Chapter 282: The Spark, Celebration, and Running a Newspaper
On the eighth-floor corridor, a hunched figure followed behind Aiden.
"Argus, I'm giving you an order," Aiden said, stopping in front of the windowsill.
"Yes, sir," Filch nodded respectfully.
"I want you to infiltrate Umbridge's circle and monitor the school for her. If I encounter misfortune, I want you to protect the young wizards in the school to the greatest extent possible. Also, never reveal the fact that you can use magic in front of her."
Aiden gazed out at the scenery outside the window. The gloomy clouds seemed ready to bury Hogwarts.
"No, sir. How could a wizard as powerful as you possibly..." Filch said, immediately becoming anxious.
"No, I need to be fully prepared. Prepared to spread the spark of magic throughout the world even if I'm gone."
Aiden pulled out a book and handed it to Filch. It contained records of how to utilise the Deep Realm King's remains and the key to connect to the mental server.
"The key is on the last page. "Memorise it, remember it firmly, then burn it," Aiden said.
Filch tore off the last page of the book, imprinting every word into his mind, then burnt the paper in front of Aiden.
"Now, carry out your orders." After speaking, Aiden's figure slowly dissipated into the air.
Filch bowed toward where Aiden had vanished, then walked with determined steps toward the Defence Against the Dark Arts office.
Aiden, heading in the opposite direction from Filch, went to the kitchen.
Ron was fortunate enough to join Gryffindor's Quidditch team, and George and Fred proposed holding a small celebration party.
They also sent an invitation to Aiden.
"Don't you think it's strange to have a Ravenclaw mixed in among a bunch of Gryffindors?"
Aiden asked, grabbing a chicken leg at the kitchen's long table.
"There are also Slytherins and Hufflepuffs here. The kitchen doesn't have so many rules. Anyone who can find this place are kindred spirits."
Cedric put his arm around Aiden's shoulder. Ever since Aiden changed his fate, Cedric's relationship with Aiden had mysteriously improved a lot.
This year, he had also successfully been elected Head Boy, giving his father something to boast about.
"Where's Harry?" Aiden asked, turning to Ron.
"He went to detention with Umbridge. He'll be here soon," Ron said.
Soon after, the kitchen door was pushed open again, and Harry walked in.
"Am I late?" Harry asked.
"No, we were just waiting for you," Ron called out.
Harry took his seat. The twins raised their glasses and laughed, "Congratulations to Ronnie for successfully joining the Quidditch team! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" came from five voices.
Harry's hand holding the glass suddenly trembled. Hermione, who had been doing needlework, immediately noticed Harry's unnaturalness.
She directly reached out and grabbed Harry's hand, turning it palm up.
On the back of his hand, lines of irreparable scars formed the words "I must not tell lies."
"What is this!" Hermione said, seeing her dear friend treated this way and feeling heartbroken.
"It's Umbridge. Her detention method is using dark magic items to punish young wizards," Ron explained.
"You knew about this and didn't tell me!" Hermione yelled at Ron.
"But what good would telling you do?" Ron asked, confused.
The old married couple began arguing, with Harry caught awkwardly in the middle.
"Alright, let me treat that for you," Aiden said, grabbing Harry's hand.
He pulled a potion bottle from his left pocket, uncorked it, poured out a little, and evenly applied it to Harry's wounds.
Soon, the scars on his hand quickly scabbed over, and the scabs fell off, revealing smooth skin.
"What is this?" Harry asked.
"Prewett... no, now it's called Raven Alchemy Workshop's new product. Scar Remover."
Knowing he'd face the Ministry soon, Aiden quietly split up Prewett Alchemy's business and reorganised everything.
Now Prewett Alchemy had closed down, while underneath, a behemoth called Raven Alchemy had quietly swallowed up the market left vacant by Prewett.
"Alright, alright, look, Harry's hand is healed!" Ron said, being grabbed by the waist by Hermione and quickly begging for mercy.
While everyone was chatting, a Slytherin student behind them turned on a radio.
Fudge's voice came from it, echoing throughout the kitchen.
"Recently, we have indeed encountered some unpleasant disappearance incidents, but there is evidence proving these were caused by the escaped murderer Peter Pettigrew..."
"That damn fat Fudge, and that evil old witch Umbridge," Hermione cursed.
"Harry!" Sirius's voice suddenly came from Harry's pocket.
Aiden cooperatively tapped the table, casting a silencing charm to envelop the group.
"Sirius, what are you doing here?" Harry said, pulling out the mirror from his pocket. Clearly a two-way mirror.
"Replying to your letter. You told me your forehead scar hurts when you encounter Umbridge," Sirius asked.
"Yes, I think Voldemort might be possessing her, like with Quirrell," Harry said.
"Probably not. I haven't sensed any chaotic aura from Umbridge," Aiden hinted meaningfully.
"Aiden's right. She's probably just a purely evil person. So what else has she done? Training you to kill mixed-blood creatures?" Sirius joked.
"No, she won't even let us use magic," Hermione complained.
"That's just how it is. Fudge fears Dumbledore might raise an army," Sirius said.
"Either way, Fudge's actions have crippled the Order of the Phoenix. Sorry we can't assist you. Be vigilant."
Someone seemed to be tracking Sirius from behind, and the two-way mirror was cut off.
"If Umbridge refuses to teach us, we need to spread defensive methods ourselves," Hermione suggested.
"Also, you need your own voice to spread the message," Aiden said, winking at Hermione.
"What do you mean?" Hermione said, not catching on.
"The Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare," Aiden reminded her.
"You mean we should run a newspaper under the name of S.P.E.W.?" Hermione said, grasping the key point.
"Yes. Who would care about a rights promotion society with such low visibility? After all, wizards are used to being arrogant, aren't they?" Aiden said, turning back and winking at Dobby.
Dobby smiled at Aiden and served him coconut ice cream.
"First get the newspaper running, and use the Ministry's few correct advantages to expand influence. Then the future propaganda content won't be something the Ministry can control," Aiden explained.
"Good idea."
Hermione nodded, flames flickering in her eyes, while Harry and Ron quietly swallowed nervously.