With a final snap of Dobby's fingers, the remains of the pudding exploded a second time, and then the house-elf was gone.
A fresh spray of cream splattered across everyone's clothes. Lada, now completely coated in the sticky mess, climbed to her feet and shook her body vigorously. Enraged, Vernon lunged forward, aiming a vicious kick at her.
But Lada dodged with fluid grace. Vernon's kick missed entirely, and his only supporting foot slipped on a patch of cream. Predictably, he went down hard, his bulky body crashing to the floor and sending a third wave of purple goop splashing across the entrance hall.
Aiden, watching the scene unfold from afar through their connection, shook his head. 'Oh, poor cake. May there be no house-elves in heaven.'
Lada's voice replied tartly in his mind. 'You're the one who sent me there to arrange this.'
'Hey,' Aiden shot back. 'I've noticed that all you familiars on this Visionary Pathway really like to contradict me, don't you?'
'Hmph.'
***
Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Magic, in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, it was another peaceful night. No young wizards were causing trouble, and no Dark Wizards were stirring. Inside her office, Mafalda Hopkirk was elegantly sipping a cup of coffee.
Suddenly, an alarm blared, shattering the peace.
"Surrey, Little Whinging, Number Four Privet Drive," a magical voice announced. "Underage wizard detected using magic. Spells identified: Levitation Charm, Disillusionment Charm, and Apparition."
In the center of the office, a giant surveillance crystal glowed, displaying the information of the magic user. An image formed in its depths: Harry Potter, covered in cream.
"Hmm, Harry Potter," Mafalda mused. "The famous Savior. We'll just send him a warning for now." She finished writing the letter, and a moment later, a brown owl flew out from the Ministry, heading into the night.
Back at Privet Drive, Vernon was lying on the floor gasping for breath while the Masons stared, horrified, at the scene before them. Lada knew she might have caused trouble. Simulating Mrs. Mason's thought patterns, she quickly formulated a plan. She trotted over to the woman's feet and began to rub against her ankles, purring and acting cute.
Despite the cream covering the small cat, Mrs. Mason was charmed and bent down to pick her up. "Oh, what a loveable little thing," she cooed.
"Yes, isn't she?" said Mr. Mason, also a cat lover, his attention successfully diverted.
Vernon struggled to his feet. "Ho ho, Mr. Mason," he began, trying desperately to salvage the evening. "You know how little cats are, their thoughts are hard to fathom. Always making a mess of the house."
"Yes, my wife's cat is just the same," Mr. Mason sighed, smiling.
Just as Vernon was about to steer the conversation back to his drills, misfortune struck again. The owl from the Ministry of Magic swooped in through their open French window.
Mrs. Mason, who was terrified of birds, let out a piercing shriek. "Ah!!!"
She dropped Lada and bolted out the front door. Mr. Mason's face turned ashen with anger. He shot Vernon a venomous glare, snorted, and stalked out after his wife.
'Oh dear, it's over,' Lada thought with a sigh. 'I tried my best. These humans are just too disappointing.'
Seeing his business deal disintegrate before his eyes, Vernon flew into a volcanic rage. He snatched the letter the owl had dropped, tore it open, and read its contents. He learned that young wizards from Hogwarts were strictly forbidden from using magic outside of school.
He looked at Harry, a terrifying smile spreading across his face. He lunged forward, grabbed Harry by the hair, and dragged him upstairs to his room, throwing him inside and slamming the door.
"CONFINEMENT!" Vernon bellowed from the other side. "You're not to have any food for a week!"
Lada jumped onto Harry's desk and waved a paw at him. "Kid, I tried my best. This really isn't my fault. Sorry." She lowered her head. "But don't worry. I'll find the shit shoveler when I get back. He'll save you."
"It's okay," Harry said quietly. "It's not your fault. Thank you for bringing Aiden's message." He opened the window, and Lada squeezed through the newly installed bars, rubbing the cream from her fur on them as she went before disappearing into the night.
The next day, Vernon returned from his company with alloy bars and heavy-duty locks, completely sealing Harry's room. He installed a small cat flap in the door, just big enough to deliver food. Harry was now a prisoner, fed only a bit of watery soup each day, the dregs of which he shared with Hedwig.
After leaving Privet Drive, Lada ran all the way back to the Prewett residence. By the time she arrived, several days had passed. She darted through the door and shouted, "Shit shoveler, where are you? Go save someone!"
But the house was empty. Sibby appeared before her. She informed Lada that Aiden had taken the metal he'd received from Arthur and was in seclusion, preparing to make wands for the Weasley family.
"Damn it," Lada swore.
"I can take you to see Master Ron," Sibby suggested.
Lada's ears drooped. "But the shit shoveler doesn't like me talking in front of others. I don't know what will happen now that I revealed myself to that house-elf. Will he lock me up without food for a week, too?"
In the alchemy lab, Aiden was analyzing the new metal he'd gotten from Arthur.
"Tsk, Orichalcum," he mused. "Uncle's technique is quite impressive. They actually managed to innovate on goblin technology." He looked at the gleaming red metal and thought of the Weasley family's fiery red hair. "Weasley… smelting… what a peculiar family."
He scanned the Orichalcum with a spell, then threw it into the high-temperature furnace. It took three full days before the metal even began to melt.
"The properties are incredibly resilient," he noted, stroking his chin. "And you can see the spiritual light of magic emanating from the furnace."
Covering his hands in a layer of dragon scales, he reached into the furnace and pulled out the molten Orichalcum. He stretched it, hammered it, and finally forged six identical rings.
This was an idea Ollivander had proposed in one of his letters. Wooden wands were popular because they were inexpensive, but they were also easily lost or broken. A ring, however, would be far more secure, especially against less sophisticated Disarming Charms.
After the rings were formed, Aiden took out a prepared rune-engraving solution and carefully inscribed Kenaz (ᚴ), Raido (ᚱ), and Perthro (ᛈ) onto each one. Kenaz represented light, fitting the Weasleys' affinity for guardian magic. Raido represented journey and fulfilment, which would help them remain calm in a conflict. And Perthro represented inner strength while also allowing the rings to connect to his new magic system.
When the last ring was complete, Aiden finally opened the laboratory door. An anxious Lada was pacing outside.
"Shit shoveler!" she cried anxiously. "Harry Potter is probably dead by now! Hurry up and save him!"
"Ha—?"
***********
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