Chapter 128 Happy times are always short
"Malfoy Manor," Gines said, pointing to Wiltshire on the map with certainty. "This is the most likely place for Young Master to go."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm at least 90% sure.
At Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy and Young Master have the best relationship, and both are in Slytherin.
When Young Master was brought home, he even met Lucius Malfoy once, so visiting his house wouldn't seem too abrupt.
Moreover, Malfoy Manor is exactly over a hundred kilometers from where Young Master was last seen. Based on the flying tools Young Master possesses, he could reach it in at most an hour of flight. It's definitely his best place to stay."
"Hmm!" Anna nodded thoughtfully. "Since you're sure, Boss, let's not delay. We'll leave now."
"No," Gines calmly refused Anna's request to accompany him. "You need to stay here. It's not time for you people to meet him yet.
Everyone else, continue the carpet search. If I'm wrong, there's still a chance to make up for it."
After speaking, Gines walked into the back room and tidied his appearance.
After all, he had already won more than half of this game and was the predetermined victor, so he couldn't appear too disheveled. This way, he could show his demeanor.
About ten minutes later, Gines changed into a clean, neat suit. The bloodshot in his eyes from irritation was gone, and even his hairstyle was meticulously arranged.
Compared to before, his overall temperament had improved a notch.
"Lord Gines," Anna's eyelid twitched slightly. "Isn't this a bit too deliberate? I've never seen you so formal, not even for a ball."
"What do you know?" Gines tied his tie in front of the mirror, smiling meaningfully. "If I went there looking disheveled, Young Master would have lost with honor.
But if I go there looking refined and composed, Young Master will think we didn't take his running away seriously, and that will effectively curb this unhealthy trend."
"Are you sure? I think it's better to reconsider," Anna rolled her eyes. "From what I know of Young Master, he might take this as a provocation, and things might escalate in the future."
Hearing this, Gines' hands trembled slightly, and he accidentally tied a knot in his necktie.
Indeed, Aaron had grown up under his watch. Although he seemed not to care about anything, his self-esteem was actually stronger than anyone else's.
If he went there looking imposing, Young Master might take it as a silent display of superiority.
The rebellious phase of a twelve-year-old. If anything else happened, he felt his head would explode.
After a few seconds of silence, Gines sighed deeply, untied his tie, and changed into his usual clothes.
"This should be fine, right?"
Anna scrutinized him carefully, and after a moment of thought, she nodded solemnly.
"Do I need to prepare a flying tool? Or transportation?"
"A flying tool, please!" Gines said with a smile. "Honestly, I'm now eager to see Young Master's expression when he sees me."
Anna walked out of the small shop, and a few minutes later, she held a brand new magic carpet.
"This... isn't it too new?"
"Just bought it. Remember to reimburse me."
Gines was speechless at the mischievous smile on Anna's face. If it were normal times, he would definitely lecture this twenty-something Witch.
Not lacking money wasn't an excuse to waste it. There was clearly one at home, yet she insisted on buying a new one.
But now, finding Young Master was urgent, and he couldn't bother to educate his subordinate. He gave Anna a wry smile, grabbed the Nimbus 2000, and quickly walked out of the shop.
Out of Diagon Alley, Gines cast a Disillusionment Charmon himself, got on his magic carpet, and soared into the sky... At the same time, at Malfoy Manor.
Aaron sat on a magic carpet, watching Draco shuttle between the quaffle and bludger below with interest. Beside him were two empty lunch boxes and a Holy Dragon with a resentful look in its eyes.
Unlike yesterday, Aaron's training today was more rigorous and more interesting.
He no longer attacked continuously, nor did he accurately strike every five minutes. Instead, he would use a bludger to accurately strike when Draco was about to catch the Golden Snitch.
However, just as Aaron picked up the bat, preparing to let Draco experience the feeling of victory slipping from his grasp again, he seemed to suddenly sense something, and his expression became unnatural.
