[192] An Unmarked Grave

"Arthur Weasley!"

Molly exclaimed, her eyes wide. Eighty Galleons!

Faced with Molly's anger, Arthur coughed slightly, a little guilty, but he remained adamant. "Molly, that's Muggle transportation, it only costs ten Galleons per person…" He looked at her affectionately. "You know my hobby."

At his age, Arthur only had this one hobby — curiosity about things related to Muggles.

"I just want to know how they manage to make such a huge tin bird fly without magic!"

Arthur's eyes lit up when he talked about things that interested him.

What could Molly do? "Alright, alright." She sighed helplessly but agreed to Arthur's unexpectedly large expense.

Hall wasn't surprised at all. That's just how the Weasley family was. Dad's salary wasn't low, but with so many mouths to feed, household expenses were enormous. If Molly were a thrifty housewife, she might save a few Galleons each month. But while Molly was thrifty, she believed money should be spent.

Hall didn't think it was a bad habit, but sometimes it made things difficult. Especially for Ginny and Ron — they had to wear old clothes, old dresses, old formal wear. Fortunately, Dad got a raise ahead of schedule.

Hall stroked his chin. It wasn't that he didn't want to spend money on the family. Hall, Molly, and Arthur all shared the same thought. Hall's ability to earn money was his own skill. His willingness to spend on his brothers was voluntary, and it wasn't wrong if he didn't. But Hall's money shouldn't be a source of income for the Weasley family. That would be disrespectful to Hall and to Arthur. Besides, if Ron and Ginny were truly lacking something, Hall wouldn't completely ignore it. And the twins — hadn't Hall already invested enough?

After Molly and Arthur decided on their transportation, Hall turned to go back to his room. Ron was about to follow when Fred and George pushed him aside.

"Hall, you haven't finished explaining your improvement idea yet! If we can't increase the transmission distance using the carrier, what should we do?"

Fred and George, about to enter fifth year, were in their growth spurt. Both stood tall and imposing. Not only did Ron look like a little red-feathered chick, Hall's appearance wasn't much better.

Hall tried to break free, but the twins swiftly grabbed him from both sides.

"Oh, Hall, our dear little brother~"

"Help us~"

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"You got a share of the money too!"

Fred and George spoke in high-pitched voices.

Hall rolled his eyes. "We were talking about it earlier," he said, leaving the twins stunned.

Fred looked at George. "George, did I forget something?"

"Dude, I'm not entirely sure. I'm thinking about whether I've inexplicably lost a memory."

They both looked at Hall. They trusted their brother implicitly — especially their twin brother. If they couldn't remember, it must be Hall's problem.

Ron squeezed forward with his small frame. "Hall wouldn't lie! It must be your problem!"

Hall laughed.

Fred and George exchanged another glance. Could it really be that they forgot?

"The Floo Network." Seeing the twins' near-collapse, Hall finally spoke. "The best way to extend text transmission between carriers is to establish an internal route — like the Floo Network — within the area where transmission needs to take place."

The operation of the Floo Network was somewhat similar to a network signal base station. "Your current method is directly from one block to another. Block to block. But you can establish a transmission route — a signal station responsible for receiving and transmitting. Change the method to block to signal station to block. Understand?"

Fred and George looked thoughtful. Ron looked completely bewildered. What was Hall saying? He felt like he understood each word individually, but when put together...

"It's okay if you don't understand, Ron. It's not your forte." Hall patted Ron on the head. Ron did have talents — Wizard's Chess, luck. Reassured, he immediately stopped worrying.

Fred and George had increasingly bright eyes. "Hall, your idea is brilliant! But we want to lay out these lines..."

After their initial excitement, the twins grasped the crux of the problem — they didn't have the authority to promote their device like Floo Network.

"It's alright," Hall said unhurriedly. "Try building one at home first. If it works, I'll help you build a signal station at school after the semester starts."

As for expansion into the magical world — Hall gave them a meaningful look. "I want you to improve the product."

Hall listed all of a phone's capabilities, from simple to complex. Even the research-loving twins felt overwhelmed.

"Hall..."

Hall interrupted them. "Increase the research funding."

The twins fell silent.

Hall delivered the decisive blow. "Tell me — if such a product were placed in front of you, wouldn't you be tempted?"

How could they not be tempted? Tempted! Absolutely tempted! Incredibly tempted!

"That's exactly it." Hall's face broke into a devilish smile. "A single function is easy to imitate, but with so many functions, it's difficult for ordinary people to imitate. We can quickly seize the market while they try."

Most importantly — "We can release different versions. From the simplest one that only sends text messages, to a version that can create group chats, to versions with time tracking, games, and other functions. Each version has a different price. To rake in the wallets of every family."

Fred and George couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. "As expected of Hall! A Niffler in human form! A Niffler reincarnated! He has a unique knack for making money!"

Hall didn't think there was anything wrong with that assessment. It should be considered a compliment.

"Now that I've pointed you in the right direction, developing two new versions before the start of the semester shouldn't be a problem, right?" Hall didn't phrase it as a question.

Fred and George's smiles froze instantly. "Um... that timeframe might be a bit... the research on the signal station and the new version... Hall, please give us a little more time!"

Hall smiled at the twins. "Then I'll have to reduce my funding a bit."

The twins immediately shut up. "Trust in our abilities! We promise!"

For the sake of funding.