Chapter 311 Marauder's Map, Restocking
When Aaron came out of the Chamber of Secrets, his thought-form had already split off, but both of their faces were a little pale.
"There's a reason why the Divine Roar Palace is so expensive," Aaron said with a wry smile.
He just wanted to set up a failsafe in the Chamber of Secrets. If someone really broke through the Chamber of Secrets' defenses, the Divine Roar Palace would immediately activate, and the Sea of Thunder Purgatory would destroy the entire Chamber of Secrets, including all living creatures that entered it.
But he didn't expect that using this magic would consume one-third of his magic power as a Grand Magus, instantly draining him.
"This magic is a forbidden art. Its deterrent effect is more important than its actual power. It's best to use it sparingly in the future."
"I know that; I was just testing it out.
We'll be using this secret base for several years, so you can't be too careful."
The thought-form nodded, tacitly agreeing with this statement.
In fact, that Chamber of Secrets was prepared for him. If nothing unexpected happened, he would be there to study magic, concoct Potions, and even sleep and rest... The Castlewas covered in thick white snow, and the magnificent Christmas trees enhanced the festive atmosphere.
Many students chose to leave school for the Christmasholiday. Aaron, like the previous two years, chose to stay at school, because, if nothing unexpected happened, his parents wouldn't be home.
On Saturday morning, Aaron was walking his Dragon in the snow of the Castle.
Abe had changed into a special Christmas outfit, and its red figure was particularly conspicuous in the snowdrifts.
"Are you going to Hogsmeade?" Hermione, Harry, and Ronwalked over.
"Of course, I am." Aaron glanced guiltily at Abe, who was rolling in the snow. All the food it had saved up before had been confiscated, so restocking at Hogsmeade was a must.
"You guys go!" Harry was both envious and disappointed. "Wood lent me a copy of 'Flying Broomsticks Encyclopedia,' and I need to practice with my new broomstick to better prepare for the Quidditch match."
"That's a bit self-deceptive. The only broomstick the Gryffindor team would let you use is an antique from the 'Comet' series. That kind of broomstick is nowhere near as good as a Nimbus," Aaron shrugged. "To tell you a truth you don't want to accept, what you need isn't a new broom, but a good broom."
Hearing this, Harry fell silent.
Of course, he knew, but he could only pretend not to know, because he couldn't afford a good-performing broomstick unless he preemptively used his parents' inheritance, which was simply impossible.
Seemingly sensing the awkward atmosphere, Hermioneimmediately changed the subject, "Let's go to Honeydukes. You can buy everything you need for Christmas there."
"That's right, and there are a lot of fun items there too," Ronsaid. "We'll bring some back for you."
"I've already prepared your Christmas present in advance," Aaron said. "A broomstick."
A gleam immediately shone in Harry's eyes, and Ron and Hermione also felt a sense of relief. In their opinion, with Gaius's status and financial resources, which were no less than Malfoy's, the broomstick he gave away shouldn't be worse than a Nimbus 2000!
"Model," Aaron added, and these two simple words shattered the trio's fantasies.
"You fixed the Nimbus 2000?" Hermione asked.
"Of course, but now it can only sweep the floor."
"Thank you." Harry sighed deeply. Although it was very different from what he had imagined, being able to see his 'old friend' again was still very comforting.
"You're welcome.
Also, a good broomstick doesn't necessarily have to be bought; it can also be borrowed," Aaron said meaningfully. "But don't count on Slytherin, though Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are still very possible."
Harry suddenly understood, and the gloom of the Nimbus 2000 being destroyed instantly dissipated quite a bit.
As long as he could borrow a decent broomstick, he, as a Seeker, wouldn't drag down the Gryffindor team.
A few minutes later, Harry watched from the GryffindorTower as the three joined the student procession heading to Hogsmeade Village.
After a long silence, he couldn't suppress his curiosity, so he put on his Invisibility Cloak and bravely prepared to take a risk.
Dementors had entered Hogwarts during the first Quidditchmatch, which infuriated Dumbledore, who personally drove them out of the school.
Out of respect for Dumbledore's authority, the Dementors might not dare to attack him, after all, he wasn't Sirius Black.
Harry slowly walked through the snow, making a rustling sound.
George and Fred, who were building a snowman, noticed the footprints in the snow and immediately thought of the Invisibility Cloak, and Harry Potter wearing it.
The two brothers exchanged glances, and at the same time, they reached out, tacitly grabbing his arms and pulling him towards the Castle.
"Very clever, Harry."
"But not clever enough. We have a better way."
"I want to go to Hogsmeade."
"We know, don't worry.
We'll help you, show you a shortcut, as long as you stay quiet."
