章 233: 0232 Explanation

"You want to see Dumbledore?" Bryan smiled, a cold and mocking smile that made Sirius shiver. "You hope that the good old Dumbledore will send you back to Azkaban, so that you can hide in that dark and damp prison and linger on, until the day your old master returns to the wizarding world, and grants you the supreme glory?"

The silver-striped green snake that coiled around Sirius spat out a crimson tongue, cruelly licking Sirius's cheek like a razor blade. Bryan showed a contemptuous look, as if Sirius was nothing but a piece of dirt.

"Don't have those unrealistic fantasies, Black. Just follow me back to Hogwarts. Your death will release the despair and hatred that Professor Snape has accumulated in his heart for more than a decade. That is the only use of your insignificant life."

As he said that, Bryan controlled the snake that tightly wrapped around Sirius and lifted him up, ready to take him away.

Realizing that Bryan really intended to take him to Snape, Sirius finally showed panic. This panic did not come from fear of death, but from humiliation. He could die for revenge, but he didn't want to die at the hands of that annoying snot, Snape.

Sirius didn't know what the relationship between Bryan Watson and Severus Snape was, nor did he know what Bryan meant by saying that Lily was Snape's lifelong love. He certainly knew that Snape had a crush on Lily when he was in school, but a lifelong love--

Now was not the time to dwell on these questions. This man was about to bring him to Snape and have him killed. If James knew he was in such a mess…

"Don't do this, Watson!"

Hanging upside down, Sirius's eyes were bloodshot and he roared with all his might, hoping that someone would hear him and come to his rescue.

"I want to see Dumbledore, Watson. Let Remus come instead. Don't take me to Snape. I'd rather kill myself than die in his hands!"

'A habitual flaw—'

Bryan rolled his eyes and ignored Black's dying struggle. He marked the house with a flick of his wand so that he could come back and claim it later. Bryan raised his wand and prepared to apparate back to the Shrieking Shack. He wouldn't notify Professor Snape right away, because before that, he had to find a way to contact Remus. After doing that, he would inform Professor Snape to come and 'execute' Black.

"Listen to me, Watson!"

Sirius, whose ribs were squeezed and creaked by the snake, shouted unwillingly at the back of Bryan's head, trying to make him listen to the truth.

"I am not the one who betrayed James and Lily to Voldemort. There is someone else who betrayed them!"

Kreacher, lying on the steps leading to the kitchen, made a barely audible muttering sound as he regained consciousness from his coma. It seemed he had managed to save his life, but he was still weak and injured.

Bryan turned his back to Sirius, and the flickering gas lamps on the wall and the swaying crystal chandeliers on the ceiling cast a flickering shadow on the ground. Under the contrast of the suffocating silence, the strange noises in the old house became very clear.

Probably after a full minute, Bryan slowly turned around. He had no expression on his face. He looked at Sirius Black, who seemed to have exhausted all his strength to say that sentence. There was a flash of light in his purple eyes, but his voice was indifferent and without any fluctuations,

"Explain that sentence you just said, Black."

Bryan said in an irresistible tone, but he noticed that Sirius, who had been tortured enough, was only one step away from fainting.

After turning Sirius's head, Bryan's eyes pointed to a door with a big hole. He walked over with steady steps, dragging Sirius along with the snake.

The stairs behind the door led to a kitchen connected to the dining room. The kitchen was a large and gloomy room, surrounded by rough stone walls. There was a fireplace at the farthest end, where a few embers were still glowing. Iron pots were hanging from the ceiling, some of them covered with dust and cobwebs.

A long wooden table that could accommodate many people and many chairs were placed in the middle of the room. There was a cupboard for utensils and plates, but most of them were broken or chipped.

Bryan stepped over the body of the house-elf and brought Sirius to the kitchen. He threw him on the floor like a sack of potatoes and pointed his wand at him.

