Detail Freaks Are All Bastards; Good People Are More Cunning Than Bad People

Harry stared in astonishment, his voice trembling slightly, "You mean this was all part of his plan?"

"It's pretty much true." Dumbledore. "No, I'm sure that's exactly what he thinks."

According to the Gaius family's ancestral teachings, anyone who participates in disputes in the Magic World will be expelled from the family and can only return once everything has settled down. During this period, he can only rely on himself.

But once Voldemort signs the ceasefire agreement, he will have ample time to prepare. Even if he gets caught up in the Magic World's vortex, he can find a way to minimize the impact on himself, or even watch the battle between the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eater.

As for after the war ends, regardless of who wins or loses, he can return to the Gaius family.

"As long as he regains his status as the family heir, none of us can do anything about it."

"Hiss!" Harry couldn't help but gasp. "Is the difference between people really that big?"

"You shouldn't be surprised. Do you remember the house ceremony when you first came to Hogwarts a few years ago?" Dumbledore asked meaningfully. "The House Hat believed that he possessed the courage of Gryffindor, the wisdom of Ravenclaw, the loyalty of Hufflepuff, and the ambition of Slytherin. Aaron chose Slytherin House at that time."

Besides ambition, the most prominent characteristic of Slytherin students is...

"Ai Zhe, protect yourself." Harry inexplicably felt a toothache.

"That's right." Dumbledore. "In some ways, Slytherin are more gifted at self-preservation than ambition."

You know Aaron; he'd be accepted by any house, but he chose Slytherin House. Do you understand what that means?

Harry recalled everything that had happened over the past five years, his face twitched involuntarily.

"He offended Voldemort when he was in first grade. He always contributed the most to thwarting Voldemort's plots, but I always seemed to be the scapegoat."

I know I have no reason to complain, but he... isn't that a bit too cowardly?

"It might be related to family education," Dumbledore smile. "For a Warlock family to survive for thousands of years, besides requiring the heir to be exceptionally talented, the ability to survive is the most important factor."

"So when he took out the contract, I knew I couldn't wait any longer, so I immediately sent out Order of the Phoenix to interrupt Voldemort's signing."

I'm sure I didn't misread it; he and his twin brother were both extremely disappointed and dissatisfied with the timing of Order of the Phoenix's appearance, but they could only feign relief.

Hearing this, Harry felt a chill run down his spine.

Damn it! Those detail-obsessed bastards are all idiots.

"Professor, no wonder you said Aaron wanted to kill you even more."

If it were me, I wouldn't be able to stand it either.

"It's not a big deal for now; it doesn't matter if he suspects everything."

He can't beat me, and even if he could, he wouldn't kill me.

Harry rolled his eyes speechlessly. "I always thought only the Dark Lord was hung up on him, but I didn't expect that you, the White Lord, are the same."

"This is a last resort," Dumbledore sighed softly. "I can only suppress Voldemort, but I can't kill him."

I have placed my hopes on the Prophecy and made sufficient preparations, but I cannot guarantee that there will be no unexpected events.

Therefore, I need to prepare for both possibilities: that if the plan goes wrong, someone can correct it and ensure the Prophecy unfolds as I intend.

"So you chose Aaron?"

"Yes and no," Dumbledore said. "I value the Gaius family behind Aaron more."

"But didn't you mention their family's ancestral precepts..."

"Harry, there are always exceptions to the rule."

If my investigation is correct, Voldemort's threat to the Magic World is extraordinary.

Once they feel threatened, the Hidden Family will have no reason to stand idly by.

"Actually, I've always wanted to talk to the Gaius family, but I don't know if they'll care even if I talk nonsense until the time is right," Dumbledore said, holding up five fingers. "I've waited five years for an opportunity like last night, a full five years."

The family heir has been drawn into the vortex of the Magic World, and Voldemort's threat to the Magic World is far greater than imagined. They might even get involved, and then everything will be very different.

Even if the Gaius family still adheres to their ancestral teachings, and Aaron has already stood against Voldemort, he will still be a guarantee for my plan.

