The next day, the entire British wizarding world was in absolute chaos.
Fudge's already meager approval ratings plummeted straight into negative numbers. It looked like he could forget about getting re-elected in this upcoming election.
Externally, Rita Skeeter's sensationalist descriptions dealt a fatal blow to the Ministry of Magic's already precarious support ratings.
Internally, multiple Ministry officials had been attacked during the event. It could be predicted that when the new Minister took office, it would be time for Fudge to enter Azkaban as a prisoner.
At the same time, the twins' winnings had also come through successfully.
Thanks to Aiden's clever help, Ludo Bagman, who had been dazzled by sixty Galleons, had to pay the twins three hundred and sixty Galleons in actual currency.
Presumably this Department Head's thighs were nearly broken from slapping them in regret. There were reports that he was also recently preparing for election matters, starting to raise campaign funds everywhere with desperate urgency.
Mundungus Fletcher took the opportunity to demand compensation from the Ministry for twelve high-end convertible tops but was exposed as a fraud by Percy.
This incident earned Percy praise from Barty Crouch, so he began showing off at home day and night with insufferable pride.
"Aunt, I suggest getting Percy a property outside," Aiden said, narrowing his eyes meaningfully.
"Why? Isn't he living fine with us now?" Mrs. Weasley asked with puzzlement.
"Look, he's working now, and he'll probably fall in love soon. You can't have Percy bringing his girlfriend to the Burrow all the time," Aiden said, acting as if he was thinking of Percy's best interests.
"I'll consider it," Mrs. Weasley replied thoughtfully before leaving.
On September 1st, the day school started, Arthur received an urgent message from Mad-Eye Moody saying he had been attacked by enchanted dustbins and had therefore alarmed the Muggles.
To rush and help Moody handle the aftermath, Arthur could only work overtime again, leaving the task of taking the children to school to Mrs. Weasley.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Weasley couldn't drive Arthur's precious Ford Anglia, so the group had to take multiple taxis to King's Cross Station.
This year's train journey wasn't as dangerous as last year's, if you could ignore Malfoy bragging loudly in his compartment about how his father had originally wanted to send him to Durmstrang.
"Aiden!" Edmund squeezed enthusiastically into the train compartment.
"Your brother seems to be fighting with Malfoy and the others. Aren't you going to check on him?" Ethan also followed closely behind.
"It's fine. Boys' friendships are built through fighting and quarreling," Aiden began, deflecting with casual wisdom.
"I heard this year's Quidditch Cup was attacked by Death Eaters?" Ethan asked with obvious curiosity.
"By the way, how come I didn't see you at the venue?" Aiden asked Edmund with genuine curiosity.
"Because we didn't attend at all. My father and I went to France instead. Apparently some respectable old man passed away and left us an inheritance, but I never found out who it was," Edmund shrugged with confusion.
Hearing about France, Aiden seemed to know exactly who it was. He took off his hat to silently mourn the departure of a certain legendary figure.
"You know who it was?" Edmund asked, seeing his solemn reaction.
"Nicolas Flamel," Aiden revealed the answer quietly.
"You mean...!"
Edmund was about to speak loudly when Aiden quickly covered his mouth.
"Keep it down. Think about who he was. What would be the consequences of loudly announcing you received his inheritance?"
Edmund's face turned red with excitement, and he remained agitated for a while before finally calming down.
"So, what exactly was your family's relationship with him that made him leave you an inheritance?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow.
"According to my father, my grandfather was raised by him. I was originally curious about how my grandfather's guardian was still alive, but now, combining it with your information, I roughly understand why. But didn't he have that special thing?" Edmund raised his eyebrows meaningfully.
Ignoring Ethan, who was listening in complete confusion, Aiden filled in Edmund's missing information.
"You mean the Philosopher's Stone, right? That artifact's energy should have been completely depleted already," Aiden explained.
