sirius, who greeted him with a comforting arm around his shoulder.
As Mrs. Weasley's eyes scanned the contents of the paper, her breath caught in her throat. "Arthur, is this...?" she began, her voice trembling with emotion.
Mr. Weasley nodded, his own eyes shining with pride. "Yes, Molly. It's true," he confirmed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ron and Percy, now fully engrossed in the unfolding revelation, leaned in closer to get a better look at the paper. The numbers before them seemed almost too good to be true.
Fred and George, standing before their family, wore matching smirks of satisfaction. The shock and awe on their family's faces only fueled their sense of accomplishment.
But amidst the joy and pride, there was an undercurrent of tension in the room. Mrs. Weasley's hands trembled slightly as she clutched the paper, her mind racing with disbelief and wonder.
"Two thousand... nine hundred galleons?" she whispered, her voice filled with incredulity.
Mr. Weasley nodded, his embrace tightening around the twins. "It's hard to believe, isn't it?" he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Tears welled up in Mrs. Weasley's eyes as she looked up at her sons, her heart overflowing with pride and joy. "I... I don't know what to say," she choked out, her voice trembling with emotion.
Ginny, who had been watching silently from the sidelines, stepped forward, her eyes shining with pride. "This is amazing," she said, her voice filled with awe.
Ron and Percy exchanged stunned glances, unable to fully comprehend the enormity of their brothers' success. The realization slowly sunk in, filling the room with a mix of disbelief, pride, and overwhelming joy.
As Mrs. Weasley enveloped the twins in a tight embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks, their family's shared moment of triumph became even more poignant.
"I... I don't know what to say," Mrs. Weasley choked out, her voice trembling with emotion.
Ron and Percy exchanged stunned glances, their minds struggling to process the enormity of their brothers' success.
"Mum, it's incredible," Ron added, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Fred and George, pleased with themselves, exchanged a knowing glance, their smiles wide with pride.
Meanwhile, Mr. Weasley, overwhelmed by a wave of emotion, sank into a nearby chair, his head in his hands. Vernon, seated nearby, offered a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You must be so proud, Arthur," he remarked, his own smile reflecting the pride in the room.
Petunia watched the scene unfold, her thoughts drifting to Harry, who stood nearby with a proud smile on his face.
"It's quite something, isn't it?" she murmured, her voice filled with admiration.
As she watched Harry, a wave of curiosity washed over her. How many more secrets was he hiding? How many more extraordinary feats had he accomplished that they were unaware of? Harry was anything but a typical eleven-year-old. Even though she knew he was different she still couldn't help but worry about him. His maturity and compassion set him apart, making it difficult to believe that he was just an ordinary child.
Yet, despite the mysteries that surrounded him, Petunia couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude for having Harry as a part of their lives. His presence had brought unexpected joys and challenges, but through it all, she was proud to have him as a son.
Mr. Weasley, his gaze filled with curiosity, looked up at the twins, his voice tinged with anticipation. "So, what do you plan on doing now that you've got quite the sum of money?" he inquired.
The twins exchanged a meaningful glance, their thoughts drifting to the hardships their family had endured due to their financial struggles. They remembered the day Harry had reminded them of their newfound opportunity to help their family, and they were determined to make the most of it.
"We've been through our fair share of tough times," Fred began, his voice tinged with determination. "And now that we have the means, we plan on doing everything we can to support our family."
George nodded in agreement, his expression resolute. "That's right," he added, his voice filled with conviction. "We're going to make sure our family never has to worry about money again."
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley both looked at the twins with gratitude, their hearts filled with warmth at their sons' unwavering determination to support their family.
However, Mr. Weasley couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the thought of burdening his sons with the responsibility of supporting the family. "I can't ask that of you," he interjected, his voice laced with concern. "You got the investment from Harry, and we haven't given you a single sickle to you. I can't be selfish enough to ask you to support the family now that you've made it big."
