When Aiden returned to the Burrow, he found workers installing a telephone. Arthur had decided to get one after asking about it countless times at the office.
But honestly, Aiden always felt this contraption wasn't as useful as a Patronus.
It seems I've been influenced by wizards all these years, Aiden thought to himself.
Yes, the wizards have raised you very well. You've become a beauty who stands like a peony and sits like a peony. The system popped up to tease him, then immediately went silent.
Hey, you garbage system, speak up, don't go silent.
The system's words made Aiden almost want to rip the gem from around his neck and smash it on the ground, but he held back—there were too many people at home.
Finally, through the workers' tireless efforts, Muggle technology had officially entered a wizard household. It was truly cause for celebration, and it would be even more perfect if the two workers still had their memories of this one-day tour of the magical world.
After the phone was installed, Ron was the first to try it. He excitedly turned the dial, preparing to call his long-missed friend Harry.
As the waiting tone came through, the phone was answered.
Not knowing the correct way to use it, Ron held the receiver like a microphone.
"I'm looking for Harry Potter," he said.
"Who? Speak up!" A gruff, middle-aged voice came from the other end—it sounded like Vernon.
"You're holding it backwards," Aiden said, going over to turn the receiver around for Ron.
Then Ron shouted into the phone at maximum volume, "I! WANT! HARRY! POTTER!"
On the other end, Vernon had put his ear close to the receiver because no sound had been coming through. Ron's enormous voice rushed into his ear, making his eardrums dance with joy.
"Enough! It's you freaks again," Vernon snarled into the phone and hung up.
Realizing he'd caused trouble, Ron looked at Aiden with puppy-dog eyes.
"Don't look at me like that. I can't help you," Aiden said, stepping back two paces.
"My lovely Aiden, my dear brother, please help me," Ron pleaded, hanging on Aiden like a sloth.
Unable to shake off Ron's pestering, Aiden finally agreed to help.
Grabbing Ron, Aiden Apparated with him to Privet Drive.
At Number 4 Privet Drive, Vernon was angrily scolding Harry in the living room.
"Look at those freak friends of yours! Do they only know how to play pranks on us?" Vernon's small eyes blazed with fury.
"I don't know, I'm sorry, I don't think it was their intention," Harry replied with his usual triple denial.
"Hmph! Go wash the dishes," Vernon snapped, his anger coming and going like a summer storm.
The Dursley family sat together admiring the summer gifts they'd bought for Dudley, leaving Harry alone to toil in the kitchen.
Then this little house was invaded by a certain dragon.
Snap. A finger snap passed before Harry's eyes, and the Dursley family fell into a deep sleep.
Aiden brought Ron through the living room into the house. The rain hadn't touched the two wizards, but the damp moisture added a bit of dishevelment to them both.
"Aiden! Ron!" Harry looked overjoyed to see his friends arrive.
"Harry, I'm very sorry for causing you trouble," Ron apologized immediately.
"It's fine. I'm just glad you could come see me," Harry said, still grinning foolishly.
"Alright, today is your birthday—don't think about these disappointing things," Aiden said.
He took out a small Egyptian-style ornament and gave it to Harry, while Ron handed over a Sneakoscope he'd bought in Egypt.
"Happy birthday!" they said in unison.
"Thank you," Harry beamed.
Then Aiden snapped his fingers, and the dishes and the entire kitchen became spotless.
"Oh, Aiden, you used magic! I'll get a warning from the Ministry," Harry said worriedly.
"It's fine. I analyzed the Trace's transmission principle—the magical signal can't get out now."
If someone looked at the Dursley house from outside with magical vision, they would see a huge crystal barrier with multiple hexagonal facets covering it. The barrier blocked the rain, creating a rain-free zone around the house.
"Oh, right! You guys sit down, I'll get some snacks," Harry said, snapping out of his joy to remember his hosting duties.
"Hey, buddy, don't we know your situation? How would the Dursleys have anything like that for you?" Ron said, casually finding a sofa to sit on—then immediately sinking deep into the cushions.
"This sofa... did it transform?"
"That's where Dudley usually sits," Harry laughed.
When Ron was about to share his summer experiences with Harry, two owls flew over and crashed into Aiden's protective barrier with a loud bang.
Aiden opened a small gap for the owls, and they squeezed through.
The two owls flew toward Harry. One was from Hermione, bringing a set of broomstick maintenance tools and a care manual.
"It's a gift from Hermione," Harry said, immediately sharing the letter with Ron.
Then another beautiful brown owl squeezed over, and Harry removed the envelope and book from it.
It was a gift from Hagrid, along with Harry's school notice, his Hogsmeade permission form, and a brief letter from Dumbledore.
Hagrid's gift was a book called The Monster Book of Monsters.
Harry looked at the book with interest, preparing to open it.
"Stop!" Aiden quickly intervened.
"What's wrong?" Harry looked at him in confusion.
"This thing is alive—it bites people. You have to stroke its spine before you can open it."
Aiden demonstrated the correct method for Harry, then quickly closed the book again.
The group read through the other letters one by one. Interestingly, Dumbledore actually knew about Aiden's arrival.
He wrote at the end of his letter: 'Let's not interfere too much with Muggle life, Aiden.'
"He really is all-knowing," Harry sighed after reading this passage.
"Well, since our headmaster has spoken, we'll take our leave," Aiden said, pulling Ron to his feet.
"Oh, right—their hypnosis will be lifted tomorrow. I hope you can have a pleasant birthday tonight."
Aiden winked at Harry, then with a spatial flicker, the two disappeared.
The departure of his friends left the previously lively house in silence, but Harry had never felt such freedom in the Dursley house before.
He showed a mischievous smile, ignored the three people sleeping at the dining table, and ran back to his room.
When Aiden returned to the Burrow, he saw Mrs. Weasley with her hands on her hips—never a good sign.
"Aunt, it was all Ron's idea! He said he wanted to see Harry," Aiden immediately deflected.
"Ron Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley called out as Ron, who had just recovered from Apparition dizziness, spotted his mother.
Ron turned and glared viciously at Aiden before being dragged away by his ear.
"You went to see Harry—is he alright?" Ginny came over to ask.
"Ginny, my sister. Listen, girls should be a bit more reserved," Aiden said, looking at her seriously.
"But Mom also actively pursued Dad back then, and she told me that when you meet someone you like, you should grab them first," Ginny replied, her little thoughts completely obvious.
Aiden stared at her in disbelief. My dear aunt, is this really your own daughter?
[Chapter Complete]
***
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