章 313: 0312 Fame & St. Mungo's

The Anti-Dark Magic League, citing Bryan as their honorary vice-chairman, sent five formal letters to the British Ministry of Magic within three days, 'forcing' Bryan to fulfill his duties and give a speech at the annual Defense Against The Dark Arts Forum held in Munich.

The Wizarding Weekly, unable to meet Bryan in person, could only use the photos taken by journalists during the press conference as the cover of their magazine, and declared it the most charming smile.

It seemed that overnight, Bryan's name became known to everyone.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Bryan's former classmates, the Daily Prophet learned that Bryan Watson was an orphan who grew up in an orphanage and could only graduate from Hogwarts with the help of the school's scholarship fund. This information, combined with his generous donations, further elevated Bryan's reputation.

Some even suggested nominating Bryan as the next Minister for Magic after Fudge.

Of course, such suggestions were merely for show. Apart from having a certain market among the general public, it was not taken seriously within the British Ministry of Magic. Even Fudge, who was very protective of his position, didn't pay much attention to it.

Except for rare exceptions like Dumbledore, it was not easy for an "outsider" who had never worked in the Ministry of Magic to enter this circle. Regardless of how high the public's voice was, you had to gain the support of several pure-blood wizarding families.

While the ordinary Wizarding folks may think that half-blood and Muggle-born wizards have become the mainstream in the Wizarding World recent years, as there were many ordinary wizards in the Ministry of Magic, the truly intelligent people knew that many things had not changed and may never change.

Most high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Magic were still from Noble families, and those "sacred pure-blood" individuals who rarely appeared in public still controlled the daily lives of ordinary wizards, albeit more discreetly now.

Another trouble for Bryan was the emergence of numerous magical prop factories, all hoping that Bryan Watson would endorse their products.

These giants of the Wizarding world were backed by pure-blood wizarding families and often engaged in exchanges of interests with Ministry officials.

Companies like Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover, Butterbeer, Cornflower, Comet Trading, Cleansweep Broom Company, the restructured Universal Broom Ltd., and Nimbus Racing Brooms all offered generous incentives and sent messages through the Ministry of Magic, hoping to secure endorsement deals with Bryan.

If Bryan wished, he could become a millionaire overnight, but he declined all these offers without exception, as they were only burdens to him.

Magic was the most important thing, and Bryan never forgot that.

To avoid harassment, Bryan stayed in the hotel room in London that the Ministry of Magic had arranged for VIPs for five days straight without going out. During these five days, he was busy doing one thing: writing replies to the letters.

While most of the letters were of no value, a significant portion could not be ignored.

Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Magic, Fudge, who had been in the Ministry for over a decade enjoyed the treatment that he had never experienced before during these days. Wherever he went, people would congratulate him on the achievements of the Ministry of Magic with a respectful tone. This made Fudge even more grateful to Bryan.

The Ministry of Magic had taken advantage of Bryan, and the high-ranking officials knew this very well.

If it weren't for Bryan, they would still be deeply entangled in the scandal of Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban and the imminent revelation that the real culprit behind the Potters deaths was Peter Pettigrew, not Sirius Black.

At first, Fudge believed that he had compensated Bryan well enough for his "loss," and even thought it was too generous. But seeing the Ministry's soaring approval among the public, Fudge knew that he still had a long way to go to repay Bryan's favor.

*Scenebreak*

As Bryan left the hotel where he was staying, he employed a small trick - he changed his appearance. The reason for doing so was to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Though he had not left his room these past few days, through letters and the various newspapers delivered promptly each morning, he had a general idea of the great reaction he had caused in the wizarding world.

Truth be told, Bryan did not aspire to become a celebrity. He much preferred living in the shadows, operating with ease. However, ever since that night by the sea when he destroyed the cave where Voldemort had hidden one of his Horcruxes, he understood one thing.

On the day Voldemort inevitably returns to the wizarding world, his wicked soul stirring up trouble once more, merely standing aside would only be a nice dream, even if Voldemort did not come after him directly.

