Chapter 360: The best friend broke up, Hagrid's spring has come
"What would Dumbledore think if he knew his Fawkeswould suffer such a fate?" The thought-form shook its head speechlessly and added, "The products of some powerful magical creatures can add some power to bullets. If you have time, you can go find Hagrid, or directly go to the Forbidden Forest to look for special materials."
"For example... Unicorn feathers? Acromantula venom? Werewolf teeth?"
"Those things might be useful for making other items, but their boost to bullets is far less than a Thunderbird's; they're only better than nothing."
"So, I have to go after that Phoenix."
"That's pretty much it," the thought-form said sheepishly. "Let's get back to the main topic. Besides the Deathly Hallows, there's also the Nigaj Mask."
"That's not appropriate!" Aaron frowned. "The competition is, after all, held in public. Summoning a ninja army in front of so many people would be too shocking."
"Just in case," the thought-form said meaningfully. "Besides, Lord Voldemort will soon return. Injecting a part of his power into the Nigaj Mask shouldn't just be for show!"
Aaron nodded silently upon hearing this... The next day, early morning.
Aaron, as usual, took Abbey to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Since he was chosen as Hogwarts' Champion, the way others looked at him had changed significantly.
Slytherin's reverence grew, Gryffindor showed some hostility, Hufflepuff was annoyed and resentful, while Ravenclaw seemed somewhat indifferent.
Aaron didn't care about these changes at all; he ate and drank as usual. He wouldn't change his mind because of other people's looks and words.
Moreover, this novelty wouldn't last long. After a while, everyone would get used to it, and things would return to how they were before the Triwizard Tournament began.
Bang!
A book suddenly landed on the table opposite Aaron. Hermione walked over with a nervous Harry.
"If it's about the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare... please don't bother me," Aaron sighed, then pointed to Ron Weasley ten meters away and said, "Your treasurer is over there!"
"It's not about S.P.E.W.," Hermione explained. "Harry and Ron had a falling out."
"Oh?" Aaron became a little interested. "Tell me about it."
"He doesn't believe me," Harry said indignantly. "You and Hermione both believe me, but I didn't expect him not to believe that I didn't put my name into the Goblet of Fire."
"He doesn't not believe you," Hermione frowned. "He's... jealous.
You, Harry Potter, are always the center of attention. This makes him feel like he's just a foil, so... this time, I think he's had enough."
"You make it sound like I enjoy people staring at my forehead. This is the Triwizard Tournament! If I could switch, I'd gladly have someone take my place."
"Don't even think about it. The price of breaking the contract..."
"I know, your sister told me. I don't want to experience the taste of being burned by magic fire." Harry sat down angrily. "I'm already frantic because someone framed me, and my best friend doesn't believe me."
"So... why are you looking for me?" Aaron asked, puzzled.
"I'm exhausted by their misunderstanding. Do you have any way to resolve it?"
"Yes, it's very simple." Aaron smiled meaningfully. "Professor Snape's office should have Veritaserum. Just one drop and you'll only be able to speak the truth."
"No," Hermione immediately refused. "That kind of Potionis usually used to interrogate criminals."
"Then sign a contract, proving that you are absolutely not lying."
"This..." Harry looked troubled. "Is it really necessary to make such a big deal out of it?"
"Then I can't help you," Aaron spread his hands. "These two things can directly prove your innocence. If you're unwilling, then you can only leave it to time."
"Then let's leave it to time!
A cold war between good friends naturally disappears after a while.
There's one more thing: we plan to send a message to Sirius, telling him about the Triwizard Tournament. Harry's name being selected by the Goblet of Fire might be related to You-Know-Who's conspiracy..."
"Stop," Aaron quickly interrupted. "I'm annoyed enough already; don't tell me about this."
"But in Harry's dream, you were also targeted by You-Know-Who," Hermione said anxiously.
"Heh heh!" Aaron sneered. "Why would he target me? Do I need to help you remember?"
"Ah, this..."
Hermione was speechless for a moment; everything started from their first detention. After that, Aaron had several dealings with Lord Voldemort, and each time, it was intricately linked to the three of them.
"I originally just wanted to study peacefully, but it seems many things don't go as planned."
"Sorry," Hermione said, biting her lip.
"It's okay, being targeted is being targeted. As long as Harryisn't dead, I'm safe," Aaron said, feigning nonchalance. "But the premise is that I won't be so bored as to look for trouble.
