章 19: 019 Strange Hagrid

The rumors about the curse on Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts class by the Dark Lord were not baseless. During Bryan's time as a student at Hogwarts, he had never seen a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor complete their one-year term without some sort of misfortune. Many of the professors ended up in St. Mungo's Hospital, seamlessly transitioning from Hogwarts to medical care without delay.

Although Professor McGonagall had only invited Bryan to be a teaching assistant, it didn't mean there was no risk involved. Bryan didn't want to spend his hard-earned money helping St. Mungo's Hospital improve its performance.

Most of the preparation work was already done, but Bryan still had plenty to do. During the week when Mr. Banges prepared the panoramic binoculars, Bryan had to familiarize himself with the castle once again. He needed to close off certain remote areas that wouldn't affect the daily lives and education of the young wizards and professors.

Additionally, Bryan had to design specific monitoring points based on the castle's architectural structure and create a surveillance network without blind spots. According to his plan, all activity areas, except for private spaces like bathrooms; the classrooms, common rooms and hallways, needed to be monitored.

In theory, Bryan could easily add sound monitoring to the panoramic binoculars. However, he abandoned that idea after considering the potential objections from professors. It was a bit excessive, and he doubted many of them would agree to such a scheme.

"Hagrid, you must be hiding something!"

Bryan's contemplation was interrupted by a sudden shout from the other end of the corridor. As far as he knew, there weren't many students staying at Hogwarts during the Christmas holiday.

"Stop asking nonsense, Harry and Ron!" came a rough voice, sounding a little impatient. "I'm not keeping any secrets!"

Harry, Ron, and Hagrid? Bryan raised an eyebrow and looked in their direction. Was that clear voice just now Harry Potter's?

Was he finally going to meet the protagonist from this world? Bryan's heart involuntarily beat faster with curiosity and anticipation.

"Did you know, Hagrid, your eyes wander when you lie!" Harry and Ron pressed themselves tightly behind Hagrid and questioned, "You just said downstairs that you were going to ask Headmaster Dumbledore about , Watson, who works as a Ministry of Magic investigator, but you suddenly changed your mind inexplicably after going upstairs. Why, Hagrid?"

"And you look really scared!" Ron pointed out sharply.

An investigator from the Ministry of Magic? Bryan scratched his head, full of doubts. When did he say that?

"Why can't you be honest, Hagrid?"

Two figures emerged from the end of the corridor, with the boys quickly approaching the middle. Harry continued to persuade Hagrid to reveal the secret, as his keen intuition told him that whatever Hagrid was hiding must be crucial.

"Hey, Harry!"

Ron noticed Bryan first. He grabbed Harry's robe and whispered, "Look over there, who is that man?"

Hagrid suddenly stopped, causing Harry to bump his head into Hagrid's waist, where a tough dragon leather belt seemed to be tied, causing him some discomfort in his nose.

"Why did you stop all of a sudden, Hagrid?"

Harry rubbed his crooked nose and muttered, standing behind Hagrid, "Did you change your mind again?"

Hagrid didn't answer. Interestingly, his face behind the bushy beard, weathered by years of exposure to the sun, turned extremely pale the moment he noticed Bryan. Sweat drops formed on his forehead, and his large hands fumbled on his upper body, as if checking his attire.

"Watson, it's you," Hagrid said with an ugly smile, looking at Bryan with an uneasy expression. He stammered, "Long time no see. I heard you're working for the Ministry of Magic now. Congrauts. I mean, congratulations on finding a good job."

Hagrid had been the Hogwarts gamekeeper for decades, witnessing the graduation of countless young wizards. In terms of experience, even the heads of the four houses were somewhat inferior to him. Naturally, Bryan wouldnot be unaware of him.

However, there was no friendship between them. The only contact they had was when they searched the area where Bryan had defeated the dark witch under Dumbledore's guidance after the incident before Christmas in their fifth year. They didn't have any private communication after that, except for occasional greetings when they ran into each other.

But despite the lack of friendship, there were no hard feelings either. So why was Hagrid showing such an expression upon seeing him? Hagrid also seemed unusually concerned about Bryan returning to Hogwarts as an investigator. Bryan was deeply puzzled.

"It has been a while, Hagrid."

Bryan furrowed his brow, not paying too much attention to Hagrid's peculiar behavior for now. He looked at the freckled boy standing next to Hagrid and immediately recognized him. With his distinctive red hair, it was clear that he was one of the Weasley boys, just like Bill and Charlie.

Bryan noticed the restraint in Ron's eyes, which was understandable for a thirteen or fourteen-year-old wizard encountering an unfamiliar adult. But what puzzled Bryan was the mixture of longing and fear he sensed in Ron's gaze.

Perhaps he's heard from his family about me defeating his two older brothers? Bryan wondered. As he was about to smile and greet Ron, a thin boy with messy hair and striking green eyes emerged from behind Hagrid. The familiarity of those eyes struck Bryan like a bolt of lightning, momentarily throwing him off balance.

Seeing Bryan about to fall, Hagrid hurriedly stepped forward to support him by the shoulders. "What's the matter, Bryan? You're acting like you've been hit with a stunning spell," Hagrid said with concern.

