章 326: 0325 The Three things
"I'm willing to help you in a task, Viper. Whatever it is, as long as you're willing to give me this skeleton."
A glimmer flashed in Viper's eyes. He sarcastically remarked with disdain,
"You should be aware of the gap in strength between us, Thanatos; you can't offer me any help."
Hearing this, Thanatos's tall frame deflated like a punctured ball. He was well aware of the disparity in strength between them, having witnessed Viper in action. Anything he could do, Viper could surely do as well, albeit with more inconvenience.
"How much do you want, Viper? Name a price. I have some friends who can provide me with some support!"
Even in the world above, where the sun shines, business and personal favors cannot be mixed, let alone in the underworld, where only interests matter. Viper's attitude was within Thanatos's expectations.
"It seems that you really want this Titan giant's skeleton."
Thanatos, who was prepared to accept Viper's exorbitant demands, suddenly heard this odd question.
Did he need to say how much he wants this one-of-a-kind undead creature?
"Um—did you just say you're willing to help me with something?"
Bryan stroked his chin, eyeing the stunned Thanatos with a subtle gaze,
"It's your lucky day, Thanatos. I have indeed encountered a few issues recently. Well, it's not that I can't handle them, but they are rather troublesome—"
"I'm willing to share your burden, Mr. Viper!"
Thanatos jumped up, expressing his eagerness.
"It would be my honor to help you solve your troubles!"
"There are three things in total, Thanatos. If you agree, then this skeleton will be yours. You won't need to borrow money from your friends anymore..."
Watching the breathless Thanatos, Bryan pondered for a moment, his eyes becoming deep and inscrutable.
"The first thing is relatively simple. A Time-Turner. You must be familiar with this marvelous little device that allows wizards to travel back in time. However, ordinary Time-Turners can only trace back a short period. I need a method… a technology that can significantly extend the time it can trace back. Just a few months won't satisfy my needs; it has to be able to take someone back several years. Do you have a way to get this technology, Thanatos?"
As Bryan's voice faded into silence, a subtle change flickered behind the mask worn by Thanatos, concealing his true appearance from view.
A time-turner -- he was certainly familiar with such magical devices. It was widely known and regarded as common knowledge among those acquainted with the complex workings of the wizarding world that all the existing time-turners, were under the strict control of the Ministry of Magic. Furthermore, the Time Room where these coveted time-turners were meticulously guarded and housed belonged to the Department of Mysteries, a division of which Thanatos himself was part of.
'Was this just a coincidence or a calculated move?'
Thanatos found himself pondering this thought with a sense of unease that gnawed at his mind. Not a single wizard who managed to survive in the chaotic, rowdy underground world widespread with danger and intrigue was a fool. Thanatos immediately sensed an air of uneasiness, a palpable aura of something amiss that set his nerves blazing with anxiety.
'Could it be that Viper had already uncovered my identity in the outside world?'
Gazing at the inscrutable Golden-Viper before him, Thanatos's eyes were filled with fear.
"Is there a problem?" Bryan inquired, his tone laced with indifference.
Thanatos, who had mere moments ago sworn to give everything, to sacrifice all for the precious, skeleton of the Mighty Titan Giant, now found himself enveloped in a cloak of caution, his demeanor guarded and wary. His voice was muffled, partly obscured by the mask that concealed his features as he spoke, "Let's talk about the next two things first, Viper--"
"Very well," Bryan nodded slightly, "The second thing, I believe you are well aware of how much this skeleton can help you in terms of power. When you can successfully control it, I believe that in the contemporary Wizarding world, apart from a few individuals, no one will be your match, Thanatos. I don't want a day to come when you use my things against me, or my people. You must swear never to become my enemies in the future and to join my camp when I need you."
"Do you plan to unify the underworld?" Thanatos asked, his voice tinged with astonishment, bewilderment etching itself across his concealed features. "If that's your intention, I advise you to abandon such a thought early, Viper. As you know, those rowdy infamous individuals will not submit to anyone's dominion, regardless of the allure of power that tempts them, and besides, you are not of the Secret Wizard lineage."
"I have no desire to rule over anyone, Thanatos," Bryan said coolly. "As for what I intend to do, that's not for you to pry into."
