Chapter 98: Self-confidence
"Are those the friends you made, Young Master?" Ginesasked, looking at Draco's retreating figure. "If I'm not mistaken, they are Malfoy."
"Is there a problem?"
"Hmm..." Gines hesitated for a few seconds. "There's one thing I need to remind the Young Master: Malfoy is a representative of Pure-blood families. They greatly despise Half-bloods and Muggle-born Wizards.
And from what I understand, Lucius had some dealings with the Dark Lord in the past, and it's unclear whether he's severed ties even now."
"I know, but Lucius is Lucius, and Draco is Draco.
I'm careful about who I befriend; I won't misjudge people."
"Then there's no problem." Gines smiled. "Young Master didn't just make this one friend, did he?"
"How could that be?
But in Slytherin, he and I have a good relationship." Aaronpouted, then nodded towards Harry and the others. "Those are my Gryffindor friends."
"The Weasley family and Harry Potter?" Gines raised an eyebrow. The red hair and the scar on his forehead were enough to clearly identify them.
"The Young Master's social skills are really impressive!"
"Of course they are."
Just then, a portly figure entered their line of sight. In terms of width, Hagrid probably couldn't even compare to him.
He glared at Harry with an angry gaze, and behind him stood a slender woman and a small chubby boy.
"It seems Harry Potter's home environment isn't very good; his family doesn't seem to care for him," Gines said. "And this is in public.
It's truly regrettable that a celebrity of the Magical Worldgrew up in such circumstances.
However, he's very lucky. From the moment he entered Hogwarts, his destiny changed, and things will improve in the future.
But before that, he still has to live this life of dependence."
"On this point, I agree with you."
Evening.
Aaron returned to his home, and the House-elf skillfully carried his suitcase to his bedroom.
Abey also took off the clothes it was wearing outside and happily flapped its wings in the Castle's hall.
It was only at home that it could be so reckless; if it went out without some disguise, Aaron would unceremoniously throw it back inside.
Vico and Lisanna were overjoyed to see their beloved son return and gave him a hug.
"You've grown quite a bit." Lisanna observed the one-meter-sixty-something Aaron, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
"How do you feel about school?" Vico coughed. "If you regret it, I'll immediately arrange for you to transfer."
"That... that won't be necessary!" Aaron chuckled awkwardly. "Dad, I'm doing quite well in Slytherin."
"Really?" Vico said sarcastically. "Do you know why we came back?
On one hand, we missed our son; on the other hand, your Principal wrote to me.
Dumbledore praised you endlessly. Your performance was truly outstanding. Daring to plot against a Professor to deal with Lord Voldemort—how many lives do you have?"
"Exactly." Lisanna's expression also immediately turned serious. "We know you wouldn't do something without confidence, but this time was really too risky.
And Abey's identity has also been exposed; both the White Magic King and the Dark Lord know of its existence.
You've only been in school for a year, and you've already caused quite a bit of trouble."
"That was an accident." Aaron chuckled a little guiltily, but in his heart, he was cursing Dumbledore to no end. That old man actually dared to tattle.
He probably started writing the letter right after Aaron left the Headmaster's Office, otherwise his parents wouldn't have returned so coincidentally.
"Dumbledore has already seen that guarantee. He understands our family's influence. I think he might try to drag us onto the bandwagon to deal with Lord Voldemort."
"Not might, but definitely." Vico said with certainty. "A White Wizard who's lived for over a hundred years wouldn't have survived that long without some cunning.
Lord Voldemort isn't dead—that's the consensus among intelligent people. A Dark Wizard infinitely close to a Saint Magister wouldn't die so easily. It's a pity he chose a narrow path, otherwise further advancement might have been possible.
But even so, he is still extremely dangerous.
For such a person to die at the hands of a child, it's simply a huge joke.
Dumbledore also knows this. He has ten years to prepare, and I believe he's very well prepared.
But he also lacks confidence; after all, Lord Voldemort is a powerful individual of his same level, and he has a large number of followers. A comeback is only a matter of time.
At this moment, a massive Wizard family just happened to enter his sights. No dog would believe he doesn't have ulterior motives.
However, he will later realize that trying to use our family is a complete waste of effort, inviting humiliation.
Of course, the Dark Lord is the same."
