A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

"Thank you!"

Hermione took it and drank it in big gulps.

After drinking half a bottle of beer, she barely recovered somewhat.

"What I just said might sound harsh, but it's the truth."

When you're trying to persuade someone to join an organization with such a high mortality rate, first put yourself in their shoes and consider whether you could do it yourself.

Hermione nodded with difficulty, then seemed to remember something, "Harry and Ron..."

"Come on, you're not like them." Aaron rolled his eyes speechlessly. "Harry is the boy who survived, the savior of the wizarding world."

His parents died at Voldemort's hands, which destined him to stand on the opposite side of Voldemort.

As for Ron, needless to say... both his parents were members of the Order of the Phoenix, and it's possible that Charlie and Bill also joined the Order; in other words, he's a legitimate prospective member.

Hermione paused, realizing that what she said was true, but something still felt off.

So they were both people with connections, while she was from a humble background?

“They didn’t have a choice, but you’re different,” Aaron said earnestly. “Luckily, you haven’t officially joined the Order of the Phoenix yet, otherwise it probably wouldn’t be so easy for you to leave.”

Hermione gave a forced smile. "But if everyone chooses to protect themselves, then wouldn't no one be able to stop the Dark Lord?"

His reign was the darkest period in the magical world; we can't just stand by and do nothing, can we?

"To correct you, Voldemort wasn't that powerful."

The wizarding war he initiated was confined to Britain, far less significant than the wizarding war waged by the previous Dark Lord Grindelwald, which swept across all of Europe. "Aaron's tone held a hint of disdain. "Besides, you're worrying too much."

Even if the sky were to fall, there would be tall people to hold it up; besides, the sky isn't even going to fall.

Upon hearing this, Hermione instinctively felt that Aaron's words had a hidden meaning, but she didn't pay much attention to it.

A tall guy? He probably means Dumbledore!

That makes sense, though. As long as the White Demon King is alive, the Black Demon King can't control everything.

"Heh!" Hermione gave a bitter laugh, feeling like she was a joke at that moment.

She had originally intended to persuade Aaron to join the Order of the Phoenix. He would certainly disagree, but it would at least plant a seed in his heart.

But now the situation seems to be reversed, and she has become the one who was persuaded. What kind of situation is this!

“No, no.” Hermione seemed to realize something. “Don’t change the subject. What I was saying was that not everyone can choose to play it safe. The Order of the Phoenix needs fresh blood.”

“We don’t need you,” Aaron said dismissively. “Joining the Order of the Phoenix means standing on the front lines of battle. The mortality rate is high, the success rate is low, and there are no rewards other than the thrill. Your family will also be in great danger. It’s not worth it no matter how you look at it.”

If you really feel bad about it, you can choose to become an ally of the Order of the Phoenix; that way, the danger might not be so high.

"You truly are a Slytherin," Hermione chuckled.

"Be content with what you have. I wouldn't say this to anyone else."

Thank you, I will seriously consider it.

I'm planning to visit Mr. Weasley at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Arts. Would you like to come along?

“I always spend Christmas at school, so I definitely won’t be able to,” Aaron said, then seemed to remember something, “There’s something I might need your help with.”

Chapter 475 The Young Dragon Gathering Information, Raising Prices on the Spot

Hermione was immediately intrigued; Aaron actually asked for help.

"Tell me about it. If it's too difficult, then I'm afraid I can't help you."

"It's very simple, you could even say it's a piece of cake."

I just need you to buy me some food—vegetables, fruits, and various kinds of meat.

Upon hearing this, Hermione's eye twitched. "I don't understand what you need all this for?"

“I have a friend who likes to lock himself in his room when he’s studying magic. This food is for him,” Aaron said without batting an eye.

Friends are synonymous with longing; he was just stating the truth.

"Really?" Hermione asked, half-believing.

“It’s absolutely true, I promise I’m not lying to you.” Aaron said, picking Abe up. “The money you need is in its pocket. It can buy as much as it can within a thousand Galleons.”

After you buy it, just hand it over. I've upgraded its pockets several times; it can definitely hold everything.

In return, you can take it to the hospital to treat Mr. Weasley's injuries, but no one else can see it.

"This isn't quite right!" Hermione's lips unconsciously curled up, her voice sounding somewhat insincere, clearly showing her strong support for Aaron's decision.

"It's just treating Mr. Weasley's injuries, it's nothing serious."

But you have to take good care of it for me. Don't let it go hungry, but definitely don't spoil it either. I hope its weight won't have changed after the holiday.

Hermione nodded blankly, then carried Abel to Hogsmeade Station.

......

After Aaron returned, he told the other person about his plans, and unsurprisingly received a cold shoulder from them.

"How could you come up with such an unreliable idea as sending Abe to gather information?"

"It was just a whim!" Aaron calmly poured himself a glass of wine. "The Dark Lord's activities are becoming more and more frequent, and he has already started attacking members of the Order of the Phoenix."

