Chapter 92: Raising a Dragon Must Be Prepared for a Rainy Day
In the afternoon, Aaron walked out of the Hospital Wing with two Professors.
However, Madam Pomfrey's expression was not very good when they left. From her professional medical perspective, although the three patients appeared fully recovered, their mental state was clearly not very good, and they needed a day or two of recuperation.
The three had a clear destination: Dumbledore's Headmaster's Office.
Aaron walked between the two Professors, holding a cute white pet in his arms, looking like a young master from a wealthy family.
Although he was indeed one, at this moment, Aaron only felt particularly awkward.
Because the gazes of both Professors never left Abey in his arms; in comparison, the pet's status was even higher than his owner's.
"Professors, it's really not that serious.
Although Abey is a magical creature, you've seen it before," Aaron said, a little embarrassed. "You don't need to follow me; I've been to the Headmaster's Office before."
"I used to only think of Abey as a mischievous and cute cat," Professor McGonagall said with a slight smile. "I even fed it snacks. Can you imagine how excited I was when I found out it was a magical creature?
Not everyone can be friends with magical creatures like Rubeus Hagrid, because he is very patient with them, and the affection he cultivated from a young age allowed him to gain incredible friendships.
But even Rubeus Hagrid has never truly tamed a dragon, yet you openly raised a dragon by your side and even tamed it so obediently."
"Professor McGonagall, it's a bit too early to define it as a dragon.
Dragons can't control their size, and dragons aren't this obedient," Professor Snape said meaningfully. "You'd best ensure it's not dangerous and won't suddenly attack people, otherwise, it won't be as simple as sending it home.
Rubeus Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts for raising a terrifying magical creature during his schooling, and that magical creature still lives in the Forbidden Forest.
You also know that even that newly hatched dragon was sent to Romania, so... think carefully about how to explain it later, otherwise, the consequences are hard to predict."
Aaron paused slightly, then let out a long sigh, "Thank you for your concern, Professor.
However, I don't think I'll need any explanation."
"No, you absolutely cannot think that way," Professor McGonagall's smile instantly vanished. "Dumbledore is a benevolent and kind Principal, but precisely because of that, you need to explain it clearly to him so he can understand.
But you don't need to worry too much. Abey is a hero, after all, and Professor Snape and I will speak up for you.
The worst outcome is that you can't keep it at Hogwarts, and you won't receive any severe punishment."
Aaron's mouth twitched. Not being able to keep it wasn't a punishment?
However, thinking of the guarantee he had prepared, Aaronrelaxed.
Honestly, he didn't want to expose himself so early.
Acting as low-key as possible and developing steadily was his correct path right now.
But if Dumbledore really insisted on Abey's identity as a magical creature, then he could only pull out his 'Dragon Rearing License.'
This couldn't be helped; after all, he was raising an unprecedented Holy Dragon that could even cause a stir in the Magical World, so preparing for the unexpected was necessary.
Upon reaching the fifth floor, the three encountered Harry Potter.
"Aaron, and both Professors," Harry seemed very surprised. "You've recovered."
"We were never seriously ill; Madam Pomfrey made a mountain out of a molehill," Aaron said, quite speechless.
He didn't like dealing with doctors, because patients, regardless of their identity, status, or willingness... had to listen to the doctor.
"You all lost consciousness at the time, which worried us terribly.
Fortunately, Dumbledore returned relatively promptly, otherwise, we really wouldn't know what to do."
Aaron opened his mouth, unsure how to retort.
He had painstakingly planned and prepared so much.
Both Professors had almost been defeated, and he himself had been severely troubled by Lord Voldemort.
Yet, everything was over, and Dumbledore returned. Could that be called prompt?
Generally speaking, those who appear on the scene when the dust settles are either there to claim credit or to clean up the mess; Dumbledore was clearly the latter.
"Where are you going?"
"The Headmaster's Office. Dumbledore wants to talk to me about something."
Harry nodded thoughtfully. He didn't connect the issue to Abey.
