"And shit shoveler," Lada added, her tone uncharacteristically remorseful, "I forgot your instructions. I spoke in front of the house-elf."
'Was it really an accident?' Aiden thought back at her.
A beat of silence, then Lada's annoyed voice echoed in his mind. 'Oh, you're so irritating. Shut up.'
The alarming news Lada brought made Aiden's heart tighten. He had no time to worry about her cover being blown. Finally, the butterfly effect he'd created was beginning to ripple through this world in earnest.
Aiden spread his wings, cast a Disillusionment Charm over himself, and launched into the night sky. The world below became a dreamscape of twinkling lights, like gems scattered on black velvet. But he had no time to admire the view; he flew with purpose, heading straight for Little Whinging.
Finally, he arrived, hovering silently outside Number Four, Privet Drive.
A cyan Ford Anglia was parked just below Harry's second-floor window. Aiden moved closer, careful not to use any overt magic that might trigger the Trace around Harry. Instead, he relied on his Visionary abilities, slipping into the blind spot of everyone's consciousness.
Down below, Ron had tied a rope to the alloy bars on Harry's window, with the other end fastened securely to the car. As George stepped on the accelerator, the engine roared, and the bars were ripped clean from the window frame. Fred and Ron quickly loaded the heavy metal grate into the car.
Then, George left the driver's seat and climbed into Harry's room with Fred. They helped Harry pry open the lock on his door and crept downstairs to retrieve his luggage from the cupboard under the stairs.
Aiden watched all this with a flicker of amusement and settled invisibly into the driver's seat to keep the magically sentient car from getting any ideas. At the same time, he activated the Confusion Charm he'd previously engraved on the chassis, ensuring that any curious Muggles would simply ignore the strange vehicle.
The Weasley twins and Harry hurried back up to the room with all of his luggage. Aiden popped the trunk, waiting for them to load it.
Ron, seeing the car was seemingly driverless, scrambled over the seat to take control. He flopped into the driver's seat—and landed directly in someone's invisible lap.
"Ah—!" Ron yelped, terrified.
"Quiet, Ron, it's me," Aiden whispered.
"What? Aiden, how are you here?" Ron asked, his voice a mixture of shock and relief.
"It's a long story," Aiden sighed. "Simply put, someone told me Harry was in trouble, so I rushed over."
Inside the house, Ron's scream woke the Dursleys. They sat bolt upright in bed, ready to investigate. In Harry's room, the others, hearing the noise, sped up their movements. Finally, all the luggage was loaded.
The twins jumped into the car just as the Dursleys burst into Harry's room. Unable to see the invisible car, they saw only the broken window and the wind rustling the curtains.
"Hurry up, Harry!" Ron shouted anxiously from the car.
"I know this isn't the best time to mention it," Aiden complained from the driver's seat, "but could you please get out of my lap? It's really difficult to drive while holding someone."
Harry scrambled toward the window, preparing to climb into the car.
"That boy is trying to escape again!" Vernon bellowed, charging after him.
Harry was halfway out the window when Vernon managed to grab his foot.
"Let go of me!" Harry yelled, struggling.
"No way! You and that bloody bird of yours aren't going anywhere!" Vernon snarled.
Aiden, seeing this, had had enough. He looked directly at Vernon and cast a silent Hypnosis Charm.
Vernon's eyes glazed over, and he fell asleep on his feet, his hand going slack and releasing Harry's ankle. His immense body tilted backward, crashing into Petunia and Dudley who had rushed up behind him.
Harry took the opportunity to climb the rest of the way into the car, slamming the door shut behind him. He looked around the car's interior in amazement.
"It's bigger on the inside!"
"Yes," Aiden replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "My masterpiece."
"Aiden?!" came a chorus of three surprised voices.
"How are you here?" "Did you come for Harry?" "Thanks for sending help, but that..."
They all spoke at once, and Aiden held up a hand. "My owl brought me a message saying someone had intercepted Harry's letters, so I sent another messenger to check on the situation." He was deliberately vague, not mentioning Lada by name. Harry seemed to understand and didn't press the issue.
"Alright," Aiden said, using a subtle touch of hypnosis to steer the conversation. "Tell me about your summer holidays."
"My summer has been awful," Harry immediately lamented. "I couldn't use magic, and my aunt and uncle locked up all my things. I haven't even started my summer homework, and I haven't touched a broom in months. Do you think I'll be expelled?"
Next to him, Ron gritted his teeth. "You think your summer was bad? You should ask who made my summer so miserable. Hmm? The handsome and talented Aiden Prewett."
Aiden just laughed. "It was all for your own good."
"What's wrong, Ron?" Harry asked, confused.
"Ronnkins has been in non-stop training all summer," George explained. "Mum's been drilling him in dueling."
"And in his free time," Fred added, "he has to study theory with Aiden. Poor Ronnikins hasn't even played a single game of Wizard's Chess."
"That's enough," Ron huffed, crossing his arms. "I'm stronger now. Just you wait, I'll show you the results of my training when we get back."
"That's great!" Harry said, his voice full of envy.
"No, it is not great at all," Ron muttered, glaring at Aiden. "Aiden, I've gotten stronger. How about a duel later?" he said, puffing out his chest.
Aiden kept his right hand on the steering wheel, raised his left hand in front of Ron, and snapped his fingers.
Ron's body went limp, and he slumped over, fast asleep.
'Honestly,' Aiden thought with a sigh, 'who gave this kid the courage? After all that, he still wants to challenge me?' He glanced in the rearview mirror at the three remaining conscious passengers. They all shivered and quickly avoided his gaze.
The cyan Ford Anglia flew out of Surrey and all the way to the village of Ottery St. Catchpole. By the time they arrived, the sky was already beginning to brighten. A tall, crooked house appeared before them.
Aiden found a secluded spot to park, took out a small leather suitcase, and with a wave of his hand, all of Harry's luggage was magically sucked inside it. By the time he turned around, Ron and the twins had already bolted from the car and disappeared toward the house.
"Here," Aiden said, handing the suitcase to Harry. "It's an alchemical box with an Undetectable Extension Charm. Consider it an early birthday present. But don't think this gets you out of a real gift on your actual birthday."
He gave Harry a wink, then turned and walked toward The Burrow.
Harry hugged the box tightly. "Thank you, Aiden," he said, before trotting to catch up.
***********
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