020 The Lost Thing

"Say something, Harry!"

Bryan, Hagrid, and Harry were lost in their thoughts, leaving Ron feeling anxious. He looked at Bryan curiously for a moment and then winked at Harry, trying to convey something. Ron was visibly restless, shifting his gaze between Bryan and Harry, his mind preoccupied.

It was Bryan who broke the silence first. He nodded at Harry and smiled warmly.

"Last night, I had a conversation with Professor Snape at his place, and he shared his perspective on you," Bryan began, his words making Harry's heart skip a beat. A chilling sensation ran through his body as if a cold hand had gripped his heart.

Harry didn't need to inquire further; he already knew the kind of evaluation Snape would have given him. Anxious, he clenched his fists, preparing himself to defend against whatever criticism was coming his way. But Bryan's next words pulled him out of the abyss of fear.

"However, those evaluations merely reflect Professor Snape's personal opinions, which may not be objective. In my view, if you want to understand someone, you have to observe them with your own eyes. Blindly listening to others' opinions is not advisable."

Harry's tense shoulders relaxed as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Bryan's words helped dispel his restlessness. He understood why he had been silent and guarded in front of Bryan—fear of being judged. But now, with his worries alleviated, curiosity surged within him.

"By the way, Hagrid, I forgot to mention that it was the Hogwarts School Board, not the Ministry of Magic, that assigned me to investigate the Chamber of Secrets," Bryan added.

He exchanged a few words with the still apprehensive Hagrid and then swiftly made his way towards the staircase's corner. Just as he disappeared from sight, Bryan remembered something and waved back at Hagrid, who stood tall and bewildered.

Once Bryan's footsteps had faded completely, the trio in front of the stairs collectively released a sigh of relief. Ron couldn't contain his excitement and immediately voiced his opinion.

"He's really intimidating, isn't he?" Ron's ears turned red, and he looked positively thrilled. "When he looks at me, it feels like I am facing Dumbledore himself. He may appear friendly, but you can't let your guard down! He's definitely different!"

Harry nodded in agreement, still reeling from the impact of Bryan's penetrating gaze. He compared it in his mind to Dumbledore's unwavering eyes, trying to gauge where Bryan stood in comparison.

"I never thought a Slytherin-born wizard could be so polite when talking to people. It's not like their usual cunning or sarcasm, right, Hagrid?" Harry mused.

Hagrid didn't respond to Harry's question. His cheeks puffed up, and he stared blankly at the corner of the stairs, resembling a person trying to chew on a dead rat.

"Ah, what a delightful misunderstanding!" Hagrid suddenly exclaimed, startling Harry and Ron. Before they could complain, Hagrid beamed at them.

"I get it now. It's the school board, not the Ministry of Magic. They probably just want to handle it themselves!"

"What are you talking about, Hagrid?" Harry and Ron exchanged puzzled glances, and Ron furrowed his brow. "Why be so secretive?"

"I told you, Ron!" Hagrid wagged a finger playfully. "I have no secrets from you... Well, sorry, Harry, but I've got to get back now. Fang's waiting for me at home, and I don't want him tearing up my bed because he's hungry!"

When passing by the hall, Bryan stopped and glanced at the auditorium. Professor Snape seemed to have left the school. After returning to his small office, Professor McGonagall was still busy, and the auditorium was empty. However, at the Slytherin dining table, Bryan noticed two young wizards huddled together, engrossed in their meal. Unaware of Bryan's presence, they continued eating and drinking.

Bryan's own appetite grew stronger as he watched the two students enjoy their food. He rubbed his belly absentmindedly but decided not to interrupt them. Instead, he headed towards the basement passageway, which he had traversed countless times during his seven years at Hogwarts. Even after three years of absence, the memories of the labyrinthine underground passage were deeply ingrained in him, guiding him effortlessly.

However, upon reaching a dark brown stone wall, Bryan smacked his forehead in frustration. He had forgotten the password. He weighed his options: wait for someone to enter or exit, seek help from the two Slytherin students in the auditorium, or choose a different path. Opting for the latter, Bryan muttered, "Glory—"

To his disappointment, nothing happened. He continued to guess the password, trying phrases like "The Holy Family" and "Emerald" until finally landing on "Pure blood?" The stone door responded with a resounding click, opening before him.

