Chapter 94 The Influence Behind the Guarantee
Dumbledore's expression tightened. He understood Snapeand knew he would never exaggerate, which meant the information on the parchment was indeed not simple.
"May I see it?" Professor McGonagall asked, walking over. "I'm very curious what's written on it."
Professor Snape glanced at Aaron, and seeing he had no objection, handed over the parchment.
Professor McGonagall took it and examined it carefully, her expression shifting from relaxed to solemn, but then immediately to confusion. "If you had this, why didn't you bring it out sooner?"
Aaron shrugged, stroking the young dragon in his arms with a hint of helplessness. "Professor Snape once taught me a principle: family resources and personal resources should be kept separate.
Although this principle doesn't quite apply to me, I also don't want to rely too much on my family during my growth.
For no other reason than it's too smooth; there's no challenge in doing anything I want.
That's why I came to Hogwarts, and not other magicschools."
"Since your family prepared this guarantee letter, then..."
"Professor, having something doesn't necessarily mean you have to use it; you should know that.
Abey is a unique creature in the Magical World, and if its identity were exposed, the sensation it would cause is unimaginable.
The Magical Creature Management Control Division would come to speak with me, and countless people obsessed with magical creatures, such as Rubeus Hagrid, the gamekeeper, would flock to it.
Besides that, a large number of reporters would come knocking, like sharks smelling blood. An unknown magical creature, whose appearance is also exceptionally striking, would significantly boost newspaper sales.
Of course, while these are troublesome, they aren't real problems.
But who can guarantee that no greedy individuals would try to profit from it?
So I wanted to keep it a secret as much as possible, also to ensure its safety."
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, silently weighing Abey's value in her mind, and sighed, "Your approach is correct."
"Thank you for your understanding, Professor."
Professor McGonagall placed the parchment on Dumbledore's desk. "Principal, you'd best take a close look.
Though unbelievable, I think the power of this guarantee letter is, to say the least, considerable."
Dumbledore nodded, put on the spectacles on his desk, and began to read intently.
One page, dozens of names.
But Dumbledore read for a full five minutes, his inner turmoil completely at odds with his calm exterior, unable to settle.
He was very old and knew more than McGonagall and Snape; he recognized almost all the names on it.
Several former Ministers of magic, all popular figures, had signed it; the head of the Order of Merlin had signed it; several elders of the magic Council had also signed it.
These individuals were highly esteemed; Dumbledorewould treat any one of them with courtesy, and collectively, they were enough to bring about a revolution in the Magical World.
Not only that, but it also bore the names of his old friends Nicolas Flamel and his wife, as well as several renowned Wizards over a hundred years old who had made significant contributions in various fields.
Only with sufficient power could Dumbledore even stand before these people; otherwise, he wouldn't even have the right to claim seniority.
More importantly, it also bore the mark of a Vampire royal family and the symbol of a Werewolf tribal leader.
Was this still a guarantee letter? Perhaps.
But to Dumbledore, it looked more like the influence of a hidden family; all the big shots from both the light and dark sides were gathered!
Before, he thought these families were at most a bit stronger than the Pure-blood families, worth noting, but not worth too much attention.
After all, they were all ancient families, and no matter how big the difference, they were roughly equal.
Of course, Malfoy and Weasley were exceptions; they were two extremes, one rolling in money, the other barely able to make ends meet.
But now he realized he was wrong, and terribly so.
The influence of the hidden family exceeded his imagination; Aaron wasn't even the head of the family, yet he could produce such a list.
It was clear that their connections were far greater than those on the list, and this was just the Gaius Family.
If the other three families were the same, then it was no exaggeration to say that these four families, if united, could change the entire Magical World at any time.
Lord Voldemort needed to strive, gather manpower, resources, and schemes to rule the Magical World.
But for them, it seemed incredibly simple; a single rallying cry would suffice.
A drop of cold sweat appeared on Dumbledore's forehead; he couldn't remember the last time he was nervous, but he was certain he had never been this nervous before.
Previously, he thought Aaron was a Slytherin worth taking seriously, similar to the former Lord Voldemort, but now he had to re-evaluate Aaron's value and influence.