You can come to me for other things, and I'll try my best to help, but I really don't want to get involved with Lord Voldemort anymore. I've been implicated by you more than once or twice."
Hermione and Harry exchanged glances, feeling inexplicably guilty and ashamed... After leaving the Great Hall, Aaron went to Hagrid's hut.
Hagrid had been the gamekeeper for so many years; he definitely had a lot of stock. If there were products of magical creatures, Aaron wouldn't mind acquiring a batch from Hagrid.
About twenty Blast-Ended Skrewts were strolling on the lawn. In just two months, their size had increased tenfold, each nearly a meter long.
They had grown a thick, shiny, grayish-white armor, somewhere between a giant scorpion and a crab, incredibly strong and difficult to control.
Aaron suppressed his disgust, bypassed the Blast-Ended Skrewts, and knocked on the hut door.
"Hagrid, are you there?"
"The door's not locked," Hagrid's voice came from inside.
Aaron pushed the door open and walked in, but the next moment, he involuntarily widened his eyes.
Hagrid was wearing a brown suit with a patterned tie, and his hair was smoother than usual.
A slightly pungent smell assailed his nostrils, and Aaron couldn't help but sneeze. "Why are you spraying perfume, big man?!"
"It's cologne. I put on a little too much."
"A little too much? You poured the whole bottle, didn't you!" Aaron said, speechless. "Wait, what's going on with you? I didn't see you this formal when Fudge and Dumbledorecame."
"That's not important," Hagrid stammered.
Aaron thought for a moment, a playful smirk appearing on his face. "You're dressed up like this definitely not for a man. It's for a woman, and a woman you find very beautiful. In Hogwarts right now, there's only one who fits the description..."
"Don't say it," Hagrid said, glaring.
Aaron nodded, but noticing the blush on his face, he couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
"Pfft! Hahahaha... Hagrid, I have to admit, you really surprise me! You're actually setting your sights on Madame Maxime. Hogwarts' gamekeeper and part-time Professor of Care of Magical Creatures pursuing the Principal of Beauxbatons Academy of magic.
My goodness, if this news gets out, I don't know how many people will drop their jaws."
"Is it that funny?"
Aaron's smile faded. "Personally, I'm quite supportive of you, but in your current state, your chances of success aren't great."
"This is my first time too," Hagrid said, embarrassed. "Beauxbatons' carriage is less than two hundred meters from here. I just, I just want to try my best to make a good impression."
"I understand, but first, you need to wash off the excess scent on you."
"I'm doing that now." Hagrid pointed inside the house, where a large barrel of water was steaming white.
"It seems I'm interrupting you," Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps I should come back another time."
"If you have something to do, it's better to deal with it sooner," Hagrid rolled his eyes, then plunged his head into the barrel of water, only lifting it out after about ten seconds.
Aaron really couldn't bear to watch anymore. He took out his wand and waved it at him, and his wet hair and beard instantly dried.
"Thanks!" Hagrid said. "Oh, and congratulations on becoming a Triwizard Champion."
"Don't mock me. If it weren't for my sister, I wouldn't be participating in any Triwizard Tournament," Aaron said, frustrated. "You have no idea how difficult it is for me to complete those tasks according to her demands."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing.
I came to see you this time to ask if you have any magical creature products here—feathers, scales, blood, teeth, or even bones?"
Hagrid hesitated for a while, his tone becoming somewhat serious: "What do you want these things for?"
Hearing this, Aaron almost couldn't suppress the joy on his face. "You really do have some."
"Can you answer my question first?"
"Can I not say?" Aaron said, looking troubled. "It's not that I don't trust you, but you're too easily tricked into revealing information."
"If you don't explain clearly, I can't give them to you," Hagridsaid firmly. "I consider those animals my best friends. I need to understand what you want those things for, don't I?"
"Alright!" Aaron sighed helplessly. "But you have to promise me to keep it a secret. Don't tell anyone, not even Dumbledore."
"I promise not to tell," Hagrid said seriously.
Aaron chuckled; he had no confidence in Hagrid's promise. If it weren't for the fact that the Higanbana would be exposed sooner or later, he definitely wouldn't let Hagridknow.
"It's for the Triwizard Tournament," Aaron said, half-truthfully. "My ancestors passed down a powerful magictool, but to enhance its power, I need to use products from magical creatures."
"If that's the reason... I can give you some," Hagrid hesitated for a moment, then brought out a dusty box.