The twins exchanged a knowing glance, understanding their father's concerns. But Fred shook his head, a reassuring smile on his face. "Dad, you don't have to ask," he said gently, his voice filled with warmth. "We're your sons, and we're part of the Weasley family. Supporting each other is just what we do."
George nodded in agreement. "That's right," he added, his voice firm. "We're in this together, no matter what. This was the reason we started the business in the first place"
As the twins spoke, the room fell into a stunned silence, their words sinking in as the magnitude of their generosity became clear.
"For now, Harry and us are sponsoring an all-expenses-paid joint family trip to Romania," Fred revealed, a grin spreading across his face.
George nodded in agreement, his voice firm. "That's right. This was the reason we started the business in the first place—to support our family and create opportunities for all of us to spend time together."
The room erupted into excited chatter, everyone buzzing with anticipation at the unexpected announcement. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley exchanged incredulous glances, their hearts filled with gratitude for the twins' selflessness.
When Vernon and Petunia hesitated, expressing concern about intruding on their generosity, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley quickly brushed off their concerns. "Nonsense," Mrs. Weasley insisted, her voice filled with warmth. "You're family. We're all in this together."
The twins turned to Petunia and Vernon, gratitude shining in their eyes. "You're as much a part of this as anyone," Fred said warmly. "Harry's been there for us since day one, and we couldn't have done any of this without him."
All eyes turned to Harry, who shifted uncomfortably under the spotlight. "I just wanted to make sure the business took off," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
But George shook his head, his voice firm. "You've done more than that, Harry," he said. "You've not taking a single sickle of your share of the profit and given us to reinvest into the business."
Petunia and Vernon looked at their son with pride in their eyes. Abigail who had a hard time understanding everything, still understood that everyone was proud of her brother and she was doubly proud of that fact.
Harry felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment, muttering something inaudible under his breath. Petunia chuckled softly, pulling him closer into a warm hug. "We're so proud of you, Harry," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
Sirius, sensing the deeply personal family moment, scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Maybe I should go and let you all plan your trip," he suggested, trying to slip away.
But the twins were having none of it. Each grabbed one of Sirius's arms, their faces set with determination. "Oh no, you're coming to Romania with us," Fred declared firmly.
Sirius tried to protest, shaking his head. "I don't want to intrude on your family trip," he said, attempting to pull free.
Vernon, who had been watching the scene with a thoughtful expression, finally spoke up. "Sirius, you're part of this family too," he said, surprising everyone with his words. "We'd love for you to join us."
The twins leaned in, whispering conspiratorially into Sirius's ears. "You didn't really think we'd let a Marauder leave without lending a hand, did you?" George asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Sirius looked taken aback, his eyes wide with surprise. "How did you...?" he began, but the twins just grinned.
"We have our ways," Fred said with a wink.
Sirius narrowed his eyes playfully at the twins. "Harry told you, didn't he?" he accused, his tone light-hearted.
The twins smirked, confirming with a nod. "Of course," George replied.
Sirius turned his gaze to Harry, who suddenly found the floor, the ceiling, and everything else in the room much more interesting than making eye contact with his godfather. Petunia let go of Harry, and he took a deep breath, stepping forward to address everyone.
"So, would you rather get to Romania the Muggle way or the Wizard way?" Harry asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Everyone looked intrigued, the idea of traveling the Muggle way sparking curiosity and fascination. After a brief discussion, they unanimously voted for the Muggle way, eager for the new experience.
"Alright, the Muggle way it is," Harry confirmed with a grin. Then he turned to Vernon. "Dad, would you come with me to Gringotts? I think there are agents who could help us secure flight tickets and everything."
Vernon nodded, still slightly overwhelmed by all the revelations but willing to help. "Of course, Harry."
As Harry and Vernon prepared to head out, the rest of the family settled into the cozy living room. Petunia and Mrs. Weasley made their way to the kitchen to start dinner.
Sirius, now fully integrated into the warmth of the family, sat down with the twins, Ron, and Ginny. They discussed the upcoming trip with growing excitement, their laughter and enthusiasm filling the room. Percy, who had initially been more reserved, joined in with a smile, while Mr. Weasley looked on, his heart swelling with pride and joy.
