Chapter 155: Revelation and Boarding

"Don't let that beast get near Scabbers, or I'll turn it into a tea cozy," Ron threatened.

"She's a cat—what can I do? It's her nature," Hermione retorted.

"Is that a cat? It looks like a hairy pig," Ron said, holding Scabbers in his arms and nuzzling him affectionately.

"Your own rat looks like a shoe brush, and you have the nerve to criticize others," Hermione defended her cat without hesitation.

Ron was about to respond when he saw Harry walking through the door.

"Harry!" Ron called out in delight.

Hermione also turned around, and Harry was surprised to see her sun-darkened skin.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione smiled at him warmly.

"Hermione, how did you get so tan?" Harry asked curiously.

"I went on vacation to Paris with my parents during the summer. You know, it was really like a furnace," Hermione said, somewhat embarrassed.

"I suggested she buy some whitening potions, but she actually said this was healthier," Ron said, clearly baffled.

"So this is why you two knew Harry was at the Leaky Cauldron but still abandoned him to go shopping together like a couple?" came a pleasant young voice. The three looked up to see Aiden standing on the stairs, clearly enjoying himself.

"Aiden!" they chorused.

The four sat down together in the Leaky Cauldron's main hall.

"How was the Egypt trip?" Harry asked curiously.

"Fantastic! Antiques everywhere, mummies and pyramids, and Aiden even got arrested by the Egyptian Ministry of Magic," Ron spoke with animated gestures.

"You know Egyptians used to worship cats, right?" Hermione said, holding Crookshanks and giving Ron a pointed look.

"Worship cats? They also worshipped dung beetles," Ron replied, nuzzling Scabbers. "Even Scabbers had a great time on this Egypt trip, though he's been a bit listless since we got back. I got him some rat tonic."

"Mm, I can see how much you love Scabbers. Just now so many other rats were reaching out for you to hold them, and you didn't even glance at them," Aiden teased.

Poor Ron couldn't see the mischief constantly bubbling up behind the dragon. He held up Scabbers and said earnestly, "Scabbers is my best friend."

This was too much—happiness was about to overflow. White butterflies began faintly emerging from Aiden's body.

"Aiden, are you alright?" Hermione looked at him with concern.

"No, it's fine. This is the Patronus Charm," Aiden said, controlling the butterflies to land gently on the three of them.

Looking at the white butterflies, the trio felt it was quite magical.

"You're showing off again," George said, walking in and grabbing Ron's newspaper.

"I am not," Ron protested.

"Yes, you're not—except to Tom, the day-shift maid, and the night-shift maid," Fred added, joining his twin.

"The cook, and the toilet repair guy," they finished in unison.

The entire Weasley family had arrived, and Mrs. Weasley pulled Harry aside for a proper family chat.

Percy walked in, proudly displaying the badge on his chest, though strangely it seemed to read "Big Head Baby."

"Oh, it's my dear brother Aiden. Remember, don't call me "brother" at school—remember to address me as "Head Boy," Percy said, full of official airs.

Aiden looked at the twins, his eyes conveying a clear signal: 'Who is this?'

The twins both returned synchronized eye rolls.

Mr. Arthur called Harry aside and asked, "Looking forward to the new term?"

"Of course, it's going to be great," Harry replied energetically.

"Harry, there's something I need to tell you," Arthur said, looking around before leaning against the wall. "Many people in the Ministry opposed me telling you this, but I think you really need to know the truth. You're in danger—mortal danger."

Arthur pushed Harry into a corner for privacy.

"Is this related to Sirius Black?" Harry asked.

"How much do you know about Sirius, Harry?" Arthur asked in return.

"Only that he escaped from Azkaban," Harry answered.

"Do you know why? Thirteen years ago, when you stopped…" Arthur paused. He couldn't say the name that had been cursed—having lived through that era, he had become part of the ritual.

"Voldemort," a clear young voice completed what Arthur wanted to say.

"Don't say that name," Arthur said, glancing at Aiden but not sending him away.

"When you stopped the Dark Lord, he lost everything, but time passed, and Black remained loyal to Voldemort." Arthur paused, then continued, "And in his mind, you are the only one who can prevent his master from regaining power. So his purpose in escaping Azkaban is this—to find you."

"And kill me," Harry understood Arthur's meaning.

Aiden's right hand brushed across the monocle on his face. Recording finished.

"Aiden, what did you do?" Arthur asked, puzzled.

"Mm, nothing, just recording… yes, recording life," Aiden replied casually.

"Aiden, do you know about Sirius Black?" Harry asked.

"He comes from a wizarding family—the Black family, which values bloodline purity above all else. Back then, most of this family's members turned to Voldemort and charged into battle for him." Aiden took out a notebook and handed it to Harry. "Later, the Black family suffered heavy casualties and was nearly extinct. One of their few remaining heirs is Sirius Black."

"In short, Harry, listen to me—you must never try to seek out Sirius Black," Arthur warned. Then he turned to Aiden. "Aiden, help me watch him. If necessary, take him and run. I know your escape abilities."

Arthur unhesitatingly revealed Aiden's capabilities.

"Uncle, that makes it sound like I really love running away. Actually, I'm quite good at fighting," Aiden said, adjusting his glasses.

"You can fight, but can you fight while protecting Harry at the same time?" Arthur rolled his eyes.

"That's not impossible," Aiden said mischievously.

"No negotiation, or I'll tell Molly," Arthur threatened.

Of course Aiden wouldn't… fall for that trick.

The group packed their luggage, and Arthur drove them to King's Cross Station in his new car.

"Here we are. This time you can't drive off with my car again," Arthur said, pulling out the keys with emphasis.

Passing through the barrier between platforms nine and three-quarters, the Weasley parents saw the group onto the Hogwarts Express.

But Ron's fat rat, which had been given the tonic, suddenly leaped from the train window.

"Mum, Scabbers jumped out!" Ron called urgently.

Molly waved her wand, and the family's signature Petrificus Totalus spell froze Scabbers in mid-air.

Then she grabbed the petrified rat and threw him forcefully back onto the train.

Scabbers flew through the train window and hit the wall with a heavy thud that seemed to strike Ron's heart.

Ron hurriedly picked up the rat to check on him. After confirming he was fine, he took out his newly bought willow wand and released Scabbers from the petrification.

In the shadows, unknown to them both, a pair of beautiful heterochromatic eyes watched intently.

(End of Chapter)

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