章 151: 0150 Hogsmeade

Whoosh!

A clear yellow figure flashed past Bryan's eyes like lightning, and pounced directly on Ron's pocket. It was a large, ginger-colored cat with a squashed face and a bottle-brush tail, which Hermione had received as a birthday present from her parents. The cat's name was Crookshanks, and it had a fierce hatred for Ron's pet rat, Scabbers.

"Ow, damn it!"

Ron jumped up from his seat subconsciously, holding Hermione's snarling cat with both hands, trying to keep it as far away from his cheeks as possible, lest his eyes be scratched out by the sharp claws. He felt a sharp pain in his chest where Crookshanks had dug his teeth into the fabric of his sweater.

"Can't you control this beast, Hermione, this is the second time today it's tried to rip off my scalp!" he yelled, his voice cracking with fear and anger.

"Oh, don't be like that, Crookshanks!" Hermione, who was a beat slower, snatched back her birthday present from Ron's hands, lest he strangle it in frustration.

"That's a bit rude, Crookshanks!" she scolded the cat sternly, but her tone was also full of affection. She stroked his fur gently and kissed his head, making him purr contentedly. When the ginger-colored cat, which was about the size of a young tiger, calmed down, Hermione hugged it tightly in her arms and looked at Ron apologetically.

"Rude? Is that all?!" Ron shouted at Hermione angrily, but Hermione only cared about soothing the beast and ignored him. She didn't seem to notice how Ron's face turned red with embarrassment and resentment. Ron felt like he was being treated unfairly by both Hermione and her cat.

"That rat–" Bryan rubbed his brow and pointed in the direction of the stairs.

In that short time, the rat that poked its head out of Ron's pocket moved faster than the big yellow cat, almost in the blink of an eye. The rat slid down Ron's trouser leg, agilely dodged the cluttered table and chair legs, slipped behind the bar, and ran across the aisle at a fast speed, disappearing around the corner of the stairs. It was a scrawny and balding rat with a few patches of gray fur and a long pink tail. It looked old and sickly, but it had a surprising burst of energy when it sensed danger.

"Oh, Scabbers!" Reminded by Professor Watson, Ron realized that Scabbers had escaped his control again. He left behind the few people in the hall and hurried after him. He hoped to catch him before he got lost or eaten by some other animal.

Scabbers was his pet rat that he had inherited from his brother Percy when he went to Hogwarts. He had been with him for three years and he had grown fond of him despite his appearance and lack of personality.

"Scabbers is a pet that Ron inherited from Percy,"

Noticing that Professor Watson's expression was a bit wrong, Harry volunteered to explain.

"He's very old and he's a bit out of sorts because he went to Egypt with Mr. Weasley and them. So Ron is very worried about him."

Harry felt sorry for Ron and his rat.

"He looked pretty spirited–"

Bryan smiled and dismissed the sudden sense of strangeness in his mind that he had caught a glimpse of just now. He responded to Hermione's gaze and said,

"Dealing with Black has never been a problem, Miss Granger. The key is how to find him."

Bryan looked at Harry and his tone became serious.

"I have to remind you, Potter. If Black really is as loyal to Voldemort as rumored, then you have to be careful this year. If I say if he really faces you in person when no one else is around, I think he probably won't waste too much time on torturing you."

Bryan spoke with a grave voice that made Harry shiver involuntarily.

Harry understood what Professor Watson meant, but he wasn't too worried. The reason was Dumbledore. Think about it. In Voldemort's most powerful era, he didn't dare to rush into Hogwarts where Dumbledore was. Harry didn't believe that Voldemort's henchman had more courage than his master and dared to sneak into Hogwarts to trouble him. Harry trusted Dumbledore's wisdom and power more than anything else. He was the only one who had ever defeated Voldemort and he was the headmaster of Hogwarts. Harry felt safe under his protection.

"The Ministry of Magic and Professor Dumbledore both know Black's purpose for escaping,"

Hermione was a bit dissatisfied with Harry's indifference, but she also knew that this was his old problem. No matter how much she reminded him, it was hard to change. She was a smart and diligent girl who always followed the rules and did her homework. She liked to read books and learn new things. She cared a lot about Harry and Ron, who were her best friends, but they often annoyed her with their recklessness and laziness.

"Next year, I think there will be tight defenses in the school. Professor, do you think that Black can still sneak into Hogwarts to harm Harry under these circumstances?"

she asked Bryan with a hopeful tone. She wanted to hear some reassuring words from him. Bryan stood up and stretched lazily without caring about his image.