As Vernon and Harry were about to step outside, Harry paused and called back to the twins. "Hey, Fred, George! It's better if you come with us." he suggested.
The twins exchanged glances and nodded eagerly. "Sure thing, Harry," Fred replied, and they both got up to join him and Vernon.
Once outside, Harry turned to Vernon. "Dad, you take George with you while you Apparate, and I'll take Fred. Let's meet in front of Gringotts."
Vernon nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. He offered his hand to George, who took it confidently. Meanwhile, Harry grabbed hold of Fred's arm.
With a slight pop, Vernon and George Disapparated, leaving Harry and Fred standing alone for a moment. Harry gave Fred a reassuring nod before they too vanished but without a single sound.
A few moments later, they all reappeared in front of the grand, white marble building of Gringotts Wizarding Bank. The bustling streets of Diagon Alley were filled with witches and wizards going about their business, but the four of them stood out, drawing a few curious glances.
Vernon led the way into Gringotts, the goblin guards giving them sharp, assessing looks as they passed through the towering bronze doors. Inside, the grand marble hall buzzed with activity. Vernon approached one of the available goblins at the counters.
"Good afternoon," he greeted politely. "We need to some help planning out a Muggle vacation."
The goblin, with a narrow-eyed stare, nodded curtly and gestured for them to follow. They were led to a room.
The room they were led into was elegantly arranged, with plush couches placed in a circular manner around a polished wooden table in the center. The ambiance was surprisingly welcoming, with soft lighting and a sense of quiet sophistication. Harry, Vernon, Fred, and George took their seats, with Harry sitting next to Vernon and the twins sitting next to Harry.
After a few moments, the door opened, and a goblin dressed in an sharp tailored suit entered the room. His demeanor was professional, his gaze sharp and intelligent. He approached the table with a confident stride and introduced himself.
"Good afternoon," he said, his voice smooth and authoritative. "I am Cogsworth, your travel consultant for today. I understand you require assistance in planning a Muggle vacation?"
Vernon nodded, smiling warmly. "Yes, more correctly we want to travel via Muggle transport. We want to plan a family trip to Romania, and we need help organizing everything, from travel arrangements to accommodation."
Cogsworth nodded, taking a seat opposite them. He opened a sleek leather folder and pulled out a notepad. "Excellent. Let's begin by discussing your preferences and any specific requirements you might have."
Fred and George leaned forward, their excitement evident. "We are taking a family vacation to visit our brother Charlie who works at the Dragon Reserves. So we would like some non-adventurous activities for relaxation." Fred said enthusiastically.
George nodded in agreement. "Yeah, something that will be a mix of adventure and relaxation. We want to make sure everyone has a great time."
Harry, smiling at their enthusiasm, added, "And we'd like to incorporate some Muggle activities into the trip if possible, such as sight-seeing's or similar activities"
Cogsworth listened attentively, jotting down notes. "Very well. We can arrange for Muggle transportation and accommodations, ensuring they are comfortable and accessible for everyone. For the wizarding aspects, we can include visits to notable magical sites in Romania, such as the Dragon Reserve and enchanted forests but as you are already visiting the Dragon reserves there is not much that can be added."
Cogsworth continued, "As for the Muggle activities, we can arrange visits to historical sites like Bran Castle, guided tours of the beautiful Carpathian Mountains, and even a traditional Romanian village experience. We can also include some adventure activities like hiking, biking, and a scenic train ride through the Transylvanian countryside."
Vernon leaned in, his expression serious. "Safety is our top priority, especially for the children. We want to ensure that all the arrangements are secure and reliable."
"Of course," Cogsworth replied with a reassuring nod. "We will handle all the logistics to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Now, let's discuss the specifics of your travel dates, the size of your group, and any special activities you wish to include."
