The Tenth Weasley - CH - 6 (Patreon)

Harry’s life as Harry Weasley was far simpler and happier than anything he had ever experienced at the Dursleys'. While he still had chores to do, they were nothing compared to the endless, exhausting tasks Aunt Petunia used to give him. Here, the chores were magical, fun even, and always a group effort with the other Weasley children. One of Harry's favorite tasks was de-gnoming the garden, a daily ritual that seemed more like a game than work.

The gnomes, small and mischievous creatures, would peek out from behind plants, only to be snatched up by one of the children. Harry quickly learned the technique—grabbing a gnome, twirling it above his head to disorient it, and launching it as far as possible. Fred and George, of course, turned it into a competition, each trying to outdo the other. "Five meters farther than you, George!" Fred would shout as his gnome sailed through the air. George would grumble, but a grin never left his face. Even Ron, despite his usual complaints about everything, couldn't help but join in.

Harry found himself laughing more than he ever had, feeling included in the family's playful antics. It was an incredible change from the isolation and cold indifference he had endured with the Dursleys. Now, he wasn’t a burden or an outsider—he was part of the Weasley family, and every day felt like an adventure.

Percy, ever the rule-follower, supervised the younger kids, but even he had a smile on his face as he tossed a gnome with perfect form. "Proper technique, Harry," Percy said, demonstrating with precision. Harry watched with interest, trying to follow Percy’s instructions but still preferring Fred and George’s carefree style.

As the days passed, the Weasleys made sure to include Harry in everything. They started giving him small lessons about magic, teaching him the basics so that when he eventually went to Hogwarts, he wouldn’t feel lost. Bill would talk about magical creatures, Charlie about Quidditch, and even Ginny, shy but sweet, would chime in, showing Harry simple charms she had learned from her brothers.

Harry soaked up every bit of information like a sponge. He wanted to be a real part of the Weasleys’ world, and they were making sure he felt included. He didn’t mind when Ron grumbled about chores or complained about hand-me-downs because, for the first time in his life, Harry didn’t feel alone. He had a family who cared, siblings who laughed with him, and a future that no longer seemed scary or uncertain.

With each passing day, Harry felt more at home, more like he belonged. He had finally found his place in the world, and he wasn’t going to let go of it.

Harry’s curiosity about the magical world grew each day. After being introduced to magic, he wanted to know everything about it—the how, the why, and the history behind it. He started reading newspapers like the Daily Prophet and any magical books he could get his hands on. Bill’s collection had many fascinating books on magical creatures and spells, and Harry spent hours pouring over them.

Arthur Weasley, who shared Harry's deep curiosity, was delighted to see him so eager to learn. He handed Harry several books about magical inventions, old wizarding laws, and the history of magic. Arthur even shared some of his own thoughts about how Muggle objects could be adapted with magic, which sparked even more questions in Harry's mind.

What surprised Harry, however, was that most of the Weasley children, except for Fred and George, didn’t seem to share his curiosity. To them, magic was just part of everyday life. They used it without giving it much thought, and they didn’t seem as interested in how it worked or what made it possible. Fred and George, of course, were endlessly curious, but mostly when it came to breaking rules or finding new ways to prank people. Harry, on the other hand, wanted to understand magic from the ground up. He wanted to know why certain spells worked the way they did, where magical power came from, and how it could be shaped into different forms.

Harry often found himself asking Ron questions about magic, only to receive a shrug or a casual answer like, "It’s just magic, Harry. It works because it works." But Harry wasn’t satisfied with that. He spent more time in the evenings reading and learning, trying to fill the gaps in his knowledge. Sometimes, late at night, he would sit by the window with a book on magical theory, trying to wrap his head around the vastness of this new world he was now a part of.

He also found it strange that Fred and George, despite their pranks and inventive nature, didn’t seem interested in the deeper aspects of magic either. They were always focused on results—what worked to get a laugh or surprise someone—but not so much on how magic itself operated. It made Harry feel even more determined to uncover the secrets of the magical world.

As Harry continued to learn, he realized that there was so much more to magic than just waving a wand. It had rules, history, and endless possibilities. And Harry, with his insatiable curiosity, was ready to dive into it all.

Harry’s first trip to Diagon Alley was nothing short of magical. As he walked alongside the Weasleys, his eyes widened with wonder at the bustling street filled with magical shops, broomsticks soaring above, enchanted items sparkling in windows, and strange creatures walking about. But what caught Harry’s attention the most were the goblins—small, sharp-featured beings managing the massive Gringotts Bank. They looked so fierce and cunning, Harry found them both intimidating and fascinating.