Thanatos didn't utter a word in response, but he was engaged in an intense, internal struggle, a whirl of conflicting thoughts and emotions that raged within the confines of his mind. This matter was more troublesome, more filled with danger and uncertainty than the first condition that had been presented to him, as the level of unpredictability and ambiguity was staggering. What if, in the future, Viper whimsically decided to indulge in the thrill of being a Dark Lord, and decided to launch a brazen attack upon the the Ministry of Magic, and demanded his allegiance? What should he do then?
Bryan ignored Thanatos's complex internal struggle. After a moment of silence, he continued,
"The third thing, I need you to help me kill someone."
"Kill someone?" Thanatos repeated, his mind immediately clearing itself of all the distracting thoughts that had plagued him mere moments before, his confusion evident in the utterance of those two words.
"What's so complicated about that? You can do it yourself, Viper, unless..."
Thanatos's eyes widened in horror, the realization striking him like a physical blow as his gaze fell upon the distant silhouette of Hogwarts shrouded in a veil of mist, "You don't mean to kill Albus Dumbledore, do you?"
"Hmph, kill Dumbledore? Just with you?"
In Thanatos's awkward laughter, the Viper snorted disdainfully. After a brief pause, he softly uttered a name from his mouth.
Thanatos fell silent, staring at the Viper, his mouth opening as if to ask something, but his good "professional conduct" made him suppress his curiosity and confusion, keeping his mouth shut.
"Three things, if you agree, the skeleton is yours. If you disagree, I will erase the memory of our meeting today. Make your choice, Thanatos." Viper said calmly.
The three things that Viper had outlined, each carried with them immense risks and danger, hazards that could not be understated or disregarded. If they were to be offered as commissions on the trading markets of the underground world, the price demanded would be exorbitant, especially the third thing. If possible, Thanatos would never willingly entangle himself in such matters at this delicate, precarious time.
However, as Thanatos's gaze fell upon the towering, colossal skeleton of the giant that loomed in the depths of the lake, his eyes tracing the formidable power contained within each translucent white bone, transfixed by the two chilling undead forces that seemed to burn in the giant's vacant eye sockets, he knew with an unwavering certainty that if he were to squander this opportunity, to let it slip through his grasp like water through cupped hands, his mentor might rise from the grave to skin him alive!
Casting a sidelong glance at Viper, who was leisurely drinking in the surrounding scenery, his demeanor utterly relaxed and exuding an aura of unshakable control over the situation, Thanatos was itching with anger.
Clang, clang, whoo!
The resounding clangs and shrill whooshing sounds of the Hogwarts Express pierced the air, the iconic scarlet steam engine chugging along the iron bridge that spanned the panoramic landscape before arriving at the Hogsmeade station with a series of echoing whistles. Even as the train disembarked its passengers and prepared for its return journey, Thanatos remained rooted to the spot, and couldn't make up his mind.
"Since you're not willing--"
Bryan had lost patience, and a wand appeared from under his black cloak,
"Then our deal ends here, Thanatos. I need to obliviate you."
"Wait, Viper!" Thanatos sprang up, panting heavily, "I didn't say I wouldn't accept; I just… need some time to assess the risks!"
"Gains have always been proportional to risks, Thanatos," Viper said, his tone laced with impatience, as if reprimanding a wayward child. "If you lack even that fundamental awareness, I advise you to leave the underground world soon and open a cauldron stall in Diagon Alley!"
Whether Thanatos would choose to make the deal was a question that didn't require much thought. Since Bryan had invited him out, he was confident that Thanatos would agree.
The crimson glow of the contract gradually dissipated into the gloomy air. After the two parties scheduled the time for the time-turner enchantment handover, Bryan directly disapparated, while Thanatos remained in the suburbs, gazing dreamily at the towering giant's skeleton. He would probably need to stay a few more days in the wilderness to familiarize himself with this skeleton's "performance."
Overall, Bryan found himself thoroughly satisfied with the outcome of this transaction. Not only had it served to replenish his rapidly expanding pockets, but it had also provided resolutions to two vexing, troublesome matters that had been weighing upon his mind. Moreover, it had allowed him to lay some crucial groundwork, to set certain preparations in motion for the future that still lay ahead.
Underground world: Trading market--
"Apart from that notebook, have you really gained nothing else?" Bryan returned to the original stall where he had purchased the Blood Curse, coldly staring at the slippery Greek wizard, whose face was as scaly as that of an African tree snake's.
"Sorry, Mr. Viper--" The stall owner shook his head regretfully, his expression one of feigned remorse masking his true intentions. "That is a relic from a very ancient era, and There weren't many valuables inside. It was a wasted trip for us. That manuscript was our only gain."