This is a harbinger of war, and in this situation, we need sufficient intelligence to have the capacity to remain neutral.

“That’s true, but Dumbledore isn’t unaware of Abel’s identity, and given our knowledge of dragon language, he’ll definitely be able to guess our purpose.”

“But he won’t stop us, will he?” Aaron said meaningfully. “On the contrary, as long as he wants to drag us down with him, he won’t hide anything from us.”

Moreover, Abe is already five years old, and it can't stay by our side as a baby dragon forever. Letting it openly gather intelligence is also a kind of training.

Besides, we didn't get this information for nothing; saving Arthur Weasley's life is a fair trade.

The following day, a Knight bus stopped at Grimaldo Square.

Hermione staggered down the stairs, taking several deep breaths of fresh air to stop the urge to vomit.

Unlike Muggle cars, the Magic Bus has no advantages other than speed, and the experience is more than ten times worse than that of Door Keys and Phantom Transmission.

She led Abe into the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, 12 Grimmauld Place.

Mrs. Weasley, Fred, and George were at St. Mungo's Hospital taking care of the injured Arthur. Only Sirius, Ron, Harry, and Ginny remained at headquarters.

Sirius's face lit up with joy when he saw Hermione enter.

He is currently wanted by the Ministry of Magic and cannot leave the country; he must remain at headquarters.

Meanwhile, the official members of the Order of the Phoenix were all busy completing Dumbledore's tasks, leaving him with nothing to do. Over time, he inevitably felt lonely and depressed.

Fortunately, Arthur was injured, and the Weasleys would stay here while he was hospitalized, which made him feel the long-lost liveliness and his mood became much brighter.

"Welcome! I thought you'd be home for Christmas!"

“I’ve spoken to my parents, and they’ve allowed me to come here for Christmas.”

"Great!" Sirius exclaimed with delight, but the next moment he noticed Abbey squatting next to Hermione. "Does Aaron know you brought it?"

"He's the one who handed Abe over to me."

"That's good." Sirius looked at the harmless and unusually well-behaved Abbe and felt a strange sense of wariness, but he didn't pay too much attention to it.

Is Mr. Weasley still at St. Mungo's Hospital?

“Arthur is badly injured. You can visit him tomorrow and bring him his Christmas present. Also…” Sirius paused, then lowered his voice and said, “Harry isn’t in a good mood. I haven’t seen him come out for meals. Maybe you can try to talk to him for me.”

Hearing this, Hermione frowned slightly. "What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know. It started like this after I came back from the hospital with Ron and the others. They're hiding and won't see anyone."

"I gonna go see."

Hermione went to the room on the third floor, where Harry's bedroom was arranged.

However, Harry was not there when the door was opened. Ron and Ginny were lying on the bed, one bored, and the other casually flipping through the Daily Prophet.

“Hermione.” Ginny looked at her with some delight, then turned her gaze to Abel and asked in surprise, “Why did you bring it here?”

“Aaron gave it to me; perhaps it can heal Mr. Weasley’s wounds.”

"Oh right! I almost forgot it also has healing abilities." Ron realized, looking at Abe with a hint of anticipation.

"Isn't Harry here?"

"He's on the fifth floor, with Buckbeak."

"what is going on?"

“We overheard a secret when we visited Dad yesterday,” Ron said hesitantly. “Harry seems to think he’s been possessed by Varian, and he thinks he’s become the snake that attacked my dad.”

He doesn't want to see anyone now, partly because he can't accept it, and partly because he's probably afraid of hurting us!

“That’s utter nonsense,” Hermione said, both amused and exasperated.

“We think so too, but he doesn’t,” Ron said with a hint of helplessness. “If it weren’t for Headmaster Phineas’s message to Dumbledore telling him to stay here, he might have already run away.”

"Please wait a moment, I'll bring him down right away."

He needs a little encouragement; locking himself in his room won't do.

Hermione went up to the fifth floor and knocked on the door.

"I know you're here. Can we come out and talk?"

A moment later, Harry opened the door, looking extremely haggard.

"Why are you here? And why did you bring it?"

"I plan to spend Christmas here, and Abe can treat Mr. Weasley's injuries."

"We can try tomorrow, but we need to talk about your problem first," Hermione said irritably. "You just had a dream; it's not like you haven't had nightmares like this before."

“This time it’s different.” Harry shook his head with a wry smile. “I’ve never felt so clearly before, like I’ve turned into a snake and seen Mr. Weasley through the snake’s eyes, and then… bit him.”

If Voldemort used his magic to take me out of the school and transport me to London, then…”

“Then you shouldn’t be standing here alive.” Hermione gave him a look of pity for someone with intellectual disabilities. “I’ve said it more than once: you can’t Apparate at Hogwarts. Even Voldemort couldn’t take you out of the castle.”

"This..." Harry hesitated for a moment, "Really?"