Chapter 71 Hogwarts will ensure the safety of students
Aaron looked at the kindly Dumbledore, gently stroked Abey's dragon head, then sat up straight and said with a light chuckle, "I refuse."
Principal, Professor Dumbledore, what you're saying is a bit too exaggerated.
That Black-robed Man doesn't know I have such a treasure; otherwise, he wouldn't have fled in such a hurry last night.
In other words, as long as you, the insiders, keep the secret, I'll still be very safe."
Dumbledore was stunned, as if he hadn't expected such a direct refusal, without any hesitation.
Hagrid stood expressionless to the side. He hoped Aaronwould give the Resurrection Potion to Dumbledore for safekeeping, as he believed that was the correct decision.
However, he had offended Aaron repeatedly, and speaking up now might be counterproductive.
"Aaron," Snape said, stifling a laugh, "You'd best consider the Principal's suggestion carefully; it won't do you any harm."
"But it won't do me any good either, will it?
Handing over an extremely precious heirloom that can save my life to someone else for safekeeping?" Aaron teased, "Professor, how much water must have gotten into my brain to make such an absurd decision?
Besides, to put it bluntly,
I've been harmed several times these past few days and no longer dare to trust others easily."
Upon hearing this, Snape felt speechless.
They were doing it as a precaution, to prevent Lord Voldemort from finding another way to achieve resurrection.
But asking Aaron to hand over his heirloom was, to some extent, disrespectful to him.
Moreover, the value of that Potion was immense, and he and Dumbledore weren't familiar with each other; there was no foundation of trust between them. It was akin to entrusting one's life to a stranger.
"I understand your concerns," Dumbledore said meaningfully, "but I still hope you can leave the item."
Aaron frowned, "Principal, was my explanation not clear enough just now?"
"No, you explained it very clearly.
But there's always a 'what if.' What if that Black-robed Mancomes after you..."
"Then someone leaked the secret," Aaron interjected, giving Hagrid a meaningful look.
The Giant immediately took a step back, for no other reason than a guilty conscience.
Dumbledore was somewhat exasperated, not expecting this young Wizard to be so petty.
"I will caution Hagrid well.
If you're worried, I can set a special spell on him later to ensure he doesn't reveal anything about you."
"Thank you, Principal, truly, profoundly grateful.
This is the best news I've heard in two days. It's not that I don't trust Hagrid, but his ability to keep secrets is genuinely subpar.
Perhaps after a few drinks, he could be tricked into revealing everything."
"Aaron, I am truly sorry for what happened these past two days," Hagrid stepped forward, chuckling awkwardly, "but, I am actually quite reliable."
"Hehe! Anyone can say pretty words.
But in reality... who knows!"
Hagrid silently lowered his head, his heart a mix of emotions—frustration, grievance, anger—all intertwined, a particularly bittersweet feeling, but he couldn't think of any retort.
First, he let Harry and his friends steal Aaron's Abey, which led to them being put in detention. During detention, they didn't listen to his advice, almost putting the three students in danger. Then, he left the Forbidden Forest and immediately tattled to Dumbledore.
He probably had shattered his integrity in Aaron's eyes.
"Cough, cough!"
Dumbledore let out a few coughs like a centenarian, successfully drawing everyone's attention. He was worried that if Aaron continued with his blunt honesty, it would shatter Hagrid's fragile heart.
"Let's get back to business first!
Gaius, don't think I'm making things difficult for you; in fact, your situation might not be that safe.
You might have already entered the Black-robed Man's sight."
"Oh?" Aaron smiled meaningfully, "From the Principal's words, you seem to know this Black-robed Man very well!"
Dumbledore pondered for a moment, "It's just a guess, but it's highly probable.
Your safety truly..."
"That's the school's concern.
Actually, last summer, before I officially started school, my father suggested I go to Durmstrang. He said I would receive better care there.
However, I chose Hogwarts.
For no other reason than I love this school, its history, and its teaching atmosphere.
Most importantly, this school has the Magical World's strongest White Wizard, Albus Dumbledore; his honors and legends are countless." Aaron said earnestly, appearing particularly devout, even wishing he could write 'Dumbledore is my idol' on his face, but in reality, only he knew how much of it was true.