After speaking, the stallholder's eyes rolled in their sockets a few times. Leaning forward cautiously, he lowered his voice and asked, "Is it truly the magical research manuscript of the legendary 'Herpo The Foul' himself?"
The Viper glanced coldly at the stall owner, who was full of ulterior motives, and without saying a word, he turned and left.
It had been quite some time since he obtained that stack of manuscripts. Never before had Bryan spent so much time on curse research, but the importance of the Blood Curse was extraordinary—it was a spell he had to master.
With his current level of magical expertise and prowess, there were few individuals who could offer him meaningful guidance on such matters.
Could it be that he really had to go and consult Dumbledore about this evil magic that was no less cruel than a Horcrux?
Bryan shook his head. This was his own trump card, and he didn't want Dumbledore to get too involved.
With a mind full of thoughts, Bryan made his way towards the designated exit point of the underground realm. Just as he was about to step aboard the cart that would transport him back to the surface world, a commotion erupted within the vicinity of the pet market. Bryan's gaze, outwardly indifferent yet inwardly assessing, swept over the unfolding scene. After a cursory few glances, he understood what had happened.
Some imbecile, a fool from Uagadou, had brought a collection of vibrant African Fwooper birds to the market with the intent of peddling them for profit. These avian creatures were renowned worldwide for their striking, lustrous feathers and their haunting, cries that could drive people insane. When attempting to broker the sale of such beings, it was customary and expected that they would be subjected to a carefully executed Silencing Charm before being transported to the bustling market.
It seemed that the incompetent vendor had botched the casting of this crucial spell. Now, an entire cage brimming with the shrill, unsettling chirping of the Fwooper birds had sparked pandemonium, startling and unsettling numerous nearby magical creatures confined in their own cages. A veritable melee had erupted, with confused and disoriented wizards drawing their wands and unleashing volleys of spells, attacking one another in the midst of the chaos.
After a few cursory sweeps of his gaze across the unfolding mayhem, Bryan shook his head, his interest in the matter rapidly waning. He stepped onto the waiting cart, twisted the control lever with a practiced motion, and with an audible click, the brake detached. The cart began to lurch forward, gradually gaining momentum as it prepared to ascend the sloping incline that would return him to the world above.
But just as the cart was about to leave the level plateau and commence its climb up the slope, Bryan's eyebrow furrowed, in an expression of fleeting surprise. With a curl of his cloak and a skillful maneuver, he leaped from the cart, his feet landing upon the ground with a muted thud. When he turned his gaze once more upon the magical creatures that had been stripped of their dignity and reduced to mere commodities within the confines of the trade market, his eyes held a trace of surprise.
Edit- The birds name is fwooper due to some mistakes and stuff i put its name as augurey bird. But now its Fwooper as it should be according to Mr. Newt Scamander and his films.
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章 327: 0326 A Stupid Mistake
Bryan stared at the magical creature trading place, where the screeches of Fwooper birds, the blasting sounds of wizards attacking each other nearby, and the continuous curses from farther away filled the air. His purple eyes gleamed with surprise.
But for Bryan, amidst this seeming chaos, a flash of sheer brilliance struck his mind like a bolt of lightning, illuminating a path forward. For nearly ten months since obtaining the manuscript detailing the Blood Curse, he had tirelessly conducted countless experiments, each one ending in failure more frustrating than the last. Determined to unravel the cause of these setbacks, he had meticulously deduced and analyzed the curse's intricate spell configuration, turned over every scrap of information collected from the remnants of the manuscript, yet no matter how painstakingly he approached the task, his efforts yielded no tangible results.
But now, he thought of a possibility.
Initially, before embarking on his first experiment, he had invested the bulk of his Galleons with Kakus to find information related to Druidism. To save on experimental costs, he had used weak, ordinary creatures as experimental materials.
Ordinarily, such a choice should not have impacted the experimental outcomes, yet Bryan had accidentally overlooked a crucial aspect – the very essence of the Blood Curse's potency lay rooted in the soul of the living being itself, and the feeble souls of these ordinary creatures were incapable of bearing the immense weight of Bryan's magical power.
Subsequently, at the critical juncture of each experiment, the fragile soul acting as the vessel for the curse would dissipate, crumbling under the immense strain, leading inevitably to the failure of the entire endeavor. Although this revelation remained a mere conjecture, Bryan could be certain that this oversight was undoubtedly the root cause behind his persistent lack of success.
