In the collective unconscious sea, Harry gripped tightly onto the scales on the dragon's back.
As soon as he opened his eyes, peculiar symbols entered his vision. Countless strange thoughts seemed to surge from within his own mind.
This made Harry feel his brain was about to burst, and his stomach began to convulse.
"If you dare vomit on my back, I guarantee I'll make you swallow every last drop back down."
Aiden warned Harry without turning his head back. Harry could only close his eyes and empty his mind.
Fortunately, this torment didn't last long. Soon Harry felt his legs touch solid ground again.
He hurriedly opened his eyes and found he'd been brought to a square.
He looked at the nearby road sign—it was the small town of Lacock in Wiltshire, Britain.
"That was really uncomfortable. Was that the collective unconscious sea again? I think I saw an island?" Harry's tone carried some uncertainty.
"We need to confirm the situation of the Horcrux within you. Didn't you notice she'd already fallen silent just now?"
Aiden pulled out a piece of chocolate and handed it to him. Harry took the chocolate and bit into it.
"I didn't notice. Is Voldemort falling silent a good thing? Has she given up on me?"
"Are you dreaming? There's a mysterious entanglement between souls. She might be worried I'd tamper with her Horcrux and actively severed this connection."
Aiden didn't want to discuss this topic further. Going deeper would involve Dark Magic. Understanding the social cue, Harry also didn't continue asking.
"So what did Dumbledore send us here for?"
"To recruit—no, to rehire a professor."
Aiden walked forward, waving his hand to signal Harry to follow.
"Wait, you want two students to recruit a professor? We don't have that authority, do we?" Harry suspected Aiden was joking with him.
"Please don't say 'we.' You don't, I do," Aiden said, raising his eyebrows at him.
Strolling through the neighborhood streets, Aiden and Harry chatted off and on about the Ministry of Magic.
Harry himself had a good impression of Ms. Bones, who had once spoken up for him, and was glad she could become Minister.
At Rufus Scrimgeour's suggestion, the Ministry had issued a safety manual recommending that residents agree on passwords with each other to prevent Death Eaters from using Polyjuice Potion to disguise themselves.
"So should we agree on a password?" Harry asked.
"Coconut ice cream, my favorite snack," Aiden said, stopping at the door of a dilapidated courtyard.
"Mine is..."
"Quidditch, I know," Aiden said, pulling out his wand.
"I used Occlumency!" Harry protested, also pulling out his wand.
"Don't rely too much on the same magic, because you never know if your enemy has a way to counter it. As wizards, we should mix things up to avoid falling into predictable patterns."
Following Dumbledore's instructions, Aiden taught Harry.
"All right, this magic was quite useful. My head hasn't hurt all summer."
Harry muttered, completely unaware that Voldemort hadn't bothered him all summer because she was absolutely terrified after being tricked by Aiden last time.
After all, an enemy who could hide in your mind and ambush you at any time—Voldemort had already experienced that nightmare.
Using their wands to cast Lumos, the two walked into the house.
Inside was a complete mess, like it had been ransacked by Death Eaters.
Blood was still dripping from the ceiling, but Aiden, being part dragon himself, immediately smelled it was dragon blood.
Similarly, a wizard hiding in this Muggle house couldn't escape a mind reader's perception.
Aiden smiled and walked to a sofa, tapping it with his wand.
"Merlin's beard, you didn't have to make me reveal myself so abruptly, Aiden!"
A head popped out from the sofa, then the entire sofa jumped up like it had been set on fire.
"I have to admit, you made a convincing sofa, Professor Horace."
Aiden's hand gripped Harry's clothes; otherwise, he'd probably have already rushed out the window.
"I can transform into various furniture. I've got the cushioning for it. But how did you discover me?" Horace asked, puzzled.
"Your mind. As a Ravenclaw, we're unmatched in mental magic. Your mental fluctuations exposed you, Professor."
Aiden extended his hand and tapped his temple.
"Oh, and don't call me Professor. I haven't agreed yet," Horace said, crossing his arms.
"Right, I haven't introduced him to you. He's Hogwarts former Potions professor, Horace Slughorn. Professor, this is..."
Aiden wanted to introduce Harry, but Horace extended his hand to stop him.
"I know, the famous Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter."
He looked at Harry with obvious expectation. Harry was embarrassed enough by the praise to lower his head.
"This place looks really messy. Let me tidy it up. But speaking of which, what made you go to all this trouble?"
Aiden waved his wand. The surrounding chaotic furniture began returning to its place. Broken glass and chandeliers were restored. The entire room transformed from ruins back to a cozy nest.
"You know, Death Eaters are looking for me. I can't keep refusing them—that won't end well for me. Now I don't stay in any place for more than a week."
Horace wiped his sweat nervously.
"That's quite unfortunate. Since you're so afraid, why not accept our invitation?" Aiden probed.
"No way. I saw in the paper that Umbridge was taken from the school in poor mental condition. Did you abuse professors?" Horace said, crossing his arms.
"No, sir! Umbridge got what she deserved. She used the Cruciatus Curse on young wizards!" Harry hastily refuted.
"Oh, then she indeed deserved it. I've always disliked her anyway," Horace said, swiftly cutting ties.
At this moment, Aiden also discerned Horace's thoughts. He simply didn't want to take sides, so he wanted to play both sides with Dumbledore and Voldemort.
"I'm going to the bathroom."
Aiden waved at Horace while winking his left eye at Harry, hoping he could use his natural charm on the old Slytherin.
Harry: "???"
After Aiden left, Horace awkwardly made eye contact with Harry.
"You look a lot like your father," he said, his eyes widening. "Just the eyes are a bit like..."
"My mother" and "Lily." Two voices sounded simultaneously.
"Ah, lovely Lily. I always wished she'd been sorted into Slytherin, but she'd always loudly tell me, 'I won't go there!'"
Horace brought Harry to his photo wall, covered with pictures of his students.
"And Aiden—his appearance is more like his mother Eleanor. Equally beautiful. I heard she joined the Unspeakables after graduation, then sacrificed herself in that turmoil sixteen years ago."
Horace pointed at a group photo showing two beautiful girls. Harry immediately recognized his mother.
The other girl was like a female version of Aiden—apparently Aiden's mother.
"Your mothers were good friends, and now you're good friends too. Fate is truly a wonderful thing," Horace said, smiling, seemingly reminiscing about past times.
"Professor, stop beating around the bush," Harry suddenly interrupted him.
Because Harry still remembered the mission Dumbledore had sent them on.
"Since you're so afraid of Death Eaters, why not come to Hogwarts? There, Aiden and Professor Dumbledore have the strength to oppose Voldemort. It's probably the only place that can ensure your safety while letting you stop living on the run," Harry said, looking at him seriously.
"But I..." Horace looked moved.
All of this was seen by Aiden, and at Horace's most conflicted moment, Aiden barged in.
"Harry, we should go back. Since Professor Horace has already refused us, let's return."
Saying this, Aiden came over to pull Harry toward the outside courtyard.
"Aiden, wait a bit longer. He's about to agree," Harry said anxiously.
"Three, two, one," Aiden said. He didn't answer Harry but started counting down.
"Wait!" Horace chased out. Aiden raised his eyebrows at Harry.
"I want my old tea room back, and I want a raise."
"Of course," Aiden said, nodding.