"Looks like our cousin and the others have been doing things behind the scenes that we don't know about again."
Harry murmured, feeling that this was the only reasonable explanation.
"Whatever the case, this is good news for us."
George clapped his hands, a wicked grin returning to his face.
"At least this summer, we won't have to worry about needing to break Ministry regulations and pick up our wands to fight at any moment."
Fred winked. "We just have to worry about whether our own doom is upon us."
"You?" Ron looked puzzled. "What have you done now?"
"We, my dear little brother,"
Fred puffed out his chest, looking proud.
"Have been officially recruited by the Marauders Power Company's Research and Development Department! This summer, we'll be devoting ourselves to a great undertaking that will change the entire landscape of warfare in the wizarding world!"
"In plain English," Ron said, rolling his eyes.
"We only get one week off."
George summed it up succinctly.
"In a week, we have to report back to headquarters in Diagon Alley and start working overtime day and night to finish a whole pile of development projects Sirius and the professor have assigned us.
"Things like... an upgraded Portable Swamp, and tracking Dungbombs that automatically seek out annoying people."
They clearly weren't telling the truth.
"One week?!"
But Ron's voice still rose an octave.
"Then Mum's definitely going to kill you! She was counting on you two clearing all the gnomes out of the garden this summer! If you leave, Ginny and I will have to do all that work. No wonder you were giving out presents..."
Harry shrugged too, looking helpless.
"Sirius and our cousin have told me I'm not allowed to run around this year."
"So-"
Like a conjurer, George pulled an