After entering the Castle, Harry reluctantly took off his Invisibility Cloak, and Fred placed a neatly folded piece of parchment in his hand.
"What is this rubbish?"
"This is the secret of our success," Fred said somewhat reluctantly. "If we hadn't memorized it all, we really wouldn't have given it to you.
But now you clearly need it more than we do, so consider it an early Christmas present!
George, start!"
George took out his wand, pointed it at the parchment, and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
"Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers, are proud to present the Marauder's Map," Harry muttered the words appearing on the parchment, carefully unfolding it.
He was then shocked. This Marauder's Map clearly recorded all the grounds and personnel of Hogwarts, not even missing Dumbledore in the Principal's office.
Through it, he could track the movements of everyone at Hogwarts, and more importantly, this map also recorded several secret passages that led to Hogsmeade, which was exactly what he needed.
"This is amazing! Where did it come from?"
"Filch's office. We stole it in our first year," Fred said proudly.
"There are seven secret passages out of the Castle," Georgepointed to the map. "Filch only knows four of them.
Of the other three, one is behind the mirror on the fifth floor, but it's collapsed now and completely blocked.
One is guarded by the Whomping Willow; I don't recommend you go there.
But the last one is absolutely safe and leads directly to the cellar of Honeydukes; I recommend that one to you.
Also, don't forget to clear it after you're done, otherwise, everyone can see it."
"Tap it once," Fred tapped the Marauder's Map with his wand and recited: "Mischief Managed."
The lively map transformed back into an ordinary piece of parchment.
After delivering the gift, the Weasley brothers left.
Harry, filled with excitement, took the map and followed the path on it to the One-Eyed Witch passage.
This secret passage would ensure he wouldn't encounter Dementors or Sirius Black, and it led directly to Honeydukes—it couldn't be better!
However, just in case, he still put on his Invisibility Cloak... Honeydukes.
It was packed with Hogwarts students. When Aaron arrived, he placed Abe directly on the counter.
Wherever its paw pointed, the sales assistant would bring over the corresponding snack.
In public, Aaron couldn't just stuff things directly into Abe's pocket, otherwise, the Undetectable Extension Charmwould definitely be exposed, so he simply took a few large bags.
The key to a shopping spree was generosity. A stack of Galleons was placed in front of the sales assistant, and they couldn't have been more diligent.
Multi-flavored chocolates, milk fudge, pear drops, coconut ice cream, lollipops, and so on, were all put into the bags one by one. Even if Honeydukes didn't have certain foods, the sales assistant bought them from other stores.
"Why are you buying so much food?" Hermione looked at the three gradually filling large bags, her expression becoming particularly unnatural.
"Help me out," Aaron directly placed two bags into Ron's and Hermione's hands respectively. "I have a cat to feed, and you're aware of its appetite."
The two looked at each other, and simultaneously looked at Abe, who was directing operations on the counter, also speechless.
When Hagrid first raised that Dragon, he had plenty of meat and wine, but even so, it wasn't enough to feed it.
In comparison, Abe, who could freely control its size and ate everything, was much easier to raise, but they couldn't imagine how exaggerated a Dragon's appetite could be.
"It's tough on you," Ron said with a chuckle.
But the next moment, Abe turned around and gave him a rather sharp look.
Hermione shrugged and walked out with the bag.
Coming to an open space, the three put down their bags. Abe walked over, drooling, and stuffed the food inside, one by one, into its pocket.
"This is just too... incredible!" Hermione murmured in disbelief. "The Undetectable Extension Charm can be used like this? Does it carry a portable pantry?"
Aaron:...You could say that, but the pantry has been emptied, and now it's restocking.
"Is it appropriate for it to just haphazardly put things in there?" Ron asked with some concern. "These aren't decorations; what if they expire?"
"The darling of the Gaius family," Aaron said with a wry smile. "Its clothes are specially made. Besides being spacious, they also have a preservation function.
They come out exactly as they went in."
Hearing this, Ron thought of his rat, and Hermione thought of her cat.
Comparing them, they only felt disheartened and ashamed.
They were all pets, but the difference in treatment was a bit too great.
But who made Abe a Dragon? Its appearance, identity, bloodline, abilities, and intelligence all completely surpassed their cats and rats.
"You're here?" Harry's voice suddenly rang out from not far away. The few of them turned to look, and two long lines of footprints in the snow were steadily approaching.
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed, mouth agape. "How did you get here?
The Invisibility Cloak can't fool Dementors. Have you learned Apparition?"
"No." Harry took off his Invisibility Cloak, revealing a smiling face. "Thanks to your two brothers, George and Fred are truly full of hidden talents; they actually have..."