"What are you playing at?" Ron was annoyed about being called the wrong name.
"Uh, Dumbledore told me to get to know him better. I don't know why. I suppose it's an important task."
Harry was still smiling at Horace while explaining to Ron.
"We've had enough to drink. Time to go," Aiden said.
Hermione and Ron looked at the empty glasses, nodded, and began gathering their things.
The four pushed open the pub door and walked into the wind and snow.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, something sinister was happening. Madam Rosmerta, following Draco's instructions, handed something to a certain student.
And this unfortunate girl was Katie Bell.
But fate had other plans. Instead of receiving the bracelet Aiden had created, Katie ended up with the opal necklace.
The curses the two objects carried were vastly different.
Aiden followed the trio outside. After Katie received the opal necklace, she hurried to catch up, intending to give it to Aiden.
"Katie, I've told you not to accept items of unknown origin from strangers," Leanne warned beside her.
"But it's really beautiful. It should suit Aiden well, right?" Katie's eyes were vacant, as if she were under a spell.
"Hey, looks like someone's about to confess."
Ron threw his arm around Aiden's shoulder, teasing him, while glancing at Katie catching up behind them.
"Ahhh!"
A piercing scream rang out. Katie collapsed to the ground behind them.
"I told her not to touch things like that," Leanne said, standing there helplessly.
Katie jerked back and forth like a marionette in the hands of a cruel puppeteer, then froze in midair. Her expression twisted in agony, a horrifying sight.
Her hair rose upward. Panic froze on Leanne's face.
The trio immediately rushed over to help Katie. She convulsed, struggled, and collapsed to the ground.
"Finite Incantatem!"
Aiden cast the spell to counteract the curse on Katie. At the same time, Hagrid pushed through the crowd.
"Hagrid, be careful! The curse can spread through contact. Wear gloves and don't touch her skin," Aiden shouted.
"Right!" Hagrid nodded and pulled on the dragon-hide gloves he always carried.
After Hagrid carried Katie away, Harry carefully stepped forward and spotted the opal necklace lying on the ground.
Using a cloth to wrap the necklace carefully, Harry recalled seeing this cursed object at Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley four years ago.
Something's wrong.
Aiden sensed it immediately. Something had interfered with his carefully laid plans.
This disruption deeply unsettled him. He was accustomed to controlling every variable, orchestrating events like a master conductor.
While everyone's attention remained on Katie, Aiden quietly slipped into the collective unconscious.
He assumed his mythical creature form, sending ripples across the sea of consciousness as he wove prophecies, attempting to identify whoever had tampered with his design.
In the Department of Mysteries, alarms blared. The Director cheerfully picked up his coffee, then spat it out.
"What the hell is he doing now?!" The Director's eyes widened. After a moment's consideration, he followed.
"Wow, no matter how many times I see it, this never ceases to amaze me," a voice interrupted Aiden's search.
"Why are you here?" Aiden paused, splitting off a virtual personality to deal with the Director while his main consciousness continued the investigation.
"A certain someone has thrown the entire Department of Mysteries into chaos. Why do you think I'm here?" The Director rolled his eyes.
"Old man, I sense something wrong. Someone interfered with my plans, but I can't detect who."
The virtual personality's expression was grave.
"So what do you plan to do? Turn all of Britain upside down?" The Director gestured toward the dragon stirring up massive waves in the distance.
"Just a moment. It won't affect you," Aiden said, waving his hand before dissolving into the air.
The Director remained in place, observing.
Soon, the dragon completed its investigation.
Aiden searched for clues from everyone involved in this incident.
He traced back to Mundungus's arrival, then worked backward from there.
Finally, he discovered it was merely a routine inspection organized by the counterfeit protective products division Arthur had established.
They'd confiscated Mundungus's counterfeit items. Afterward, to repay his debts, Mundungus had no choice but to venture into the Forbidden Forest.
Could all this really be a coincidence? Aiden frowned.
"So, any results?" The Director asked, watching Aiden transform from dragon to human.
"There doesn't seem to be any anomaly. The entire Ministry is under my surveillance. The order came from Uncle Arthur."
Aiden seemed distracted, clearly lost in thought.
"Isn't finding nothing a good thing? Why are you spacing out? Time to go back. Next time you encounter this situation, give us advance warning. Getting constant alarms is irritating!"
The Director stretched and turned to leave.
Within Hogwarts, Snape was urgently summoned by the Deputy Headmistress to the Hospital Wing.
"You summoned me, Minerva?" Snape's voice remained steady.
"Severus, come quickly. Miss Bell has touched a Dark Magic artifact. Poppy can heal the external injuries but cannot break the curse."
Professor McGonagall's face was etched with worry, her eyes reflecting deep concern.
"Let me see."
Snape strode past her to the bedside and examined Katie carefully.
After identifying the curse, Snape began the counter-curse.
"Vulnera Sanentur... Finite Maledictum."
As Snape intoned the incantation, dark tendrils of smoke rose continuously from Katie's body, dissipating into the air.
When the last wisp of smoke escaped, Katie's complexion returned to normal, her breathing steadying.
"What happened?"
Once the treatment was complete, Snape and Professor McGonagall stepped out of the Hospital Wing.
"Come with me."
Professor McGonagall led Snape into her office. Five people were already waiting inside.
"Miss Leanne, are you certain Katie wasn't carrying anything before entering the Three Broomsticks?" Professor McGonagall asked as she entered.
"She wasn't carrying anything until she went to the bathroom. She said she found a beautiful pendant that would be perfect for Aiden..."
Leanne glanced nervously at the dragon beside her, who was leisurely sipping tea.
"Very well, you may leave, Miss Leanne," Professor McGonagall said, waving her hand. The door opened automatically.
"Why is it that whenever something happens, you three are inevitably present?" Professor McGonagall sighed, regarding the trio.
"Believe me, Professor, this question has plagued me for six years," Ron responded glumly.
"What are your thoughts, Severus?" Professor McGonagall turned to her colleague.
Snape, examining the necklace with narrowed eyes, didn't look up. "I believe Miss Bell's survival is nothing short of miraculous."
The necklace emitted various tortured animal cries, as though its creator had used exceedingly cruel methods to bind their souls within.