章 184: 0183 Return (Part-1)
"I hope you can handle this, Bryan."
With a flick of his wand, Snape unleashed a barrage of silver blades that fell from the dome like a deadly waterfall, slicing through the ground with a sweeping force. The air that was also cut by the blades made a sharp scream, as if protesting the intrusion of the powerful magic. The space that was expanded by magic to accommodate the duel became very unstable, distorting and twisting everything in sight. It was a terrifying sight, enough to make anyone lose their nerve.
I have to say that Professor Snape is a very powerful wizard. Last year, Bryan had introduced young wizards, about the ancient system of judging the strength of a wizard in the class of Defense Against the Dark Arts. At that time, he mentioned that the seniors of the four houses of Hogwarts had the level of 'court wizards' in their respective fields of expertise. And in the field of actual combat, they also deserved this title. They mastered various spells and techniques, and they had honed their skills through years of practice and experience.
Especially Professor Snape, who learned more dark magic than anyone else, his combat level was better than the other three professors! He studied the dark arts since he was a student, and he had invented many spells of his own.
"How are you going to deal with this, Bryan?"
Snape finally used this magic that he invented himself, and it was also his best magic. It was a spell that could cut through anything, even the strongest shield charm.
"How to deal with it"
Bryan smiled and raised his lips, playing with his heart, and under the gaze of Professor Snape, facing the sharp silver blades, he closed his eyes and opened his arms as if to give up resistance.
"Bryan!"
When those swift and sharp silver blades cut through 'Bryan's' body like a hot knife through butter, and the limbs that were divided into pieces piled up on the ground weakly, Snape's face suddenly turned pale. In an instant, he let out a sharp scream. He wanted to rush over, but the sudden weakness made his body powerless and fell to the ground!
Outside the room, Dumbledore, who was quietly enjoying the starry sky, shook his beard, and his eyes showed a faint helplessness.
Cough cough-
There was despair in Snape's eyes, he who was about to cry, but suddenly froze. He stiffly turned his head to look in the direction of the cough, but saw another intact Bryan showing a look of a young wizard who was caught by the professor after a prank, trying to act as if nothing had happened.
"Illusion magic!"
The strength returned to his body, Snape gritted his teeth and stood up,
"I didn't expect you to be good at this, Bryan, just like Filius!"
"A little bit of accomplishment-"
Bryan said with a smile, and thanked Professor Lockhart in his heart again.
Those wizards who are good at Occulumency have a strong resistance to this kind of magic, and Professor Snape happens to be a master in this area. If he was calm, then Bryan's illusion magic might not work, but Snape, who was emotionally excited by the two things of Sirius Black breaking into Hogwarts and his appearance in Hogsmeade, caught his mental loophole.
And for those wizards whose will is not very firm, illusion magic often has an unexpected effect, just like before in the Leaky Cauldron, Lucius Malfoy was completely unable to resist the illusion woven by Bryan.
After being teased by the students, Snape, who was a bit angry and embarrassed, finally showed his true level. He lifted his wizard robe and rolled it forward. The dark magic covered his whole body, and the whole person turned into a rolling black mist, and went straight into the air. In the huge space, the rapidly-moving black cloud left clear black traces in the space, and those misty clouds did not dissipate with the passage of time, but always maintained a gathering state, and gradually sank, like a black cloud ring trapping Bryan.
"Interesting-"
Bryan looked at the fast-closing black rings with interest and smiled slightly, "Prevent apparition and have severe toxicity. Interesting magic, Professor Snape, you didn't teach me this trick."
"Not only that, Bryan"
The black cloud that suddenly stopped in front of Bryan's upper front rolled violently, and those ethereal clouds gradually became real, like a bat floating in the air. Professor Snape reappeared, and he looked down at Bryan coldly and said,
"If you touch these black rings, then…"
Bryan's voice trailed off, and Snape's wax-yellow face turned black again, as if he had been hit by a curse. Above Bryan's head, a silver and black intertwined vortex appeared out of thin air, spinning rapidly and emitting a low hum. It was only as big as a millstone, but it had the power of a sea eye, a rare and dangerous magical phenomenon that could swallow up any magic power in its vicinity.
The black rings that Snape had conjured with great effort, hoping to trap Bryan in a dark and suffocating prison, were attracted by the irresistible force of the vortex. Under the pull, they collapsed one by one, and were all swallowed up by the hungry eye, leaving no trace behind.