The air here was much more foul than upstairs, but fortunately, the long table in the dining room seemed to be wiped clean regularly and did not accumulate too much dust. Bryan picked a chair and sat down, throwing Sirius onto the ground like a rag doll and crossing his legs. He looked at Sirius with a bored and impatient expression, waiting for him to regain his consciousness.

It was not until five minutes later that Sirius came to his senses. He groaned and opened his eyes, only to see Bryan's face looming over him. Then he realized that he had saved his life, but this was not something to be happy about.

"Explain what you just said, as simple and clear as possible, Black,"

Bryan opened his mouth in time. He stared at Sirius's eyes and said, in a cold and threatening tone, "A friendly reminder, Mr. Black, I don't like to torture people, but if I find you spouting nonsense just to save your life, believe me, I will show you that there are many things in this world scarier than death.""

Sirius supported his body with his head and sat on the ground. There was a raging fire of anger in his eyes, for Bryan's contemptuous attitude, and for his own powerlessness. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, trying to muster some courage,

"Harry's red-haired friend, that boy's pet rat is an animagus like me. Twelve years ago, he told Voldemort the hiding place of the Potters. He is the traitor!"

Sirius's voice was filled with anguish and bitterness.

"I escaped from Azkaban to kill him!"

'Ron's pet, the rat named Scabbers, is an animagus?'

Bryan's eyelids trembled imperceptibly. He had seen that rat once in the Leaky Cauldron this summer. He did feel a bit strange at that time, but he didn't pay much attention to it.

"Continue–"

Bryan remained unmoved and continued to press for answers. He wanted to hear the whole story, and see if there was any evidence to support Sirius's claim.

"At that time, when we learned that Voldemort planned to attack James and Lily, Dumbledore planned to use the Fidelius Charm to protect them, with himself as their Secret-Keeper. But James didn't want to burden Dumbledore too much, so he suggested that I become their Secret-Keeper."

Sirius gritted his teeth, consumed by hatred. He recalled the happy days he had spent with James and Lily, and how they had trusted him with their lives. He also recalled the horrible night when he found out that they were dead, and that Peter had betrayed them.

"I thought Voldemort would definitely think it was me, so at the last moment I suggested James and Lily to make Peter their Secret-Keeper. I thought it was a good strategy. A switcheroo. Voldemort would come looking for me, and if I was really killed, then Dumbledore would get the news in advance, and then move James and Lily and their son Harry to a safe place."

"You need to answer my question first–"

As Sirius cursed Peter, Bryan closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. He felt a headache coming on, as he tried to make sense of Sirius's story.

"Since you knew you were innocent, Black, why didn't you tell the truth, instead of staying in Azkaban for twelve years?"

Tears uncontrollably streamed down Sirius's gaunt cheeks, and his shriveled body trembled.

"It's all my fault, I deserve it. This is the price I should pay,"

These secrets were supposed to be taken to the grave. Sirius never thought he would one day share them with a stranger, who might not even care about them.

"It was me who convinced James and Lily to make that bastard their Secret-Keeper. They died because of me, and I need to atone for it."

Bryan's cheek twitched, showing a pained expression like he had a toothache. These Gryffindors were full of heroism, and often did things that noone could understand.

From Sirius's description, Bryan roughly understood why Sirius, who had been quietly staying in Azkaban for twelve years, suddenly became interested in escaping. He had seen a picture of Peter in the Daily Prophet, and realized that he was still alive and hiding as a rat. He wanted to find him and kill him, to avenge James and Lily.

When Bryan questioned why he didn't seek help from Dumbledore or Remus, the only ones who might believe his innocence, instead of pursuing a reckless vendetta against Peter, the real traitor.

Sirius, who had been sobbing moments ago, suddenly looked fierce and determined.

"It was me who killed James and Lily, and I must kill that traitor Peter with my own hands!"

Sirius gasped in pain, as the snake tightened its grip around him.

"And what's the point of going to them now? They never bothered to look for me, to hear my side of the story. They abandoned me, just like everyone else. They don't trust me, and I don't trust them. I'll do this on my own!"