Behind Hagrid, Harry and Ron exchanged glances, both aware of the astonishment in each other's eyes. This Slytherin senior had once fended off a powerful dark wizard who invaded the school in fifth grade, and he had even fought against Dumbledore. Why did he now appear so weak?

"Oh, thank you, Hagrid. I may be feeling a bit dizzy from getting up too early in the morning and being exposed to the cold wind. Can you loosen your grip on my shoulders? I feel like my shoulder blades are about to break," Bryan replied, gently rubbing his temples as he tried to calm himself. Meanwhile, a sudden realization struck him, and he processed the information that had surfaced in his mind.

"It seems..."

After a while, Bryan started feeling better, and his face returned to normal. He smiled and looked at the young wizard before him, the one known as Harry Potter. His eyes finally settled on the scar on Harry's forehead.

"It appears I have indeed come face-to-face with the famous Harry Potter," Bryan said, his voice carrying a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

Since entering the wizarding world, Harry had grown accustomed to meeting strangers who showed great interest in his scars. However, knowing that this person was sent to Hogwarts to investigate the attack on the Chamber of Secrets and, he who was rumored to be the best candidate for the heir of Slytherin made Harry feel uneasy. He couldn't shake off the feeling that at any moment, this man might pull out handcuffs from his pocket and arrest him—an irrational thought influenced by his experiences with the Muggle law enforcement.

"Oh, no," Harry corrected his own thinking, realizing the absurdity of his assumption. "That's what Muggle police do. Wizards usually choose to confiscate the wand of the person who committed the crime first."

"Yes, Mr. Watson, you're not mistaken," Harry replied, his unease growing due to Bryan's unfocused gaze. He unconsciously sought refuge in Hagrid's towering figure, but his sense of security wavered when he remembered Bryan's "brilliant" record.

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章 20: 020 The Lost Thing

"Say something, Harry!"

Bryan, Hagrid, and Harry were lost in their thoughts, leaving Ron feeling anxious. He looked at Bryan curiously for a moment and then winked at Harry, trying to convey something. Ron was visibly restless, shifting his gaze between Bryan and Harry, his mind preoccupied.

It was Bryan who broke the silence first. He nodded at Harry and smiled warmly.

"Last night, I had a conversation with Professor Snape at his place, and he shared his perspective on you," Bryan began, his words making Harry's heart skip a beat. A chilling sensation ran through his body as if a cold hand had gripped his heart.

Harry didn't need to inquire further; he already knew the kind of evaluation Snape would have given him. Anxious, he clenched his fists, preparing himself to defend against whatever criticism was coming his way. But Bryan's next words pulled him out of the abyss of fear.

"However, those evaluations merely reflect Professor Snape's personal opinions, which may not be objective. In my view, if you want to understand someone, you have to observe them with your own eyes. Blindly listening to others' opinions is not advisable."

Harry's tense shoulders relaxed as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Bryan's words helped dispel his restlessness. He understood why he had been silent and guarded in front of Bryan—fear of being judged. But now, with his worries alleviated, curiosity surged within him.

"By the way, Hagrid, I forgot to mention that it was the Hogwarts School Board, not the Ministry of Magic, that assigned me to investigate the Chamber of Secrets," Bryan added.

He exchanged a few words with the still apprehensive Hagrid and then swiftly made his way towards the staircase's corner. Just as he disappeared from sight, Bryan remembered something and waved back at Hagrid, who stood tall and bewildered.

Once Bryan's footsteps had faded completely, the trio in front of the stairs collectively released a sigh of relief. Ron couldn't contain his excitement and immediately voiced his opinion.

"He's really intimidating, isn't he?" Ron's ears turned red, and he looked positively thrilled. "When he looks at me, it feels like I am facing Dumbledore himself. He may appear friendly, but you can't let your guard down! He's definitely different!"

Harry nodded in agreement, still reeling from the impact of Bryan's penetrating gaze. He compared it in his mind to Dumbledore's unwavering eyes, trying to gauge where Bryan stood in comparison.

"I never thought a Slytherin-born wizard could be so polite when talking to people. It's not like their usual cunning or sarcasm, right, Hagrid?" Harry mused.

Hagrid didn't respond to Harry's question. His cheeks puffed up, and he stared blankly at the corner of the stairs, resembling a person trying to chew on a dead rat.

"Ah, what a delightful misunderstanding!" Hagrid suddenly exclaimed, startling Harry and Ron. Before they could complain, Hagrid beamed at them.

"I get it now. It's the school board, not the Ministry of Magic. They probably just want to handle it themselves!"

"What are you talking about, Hagrid?" Harry and Ron exchanged puzzled glances, and Ron furrowed his brow. "Why be so secretive?"

"I told you, Ron!" Hagrid wagged a finger playfully. "I have no secrets from you... Well, sorry, Harry, but I've got to get back now. Fang's waiting for me at home, and I don't want him tearing up my bed because he's hungry!"

