Chapter 129: Timely completion of strategic transfer
"Forget about it!" Aaron smiled and declined Draco's offer. "I've played hide-and-seek with him many times before, but he always manages to find me. If I don't put more distance between us, I won't even have the confidence to run."
Draco's expression became a little unnatural when he heard this. "Is it that exaggerated?"
"It's that exaggerated. I seriously suspect they cast a spell on me, but I don't know what it is."
Aaron walked out the door, then suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Draco. "Gines will be here soon. Just pretend you don't know anything, and act like I'm just a guest. Don't say anything extra; just let him see the note on the table. Also, if you're alone, you might slip up, so it's best to have your parents cooperate."
"Understood," Draco said with a wry smile. "Where are you planning to go next? Do you need my help?"
"No, you can't help."
"You're underestimating me! Malfoy still has some influence in the Wizarding and Muggle worlds."
"Really?" A playful look appeared on Aaron's face. "I'm planning to go to Weasley's place. Are you sure you can get a word in with that family?"
"Weasley?" Draco was stunned for a few seconds, wondering if there was something wrong with his ears.
"Wait, are you sure you mean Weasley? Is it the Weasley I'm thinking of?"
Aaron nodded, not denying it.
Draco exploded like a lit powder keg. "No, you can go anywhere else, but not there, absolutely not there."
"Uh… I know the House of Malfoy and the Weasley family don't get along, but there's no grudge between Gaius and Weasley. Besides, no one would ever think I'd go to the Malfoy's arch-enemy's house. It's my best refuge right now."
Whew!
Draco took a deep breath. He could sense Aaron's determination, but he still wanted to try and stop him. Otherwise, a guest from Malfoy going to Weasley would be awkward to even think about, especially since this person was his best friend.
"Weasley might not take you in, and you definitely won't be able to stand it. That family is incredibly poor. Forget about a decent guest room; even sharing a bed with them would probably be a problem. Also, your food there will be an issue. It's a miracle Weasley manages to feed his own family."
Aaron chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not that delicate. Besides, I thought of this before I ran away and prepared some things. To be honest, all I want is a safe refuge to get through these two days. I really don't care about the conditions."
"Aaron, do you… do you really have to go there?"
"Unless there's a safer place, The Burrow is the best option."
"So if there's a safer place, you won't go there, right?" Dracosaid hesitantly, looking troubled. "Actually, Malfoy Manor is very large, and there are a few Chambers of Secrets…"
"Don't say another word," Aaron immediately interrupted Draco, his expression becoming incredibly serious. He was afraid that listening further would involve the Malfoy's family secrets. Moreover, he now had a psychological shadow over Chambers of Secrets. The memories left by the Chambers of Secrets in his home were extraordinarily profound, and just thinking about them made him feel like crying.
"Don't casually mention your family's Chambers of Secrets to outsiders in the future."
"Hmm…" Draco seemed a little unconcerned. "It's just a cleaned-out Chamber of Secrets, it shouldn't be a big deal, right?"
"That's still not allowed." Aaron shook his head sternly. "Chambers of Secrets are called Chambers of Secrets precisely because they hide secrets. Secrets can be big or small, but since they are secrets, they need to be kept."
"Alright!" Draco shrugged, helplessly saying, "It seems I can't stop you, but fortunately, you'll only be in that place for two days at most. If you suffer any grievances, you must tell me when you return to school, and I'll help you get revenge."
Pfft!
Aaron couldn't help but let out a snicker. "Don't think of things so seriously. The Weasley's family atmosphere might be much more relaxed. Besides, I'm never one to suffer in silence. Even if I suffer grievances, it won't be your turn to help me get revenge."
After speaking, Aaron picked up Abey, ready to leave.
"Wait a moment." Draco stopped Aaron and handed him his Nimbus 2001. "You're not planning to walk a hundred kilometers on foot, are you?"
"Don't worry, I have a magic carpet."
"But the speed of a magic carpet…"
"Direction is much more important than speed," Aaron said meaningfully, then walked out of Draco's sight.
However, he didn't go far. After turning a corner, he put Abey down.
"Are there any other scents?"
Abey shook his head, mumbling, "No, it's just the two of us here."
"That's good."
Aaron took out the remaining Invisibility Potion, preparing to drink it all at once.
