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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