HP/LOTM: Hogwart's Mind Dragon

After buying the wand, Aiden and Arsesi strolled along the winding cobblestone alley. The Galleons in Aiden's pocket seemed to jump with excitement, eager to be spent. He obliged, buying two extra-large strawberry and peanut butter sundaes from Florean Fortescue's.

The two walked happily down the alley, admiring the dazzling window displays while enjoying their ice cream. When they arrived at Flourish and Blotts, however, they found a massive crowd surrounding the entrance, all desperately trying to squeeze inside. A large banner hanging in the front window explained the chaos:

GILDEROY LOCKHART

Will be signing copies of his autobiography, Magical Me, today!

Inside the bookstore, Molly had already secured a prime spot for her family near the fancy, decorated stage.

"Aunty," Aiden called out, making his way toward her.

"Oh, Aiden, come quickly!" she said, her hands clasped together under her chin like a starstruck schoolgirl. "This is the front row! You'll be able to see Gilderoy Lockhart up close!"

"Ladies and gentlemen," a short, bustling wizard suddenly shouted. "Let us give a warm welcome to Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart!"

An elegant and impossibly handsome wizard emerged to thunderous applause. He flashed a brilliant smile, revealing a perfect set of gleaming white teeth. Molly blushed and fanned her face. All around them, other witches were doing the same. Lockhart was a true heartthrob.

"Very fancy, isn't he?" a familiar voice whispered as a hand clasped Aiden's shoulder. He looked back and saw Edmund Lestrange.

"Well, well," Aiden raised an eyebrow. "To what do we owe the honor? I wouldn't have expected our noble Master Lestrange to attend a book signing."

"I'm here to prevent our esteemed Master Prewett from becoming today's headline," Edmund replied with a wry smile. He cast a subtle Disillusionment Charm, and the two of them faded from view.

"Aunty, I'm just stepping out for a moment with a classmate," Aiden said to Molly, but she was completely captivated by the superstar on stage and didn't even notice her nephew vanishing into thin air.

Aiden followed Edmund outside the crowded shop.

"Alright, Aiden, tell me the truth," Edmund said, his playful expression replaced by a serious one. "What happened to Oliver?"

"What have you found out?" Aiden countered.

"It's too abnormal," Edmund said, his voice low. "He invited me to Kingsport for the holiday, and then the next thing I hear is that the entire town is gone because of a Dark Magic ritual, and Oliver has completely disappeared. In our last letter, he mentioned he had invited you. I even wrote to Ethan, but he knew nothing about it."

"Anything concerning Oliver might touch upon a contract," Aiden said, meeting his friend's gaze. "Ask your questions, and I'll see what I can answer."

"Okay. First, was the Dark Magic ritual real?"

"Yes."

"Was the person who hosted it someone we know?"

"Yes."

"And was it related to Oliver?"

"...Yes."

"By Merlin's beard," Edmund breathed, the pieces clicking together. "It was his father, wasn't it?" He looked at Aiden, his eyes wide with horror. "Then what was the object of the ritual?"

"Does your family have any records about... us... and the other faction?" Aiden asked, changing the subject slightly.

"You mean the mind and soul factions?" Edmund replied, showing he was remarkably well-informed.

"So you've read about them. Do you know about the Silencers?"

"Are you saying..."

Before Edmund could finish his sentence, a crackle of magical energy filled the air. A bolt of raw power, like lightning, shot down from the sky and struck Aiden squarely on the forehead.

"Tsk," Aiden grimaced, opening his mouth as a puff of green smoke escaped.

The crowd nearby gasped. "Someone was struck by lightning!" "Are those two children alright?" "It looked like one of them was hit!"

Aiden took out his staff and cast a quick cleaning charm on himself, then pulled the stunned Edmund into his conscious blind spot. With a wave of his other hand, he hypnotized the onlookers, making them forget what they had just seen.

"Well, that triggered the contract," Aiden said, rubbing his forehead. "Fortunately, it wasn't too serious. It seems you being an insider softened the blow."