"Remember my words, Granger. And Potter. Never pin your hopes on your enemy's incompetence and stupidity. Otherwise, you're playing with your own life. That's enough chit-chat. It's late. You have to get up early tomorrow to catch the train. Now go to bed."

Bryan said with a final warning and a dismissive gesture. He didn't choose to go to King's Cross Station with Harry, Hermione and the boys and girls of the Weasley family by bus from the Ministry of Magic and then take the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade. Instead he chose to leave alone.

This was what he and Lupin had planned. In this school year when Black had not been captured yet, Lupin stayed in Hogwarts and paid attention to everything around Harry Potter, the 'savior'. This was equivalent to an open defense force that could deter any potential attackers.

Bryan lurked in Hogsmeade and watched for any signs of movement around the school.

Of course, lurking here doesn't necessarily mean squatting in the dark and not letting anyone find out. Bryan had to act like a normal visitor who came to enjoy the charms of Hogsmeade, the only all-wizarding village in Britain. He had to mingle with the crowds, visit the shops, and chat with the locals. He had to avoid arousing any suspicion or curiosity from anyone who might be watching him. It means not sending out any signals that you're tracking Black to the outside world.

Actually, Bryan planned this way not so much as guarding against Black as being careful of Dumbledore. This old guy was cunning and vicious and especially idle. He didn't want him to know his plan and come up with some 'tricks'.

Early the next morning, at dawn, the pure and cozy sunlight seeped through the gaps in the curtains, forming weak and shifting light and shadows on the wooden floor. The light cast a warm glow on the furniture and objects in the room, creating a contrast with the coldness outside. The room was spacious and comfortable, with a fireplace, a sofa, a table, and several beds. It was one of the rooms in the Leaky Cauldron, a famous pub and inn for wizards in London.

"How many times do I have to stress it, Molly? The paper didn't report it because Fudge wanted to cover it up, but Fudge went to Azkaban the night Black escaped.

The guards told him that for a long time, Black had been talking in his sleep, saying over and over again, 'He's at Hogwarts. He's at Hogwarts.' Black's gone mad, Molly. He wants Harry's life. If you ask me, he thinks killing Harry will make You-Know-Who rise again. Harry stopped You-Know-Who that night, and Black lost everything. He stayed in Azkaban alone for twelve years, thinking about it all the time."

In the dark room next door, Bryan looked at the mirror and slightly tidied up his messy hair. He was getting ready to leave for Hogsmeade after spending a night at the Leaky Cauldron. Suddenly he heard a suppressed quarrel from the next room where the Weasleys lived. Although he had no intention of eavesdropping on the couple's privacy, those whispers were hard to hear for Bryan, whose senses were especially sharp because of magic. He recognized the voices of Arthur and Molly Weasley.

No wonder Fudge was so sure that Black would go after Harry. Bryan had a flash of insight in his mind as he heard Arthur's words. He realized that Fudge had some information that he didn't share with the public or even with Dumbledore.

He had stayed in Azkaban for more than ten years, accompanied by Dementors day and night. Even so, he still remembered to avenge his old master. To be honest, this 'loyalty' moved Bryan a little bit while also sighing at Voldemort's 'charisma'.

"So–"

Bryan looked at Harry who was lying on the bed in a sprawl, sleeping sweetly and unaware of anything. He whispered with a smile, "Good luck to you, Potter–"

After saying this, Bryan picked up his suitcase and quietly left the room. He didn't want to disturb Harry or anyone else. He wanted to slip away unnoticed and head to Hogsmeade as soon as possible. He had a lot of work to do and not much time to waste.

Although the sun had not completely escaped the shackles of the earth, the azure blue that penetrated through the high sky told people that today would be a good day.

The air was fresh and crisp, the birds were singing, and the flowers were blooming. It was a perfect day for a stroll or a picnic, or for any other activity that involved enjoying the beauty of nature. Thick and misty clouds rose from the center of the Black Lake, drifting with the morning breeze. The Hogwarts castle standing on the high ground was faintly visible in the clouds. This picture was beautiful and beautiful, like a fairy tale come true.

