บท 35: Chapter 35 : Seeing home again

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I was packed and sent home with the rest of the students for the summer. Not even a warning or question about my presence during the fiasco.

SIGH

His brain is something I don't wanna deal with right now.

So, I happily asked my AI, What did it get from the brief amount of scans I used?

[Processing data.

Item: Philosopher stone.

Creator : Nicholas Flamel.

Speciality: Massive storage of magic power, which is neutral and easy to use. ]

A one liner is not enough to fully describe the stone, but this one line also says a lot about the stone's power.

With the stone in hand, I am sure I can cast spells on the level of Fiendfyre throughout the day. Fuck that, I am sure I can make whatever that comes to my mind a reality.

Magic is an intent that moves magical power. The more precise the intent, more powerful the magic. However, with enough magical power, even simple wants or needs can be made reality. In a way, the stone is closest to the essence of magic.

I would be a liar if I didn't say I am not angry or miserable towards Dumbledore for taking that away from me. But I soon understood that I was being stupid.

"-ARJUN."

Draco's voice brought me out of my thoughts. Considering he took the effort to shout, I asked him, "What's wrong? Why are you blowing my ears up?"

Draco seemed like he wanted to choke me then and there but he took a deep breath and told me, "You remember that night in the forest? You know, the one before the Christmas holidays."

I nodded and bluntly said, "Yes, I remember when we were almost killed by a dark lord."

Draco looked around our cabin as if searching for Voldemort, who was ready to kill us. He even poked his head out to check with Crabbe.

He came back inside after getting reassured by his guards that no one came. Looking at his miserable self, I laughed out loud. "HAHAHA! Dear Merlin. I thought you stopped worrying about it after the Christmas but it seems it is still haunting your nightmares even now."

I know because they do. Because I am also the same.

For some fucking reason, Harry and his two friends are all sunshine every day.

My time in Hogwarts has been rather lonely since that night. Draco while he didn't cut our relation, it doesn't change the fact that the vents of night weighed on him.

Daphne and Tracey were avoiding were some unknown reason. So, here I am having a reputation of best student of the year. With a lot of 'friends' and very few friends.

Ironically, my friends can be divided into two groups. One headed by Draco and the other by Harry. It made me the only person who is at peace from the silly school yard conflicts. Dark lord or not, Draco and Harry hate each other's guts.

"Anyway, Father has sent me a letter inviting you to our house for the summer ball hosted in Malfoy manor. In fact, he has even extended the invitation of accommodating you for the rest of the nights of summer, till Hogwarts starts."

Well, I will be damned.

The letter I took from Draco screamed out as a trap in my mind, but I must go. After all, not going means I won't know how Lucius Malfoy will react with the confirmation that his master is alive. Now that I think about it, if he brings the Horcrux to the dark lord then it's game over.

However, I stayed calm because my crazy Headmaster who orchestrated the events, will handle the issue.

SCREECH

As I felt the train slowing at the station, I gave my answer to Draco, "Sure buddy, I will be there."

Now, I have to face an upset family who I didn't visit because I had to raise a dragon.

---------------------Venkat [Arjun's dad] Pov--------------------

"....What do you mean you had to raise a dragon?"

I mean, I was half disbelieving when I heard Arjun had to take remedial classes. I always had a doubt which was proven when a report filled with outstanding plus [O+] came after his exams were completed.

But, to see the moving pictures of my son raising a fucking dragon made me realize I might be underestimating my son a bit.

Especially when I heard his answers to my elder son, Eshwar's questions.

"...…..Merlina and 2 of the founders of Hogwarts. Well, that about sums up the people who had powerful familiars like dragon. No, in fact, Merlin was the only guy who had a dragon familiar now that I think about it. Godric had a griffon. Salazar had a basilisk. A headmaster 3 generation back had a Wampus cat........."

Hmm, a basilisk.

A basilisk

A BASILISK

I remember hearing legends of them back in India. The death snake whose bite equals the call of death. Whose sight is the doorway to after life.

My throbbing headache didn't cease, especially when he mentioned meeting a unicorn which owed him a favour.

I couldn't help myself but asking, "I have a feeling that your experiences are not common and that you are unique in wizarding world."

My son seemed puzzled by the question, but the answer came as I expected: a simple "Yes."

It was easy to see when he came back more and more arrogant than before. I can see that his confidence is off the charts right now.

It was quite familiar to me. It was the same way I was when I established my pharma company.

I just hope he doesn't suffer when he is brought down to earth by the society.

"-DAD"

Sigh!

Why is this kid shouting at me? I mean, he should know this by now. His habit of wandering in his thoughts came from me.

"Enough, Arjun. Stop screaming in my ear, kid."

The reprimand came with the surge of anger that I am always prone to have. Thank goodness he didn't have my anger.

I am sure he should have had enough trouble with racism in that magical world. One fact about the world I know from my brief life, that humans will always have divisions between them.

It is the same in both normal society or the magical world I am barred from entering. I calmed my anger, that is threatening to break out, as my son started on his request once more. Luckily for him, I am listening.

