Arthur and Moody saw that Alex was well prepared. They had known him long enough to trust that he wouldn’t lead them into anything shady, so without hesitation, they signed their names on the contract.
Once the paperwork was out of the way, neither of them wasted any time reaching for the suitcases in front of them. They eagerly unlatched them, revealing two rows of neatly arranged metal amulets, a pair of boots, a vest, a single glove, a pair of handcuffs, enchanted goggles, and a silver pocket watch. "You’ve been busy," Moody remarked, picking up the enchanted handcuffs and giving them a quick spin around his wrist. "These wouldn’t happen to be the ones you told me about, would they?"
"That’s right," Alex confirmed, gesturing toward the hidden compartment inside the suitcase. "You’ll find instructions inside, along with details on how to use each item. I’ve also been working on a new set of equipment that’s nearly complete. If all goes well, you’ll get to see the finished version before the company launches."
Arthur and Moody both leaned in, spotting a small booklet tucked into the lining of the suitcase. Arthur, ever the straightforward type, scratched the back of his head. "Since we’ve signed the contract, I suppose that makes us colleagues now. Is there anything else you need help with? Feels a bit strange just taking all this without doing something in return."
Alex chuckled, expecting that reaction from him. "Actually, there are two things I was going to ask for your help with, even if you hadn’t offered."
Moody snorted. "Well, you’re our big sponsor now, aren’t you? No need to be polite, just say the word."
"It’s nothing too complicated," Alex assured them. He handed a fresh licorice stick to Ginny after she finished her lollipop before continuing. "First, I need to register my company with the Ministry of Magic. I’m not too familiar with the procedures, especially since a lot of my products are combat-related. I don’t know which ones might be classified as restricted items, so I’d appreciate some guidance."
Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "I can help with that. The registration process can be a bit of a headache, but I can take care of the preliminary paperwork for you. You’ll just need to come down to the Ministry at the final stage. Bring Ginny along when you do, I’ll take her home afterward." He tapped a finger on the table. "As for the products, any company selling physical goods has to undergo a risk rating assessment. Officials from both the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement will review your items and classify them accordingly. Anything deemed safe for the public can be sold to regular wizards, but restricted items will need special approval."
Alex nodded. "Got it. Thanks, Arthur." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "The second thing… I’d like you to put me in contact with Director Burns from the Law Enforcement Department or Minister Bagnold. If possible, I’d like to arrange a product demonstration for them."
Arthur looked intrigued. "You want to pitch directly to the Ministry?"
Alex shrugged. "I haven’t had much direct contact with either of them, but I’d like to show them what I’m offering. If I can establish a direct supply relationship with the Ministry, I’ll be able to offer them special rates."
Moody tapped the enchanted handcuffs against his palm, considering the request. "I’ll see what I can do. Minister Bagnold already knows you, she hasn’t forgotten what you did for her. And you’re a former student of Bones’ brother, so that gives you some credibility."
Alex smiled in satisfaction. This was exactly why having the right connections mattered. If he had been just another new business owner, getting a meeting with a high-ranking Ministry official would have been next to impossible. Now, not only was Arthur helping him navigate the Ministry’s bureaucratic red tape, but Moody would be making introductions at the highest levels. And once Moody started talking about Alex’s inventions to the right people, it wouldn’t take long before word spread.
After discussing a few more details about the company’s launch, Arthur and Moody prepared to leave. Ginny, however, showed no signs of missing her father. Arthur, who had been expecting at least a little reluctance from his daughter, was left momentarily speechless.
Fang, on the other hand, was downright horrified. As Arthur and Moody stepped out the door, Fang felt an ominous chill run down his spine. He could feel Ginny’s eyes following him. That unsettling sensation crawling up his fur? Oh, it was real. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, Fang vanished. One second he was sitting stiffly in the corner; the next, he had shrunk himself down and darted out of sight, tucking himself away in some unseen hiding spot.
Alex, pretending not to notice Fang’s escape, turned to Ginny with a grin. "Ginny, how about some dessert? I’ll make you a cake. How does that sound?"
Ginny’s eyes lit up. "Cake!" Then, as if something suddenly occurred to her, she tilted her head. "Godfather, where’s the dog? I want to play with the dog."
Alex’s grin widened. "Fang’s playing hide-and-seek with you. Why don’t you go find him? I’ll start baking, and when you get tired, you can come back for cake."
As soon as Alex put Ginny down, she dashed off excitedly, completely focused on her new favorite pastime, tormenting Fang. "Wimzy, keep an eye on her," Alex instructed, watching Ginny’s small figure chase after the reluctant dog. His lips curled into a smirk. He had finally found Fang’s natural enemy. He might as well let Ginny make the most of these few days and teach that silly mutt some humility.
"Understood, master." Wimzy acknowledged the order before disappearing with a soft pop of Apparition.
The next few days were surprisingly warm for Alex. Having Ginny around filled his home with a lively atmosphere, and for the first time in a long while, he felt the comfort of family again. His fondness for his goddaughter only deepened. Fang, however, was not having such a good time. The usually mischievous and hyperactive dog had finally met his match, a tiny red-haired girl with boundless energy. No matter how hard he tried to hide, no matter how small he shrank himself, Ginny always found him. She only needed to shout "dog!" and, as if guided by some unnatural force, she would track him down without fail.
To make matters worse, Ginny was far stronger than she looked. Once she locked onto Fang, escape was impossible. He would be dragged out from whatever hiding spot he had squeezed into, forced into games he never agreed to, and subjected to an endless cycle of cuddles, petting, and tail-pulling. Days passed, and in the end, Fang gave up entirely. There was no running. No hiding. No escape. He resigned himself to his fate, flopping onto the floor limply whenever Ginny came near, letting her do as she pleased.