"Good afternoon, Professor Dumbledore." The Weasley couple greeted the headmaster warmly.
"Good afternoon, Arthur, Molly." An old man—tall and thin, exuding the distinguished air of a wizard—emerged from the fireplace.
His long white hair and beard marked his age and wisdom. His eyes were deep and bright, revealing an otherworldly temperament. He wore a long black robe decorated with stars and moons, which made him look even more mysterious and solemn.
"It seems Aiden is doing well these days."
"Yes, Professor, he is my nephew," Molly Weasley replied with a trace of sorrow.
"I'm sorry to bring up sad memories, Molly. But to be brief, I'm here to deliver the Gringotts key of the Prewett family. This child is the last of the Prewett line, and the assets rightfully belong to him. Perhaps this might ease your family's burdens."
With that, Dumbledore took out a small key and handed it to Molly, winking subtly.
Aiden listened silently from the crib, activating the power of the Audience to observe Dumbledore's outward behavior.
Powerful magic gathered around Dumbledore, and Aiden's spirituality gave him a warning.
Dumbledore's Occlumency was perfect, controlling his every action with flawless calm. Aiden couldn't read anything beneath the surface.
What powerful spirituality… this feels like demigod-level presence. Hopefully, he didn't notice me watching... right?
Time passed. Dumbledore gave no indication of having noticed, and Aiden's heart slowly settled.
The headmaster stepped closer to the crib, examined Aiden with a thoughtful gaze, smiled faintly, and then turned to leave.
"No, Professor. I'll make sure this money is properly kept for Aiden," Molly said firmly.
"Yes, Professor. Our Weasley family might not be rich, but we won't covet this child's inheritance. He'll grow up with our own children," Arthur added.
"Oh, it seems I've worried needlessly. The Wizengamot still has sessions to attend, and the school has duties waiting. I'll take my leave now."
Dumbledore stood up. "There's one more thing—this child appears to possess an innate power. I hope you'll guide him well."
As he finished, a phoenix flew in through the window. With a flash of fire, Dumbledore vanished.
Aiden was stunned. I've been discovered…? Is this the legendary wizard's power?
He stared at the spot where Dumbledore disappeared, heart filled with longing for the future. He needed to grow stronger—quickly.
Arthur turned his gaze to Aiden after hearing the remark and looked him over.
"Does this child show anything special, Molly?" Arthur asked.
"No. Maybe the Pruett family passed down something. I need to check the family's collection of books." With that, Molly walked upstairs.
Aiden could only roll his eyes internally. How could talent be seen? Arthur's thinking is a bit too simple.
The body of a baby was fragile. Although he had the Audience pathway, its early stage didn't enhance physical strength.
So Aiden's body wasn't much different from any ordinary infant's, and he could only wait for time to pass.
Time flew by. Six years passed in the blink of an eye.
Now six years old, Aiden had soft black hair like crow's wings. His eyes, deep as still lakes, sparkled with intelligence and curiosity.
His skin was pale, exuding an innate magical aura.
His face carried a natural, innocent smile, making people instinctively want to pinch his cheeks. His features were delicate, his small nose slightly upturned, and his lips cherry red.
He wore a black wizard robe with a few patches embroidered on the corners. The robe fluttered lightly with his movements, almost as if it were alive.
When he activated his Audience ability—controlling his emotions and expressions perfectly—his eyes gleamed with confidence and resolve, as if he had mastered the greatest magic.
This six-year-old boy, growing up under the influence of a wizarding family, was gradually revealing his unique charm and potential.
One day, Aiden was reading One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi with great interest. George and Fred were playing outside, shouting now and then. Ron and Ginny sat on the sofa playing chess. Mrs. Weasley was busy in the kitchen.
"Haha, I won again!" Ron's triumphant voice rang out.
"Hmph, I'm not playing with you anymore!" Ginny, frustrated by repeated losses, ran to her room in a huff. Aiden glanced at the siblings and sighed inwardly—life in the Weasley home was never dull.
Seeing Ginny storm off, Ron grudgingly packed up the chessboard and turned toward Aiden. But Aiden, ever the Audience, had already read Ron's thoughts from his smug little face.
"Aiden, stop reading! Come play chess. You've been stuck with that boring book for three months."
"Dear Ronny. First of all, had you let our lovely little sister win once, you wouldn't be in this lonely situation."
"Second, this book is by Phyllida Spore. It's a critical reference for Hogwarts students learning to identify magical plants. You'll have to study it eventually. Wouldn't you feel embarrassed entering school knowing nothing while Muggle-born students laugh at you?"
"But we still have five years until Hogwarts! Five years! What's the point of reading now? Let them laugh. I don't care." At this moment, Ron's air of the underachiever showed clearly.
Aiden just smiled, saying nothing. Suddenly, a spiritual wave coursed through his body. He felt a shift—like something had been digested. He could absorb again. The Audience potion had finally completed its cycle.
He had been acting as the Audience ever since infancy. The reason it took six years was that the potion's spirituality had to gradually merge with his magic.
Thanks to Ottery St Catchpole being a village where wizards and Muggles lived side by side, Aiden could observe different lifestyles quietly.
Bit by bit, he accumulated progress in his acting. And today, six years later, the cycle was finally complete.
Over those years, once Aiden learned to read and write, he dove into magical texts with fascination. The Weasley household had its fair share of magical books. Without electronic distractions in the 90s, reading became the best form of entertainment.
Coming from a mundane life in his past existence, Aiden's curiosity exploded in this extraordinary new world. He devoured everything in the family library.
For safety, the Weasley couple had locked away the books on the Dark Arts. Aiden, disappointed, could only groan in frustration.
End of the Chapter.