"I caught it!" Draco shouted excitedly, the Golden Snitch in his hand glowing golden under the sunlight.
But a dozen seconds later, Draco awkwardly realized that he seemed to be the only one cheering. He turned to look, and Aaron was standing on the magic carpet, lost in thought.
"Aaron, what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Aaron reacted, saying with a forced smile, "Congratulations, you passed today."
"Don't joke.
Although I'm not as good as you, I can tell if you're going easy. You clearly had a chance to stop me just now."
"Everyone makes mistakes in a game, and your opponent is no exception," Aaron said while controlling the magic carpetto descend. "Training officially ends. I hope you can become an excellent Seeker."
Draco couldn't help but frown. These words sounded fine, but he just felt something was off.
Aaron walked into the hall and gave Abey a look. The other party's expression immediately became serious, and he ran towards the stairs.
"What's going on? Such a rush?"
"Happy times are always short. I need to leave quickly, no, I need to run quickly.
After I leave, please thank Mr. Lucius for his hospitality today on my behalf."
"What? You're leaving?" Draco was a bit surprised. "This is too sudden! Was our hospitality not good enough?"
"It has nothing to do with Malfoy. My family found me," Aaron said with a wry smile. "It's just that their speed is much faster than I expected.
I originally thought I could delay them for at least two days, but now it seems I underestimated them."
A white shadow darted down the stairs. Abey had a backpack in his mouth and placed it on the table.
Aaron quickly put on his luggage and threw the magic carpet to Draco. "Quickly help me fold it. There's not much time left, probably less than an hour."
Draco, infected by the tense atmosphere, quickly folded the magic carpet into a square and stuffed it into the backpack. "Wait, are you over-nervous?
How do you know your family is coming after you?"
Aaron smoothly zipped up the backpack, then rolled up his sleeve.
"This is..." Draco's eyes widened as he stared at the flickering light green magic circle on Aaron's arm, somewhat lost in thought.
"Just in case, I left a little something extra on the note I left for Gines.
It's an extremely simple magic circle. This magic rune is almost worthless; it only gives a certain warning when it approaches another magic circle of the same origin, just like now."
"You can do this too?
The school doesn't seem to teach magic circles, does it?"
"Uh... I only know a little," Aaron said in a deep voice. "Read more books when you have time!
If you have nothing to do, perhaps you could learn this by visiting the Library a few more times."
"Haha!
You really think too highly of me. I can't even learn all the spells, how would I have time to learn another magicsubject?"
"But isn't this too simple?
Wouldn't your family see that there's something wrong with that paper?"
"Under normal circumstances, it would naturally not go unnoticed. Even ordinary Wizards like us could spot the problem if we looked closely.
However, I left this note for my Uncle. In his worry, he wouldn't have time to check if there was anything wrong with that paper.
When he finds Gines, he'll definitely scold him first, and at that time, Gines probably won't be in the mood to inspect the note.
Moreover, the magic circle I left is disposable, its effect lasts for at most two days and will get weaker and weaker. If they can't find a problem at first, they'll be even less suspicious later."
Draco shrugged, then gave Aaron a thumbs up. "It's their good fortune to have a Young Master like you."
"Haha! I'll take that as a compliment," Aaron said with an embarrassed smile. "Oh, do you have paper? I'm planning to leave him another note."
Draco immediately became interested. "You want to play this trick again?"
"Of course not. That trick is only useful the first time; it has no meaning the second time."
"Wait a moment."
Draco quickly went upstairs and took out a piece of paper and a quill from a drawer.
Aaron took it and, without hesitation, wrote a line of text on the paper, then placed a cup on top of it.
Draco curiously walked closer to look, then turned his face away in surprise. "Isn't this a bit mean?"
"I can't help it. My opponent is too clever, so I can only try to affect his emotions," Aaron said, putting on his backpack and walking towards the door.
"It's too dangerous for you to just leave like that. What if you run into him halfway?" Draco said with some concern. "Why don't you just hide at my house?"