In his opinion, Dumbledore probably just wanted to understand the specific events of last night from Aaron, as it was a significant matter, and the Principal had a responsibility to clarify it.
"Professor Snape," Harry looked at the grim-faced Snapeand bowed sincerely. "I'm sorry; I should apologize to you.
I may have harbored some unfavorable suspicions about you due to some personal subjective opinions."
Snape stared into Harry's eyes, remained silent for a long while, then turned his face away and walked past him without a word.
"Don't mind him, Harry," Professor McGonagall explained. "Professor Snape is just like that; he's not good at expressing his feelings with words.
But I can tell he's already forgiven you, or rather, he never blamed you."
Harry was somewhat doubtful, as he hadn't seen any sign of it.
Moreover, he instinctively felt that Snape's attitude towards him wouldn't change in the slightest because of this apology, and he would continue to target him in various ways as before.
"By the way, Professor McGonagall, do you know about Professor Snape's relationship with my... my parents?" Harryasked curiously.
Professor McGonagall paused, then shook her head slightly, "I don't know."
"Alright!" Harry then looked at Aaron. "There's something you need to know: it seems all the teachers and students at Hogwarts know about us going down the trapdoor last night.
We certainly didn't spread the word, but the secret just got out."
"What?" Aaron frowned, looking utterly bewildered.
Several suspects flashed quickly through his mind, and he finally pinpointed the smiling Dumbledore.
Only a few of them knew about this matter. Although Rubeus Hagrid couldn't keep a secret, he couldn't have leaked it so quickly, nor could he have made it known to everyone within a day. In all of Hogwarts, only the Principalhad this ability.
Aaron's expression wasn't very good. He didn't know what benefit Dumbledore gained from doing this, but he was certain it didn't benefit him.
Originally, he was just an excellent Slytherin, with a certain level of notoriety, but it still fit his persona.
But now, his reputation had soared, which would bring him into many people's sights prematurely.
"Let's go, Aaron," Professor McGonagall reminded him.
"Alright, Professor."
A few minutes later, the three arrived at the Headmaster's Office door.
Snape knocked, and a voice from inside said, 'Come in.'
Opening the door, Aaron couldn't help but pat his forehead, because standing beside Dumbledore was a Giant who couldn't stop smiling, Rubeus Hagrid.
He was beaming, as happy as a several-hundred-pound child.
Rubeus Hagrid had always wanted to know what kind of magical creature Abey was, but because he had offended Aaron several times before, he had been too embarrassed to ask. Today, he finally got his wish.
"Good afternoon, Aaron," Dumbledore said.
"Good afternoon, Professor Dumbledore," Aaron sat down on a chair with a familiar air. "Professor, did you call me here to return my Potion?"
Dumbledore gave an awkward laugh and took a bottle of Potion from a drawer. "Take it! It's safe now.
But I still want to remind you not to let others know you have such a Potion, otherwise, your situation will be very dangerous."
Aaron eagerly put away the Resurrection Potion. His personal panel had already confirmed it was genuine, so he wasn't worried that Dumbledore would tamper with it.
Feeling that his second life had returned, Aaron's sense of security instantly surged.
"Now, let's discuss other matters," Dumbledore cut to the chase. "I've briefly understood your plan and everything that happened beneath the trapdoor from Harry and the others.
Clever, perceptive, self-preserving, prioritizing victory, but also showing enough responsibility and courage.
You are a perfect Slytherin, and it's no wonder Lord Voldemort thought so highly of you."
"Actually... it's not that exaggerated."
"It's a fact, Aaron.
Even I have to admit, I was nowhere near as outstanding as you when I was your age," Dumbledore praised, then looked at Abey, pausing in surprise.
Abey was staring at Fawkes, perched on the golden branch, with shining eyes, and drool was ungracefully sliding from its mouth.
This time he was sure; Abey was indeed quite interested in the Phoenix.
But wasn't this too exaggerated? To actually want to eat a Phoenix, how much had it drunk!