Since inviting his roommates to join the association, their spellwork had improved by leaps and bounds. After all, Professor Flitwick, that kindly old gentleman, was more than just a figurehead.
The snow-covered Hogwarts grounds soon gave way to spring, marking the second half of Aiden's first year.
One day in the library, Harry and Ron were still aimlessly searching for Nicolas Flamel, while Aiden sat nearby, thoroughly enjoying a book titled "Alchemy, From Beginner to Burial."
Hermione hurried over, clutching a hefty volume, and dropped it with a thud in front of the three boys.
"I should have known. Aiden even reminded me. How could I have missed it?" Hermione said, her voice full of frustration.
"You're just realising that now?" Ron teased, grinning.
I really don't know how he'll ever manage to win Hermione over in the future, Aiden thought, rolling his eyes.
Hermione shot Ron a glare. "Here, look—Nicolas Flamel, the creator of the Philosopher's Stone. He celebrated his 665th birthday last year."
"What stone?" Harry and Ron asked in unison.
Aiden looked at the two of them, feeling helpless. "The Philosopher's Stone is incredibly powerful. It's famous for two things: refining gold and brewing the Elixir of Life."
"That's it! Snape must want to steal it," Harry said, his eyes lighting up as he put the pieces together.
"Wow, turning things into gold. That's brilliant," Ron added, looking impressed.
Aiden sighed. "Just so you know, as a well-known Potions Master, Severus Snape is definitely not short on money."
"But maybe it's immortality he's after. Remember what he said in our first class? 'I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death,'" Hermione pointed out, finishing their train of thought.
Aiden rolled his eyes and decided it was pointless to argue further.
***
That night, the Golden Trio dragged Aiden to Hagrid's hut and knocked on the door.
"Oh, it's you lot, but sorry, I might be busy today," Hagrid said, closing the door.
"Hagrid, we know about the Philosopher's Stone!" they all called out.
The door quickly opened again. Hagrid looked at them with a complicated expression. "Oh..."
"Hagrid, we know Snape wants to steal the Philosopher's Stone. He craves immortality," Harry said.
"Yeah, he even tried to kill Harry last time," Ron added.
"Snape? Impossible. He's one of the professors protecting the Philosopher's Stone," Hagrid replied.
"One of? That's too risky, Hagrid. You have to tell Dumbledore," Hermione urged.
"No need to worry. The Stone's well protected. Snape's one of the teachers guarding it. He's not about to try and steal it," Hagrid said, sounding sure of himself.
Aiden thought, Is there ever a moment for me to speak?
"Alright, you lot should go. I've got things to do," Hagrid said, starting to usher them out.
Just then, the pot on the fire made a soft clicking sound.
He took out a large egg, holding it carefully and placing it on the table.
Ron's eyes widened. "This is... Hagrid, how did you get it?"
Aiden watched the egg with interest. He could sense the creature inside was eager to break free.
As the clicking grew louder, the egg cracked open with a hiss of escaping air and then burst apart.
A baby dragon tumbled out onto the table.
"What is that? Is that a dragon?" Hermione asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yes, a Norwegian Ridgeback. Charlie studies these in Romania," Ron explained.
"Oh, it's so beautiful. Look, this little one thinks I'm its mum," Hagrid said, smiling as he stroked the baby dragon. He yelped when it singed his beard with a tiny burst of flame.
"Hagrid, I have to remind you, this is a dragon. You'd better send it away soon. In just two weeks, it'll be as big as your hut," Aiden warned.
"But it's still so small. I can't send it away yet. Uh... who's that outside the window?" Hagrid sniffled, looking up.
All four turned to see Draco standing outside, peering in. As soon as Draco noticed their gaze, he spun around and bolted.
"It's Malfoy," Harry said.
Aiden rolled his eyes, took out his wand, and waved it. The door to Hagrid's hut swung open.
"Draco Malfoy, Accio," Aiden called, using the Summoning Charm.
Outside, Draco, who was running back to the castle, suddenly felt his feet leave the ground and his head spin.
When Draco came to his senses, he found himself falling into someone's arms.
He looked up to see Aiden's handsome face and a pair of bright, mismatched eyes looking at him playfully as he was held in a princess carry.
"Good evening, Mr Malfoy," Aiden said with a smile.
"We can't let him go, or he'll tell everyone about Hagrid's dragon," Ron said.
"Kill him," Hermione said darkly.
Wait, Hermione, are you reading from the wrong script? Aiden thought, rolling his eyes.
"No, I won't tell anyone," Draco insisted, struggling in Aiden's arms.
Aiden set Draco down. "He's telling the truth. I just skimmed his mind."
"You're actually being nice?" Harry was surprised.
"Hmph, I'm not like you foolish lions. Living dragons are rare," Draco said, trying to sound proud.
Aiden sighed. "Alright, Hagrid, I'll get you a container so you can keep it for now, but you must arrange for the dragon's future as soon as possible."
"It's called Norbert," Hagrid said stubbornly.
Aiden ignored him, took out his wand, and pointed it skyward. "Suitcase, Accio."
An ordinary suitcase appeared in the air and dropped to the ground.
"You can actually use Accio to retrieve things from the castle?" Hermione asked, amazed.
Aiden shook his head. "Not exactly. I just summoned Malfoy, but this wasn't the standard Accio. It's a Transfiguration-based summoning spell. The suitcase was prepared in advance."
"Hagrid, give me some unicorn hair you collected from the Forbidden Forest, and also some water and a clean glass bottle," Aiden instructed.
Hagrid produced a large bundle of unicorn hair. "Is this enough?"
Aiden's eyes widened. "Er—yes, that's plenty. Go get the other ingredients."
Next, Aiden demonstrated a simple alchemy setup for everyone. He carved the Laguz (ᛚ) rune on the ground, drew a small circle, put the mane and water in the bottle, and tossed it inside. A flash of white light, and only a pool of silver liquid remained in the bottle.
Then Aiden conjured a carving knife, dipped it in the liquid, and began engraving runes on the suitcase.
Because he had been practising alchemy diligently, Aiden could now draw more runes. This time, he engraved four runes on the box: Fehu (ᚠ), Jera (ᛃ), Berkano (ᛒ), and Algiz (ᛉ).
Space, circulation, life, protection—four kinds of power flowed through the box. Then Aiden cast a traceless extension spell, and a small world was created inside.
"Alright, Hagrid, this is completely comparable to Mr Scamander's suitcase. You can keep Norbert inside," Aiden said, handing over the box.
They all went inside to check. The box contained a large forest with sky and land, surprisingly spacious.
"Wow, you can make this whole forest with just a few strokes? Teach me, Aiden," Ron exclaimed.
"Alright, I'll give you a reading list when we get back," Aiden replied, not even looking up.
"Never mind, thanks," Ron said, giving up.
Aiden rolled his eyes.
"Great, now Norbert can stay here without being discovered," Hagrid said, clearly excited.
"Can I come and see it?" Draco asked, hesitating.
"Of course," Hagrid replied, delighted.
***********
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