Huh-
Snape landed on the ground with a thud, his robes billowing in the wind. He watched Bryan walking leisurely towards him, his wand still in his hand, but he did not try to attack again.
Although it was only a few rounds of fighting, he had used the most suitable magic for dealing with opponents of various levels, from simple jinxes and hexes to advanced curses. But the result was that he didn't even touch Bryan's wizard robe, let alone harm him. Bryan had countered every spell with ease, using his own unique and powerful magic that Snape had never seen before. It was as if he had mastered the secrets of the universe, and Snape was just a child playing with toys.
"Your defense is indeed impeccable, Bryan-"
Snape himself was also a very talented wizard, and such people always had pride in their hearts. Seeing that he was so easily surpassed by the student he had once protected, his mind was inevitably complicated.
"But this does not mean that you can-"
Boom!
The sudden low hum interrupted his words again. Snape only had time to see Bryan smiling and raising his wand to make a downward slashing motion. Then, the magic in his body uncontrollably rioted, making his consciousness instantly blurred. It felt like he was being torn apart by a thousand needles, and he couldn't even scream. It seemed to last for an eternity, and it seemed to be over in a blink of an eye.
Snape, who had rich combat experience, regained his consciousness and raised his wand, instinctively trying to cast a shield charm in front of him. But his arm was only half raised, when another young hand suddenly pressed his wrist, stopping his movement.
Snape looked sideways in a daze, and what he met was a familiar face with a gentle smile. It was Bryan, who had somehow closed the distance between them in an instant, and was now holding his wand arm with a firm grip.
He lowered his head and looked at his captured wrist again. He didn't know why, Snape was in a trance, and he suddenly remembered the night in the Forbidden Forest six years ago. At that time, he had done the same thing. He had pressed Dumbledore's arm, who wanted to cast another spell, and stopped him,
"You should trust me, Professor Snape."
Bryan's voice was soft, but carried a weight that Snape couldn't ignore.
"No matter what the situation, you should trust me."
Looking at the young face, Snape's expression changed subtly. He felt a surge of emotion in his chest, but he couldn't tell what it was.
Was it fear, anger, guilt, or something else?
Since Lily died that night, he could no longer feel the passage of time. He suddenly realized at this moment that it had been twelve years since that heart-wrenching moment, and he had also changed from a young man who made a big mistake because of stupidity to a middle-aged man who was exhausted by his double life. He had sacrificed everything for a cause that he didn't even believe in, and he had nothing left to live for.
He seemed to be old;
Under the starry sky, Dumbledore and Bryan stood side by side, watching Snape's back gradually disappear at the end of the road as he strode towards the castle. They didn't say anything, but they both knew what happened. Both of them had seen the look in Snape's eyes, the look of a man who had lost his way.
"Lone wanderer."
The cold wind at night blew, Bryan pressed his gray hair that was dancing on his head, and sighed for no reason.
"Severus has never been able to get rid of the past-"
Dumbledore's eyes were no longer clear, but also showed turbidity and pain. He had seen too much in his long life, and he had made too many mistakes. He failed to protect many people he cared about, and he also failed to guide Snape to a better path. He hoped that Snape would find peace in his redemption, but he had only found more suffering and loneliness.
And Snape was not the only one who could not get rid of the past.
"Is it because of Harry's mother?"
Bryan asked in an affirmative tone. He knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from Dumbledore.
"I'm afraid so-"
Dumbledore didn't ask Bryan where he knew this, but just showed a sad expression.
"-If you are willing, Bryan, after Sirius Black's matter is over, I can chat with you about Severus's past."
After a short silence, Bryan nodded.
"I heard from Lupin that you have arranged a position for me?"
"Director of the Office of Student Safety at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, what do you think of this title?"
Dumbledore blinked his clear blue eyes and showed a playful smile.
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Author's Note; Is the title of Position good or do you guys have any suggestion regarding this?
章 185: 0184 Return (Part-2)
'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Student Safety Office Director?'
Bryan blinked his blue eyes and smiled nonchalantly, his grey hair shining in the candlelight.
'The title sounded a bit better than 'Castle Security Officer'.'
He shrugged his shoulders, as if it was not a big deal.
"–I easily convinced the board of governors to agree to my request, perhaps, it was the troubled days of the past two years that made them realize that we should really think about the safety of the young wizards."
Dumbledore said in a relaxed tone, his twinkling eyes behind the half-moon spectacles reflecting the wisdom and kindness of the old wizard.