Unfortunately, not far from the castle, a swaying black cloud that made people feel cold just by looking at it ruined the beauty of this picture. It was a sign of the presence of Dementors, the foul creatures that guarded Azkaban prison. They were hooded figures that sucked out the happiness and life force of anyone who came near them. They were probably sent by Fudge to patrol around Hogwarts in case Black tried to enter the school grounds.

Even Hogsmeade village at the edge of the mountains and forests was vaguely affected by the black cloud, revealing a sense of coldness and depression.

Hogsmeade was a charming and lively village that offered many attractions and services for wizards of all ages. It had pubs, shops, cafes, and even a haunted house. It was a popular destination for Hogwarts students who were allowed to visit it on certain weekends. It was usually a place of joy and fun, but now it was overshadowed by fear and gloom.

"Ha, caught one. Raise your hands over your head and let me see your wand, sir!"

Just as he appeared in front of Honeydukes candy shop in Hogsmeade village and was staring at that ominous black cloud, a solemn and stern voice suddenly came from behind Bryan.

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章 152: 0151 Old Classmates

Bryan did not raise his hands above his head, or even make a vigilant posture, but twitched his mouth, turned his back to the person behind him, and politely asked,

"Excuse me, noble lady, what law did I break?"

His voice was calm and composed, as if he was not bothered by the sudden intrusion.

"Oh, don't you know?"

The voice still maintained a serious tone, but it sounded like it was suppressing a smile,

"Don't you know, sir, that the Auror office has obtained the approval of the Magical Transportation Department and Minister Fudge to impose traffic control in Hogsmeade. Anyone who comes to Hogsmeade village without prior application by apparition, floo network or portkey is not allowed. You made a big mistake, sir!"

She spoke with a mock authority, as if she was reading from a script. She was trying to sound like a strict law enforcer, but her voice betrayed her amusement.

"But the Ministry's press conferences and the Daily Prophet have not reported anything about this recently."

Bryan pursed his lips and smiled. He knew that the voice belonged to an old friend of his, who liked to tease him. He decided to play along with her joke.

"We posted a notice on the bulletin board at the Diagon alley and the entrance of village gate. It's your problem that you didn't see it, sir, not the Ministry's fault!"

Bryan had already heard the laughter of the person behind him. Before he could say anything, the person behind him had completely given up pretending and laughed out loud,

"For your kind of disregard for the law, Bryan Watson, I think you need to be severely punished. Hmm, I have an idea. How about a term of detention?"

Bryan also laughed. He turned around and looked at the person behind him and joked,

"You want me to be in detention? Of course, no problem, Tonks, as long as someone accompanies me."

He saw a young woman with a round face and bright eyes standing behind him. She was wearing a black robe with a silver badge that identified her as an Auror. Her hair was changing colors rapidly, from pink to blue to green to purple, reflecting her mood.

The morning Hogsmeade village was bathed in the cool sunlight like water. Most of the local residents had not left home yet. There were not many pedestrians on the commercial street where Bryan and Tonks shook hands with a smile.

They walked into the empty Three Broomsticks pub, where they were greeted by the charming landlady Mrs. Rosmerta. She walked over and put down a glass of syrup soda and a cup of green tea from the tray. She nodded her head and walked away tactfully.

"Some things are unspoken secrets,"

Tonks fiddled with her slightly dull violet hair and changed them to the same color as the ripe wheat in autumn. She looked at Bryan curiously and said enthusiastically,

"You know, Bryan, the Daily Prophet said that boy and his friends got that Basilisk from Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets, but everyone in the department knows that it was you who pulled those kids out of the snake's mouth. But few people in the department know where you came from. Many people are asking around about your background!"

She leaned forward and lowered her voice, as if she was sharing a juicy gossip.

"Did you tell them who I am?" Bryan smiled and didn't seem to mind. He knew that Tonks was one of the few people who knew his 'true' identity.

"I know you don't like to attract attention, Bryan–" Tonks said proudly, "There's a nasty woman named Umbridge who's been asking a lot of young people in the department about you. She also came to me, but I didn't say a word."

She made a face and stuck out her tongue, showing her dislike for Umbridge.

"Much appreciated–"

Umbridge was the senior undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic. She was said to be Fudge's right-hand man and trusted by Fudge very much. Bryan guessed that this woman probably wanted to recruit some young wizards who were good at their skills but not well-known for Fudge.

In case one day Fudge and Dumbledore had a falling out. Some of the people in the Ministry were more loyal to power, some were neutralists, and quite a few were Dumbledore's obedient 'students'. If one day Dumbledore called for action, it was hard to say who they would listen to! Bryan frowned slightly at the thought of this possibility. He hoped that it would never happen.

