0140 Dilemma
Leaving the Dursleys and staying at the Leaky Cauldron was much more pleasant than he had imagined. For the first ti in years, he had a carefree sumr vacation. He could sleep until the sun was already spitting out scorching heat, lazily go downstairs for breakfast, and watch the other guests passing by the bar while chewing on toast. He enjoyed the freedom and comfort of the wizarding world, away from the nagging and abuse of his relatives.
But because of Sirius Black's escape, the business of the Leaky Cauldron had plumted, and the wizards who stayed there beca more and more weird. Most of them liked to hide their faces under large black cloaks or layers of bandages. They looked like they were afraid of being recognized or attacked by soone.
These people would hide in the corners or behind the wooden pillars that supported the bar, order a drink, and stare at the pedestrians all day long. They rarely spoke to anyone, except for whispering so rumors or gossips.
Harry had asked Professor Watson what these strange wizards were doing.
"Competitors, Potter, these are all my competitors."
Professor Watson glared at those wizards with a 'fierce' and 'gritting' tone, giving him an answer that he couldn't figure out. Harry wondered what kind of competition they were in, and why Professor Watson seed so angry about it.
For the first few days, Harry was preparing for the next school year. He withdrew his living expenses from Gringotts, replenished his potion materials, bought new robes, and purchased textbooks for the next year. Harry figured out why Hagrid had sent him a book that looked very unsettling and said it would co in handy. It was a textbook for Care of Magical Creatures, a new elective course that Harry had chosen along with Ron and Hermione.
With Professor Watson's guidance, Harry easily figured out what to write for his sumr howork for the two courses that bothered him the most - History of Magic and Potions. He helped him find so interesting facts and anecdotes from the history books, and gave him so tips and tricks for brewing potions.
A week later, Harry was ready to enjoy the wonderful sumr vacation after finishing all the preparations for school, but Professor Watson's behavior beca strange.
Every morning after getting up, he took Harry around Diagon Alley, not on the busy comrcial street, but specifically picking those secluded alleys where few people passed by. He let Harry wander around in those alleys by himself, while he hung far behind.
He pretended to be casual, but Harry could feel his eyes watching him closely. This was really puzzling. Harry didn't want to waste his good ti on exploring dark and remote alleys. He wanted to go to those lively shops, especially the Quidditch boutique, where Harry saw what he wanted most in his life.
"The fastest flying broom in the world, the Irish International Club just placed an order for seven of these fine products!" The shopkeeper shouted enthusiastically. "They are the darlings for next year's World Cup!"
He was talking about Firebolt, a sleek and shiny broom that looked like it could fly faster than lightning. Harry's eyes widened as he saw the broom on display. He felt a surge of longing and excitent in his chest. He wanted to touch it, to feel it, to fly with it.
"Stop looking, Potter!"
Bryan pulled Harry out of the crowd from the front. Seeing his desire in his eyes, Bryan said with a lack of interest and glanced at the displayed 'broom',
"We have serious things to do!"
Harry looked at Firebolt reluctantly until he walked away. Then he 'mournfully' and 'tearfully' looked at Professor Watson,
"Do you expect Sirius Black to attack ?"
"Oh!" Bryan showed a surprised expression. "You are smarter than I thought, Potter. I thought you couldn't guess it!"
Harry:"-_-"
"Don't be so downcast, Harry?" Bryan affectionately hugged Harry's shoulder and said, "We are engaged in a more noble cause. Think about it. If we catch Black soon, we can prevent more innocent people from being hurt by Black!"
Harry: "-.-"
"Okay!"
Looking at Harry who was a bit emotional, Bryan frowned and said with a pain in his heart,
"Firebolt, right? Okay, no problem! As long as you can lure Black over and let save the wizarding world from Black's terror, I will pay for it myself and buy you one!"
Harry's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to tell Professor Watson that he didn't need to do that because he already had a very good flying broom. He had Nimbus 2000, which was still in good condition. But his body was obviously more honest. After hearing Professor Watson's promise, his legs didn't listen to him at all. He darted into the gloomy alley with a whoosh.
But obviously, Black was not stupid enough to be surprising. Bryan and Harry's attempt lasted for a week, but they got nothing.
Harry didn't care about it, but as the start of school approached, Bryan beca more and more worried.
Once Potter returned to Hogwarts, back under Dumbledore's protection, it would not be so easy to make this big money unless he followed him back to that school and watched Potter all day long.
Bryan felt a surge of desperation as he realized this was his last opportunity to capture Black and collect the bounty. He had wasted the entire sumr on this sche, but he had nothing to show for it. He was filled with frustration and anger. In the dark inn, Bryan turned his head and looked at Potter who was making a slight snoring sound. He was sleeping peacefully, unaware of the danger that lurked around him.
Bryan pondered his next move in silence. To be honest, if Bryan wanted to go back, it was actually a very simple thing. He could always apply for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position again. He had lost the voodoo doll, but he could acquire so centaurs or vampires from the black market and use so advanced dark magic to transfer the curse.
Or, he could take over the Care of Magical Creatures post, since Professor Kettleburn had retired. He was no expert in that field, but he could fool the young wizards by following the textbook. He had done so research on magical creatures, and he knew how to deal with them.
Or, he could simply ask Kakus to negotiate with the board of governors again, and let him return to Hogwarts as a security consultant for the castle.
Hmph, security consultant - Bryan Watson?
Bryan smirked in the dark. That na did not sound as impressive as investigator. It sounded low-end, like the castle caretaker Filch. He imagined himself wearing a uniform and a badge, patrolling the corridors and grounds, checking the doors and windows, and reporting to Dumbledore every day. He felt both amused and disgusted.
Of course, these were just Bryan's idle jokes. On that night a few months ago, after he had confronted Dumbledore by the Black Lake, Bryan had seen through Dumbledore's true intentions for him. If he wanted to go back to Hogwarts, he only needed to write a letter. Dumbledore would welco him back with open arms.
But every ti he thought of Dumbledore standing behind his desk, those blue eyes sparkling in the firelight, looking at him who had 'returned to the light', opening his arms and showing a 'kind and gentle' smile, and saying sothing like 'Welco back to Hogwarts', Bryan felt a sickening urge to vomit.
"Even if I go back!"
Bryan turned over and gazed at the bright round moon outside the window. He muttered fiercely,
"It would have to be Dumbledore himself who ca to , admitted his faults, apologized sincerely, invited eagerly, and promised to pay at the headmaster's level. Then I would consider it!"
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Author's Note: Sorry! for the mistake, According to Harry Potter Wikipedia, The Bounty on sirius black is Fifty Thousand galleons, I have edited the mistake in previous chapter and upcoming chapters too.
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