Fred and George provided the necessary details of their group, confirming the size and setting the departure date for the day after tomorrow. As they finalized the initial arrangements, Harry's eyes sparkled with a sudden idea. He needed an excuse to come back and speak privately with Cogsworth about his plan.
"Everything looks great," Fred said, leaning back with satisfaction. "We're really looking forward to this trip."
"Indeed," Cogsworth replied, making a final note. "Now, let's discuss the finances of the trip."
As the conversation turned to the costs, Harry leaned over and whispered into Vernon's ear. "Dad, tell Cogsworth that the Weasley family's expenses will be covered by Fred and George, but I'll be paying for the Dursleys and Sirius. Please, make sure the twins don't hear."
Vernon frowned, reluctant to let Harry take on the financial burden. "Harry, are you sure about this?" he murmured back. "I don't want you to feel obligated."
Harry nodded earnestly. "Just this once, Dad. Please."
With a sigh, Vernon nodded. "Alright, I'll do it."
Clearing his throat, Vernon turned to Cogsworth. "We need to handle the finances as well. The Weasley family bills will be covered by Fred and George," he said in Gobbledegook, glancing at the twins who were engaged in their own conversation, "and Harry will be covering the expenses for the Dursley family and Sirius."
Cogsworth looked taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise. "You are a speaker?" he asked, his tone filled with respect and astonishment.
Vernon nodded, a small smile on his face. "I picked it up over the years. It has proven quite useful."
Cogsworth, regaining his composure, nodded appreciatively. "Very well. We will proceed as you have instructed," he said, making a discreet note in his ledger.
Fred and George, oblivious to the whispered exchange, continued discussing the finer details of the trip.
Cogsworth checked his notepad once more, making sure all the details were correct. He looked up at Fred and George, a professional smile on his face. "The total cost for the trip will be 470 galleons," he said.
Fred and George exchanged surprised glances. "We expected it to be a bit more," Fred admitted, his eyebrows raised in pleasant astonishment.
"We've ensured all the necessary arrangements without any unnecessary costs," Cogsworth replied smoothly. He then turned to Vernon and switched to Gobbledegook, "Harry's share of the trip will amount to 310 galleons."
Vernon nodded, absorbing the information before leaning in to relay it to Harry. "Harry, your part of the trip will be 310 galleons," he said quietly.
Harry, already expecting a high cost, whispered back into Vernon's ear, "Ask Cogsworth to have it deducted directly from my vault, please."
Vernon nodded and turned back to Cogsworth, once again speaking in Gobbledegook. "Please deduct Harry's share from his vault."
Cogsworth made another note in his ledger. "Very well. We will proceed with the arrangements immediately. You can expect everything to be in place for your departure the day after tomorrow."
The twins, still slightly in shock over the cost, recovered quickly and grinned at Harry. "Looks like we're all set then," George said, clapping his hands together.
"Yeah, thanks to you, Harry," Fred added, giving him an appreciative nod.
Harry smiled back, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "It's a team effort," he said modestly.
As they left Gringotts and stepped back into Diagon Alley, the excitement for the trip was palpable. The twins were already discussing what they wanted to see and do in Romania, and Vernon was deep in thought, likely planning the logistical details of the Muggle travel portion. Harry thought that instead risking to come back to talk with Cogsworth he would go and mail him a letter with his suggestion the next morning. Stepping out into Diagon Alley, the group was filled with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming adventure.
As they walked back, Vernon gave Harry a sideways glance. "You really didn't have to do that, Harry," he said quietly.
Harry smiled up at him. "I wanted to, Dad. It's my way of saying thank you for everything."
Vernon, touched by Harry's words, placed a hand on his shoulder. "We are already thankful for having you in our lives Harry. You don't need to spend your money to express your gratitude."
Harry smiled and replied, "It's fine Dad, I am spending it because I made some money."
Back at the Burrow, the rest of the family was eagerly awaiting their return. Mrs. Weasley and Petunia had prepared a hearty dinner, and the aroma of the meal filled the house.
"How did it go?" Mrs. Weasley asked as they walked in, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"All sorted," Fred announced, his eyes twinkling. "We're all set for a grand adventure."