"I plan to put the castle administrator and gamekeeper under the management of this department, in addition to arranging the daily patrol of the castle by the Head boy and girl and the prefects of each house, this department will also have a very special right."
He continued, his voice calm and steady. Bryan looked sideways at Dumbledore, waiting for his explanation. He sensed that there was something more to this new position than just a fancy name.
"–Those monitoring devices you left in the school, Bryan, I think they are wasted in Argus's office, I have communicated with the board of governors and the Ministry of Magic, in special times, I mean when there are some events that will threaten the safety of the young wizards in the school, then those alchemy devices will be legally used."
Bryan raised his eyebrows in surprise, this was not an easy thing to negotiate. He had invented those devices using his knowledge of alchemy and magic, and they could detect any unusual movements or activities in the castle and its surroundings. He had left them in the school as a precaution, but he did not expect that they would be officially recognized and authorized by the authorities.
Speaking of which, Dumbledore showed some regret, his face clouded with sadness.
"I have talked with Minerva, and we both think that your alchemy devices are indeed useful, if it weren't for them, before Miss Weasley was taken into the Chamber of Secrets last semester, maybe more young wizards would have been hurt. Tonight, if they were there, we probably would have found out about Black's intrusion into the school in time."
He sighed, his eyes darkening with worry.
"Do you have a reasonable inference, Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Bryan asked with a frown.
"The most likely possibility is that Black took a detour from the Forbidden Forest," Dumbledore pondered, stroking his long silver beard.
"But we'll have to wait for Hagrid to ask his magical creature friends."
He added, referring to the half-giant gamekeeper who had a fondness for all kinds of beasts and beings.
With Dementors and many ancient wards, the defense of Hogwarts was like an iron wall, if Bryan wanted to sneak into Hogwarts, he would probably choose from the Forbidden Forest as well, but sneaking into Hogwarts from the Forbidden Forest, which was densely vegetated and inhabited by numerous and varied creatures, was still a difficult thing to do, you never knew who was peering at you from the corner with a pair of eyes.
"About the Student Safety Office Director–"
Dumbledore suddenly smiled and said, changing the topic. He seemed to sense Bryan's discomfort and wanted to cheer him up.
"In less tense situations, I mean, when the teaching activities can proceed normally, you can leave Hogwarts freely to do your own things, Bryan."
Bryan smacked his lips, not knowing what to say, 'Did Dumbledore change his mind, just let him go to make extra money?'
"–The Student Safety Office Director, has a heavy responsibility because he needs to bear the personal safety of all young wizards, the board of governors thinks that the importance of this position is equivalent to that of deputy headmaster, so, your salary and Minerva's are the same, Bryan, both are 1200 galleons–"
Dumbledore announced while his eyes were sparkling with mischief.
'Ahem, you have to know how to say the key points first, Dumbledore!'
*Scene-break*
Before dawn, the biting cold enveloped the earth, the horizon, the boundary between the earth and the sky still did not see a trace of light, but the starlight and moonlight above the sky gradually dimmed, the dark that made people sink was rampant, like a thick blanket covering the world.
The brilliant firelight flashed in the deep night, a short and a tall, two equally thin figures appeared on the steps outside the castle gate, their silhouettes contrasting with the warm glow behind them.
Everything in sight was almost no different from when they left, this ancient castle seemed to dwell in the gap of time, regardless of the years like flowing water, alone and still. It stood proudly on the edge of the lake, its towers and turrets silhouetted against the dark sky. It was a symbol of magic and history, a home for generations of witches and wizards, a place of wonder and mystery.
"Minerva will be very happy–" Dumbledore's beard was covered with crystal dew, he smiled and said,
"As the deputy headmaster, besides teaching, she also has to ensure the normal operation of the school, whenever there is a special situation, she always gets very anxious, now, finally there is someone who can share some of the responsibility for her."
"Ensuring the normal operation of the school is the responsibility of the headmaster, not the deputy headmaster or the student safety office director, Headmaster Dumbledore."
Bryan rolled his eyes and said politely, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Oh, if you say so, I have to do something myself-"
Dumbledore wanted to explain something, but Bryan ignored him, he walked straight to the magnificent gate, which was carved with intricate patterns and symbols, and guarded by two stone lions. He pursed his lips, and smiled, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
'Hogwarts, I'm back.'