In reality, he could not bear to remain a passive spectator as countless innocent wizards and unsuspecting Muggles tragically perished, their fates echoing the tragic plight of the Inferi that slept in the murky depths of that accursed lake.

'Was Voldemort terrifying?'

For ordinary people, this was a question that needed no contemplation to answer. But for Bryan or Dumbledore, the answer was- not terrifying, but extremely vexing.

Once the embers of conflict were stoked anew, it was highly probable that the ensuing confrontation would escalate into a protracted and drawn-out war. The ultimate outcome would not be determined by a singular duel, but rather by a cataclysmic confrontation between two or more colossal factions vying for supremacy.

Leading the charge under Voldemort's wicked banner were the radical pure-blood families, their ideologies deeply entrenched in the archaic notion of Pure Blood Supremacy, and the dark creature groups that had long harbored a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the wizard-governed order of the Wizarding world. On the opposing side stood the forces represented by Dumbledore, their unwavering resolve centered on the gradual and peaceful reformation of the Wizarding world. Additionally, there existed the 'conservative' faction, its voice amplified by the current Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, whose stubborn adherence to the status quo rejected any semblance of change and yearned for a regressive return to the antiquated traditions of the Middle Ages.

As these three colossal powers clashed in a maelstrom of ideological conflict, Bryan was acutely aware that he must ensure that his independent voice could resonate across the tumultuous battleground. Otherwise, to put it unkindly, he would become little more than a 'super mercenary' at the beck and call of either Dumbledore or the Ministry.

And to achieve this pivotal objective, he had to make certain 'sacrifices'.

St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries was not a great distance from the Ministry of Magic, but unlike the Ministry, it was not constructed beneath the earth's surface. This architectural deviation was borne of necessity, as an underground structure would not be conducive to the hygienic standards required, and many patients necessitated adequate exposure to the rejuvenating rays of sunlight - one could not simply fool them with sunlight streaming through illusory windows.

However, in terms of the architectural design and stye of entrance, St. Mungo's bore a striking similarity to the Ministry.

St. Mungo's had been strategically established on a bustling Muggle commercial thoroughfare within the pulsating heart of London's vibrant district. The spacious road was lined with a myriad of Muggle clothing stores and chic boutiques, ensuring a constant ebb and flow of pedestrian traffic.

"How strange, the rental costs in this prime location must be exorbitant, yet this establishment has never opened its doors for business—"

A Muggle woman, her arms laden with an array of shopping bags, passed behind Bryan. Despite his meticulously altered appearance, there was a strange aura surrounding Bryan that compelled the woman to cast a second, lingering glance in his direction, prompting her perplexed complaint regarding the store he was intently observing.

Before Bryan stood an antiquated red brick department store bearing the faded moniker "Purge & Dowse, Ltd." Its dilapidated and deserted appearance, reminiscent of the telephone booth entrance to the Ministry of Magic, exuded an air of neglect and abandonment.

The window display held a mere handful of broken mannequins, their wigs askew in varying states of disarray, frozen in poses that evoked a sense of inadvertent whimsy, clad in garments that had long since fallen out of fashion's fickle favor at least a decade prior. A dusty sign proclaiming 'Closed for Renovation' hung precariously upon the grime-encrusted door, its once vibrant letters faded by the passage of time.

Though Bryan knew the location of St. Mungo's, he had never 'visited' as a patient before. His skill in potions was exceptional - he tended to any backlash from failed experimental spells or careless injuries from missions in the underworld himself.

After casting a furtive glance around his immediate vicinity and a moment's deliberate pause, Bryan leaned towards the most unsightly and ill-kempt of the mannequins.

"Ahem, I am Bryan Watson from Hogwarts, here to visit a student and colleague of mine."

The mannequin in the window gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod and beckoned with its conjoined fingers. Immediately, Bryan's heightened senses perceived a palpable shift in the spatial continuum before him as an invisible portal or door opened within his field of vision.

Outside was a bustling street, while the St. Mungo's reception area was just as noisy. Many queuing patients made very strange sounds - Bryan's attention was drawn to a sweat-drenched witch who appeared to have fallen victim to a catastrophically misapplied human transfiguration spell. Her once-feminine visage had assumed a disconcertingly square aspect, puffing plumes of steam from her mouth while emitting shrill whistles akin to a kettle reaching its boiling point.

