Chapter 279: The Real New Professor and Joke Shop's Second Week of Operation
Another weekend ended, and Edmund handed the list to Aiden while Aiden gave him the Patronus research notes he had recorded.
"Then, looking forward to Professor Prewett's brilliant performance," Edmund said, waving the notes.
On Monday's Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall again explained the Vanishing Spell to all students.
She had all the young wizards practise making mice disappear.
After class, Aiden picked up his books to leave, but Professor McGonagall called him over.
"Mr. Prewett, could you come here for a moment?"
"Of course, Professor," Aiden nodded.
In her office, Professor McGonagall poured Aiden a cup of black tea and offered a plate of ginger newt biscuits.
But these things didn't taste good. Aiden knew this from his dream-weaving experiences.
Quietly pushing the biscuits away, Aiden asked, "Professor, did you need me for something?"
"Yes, I heard your fifth-year Defence Against the Dark Arts class is going quite well," Professor McGonagall said, rubbing her hands.
"Hmm, yes, Professor Umbridge is a very dedicated 'good professor'," Aiden said, narrowing his eyes.
"Perhaps Mr. Prewett could share his... expertise with students in other years as well?" Professor McGonagall suggested delicately.
"Aiden's expression went blank. "Wait... are you asking me to..." He paused, realisation dawning. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," the cat professor nodded.
"But wouldn't this be discovered?" Aiden hesitated.
"Are you kidding me?" the Deputy Headmistress questioned.
"If you agree, all the teachers will turn a blind eye to your absence from other classes," Professor McGonagall said.
"Deal!" The dragon took the bait.
"Hmm hmm," the Deputy Head smiled with satisfaction.
Aiden realised he'd walked straight into McGonagall's trap. From that point forward, all Defence classes mysteriously became far more effective.
Meanwhile, a certain heterochromatic-eyed dragon smiled slightly, hiding his achievements.
On Tuesday, the twins' joke shop opened. They sold their products in school through mail order.
They also secretly placed ads in the Daily Prophet without telling Mrs. Weasley.
Fortunately, because of Harry's situation, Molly had cancelled her Daily Prophet subscription, or they would have been receiving Howlers constantly.
"Our lovely little brother! Care to sample some Skiving Snackboxes?" George grinned, throwing his arm around Aiden's shoulders in that familiar way that hadn't changed since they were kids.
"Just one Sickle each for guaranteed class freedom," Fred grinned, completing the twin sandwich by wrapping his arm around Aiden's free shoulder in classic sales mode.
"Give me three," Aiden said, pulling out three Sickles and handing them over.
"The boss is generous," George said, pulling candies from the box.
Aiden took off the drugged parts and stuffed them all in his mouth.
"Wait, that's not how you eat them," Fred said, scared out of his wits seeing this.
"Urp," Aiden burped and commented, "Not bad taste."
"Merlin's beard! You just consumed enough candy to hospitalise a fully grown dragon, and you're not even dizzy?" George exclaimed in disbelief.
"See, they have no effect on me," Aiden said with a shrug, originally intending to warn them not to keep promoting products to him.
Unexpectedly, this only sparked their interest.
"Try this. Ton-Tongue Toffees!" Fred said, pulling out a candy from the second drawer.
Aiden ate it with no effect.
"What about this? Canary Creams!" George said, also pulling out candy.
"Acid Pops," "Constipation Nuts," "Exploding Wand Candy"...
"Huff... huff..." Both twins sat gasping on the ground while Aiden stood there completely unaffected.
"How do you do it?" George asked.
"Setting aside your attempted murder of a shareholder, after completing magical creature transformation, my magical system differs from yours. Regular drugs and magic probably can't affect me anymore," Aiden explained.
"Could you..." Fred said, showing a sly smile.
"Not a chance," Aiden said, crossing his arms.
In the afternoon Herbology class, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw studied together. Aiden headed to the greenhouse as usual.
On the way, Aiden saw Harry and Luna standing together.
Walking quietly over, the two were talking.
"Hello, Harry Potter," Luna said without turning around.
"Aren't your feet cold?" Harry asked.
"A little. My shoes like playing hide-and-seek with me, but they'll show up on their own," Luna said.
"Accio Luna's shoes," came a clear young voice.
A pair of shoes flew out of the castle and landed in front of Luna.
"See?" Luna said, smiling at Harry.
"Aiden?" Harry said, turning around, and then the Thestral beside him nuzzled him.
"What is this?" Harry said, falling back in fright.
"Thestrals. Only people who have witnessed death can see them," Aiden said.
"But I haven't," Harry tried to argue.
"Of course you have. Your mother," Aiden said, softening his tone.
"Oh..." Harry lowered his head.
"Don't be so downcast. Witnessing death is a required course for all of us," Luna said, stepping forward and helping Harry up.
"My mother died from a magical experiment when I was young, but fortunately, I still have my father," Luna said, her words seeming jumbled.
But Aiden could tell she was reminding Harry to focus on his living friends and family.
"Anyway, we all know the Mystery Man is back. We believe you."
Luna made a fist gesture to Harry, then quickly put on her shoes and left.
"Come on, time for Herbology class. That girl's inner strength far exceeds yours," Aiden said, patting Harry's shoulder.
In Herbology class, Professor Sprout also rambled on about the importance of O.W.L.s for a long time.
She also required everyone to fertilise the plants.
After class, everyone was covered in the smell of dragon dung and got an essay assignment.
Smelling terrible, Aiden hurried back to Ravenclaw's washroom to clean up. By the time he went to dinner, he was quite late.
Ron came out of the Great Hall excitedly and gave Aiden a bright smile when he saw him.
"What good thing happened?" Aiden asked.
"I'm trying out for Quidditch Keeper this Saturday. I just submitted my application to Angelina, and she agreed," Ron said, smugly raising his eyebrows.
"Wait, with all this complex coursework, you still have time to practise Quidditch?" Aiden asked curiously.
"Hmph, don't underestimate me. I can use regular time for studying and practice at midnight!" Ron said, patting his chest.
"Then, I wish you success," Aiden offered his blessing.
"Rare that you'd actually bless me!" Ron said with some surprise.
"Wait, what's my usual image in your eyes?" Aiden said, tilting his head and quietly releasing mental power to guide him.
"Uh, silver-haired demon, homework superman, tattletale king..." Ron actually started counting in front of Aiden.
Aiden stared in stunned silence. "..."