Everyone cheered at that as they got ready for dinner. As they gathered around the dinner table, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. Mrs. Weasley and Petunia had outdone themselves with the meal, filling the table with a spread of delicious dishes.
"So, tell us all about the trip," Mrs. Weasley urged, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Fred and George launched into an animated recount of their plans, detailing the sights they would see and the adventures they would have. The rest of the family listened intently, hanging on their every word. As Fred and George animatedly recounted their plans, Harry couldn't help but smile, feeling a warmth in his chest at the sight of the family's joy.
He caught Ginny's eye across the table and, in a moment of playful mischief, winked at her. Ginny, caught off guard, blushed furiously and accidentally knocked her elbow into the gravy dish. The dish teetered precariously before settling back down, thankfully without spilling its contents.
Harry stifled a laugh, his shoulders shaking slightly as he tried to keep his composure. Ginny's face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she quickly looked down at her plate, clearly embarrassed.
Unbeknownst to the two of them, both Petunia and Sirius had caught the interaction out of the corner of their eyes. Petunia's lips curled into a small, amused smile, a rare look of light-heartedness. Sirius, on the other hand, had a knowing smirk as he continued his conversation with Mr. Weasley about the finer points of Muggle and wizarding transportation.
"Well, it sounds like we have quite the adventure ahead of us," Mr. Weasley said, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "I can't wait to see the Muggle attractions in Romania"
"And I can't wait to see the dragons," Ron added, his enthusiasm infectious. "This is going to be brilliant!"
"Did you know, Ron," Fred interrupted, "there's this thing called a 'theme park' in the Muggle world. Roller coasters, Ferris wheels, all sorts of rides. We're going to one!"
"Blimey, really?" Ron's eyes widened with amazement. "That sounds incredible! What else?"
George grinned. "We'll also be doing something called 'camping.' Apparently, you sleep outside in a tent and cook your meals over a fire. No magic involved!"
Abigail, who had been listening intently, piped up, "Can we ride a roller coaster, Harry? I've read about them in Muggle books, and they sound so fun!"
Harry grinned at his younger sister. "Of course, Abby. We'll make sure to ride the best roller coasters."
Mrs. Weasley turned to Petunia, her eyes gleaming. "I've never been on one of those roller coasters myself. It sounds quite thrilling."
"It really is," Petunia agreed, her face lighting up with excitement. "I think we'll all have a fantastic time. It's something different for all of us."
The twins detailed more about the trip, describing how they'd visit both magical and Muggle attractions, blending the best of both worlds for an unforgettable experience.
As the meal continued, the conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and anticipation. The twins detailed more about the trip, describing how they'd visit both magical and Muggle attractions, blending the best of both worlds for an unforgettable experience.
Petunia glanced at Harry, her heart swelling with a mix of pride and wonder. Seeing him so happy and at ease, surrounded by friends and family, made her realize just how much he had grown and how integral he had become to their lives.
Sirius, ever the observer, leaned over to Harry as the chatter grew louder. "Looks like you're quite the planner, Harry," he teased lightly, nudging him with his elbow.
Harry grinned, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Couldn't have done it without the twins," he replied, nodding toward Fred and George, who were now recounting a particularly hilarious story about one of their early prank inventions.
Fred's voice rose above the others as he relived the memory. "And then the fireworks went off right in the middle of Snape's class! He was livid!"
George chuckled. "Best part was, nobody could figure out who did it. We were legends for a week."
This trip surely was coming on hot. Harry really felt grateful that his plan worked and he was able to get the Weasley family into a much better financial situation. Now that the twins are set, they will do wonders with their inventions. He would just pull the strings and get them some major deals early to boost their business further. He could already think of one already.
From what the twins have told him about the Floating Fizzbees, it could really feature with the Firebolt that would come out during Harry's third year. If he could get in touch with the developer it would be great. Well that's for later anyway, for now he just hoped that the trip would be adventurous and fun for both the families.