This unfortunate witch was feverishly fanning herself with that day's edition of the Daily Prophet, the front page of which bore a photograph of Bryan himself, captured during the press conference he had attended a mere few days prior.

The people here were either suffering pain or busy with their own affairs, with no one paying mind to an ordinary-looking wizard's curious glances.

At the forefront of the queue stood the reception desk, staffed by a chubby blonde witch who largely disregarded the inquiries of the patients, impatiently gesturing towards a signboard displaying directions beside her while her chubby hand clutched the latest issue of Witches Weekly in a white-knuckled grip.

In her sparse moments of respite, the chubby blonde Witch would gaze dreamily at the cover of the magazine, which featured a Handsome young wizard of towering stature.

Bryan shuddered involuntarily and swiftly averted his gaze, a palpable sense of discomfort washing over him.

He did not ask which room Draco Malfoy was in. He just glanced at the signpost and knew that he should go to the Spell Damage Ward on the fifth floor.

Following the stumbling patients, Bryan exited the reception area and passed through a narrow corridor lined with portraits of famous Healers on both sides, and even saw a portrait of Audrey Fawley inside.

Strings of crystal bubbles drifted below the ceiling resembling soapy orbs containing illuminating candles. Healers' offices on either side saw a steady stream of unfortunate witches and wizards - as Bryan passed one door, a waft of yellow stench billowed out accompanied by muffled wails from behind the closed door.

Come to think of it, except for when he lived in an orphanage in his early childhood in this life, he hadn't set foot in a hospital for over a decade. Of course, the Hospital Wing was a different story.

By the time he reached the fifth floor, Bryan had detected Draco's magical aura amid the chaotic magical environment. He was in the room at the far end of the long corridor, separated from the chaotic environment by a large golden wooden door. A chubby, middle-aged wizard stood sentry nearby, his attention focused on perusing that day's edition of the Daily Prophet.

Among the elite echelons of pure-blood wizarding families, the Malfoys were regarded as possessing wealth of an exceptionally prodigious magnitude.

It was a foregone conclusion that Lucius Malfoy would never subject his son and heir to such indignities as being crammed alongside the 'lesser folk'. It was entirely foreseeable that Draco would be attended to by St. Mungo's most accomplished and esteemed team of Healers.

"Pardon the intrusion—"

Bryan rapped his knuckles against the wooden desk before the middle-aged wizard, prompting the slightly vacant, bewildered eyes to rise from the newspaper. Adopting a polite demeanor, he addressed the wizard:

"I've come to visit Draco Malfoy. Might I trouble you to open the door?"

"Oh!"

The middle-aged wizard flustered as he rose to open the door as if to comply with the request, but as his hand reached the lock, he snapped back to his senses. He turned to scrutinize Bryan's altered appearance warily.

"Do you have a prior appointment and permission, sir? If not, then by the rules, I cannot let you in!"

"Ah, my sincere apologies, it was a spur-of-the-moment idea...-I did not give advance notice," Bryan smiled. "Well then, could you relay a message for me? Merely Inform Mr. Malfoy that I am the professor from that boy's school who taught him the Levitation Charm hands-on, I believe he will grant me admission upon receiving such a message."

'The Levitation Charm taught hands-on?'

The middle-aged security wizard fixed Bryan with a suspicious glare, muttering the words beneath his breath. But then, his eyes widened with unmistakable excitement as he waved the newspaper clutched in his hand excitedly at Bryan.

"A professor from his school- you must mean Hogwarts, then! Surely you are acquainted with the esteemed Mr. Bryan Watson? he's quite famous, isn't he? I mean, erm, perhaps it's too much to ask, but could you please get his autograph for me? I wrote him a letter, but alas, three entire days have elapsed without any response!

Oh, I miss those days before Lockhart's regrettable incident, when he would never keep me awaiting more than a single day!"