"Crazy," Edmund muttered, tugging at his hair. "Utterly insane. How could anyone be so mad as to contact..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "Then Oliver... is he still alive?"

"He's alive," Aiden confirmed with a shrug. "Temporarily staying at my house. Dumbledore will probably find an adoptive family for him."

"Gods, it's all so unpredictable," Edmund sighed.

"Heh, you're a bit young to be talking about how unpredictable life is," Aiden teased.

"Alright, I'm going to go buy my things," Edmund said, recovering his composure. "And be careful. Lockhart is a complete fraud. Don't get too close to him."

"How do you all seem to know that?" Aiden asked, genuinely curious.

Edmund looked at him, completely aghast. "Aiden, my father is going to be so disappointed in you. Don't you remember our family's telecommunications business? Or the fact that we handle the annual financial analysis for the Daily Prophet? Didn't I send you the detailed report?"

The memory of a massive, unread pile of letters back at the Prewett residence flashed through Aiden's mind.

"No, you never told me," Aiden said quickly, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "And I was staying with family. The letters were sent to my house, so I never saw them."

"Right," Edmund said, clearly not believing him. "Well, it doesn't matter. You know now. I'll let you know if any new information comes up after school starts." He waved and walked away.

"Oh, I didn't expect your summer holiday to be so colorful," a familiar voice said from beside him.

Aiden jumped. "!!!!"

"Arsesi, why are you here?!" he yelped, shocked.

"Weren't you wrapping me in that strange power of yours?" she asked, tilting her head with an innocent smile.

[Ding. It is speculated that she may possess an extraordinary adaptability to the Visionary Pathway.]

"Okay," Aiden sighed, defeated. "You're amazing."

Arsesi just smiled, took his hand, and pulled him back into the chaotic bookstore.

Inside, Lockhart was making his way through the crowd, his eyes scanning for one person in particular. "Oh, look who it is," he boomed, his voice echoing through the shop. "Harry Potter!" He grabbed the bewildered Harry and pulled him into a one-armed hug. "A bigger smile, Harry! Together, you and I are front-page news!"

A short wizard with a large black camera pushed his way forward. "Make way! This is for the Daily Prophet!" In his haste, he shoved Ron, who stumbled and fell.

Aiden subconsciously stepped forward to help his cousin, his movement pulling him out of his conscious blind spot. Arsesi, now visible as well, was immediately grabbed by Daphne, who had been searching for her. Arsesi shot Aiden a quick look that clearly said, 'Good luck,' and was whisked away.

"Ho ho! And look what I've found!" Lockhart's smile grew even wider when he saw Aiden. "What a wonderful day!"

Aiden just stood there. "..."

Lockhart dragged Harry over to him. "Look, everyone! The famous magical prodigy, and my own dear junior who was also awarded the Order of Merlin, Mr. Aiden Prewett!" He reached out and draped an arm around Aiden's shoulders. "Come on, let's get a photo, the three of us together!"

Aiden didn't move, allowing Lockhart to pull him into the photo.

'This man is bold,' Aiden thought wryly. 'No one has ever dared to pull a member of the Visionary Pathway into their orbit like this.'

As Lockhart beamed for the camera, Aiden subtly used his hypnosis power on him. A bizarre, twitching expression crossed Lockhart's face, but he was so lost in his own narcissism that he didn't feel a thing. That strange, contorted expression, combined with his gleaming white teeth, would soon make him the most talked-about man in the wizarding world.

In the near future, that photo would be frozen on the front page of the Daily Prophet.

"Why does the picture look like this?!" Lockhart would roar at the small photographer.

"I... I asked you again and again!" the wizard would reply, utterly depressed. "You said this one was good!"

"Nooooo!" a painful, echoing roar would come from a dark alleyway, startling a flock of birds into the night sky.

***********

✨ 300 gems = 1 bonus chapter

✨ 500 gems = another bonus chapter

Get access to advanced chapters at my P@treon.

[email protected]/meowthtl