When passing by the hall, Bryan stopped and glanced at the auditorium. Professor Snape seemed to have left the school. After returning to his small office, Professor McGonagall was still busy, and the auditorium was empty. However, at the Slytherin dining table, Bryan noticed two young wizards huddled together, engrossed in their meal. Unaware of Bryan's presence, they continued eating and drinking.

Bryan's own appetite grew stronger as he watched the two students enjoy their food. He rubbed his belly absentmindedly but decided not to interrupt them. Instead, he headed towards the basement passageway, which he had traversed countless times during his seven years at Hogwarts. Even after three years of absence, the memories of the labyrinthine underground passage were deeply ingrained in him, guiding him effortlessly.

However, upon reaching a dark brown stone wall, Bryan smacked his forehead in frustration. He had forgotten the password. He weighed his options: wait for someone to enter or exit, seek help from the two Slytherin students in the auditorium, or choose a different path. Opting for the latter, Bryan muttered, "Glory—"

To his disappointment, nothing happened. He continued to guess the password, trying phrases like "The Holy Family" and "Emerald" until finally landing on "Pure blood?" The stone door responded with a resounding click, opening before him.

Chuckling to himself, Bryan remarked, "Ho ho, it's the same old routine!" With a satisfied smile, he stepped through the stone wall and observed the changes in the Slytherin common room.

Situated deep underground and adjacent to the Black Lake, the common room exuded an eerie green atmosphere, accompanied by a faint scent of water and grass. Even the flickering fireplace failed to dispel its eerie and treacherous ambiance.

"I thought I would have to wait at least two hours before seeing you all return," a lazy voice sounded from a high-back chair positioned in front of the fireplace, its back turned to the door. The voice carried a hint of venom.

"Could it be that the two of you finally managed to bring Hogwarts down?" the voice continued.

"I believe you must be Draco Malfoy," Bryan calmly replied.

Clang!

The moment Draco heard Bryan's voice, he dropped his quill and swiftly threw himself behind a nearby sofa, brandishing his wand as he landed.

"Who are you, and how did you get in!" Draco demanded, his face contorted with surprise and apprehension.

Bryan's eyelids twitched slightly, taken aback by Draco's immediate reaction. Ignoring the wand pointed at him, he smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, Mr. Malfoy. My name is Bryan Watson... well, I can sit down and explain, Mr. Malfoy."

Within twenty minutes, Bryan recounted his background to Draco. The young wizard's eyes sparkled as he tilted his chin, seemingly evaluating Bryan's worth, like a test for a potential servant.

"Did my father send you here? You should know that he is one of the twelve board members of this school. Odd, I thought he would have found a way to drive old man Dumbledore out, and yet he sends you instead?" Draco questioned, his excitement palpable.

Bryan's nonchalant demeanor towards the young Mr. Malfoy was not surprising, considering his experience within the pure-blood wizarding community.

However, Lucius Malfoy planning to oust Dumbledore from the school intrigued Bryan. It was interesting news indeed. Perhaps that was why he had voted against the Greengrass family during the board's decision—to prevent anyone from ruining his plans regarding Dumbledore.

"By the way... since you're the investigator!" Draco's pale face flushed suddenly, as if he had just remembered something important. "The Saint Potter of Gryffindor is none other than the legendary Heir of Slytherin. I assume you've heard of him!"

Excitedly, Draco stood up, wide-eyed, and stared at Bryan. "Watson, what authority do you possess? Can you expel students? If you help me get him expelled, I can convince my father to reward you handsomely!"

Bryan was accustomed to such arrogance, leaning back in his chair, his tone wavering with amusement as he replied, "If I understand correctly, Mr. Malfoy, you're reporting to me that Harry Potter is the heir of Slytherin, aren't you?"

"I didn't say that," Draco muttered, seemingly unaware that Bryan's smile had faded. "Is a wretch who associates with mudbloods and willingly descends to their level worthy of any connection to the great Slytherin?"

Bryan's interest was piqued by Draco's distinct "personality" within the ranks of pure-blood wizard descendants.

"However, does that truly matter?" Bryan remarked. Draco turned abruptly, his anger manifesting as he waved his arms vehemently. "Watson, I only need Potter to leave the school. If you require a reason, I can provide one—he's a Parseltongue. I believe you know what that means!"

"Ahh..." Bryan sat up straight, his eyes gleaming. Snape hadn't mentioned this to him the previous night. Since all the young wizards in Slytherin knew the news, there was no reason for Snape to withhold it.

"You've shared something intriguing, Mr. Malfoy," Bryan nodded at Draco. "However, I regret to inform you that I don't have the authority to expel students. Furthermore, until the perpetrator behind the attacks on Creevey and Fletchley is identified, I won't suggest Dumbledore to expel anyone."

"You weren't sent by my father," Draco stated coldly, realizing that Bryan seemed unaffiliated with him.

"In that case, what are you doing here?" Draco mocked. "Do you suspect me of opening the Chamber of Secrets? Are you planning to send me to Azkaban?"

Bryan smiled as he stood up. "Actually, it's embarrassing to admit... When I was a student here, I seem to have secretly hidden something in the dormitory. I'm not sure why, but I was reminded of it just now, after being stimulated..."

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