Chapter 283: Business Expansion and Secret Society Formation
The next two weeks went smoothly for everyone as Harry's detention ended.
Ron's Quidditch skills steadily improved, and Hermione's Vanishing Spell gradually became effective on large objects.
During these two weeks, Aiden successfully completed the Second Project's deployment in Britain and began expanding business to Egypt.
At Hermione's suggestion, Harry gathered a group of people willing to believe him to prepare for forming a secret society.
Aiden received information from Egypt saying they would send people to discuss related matters.
On the weekend, the four went together to the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade.
Inside the Hog's Head, there were many suspicious-looking idle individuals.
When Aiden walked over, a strange man wrapped in bandages inexplicably fainted.
Aberforth glanced at him and directly used magic to throw the bandaged man out.
Harry and his companions discussed forming the society.
Meanwhile, Aiden unexpectedly encountered some acquaintances.
"Amir?" Aiden said, recognising the visitor.
"Long time no see, Mr. Prewett. I'm not the only one here today. There are two familiar faces," Amir said, stepping aside to reveal two figures.
"Mr. Priest, long time no see. No, I should call you Wizard Sir now," the grown-up Nura said, smiling at Aiden with an exotic charm.
"Nura, why are you being so polite to him?" the boy beside her spoke jealously.
"Amin!" Nura gently knocked his head.
"So, what's going on?" Aiden said, looking toward Amir.
"Actually, after we took them away, we discovered special talents in them. These two have special compatibility with the Golden Scriptures... oh, here they should be called Silent Slates," Amir explained.
"Your Silent Slates require compatibility?" Aiden asked with puzzlement.
"Don't yours?" Amir said with confusion.
Then a flame appeared out of nowhere and singed Amir.
Amir stared in silence. "..."
"Uh, I'm very sorry. I'm not an Unspeakable," Aiden said, understanding somewhat.
"Can't blame you. Didn't expect another Dumbledore-type figure. Your British wizards really have personality," Amir said, rubbing his forehead helplessly.
"These two children's mission is to come and coordinate with you. I can't reveal anything else," Amir said with a smile.
"Then please take care of us, Wizard Sir," Nura said, bowing slightly.
"Hmph!" Amin originally wanted to act cool but was pressed by Nura to bow as well.
"Well then, I'll leave them to you and head back," Amir said, immediately standing up.
"Wait..." Aiden wanted to detain him, but he flickered and disappeared in the pub.
The three were left staring at each other.
"Come on, follow me first. I'll find you a place to stay with Dumbledore later."
Aiden waved his hand, casting psychological invisibility on the two, and walked up to the second floor's private room.
Inside the room, voices of doubt could be heard, with Harry nervously keeping his head down.
Aiden walked behind him and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Go ahead, say what you want to say," Aiden encouraged Harry.
Harry pressed his lips together, then suddenly stood up.
"I'll tell you why. Even if everything I say is false, can you guarantee you'll never encounter a dark wizard in your lifetime?"
Harry's challenging voice echoed in the room, immediately drowning out all other sounds.
"But the Ministry says we're safe!" a Ravenclaw student raised his hand.
"Really?" Aiden said, using a Levitation Charm to lift him up.
"Ai... Aiden?" The student clearly recognised Ravenclaw's celebrity.
"Now tell me, Michael Corner, if I were a bad person and you were caught by me, what would you do? Use the knowledge you learnt from Umbridge's books to fight against me."
Aiden hooked his finger, and the floor's wooden boards automatically grew into a vine chair.
The dragon sat on the throne. Though shorter than everyone else, people inexplicably felt they were being looked down upon.
"Uh... call the Aurors and warn you that this behaviour is illegal," Michael Corner said, his tone very weak.
"Good answer. If this were in class, I wouldn't mind giving you ten points. But guess how many times I could kill you, or how much torture you'd endure, from when you call for help until the Aurors arrive?" Aiden said, narrowing his eyes.
A tremendous oppressive force emanated, making everyone feel as if they were being watched by a giant dragon.
Snap! Aiden snapped his fingers, and Michael Corner was slowly lowered while the powerful aura disappeared without a trace.
Aiden gave Harry a look, then walked behind him.
"So we can't place our hopes on the Ministry's ridiculous regulations. We need the ability to quickly and timely protect our own lives!" Harry stepped forward.
Everyone was convinced, and Hermione timely produced a contract. They lined up to sign their names on it.
"Now, I must tell you that the parchment is enchanted. If anyone reveals our affairs, the word 'traitor' will be carved on their face."
Hermione finally played the bad guy once, threatening fiercely.
The meeting ended. Harry and the others returned to Hogwarts via the long bridge, and this scene was coincidentally discovered by Umbridge.
Aiden, who had separated from them earlier, took Amin and Nura to find Dumbledore.
"So, these are your illegitimate children from Egypt?" Dumbledore said, teasing Aiden.
"Did eating too much candy clog your brain?" Aiden said, rolling his eyes.
"Don't tell me you didn't receive any message?" Aiden enquired.
"What happened?" Dumbledore asked back.
"Tsk tsk, I can't believe you really locked yourself in the castle and did nothing," Aiden marvelled.
At the same time, he raised his hand to isolate Nura and Amin's perception.
"I'm old. Cornelius's actions have completely disappointed me, but I'm very afraid of being put on power's gallows."
Dumbledore shivered thinking of that scene.
"Then why not leave it to young people?" Aiden said, lightly interlacing his ten fingers.
"Who?"
"Amelia Bones," Aiden mentioned a name.
"I heard you have a close relationship with her. Cornelius even targeted her because of it," Dumbledore said, hinting meaningfully.
"Can't deny she's a competent person, and she's not loyal to anyone. She's only loyal to the law," Aiden said, looking toward Dumbledore.
"Let's observe for a while longer," Dumbledore nodded.
"By the way, what are these two children for?" Dumbledore said, pointing at the resentful-looking Amin and Nura.
Aiden quickly removed their shielding.
"They were sent from Egypt to coordinate the project. After all, fighting the Deep Realm King is everyone's responsibility," Aiden said, showing a mercenary smile.
"So why did you bring them to me?" Dumbledore said, not being fooled by Aiden.
"Wanted to ask you to find them a place to stay..." Aiden said, embarrassedly lowering his head.
Dumbledore stared in silence. "..."