"So, Professor, Hogwarts will guarantee the safety of its students, right?"
Dumbledore, upon hearing this, was completely stunned, experiencing the long-forgotten sensation of his heart clenching.
The last time he felt this was decades ago.
How was he supposed to respond to that? This twelve-year-old Wizard was a bit too cunning!
If he answered affirmatively, 'Yes, Hogwarts guarantees student safety,' then he would be too embarrassed to ask for the Potion in Aaron's hand.
A negative answer... that was impossible; Hogwarts' reputation would plummet.
Unless it was an established fact, he, as Principal, had to uphold the school's honor.
Moreover, this was the Headmaster's Office, and portraits of past Principals were all here. If he dared to give a negative answer, those people would absolutely lecture him for a long time.
That feeling was not pleasant and greatly affected his mood as a centenarian.
If it had been a year ago, he could have confidently promised Aaron, but not at this stage; there was a Dark Lordin the school!
Dumbledore didn't answer immediately but instead gave Snape a look, hoping he could help smooth things over.
But he unexpectedly found Snape's face twitching continuously, completely oblivious to his hint.
As for Hagrid, he didn't even consider him.
If Aaron was feigning sincerity, using half-truths to put him in a difficult position, then Hagrid was genuinely expressing his feelings, treating Aaron as his confidant.
In Hagrid's heart, Hogwarts was the best school, and Dumbledore was the most trustworthy person.
"Hogwarts can certainly guarantee the safety of its students," Dumbledore said gravely. Regardless, he had to protect the school's reputation first.
"It's time for 'but' now," Aaron thought to himself.
"But..." Dumbledore paused slightly, then chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Aaron, don't laugh, but even I can only defeat overt enemies.
In the vastness of Hogwarts, I cannot possibly look after everyone, nor can I be all-encompassing; this is inevitable.
As for the Black-robed Man hiding in the shadows, unless he reveals himself, I have no way to deal with him.
However, I can guarantee that among all Magical schools, Hogwarts is absolutely the most outstanding, and the protection of its students is its top priority."
Aaron:...Goodness, truly goodness.
He gave this answer full marks.
It both preserved the school's reputation and gave himself enough room to maneuver. This humble and calm demeanor was enough to prove that he hadn't lived for over a hundred years in vain.
"Aaron Gaius, I still hope you can entrust the Resurrection Potion to me for safekeeping. I will return it to you in perfect condition when the holidays begin.
If this causes you any distress, I apologize in advance.
But I do have reasons why I must do this, and I hope you can forgive me.
If that Black-robed Man obtains that Potion, it will bring immense crisis to Hogwarts and even the entire Magical World."
Aaron was silent for a while, then sighed deeply and took out the emerald green Potion.
"Professor, thank you for not deceiving me.
If your answer just now hadn't satisfied me, I would never have taken this out."
Dumbledore smiled and nodded, then turned his gaze to the Resurrection Potion, first with surprise, then with relief.
His experience was extraordinarily rich, and with Hagridand Snape's explanations, he naturally recognized the Potion's miraculous healing effects.
It was too close; fortunately, Hagrid arrived in time last night, otherwise, if the Dark Lord had gotten his hands on this, it would have been game over.
This was much more useful than the Philosopher's Stone, directly skipping the complex steps of brewing the Elixir of Life.
One step, full health resurrection!
"Thank you for your trust, Aaron."
"But I have a small condition," Aaron said, "I believe you can see the value of this Potion; it's meant to save one's life at a critical moment.
But I'm entrusting it to you, which undoubtedly reduces a layer of protection for my life safety."
"What do you want to say?" Dumbledore said playfully, "As long as I can do it, I won't refuse."
"Oh! You're too kind, too kind." Aaron placed the Resurrection Potion on the desk. "My condition is simple: before the holidays, the school needs to pay more attention to my safety.
If necessary, you can command a Professor once, otherwise, I won't feel safe!"
"This..." Dumbledore looked at the Resurrection Potion on the desk, whose value was no less than the Philosopher's Stone, and without much hesitation, he said, "Alright, I promise you."