Because something suddenly came up at the office, Chris and Diana didn't come back for lunch, so Kael had lunch at the Weasley house.
Mrs. Weasley, who hadn't seen Kael for more than half a month, was absolutely delighted and piled seven or eight sausages onto his plate, then insisted he eat three bowls of rice.
After he finished, Kael was so full that he didn't want to move at all.
"Want to come help de-gnome the garden?" After lunch, Fred invited him eagerly.
"We're official Quidditch Beaters now, we'll definitely beat you this time."
"Maybe next time." Kael shook his head, then pulled a yellow envelope from his pocket and said, "I need to head to Diagon Alley for a bit to buy some things for the new term."
"Oh, that's right, you haven't done your shopping yet!"
Mrs. Weasley, who was busy in the kitchen, walked over at this moment and said, "Wait a second, dear, we can go with you to Diagon Alley."
"No need, Mrs. Weasley."
Kael smiled and said, "Second and first year need pretty much the same things. I just need some parchment and ink, so I'll be back soon."
"But…" Mrs. Weasley looked a little hesitant.
"It's okay, Mum," Fred said. "We can go with him."
George added, "Yeah, Mum, don't worry."
"Alright then." Mrs. Weasley thought for a moment and decided not to say any more, but she gave the twins a look and reminded them, "Come right back after shopping, and don't take Kael to any of those shady places."
"We wouldn't go there in the first place."
"Honestly, you're our mother, but you really don't know us at all."
...
While the twins were talking with Mrs. Weasley, Kael suddenly noticed Ron sitting to the side… with his wand clutched in his hands.
He'd seen that wand last term at Charlie's—it was really worn out, Kael could even see the unicorn hair sticking out.
All of a sudden, Kael remembered something. He looked up and said, "Mrs. Weasley, you've misunderstood Fred and George."
The twins immediately started nodding hard at Kael's words, and behind their backs, they secretly gave him a thumbs-up.
But Kael pretended not to notice and went on, "They want to come to Diagon Alley with me because they're planning to buy Ron a new wand."
"Mmhm… huh?"
Fred and George froze halfway through their nodding and stared at Kael in disbelief.
Beside them, Ron looked just as shocked.
Merlin's beard, Fred and George… wanted to buy him a new wand?
Ron could hardly believe his own ears, but right after, a wave of joy washed over him.
He wanted a new wand so badly. Lately, he'd even been dreaming of picking out a wand at Olivander's.
But there was nothing he could do. Even though the family had money now, Mrs. Weasley insisted that the Galleons belonged to the twins, and she was just keeping them safe. She refused to let him buy a wand.
He hadn't expected this…
Ron's eyes turned red and he looked at his two brothers, full of emotion, as if he might burst into tears at any second.
Fred and George still hadn't processed what was happening—their faces were a bit blank.
When had they ever said they'd buy Ron a new wand? That would be a total waste of Galleons! He was only a first year, Charlie's old wand would do just fine for him.
But out of trust for Kael, the twins hesitated a moment but didn't contradict him.
"Y-yeah, Mum…"
Fred said through gritted teeth, "We really did want to buy Ron a new wand…"
George took a deep breath and forced a stiff smile. "We just didn't tell you because we thought you'd be against it."
"Oh, my dears, why would I be against that?"
Mrs. Weasley's eyes were a bit misty too. She stepped forward and gave Fred and George a warm hug.
"I'm so glad you boys think that way. George is right, I really don't know you well enough."
"I'm Fred, Mum." George's face turned red as he mumbled awkwardly, "You mixed us up again."
"Sorry, Fred, darling." Mrs. Weasley let them go, smiled, and said, "Alright, you lot wait just a second."
And with that, she headed upstairs.
As soon as she was gone, the twins shot Kael questioning glances full of confusion.
Kael kept a poker face and shook his head ever so slightly, signaling them to relax.
Before long, Mrs. Weasley came back, holding a pouch in her hand.
"Here are your Galleons."
She handed the bag to George, who was nearest, and said, "I've always worried you two were so young, and having a sudden windfall of Galleons would mean you'd just waste it. But it looks like you've really grown up."
"Take them—you won't be able to buy a new wand without this."
George couldn't wait to open the pouch. Inside were around thirty shiny gold Galleons.
A flash of disappointment crossed the twins' eyes.
They thought all the Galleons would be inside, but there were only thirty.
Mrs. Weasley caught his expression instantly and put on a stern face. "What? Not enough? Then forget it."
She made as if to take the pouch away.
George jumped back and shook his head quickly, "Of course not, Mum! We'd never think that!"
Worried Mrs. Weasley would change her mind, George marched right over to the fireplace, grabbed the bag in one hand and a pinch of Floo Powder in the other.
"There's no time, we've got to go."
He tossed the Floo Powder into the fireplace and marched straight in without looking back.
"Diagon Alley!"
And with a blink, George was gone.
Fred and Kael saw this and hurried after him.
...
When Kael opened his eyes again, he was standing at the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace.
Fred and George flanked him on either side, talking a mile a minute:
"When did we ever say we'd buy Ron a wand?!"
"We want an explanation, Kael!"
A wand costs seven Galleons—that's enough for a hundred Ton-Tongue Toffees!
"Calm down, aren't you curious? About why Olivander's shop is so filthy…"
Kael leaned in close and whispered something quickly into their ears.
After listening, the twins started to look interested but were still a little puzzled.
Fred hesitated, "But a wand is seven Galleons… isn't that a huge waste?"
"Don't worry, I'll cover it." Kael grinned. "Consider it a back-to-school gift for Ron…"
"Pfft…"
Just then, a round figure tumbled out of the fireplace.
Ron didn't even bother brushing off the soot—he immediately stood up and looked around, searching for someone.
When he spotted Kael and the twins nearby, he finally relaxed and hurried over, his steps light and happy.