The Weasleys were used to Diagon Alley, guiding Harry through the shops like it was any other day. Bill and Charlie led the way, helping their younger siblings and showing Harry some of the coolest spots, like Quality Quidditch Supplies and Ollivanders. But as they made their way around, Harry noticed something that he hadn’t fully grasped before. The Weasleys were careful with their money, making every knut count. Charlie’s school things were mostly second-hand, and Mrs. Weasley carefully chose what they needed over what they wanted. Despite this, they all seemed happy, excited to be together, and thrilled about Charlie starting Hogwarts.

Harry realized then that the Weasleys, though well-fed and always happy, didn’t have much to spare. They were poor. But they had taken him in without hesitation, shared everything with him, and treated him like one of their own. The thought warmed Harry’s heart, but it also made him determined. He wanted to do something for them. He was only a child, but even he knew how hard it must be to care for so many children, let alone an adopted one.

As they wandered the streets, Harry's mind whirled. What could he do? He wasn’t sure yet, but he knew that somehow, he wanted to help the Weasleys. Maybe there was a way to earn some money or find something that could improve their situation. The thought of helping them, even in the smallest way, made Harry more determined than ever. He would think of a plan—something, anything, to show them how much he appreciated what they had done for him. And although he was just a child, Harry knew that he could be resourceful when he needed to be.

Harry's mind raced with possibilities after that trip to Diagon Alley. He had seen the struggles of the wizarding businesses, the limited clientele, and the strain on his new family’s finances. But the muggle world was a different story. It was vast, filled with opportunities and people who would pay for good food. Harry’s mind settled on one thought: if they could tap into that world, they could turn the Weasleys' financial situation around.

The idea of starting a business began to take shape, and Harry remembered his mother, Molly Weasley, and her incredible cooking. Meals at the Burrow had been a delight, filled with love and warmth, and Harry knew that no one had ever cooked for him like that before. He had helped Molly prepare dinner a few times, chopping vegetables and stirring pots, but he had also seen the way her cooking brought everyone together. It was more than just food; it was a source of happiness and comfort.

He spent the next few days brainstorming how they could leverage Molly’s skills in the muggle world. Perhaps they could start a catering business or a small bakery. They could even create magical treats that could only be found at the Burrow—something that would appeal to both wizards and muggles alike. The idea excited Harry, and he shared it with his siblings.

One evening, as they gathered around the dining table after dinner, Harry took a deep breath. “Can I have everyone’s attention for a second?” He glanced at Ron, Ginny, Fred, and George, who were already looking at him curiously. “I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can help our family, especially with money. I have an idea.”

The table fell silent, and all eyes were on him. “What if we started a food business? Mom’s cooking is amazing, and I think we could sell her meals or baked goods to muggles. There are so many people out there who would love to eat something like that.”

Fred’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “And we could add a twist! Like enchanted pastries that make you feel happy or something!”

“Yeah!” George chimed in. “What if we create a ‘magical experience’ with our food? We could even make a food cart and sell it in muggle neighborhoods!”

Ron nodded enthusiastically. “That sounds great, Harry! I know a lot of kids at school who would love to try magic food.”

Ginny, always supportive, added, “We could make sure to include some of Mom’s special recipes. Everyone loves her cooking!”

The excitement was palpable as the Weasley siblings began discussing the logistics, tossing around ideas about recipes, packaging, and how they could get ingredients from both the wizarding and muggle worlds.

Once they had a solid plan, Harry knew they needed to talk to Molly and Arthur. He could imagine their reaction—first, surprise and then perhaps concern about the logistics of running a business, especially one involving muggles. But Harry was determined to convince them.

Later that evening, as the family settled into the living room, Harry found the courage to speak up. “Mom, Dad, can we talk? I have an idea that I think could really help our family.”

Arthur looked up from his newspaper, and Molly put down her knitting. “What is it, Harry?”

Taking a deep breath, Harry shared his vision for a food business, highlighting Molly's cooking and how they could reach out to the muggle community. He explained the potential benefits, not just for their financial situation but for building connections between the two worlds.

Molly’s eyes widened in surprise, and she glanced at Arthur, who looked thoughtful. “Harry, that’s quite an ambitious plan,” he said, rubbing his chin.

Molly smiled, her pride evident. “You really believe we can do this?”

“I do,” Harry replied earnestly. “With all of us working together, we can make it happen. Your cooking is too good not to share with everyone.”

Molly's heart swelled at Harry's words. She exchanged a look with Arthur, who nodded slowly, warming to the idea. “Well, it would certainly be a challenge, but I think it’s worth considering. We can discuss it as a family.”

Harry’s heart raced with excitement as he watched his parents begin to consider the possibilities. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was part of something bigger, something that could truly make a difference. The Weasleys were not just his family; they were a team, and together, they could achieve anything.