If this child wasn't guided properly, and if he were to reappear with his hidden family in the future, the Magical World would likely face a major reshuffle.
"Professor, have you finished reading?"
Aaron suddenly spoke, pulling Dumbledore's thoughts back to reality.
"I've finished," Dumbledore said with a smile, handing the parchment back. "No problem, not a single problem.
You can continue to raise Abey, but try to keep a low profile!
But I really didn't expect your family to know so many people; it almost startled this old man."
"These are all matters of social etiquette," Aaron said with a sigh. "Everyone on there is a friend of my family elders; it doesn't have much to do with me."
"Professor, with this guarantee letter, my transgression should be gone, right?"
"Of course," Dumbledore nodded. "I might have to congratulate you in advance, and also congratulate Slytherin on winning this year's House Cup."
"Thank you. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Aaron paid no mind to Dumbledore, walking towards the door on his own.
Snape looked at Dumbledore with a complex expression, hesitated for a moment, then followed Aaron out.
A few minutes later, Aaron looked at Snape speechlessly. "Professor, you don't need to see me off.
And for so long, we're almost at the common room."
"As Dean, I don't think there's any problem with wanting to talk to my student, is there?" Snape said flatly. "Although it's not my duty, and it has nothing to do with me.
But I still feel it's necessary to remind you: always keep a trump card for yourself, no matter when or where."
Aaron stopped, saying playfully, "You mean I shouldn't have brought out my guarantee letter?"
Snape didn't refute but nodded seriously.
"You are a smart person; you should know what that guarantee means.
You could have waited until next semester to prepare a formal dragon-raising license for yourself, one approved by the Ministry of Magic and the Magical Creature Management Control Division; that shouldn't be difficult for you.
Now there are only a few days left until the holidays; you didn't need to bring it out. It seems a bit unworthy just for the House Cup."
"The House Cup is certainly not worth it, but the mission reward is very much worth it; it's enough for him to work two months less," Aaron thought to himself, but his expression remained calm.
"Professor, I admit what you said makes a lot of sense.
However, that guarantee was meant to be used at this time; it will make some people keep quiet.
Also, I don't want to go to the Magical Creature Management Control Division to register Abey.
That would bring it into the Ministry of Magic's sight, and those politicians would do anything.
To boost their reputation, they wouldn't mind extensively publicizing the appearance of a new species, and the commotion caused by the Ministry of Magic's initiative would definitely not be small."
Snape:... "Furthermore, the House Cup absolutely cannot be conceded.
That is a year's worth of Slytherin's hard work." Aaron said righteously, "If we were complacent and lost, then we lost, and we'd have nothing to say.
But if, for some reason, the scores are drastically adjusted, and Slytherin loses the honor it deserves, I believe many people would not be convinced.
Moreover, there are only a few days left until the holidays, and Gryffindor's score suddenly shot to the top. This is simply messing with Slytherin's morale, and it will make the already conflicting two Houses even more so.
Protecting the deserved House Cup is also for the stability of Hogwarts."
Upon hearing this, Snape froze in place.
What Aaron said made a lot of sense; this twelve-year-old student's thinking was uncommonly mature, and he considered issues comprehensively, but Snape still felt something was off.
It was as if everything had been calculated by Aaron, and everyone else was unknowingly executing his plan. This feeling of being led by the nose was truly unpleasant.
"Perhaps you think a little more than I, the Dean, do, but I still stand by my point of view."
"I certainly understand that," Aaron said with a smile. "There must be trump cards, for example, the Resurrection Potionin my hand.
That guarantee letter might seem very influential to you, and you might think it represents the Gaius Family's connections, and you'll associate many things you wish to think, which is somewhat exaggerated."
"What do you mean?" Snape asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Because to me, it's just a piece of paper, the kind you can buy a stack of for a Knut," Aaron said indifferently. "It can't be eaten, can't be drunk, can't enhance strength, can't be exchanged for any money, has no value whatsoever, it's just for bluffing and such."
"Heh!" Snape gave a self-deprecating laugh, feeling much lighter. "I overthought it. You will definitely be the pride of Slytherin in the future."