As the saying goes, it's not the thief you should fear, but the one who has his eye on you. If he doesn't want Voldemort to have his eye on him, he has to help you complete the Prophecy.

It took Harry a while to come to his senses. He pursed his lips and said, "Professor Dumbledore, you are truly cunning, no, you are incredibly shrewd!"

Dumbledore bitter smile, his eyebrows and beard trembling slightly. "That child will probably resent me for a long time!"

"It could happen in a lifetime," Harry said, pursing his lips.

"It's not that exaggerated," Dumbledore waved his hand. "He's more magnanimous than you think, otherwise he wouldn't have helped you solve those troubles one after another over the years."

"Professor, do you mean we'll be visiting the Gaius family?"

"Yes, this Summer Holiday," Dumbledore said. "I'll let you know when."

"Me too?" Harry pointed to himself. "I have to come along too?"

"Not just you, but also Professor Snape, though he might not be so keen on it."

Harry forced a smile. Although he didn't like being told what to do, he had to admit that he felt very safe at that moment.

That afternoon, in Professor Snape's office.

Aaron brewed a pot of tea, poured himself a cup, and then pretended to take a sip.

"Tsk!" Aaron clicked his tongue. "Not bad."

"Professor, would you like a drink?"

"This is my office," Snape said with a dark expression. "If someone came in, they would think you were the owner of this room."

"You jest, Professor Snape."

"Then please leave my desk and return my chair while you're at it."

"Okay." Aaron snapped his fingers and immediately gave up his seat. "Professor, you can speak now. I'm all ears."

Snape sat down, gave him a deep look, and asked with difficulty, "Where do you want me to begin?"

"Alright, I'll ask and you answer, that way everyone's more relaxed," Aaron said, and Snape's embarrassment lessened a bit.

"First of all, Professor, did you notify Order of the Phoenix in a timely manner?"

"I've notified him." Snape pursed his lips. "I've confirmed Sirius Black is still alive, but I can't find him in the Forbidden Forest, so I know he must have gone to the Department of Mysteries."

"How did you learn about the events occurring within the Department of Mysteries?"

Are you so sure?

"Answer questions."

"The Prophecy Orb," Snape said. "The Prophecy Orb that Harry and Voldemort had was enchanted by Dumbledore to monitor their surroundings."

Even if Voldemort destroys it, it can still hold on for a while before its magic completely dissipates.

"Just as I expected." Aaron snorted. "You all saw everything they did after Harry got the Prophecy Orb, right?"

Snape nodded silently, without denying it.

"Dumbledore seems quite interested," Aaron said dismissively. "What's his purpose?"

"Test," Snape took a deep breath. "Test Potter's will, ability, courage, and loyalty."

"Hmm... After Harry gave the Prophecy Orb to Lucius, were you planning to leave?"

Sirius Black and Lupin were both eager to get started, but Dumbledore thought they could wait a little longer.

He figured that since you were willing to hand over that magical weapon to Granger, you were probably also keeping an eye on how things were going. Once that happened... he certainly wouldn't let anything happen to the student.

"Hey, he guessed right. You showed up just in time and saved Longbottom."

"You old bastard," Aaron said through gritted teeth, "I should have waited a few more seconds."

"It's normal for young people to be impatient."

"I'm at least better than Lupin and Sirius Black."

"Your appearance Dumbledore, and so... there was one more person to test him."

The strength you displayed really startled us; you even managed to give the Dark Lord a hard time.

We only learned about your true family background last night, and I must say, it's incredibly... unbelievable. No wonder the Dark Lord and Dumbledore valued you so much.

Aaron thought to himself, "I might not be able to beat them, but I'll definitely slap each of them across the face."

He's an honest man, why should he be taken advantage of like this?

"I can accept all of this reluctantly, but when I finally have to sign the contract with Voldemort, won't Dumbledore be uneasy?"

Snape fell silent upon hearing this, and then met Aaron's quiet gaze.

"Yes."

"Oh dear." Aaron slapped his forehead. "That old bastard definitely did it on purpose; he just wanted to drag me down with him."