'What kind of nonsense logic is this?'

Bryan supported his cheek with his hand, and looked sorrowful.

Sirius Black claimed that he never betrayed the Potters, and that he was wronged. But if that was true, would the Ministry of Magic still pay the bounty for his capture?

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章 234: 0233 Two Problems

The kitchen was like a deep, dark cave, surrounded by rough stone walls that seemed to close in on them. Most of the light came from the large fireplace at one end of the room, which Bryan had lit for warmth. The smoke from the chimneys filled the air, creating a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere. The heavy iron pots and pans hanging from the blackened ceiling looked menacing and terrifying in the smoky haze, as if they could fall and crush them at any moment.

Sirius was no longer bound by the silver-striped snake, but he still did not get up. He lay on the floor, his face twitching, and his eyes full of undisguised anger as he glared at Bryan.

Bryan had heard some shocking news today, but he couldn't simply believe Black's side of the story. He had taken a moment to delve into Black's mind to ensure he wasn't being deceived by these absurd words.

"Alright, Mr. Black, stop making that pitiful expression," Bryan cleared his throat and said impatiently, "Do you really expect me to believe your 'truth' without any doubt after hearing it from someone I've never met? I have to find a way to verify the truth!"

That was reasonable, but Sirius could not help being angry. Anyone would be furious if someone invaded their mind without permission, peering into the darkest corners of their memories that they didn't want to revisit. He felt violated and exposed.

"Now that you know the truth, Watson," Sirius struggled to stand up, leaning on the table for support. He sat down on a chair, breathing heavily, and stared at Bryan with a gloomy and resentful tone, "What are you going to do now?"

"What else can I do?" Bryan sneered, looking at him sideways, his eyes like those of a parent dealing with a naughty kid who had caused trouble and asked for help. "Of course, I'll find a way to catch that guy named Peter Pettigrew and see if I can get a bigger reward from the Ministry. Ahem-, I mean, let Wizengamot judge him and clear your name."

Sirius: *speechless*

"I don't care about clearing my name, Watson!" Sirius exclaimed after a brief silence, waving his hands in frustration, "I just want to send Peter to hell. Ever since I found out that vile bastard was still alive, I've been thinking about it day and night, dreaming of taking his life. Now that you know I'm innocent, Watson, you can help me get into the Gryffindor dormitory and catch that rat. I want to tear him apart with my own hands!"

"It's not that simple," Bryan chuckled coldly, "In my opinion, there are two important problems that need to be solved."

"No problem is more important than killing Peter, Watson!"

After spending twelve years in Azkaban, Sirius had been tormented by hatred to the point of losing his sanity. The only reason he hadn't completely broken down was because he wanted to avenge James and Lily. He wanted to make Peter pay for what he had done.

Even though he knew Black was innocent, Bryan couldn't bring himself to like the guy. On the other hand, Black didn't like Bryan either, a young wizard who was powerful but cruel and seemed particularly obsessed with Galleons. Moreover, Bryan seemed to have a close relationship with that slimy Snape. If possible, Sirius would rather get rid of him immediately.

"The first problem is," Bryan looked at Sirius with a deep and piercing gaze, and raised his index finger, "I'm afraid you don't know that Ron's rat, Scabbers, died a month ago, on the second night after you broke into Hogwarts. Ron found bloodstains from Scabbers on his bed, and he also found some yellow hairs from Crookshanks. This almost caused a rift between Ron and Hermione, who is Harry's friend."

"That's impossible!" Before Bryan could finish, Black shouted and jumped, his nails scratching the table, leaving marks on the wood. "I bet it's a trick, that despicable scum!"

Sirius couldn't find a way to express his rage and could only grind his teeth.

"He faked his death and escaped. It was the same when I cornered him on a Muggle street before going to Azkaban. He's definitely not dead, that cowardly and shameless bastard must have sensed the danger and hid early!"

