Chapter 63: A Sanctuary and a Familiar

"So, Professor," Aiden began, his voice serious, "what is the plan for Oliver?"

Dumbledore took a slow sip of his pumpkin juice, the twinkle in his eyes momentarily dimmed. "He has suffered a profound trauma and has fallen into a deep coma. The healers at St. Mungo's confess they've rarely seen anything like it. They don't know what kind of suffering could reduce a boy to this state." He paused, his gaze meeting Aiden's. "But we know, don't we? An injury to the mind is a delicate thing. It requires long-term, specialized care from a master of the mental arts."

The unspoken request hung heavy in the air. Dumbledore's eyes were filled with a hopeful expectation that made Aiden's stomach clench.

With a long, theatrical sigh, Aiden threw his hands up in surrender. "Fine. Fine! Bring him here. It's not like I can trust anyone else to look after him properly anyway."

After seeing Dumbledore off, Aiden finally had a moment to himself. He realized with a jolt that a quarter of the summer holiday had already vanished, and he hadn't written a single letter to his friends. He rushed to the study and began writing furiously, scribbling out notes to everyone. But as he finished, a new problem arose: staying at the secluded Prewett residence, he had no owl to deliver them.

Right on cue, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

[Ding. The System has a gift for the host.]

'A gift?' Aiden thought, his interest piqued. He set down his quill. 'What is it?'

[Ding. During the host's incursion into the Deep Realm, the System successfully extracted the biological characteristics of a native creature.]

'Okay… and?'

[Ding. Synthesis complete. Characteristics of a Spirit Realm Harpy have been stabilized.]

Aiden's jaw dropped. 'A harpy?!'

[Ding. The host need only provide a living flesh-and-blood creature. The characteristics can then be integrated, resulting in the creation of a loyal familiar. Affirmative or negative?]

"Yes! Yes, absolutely, yes!" Aiden exclaimed, clasping his hands together in delight. 'System, you're the best!'

[Ding. Acknowledged.]

The next day, Dumbledore arrived with Oliver. Aiden stared in disbelief as the Headmaster levitated a large, rectangular wooden box through the door.

"Wait," Aiden said, his eyes wide. "You brought him in a box?"

"Well, I couldn't very well carry him in my arms, could I?" Dumbledore replied, his expression utterly serious. "An old man like me, carrying a student? It would be terribly undignified."

"Right," Aiden muttered, shaking his head. "I've prepared a room."

He led Dumbledore upstairs. With a gentle wave of his wand, Dumbledore tipped the box, and Oliver's unconscious form floated out, settling softly onto the bed. His face was pale and still, lost in a sleep far deeper than normal.

"Did the healers say when he might wake up?" Aiden asked, a pang of sympathy striking him as he looked at his friend.

"Perhaps half a month," Dumbledore answered gravely. "His mind suffered a severe shock. And that estimate, I'm afraid, includes your assistance."

"So, how do I keep him stable?"

"Potions," Dumbledore said, handing Aiden another, smaller box. "I've taken the liberty of preparing a full regimen for him."

"Alright," Aiden said, taking the box. "If there's nothing else, I have some errands to run."

"Not even a cup of tea for your old Headmaster?" Dumbledore grumbled playfully as Aiden ushered him toward the door.

Once he was gone, Aiden turned to the house-elf. "Sibby, please look after my roommate. I'll be out for a bit."

With that, he stepped into the fireplace and vanished into the Floo Network, reappearing a moment later in the bustling heart of Diagon Alley.

Eeylops Owl Emporium was as busy as ever, the air filled with a chorus of hoots and the rustling of feathers. The clerk, Evelyn, spotted him immediately.

"Mr. Prewett! Long time no see," she greeted him warmly. "How is that lovely leopard cat you bought from us?"

"She's doing great," Aiden laughed. "She's even learned to talk."

"Oh, you're such a kidder," Evelyn chuckled, not believing a word. "Here to buy an owl today?" A professional gleam entered her eyes as she led him toward a quieter corner of the shop where several magnificent owls were perched.

"This snowy owl is one of our finest," she said, pointing to a particularly regal bird. "Incredibly fast, exceptionally smart, and her white feathers make her easy to spot during night deliveries."

Aiden studied the owl. Its sharp, intelligent eyes and proud posture were certainly impressive. "She looks great," he nodded. "What's her personality like?"

"Dignified, but surprisingly docile," Evelyn explained with a smile.

Aiden had made his decision. "Excellent. I'll take her. Name your price."

"...Twenty Galleons," Evelyn said, a slight hesitation in her voice.

Aiden met her gaze, a faint smile on his lips. "Fifteen." He didn't need to read her mind to see the flicker of panic in her eyes; her entire posture screamed that he'd hit her absolute bottom line.

"Oh, honestly!" Evelyn exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "How do you manage to do that every single time?"

"A unique bargaining skill," Aiden said with a wink.

Clutching the caged snowy owl, Aiden returned home.

"Alright, Deep Blue," he said to the System, drawing a complex circle in the air with his hands in a dramatic flourish. "Let's add a little something extra to this owl."

[Ding. Affirmative. Characteristic injection initiated.]

The snowy owl thrashed in its cage for a moment, then went completely still and collapsed.

"Whoa! What happened?" Aiden cried, rushing forward. "You didn't kill it, did you?" He frantically checked the bird, finding it was still breathing but otherwise unresponsive.

[Ding. Conversion complete. Evasive maneuvers are advised.]

"Evasive… what?"

Before he could process the warning, the owl shot up from the floor of its cage. In a flash of white feathers, its razor-sharp talons lunged for his arm. Instinct took over. Aiden's skin shimmered, instantly covered in a layer of draconic scales. The talons scraped against them with a horrific screech, sending a shower of sparks into the air.

"Deterrence," Aiden commanded, his voice low and firm as he glared at the bird.

The owl froze, shivering under the weight of his will, its wings forgetting to beat. Aiden reached out with his scaled hand and gently pinned the creature to the ground.

'System, how do I form a contract?'

[Ding. The traditional wizarding method will suffice. Naming.]

Holding the struggling owl, Aiden thought for a moment. "Alright," he said, his voice softening. "From this day forward, your name is Ophelia."

A current of magic flowed from Aiden's hand into the owl's body. Gradually, Ophelia stopped struggling, her muscles relaxing under his touch. Feeling her calm, Aiden released his grip. The owl simply stood there, fluffing her feathers.

"I don't feel any different," Aiden mused, stroking the owl's downy head. She was incredibly soft.

[Mimicry only.]

Suddenly, Ophelia spread her wings, fluttering up to land on Aiden's shoulder. She then promptly pecked him on the head with her beak.

"Ow! That hurt!" a petulant, childish voice complained, seeming to come directly from his shoulder.

Aiden froze. 'Great. Another talking animal.'

"You're the one who tried to claw me!" he shot back.

"I thought you were trying to poison me!" Ophelia retorted, her voice full of indignation.

"I'm your master! Why would I hurt you?" Aiden rolled his eyes.

"How should I know? For all I know, you're some weirdo who likes to eat owls!"

"Weirdo? You damn bird, I'll show you a weirdo!"

Aiden lunged, and the two of them tumbled to the floor, rolling around in a chaotic ball of flailing limbs and ruffled feathers.

Watching from her perch on a nearby bookshelf, Lada the leopard cat let out a long-suffering sigh. Her little poop shoveler, she decided, was utterly childish.

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