*******************************

For More Chapters; patreon.com/FicFrenzy

コメント 5のコメント

投票

章 314: 0313 The Life of Rich

During his tenure at Hogwarts, Bryan's office door crack was no stranger to being stuffed with notes from those energetic witches in senior years. However, being professed adoration to in person by a middle-aged wizard was an experience entirely new to Bryan.

Amidst the ceaseless torrent of the man's outpouring, Bryan learned that this wizard's name was Annison Cohen. Once A naïve youth whose dreams had been consumed by the allure of becoming an Auror, a guardian standing resolute against the dark forces that threatened the peace and order of their world. Alas, fate had dealt him a cruel hand, as he had failed to obtain the two N.E.W.T.s during his student days at Hogwarts, rendering the halls of the Ministry forever beyond his reach. The only remaining option left to him was to temper his ambitions and seek employment within the St. Mungo's.

It was not until Bryan acquiesced to aid him in procuring the autograph from 'Bryan Watson' that Annison's breathless ramblings found a momentary respite.

"I'll go put in a word for you, sir. In the meantime, would you be so kind as to register your personal information?" Annison inquired, his expression one of guileless innocence. "As you must be well aware, those noble gentlemen have an inherent distaste for any unforeseen occurrences."

Annison pointed to the large register on the desk and the quill in the inkpot, then squeezed through the door crack and left, still muttering complaints under his breath, "Oh, the Malfoys, that family is such a pain to deal with, always with those sour faces--"

Bryan let out a soft laugh. Draco had been under the control of the Imperius Curse for so long, so it's understandable that Lucius must be fuming about it.

Annison returned swiftly. Just as Bryan had finished filling in his name and intended patient visit in the register, the golden door creaked open. Annison squeezed back out from the crack, followed by Lucius Malfoy, who used his hand to prop open the automatically rebounding door and slipped out.

"Huff, it's this gentleman--" The brief walk seemed an immense exertion for Annison, but in the imposing presence of Lucius Malfoy, he dared not appear too disheveled. Thus, he spoke while struggling to suppress his panting breaths.

The face that came into view was as gloomy as he expected, and at this time, those pale gray eyes embedded in this gloomy face still showed a trace of surprise and vigilance.

Before Lucius could give voice to his inquiries, Bryan spoke first, "Let's discuss inside, Mr. Malfoy. I'd prefer not to cause a disturbance here."

The familiar timbre of the voice and the manner in which it was delivered immediately dispelled any notion from Lucius's mind that this stranger might be an impostor. Considering Bryan Watson's recent surge in popularity within the wizarding world, Lucius instantly comprehended the underlying intentions behind this encounter.

"Please, come in--" Lucius moistened his dry lips, extending a gesture of hospitality as he ushered Bryan into the VIP enclave.

Though separated by a mere door, the environment within was noticeably more serene. The floor tiles and wall colors adopted a softer, more soothing palette, the air was perfumed with an invigorating fragrance, and various admirable potted landscapes lined the corridor, their verdant foliage lending a touch of natural splendor to the surroundings.

Since there were people in the hallway, Bryan and Lucius refrained from engaging in conversation. They passed through a resplendent circular lounge and halted before a wooden door inlaid with intricate golden patterns.

"Please, enter--" Lucius gestured, and pushed open the door.

Only when the hospital room unfolded before him did Bryan truly understand the extravagance of these pure-blood wizarding families.

It was a room of such grandiose proportions that it rivaled the very size of Dumbledore's former office—its dimensions vastly expanded by the judicious application of an Undetectable Extension Charm. The domed ceiling was a masterwork of intricate artistic carvings, and two enormous chandeliers, each constructed from thousands of pure white crystal stones, glittered brilliantly in the radiant sunlight that streamed through the windows.

The soft carpet underfoot was woven from the finest velvet, and the exquisite oil paintings that adorned the walls were clearly not mere daubings from an amateur's brush, but rather the masterful works of a true artisan.