"What a stupid mistake,"
Bryan murmured, shaking his head in a mixture of self-deprecating laughter and disbelief at his own ignorance.
Yet, in truth, this was the inherent nature of magical experimentation – a single, seemingly insignificant error could precipitate total and utter failure. And for someone like Bryan, a wizard with profound magical knowledge and prowess, it was all too easy to attribute setbacks to the more challenging and obscure aspects, overlooking the seemingly obvious pitfalls that even those of lesser skill might easily discern.
This, then, was the insidious nature of the knowledge barrier, a treacherous obstacle that had ensnared even the most accomplished of magical researchers and wizards.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The sudden silence that descended upon the chaotic marketplace was as abrupt as it was unnerving. A brilliant, crimson orb had soared skyward, and beneath the cold, appraising gazes of countless onlookers, it detonated in a dazzling burst of searing red light. The Fwooper birds, their cages now disturbingly still, and the bewildered wizards who had fallen victim to the Stupefy spell, their bodies crumpled lifelessly to the ground, were rendered utterly silent, a stark contrast to the pandemonium that had reigned mere moments before.
"What price do you plan to sell these Fwooper birds for?" Bryan inquired, his voice laced with casual indifference as he turned his attention to the Uagadou wizard whose body was adorned with vibrant, intricately painted totemic designs.
The Uagadou wizard, his eyes still glazed with lingering bewilderment, required several long moments to fully comprehend the events that had recently unfolded. Finally, he sprang to his feet, shining with rage, and lashed out violently, delivering a vicious kick to the cage containing the Fwooper birds, unleashing a torrent of curses and profanities that seemed to pour forth from the very depths of his being. It was a considerable span of time before the wizard regained a semblance of composure.
"Are you... Mr. -Viper?" he ventured, his voice tinged with a mixture of awe and wariness.
This Uagadou wizard was a habitual smuggler. It did not take him long to recognize the distinct mask of, the legendary bounty hunter--Golden Viper, and his eyes immediately ignited with the flickering flames of opportunity and greed.
In the shadowy realm of the underground, reputation was inextricably intertwined with wealth and power, and Golden Viper, with his exceptional skills and an astoundingly high commission success rate, was renowned as a figure of near-mythic proportions. A bounty hunter of such caliber, the smuggler guessed, must possess unfathomable wealth.
"Five hundred Galleons each, Mr. Viper," the Uagadou wizard said, his tone now oily and fawning, a stark contrast to his earlier fury. "There are six in total here. If you're willing to buy them all, I can offer you a ten percent discount!"
Sensing the chilling aura of menace that seemed to emanate from the very essence of the Viper, the Uagadou wizard hastily added, his words tumbling forth in a desperate torrent, "You can't imagine the effort I had to go through to get these lively little creatures here, Mr. Viper. The British Ministry of Magic has banned the use of flying carpets, and I was caught by the patrol squad when I landed, spending a fortune to let them release me. So, price-wise—"
"One thousand five hundred--" Bryan interjected, his voice unhurried and dismissive as he casually cut off the wizard's rambling, stating a price that, while reasonable, allowed no negotiation. "If you don't agree, I'll let you lie there for a while longer."
And with those words, the deal was amicably settled, the Uagadou wizard wisely recognizing the futility of further haggling with the fearsome Golden Viper.
With the curse vessel materials now secured, Bryan's attention turned to the next crucial component – a recipient for the curse itself, preferably an intelligent magical creature capable of withstanding the immense strain of the ritual. The group of domesticated house-elves that had been terrified by the earlier commotion had not yet returned to the underworld, leaving Bryan with a limited array of choices in the current magical creature market. Aside from the reclusive centaurs, the only intelligent magical creatures readily available were the enigmatic Veelas and the mischievous Irish Leprechauns.
"If only I had kept a few Werewolves--" Bryan muttered to himself, his gaze flickering between the three distinct magical species as he collected the Fwooper birds, hesitation etched into the outlines of his expression.
He had recently established an uncertain yet friendly relationship with the centaurs dwelling within the Forbidden Forest, and unless absolutely necessary, Bryan harbored no desire to stain his hands with the blood of their kin, a prospect that filled him with a sense of unease. The Veela, on the other hand, represented the optimal choice, for one of their two transformative forms possessed a soul quality remarkably akin to that of wizards themselves. Yet it was for this very reason that Bryan hesitated, his resolve wavering as he contemplated before sparing the already tragic plight of these beings.