"Oh, that's really too bad," Edmund sighed with disappointment. Ethan, who was barely keeping up with their conversation, also nodded in agreement.
"But Edmund, did the inheritance you received include the method for making the Philosopher's Stone?" Ethan asked in a hushed voice.
"Just an Emerald Tablet, nothing else," Edmund shrugged with apparent casualness.
"Then it looks like you're his most favored inheritor. According to historical records, Nicolas made the Philosopher's Stone following the Emerald Tablet," Aiden said with significance.
"My father has been conducting magical experiments for the past two months. It looks like he's researching that artifact now," Edmund nodded with understanding.
"Also, let me share one of my theories with you," Aiden said, showing a mysterious smile.
"What?" both boys asked simultaneously.
"Based on my speculation, the Philosopher's Stone was most likely made using humans as raw materials," Aiden said, his smile becoming quite chilling.
"What!" both exclaimed in shock.
"Nicolas Flamel was active around the 13th to 14th centuries, right when the Black Death was rampant throughout Europe. Getting raw materials should have been quite simple for Nicolas Flamel. But considering his character as we understand it from historical books, he probably wanted to create a Panacea but accidentally created the Philosopher's Stone instead."
Aiden explained leisurely, while Edmund, thinking of the fragmentary words he'd seen in the inheritance, felt this theory seemed to have some disturbing supporting evidence.
The train arrived at Hogsmeade Station, and the war between the trio and Malfoy's group also ended. Aiden thoughtfully cast a Healing Charm on his cousin before getting off the train.
The new school year began, and Peeves, who had been depressed all vacation, entered complete berserk mode.
He had somehow gotten hold of water balloons and was firing them crazily at the young wizards with malicious glee.
He made the entire outer corridor stairs of the Great Hall completely soaked and treacherous.
Just then, Professor McGonagall came out to collect the new first-year students.
Then she stepped on the slippery ground, and her whole body tilted forward dangerously.
Aiden reached out to help, but Professor McGonagall grabbed his hat clean off his head.
The normally agile professor immediately reached out with her other hand and grabbed onto Aiden's horns, finally steadying herself.
Aiden stared in mortified silence. "..."
Professor McGonagall looked equally embarrassed. "..."
"Cough, your horns are quite well-maintained, Mr. Prewett," Professor McGonagall said. As a professional, after all, she lightly glossed over this awkward topic.
Then, recovering from the embarrassment, Professor McGonagall cursed at Peeves and threatened to call Dumbledore before the poltergeist reluctantly departed.
Soon after, Hagrid led a group of soaking wet first-year students into the castle, his moleskin coat draped protectively over one shivering young wizard.
Looking at his dripping hair, the boy seemed to have just been pulled from the lake.
"Well then, Professor, we'll go in first," Aiden said politely, bidding goodbye to Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall nodded with dignity, and Aiden hurried with his roommates to the Ravenclaw table.
"Haha, Professor McGonagall just grabbed your horns! That was priceless!" After leaving the professor, Ethan and Edmund let loose, laughing heartily at Aiden's expense.
"Hmm." Sharp dragon eyes swept over the two, making them both shiver involuntarily.
"Sigh, after the Bloody Baron left, Peeves has become increasingly unruly," Aiden said with weary resignation.
"Exactly. I really don't know which fool completed the Baron's obsession," Ethan said, courting death without realizing it.
"Oh, so what do you plan to do once you know who it was?" A certain dragon asked, having already narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"Of course, give him some intensive martial arts training to teach him a lesson."
Ethan continued courting death recklessly. Edmund, sensing the wrong atmosphere, stopped looking at him while silently praying for his friend's survival.
"Alright then, let's take a trip to the eighth floor later. I'll satisfy your curiosity completely."
Ethan's mouth fell open wide as he turned to look at Aiden. Behind the silver-haired boy, the unmistakable shadow of a giant dragon had appeared, staring directly at him with predatory intent.