"You see, I am barred from using magic in the house because of our family does not have any wizards. To protect the secret regarding magic's existence. However, it doesn't stop the kids from magic families. So, I have been checking the ways for me to show my magic to you guys. So, I found a loop. We just have to hire a wizard who will be able to teleport us back and forth from places where I can use magic."

My son changed.

If he was the one from before, he would bluntly say, 'Dad, give me loads of money so that I can hire a magical tutor. Which is borderline legal.'

However, his current wordings were like those snakes in congress. Like a fucking politician.

For our family, seeing him using the magic which he learned by being away from us was an incredible need. Like a politician, he turned that into fulfilling his need.

Times like this make me want to take up drinking or smoking, but remembering my drunken father and his beatings, I grew angry. I still remember my miserable childhood where I had to beg him to join school in a fucking bar.

My angry is not even receding as my wife and mother keep showering their love with his favourite foods.

It seems I really need to know how this world is going to work. That professor who visited us gave a professional answer. Not the reality.

"Very well. I accept your request."

Before the smile fully spread on his face, I said to him, "However, I will be the one to interview your tutor and I will be the one to select him."

My son immediately said, "But you know nothing about magic? No offense, dad."

Unfortunately, my son, offense was taken.

To think that after all my accomplishments and hard work, it is my son who will insult me. Unintended or not, it hurts my ego and makes me angry. Especially, when I feel inept.

"Arjun, this is my house. You are my son. It was my money that was going to be spent. So, I am saying this to you only once. So, listen well. You don't have the right to tell me what to do unless you come to my age or surpass me."

I continued to stare at him in the eye. For a second, I felt like he grew cold, but he slumped and tired and said, "Of Dad, I will get to writing letters to my prospective tutors."

I nodded and asked him, "Who are these prospective tutors?"

I knew he had a problem with me controlling everything, but I don't care.

I could feel his irritation that actually reminded me of myself.

"I had a few talks with the 7th years who graduated this year. Especially those who completed multiple NEWTS. It could be equal to the degrees we have. So, I just have to write them a letter regarding the offer."

I remembered the professor introducing herself as a master, making me question him, "What about the so-called masters?"

Arjun shook his head and said, "While the Mastery in magic fields seem like our masters in muggle studies, they are entirely different. Masters are people who are at the top of wizarding society, both in power and status. You know the big guys who sit in parliament, the masters are equal to them. In fact, they even get a vote with the wizengamort, the wizarding council."

Hmm, interesting.

"Have them come meet us this Sunday. I will keep my schedule clear."

"Hmm, Dad about that. It will be difficult to call them here. Much might not even come here."

I scoffed and said the answer any employer worth his said will give, "Well, it's not my problem. Make it work."

Arjun grumbled as he walked away, "No wonder, I turned out like this. You are the reason. I grew up emulating you far too much."

Good, then he will succeed in life.

Eshwar, my eldest son, sighed as soon as Arjun went away, "You know, it is bit too much start this on the very first day he got back."

He scoffed and said to him, "You have no right to teach me anything, Brat. Run the company successfully and retire me, if you want to tell me what to do."

Of course, even then I will not allow him to tell me what to do. I have abundant self-respect and will take no insults.

I was waiting for Eshwar to talk back. Arjun is smart enough of read my mood but my eldest is always ready to fire back at me.

"You know, if you are going to take even talking to you as insults, I can't do anything."

I replied back immediately, "I don't mind talking but I will definitely mind the tone you use when you talk. So, if the tone you uses feels insulting, then be ready to face my anger."

SIGH

Eshwar clutched his forehead as he said, "Oh well. I guess we have to sort the people my little brother brings."

I nodded back.

Arjun was beyond talented and he inherited most of my personality, looks and traits. But, Eshwar was even better than both of us in terms of cold thinking. He is harsh and too logical in thinking that will be boon to a businessman. So, I can depend on Eshwar to cruelly sort out the useless people.

Unfortunately, he insults people so easily. Especially me.

I shook my head and wondered what changed.

"Do you think he found himself a girlfriend like you?"

Eshwar grumbled, "Come on, what does she has to do with this?"

"Well, you changed the moment you got a girlfriend. So, I was wondering if Arjun was the same."

"Dad, Arjun is 12."

"In my parents' generations, marriage matches were made by then."

Eshwar snorted and said, "That is ages ago."

"So, what do you think? How big the crowd will be?"

Eshwar thought for a few seconds and said, "A few dozens at least. Little bro really makes 'friends' with every one. He sees that he can turn people to look in his point of view. But, he doesn't yet understand that all that time is a waste when compared to deepening the bonds with the very few important ones. "

--Arjun: Bro, have some trust. I can count on hand, the number of people I consider close to me in Hogwarts. But, each and every single one of them is worth their weight in gold.

Oh well, time to end my eavesdropping. The last thing I need is the embarrassing conversations in which bro told about his girlfriend in the house.

I have important things to worry about- Dark lords, stones, future war.