0139 Minister's Request

Bryan and Fudge stood in the dimly lit corridor of the Leaky Cauldron, ready to say their final farewell. Although they both knew that Harry Potter was upstairs, staying in one of the shabby rooms, Bryan had no intention of going up and saying hello to him. The boy who lived was currently in a new crisis, involving a notorious mass murderer who had escaped from Azkaban. And if he got too close to him at this time, he could foresee that he might be involved in it as well. 

And that also meant that he would expose himself to Dumbledore's sight again. 

Although he knew that fate would eventually lead him to Hogwarts, he still had a few important things to do at this time. First of all, tracing the whereabouts of Cliodna Coffey was the most important thing at the moment. The woman got a revelation from the black shadow that popped out of the Twin Serpent Staff, which always gave Bryan a very bad feeling. He had a hunch that if Cliodna really followed the revelation of the shadow and did something, then he might bring himself a lot of trouble in the future.

Of course, the Druids have been completely separated from the wizarding world for so many years, living in seclusion and secrecy. It could be expected that it would not be easy to find this woman. 

So, Bryan planned to spend some time finding a place to live for himself - the new dormitory building at the orphanage where he had grown up had been completed, thanks to his generous donation. And everything was on track. Bryan's economic situation had improved a lot. For these years, he had been in a precarious state, moving from one place to another, hiding his identity and abilities in the knockturn alley. He should find a stable home for himself, where he could relax and research. 

After these two things were almost done, Bryan planned to get the Basilisk back from Newt Scamander. This was not easy either. Not to mention that this famous magical creature expert was not easy to deal with, having a keen interest and affection for all kinds of beasts. And it was rumored that Newt had a close relationship with Dumbledore, who was always keeping an eye on Bryan's activities. Once he got the news of Newt's 'robbery', the keen Albus Dumbledore would surely react. 

"Maybe, when Mr. Scamander returns the Basilisk to the Ministry of Magic and they exhibits it abroad, it will be a more suitable time to start -"

As he waved goodbye with a polite smile, Bryan calculated in his heart. 

"Oh, please wait, Bryan -" 

Fudge, who had stepped on the creaky stairs, suddenly came back and called him anxiously. 

"Do you have any instructions, Minister?" 

Bryan turned around and raised his eyebrows in surprise, feeling a bad premonition in his heart. 

"I just remembered something, a bit troublesome, of course, just in case" 

Fudge rubbed his hands nervously, looking a bit embarrassed, but he still said his request. 

"You hope I can help take care of Potter who ran away from home until he returns to Hogwarts. The Ministry of Magic is worried that Black will attack Potter." 

Hearing the minister's request, Bryan frowned slightly, and his bad premonition was confirmed. 

"Oh, this is just a possibility!" 

Fearing that he had revealed something that he shouldn't have, Fudge quickly explained, "Actually, this should be done by the Ministry of Magic, but oh, you know, the Ministry of Magic is short of staff now. In order to find Black, we even sent Eric who guards the door at night. To be honest, I have to discuss with Barty about expanding recruitment from Hogwarts next year. Bryan, you have been Potter's professor before. You must have a good relationship with that kid. And your strength is superb." 

"I'm sorry, Minister." 

Before Fudge finished speaking, Bryan interrupted him regretfully, "I wish I could help with this, but some tricky things have recently entangled me. I have to deal with them first." 

"Okay." 

Fudge nodded disappointedly. Even as the Minister of Magic, he had no right to demand others to obey his orders, especially someone who had a Merlin second-class medal and was not an employee of the Ministry of Magic. Fudge muttered as he went up the stairs again, 

"Following that kid might have a chance to meet him. Oh, as long as there is reliable information, how much is fifty thousand Galleons!" 

'How much?!' 

