HP/LOTM: Hogwart's Mind Dragon

Back in reality, Corvin was still unconscious.

"Accio box," Aiden muttered. His suitcase flew into his hand, and he quickly packed the unconscious wizard inside.

Just as he closed the lid, Arsesi arrived with Professor Snape in tow.

"What are you doing, Aiden Prewett?" Snape began to berate him, but Aiden cut him off.

"Sorry, Professor," he said urgently. "This matter is beyond our ability to handle. Come with me to the headmaster's office, and Arsesi, you come too." He winked at her, and she followed without hesitation.

The group hurried to the headmaster's office, where Dumbledore was leisurely enjoying his beloved Cockroach Clusters. Seeing the group swarm in, he fumbled, and one of the candy insects fell onto the table and quickly scuttled away. Aiden showed a flicker of disgust but had more important things on his mind.

"Professor," he said, opening the suitcase and shaking Corvin out onto the floor. "What do you think we should do with this guy?"

"This is...?" Dumbledore was a little confused.

"It's related to the Silencers' affairs," Aiden said, hesitating for a moment and glancing at Snape.

Understanding, Dumbledore nodded. "It's alright. Severus is also in the know."

Arsesi quietly glanced at her Head of House, a newfound respect dawning on her. He was more deeply involved than she had ever imagined.

"Then, Miss Greengrass, you may go back first," Snape said to Arsesi, his voice its usual monotone.

"No need," Aiden explained. "She is also aware of the situation and was a victim of this man's attack."

Snape looked from Arsesi to Aiden and back again but said nothing more.

"Last month," Aiden began, "I had a meeting with the Director of the Department of Mysteries on the streets of London. He informed me that a group of lunatics had sent people to infiltrate Hogwarts."

"Yes, they sent me a notice as well," Dumbledore nodded, signaling for Aiden to continue.

"At the same time," Aiden went on, "while your own plans were proceeding, I became suspicious of Lockhart. I asked Arsesi to monitor his interpersonal relationships and found that he was authorizing a certain person to enter Hogwarts as his 'assistant'." He kicked the unconscious Corvin. "Then, this guy was discovered by Arsesi and began chasing her."

"Hmph," Snape crossed his arms. "Our Mr. Prewett truly has extensive connections."

"In short," Aiden said, ignoring the jibe, "what should we do with him now? I suspect they may have already reached some degree of cooperation with Tom." He looked at the unconscious Corvin, and remembering his embarrassment at being watched in the Distorted Illusion, the urge to take out his wand and hex him was strong.

"Yes, I know," Dumbledore said, unhurriedly popping another Cockroach Cluster into his mouth. "I am personally monitoring Tom's side of things. It is likely there is no problem yet; they may not have had time to make contact."

"Then, may I ask where Professor Snape got such detailed information?" Aiden turned the spearhead of the conversation back to the Potions Master.

"Hmph. You-Know-Who was once funded by these people," Snape explained, a trace of pain flashing in his eyes before he quickly suppressed it. "If it weren't for later disagreements, he might have become their current speaker."

"This person," Dumbledore said, looking at the unconscious Corvin and deciding his fate, "my suggestion is to hand him over to the Department of Mysteries."

On the other side of the castle, Professor McGonagall was leading Harry and Ron to the Hospital Wing.

"I'm warning you in advance," she said, her voice heavy as she walked ahead of them. "This may be frightening."

Inside the ward, Madam Pomfrey was taking care of a petrified Hermione. Seeing her lying stiff and still on the bed, Harry and Ron's faces fell.

"Hermione!" Ron's voice was a hoarse whisper.

"We found her near the library," Professor McGonagall said, her own voice betraying a deep sadness that she tried to hide behind her usual stern demeanor. "She was holding a mirror in her hand. Do you know what this means?"

"We will find the murderer, Hermione," Harry said, his voice thick with emotion as he gently stroked Hermione's stiff fingers. "I promise you."

Afterward, Harry and Ron returned to the Gryffindor common room. The Weasley twins were mocking Percy, who looked as though he had seen a ghost.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked, stepping forward.

"Aha! Percy's little girlfriend—Penelope Clearwater—has also been petrified," George said, hooking an arm around Ron's shoulder.

"Percy was frightened," Fred added, taking up the other side. "Perhaps he thought the monster would give the Head Boy some face."

"Okay, you two, that's too much," Ron chided.

"Oh, oh, is our lovely little Ronnikins scared, too?" the twins said jokingly.

"Hermione has also been petrified," Ron said dejectedly.

The twins' smiles vanished.

At noon, Professor McGonagall came to the Gryffindor tower to announce new regulations. She stood in the common room with a long roll of parchment. "Attention, students," she announced, her voice ringing with authority. "Due to recent events, we must implement new regulations." She handed the parchment to the distraught Percy and gently tapped his head in a rare gesture of comfort.

"Every student must return to their house common room before six o'clock every evening. Every student will be accompanied by a professor to and from class. There will be no exceptions." Speaking of this, she paused and glanced at Harry. "I must tell you all that unless the murderer is found, we will have to close the school."

After speaking, she turned and left, leaving the common room in a state of dull shock. For some time, the lives of the students were extremely depressing. Every day was a two-point line between the common room and the classroom, and even meals had to be eaten in their respective houses.

The Great Hall, now empty, was covered in a thin layer of dust. Aiden wandered through it, his magical senses scanning the empty space until he detected a high-energy presence.

"Does it really have to be such a big deal, Professor Dumbledore?" he asked the empty air.

"Aiden," Dumbledore's voice replied from the stage. He was sitting in the headmaster's seat in the middle of the high platform. "You need to know that an old man like me doesn't have much time left. Before that day comes, I must eliminate as many enemies as possible for this school." The candlelight reflected off his half-moon glasses, and for a moment, he looked like a tall, lonely watchman, staring out over his beloved homeland.

"Being a headmaster is truly a hard job," Aiden commented, pushing up his monocle. The reflection on the lens covered half of his eyes, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

"That's not necessarily true," Dumbledore replied, his expression softening. "Watching the young people you teach walk toward the futures they love and watching every young soul embark on their own unique journey... there is nothing happier than this." The tall watchman disappeared, leaving only the kind educator in his place.

"Then you have to hold on for a while longer," Aiden said with a wave of his hand, his figure gradually fading into the air.

"Every time I see him, I think it's amazing," Dumbledore murmured to himself after Aiden was gone. "Surely, this is where the joy of being an educator lies."

[Chapter Complete]

***

Want more? Check out my Patreon for:

✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories

✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics

✓ Early access content www.patreon.com/meowthtl

💪 Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter!

Thanks for reading and supporting the story!