[Note: Read up to Chapter - 187 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
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"Aris…"
"Good Aris…"
"Dearest Aris…"
"We swear, if you just lend us the map for a bit, we'll sort you out with whatever you fancy—Butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks?"
"Or a stash from Honeydukes, eh? First-years can't go to Hogsmeade, but we can nip over and fetch it for you…"
Fred and George trailed after Aris like overexcited puppies. The castle was pitch black in the dead of night, but the fire in their eyes lit the whole corridor, burning with desperate determination.
They needed that map.
Aris kept walking, shoulders slouched ever so slightly, listening to their wheedling voices with a helpless air.
"Truth be told, this map isn't all that useful to me. If you really want it, I'm not against the idea… but what if we try copying it instead?" he suggested, raising a brow.
The twins froze, then leaned in eagerly as Aris continued, "We could knock up a few extra versions—maybe even simplified ones with fewer functions—and flog them to the other students. Make a bit of pocket money while we're at it. Everyone wins."
"You know, the castle's layout is far too complicated, and with the staircases always shifting about, plenty of young wizards leave Hogwarts without ever exploring the whole place!
"If we could make more maps, d'you reckon the other students would be interested?"
At that, the Weasley twins' eyes lit up.
"Yes! If we pull this off, we'll make a right fortune!" Fred and George glanced at one another, the same spark of excitement dancing in their eyes.
After all, their dream had always been to open a joke shop in Diagon Alley once they graduated. If flogging copies of this map could earn them some proper coin, their grand plan might finally be on the table—they could even start saving for their start-up capital!
The more they thought about it, the more their excitement bubbled… until reality crept back in.
"But can we actually manage it?" George asked, suddenly doubtful.
"This map's no ordinary bit of parchment. Copying it won't be easy—especially all the enchantments laced through it. I'd wager even sixth- or seventh-years would struggle to reproduce that sort of magic!"
"You don't have to worry about that." Aris grinned knowingly.
"Aris, did you crack it?" Fred asked, eyes full of expectation.
"I'll need to study it properly, but it shouldn't be a huge problem," Aris replied after a moment's thought. If Moony and the others could knock up the Marauder's Map on their own, he was confident he could manage it too—though it would take a bit of time.
"Then it's settled!" Fred declared, his face unusually serious. "You handle the map-making, and leave the sales to us. I swear we'll have the galleons rolling in."
"Too right—we've got plenty of mates at school to spread the word," George chimed in, grinning.
Aris gave a small nod. The real reason he'd suggested the idea was because he knew how fiery and enterprising the twins were. He had no interest in wasting his own time hawking maps about the castle.
Copying the map was simply a by-product of his study of the living version.
More importantly, it gave the troublesome duo something to sink their teeth into.
It was clear enough—if Aris hadn't given them something to occupy themselves with, the twins would never have let go of the Marauder's Map so easily. They'd probably have pestered him day in, day out.
"Right then, it's settled. You'd best head back now," Aris reminded them. "If Filch comes sniffing around, you'll be stuck here."
"Hold on, Aris!" Fred piped up again.
"How about we give the map a proper test run?"
"Yeah," George nodded eagerly. "I spotted some secret passages marked on it. We've got to check those out first—see what this map can really do, eh?"
Aris considered it for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Fair enough. We'll take a look at the weekend."
"Deal!" The twins' eyes gleamed with excitement all over again.
With that, they bade Aris goodnight and slunk off towards the Gryffindor common room, trying to look inconspicuous.
The next morning at breakfast, Harry and the others were huddled together at the long table, whispering about something.
As soon as Aris walked in, they waved him over.
"What's the matter?" Aris asked, sliding onto the bench beside them with a puzzled look. "What's got you lot plotting so early in the morning?"
"It's Harry," Hermione explained quickly. "He reckons that whether it's Snape or Quirrell, if they really mean to cause trouble in the castle, they'll make their move soon. He thinks we need to be ready."
"Maybe we ought to tell Professor Dumbledore—or Professor McGonagall at least," Ron muttered, looking uneasy.
Ever since they'd returned last night, he hadn't been able to shake the feeling that Voldemort was lurking somewhere inside the castle. Even wandering the corridors made his skin crawl, and the thought of sleeping soundly was laughable. What unsettled him most was why none of the professors seemed to be doing anything about it.
"But we've no hard proof," Hermione argued, keeping her voice level. "At the moment it's all guesswork. If we're going to point fingers, we need at least some evidence to back it up, don't we?"
"What about you, Aris?" Harry leaned in, his green eyes fixed on the silver-haired boy.
"I reckon your worries are a bit misplaced," Aris said calmly. "Professor Dumbledore probably already knows the truth of it. The time just isn't right yet—he's making his arrangements."
"You mean… he knows Voldemort's spirit is hiding in the school?" Harry frowned, his voice low.
"That's only my guess." Aris gave a small shrug.
But the truth was clear. Of course Dumbledore knew. He had likely pieced together most of Voldemort's plan already. The real question was when he intended to spring the trap. Aris suspected the Headmaster's thinking wasn't far off from his own—let the Dark Lord's fractured soul wander into the snare by its own greed.
From Quirrell's movements so far, Voldemort's spirit must already know the exact location of the Philosopher's Stone. That was why he was holding back—gathering what strength he could before making another move.
If the waters were stirred too soon, he might well change the plan altogether.
So for now, doing nothing might be the wisest move.
Glancing at Harry, who looked fit to burst with impatience, Aris calmly tore at his bread and said, with a pointed tone:
"If you really want to do something, then work on your strength. One day you might have to face him properly—and when that day comes, you'll want more than blind courage if you mean to survive."
"Is that it? Are we really just sitting on our hands?" Harry growled through gritted teeth, frustration written all over his face. Aris half-wondered if the lad might storm off to challenge Voldemort then and there.
Gryffindor courage and the urge to prove themselves—never in short supply.
"That's exactly it. What you need most right now is restraint." Aris nodded, his tone firm. "Learn the enemy's trump card first. Act only when you're dead certain of yourself. That way you stand the best chance of keeping your hide intact—and wrecking their plans at the same time."
"Being brave doesn't mean being brainless. Remember that."
With that, Aris popped the last bit of bread into his mouth, rose to his feet, and strolled out of the Great Hall as if he hadn't just lectured them on life and death.
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Drop Power Stonessssssssss!
[Note: Read up to Chapter - 187 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]