300 gems = 1 bonus chapter
500 gems = another bonus chapter
*******
Arthur Weasley was a man of action when it came to his family's well-being. As soon as he made up his mind, he sat at the kitchen table, penning a careful letter. The rest of the Weasleys soon busied themselves with chores and errands, the house filled with the comforting sounds of everyday life. Only Aiden was left sitting on the sofa, lost in thought. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, certain that he was about to be handed over to a famously eccentric, sweet-loving headmaster for special training.
A few days later, on Arthur's day off, Mrs. Weasley was up at dawn, bustling around the house, dusting every corner and polishing every surface. Aiden watched the two of them prepare, sensing the anticipation in the air. It was clear they were expecting someone important.
"Is it today?" Aiden wondered, glancing at the spotless hearth.
His question was answered when a flash of emerald flame burst in the Burrow's fireplace. Out from the green fire stepped a tall, thin old man, his presence filling the room with quiet authority. His long silver beard and half-moon spectacles left no doubt as to his identity.
"Long time no see, Arthur and Molly," Dumbledore greeted them with a warm smile.
"Welcome, Professor Dumbledore," Arthur replied, rising to his feet.
"Please, have a seat," Molly said, her voice full of genuine warmth as she gestured to the armchair by the fire.
Once everyone was settled, Molly poured tea and handed around the cups. Arthur cleared his throat and spoke first. "Professor, I've outlined the details in my letter, so I won't repeat everything now. Perhaps you'd like to meet Aiden first?"
"Of course, Arthur. Let me see the boy," Dumbledore replied, beckoning Aiden forward.
Aiden stood, smoothing his robes, and approached. He met Dumbledore's gaze with polite confidence. "Hello, Professor."
Dumbledore studied him for a long moment, his blue eyes twinkling with curiosity and something deeper. After a while, Dumbledore said, "Arthur, Molly, when I first sent this child to your home, I sensed he possessed a rare talent—something akin to Legilimency, the magical art of mind reading. I see now that my instincts were correct. Children with such gifts always bring surprises to those of us who seek to understand the mysteries of magic."
Arthur nodded, a touch of regret in his voice. "You did warn us, Professor, but unfortunately, Molly and I aren't well-versed in this branch of magic."
Dumbledore smiled kindly. "Come, Aiden, use your gift on me. Don't be afraid or embarrassed—magic is full of wonders."
Aiden hesitated only a moment before focusing on Dumbledore, reaching out with his mind. Yet, as he tried to read the old wizard's thoughts, he was met with a swirling wall of powerful magic that distorted his senses. He blinked, frustrated. "I'm sorry, Professor. I can't see anything. Your magic seems to block my observation, and the emotional aura around you never flickers."
Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Ah, emotions. Yes, that is the mark of a truly excellent talent. My thoughts are surrounded by love, Aiden. That is why you cannot read them." He winked, and Aiden had to fight the urge to roll his eyes.
Turning to Arthur and Molly, Dumbledore continued, "I have a general sense of Mr. Prewett's talent. It's a little different from the usual Legilimency. He reads not just thoughts, but the interplay of magic and emotion. It is a rare gift, and I am happy to teach him. Still, a wizard who can peer into the hearts of others is rarely popular, wouldn't you agree?"
Molly, who had been the most reluctant to let Aiden go, surprised herself by speaking up. "We'll leave him in your care, Professor Dumbledore."
Arthur squeezed her hand gently. "Don't worry, Molly. He'll only be gone a short while."
Dumbledore nodded. "I promise, Molly. I'll bring him back soon." He reached for Aiden's hand. At that moment, a magnificent phoenix soared in through the window, its scarlet and gold feathers glowing in the sunlight. With a single flash of flame, Dumbledore and Aiden vanished from the Burrow.
*****
Traveling by phoenix was nothing like apparition. Instead of the cold, squeezing sensation described in books, Aiden felt only warmth and a gentle rush of wind. He made a mental note: if he ever had the chance, he wanted a phoenix of his own.
They arrived in a quiet lane in Godric's Hollow, standing before a charming old house. "This is my home, though I haven't lived here in many years," Dumbledore said, his tone tinged with nostalgia.
Fawkes, the phoenix, perched on Dumbledore's shoulder, cocked his head at Aiden with bright, intelligent eyes.
"Let's do a bit of cleaning before we settle in," Dumbledore said, drawing his wand. With a flick and a murmured spell, a breeze swept through the house, clearing away years of dust. The windows sparkled, the furniture repaired itself, and broken tiles leapt from the ground to the roof, restoring the house to its former glory.
Aiden watched in awe. Dumbledore's magic was effortless, elegant, and impossibly powerful. He realized in that moment why the old wizard was considered legendary. With spells like these, Dumbledore could win any duel—if only he cared to compete.
"Come in, Aiden. If you need anything, I'll have the Hogwarts house-elves bring it," Dumbledore said, leading the way inside.
Aiden followed, marveling at the transformation. He couldn't help but think, if there were no elves, would I have to cook for myself?
"Professor, will I be studying with you for a while?" Aiden asked, trying to sound casual.
Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, my boy. We need to help you master your gift, for your own safety as much as anything else."
Aiden nodded. "Where do we begin?"
Dumbledore reached into his pocket and produced two slim books. "I've prepared these for you. Read them carefully over the next few days. We'll practice together once you've finished."
Aiden's eyes widened. The books were titled "The Secrets of the Brain: Peering into the Souls of Others" and "Occlumency: From Beginner to Master." He accepted them with reverence, already imagining himself performing the Traceless Extension Charm to store books in his own pockets one day.
Dumbledore continued, "I have some school matters to attend to, so I'll leave you for now. I've arranged for Coco, a house-elf, to help you with anything you need. Just call for him."
With a final nod and a swirl of flame, Dumbledore and Fawkes disappeared, leaving Aiden alone in the magically restored house.
Aiden flopped onto the sofa and opened the books, diving into their pages. He lost himself in the study of mind magic, barely noticing as the sun dipped below the horizon and the house filled with shadows. His mind absorbed every word and every technique; his memory was sharper than ever thanks to his advancement.
Eventually, hunger pulled him from his studies. He called, "Coco!"
In a flash, a house-elf appeared. He was small, with bat-like ears, a long nose, and enormous green eyes that sparkled with kindness.
"Coco is happy to serve you, sir!" the elf said, bowing low.
"Thank you, Coco. Could you please bring me some dinner?" Aiden asked politely, noting the elf's well-kept appearance. Clearly, Hogwarts elves were treated far better than the stories he'd heard.
Coco soon returned with a feast: roast chicken, a crisp vegetable and fruit salad, delicate slices of phantom fish, and an array of magical desserts. Aiden ate gratefully, savoring the flavors and the comfort of a good meal.
After dinner, he returned to the sofa and resumed reading. With his newly strengthened memory and mental faculties, he found he could absorb information at an astonishing rate. By the time the moon rose high over Godric's Hollow, Aiden had finished both books, their contents etched into his mind.
He closed the final page and leaned back, feeling a quiet sense of accomplishment. The road ahead would not be easy, but with Dumbledore's guidance and his own determination, he was ready to face whatever challenges his rare gift would bring.
As he drifted off to sleep, the house was silent but for the gentle crackle of the fireplace and the distant song of Fawkes. For the first time in a long while, Aiden felt truly at peace, knowing he was exactly where he needed to be.
*******
Don't forget to donate gems.