300 gems = 1 bonus chapter
500 gems = another bonus chapter
*******
Watching Ron play chess with himself, Aiden decided it was finally time to prepare for his next advancement.
That afternoon, he found Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen. "Aunt Molly, I'd like to buy some potion ingredients to practice potion-making."
Molly turned from the stove, her face lined with concern. "Potion-making? No, no, Aiden, you're still too young. Brewing potions can be dangerous. I know you're a clever child, but let's focus on reading and building your knowledge for now. You can practice potion-making after you start at Hogwarts, all right?"
"But Aunt Molly, I've already learned everything covered in the O.W.L.s exam."
"What? Is that true?" Molly's eyebrows shot up in disbelief.
"Yes, Aunt. If you don't believe me, you can test me."
Molly put her hands on her hips, eyeing Aiden with a mixture of sternness and amusement.
"All right, I'll test you," she declared. "If you pass, I'll let you practice—but only when one of us is present. If you fail, you'll have to wait until school starts. No arguments."
"Deal, Aunt Molly."
She began her quiz without hesitation. "What are the ingredients of a Soothing Draught?"
"Moonstone powder and hellebore syrup."
"What about a Moonshine Potion?"
"Moonflower, crystal dew, Biting Cabbage, and resin from the Whomping Willow."
"What is the most important ingredient in a strengthening solution?"
"You need to add the blood of a fire salamander."
"And the last question: list the steps for brewing a Starlight Elixir."
Aiden answered confidently, "First, on a night with a bright moon, choose a quiet place and arrange all the materials. Light an incense burner with sandalwood and lavender to purify the space. Next, pour stardust into a pure crystal bottle and gently sprinkle a pinch of Time Sand so it floats in the dew. Immerse a phoenix feather in the dew and watch as it dissolves, releasing a golden glow. Peel the fruit of wisdom, remove the seeds, grind the pulp into a paste, and add it to the bottle. In a small copper pot, heat dragon blood resin until it melts, then pour it into the crystal bottle and mix with the other ingredients. Finally, sprinkle moonstone powder evenly over the surface. The liquid will glow faintly silver. Cover the bottle and shake gently to blend everything, then seal it with a spell to preserve its potency."
(TL: I know some of it might be wrong, so if there is anything wrong with the potion making, comment here so I can fix it. Thank you!)
Molly stared at him, speechless for a moment. "Well, it seems your potion knowledge is indeed very solid. All right, I'll ask Arthur to bring home some first-year potion ingredients from J. Pippin's Potions."
"No need, Aunt. I can use money from the Prewett family vault and ask Bill to take me shopping for supplies." Aiden, ever cautious, preferred not to let Uncle Arthur control his ingredients.
Molly studied him for a moment, then sighed. "All right. Bill's been home since his holiday started, and he's been writing letters to Merlin-knows-who. It'll do him good to get out. But you must promise not to take a single step into the Knockturn Alley!"
"Of course, Aunt Molly." Aiden put on his most innocent expression.
*****
That afternoon, Bill took Aiden to Gringotts. They climbed the white stone steps and passed through the gleaming bronze doors, where goblin guards in scarlet, gold-trimmed uniforms bowed stiffly to each customer. Beyond, a second set of silver doors loomed, etched with an ominous inscription:
Enter, stranger, but take heed.
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn...
Inside, the marble hall was alive with the bustle of witches, wizards, and goblins, the air ringing with the clink of coins and the low murmur of conversation. As they wove through the throng, Bill shot Aiden a harried look.
"Come on, Aiden. I haven't gotten a reply yet," he grumbled. "I bet Errol (Weasley's owl) is already back at the Burrow, so I need to get home soon."
Aiden grinned. "Who's the letter from, Bill? You seem awfully anxious."
"That's none of your business," Bill replied, rolling his eyes.
Aiden couldn't help but smirk to himself.
Inside, the grand hall was lined with high counters where goblins worked busily. Bill approached one and produced the Prewett vault key. "We'd like to access the Prewett family vault."
The goblin examined the key, checked its authenticity, then called out, "Griphook! Escort these guests to their vault."
A short goblin with wrinkled skin, long pointed ears, and large, protruding eyes shuffled over. His grayish hair was tied back in a messy tail, and his clothes looked as though they'd seen better days.
"This way, please," Griphook said, leading them to a mine cart. Once they were seated, he pulled a lever, and the cart shot forward, plunging into the depths of the bank. They passed through a magical waterfall.
"This is our Thief's Downfall," Griphook explained. "It washes away all enchantments and disguises."
The cart rattled past countless vault doors before finally stopping at the Prewett vault. Bill handed over the key, and Griphook unlocked the heavy door.
A golden light spilled out, illuminating the Prewett family's fortune. Bill stared, awestruck, at the mountain of gold.
Aiden, ever the audience, kept his composure, though he couldn't help but smile at Bill's reaction. Who could resist such a sight?
"Let's take about fifty Galleons, Bill," Aiden said, snapping Bill out of his trance.
"Oh, and look—my ancestor's wand is here! I'll take it and practice magic at home," Aiden added, picking up a wand from a velvet-lined box.
"Are you sure? Mum won't be happy," Bill warned.
"It's just a wand, Bill. I'll only practice harmless spells. Aunt Molly won't mind," Aiden said, giving the wand a gentle wave. A breeze stirred the air in the vault. "It feels like a good fit."
"Just don't drag me into it if Mum gets cross," Bill muttered.
After collecting the money and wand, they left Gringotts and made their way through the old door of the Leaky Cauldron. The pub was thick with smoke and the scent of beer, filled with the murmur of conversation and laughter.
In a shadowy corner, an ancient fireplace was entwined with vines. Bill grabbed a handful of Floo powder and called out, "Hogsmeade!" Aiden followed, stepping into the green flames. The world spun, and he was whisked away in a rush of fire.
When Aiden opened his eyes, he found himself in a completely different place—Hogsmeade. The village was alive with magic, its ancient buildings and peculiar shops lining the cobbled streets.
*******
Don't forget to donate gems.