Protect Draco, Goblin Values

"Because I was the one who told you," Aaron said with an indifferent smile.

Draco shot to his feet in surprise, his pupils trembling violently.

He had indeed been frightened—not because of what Aaron had said, but because his voice was exactly the same as Gandalf's.

"Y-you, you, you..." After stammering out several "you"s, Draco still could not get the words out properly. The implications carried by that voice were simply too overwhelming.

"Don't panic." Aaron pulled a bottle of liquor labeled Calming Draught and two glasses from Abei's pocket. He poured two drinks, took a sip from one himself, then pushed the other toward Draco.

"Beer with a Calming Draught in it. You need to calm down."

Draco nodded blankly and took a sip from the glass. Sure enough, he felt considerably calmer.

"Are you Gandalf?" Draco asked, staring intently into Aaron's eyes.

"To be precise, the Gandalf you met was me." Aaron had no intention of hiding it. "Not long after last term began, I left Hogwarts and joined Harry Potter's group under the identity of Gandalf."

"Was it because of Hermione Granger?"

"Not just for her, but for myself as well.

"You should know that Voldemort and I signed a contract. Dumbledore is already dead. If Harry Potter, this shield, breaks too, then I'll be next." Aaron shrugged carelessly. "So while taking care of Hermione, I also protected the disaster-prone Harry Potter."

"Why does that sound so different?"

"Taking care of Hermione means making sure she eats well, sleeps well, and doesn't suffer the slightest injury. As for Harry Potter... as long as he doesn't die, that's enough. I don't care if he loses an arm or a leg. As for everyone else, I couldn't care less whether they live or die."

Harry Potter: ...

Ron Weasley: