"My plan is, after the summer holiday begins, I'll go and talk to your aunt and uncle first. We'll get your luggage out of those Muggles' house and take it to No.12 Grimmauld Place, the Black Manor. You can live there with me from now on, that is, if you're willing."
"You have your own house!" Harry said excitedly. "Do you mean I can leave the Dursleys and live with you?"
"Well," Sirius had apparently misunderstood Harry's meaning, his expression becoming unnatural, "Of course, you've lived with Muggles for twelve years, so perhaps you're more used to that."
"Are you mental?" Harry immediately interrupted Sirius, his voice hoarse. "Of course I want to leave the Dursleys. If Professor McGonagall allows it, can I take a couple of days off now to go back to the Dursleys' and move my stuff?"
"Oh!" A smile bloomed on Sirius's face again.
"No need to be in such a hurry. I need to discuss this plan with Bryan first. Cough-Ahem, due to certain circumstances, he now owns that house, though I do have the right to use it, and Bryan certainly wouldn't mind you moving in. Alright, let's get back to the previous topic—"
Sirius pursed his lips as he tried to change the topic.
"After getting you out of those Muggles's house, hmm, I think Ron's suggestion is not bad - you can stay with him for a while first--"
Harry certainly wouldn't mind staying at the Burrow. Ron's parents, the Weasleys, had always been very friendly towards him, almost treating him like another son. However, he was curious as to why, if Sirius was taking him out, he would still send him to the Burrow.
"--I previously promised Bryan that I would go with him to handle some business. It will probably take two to three weeks. After that, I'll pick you up from the Burrow, and we'll go watch the World Cup together."
For Harry, this felt like a dream. His wish for over ten years - to leave the Dursleys - would finally be fulfilled this summer vacation. He had never yearned for the arrival of summer vacation like this before.
And Sirius's plans weren't finished yet.
"For the time after that..." As they crossed the signpost for Hogsmeade village, Sirius hesitated for a moment. "After the World Cup ends...it depends, Harry. We can't tell how long this Quidditch World Cup between Bulgaria and Ireland will last."
Harry didn't quite understand. He himself was the Seeker for Gryffindor and had played many matches at Hogwarts, but the longest match had never exceeded half a day.
"The last one between Luxembourg and Uganda lasted five days," Ron explained to Harry. "The longest record in history is one month!"
"Wow!" Harry's green eyes shone with excitement as he exclaimed, "I really hope this one lasts that long too!"
"A month-long match would be an absolute nightmare for the Ministry of Magic," Sirius chuckled, glancing at the overly excited Harry, who in that moment reminded him vividly of James - the two of them discussing Quidditch with such enthusiasm were practically identical.
"--After that," Sirius's voice softened a bit, "if time permits, I hope you can go with me to Godric's Hollow. You've been living with those Muggles all along, so I assume you haven't been there?"
'Godric's Hollow?'
The smile immediately froze on Harry's face, his heart feeling like it had been hit hard by a rogue Bludger.
Godric's Hollow was where he was born and where his parents had been killed. Having been in the wizarding world for so many years, Harry certainly knew this fact. But strangely enough, the thought of going back to Godric's Hollow had never crossed his mind before, as if he was instinctively avoiding it.
But after Sirius mentioned that place, a sudden longing surged within Harry, a longing so strong that it even surpassed his desire to leave the Dursleys and watch the Quidditch World Cup.
"Sirius, could we..."
"Oh, we're here--"
Before Harry could finish his stammering words, Sirius suddenly said in a slightly emotional tone, "The Three Broomsticks Inn, it's been so many years since I last came here!"
The Three Broomsticks Inn was one of the most popular hangouts for young wizards in the village of Hogsmeade.
The innkeeper is Madam Rosmerta who is over thirty but still graceful, and many young wizards who frequented the place wouldn't mind casting an extra glance or two at the beautiful landlady, including Ron.
Today, the Three Broomsticks was as crowded, noisy, and smoky as usual. Madam Rosmerta was so busy that she didn't even notice Sirius Black's 'arrival'.
Ron's expression reverted to its earlier unease because he immediately spotted Hermione and Ginny sitting in the same spot where they had eavesdropped on the Minister of Magic's conversation last time.
The two girls by the window had solemn looks but seemed to be craning their necks curiously. Harry and Ron exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what they were doing. It wasn't until the three of them approached that spot that they noticed Professor Watson conversing with Percy and Percy's girlfriend, the Ravenclaw prefect Penelope Clearwater, behind a rack full of bottles.
"You're eavesdropping on Bryan?" Sirius laughed.
"Shh!" Hermione immediately put a finger to her lips, and when she noticed who was speaking, her face immediately turned red with embarrassment. "Oh, sorry, Professor Black. We weren't -- uhm, I mean, well, Professor Watson hasn't noticed us yet--"
"We're not in class now, Hermione. Just call me Sirius."
The three of them found chairs to sit down by themselves. Hermione didn't have a very friendly expression towards Harry and Ron, but at least it wasn't as cold as earlier, perhaps because something else had caught her attention.
"So, what did you all hear?"
For a wizard like Bryan to have his conversation eavesdropped on by two underage witches, he must not have minded the content being overheard.
Harry had interacted with Percy a lot but hadn't really been acquainted with his girlfriend. The Weasley siblings always liked to make fun of Percy's girlfriend, so Percy wasn't too keen on having this soon-to-graduate Ravenclaw girlfriend get too close to them.
"What's wrong with her nose?"
To be honest, in Harry's eyes, Percy's girlfriend was quite good-looking, not as unpleasant as Fred and George sometimes teased. Her hairstyle was similar to Cho Chang's friend, except for their different hair colors.
In the crowded inn, Penelope appeared gloomy, her head lowered as she tried to let her disheveled hair cover the side of her face, but Harry still noticed a white bandage on Penelope's nose through the gaps in her hair.
"I told you--" Ginny shrugged nonchalantly. "She fell asleep in Snape's class and got her nose splashed with a potion -- Percy was heartbroken for days. Fred said it was actually good, as it could cover up the freckles on her nose."
"Ha-Ha-Ha----"
The loud laughter erupting from Ron's mouth was only muffled by his hands clamped firmly over his lips, as the menacing glares shot his way by Ginny and Hermione instantly turned his gleeful expression sheepish. He had been branded a 'traitor' for being the first among them to abandon Professor Watson's class.
"So--" Bryan began, taking a deliberate sip from his vibrant violet-hued water glass, his demeanor calm.
"You asked me out today in hopes that I could write you a letter of recommendation to intern at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?"
Percy was nearing graduation and going to become an adult wizard. In terms of height, he was nearly as tall as Professor Watson. However, his features still held a hint of youthful naivety.
Percy was currently Hogwarts's most outstanding young wizard. He was the Head Boy handpicked by Dumbledore, and nearly every professor who had taught him sang his praises. Bryan too did not dislike such a brilliant and diligent young wizard, especially one with such strong ambition.
It was not uncommon for Professors to write recommendation letters for young wizards. When he himself had graduated, Professor Snape had implicitly expressed that if he wished to work at the Ministry, despite Snape's own lack of deep connections there, he could ask someone to recommend him.
This cryptic suggestion had puzzled Bryan for quite some time, as the notion of Professor Snape engaging in such meddlesome behavior seemed wholly opposing to his usual discreet nature. Now, however, Bryan suspected that this hint may have come from Dumbledore himself, perhaps in a calculated bid to keep him within the sphere of his vigilant gaze, to prevent him from going astray.
"Yes, Professor Watson--" Percy nodded respectfully, his eyes reflecting reverence as they met Bryan's blank gaze.
"Perhaps you already know that I plan to work at the Ministry after graduating. However, I'm unfamiliar with the situation there. Some time ago, I wrote to my father to ask which department would be most suitable for personal growth. He told me the two most prestigious departments are the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Department of International Magical Cooperation. He also mentioned that you have a good relationship with Madam Bones, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement—I mean, you're friends. If you were to recommend me, I'm sure madam Bones would not refuse."
