Chapter 166: Planning
Phineas thought for a moment and said,
"You know, I'm the only one left in the Black family now, so if you need anything, I can lend you some..."
When Mr. Weasley heard this, he understood what Phineas meant. He glanced at Ron and suddenly felt a bit embarrassed—Ron's clothes and supplies were all hand-me-downs. This year, he'd bought Percy a new set of robes for becoming a prefect, and a new wand for Charlie, who had just graduated. There wasn't enough gold left to get Ron anything new.
Still, that wasn't due to favoritism from Mrs. Weasley. It was simply the way things were in a big family—only Bill's things had ever been brand new. The older children received new items first, which were then passed down.
Ron's wand this year was secondhand, as usual. With Charlie having just graduated and Percy becoming a prefect, the family had done what it could. It wasn't ideal, but it was what they had.
Phineas had clearly noticed all this and made his offer out of kindness.
Mrs. Weasley looked a little embarrassed, but she still shook her head.
"It's alright—we're used to it. It feels more like home this way."
Phineas nodded and didn't press the issue.
Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands.
"Alright, dears, I wish you all a wonderful term. Send an owl as soon as you arrive."
She kissed Percy on the cheek, and he walked toward the front of the train.
Then she turned to the twins.
"Now, your turn. This year, I expect the two of you to behave. If I get an owl saying you've blown up a toilet or—"
Fred cut in, grinning,
"Blown up a toilet? We've never done that!"
"That's a great idea—thanks, Mum!"
Mrs. Weasley took a deep breath and said sternly,
"This isn't a joke. Look after Ron."
"Don't worry, Mum. If he sticks with us, little Ron'll be fine."
"Shut up!" Ron snapped. He was nearly as tall as the twins now, but the spot on his nose that had just been wiped was still red.
Watching the family joke and laugh together, Phineas suddenly felt that maybe Sirius really ought to be free from Azkaban.
Thinking this, he looked toward the rat curled up in Ron's arms. He knew very well that it wasn't a rat at all, but Peter Pettigrew—the man who had betrayed the Potters.
Just then, the twins turned to him.
"Hey, Phineas, you're the one we saw earlier, right? When we came onto the platform, there was a little boy with black hair near us."
Phineas blinked.
"Who?"
"Harry Potter!" George said loudly.
At that moment, Ginny, who had been clinging to her mother's robes, suddenly spoke.
"Harry Potter? Mum, can I get on the train and go see him? Please?"
Mrs. Weasley shook her head.
"You've seen him already, Ginny. That poor boy isn't some sort of zoo exhibit. Fred, how do you know it was him?"
Fred grinned.
"I asked. I saw his scar—it's right there, shaped like a lightning bolt."
Phineas sighed.
"Fred, he's just a poor kid."
Mrs. Weasley nodded in agreement.
"Yes... It was surprising to see him alone. He was so polite when he asked how to get to the platform."
George piped up,
"Do you think he remembers what You-Know-Who looked like?"
At once, Mrs. Weasley's expression darkened.
Phineas's voice was firm.
"George, Fred—don't ask him about that. That night gave us peace, but it cost him everything. Don't go reopening wounds."
The twins exchanged a glance. Phineas was rarely so serious. They both nodded.
Mrs. Weasley let out a soft sigh of relief. Despite all their mischief, her boys were still being looked after.
Phineas exhaled and turned to the twins.
"I need your help with something. Just a moment of your time. Let's get on the train first, and I'll explain."
The twins looked at one another and nodded. Phineas didn't ask for help lightly.
Just then, the train whistle blew.
"Alright, quickly now, get on!" Mrs. Weasley urged.
Phineas helped the twins and Ron with their trunks, and they climbed aboard. Leaning out of the window, they kissed their mother goodbye.
Ginny began to cry again, just as she had the year before.
"Don't cry, Ginny—we'll send you loads of owls!"
"And we'll bring back a Hogwarts toilet seat!"
"George!"
"Just joking, Mum!"
Compared to Ginny, Ron was more like a target, especially for the twins. Ginny always tried to defend him, and in turn, they doted on their youngest sister.
Phineas noticed Ginny running along the platform after the train and chuckled.
"Your sister's got some stamina. She chases the train every year."
George shrugged.
"Of course. She's our sister."
Fred added, smiling with pride.
"Alright, let's go find Lee. I need your help with something."
They made their way to a compartment Lee had reserved in advance. Once inside, Phineas closed the door behind them.
"Alright, I need your help. Don't worry about the reason—just follow my lead."
The three of them nodded. They trusted Phineas completely.
"George, I need you to bring me to Ron. He should be sharing a compartment with Harry."
Fred blinked.
"How do you know?"
Phineas shrugged.
"Maybe fighting Nott and Professor Ritchie last term unlocked something in me. I think I've awakened some kind of sight."
"Really?" Lee asked, wide-eyed.
"That's real vision!"
Phineas shrugged again.
"I'm not entirely sure. But for now, let's focus. Here's what we're going to do..."
The four of them laughed, planned, and set their course for what was to come next.