"By the way," Bryan looked at Tonks's black robe worn by Aurors on missions, his eyes flickered for a moment, "You became an Auror? That's a very good job. Among our graduates that year, except for Bill Weasley who met all the requirements for Auror recruitment, everyone else's grades seemed to be unqualified?"

"I was specially recruited," Tonks raised her nose and said proudly, "You know, Bryan, I'm a Metamorphmagus. I have a natural talent for hiding and disguising. Of course, being an Auror is not an easy job. I'm still an 'intern'. By the way, Bryan, what have you been doing these years under a false name? I mean, before you returned to Hogwarts as an 'investigator' earlier this year?"

Tonks asked with curiosity and admiration.

"Freelancer–" Bryan picked up the tea cup and smiled, "I aim to help some people who are in trouble solve their current predicaments."

"That doesn't sound like a serious job–" Tonks asked suspiciously.

"Yeah," Bryan nodded, his tone serious, "Aurors are our enemies."

He said it as a joke, but there was a hint of truth in it.

A carriage full of oak barrels stopped outside the pub. The landlady picked up a fancy money bag and hurriedly pushed the door to pick up the goods. In the pub, there were only Bryan and Tonks left. They sat at a corner table, away from the windows and the fireplace. They wanted some privacy and quietness for their conversation. Bryan leaned back in his chair with a smile on his face. Tonks across from him was talking enthusiastically about her exciting Auror career.

"It was so close, Bryan" Tonks held up a finger and gestured, "I swear, it was so close that we caught those dark wizards who smuggled artifacts. Before that operation, Kingsley told me privately that if I could perform brilliantly in the arrest operation, he would be willing to go to Mr. Scrimgeour to apply for shortening my internship period on my behalf. It's a pity that the damn dark wizard who popped out of nowhere ruined everything. He made me lie in St. Mungo's for half a month. The Auror office also lost two months' bonus because of this. I was planning to use that money to buy myself a broom!"

She spoke with passion and frustration, recalling the details of the mission that went wrong..

Bryan didn't know what to say, so he just kept smiling.

Tonks, who clenched her teeth, drank the syrup soda in her glass. She seemed to be still angry and wanted to find the landlady for a more stimulating drink. She looked up and found that there was no one in the shop, so she slammed the glass on the table. She cursed under her breath and looked around for Mrs. Rosmerta. She wanted to order something stronger than soda, something that could drown her sorrows and make her forget her failures.

"By the way!"

Looking at the calm Bryan, compared to herself who was excited by meeting an old classmate after many years, Bryan Watson had been very graceful and calm except for the moment when they met - Tonks was not surprised by Bryan's performance. Back in school, this Slytherin wizard who seemed indifferent to everything was like this.

He was always cool and collected, never showing much emotion or interest in anything. He was smart and talented, but he kept a low profile and avoided trouble.

"By the way, Bryan, why are you here in Hogsmeade? I heard you're no longer working at Hogwarts?" Tonks changed the topic and asked casually.

Bryan knew that the Ministry probably arranged Tonks here to watch Black. He certainly wouldn't tell her that he actually came here for the same purpose,

"You know, Tonks,"

Bryan looked out of the window at the row of old houses with chimneys smoking white smoke next to the street, "I returned to Hogwarts earlier this year. Of course, I also came to this village and found that I liked the living environment here very much. Hmm. It reminded me of many good memories of studying at Hogwarts. So, after careful consideration for a while, I decided to stay here for a while. I came here this time hoping to find a rental house in the village–"

He lied smoothly and convincingly, making up a plausible reason for his presence in Hogsmeade. He pretended to be nostalgic and sentimental about his school days, hoping to divert Tonks' attention from his real motives.

According to Bryan's understanding of Tonks, she would make a few jokes when she heard him say 'good memories of studying'. For example, 'Good memories, do you mean being locked up in Professor Snape's office for a term?' or something like that.

But to his surprise, this good-natured girl did not behave like that, but instead became serious and solemn, with solemnity in her eyes,

"You want to settle in Hogsmeade, at this time?"

"If it were any other time, there would be no problem, Bryan,"

Tonks became serious when she talked about business. She glanced at the landlady outside bargaining and lowered her voice to warn Bryan, "But now, this is not a peaceful place!"

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