"Don't shout nonsense," Bryan said coldly, his voice cutting through the smoky air like a knife. "Who do you think caused this trouble, Mr. Black? Whether it was when Voldemort fell or when you just got out of Azkaban for touring, Dumbledore had plenty of means to clear your name and send Peter to Azkaban for the rest of his life.

But now, we have to find a rat, and this rat could be anywhere, Black. Maybe your brain is rusty, or maybe you don't have a brain at all, but I still want to ask you, what are you going to do?, spend the rest of your life chasing a rat around the world? Let me remind you according to Muggle scientist's statistics, there are approximately two billion rats in the world.

I'm sure you're thrilled to hear that because you finally have something to occupy your overly energetic self!"

If it were a dozen years ago, faced with such an insult, Sirius would have drawn his wand and dueled Bryan. Even now, hearing Bryan's words, he had the same thought in his mind. But the reality was cruel. He didn't have a wand, and at least until Peter was dead, he had to keep himself alive.

"I know Peter," Sirius's face turned red, and he explained with a panting voice, his eyes shining with determination. "I bet he's still at Hogwarts. He wouldn't dare to leave because that would mean giving up the protection of the Ministry and Dumbledore. He's a coward and a traitor, and he knows I'm after him."

"So what?" Bryan still had a displeased expression, his lips curled in a sneer. "Are you suggesting we tear Hogwarts apart, digging three feet underground? Do you think Dumbledore will let us do that? Do you think the other students and teachers will stand by and watch? Do you think Peter will just sit there and wait for us?"

Sirius fell silent, but Bryan continued with another finger raised, his eyes narrowing. "The second issue is, why should I help you, Black? This is a mess you created, and you caused me to lose a reward of fifty thousand Galleons. Do you have any idea how much money that is?"

He paused for a moment, as if expecting Sirius to answer, but Sirius just glared at him.

"I could have pretended I didn't hear anything from you tonight and just killed you. No one would blame me, not Dumbledore, not Remus not even Harry. Cornelius Fudge might even be grateful to me and personally award me a Order Of Merlin First Class Medal for helping the Ministry solve a big problem. I would be a hero, Black, a hero!"

He spat out the last word with sarcasm,

"Of course, I'm not that heartless. Knowing that you're innocent, I won't kill you just to get the reward. But why should I help you get into Gryffindor and catch Peter? You should be grateful for my kindness for not killing you!"

If possible, Sirius wanted to curse and swear at Bryan. He wanted to tell him that he was a greedy and selfish bastard, that he had no sense of loyalty or honor, that he didn't deserve to be a wizard.

He never intended to reveal the truth about James and Lily's sacrifice, nor did he want anyone else's help. Otherwise, he would have gone to Remus long time ago. It was only because he had been careless and was caught by Bryan who wanted to pack him to Snape that he finally spoke up.

But he couldn't say those words because he could tell that Bryan-Watson was undoubtedly a Slytherin. He wouldn't show pity just because Sirius was innocent or help him seek justice.

"Come with me to see Dumbledore at Hogwarts," Bryan said indifferently after a long silence, his tone flat and emotionless. "For the sake of Harry and Remus, I won't let the murderer of the Potters go unpunished… But as for how to catch Peter, you can discuss it with Dumbledore and Remus. I have my own matters to attend to. Now that I'm sure you won't harm Harry, I'll be leaving Hogwarts soon after dealing with your troubles."

"No!" Sirius stubbornly refused when he heard that Bryan wanted him to explain everything to Dumbledore, his voice hoarse and desperate. "I won't tell anyone the truth. I don't want to see them until I kill Peter!"

"What's the matter?" Bryan mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now you feel ashamed of your foolishness? Unfortunately, Mr. Black, I can't ignore the information I've heard. I also don't want to play your boring revenge game. I didn't sleep all night. After dealing with your troubles, I hope I can at least make it in time for breakfast at Hogwarts!"

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