On one side of the room, a fireplace built from bricks intricately carved with the likeness of mermaids and veela figures emanated gentle undulating flames, radiating warmth throughout the expansive space. The firewood that served as fuel was evidently not ordinary pine, but rather fragrant sandalwood, permeating the air with an exquisitely pleasant aroma that invigorated the senses and soothed the soul.

"Ah, the sinful wealth--" Bryan, having reverted to his original appearance, sighed as he took in the palatial luxury that enveloped him.

By the window, Draco sat up from his reclined position on the large bed, his face alight with excitement. He seemed to want to get out of bed to greet Professor Watson, but his Mother Narcissa Malfoy stopped him.

"How are you feeling, Draco?" Bryan approached Draco's bedside, stepping up beside Lucius. After nodding to Draco's mother, he smiled warmly at Draco.

In terms of sheer destructiveness, the Imperius Curse might be the most severe of the three Unforgivable Curses. However, its effects upon the victim were indeed the mildest. During Voldemort's reign of terror, many wizards unwilling to join his cause had been subjugated by this curse, but after receiving treatment, they exhibited no serious lingering aftereffects. This was the reason Bryan had been willing to take a chance and not immediately rescue Draco.

Draco's complexion looked healthy, no longer pale and dazed, though a hint of bewilderment still lingered in the depths of his eyes.

"I did not expect your visit, Professor Watson. I am well--" Draco grinned, his demeanor cheerful. "The finest team of Healers at St. Mungo's is clearly far more proficient and professional than the meager hospital wing at our shabby school. My parents spared very little money to ensure I received the utmost in attentive care, and I have mostly recovered. Well, not entirely—I was..." Draco shuddered in terror at the mere mention of Peter.

"Calm down, dear," Draco's mother immediately embraced his head, gently patting his back in a soothing manner. "Don't be afraid. You are safe now, and that dwarf who dared to harm you—your father and I can assure you, he will pay the ultimate price with his life!"

Lucius, standing vigil at Draco's bedside, clenched his fists and nodded in agreement.

"I am fine, Mother!" Being treated in such a manner before Professor Watson stirred a sense of embarrassment within Draco, as if he appeared weak and vulnerable. He took a few deep breaths to suppress his discomfort, then gently extricated himself from his mother's embrace and maintained a composed smile as he spoke, "There is a period of time whose memories remain hazy, Professor Watson. The Healers at St. Mungo's said it's best not to intervene artificially; those memories will gradually resurface on their own."

"Indeed," Bryan nodded slightly in affirmation. "This phenomenon is not directly caused by the effects of the Imperius Curse itself. My guess is that Peter likely attempted to erase any memories of himself from your mind, but his attempts at casting a Memory Charm were quite inept and ultimately unsuccessful. As your condition continues to stabilize, those memories suppressed by magic will slowly emerge from the depths of your subconscious and resurface."

Receiving Professor Watson's reassuring confirmation, not only Draco but also his parents could not conceal the collective sigh of relief that escaped their lips.

Although this ward was lavish beyond comprehension, adorned with every conceivable luxury, his parents had never permitted Draco to venture beyond its confines, so to him, it was no different from a prison. His only way to pass the time was to read recent magazines and newspapers. The news from the past few days had been quite exhilarating.

"I heard you took down Greyback and nearly a hundred of his men, Professor. I'd wager if you were to take on the role of Headmaster at Hogwarts, you'd be far superior to Dumbledore. Is there a chance, I mean, of ousting Dumbledore? My father nearly succeeded in doing so last year--"

"Draco!" Before Bryan could give a response, Lucius's expression hardened, his faceadopting a stern expression. "That is not something you need to concern yourself with."

Draco immediately sobered, his demeanor becoming somewhat sullen, but then he proceeded to inquire about the major and minor events that had transpired at school during the period he was under the curse's influence, as the vast majority of his memories from that time remained shrouded in hazy obscurity.

Bryan extracted his wand from within the folds of his robes, executing a subtle wave, and a high-backed armchair stationed by the fireplace responded with alacrity, its four legs kicking cheerfully as it hopped over, coming to rest behind Bryan's waiting form.

"Actually, nothing much happened--" Bryan plopped down comfortably, crossing his legs as he smiled and described the events to Draco.