"The act of going through the motions was indeed unethical, even a bit underhanded, but the outcome was successful," Snape said with a complicated expression. "Actually, he's had this plan since you started school. He doesn't expect you to join the Phoenix Society, but he at least wants to win you over as an ally."

"Forget it! I'll be thanking my lucky stars if he doesn't stab me in the back," Aaron cursed angrily. "After what happened last night, I've realized that Voldemort can't outmaneuver Dumbledore."

The battle between the Phoenix Society and the Death Eater may be arduous, but the outcome is almost certain.

"Professor, I have to criticize you a bit here."

You are the Head of Slytherin, yet you stand by and watch your students fall into the Abyss.

"You can come earlier or later, why do you have to arrive right at the exact moment of the ceasefire?"

"Well... I couldn't do anything about the situation at the time."

Dumbledore had been preparing for this day for a long time; Voldemort's opportunity wouldn't come twice, and I had no way to stop it.

Aaron rolled his eyes and said nothing more.

Professor Snape was just a member of the Phoenix Society, so it's normal that he couldn't influence Dumbledore's decisions.

"I won't let this go so easily."

"I understand, but take my advice and give up!" Snape said earnestly. "He won't make things too difficult for you; he just wants you to help Potter when you need it."

"Do you believe that?" Aaron countered. "If it were before yesterday, it would have some credibility."

But I already revealed my strength last night. If you were Dumbledore, would you arrange for a Warlock who could fight ten Death Eater head-on?

Upon hearing this, Professor Snape opened his mouth, unsure how to offer any words of comfort.

He didn't know what Dumbledore was thinking, but if it were him, he would never waste such a top-tier fighter.

"Forget it, there's plenty of time. What's done is done and can't be changed," Aaron said expressionlessly, then changed the subject, "But I'm not someone to be trifled with. I won't follow the path he laid out for me."

"I don't care about Prophecy. Let Harry Potter do whatever he wants. I will not stop him."

"But you've already been targeted by the Dark Lord. Following the Prophecy is the safest course of action."

"Hahaha..." Aaron couldn't help but laugh, laughing so hard he almost fell over. "Professor, similar coercion has happened before in the thousands of years of Gaius family history."

But most of the time, our choice is to rather die a glorious death than live a shameful life.

"You're exaggerating!" Snape frowned slightly. "I know Dumbledore very well. Although he's trying to put you in a difficult position, it's only to ensure the plan proceeds smoothly. He won't make you do anything beyond your capabilities."

"I believe that. Dumbledore is indeed a very good person. I have never met anyone more kind and benevolent than him. But he was not very polite when he tricked me."

That makes sense, though; if good people want to fight bad people, they have to be more cunning than the bad people.

"That's just sophistry," Snape said speechlessly. "But it seems to make sense, there's nothing wrong with it."

Aaron shrugged. "Professor, I am well aware of my current situation, but I will not suffer in silence. Even if I have to rebel against Voldemort, I will only do so according to my own plan."

"I can only say that Dumbledore underestimated me, and the Dark Lord underestimated me too."

"What's the meaning?"

Aaron raised an eyebrow and gave a mysterious smile. "Professor, do you think what you saw last night was all there was to it?"

"Let me tell you a little something: last night, when Voldemort possessed me, I almost killed him."

Snape's pupils dilated violently. "Are you kidding me?"

"This is no joke." Aaron drew his Wand and pointed it at his temple, extracting strands of chromatic substance from his brain.

These substances flew in mid-air and transformed into a projection, which showed the battle between Aaron and Voldemort in the Mind Space.

Professor Snape raised an eyebrow, looking at this memory with great interest, after all, it was something the Phoenix Society did not know.

The first half was alright. Although it had a huge impact on his not-so-fragile mind, he was used to all kinds of storms and could barely accept it.

But in the latter half, when he saw the Thunderous Roar that almost took Voldemort down in one move, he couldn't hold back any longer and stood up from his chair with wide eyes.

"This, this, this... is this real?"

"Calm down, professor."

"You're the Head of Slytherin, not the Head of the House, this is too small a matter..."

"You're telling me this is a small matter?" Snape interrupted in astonishment. "If that Magic Array were used, Hogwarts might not even exist anymore."