"That confident?" Aaron was a little surprised.
He also had confidence in his family, but this confidence was based on his own potential.
Given enough time, he could completely possess the power to overturn the pirate ship before Dumbledore fully pulled him aboard.
To take a step back, in a truly desperate situation, as long as the several large magic arrays within the Castle were activated, even a Saint Magister might not be able to break in. That was his true confidence.
What did the world turning upside down outside have to do with him? He could still live a peaceful life behind closed doors.
Lucius used to be a Death Eater, but after Lord Voldemort's downfall, didn't he still manage to escape unscathed thanks to the House of Malfoy's wealth and connections, and thrive?
The Gaius Family's foundation is even stronger than the House of Malfoy's; surely they wouldn't be outdone!
"Confidence is appropriate." Vico said calmly with a smile. "Since the beginning of the age of magic, there have been countless exceptionally intelligent talents, including Wizards more powerful than Dumbledore and Riddle.
Many ambitious Dark Wizards also considered seeking the support of hidden families, because compared to Pure-bloods, our influence in the Magical World is much greater.
But without exception, they all eventually gave up.
All four families have been visited, and the weakest among them were Grand Magisters. One of them was Salazar Slytherin of Hogwarts.
However, we were a bit more unlucky. A God of Magic came to visit in a few centuries BCE.
His attitude at the time was particularly aggressive: either submit or die. He was incredibly arrogant."
"And then?" Aaron asked eagerly.
"Hmph, hmph, guess... Hiss!"
Vico intended to tease his son, but the next moment his wife pinched his arm, and he immediately gasped.
"Our ancestors of that generation very politely invited him into the Castle for a cup of tea, and he left in a sorry state, promising never to do such a foolish thing again."
"And then what?"
"That's it!" Vico spread his hands very naturally. "What else do you want to hear?"
Aaron:... "The reason, of course! Our family's defense system shouldn't be able to stop a God of Magic!"
"Want to know the reason?" Vico smiled meaningfully, and Lisanna also looked at her son with amusement.
Seeing this, Aaron knew it was hopeless. In this family, as long as the Gaius couple stood on a united front, he, as their son, would have no say.
And the reason was very appropriate: his age was a major drawback; twelve years old was not suitable for him to access the family's secrets.
"Come find me after dinner, I can tell you part of the reason." Vico suddenly said.
Aaron was momentarily stunned, and while surprised, also a little confused, "Are you sure you'll tell me? Isn't this a bit too early?"
"It might be a bit early for the other three families, but in our family, as long as one's strength reaches a certain level, they are qualified to understand these things, and must understand them." Vico said, looking at the ring on Aaron's hand. "You truly are my son. I was considered a genius when I was in school, but I only entered the realm of an Advanced Magician at fourteen."
"It proves your son is even more outstanding than you."
"That's something to be proud of." Lisanna smiled, then waved at the ceiling, scooping Abey into her arms. "Son, has your pet gotten fat?"
"Well... the school's food can't compare to home, but there's a lot of it!"
"It needs to lose weight."
"Don't worry, Madam, the weight loss diet is already being formulated, and it should be ready by tomorrow morning." Gines said with a smile.
Abey immediately began to express its dissatisfaction, its four white paws constantly kicking and its wings continuously flapping.
"Being anxious is useless. If you don't lose weight, I won't be able to carry you anymore." Lisanna was unfazed, but seeing Abey's pitiful eyes, she still couldn't help but concede a little. "I'll give you an extra chicken drumstick tonight."
Abey was unmoved and continued to intensify its cute efforts.
Aaron was just about to pick it up when Lisanna couldn't resist anymore. "From now on, I'll improve your meals every three days. No more than that, really."
Abey immediately quieted down. Aaron could only sigh, realizing he was a step too late.
At dinner, Aaron was distracted, looking across the table at his father, especially curious about the family's secrets.
The others ate peacefully, as time spent together as a family was truly precious.
Only Abey was gnawing wildly at a plate, its belly bulging, yet it didn't stop, occasionally making clinking sounds, but no one minded.
They all understood Abey's thoughts. This was a highly intelligent dragon, and it knew very well that tonight was one of its few feasts this holiday; after this, it would have to learn to tighten its belt like humans.