Bryan, who was glad that he had got rid of the trouble of taking care of Potter, felt his heart skip half a beat. He took a few steps up the stairs and rudely grabbed Fudge's shoulder, spinning him around. His eyes sparkled with excitement, 

"I'm afraid I didn't hear it wrong. Minister, did you say that as long as you kill Sirius Black, the Ministry of Magic will give out fifty thousand Galleons?" 

"Kill Black?" 

Looking at Bryan who suddenly became too eager, Fudge was stunned for a while, then laughed dryly, 

"What are you talking about, Bryan?" 

Fudge's eyes widened in disbelief as he heard Bryan's eager question. He shook his head and laughed dryly. 

"Even in Azkaban, Black was one of the most vicious and dangerous ones. Only trained elite wizards from the Ministry of Magic and Dementors can deal with such scums. We don't expect anyone else to be able to subdue him, unless there is some solid evidence–"

Bryan nodded repeatedly, looking like he understood. "So if I kill him, or capture him alive, Minister, will the reward be more?"

"If that's the case, Bryan–" Fudge smiled slightly, his expression as if he was facing a young man with unrealistic fantasies. He said cheerfully, "That's not just a matter of Galleons, Bryan. If you really hand over Black to us like that Basilisk you brought back from Egypt, then you will undoubtedly become the most dazzling hero in the wizarding world. Your second-class medal will also become a first-class one."

The first-class medal was nothing to Bryan, and the hero title was a joke, but the real fifty thousand Galleons…

"No problem, Minister." Bryan said righteously. "I will take good care of Potter until I find Black. I will follow him every step of the way. Anyway, I am not in the same world as evil!"

Fudge was speechless for a moment. He didn't know whether to be grateful or suspicious of Bryan's sudden enthusiasm.

The sun had set, and Potter leaned on the soft pillow, looking at the desk with respectful eyes. There sat the professor who was writing on the parchment with a feather pen. 

No pain, no gain. There is no free excellence in this world. Bryan Watson was able to walk his own magic path at such a young age and have a magical strength that others could not match. Talent could not explain all these things. Potter admired Bryan's achievements and wanted to learn from him. He hoped that one day he could also become a powerful and independent wizard like him. 

"–So, you inflated your aunt? Haha, interesting. Fudge said you ran away from home. I thought you had some conflict with your uncle and aunt." 

Harry scratched his cheek embarrassedly and smiled. To be honest, he never dreamed that he would meet Professor Watson so soon. Before, when Fudge and Professor Watson appeared in front of him together and told him that because of the turbulent situation, Professor Watson would take care of him until school started, he almost dropped his jaw. 

And this also let Harry know how much panic the Voldemort's minion caused to the Ministry of Magic. 

Fudge told him that letting Professor Watson accompany him was just to prevent a possibility, but he didn't say what it was. 

Thinking of the Ministry of Magic's tolerance for himself, and the Minister of Magic personally looking for him, Harry immediately realized that the Ministry of Magic basically confirmed that this Black escaped from prison most likely to find him to avenge Voldemort. Otherwise, how could such a big figure as the Minister of Magic personally look for a lost little wizard? 

But for some reason, Harry didn't feel too scared, but rather had an inexplicable sense of expectation. Maybe it was because there was Dumbledore at school, and Professor Watson outside. Harry wished that Black would come to him soon and bump into him. 

"That Black, professor–" 

Seeing that Professor Watson's feather pen stopped moving for a while, Harry took the opportunity to ask, "He is a very powerful guy, right? Otherwise, the Ministry of Magic wouldn't be so nervous?" 

"Maybe, Potter–" Bryan rubbed his eyes and yawned, "I only heard some rumors about him before he was caught. I can't give you a reliable evaluation." 

"But he definitely won't be your opponent, right?" Harry asked eagerly. 

"Hmm… That Black blew up half a street with one spell before he was arrested. More than a dozen Muggles died on the spot," 

Bryan stood up from his desk, shaking his sore neck.

"Indeed, he is very powerful," Bryan muttered sarcastically, "I can probably beat a dozen of him at a time."

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