But as he opened the bottle, he suddenly remembered something and regretfully put the Potion away.
He had now learned the Disillusionment Charm and could turn invisible anytime, anywhere. However, magic requires a Wizard to cast it. Without a Wizard, or if a Wizard runs out of magic, Potions play a crucial role. So, this half-bottle of Invisibility Potion should be saved for a rainy day.
Aaron glanced at Abey, who had changed clothes, extended a finger, and silently recited the incantation for the Disillusionment Charm.
A moment later, Abey's body became transparent, and then he cast the same magic on himself.
This was Aaron's first time using the Disillusionment Charm, but he was quite satisfied with the effect. It blended with the environment, and most people wouldn't notice it at all. Moreover, with his current magical energy and control over the Disillusionment Charm, he could stay invisible for a long time, no less effective than drinking an Invisibility Potion.
"Go!"
Aaron looked at the increasingly faint magic circle on the back of his hand, jumped onto Abey's back, and pointed him in a direction.
The Sacred Dragon immediately spread its wings and flew at high speed towards The Burrow… Just twenty-odd minutes after they left, Gines also flew to the gate of Malfoy Manor.
He extended his right hand, and his magic broom was put away.
After simply tidying the corners of his clothes, which had been ruffled by the high-speed flight, he rang the doorbell.
Soon, the House-elf Dobby came over and opened the door.
Dobby glanced at Gines and respectfully asked, "Sir, what brings you to Malfoy Manor?"
"Hmm, I'm looking for someone. But before that…" Ginestook out his magic wand and cast a Scouring Charm on the House-elf.
"Scourgify!"
A pile of soap bubbles erupted from Dobby's dirty clothes. After the spell's effect, the tattered, rag-like garment turned a pale white.
"I'm sorry!" Dobby, in his excitement, lowered his head in embarrassment. "Dobby just finished washing dishes and hasn't had time to tidy his clothes. Please, noble guest, don't mind."
"I don't mind, many House-elves are like this," Gines said calmly, then lowered his head and looked at Dobbymeaningfully. "Your name is Dobby, isn't it? I hope you'll honestly answer one question for me: did any guests visit Malfoy Manor yesterday?"
"Guests?"
"Hmm… perhaps my description isn't very accurate. It's a twelve-year-old boy, about one meter sixty tall, and if all goes as expected, he's carrying a white cat wearing clothes."
"This…" Dobby immediately thought of Aaron, but he was very conflicted and didn't know what to say. In the House-elf's opinion, although Aaron's words were a bit intimidating, he was one of the few kind and tolerant good people he had ever met, someone worth protecting. And he didn't know this smiling man in front of him. What if he had bad intentions?
"Alright, no need to say anything," Gines said calmly. "Your hesitation has already answered me. It seems Young Master Aaron is indeed here."
"Aaron… Young Master?" Dobby looked bewildered, asking with some doubt, "Is Mr. Aaron your Young Master?"
"Yes, I specifically came here to take the Young Master home," Gines explained. "Please take me inside first! I need to greet the master of Malfoy and then take the Young Master with me."
"Alright, this way, please."
Dobby led Gines to the main hall on the first floor of the Castle. "Sir, please wait a moment, the master will be here soon."
"No rush for that."
Gines waved his hand. Since he was here, it was like catching a turtle in a jar; the Young Master definitely couldn't escape. Just then, a piece of paper on the table caught his attention. Gines' heart inexplicably began to pound. This scene seemed somewhat familiar! He walked over curiously to take a look. The first thing he saw was the Young Master's handwriting. He was indeed at Malfoy Manor; he hadn't come to the wrong place. But after carefully reading the line of text on it, his face darkened, and he couldn't help but slam the table forcefully.
Bang!
A violent thud sounded, startling Dobby.
"This is too much, and too… willful."
"Guest, are you alright?"
Gines rubbed his forehead with a look of despair, seeing 'You arrived a few hours later than I expected' written on the paper, a bitter smile involuntarily appeared on the corner of his mouth. Was this a provocation? And a blatant one at that. He had finally found the right place, but he hadn't expected to still be a step too late. The only thing he could console himself with was that this note once again indirectly proved Aaron's ability; the Gaius Family indeed had a worthy successor.