0167 Dumbledore's Reflection

"he could be anywhere–" 

Dumbledore looked thoughtful and solemn as he repeated the words of the Sorting Hat. Although the portraits on the wall, were eager to discuss the inexplicable concept of 'Hogwarts Heirs', It was a title that sounded both ridiculous and intriguing, but they all tried hard not to speak, afraid of disturbing Dumbledore's thoughts. 

"I must thank you," 

After a long time, Dumbledore's tone became cheerful again, and he nodded to the Sorting Hat from his chair, 

"The wisdom of the four founders is the most precious treasure of Hogwarts, and tonight, it prevented me from making a terrible mistake." 

After saying these words, Dumbledore got up from his chair and walked around the table, pacing in the circular office. He looked at each portrait with a thoughtful expression, as if he was trying to find something in their eyes. 

"A specific choice at a specific age, Those are really wise words," 

Dumbledore smiled and said, "Even I can't completely avoid being prejudiced, can I?" 

He didn't need anyone to answer, Dumbledore was just talking to himself. 

"–Bryan and Tom are very similar, this is what I have been worrying about, this worry is so strong, that even though I know that he and Tom are completely different people, but I dare not completely let go of my heart. I have to admit that Bryan being in Slytherin House magnified my attention to the similarities between him and Tom, but in fact, this is a terrible prejudice!" 

"That's the truth, Albus!" Phineas took advantage of the opportunity and said happily, 

"We all know that powerful wizards have privileges, that kid sometimes despises the law, and disdains the rules, but he is always kind, and what happened tonight is a strong proof that those increasingly incompetent guys in The Ministry of Magic can't stand his toss!" 

Phineas had a notorious reputation in his lifetime as a former headmaster who was known for his eccentricity and arrogance. He often clashed with his colleagues over trivial matters and insulted them behind their backs. However, he did have some truth in what he said about Bryan Watson's rebellious nature. The young wizard had been involved in several incidents that challenged the authority of The Ministry of Magic and caused trouble for Hogwarts. But he was also a talented student who had shown great potential in magic. So the former headmasters kept silent, neither agreeing nor refuting his words.

And this was very encouraging for Phineas. He looked around triumphantly with his black eyes spinning around. 

"For such a talented young man, we should forgive his trivial mistakes, and patiently guide him back to the right path." 

"What makes you so tolerant and friendly tonight, Headmaster Black?" 

Dumbledore stopped at the golden branch where Fawkes was perched. He looked up at Phineas's portrait with a gentle smile. 

"My meaning is very clear, isn't it?" 

Phineas felt confused by Dumbledore's sudden change of attitude. He forgot to respect Dumbledore and shouted, 

"As long as we can be lenient with Bryan Watson's mistakes over the years then Albus my unworthy great-grandson-" 

"Ah ha!" 

Armando Dippet who had been sneering at Phineas for a long time exclaimed, "I knew you were plotting this! The conspiracy is exposed!" 

Phineas's attempt to confuse the audience aroused anger among some of his colleagues who felt insulted by his words. They started to hurl accusations at him, "You are jealous gentlemen! The noble Black family will last forever! The noble Black family will never have traitors!" 

"Please calm down everyone! If you continue to quarrel Argus will come to our door!" 

Dumbledore shook his silver-white eyebrows looking a bit helpless. 

"I think you must understand Headmaster Black," 

Dumbledore who had regained his calm said in a stern tone "The sins committed by Sirius are unforgivable right?" 

"I was just about to talk to you about this!" 

Phineas was squeezed by his colleagues on both sides blurted out trying to defend himself. He carefully and smoothly said to Dumbledore,

"My great-grandson, you all say that he joined the Dark Lord who can't be named, betrayed the Potters, but you can't produce any evidence, can you, Dumbledore, that kid grew up under your eyes, you know what kind of person he is, you see how close he is with that Potter, he can't betray the Potters, there must be a misunderstanding!" 

The voice of Phineas Nigellus Black was loud and hoarse, echoing in the circular office of the headmaster. His face was twisted with anger and pain, as he glared at the portraits of former headmasters. 

"Ridiculous!" 

Unsurprisingly, the person who refuted the words was Headmaster Armando Dippet, who had a long white beard and a pointed hat. He looked furious and disgusted, as he snapped at Black, 

"Your great-grandson sent away thirteen innocent souls with a curse in broad daylight, one of whom was his best friend!" 

Effective communication and exchange stopped, and meaningless conflicts broke out again. More than a dozen former headmasters crowded into Armando's painting frame and wanted to separate Dippet and Black, but somehow, this fight turned into a melee. They shouted, pushed, and pulled each other, creating a chaotic scene in the wall of portraits. 

This time, Dumbledore didn't stop them immediately, he frowned and muttered softly, "Even in that era full of lies and betrayals, this is a puzzling thing, the truth-? but the crime facts are clear." 

"Albus–" 

Dilys Derwent was the only headmaster who didn't join the portrait melee, she called Dumbledore's name, "What are you going to do about Bryan Watson?" 

Dumbledore's eyebrows relaxed, ignoring the portrait's melee and returned to his seat, resuming the posture of clasping his fingers and staring at the dome, falling into a long thought. 

Bryan didn't expect that the wall of fire could completely stop Albus Dumbledore and his phoenix, he just hoped that the magic could buy him a few seconds. In the next five minutes, he almost didn't stay in one place for more than three seconds, constantly apparating, constantly erasing the traces of magic, until the end, even he, who had a considerable amount of magic reserves, was exhausted by this crazy apparition. 

"They really didn't come after me?" 

Bryan stopped in a jungle that he had been to during his previous missions, leaning on a towering giant tree and panting slightly. He felt a surge of relief and disbelief, as he checked his surroundings for any signs of pursuit. 

"Hmph, what if they know?" Bryan straightened up and smiled slightly, "They were still deceived." 

The dazzling starlight from the infinite starry sky and the cool air of the original jungle at night calmed Bryan's slightly agitated mood, and after thinking about it, he changed into his usual wizard robe and apparated back to Hogsmeade. 

Hogsmeade in the night was looming in the thick fog, and on the commercial street that runs through the center of the village, there were many vague shadows in the fog, most of these guys were also regulars in the underworld, and they came here for trading or commissioning, but they didn't want to be exploited by brokers like Fawley, so they hoped to use Albus Dumbledore's name to deter the trading partners from messing around. 

Bryan ignored these wizards, he walked past the elegant wizard clothing store and residences, and headed towards the Three Broomsticks.

"Hic-, woo-woo–" 

Just as Bryan was about to reach the alley of his temporary residence, he heard a humming sound from the dark alley on the other side of the pub, and the voice sounded strange but familiar. 

After thinking for a moment, Bryan walked towards the alley where the sound came from, and saw a huge and honest figure who was drunk leaning on the edge of several trashcans, groaning and mumbling. 

"Hagrid, how come it's you?!" 

Bryan looked surprised, he ran over, held his breath to cut off the stinky smell, and then bent down and lifted Hagrid's furry beard, which was stained with beers and tears. 

"What made you drink so much at night? And what made you cry alone?"

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