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After satisfying the curiosity of the old Slytherin Head, Aiden set off once more for the Hogwarts Library. He wanted to comb through the legends and stories recorded at Hogwarts, hoping to uncover some hidden truths.
Over the years of research, Aiden had realised that many wizards in history often mixed up real events with legends, writing about true things as if they were only stories.
When he arrived at the library, he was greeted by the ever-watchful Madam Pince and the familiar rows of seats. Aiden picked up a copy of "Bedtime Stories for Little Wizards" and started reading.
After half an hour, Aiden realised it was nothing more than a collection of fairy tales. He sighed, closed the book, and decided to treat it as a moment of relaxation before returning it and leaving the library.
***
At lunch, Edmund and his friends appeared, bundled in robes and scarves as if preparing for an expedition outdoors.
"Edmund, is there something happening outside?" Aiden asked, puzzled.
"You don't know?" Ethan replied, looking surprised.
"There's a Quidditch match this afternoon, Gryffindor versus Slytherin," Oliver said, his eyes shining with excitement.
"So, want to come along, Aiden?" Edmund invited.
"Of course," Aiden replied with a smile, joining them.
That afternoon, the Quidditch pitch was bathed in gentle sunlight. The breeze rustled the grass, lifting a few blades into the air. It was one of those rare, beautiful days in England.
Aiden and his roommates climbed up to the high stands. The Quidditch players were already on the field, preparing for the match.
In the locker room, Harry and his teammates changed into bright red robes, while the Slytherin team would be in green.
Madam Hooch stood at the centre of the field, broom in hand, ready to referee. Her sharp gaze lingered on Marcus Flint, the Slytherin captain.
"I need to make sure this match is fair," Madam Hooch announced, her eagle eyes never leaving Flint.
Fifteen brooms rose into the sky, and the match began.
Jordan Lee provided commentary, with Professor McGonagall sitting beside him. As the whistle blew, both teams launched into a fierce contest.
Aiden watched as his three roommates became completely absorbed in the game. Quietly, he slipped away from the stands.
He made his way to the Gryffindor section, where Hagrid and Hermione sat in the last row. Hagrid's massive figure was impossible to miss, and he was peering through a golden monocular telescope.
"Come on, Harry!" Hagrid roared, his voice booming over the crowd.
"Hi, Hagrid, Hermione," Aiden greeted as he approached.
"Oh, Aiden, you're here. Come and sit with us," Hagrid said warmly.
High above, the Golden Snitch appeared, and Harry immediately shot after it on his broom.
Suddenly, a wave of magical interference swept across the pitch. Harry's broom began to sway dangerously.
"It's Snape, he's muttering a spell," Hermione observed through her telescope.
"What do we do?" Ron asked, panic in his voice.
"I'm going down there," Aiden said, already moving.
"I'll come with you," Hermione said, determination in her eyes.
The two of them hurried down from the stands, making their way towards the professors' section.
[Ding, host, do you want to fight Voldemort?] The long-lost System suddenly spoke up.
"Fight?" Aiden was a little surprised.
[Ding, Voldemort has lost six souls and his body.]
"Good, let's get him," Aiden decided without hesitation.
[Ding, host, do you remember sending your consciousness into the collective unconscious through suggestion?]
"I remember. What about it?"
[Ding, the name is the shortest spell, and you know his real name. Once inside, shout Voldemort's real name, and you can pull him in. Don't forget to set the anchor point for arrival.]
"How do I set it?"
[Ding, remember the coordinates. Collective Unconscious, Deep Realm Zero Layer, Distorted Illusion.]
"Understood."
Go. Announce to the world the arrival of the master of the mind, the System thought to itself.
***
After hearing the System's explanation, Aiden used suggestion to send his consciousness into the Distorted Illusion, concealing his appearance with his ability.
Inside the Distorted Illusion, everything was pure white. Wide white grasslands stretched out beneath huge white stands.
Aiden strode to the centre of the grass and called out, "Tom Marvolo Riddle."
His voice rang out, and suddenly a black wind howled across the field. In an instant, both the Dark Lord and Quirrell were yanked into a swirling illusion.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible! I have already achieved eternal life. Who are you, and how did you drag me here?" Voldemort snarled, his eyes wild with fury.
Aiden smiled, cold and dangerous. "Oh, don't be like that, dear Mr Tom. I just want to talk about magic. No harm intended." But the malice in his voice was unmistakable.
Voldemort's lip curled. "If you won't talk, I'll just have to rip the answers from your soul myself." Aiden's eyes gleamed. "I'll roast it over the flames and listen to you scream."
With a furious shout, Voldemort raised his wand. A jet of green light shot towards Aiden, shattering the stands behind him into flying splinters. Aiden's cloak billowed as he vanished, reappearing behind Voldemort in a heartbeat.
He flicked his wand. The broken debris twisted and morphed into gleaming knights, their spears lowered as they thundered towards the Dark Lord.
Voldemort snarled, shoving Quirrell aside and raising his wand to seize control of half the knights. The battlefield erupted into chaos as Transfigured warriors circled, clashing and charging.
"Impressive, aren't you?" Voldemort sneered, his eyes glinting with twisted admiration. "We have no reason to be enemies. Why waste your talent on a pointless fight? Join me. Together, we could rule the world."
Aiden's eyes narrowed, a taunting smile on his lips. "How do you know we have no quarrel, Mr Riddle?"
"Don't call me that!" Voldemort roared, unleashing a torrent of curses.
Aiden conjured a shimmering silver shield, deflecting the spells as Voldemort sent the stolen knights hurtling at him. Aiden blasted them apart, the fragments spinning in mid-air. With a swift gesture, he Transfigured the shards into razor-sharp glass, sending them streaking towards Voldemort like a storm of shooting stars.
Voldemort dodged, vanishing and reappearing behind Aiden, wand raised for the Killing Curse. But Aiden was ready. He unleashed Frenzy, twisting Voldemort's emotions into a storm of rage and panic.
The Dark Lord's mind buckled under the pressure. Snarling, he abandoned his body, fleeing back into Quirrell and dragging him out of the illusion.
***
In the real world, Quirrell collapsed the moment he was dragged out of the illusion, gasping for breath. Aiden staggered as he snapped back to himself, the last echoes of the battle still ringing in his mind. The entire duel in the Distorted Illusion had lasted only a few seconds in reality.
"No need to go, Hermione," Aiden said, stopping her.
"Why? Harry is still waiting for us," Hermione asked, confused.
"Look, he's back to normal," Aiden said, pointing outside.
On the Quidditch pitch, Harry's broom had steadied. Harry flipped back onto it, swooped down, and caught the Golden Snitch.
The match ended in a roar of cheers from Gryffindor.
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