Leprechauns, however, were equally coveted in the underground world, their popularity stemming directly from their innate tendency for 'trickery' and deception.
Although incapable of deceiving the cunning goblins of Gringotts, and with most large alchemy workshops and companies possessing means to discern the authenticity of Galleons, there remained a vast horde of ordinary citizens in the wizarding world who lacked such sharp eyes and discerning judgment. The underworld was a cesspool packed with scoundrels and charlatans who would stop at nothing to deceive and swindle the unsuspecting. An Irish Leprechaun's talents could yield profits that would dwarf the earnings from several medium-scale-difficulty commission tasks combined.
After parting with another two thousand 'hard-earned' Galleons, Bryan at last had assembled all the necessary high-quality "experimental materials" required for his ambitious experiment. The final prerequisite was the identification of a suitably secluded place in which he could conduct the potentially unpredictable experiment, far from prying eyes and interference.
The hotel where he had taken up temporary residence of late was unsuitable for such experiments. The uproar caused by that Rita Skeeter, and her meddling had already made Bryan rather unwelcome at the hotel. After weighing the advantages of the Shrieking Shack against those of the Number 12, Grimmauld Place, Bryan ultimately cast his decision in favor of the latter. The ancient Black family manor, though steeped in a legacy of darkness, possessed many layers of robust magical wards and defensive spells. So, even if something went wrong, at least it wouldn't be exposed.
Bang!
The nauseating, dizzying spin through the swirling gray void of spatial turbulence concluded as abruptly as it had begun, dumping Bryan with a steady pace in the narrow corridor behind the door of the Black Manor – or rather, the Watson Manor, as it could now be rightfully called. Before he could shake off his bewilderment at the clean, well-lit corridor before him, a shrill, malicious voice assaulted his ears, emanating from a source he knew all too well.
"Despicable, shameless thief, lowly, filthy Mudblood, how dare you—"
Crash!
The high-pitched torrent of venom ceased as abruptly as it had begun, the scathing attack cut short by a surprised scream that reverberated through the corridor.
"Master Watson!"
Kreacher, the Black family's devoted house-elf, his fleshy nose adorned with a shining string of snot bubbles, scurried towards Bryan with a comically exaggerated wobble, coming to an abrupt halt before him. The elf's bulging eyes shone with a mixture of reverence and unconcealed devotion as he addressed his new master.
"Kreacher has been wondering when he would get to lay eyes upon you once more, Master Watson. Is there anything this humble servant can do to be of service to the great Master Watson?" The elf's raspy tones were covered with an earnestness that bordered on the syrupy feeling.
Ever since that fateful night when Bryan, alongside Remus and Sirius, had brought back Regulus's body from the depths of the cave where Voldemort had hidden one of his Horcruxes, the house-elf, who had previously displayed nothing but open hostility toward the trio, had undergone a profound transformation. Remus believed that Kreacher's newfound attitude stemmed from a sense of gratitude, yet Bryan could not shake the conviction that the power he had showed that night played a pivotal role in the elf's sudden change in behaviors.
"Oh, Kreacher, it's you—" Bryan showed a faint smile, brushing past the elf as he remarked with casual indifference, "Catching up with your old master?"
"The old mistress has been in low spirits lately, Master Watson," Kreacher confided, scurrying obediently towards Bryan as he spoke in hushed, cautious tones. "For all these years, the old mistress had clung to the hope that Master Regulus had merely run away from home. But ever since you and Master Sirius brought back Master Regulus's body, she has been forced to confront the harsh reality and can no longer deceive herself."
It was, indeed, a tragic affair. Out of respect for the fallen Regulus and his brother Sirius, Bryan decided to allow the portrait of the late Walburga Black a few more days of despairing existence upon the wall before ultimately removing it from his sight.
Pushing open the door at the end of the corridor, Bryan climbed the stairs, intending to return to his former room to rest and recuperate, allowing himself to recover to optimal condition before embarking upon the experimental work that lay ahead. Kreacher followed dutifully behind him, cautiously observing him, as if there was something he wanted to ask but dared not overstep.
"Oh, by the way--" Bryan said, pausing before entering his room as he turned his gaze downward to meet Kreacher's expectant stare. A faint smile played across his lips as he addressed the elf in a gentle tone, "I almost forgot, Kreacher. I have two pieces of good news to share with you."
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