MeowthTL
patreon
HP/LOTM: Visionary - 349
🕑 Added 2025-10-18 21:32:14 +0000 UTCChapter 349: Intelligence Center and Start of School Season
Walking out of Weasleys' shop, Aiden had intended to take everyone back to the Burrow.
"How did George and Fred do it? Half the shops in Diagon Alley are closed out of fear," Hermione said, swaying her hands.
"They think there should be laughter at a time like this. Plus, I heard they connected with people in Knockturn Alley. Now no one dares mess with them."
Ron quietly moved beside Hermione and muttered.
Suddenly Harry extended his hand, stopping everyone and pulling them into a small corner.
"What?" Ron asked, looking at Harry puzzled.
"It's Malfoy. They went into Knockturn Alley!" Harry said, pointing at the corner ahead.
Ron followed his finger and spotted Malfoy looking around nervously at the intersection.
"Come on, let's follow," Harry said, straightening up to go.
Then Aiden pulled him back down.
"Aunt Molly told me to watch you all get home safely," Aiden said, crossing his arms.
"But Malfoy and them must be up to something. We should..." Harry said anxiously.
"What did I tell you before about what to do before acting?" Aiden interrupted.
"Ensure our own safety," Harry said, lowering his head.
"Harry, don't you have your Invisibility Cloak!" Hermione said, suddenly thinking of something.
"Right!" Harry immediately pulled out his Invisibility Cloak. The three put it on.
Aiden took a step back and didn't stop them anymore.
The three of them walked straight into Knockturn Alley just like that.
The atmosphere inside Knockturn Alley was completely different from outside. A dark, gloomy chill surrounded the three.
However, this place had undergone dramatic changes since Harry's last visit.
The originally filthy roads had become clean, and the dark wizards collapsed by the roadside had all disappeared.
The surrounding shops had also been organized, and grey-robed wizards patrolled regularly.
Narcissa led Draco into a shop decorated entirely in silver.
Harry's group hurried to follow. The moment the three stepped into the shop's entrance, a greeting sounded directly in their minds.
Welcome to Vessy Intelligence Exchange. This shop provides intelligence trading and item custody services. You can select the service you need at the automatic counter on the right.
The three were startled by this voice sent directly into their brains.
"Hahaha," the dragon laughed behind them.
"Aiden, you knew all along!" Hermione said. She knew it was a certain mischievous fellow playing tricks and simply removed the Invisibility Cloak.
"Knew what?" Ron asked, not catching on.
"This shop is obviously his business! Vessy Intelligence Exchange, hmph."
When Hermione pronounced "Vessy," she deliberately shook her head toward Aiden.
"Never mind that. Aiden, we need to know Malfoy's secret!" Harry said, fixated on Draco.
"Follow me."
Aiden pulled out a silvery-white card and led everyone to the elevator, swiping it.
A floating platform descended. They followed Aiden onto it, then with a spatial flicker, disappeared from the platform.
When the surrounding environment began to brighten, Harry and the others found themselves in a pure white room.
Everything here was decorated in white. Aiden casually leaned on the sofa and pulled out a remote control from the armrest.
He pressed it, and the scene inside the private room Malfoy had entered appeared before them on a large screen.
"The first time is free. After this, if you want intelligence here, there'll be a charge!"
Aiden waved his hand. Three cups of black tea appeared before them.
"I'm your cousin!" Ron said, having obviously forgotten his experience in Diagon Alley.
"Then you pay double," Aiden said, rolling his eyes at him.
Ron was about to speak when Hermione decisively blocked his mouth.
On the wall screen, Narcissa and Borgin sat facing each other with Draco standing beside them.
"Mr. Borgin, I know it's dangerous asking you to do these things under the Ministry's surveillance, but once you succeed, the Malfoy family will certainly offer generous compensation!"
Narcissa, well aware of these dark wizards' nature, led with financial incentives.
"But I heard the Malfoy family's recent situation isn't good. Your husband seems to be having difficulties?" Borgin said calmly.
"Name your terms," Narcissa said, closing her eyes.
"Five times the usual rate. I'm sure Mrs. Malfoy understands supply and demand," Borgin said, pricing himself outrageously high.
Draco, standing nearby and hearing this, flew into a rage, slamming his fist on the table and lunging forward.
"Do you know who you're threatening?" Draco snapped, slightly pulling back his sleeve to let Borgin see what lay inside.
"I understand completely, Master Malfoy," Borgin said, bowing his head nervously.
"Fix those things, then send them to the Malfoy Manor. She personally requested this!"
Draco spoke menacingly, but Narcissa's eyes were full of worry.
The three in Aiden's private room took in the entire scene. When Draco's sleeve slightly revealed something, Harry's eyes practically wanted to drill into the screen.
"Aiden, adjust the angle. We can't see what Draco showed Borgin."
"Can't. You think I'm watching there? This is just surveillance. The people coming and going here ignore it. Using magic would expose our monitoring."
Aiden rolled his eyes, indicating he had no way.
"Damn!" Harry said, swinging his fist.
On the way back, the trio discussed Draco frantically.
"Malfoy must have become a Death Eater. My gut feeling is very strong," Harry said, looking at the other two.
"You're overthinking. He's so young; Death Eaters definitely wouldn't want him. Besides, what could he do for Death Eaters? Assassinate Aiden?" Ron said, his mouth running away with him.
Aiden, driving, heard both their words completely and smiled slightly but said nothing.
The next day, since they had packed their luggage in advance, everyone was no longer scrambling like before.
Arthur casually drove to take the children to King's Cross Station.
However, in corners no one noticed, a full four Aurors were secretly protecting them.
Coming again to King's Cross Station, passing through Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Aiden carried his luggage and boarded first. Molly reluctantly said goodbye to Harry, practically an adopted son of the family.
"You must write to us when you get to school!" Molly said.
Harry nodded solemnly, then remembered something and looked at Arthur.
"Mr. Weasley, I saw the Malfoy family enter Knockturn Alley before..." Harry hesitated.
"It's fine. Before I left the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office, I raided the Malfoy family once more. I can confirm they have no Dark Magic items in their possession."
Arthur comforted Harry. Getting his assurance, Harry's worried heart finally eased a bit.
After boarding the train, Ron and Hermione went to report to the prefects' compartment.
Harry sat in a compartment with Aiden, Ginny, and Neville.
