HP/LOTM: Hogwart's Mind Dragon

Aiden and Oliver dragged the unconscious Lockhart all the way to the Hospital Wing.

Madam Pomfrey took one look at him and tutted disapprovingly. "Good heavens, what happened this time? Did he attempt to teach you a powerful dark curse?"

"He was bitten by a Grindylow," Aiden said with a shrug.

"What?" she exclaimed, puzzled. "Aren't those creatures aquatic? Did some naughty little wizard fish one out of the Black Lake?"

"Perhaps," Aiden replied, nodding toward Lockhart, "that naughty little wizard was him."

"Oh, for goodness sake," Madam Pomfrey sighed. "Alright, I'll inform the Deputy Headmistress. Off you go now, out, out." She shooed them away and got to work.

Time passed, and soon it was Thursday evening. Aiden crawled into his bed, pulled the covers up to his chin, and prepared to travel to the dueling chamber. He closed his eyes, and his consciousness was instantly transported to the familiar, pure white space.

The room was already crowded with students.

"Oh, Aiden, you've arrived!" Professor Flitwick called out cheerfully.

"Yes, Professor," Aiden replied, looking around at the large gathering, noticing many familiar faces from different houses. "So many people have joined."

"Of course!" Professor Flitwick beamed. "This shows my reputation is still quite useful!"

Just then, a man and a woman wearing green-trimmed robes stepped forward.

"Gemma Farley."

"Terence Higgs."

They extended their hands, and Aiden shook each one in turn.

"I hope," Aiden said with a raised eyebrow, "we won't have a repeat of our duel in the Slytherin common room."

"Of course not," they replied in unison.

"Alright, children, gather around!" Professor Flitwick clapped his hands, his voice echoing clearly in the mental space. "Tonight, I will teach you one of the most important points in a duel—defense!"

He demonstrated a basic Shield Charm, but with his own masterful touch. Circles of silver light erupted from the tip of his wand, spinning and spreading to form an impenetrable, shimmering barrier.

"Do you see this halo? This is your first line of defense and the starting point of your counterattack. You must learn to find your opponent's weaknesses while protecting yourself." He looked at the students, a mischievous smile on his face. "Now, I shall need a volunteer to assist me." He looked directly at Aiden and raised an eyebrow.

'It's a pity this isn't the real world,' Aiden thought. 'Otherwise, I'd let the good professor experience what a magical Gatling gun feels like today.'

He was about to get up when the System's voice echoed in his mind.

[Ding. My poor host, have you not realized that your staff can be brought into this space?]

'Huh?!'

[Ding. You clearly used the long staff in the Deep Realm. The System is very disappointed in your lack of observation.]

'But wasn't that because my physical body was present?' Aiden asked, confused.

[Ding. Is your staff stored in your physical body? Do you not feel it?]

Aiden immediately scanned himself with his abilities and finally located the staff, hiding in the blind spot of his own consciousness.

'Wait, this thing has its own psychological invisibility?'

[Ding. It is a creation of your blood and scales. Why is that strange?]

"Aiden, what are you doing?" Professor Flitwick's voice cut through his thoughts. "Are you scared?" he teased.

This time, it was Aiden's turn to smirk. "Professor," he said, "are you ready?"

"Come along, then." Flitwick struck a classic dueling pose.

The long staff instantly appeared in Aiden's hand. Three beams of pure energy shot toward Professor Flitwick at incredible speed.

CRACK!

With a crisp sound that echoed through the white room, Professor Flitwick's defensive shield shattered.

"That's... it?" the professor said, staring in absolute shock.

"Yes, Professor," Aiden said proudly. "This is what I mentioned in my letter. Using accelerated thought to construct runes and form powerful magic."

"You said there were two other types! Let me see them at once!" Flitwick shouted, his academic excitement overriding his surprise.

Aiden flew effortlessly into the air. Flitwick shot a spell at him, but a barrier made of multiple hexagonal crystals materialized and blocked it easily.

"Remarkable!" Flitwick marveled. "I thought your new magic was still just in the conceptual stage. So what are you going to do now? Publish another paper?"

"No, Professor. I plan to promote these techniques in the school first. This kind of magic, so different from standard spellcasting, might be met with resistance." Aiden glanced at the other students. "So, these three arts will be the exclusive benefit of our association. As the president, I have to offer something special to attract new members, don't I?" He winked at the professor.

A buzz of excitement went through the crowd. "Amazing!" "I want to learn how to fly!" "I want the attack magic! That beam was so cool!"

"Well then," Professor Flitwick joked, "I will hand this class over to Professor Aiden!"

"Alright, everyone," Aiden began, drawing a huge Nauthiz (ᚾ) rune in the air with his staff. "For beginners, the first thing you need to master is this rune. Pay attention to maintaining your inner balance as you draw it. Nauthiz can help you tap into your inner strength."

After the demonstration, he had the students begin practising. "Professor, could you please give them some guidance?" After all, with Flitwick's decades of experience, a simple rune would be child's play for him. The professor readily agreed and began weaving his way through the students, offering advice.

"And now," Aiden said, walking toward Ron with a chillingly sweet smile, "it's time for some extra practice, my dear brother."

"Wait, what are you doing? Don't come over here!" Ron yelped, backing away.

A thick fog suddenly rose, enveloping the area where the two of them stood. Pained screams could be heard from within from time to time. Before long, the mist cleared, revealing Ron lying flat on the ground, groaning.

"Your fundamentals are solid enough," Aiden said, patting him on the shoulder. "Now, finish reading the book I gave you as soon as possible. Otherwise, I'll be writing a letter to my Aunt."

Finally, as the young wizards were all able to skillfully draw the rune, the time for the meeting was nearly up. Professor Flitwick dismissed the students, telling them to return at the same time next week.

Ron's consciousness returned to the real world. He sat up in bed and saw Neville shivering under his covers.

"What's wrong, Neville?" Ron asked, gently patting his friend's shaking form.

"Oh, it's you, Ron," Neville whispered, poking his head out carefully. "It's really terrible."

"What's so scary?"

"It's Harry," Neville explained, his eyes wide with fear. "Every time you all fall asleep on Thursdays, he starts talking in his sleep. He gestures wildly and speaks in this strange, hoarse voice... saying things I don't understand."

"Oh, that," Ron said with a casual wave of his hand. "It's okay. We just used magic to go to a Dueling Association meeting. I guess Harry's just dueling with someone in his sleep." He didn't think much of it, but his simple explanation seemed to comfort his friend.

"Oh, I see." Neville, reassured, lay back down and quickly fell asleep.

***********

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