Investing in the Weasley Twins! A First Nighttime Outing

"It's... it's that fifth-year textbook..."

Percy stammered, lowering his head guiltily.

"Here's the thing, Argus!"

Seeing that Percy could not get the words out, Fred readily took over.

"We don't have enough Galleons right now to replace your fifth-year textbook with a new one. It'll have to wait a few days until our parents send us the Galleons."

"If you need it urgently, I can give you my book for now, then swap back when the new one arrives."

Afraid Argus would be dissatisfied, Percy hurried to speak.

"Or we could pay you back in goods!"

Fred waggled his eyebrows at Argus. "It's all good stuff, too. First-years love it!"

"We've got Ton-Tongue Toffee that makes your tongue swell up, and premium Dungbombs-just one can stink up a classroom for a whole week!"

"And there's..."

"Shut up, Fred!"

Argus shook his head with a smile. "There's no need for a new book. It isn't damaged, so I can keep reading it just fine."

"Besides, it has my notes in it. Replacing it would be a hassle."

"But..."

"It's nothing, Percy!" Argus shook his head with a smile.

"If you really feel bad about it, just lend me your old notes to look through."

"After all, not just anyone gets to borrow the notes of Gryffindor's top student in his year."

"I'm the one getting the better deal here!"

"That's easy. Leave it to me, Mr. Grindelwald!"

At the mention of grades, clear pride appeared on Percy's face.

"Just call me Argus. That's what Fred and George call me."

"Oh, listen to that, Fred! Our top student finally has a chance to put his talents to use!"

Percy glared at George for clowning around.

"All right, Argus. I'll take these two back first, then bring you the notes tomorrow morning."

"There's no hurry. Whenever you're free, I can come and get them myself."

Percy thought for a moment. "I'll give you the notes in the Hogwarts Great Hall tomorrow morning."

"I won't keep you from your rest, then. Good night!"

With that, he hauled the Weasley Twins away, one in each hand.

Argus did not head back just yet, waiting for about ten minutes.

Two furtive figures emerged from the stairway.

"Our generous chief gave us a special signal to come back. Interested in our products?"

"We've got plenty of good stuff. Let me guess what you want..."

"No need to guess. It's not just your products I'm interested in."

"Not just our products? Could it be..." George covered his mouth with one hand, putting on a look of horror.

"It's all over. So many young witches at Hogwarts are going to have their hearts broken!"

Argus was speechless.

Was this a British specialty?

Gay vibes everywhere? Even kids in their teens knew about it!

Fred patted Argus on the shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. It's perfectly normal. We won't tell anyone."

"Anyway, you called us here..."

Damn!

These two messed around so much I nearly forgot the actual business!

Only then did Argus remember why he had called them over. Afraid they would confuse him again, he said, "I called you back because I wanted to discuss a partnership."

"Or rather, an investment would be more accurate."

"An investment!"

At those words, the Weasley Twins exchanged a glance.

Each saw irrepressible delight in the other's eyes.

For all these years, their hobby had never met with anyone's approval.

Both Mrs. Weasley and the Hogwarts professors had expressed their displeasure more than once.

They had even hesitated over whether to keep pursuing this hobby.

They had thought their enterprise might gradually decline, only for things to take an unexpected turn!

Argus carefully observed their reactions and told them his thoughts in full.

"In my view, your products have real value."

"They have good prospects for growth, too. You're just held back by limited funding and can't realize their full potential."

"With enough funding, you're sure to earn piles of Galleons!"

"Look at that, Fred! Our backer certainly has a good eye!"

As though they had found a kindred spirit, the Weasley Twins threw their arms tightly around Argus's shoulders.

"I wonder how many Galleons our future shareholder intends to invest?"

At this subject, George grew a little nervous.

His hands secretly pinched the hem of his clothes.

A hint of apprehension also entered Fred's eyes.

After all, they were only thirteen- or fourteen-year-old children.

Faced with the future fate of the enterprise they loved, they could not help feeling somewhat uneasy.

Argus slowly held up five fingers.

"Five Galleons... that'll still keep us going for a while!"

"Fifty!"

"Fifty!"

George and Fred could not believe it.

For a moment, they were too overwhelmed with delight to react!

Only when Argus placed the heavy bag of Galleons in their hands did they snap out of their euphoria.

"These fifty are just the initial funding. From now on, I'll cover all your materials, including whatever you use up in experiments."

"All you need to do is give me one of each product you develop."

"We'll split the profits fifty-fifty going forward."

"This..."

The Weasley Twins exchanged a glance, then each gave the other a hard slap.

Then they hugged each other.

"George, we're not dreaming! The generous Mr. Grindelwald really is willing to invest a large sum in our enterprise!"

"We won't have to keep sneaking around every day anymore!"

They could not believe a windfall had actually fallen from the sky!

And landed squarely on their heads!

"Not only that, once you graduate, you can come straight to the Acolytes."

"I'll have a joke shop prepared especially for you, entirely under your management."

"Merlin's long johns! This is definitely our lucky day!"

The Weasley Brothers were nearly dizzy from all the windfalls Argus was showering on them.

Their grins nearly stretched to their ears!

They almost dropped to their knees and kowtowed to Argus!

Argus smiled and soothed the two of them.

He would never make a losing deal!

In Argus's view, the Weasley Twins' prank toys could definitely become the signature attraction of the Acolytes' future shopping street!

Forget fifty Galleons-as long as he could secure them, he would not hesitate to spend five thousand!

The three discussed a few more specifics. When they looked up, it was already late at night.

Argus stretched, his joints cracking.

"It's getting late. How about..."

"How about a thrilling late-night snack?"

George raised an eyebrow and made the suggestion to Argus.

"A late-night snack?" Argus rubbed his stomach.

He had been fine before George mentioned it, but now he really was a little hungry.

He nodded, as though something had occurred to him. "To the Hogwarts Kitchens?"

"Another kindred spirit!"

The Weasley Twins excitedly pulled Argus along, sneaking through one secret passage after another.

To be honest, Argus began to regret it halfway there.

Running so far in the middle of the night for a snack really was not worth it.

But... we're already here!

The three arrived in a brightly lit stone passageway.

At the end of the passage hung an oil painting of a bowl of fruit.

Fred walked up to the painting with practiced ease and gently tickled one of the pears.

"Hee hee hee!"

As though it were alive, the pear twitched under his tickling, revealing a green door handle.

Fred gave it a firm turn, and the painting swung open.

"Our esteemed backer, welcome to the Hogwarts Kitchens!"