Chuckling to himself, Bryan remarked, "Ho ho, it's the same old routine!" With a satisfied smile, he stepped through the stone wall and observed the changes in the Slytherin common room.

Situated deep underground and adjacent to the Black Lake, the common room exuded an eerie green atmosphere, accompanied by a faint scent of water and grass. Even the flickering fireplace failed to dispel its eerie and treacherous ambiance.

"I thought I would have to wait at least two hours before seeing you all return," a lazy voice sounded from a high-back chair positioned in front of the fireplace, its back turned to the door. The voice carried a hint of venom.

"Could it be that the two of you finally managed to bring Hogwarts down?" the voice continued.

"I believe you must be Draco Malfoy," Bryan calmly replied.

Clang!

The moment Draco heard Bryan's voice, he dropped his quill and swiftly threw himself behind a nearby sofa, brandishing his wand as he landed.

"Who are you, and how did you get in!" Draco demanded, his face contorted with surprise and apprehension.

Bryan's eyelids twitched slightly, taken aback by Draco's immediate reaction. Ignoring the wand pointed at him, he smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, Mr. Malfoy. My name is Bryan Watson... well, I can sit down and explain, Mr. Malfoy."

Within twenty minutes, Bryan recounted his background to Draco. The young wizard's eyes sparkled as he tilted his chin, seemingly evaluating Bryan's worth, like a test for a potential servant.

"Did my father send you here? You should know that he is one of the twelve board members of this school. Odd, I thought he would have found a way to drive old man Dumbledore out, and yet he sends you instead?" Draco questioned, his excitement palpable.

Bryan's nonchalant demeanor towards the young Mr. Malfoy was not surprising, considering his experience within the pure-blood wizarding community.

However, Lucius Malfoy planning to oust Dumbledore from the school intrigued Bryan. It was interesting news indeed. Perhaps that was why he had voted against the Greengrass family during the board's decision—to prevent anyone from ruining his plans regarding Dumbledore.

"By the way... since you're the investigator!" Draco's pale face flushed suddenly, as if he had just remembered something important. "The Saint Potter of Gryffindor is none other than the legendary Heir of Slytherin. I assume you've heard of him!"

Excitedly, Draco stood up, wide-eyed, and stared at Bryan. "Watson, what authority do you possess? Can you expel students? If you help me get him expelled, I can convince my father to reward you handsomely!"

Bryan was accustomed to such arrogance, leaning back in his chair, his tone wavering with amusement as he replied, "If I understand correctly, Mr. Malfoy, you're reporting to me that Harry Potter is the heir of Slytherin, aren't you?"

"I didn't say that," Draco muttered, seemingly unaware that Bryan's smile had faded. "Is a wretch who associates with mudbloods and willingly descends to their level worthy of any connection to the great Slytherin?"

Bryan's interest was piqued by Draco's distinct "personality" within the ranks of pure-blood wizard descendants.

"However, does that truly matter?" Bryan remarked. Draco turned abruptly, his anger manifesting as he waved his arms vehemently. "Watson, I only need Potter to leave the school. If you require a reason, I can provide one—he's a Parseltongue. I believe you know what that means!"

"Ahh..." Bryan sat up straight, his eyes gleaming. Snape hadn't mentioned this to him the previous night. Since all the young wizards in Slytherin knew the news, there was no reason for Snape to withhold it.

"You've shared something intriguing, Mr. Malfoy," Bryan nodded at Draco. "However, I regret to inform you that I don't have the authority to expel students. Furthermore, until the perpetrator behind the attacks on Creevey and Fletchley is identified, I won't suggest Dumbledore to expel anyone."

"You weren't sent by my father," Draco stated coldly, realizing that Bryan seemed unaffiliated with him.

"In that case, what are you doing here?" Draco mocked. "Do you suspect me of opening the Chamber of Secrets? Are you planning to send me to Azkaban?"

Bryan smiled as he stood up. "Actually, it's embarrassing to admit... When I was a student here, I seem to have secretly hidden something in the dormitory. I'm not sure why, but I was reminded of it just now, after being stimulated..."