The restless young wizards who had been discussing how Black sneaked into the castle for most of the night fell asleep, because no matter what happened tonight, tomorrow's classes would always continue, under the starry sky of the Great Hall, which was enchanted to reflect the weather outside, Except for the occasional footsteps of the professors passing by, there was only the snoring of the young wizards echoing each other, some of them clutching their wands or brooms in their dreams.
Although Hermione and Ron had already fallen asleep, Harry was only pretending to sleep, because the other young wizards could treat Black's intrusion into the castle as a strange and unusual thing, but he couldn't do that, after all, Black was coming for him, Harry was not sure if this cunning criminal was still lurking in the dark, taking advantage of Dumbledore's absence from Hogwarts, to make a comeback.
'Speaking of which, Lupin had hurried back to the castle a while ago and joined the night patrol team. He looked pale and exhausted, as if he had been through a lot.
Snape also returned to the school, apparently, he had figured out that the old friend he met with Lupin was not Black, he came back and went straight upstairs without appearing again, but Dumbledore had not been seen until now, shouldn't they have come back together?'
Harry wondered what had happened between them, and why Dumbledore had left the school at such a critical time.
Without Dumbledore, Hogwarts always felt less reassuring, Harry couldn't help thinking about where Dumbledore had gone, he tossed and turned in his sleeping bag, restless for a long time, finally, he couldn't stand the heat and decided to get up and breathe. He put on his glasses and his cloak, and tiptoed towards the door, careful not to wake anyone up.
Squeak! The sound of the door hinge rotating was very harsh in the quiet hall, Harry, who was halfway up, rolled back into his sleeping bag, facing the direction of the castle gate, and secretly looked through the bright starlight scattered from the night sky on the ceiling of the hall.
Oh! With Just one glance, Harry exclaimed like he was celebrating a victory in a Quidditch match!
*SceneBreak*
When Bryan stepped into the same office as last year again, he knew from the moment he saw the furnishings in the room that Dumbledore probably had been thinking about how to put the title of Student Safety Office Director on his head for a long time. Tonight Black attacked the castle, and the sudden 'meeting' with Professor Snape gave him a very good opportunity.
Bryan didn't mind, he liked the office, it was spacious and comfortable, and it had everything he needed. He felt a sense of nostalgia, as he looked around the room. The desks, bookshelves, Bunk bed, fireplace. Everything was as it was before, even the black curtain covering the monitoring wall was spotless. The monitoring wall was a alchemy device that allowed Bryan to observe the whole school, and detect any anomalies or threats.
A temporary meeting was being held in this office that was used again, the participants were the owner of the office Bryan, the headmaster Albus Dumbledore, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Lupin, the deputy headmistress Minerva McGonagall and the castle caretaker Argus Filch who had already clearly belonged to the management of the owner of the Student Safety Office.
"Although I said this a few months ago–"
McGonagall, who had been busy for most of the night, had a messy round bun behind her head, the weakness between her eyebrows showed that she was very tired, but she still squeezed out a smile for Bryan. She was the one who had organized the evacuation of the students and the search for Black, and she had done a remarkable job, despite the chaos and the danger.
She walked over to Bryan, and greeted him with a warm hug. She said, "But I have to say it again, Bryan, welcome back to Hogwarts. I'm so happy to see you. You don't know how much we missed you."
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall–"
Bryan waved his wand and conjured a few chairs, helping the old and overworked McGonagall to sit down, while the older but energetic Dumbledore obviously knew that he didn't have this treatment, he happily found a stool and sat down, his beard and robes sparkling with dewdrops.
Lupin, who had a gloomy face, went to the shelf above the fireplace to make tea for everyone, his movements slow and careful, as if he was afraid of breaking something. He looked pale and weary, his eyes haunted by shadows, as if he had seen something terrible.
Only Filch, who faced his new direct boss, was full of hesitation, not knowing what to do. He stood awkwardly near the door, clutching his lantern and his cat Mrs. Norris, his expression a mixture of fear and resentment, as if he was expecting to be scolded or dismissed at any moment.
"Sit down, Argus!" Bryan said kindly.
"Oh, Mr. Watson….. sir, I'm fine standing!"
Filch, who had big bags under his eyes, was terrified, his bulbous nose was red and shiny, his voice trembling and hoarse, as if he had been shouting all night. But in the end, he couldn't resist Bryan's gentle eyes, he half-assed on the stool, trying to straighten his back and sit down, his posture stiff and uncomfortable, like a puppet on a lonely string.
"So now–"
Bryan, who quickly entered the role, looked around and said calmly.
"Who can tell me more about the current situation?"
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