"--Oh, just a bunch of cowardly, incompetent fools. I will make them look good!"

Ten minutes later, after Bryan had concluded his recounting of Draco's treatment at the hands of his Slytherin housemates during the period he was under the curse's influence, Draco fumed angrily, "Daphne, Theodore, Millicent— who gave them the courage to keep ostracizing me like that!"

Since Draco had returned to normal, Bryan had no intention of interfering in conflicts between students. He turned his gaze toward the extremely restrained Malfoy couple and smiled.

"Well, you two, regarding the underlying circumstances behind Draco's unfortunate attack, I trust Cornelius has already assigned relevant personnel to explain the situation to you, has he not?"

The British Ministry of Magic maintained an exceedingly tight-lipped stance regarding the recent events that had unfolded. Amelia Bones, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic himself, had jointly issued strict gag orders to every single Auror present that fateful night. As a consequence, the ordinary wizarding folk and news reporters remained ignorant of the real information.

However, it became evident that the renowned Malfoy family was acutely aware of the unfolding situation. It was shocking that Draco Malfoy, the sole heir to the Malfoy fortune and legacy, had been under the Imperius Curse cast by Peter Pettigrew for several months. Had it not been for the direct and timely intervention of Cornelius Fudge himself, the enraged Malfoys would have undoubtedly marched upon the grounds of Hogwarts.

In fact, Lucius and Narcissa had known for a long time that Sirius Black was not the one responsible for the death of Potters. And They were not alone in this knowledge, as a select group of individuals, all former Death Eaters who had once stood in the inner circle of the Dark Lord Voldemort himself, shared this closely guarded secret.

During the power struggle between Voldemort and Albus Dumbledore, these individuals had knowledge of the identity of their master's spy within Dumbledore's ranks. Thus, when Voldemort's reign of terror came to an abrupt and unexpected end, and Sirius Black was astonishingly accused of being the one responsible for the Potters' demise, they found the situation utterly ludicrous and beyond comprehension.

Yet, as Voldemort's downfall became a reality, these wizards and witches publicly denied any association with the fallen Dark Lord, proclaiming their innocence and disengagement from his nefarious activities. For the sake of their own safety and self-preservation, none of them dared to challenge Barty Crouch Sr.'s grave mistake in accusing the innocent Sirius Black as traitor.

Last July, after Sirius escaped from Azkaban, the Malfoy couple privately discussed that Sirius could not have been after Harry Potter. But they could not speculate the reason for his escape, as they were also unaware that their former 'friend' Peter Pettigrew, was still alive.

The world is an unpredictable and ever-changing tapestry of events, where even the most unfathomable occurrences can unfold. Who could have foreseen that the young Draco Malfoy would become entangled in the bitter enmity that had festered between Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew for so many years?

Silence often speaks volumes, conveying unspoken truths and underlying currents of emotion. Bryan pondered for a moment, gazing at Lucius's twitching eye, unconsciously exuding an aura of authority.

"Regardless, Draco is a young wizard attending Hogwarts. He fell under Peter's control, and the school bears an undeniable responsibility in this matter. As a gesture of apology and reparation, Hogwarts will cover all medical expenses incurred at St. Mungo's for Draco, as well as for his companions, Goyle and Crabbe, who currently reside in the opposite ward. I have already discussed this resolution with Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall before coming here. They will ensure that the Board of Governors approves this arrangement without delay."

The Malfoy couple exchanged a fleeting glance, their expressions showing no outward sign of opinion or reaction to Bryan's words.

Bryan did not expect his statement to elicit overwhelming joy or gratitude from the Malfoy couple. Of course not. Although employing the finest team of Healers at the St. Mungo's and securing a luxurious private ward would undoubtedly cost thousands of Galleons daily, such an extravagant sum was but a mere trifle to the immensely wealthy Malfoy family, hardly worth mentioning or acknowledging.

According to Lucius's personal desires, only the resignation of Dumbledore himself could quell his anger.

*******************************

For More Chapters; patreon.com/FicFrenzy

コメント 5のコメント

投票