Chapter 384: The Weasley Twins’ New Investor - Hogwarts, i am Dementor

Arnold, looking utterly drained after a bout of vomiting, was propped up on the sofa by Edward. The mess had already spilled onto the couch, but Edward didn't seem too bothered anymore.

"I'll get you some tea," Edward sighed. "One more drink, and you'll end up in St. Mungo's." He cast a cleaning charm to tidy up the freshly changed sofa cover and headed to the kitchen.

"Huh? Your son's back today?" Arnold mumbled, catching sight of Cohen trailing behind Edward. He jolted upright, shaking his head to clear it. "I won't intrude—I'll head out…"

"It's work hours," Cohen said, tossing his suitcase behind the sofa and sitting a safe distance from Arnold, wary of the vomit's reach. "Won't Mrs. Puddifoot grill you if you go back now? Have you thought about looking for a new job?"

Arnold slumped. "Ugh… the shops in Diagon Alley all want young staff. They say I'm too old, balding, bad for business…"

"Fair point," Cohen said, giving him a once-over and nodding.

Arnold buried his face in his hands, letting out a anguished groan.

"Here's the tea," Edward called, returning with a steaming pot. "Dobby made it—little guy's got some skills." He glanced at Arnold, who was still cradling his face in despair. "What's wrong with you?"

"Stop moping," Cohen said, feeling a twinge of guilt for his earlier jab. "Want me to spot you some Galleons?"

But despite the tempting offer of Cohen's hefty sum, Arnold stubbornly refused to take money from a kid.

"What would I do with a child's money?" Arnold said.

"So you'd take it from Edward?" Cohen asked, curious.

"No, no!" Arnold stood quickly. "I just came to have a drink with your dad… I'll head back to Diagon Alley and keep looking. Worst case, I'll find a way to open my own shop."

"Speaking of shops…" Cohen's eyes lit up as an idea struck. "The Weasley twins are planning to open a joke shop. Why don't you get a storefront in Diagon Alley and partner with them?"

"Arthur's kids?" Arnold said, thinking back. "Aren't they still in school?"

"You could start as a supplier or distributor, maybe test the market with their products," Cohen suggested. "They made a killing betting on the Triwizard Tournament and are itching to start their business."

"Speaking of that betting pool…" Edward's brow furrowed. "Cohen, where's the money I put in?"

"What money?" Cohen said, feigning innocence.

…

After Cohen filled Arnold in on the Weasley twins' joke products and their business plans—hinting at the "future" where their shop would rake in Galleons—Arnold's eyes sparked with hope. He left in a hurry.

Once it was just Edward and Cohen, the real showdown began: a final reckoning over the betting pool money.

"Old man Dumbledore's gonna owe me big time one day," Cohen grumbled, having lost most of his Galleons.

"What do you need money for?" Edward said, counting the coins and giving Cohen a pointed look. "What's a kid like you spending on? When I'm gone, all this is yours anyway."

"No way!" Cohen flopped dramatically onto the sofa, rolling around. "I'd die without a pile of Galleons to sleep on! And you? You're unkillable! Even Avada Kedavra wouldn't take you out—no inheritance for me!"

"That's a separate issue," Edward said, patting Cohen's back as he lay face-down. "Don't you have a herd of unicorns? Sell some tail hairs."

"Flood the market, and they're worthless," Cohen muttered into the cushion. "Besides, I'm lazy. Robbing Gringotts is the easiest way."

"Should've never let you raise that dragon," Edward sighed. "Norbert's corrupted you. Sleeping on a pile of gold doesn't sound uncomfortable?"

Cohen stayed sprawled, silent.

"Alright, alright, no bank heists," Edward said, relenting at the sight of Cohen's motionless form. "I'll split it with you, okay? Your mom's gonna be back soon."

"For real?" Cohen sat up.

"I only wanted half to help Arnold invest in that shop," Edward said. "I don't spend much anyway."

"You're thinking of investing too?" Cohen's eyes widened.

"You're planning the same?" Edward shot back, equally surprised.

"Let's not overdo it—one person helping him is enough," Cohen said. "I'm off to nap on my gold pile."

"Still such a kid," Edward chuckled, shaking his head. "Just like when you were little. Eat first."

"I'll eat after my nap. Already ate on the train," Cohen said, springing off the sofa with a flourish.

—

The days leading up to July 15th were decent enough. That afternoon, after Cohen got home, Herbert moved in, taking the room next to Cohen's.

Whenever Edward had a spare moment, he and Herbert pored over Wizengamot case files. Herbert had indeed smuggled illegal creatures and was tied to the mass deaths at Borgin and Burkes. With nearly all witnesses and evidence gone, relying on Herbert's testimony alone wouldn't cut it for a retrial.

But the Ministry was eager to free Herbert to shift public attention away from "Fudge is incompetent" and "Voldemort's back." With half the Wizengamot in the Ministry's pocket, the trial might not be too tough.

"Do I need to testify?" Cohen asked. "I remember a bit from back then."

"You were one," Edward reminded him. "And there'll be reporters. Best not to lean on that unless we're really losing ground."

On the morning of July 15th, Rose took the day off to join Edward and Cohen at the trial.

The trip to the Ministry was smooth. Cohen trailed behind Edward, watching him greet wizard after wizard blending into the Muggle crowds on their way to work. Suddenly, Edward's talk of becoming Minister didn't seem so far-fetched.

The trial went almost too smoothly. Crouch, back in the interrogator's seat after years, was better prepared than Edward's team.

"All in favor of overturning the original verdict, raise your hands," Crouch said after the questioning.

One by one, the witches and wizards in plum-colored robes raised their hands.

As long as more than half voted yes, Herbert's imprisonment would end—and far more than half were raising their hands. Barely anyone kept theirs down.

Chapter 385 - Chapter 384: The Weasley Twins’ New Investor