Mr Weasley and the Electrician
When the Weasleys said they would be coming round on Saturday they hadn’t expected them at nine o’clock.
‘I told you we would be too early Dad,’ said Bill with his arms folded.
The entire Weasley clan had just walked in, in the middle of the Lupins eating their breakfast. Fortunately they were already dressed.
‘Arthur Weasley,’ said Mr Weasley shaking hands with everyone, even Stefan.
‘I think I’ve seen you round the office,’ said Lyall.
‘Lyall Lupin, Magical Creatures.’
‘Ah,’ said Mr Weasley nodding excitedly, ‘Muggle Artifacts.’
‘Oh we’ve got some stuff that might interest you,’ said Lyall trying to laugh.
So this was the Arthur that everyone kept on talking about. The Arthur that was obsessed with Muggles.
‘Just remember to keep the down low this morning,’ said Lyall, ‘I’ve got a Muggle coming in to connect us to the mains.’
‘Mains?’
‘Electricity,’ laughed Remus.
‘Really?’ beamed Mr Weasley.
‘Do you think he could show me how a fellytision works?’
‘A television,’ said Remus, ‘and I’ll show you once the Muggles have gone.’
‘But as for now, to work.’
They left Ginny and Ophelia with Mrs Weasley, and Harry and Ron were chasing the garden gnomes in the garden with Fred and George. The older boys were going to help with the renovating, and Hope was waiting for the electrician to arrive.
‘We need to get rid of these for a start,’ said Lyall tapping on one of the stalls where the horses used to sleep.
‘I can sort that,’ beamed Mr Weasley.
Arthur simply waved his wand and the half a dozen stalls disappeared.
‘Be careful with that,’ stammered Lyall, ‘we’re expecting Muggles!’
‘Sorry,’ chuckled Mr Weasley putting his wand back away.
‘I forgot.’
‘Boys if you take a broom each can you get rid of the straw, please?’ asked Remus.
Bill, Charlie, Stefan and Percy each took a broom and started to sweep the stable. Stefan talking animatedly as they swept, Percy seemed quiet interested in The Lord of the Rings that Stefan was telling him about.
‘What do you want on the second floor?’ asked Lyall looking at the equally big second floor, which had a slanted ceiling.
‘You know I’m not quite sure yet,’ said Remus standing back to take a proper look.
‘It doesn’t have to be for the school,’ said Mr Weasley, ‘you could have a small potions lab up there.’
‘Oh that could be handy!’ nodded Remus.
‘Could make our own potions for minor cuts and bruises,’ agreed Lyall, ‘could come in handy once a month.’
Remus glared at his Dad, who shut up so quickly that Mr Weasley didn’t even realise Lyall had said anything.
‘This is looking pretty good,’ said Bill impressed and looking around at the whitewashed walls and stone-built floor
‘I wouldn’t mind studying here myself if I wasn’t starting Hogwarts in September.’
‘You can always work in here if you need somewhere quiet in the holidays Bill,’ chuckled Remus.
They started walking around the barn making lists of things they’d need; Percy always had a pencil and notebook and was making neat notes.
Blackboard, chalk, small blackboards, cubby holes, desks, chairs, and plenty of books of course.
‘It’s a shame we weren’t at school together,’ said Mr Weasley as Remus measured for a blackboard.
‘I think I might have known your brothers in law,’ said Remus jotting down some figures.
‘Really?’ asked Mr Weasley excitedly.
‘Fabian and Gideon Prewett,’ nodded Remus smiling.
‘Two years above me, could have given James and Sirius a run for their money. Oh, the trouble they gave me as a Prefect!’
‘Don’t tell me that!’ stammered Mr Weasley flabbergasted.
‘According to Molly’s parents, Fred and George are exactly like them at that age!’
‘It wouldn’t surprise me,’ said Remus looking at Fred and George who were trying to convince one of the garden gnomes to bite their brother Percy.
Bill and Charlie were now playing tag with the other children, but Percy still had his head stuck in a book.
‘Hey Guvnor!’ called a Muggle in a boiler suit, poking his head around the open barn door.
‘Your Mrs asked to check if you needed lecky in here?’
Mr Weasley was astounded at being in the presence of a real Muggle, but couldn’t understand half the words he was saying.
‘No thank you,’ said Lyall, ‘we only need electricity in the house.’
‘Alright Guv’ have a good day then.’
The Muggle got back into his van and left as he soon as he had appeared. Mr Weasley had been disappointed, he had met a real Muggle, and hadn’t asked him of any of his hundreds of questions.
‘It’s alright Arthur,’ chuckled Lyall, ‘I’m sure Hope will be more than happy to answer any questions.’
‘You’re going to regret saying that’ muttered Percy looking up from his book for a fraction of a second.
‘Marlene used to ask questions all the time,’ said Remus assuringly.
‘Now come on Arthur, I’m going to show you how to set up a dishwasher.’
Mr Weasley followed Remus and Lyall into the house filled with anticipation. Lyall and Remus patiently answered Mr Weasley’s countless questions as they connected not only the dishwasher, but the electric oven, washing machine, dryer, fridge, television and of course dozens of lightbulbs.
The children followed around the house fascinated for a while watching Lyall and Remus with their screwdrivers setting up the appliances, but they soon grew bored and went to go and play in the garden.
The highlight of Mr Weasley’s day though, had to be when they had finished installing everything, and Lyall was showing Mr Weasley the family car.
They spent at least an hour, tinkering under the bonnet of the car examining the engine.
‘I wonder if I could make it fly,’ mused Mr Weasley.
‘If you’re going to start experimenting get your own,’ said Lyall firmly.
‘Hope would kill me, if I broke our car by trying to charm it or something ridiculous.’
‘If you need any help with charming your own there you know where to find me,’ muttered Lyall under his breath trying to make sure that the wives couldn’t hear them.
‘You’ve got a deal,’ chuckled Mr Weasley shaking Lyall’s hand.