Amelia certainly would not casually dismiss the recommendation from him. However, that depended on who the recommendation was for.
Percy, was a descendant of the Weasley family and quite talented himself. With Bryan's recommendation, even Fudge would have to extend this courtesy. However..
As Bryan's penetrating gaze discerned a burning, almost voracious desire for power blazing in Percy's eyes. This overly noticeable sense of self-centeredness caused Bryan to frown inwardly.
Ambition, when tempered with wisdom and self-restraint, could prove a potent catalyst for growth. However, ambition unchecked, fueled by an excess of youthful vigor yet lacking in prudence, could just as easily lead one irreversibly astray.
After a moment's contemplation, Bryan slowly shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Percy, but I'm afraid I cannot grant your request."
In the noisy Inn, Professor Watson's light words struck Percy like a thunderbolt, leaving him frozen in shock. Not just him, but Penelope Clearwater at his side, who had been trying to hide her thoughts, as well as Hermione and others eavesdropping from a few seats away, all looked stunned.
"But—but—"
After a long pause, Percy finally came to his senses, his face flushed red as if he had been insulted. He demanded indignantly,
"Why, Watson? Do you think I—I am not good enough?!"
"Quite the contrary, Percy--" Professor Watson said calmly. Instead of explaining right away, he asked,
"The N.E.W.T.s are approaching, Percy. I heard from Professor McGonagall that you are currently taking twelve subjects including compulsory and elective courses. Impressive indeed. How many N.E.W.T.s do you expect to obtain?"
"Twelve!" Percy thrust out his chest, brimming with undisguised pride. "And if nothing unexpected happens, I'll score Outstandings in all twelve."
Bryan's lips curved into a faint smile as he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
"With twelve N.E.W.T. certificates in your academic record, gaining entry to the Ministry is a mere formality. No department would refuse you, Percy."
Bryan adjusted his posture, leaning forward in an imposing manner.
"If that is the case, why are you still fixated on my letter of recommendation? You could achieve your goals through your own merits. But if you were to use my recommendation, you would instead face criticism, even targeting. You should know that I do have enemies at the Ministry—this would be detrimental to your future development there. In other words, it would limit your unlimited possibilities."
Percy's mouth fell open, a clear indication that this particular angle had never crossed his mind.
"With your brilliance, you should not have overlooked this--"Bryan tapped his finger on the table, his words sharp.
"However, the insidious flames of greed burning within your heart have clouded your judgment, leading you to make the wrong decision. Furthermore--"
Bryan's penetrating gaze shifted to settle upon the silently listening Penelope Clearwater.
"How about you, Penelope? Professor Flitwick mentioned a few Ravenclaws aspiring to join the Ministry, but your name did not seem to be among them. As the Ravenclaw prefect; logically, you should have the ability as well--"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Professor—" Penelope did not expect Professor Watson to suddenly turn the topic to her. She looked surprised at first, then her expression darkened again.
"I might—um, I don't plan to work at the Ministry--"
"Why?!"
This outburst filled with shock and anger did not come from Bryan, but from Percy. He stared at his girlfriend of two years in disbelief, having always assumed Penelope would accompany him to the Ministry.
Penelope hung her head deeply, but the locks of hair falling over her face could not conceal her sorrowful expression or the tears wetting her robes.
Bryan tapped the table again, reminding Percy to watch his tone.
"Although I am not the Head of Ravenclaw, Penelope, since we are discussing this topic, please share your plans with us."
"My mother is a Muggle, and my father is a half-blood wizard, Professor--"
After a long pause, Penelope finally regained control of her emotions, but her voice still carried a hint of sobbing.
"When my father attended Hogwarts, the wizarding world was not welcoming to those of mixed blood heritage. So, he harbors resentment and prejudice against the Ministry and the wizarding world. He believes I would not have a good prospect at the Ministry, so he does not wish for me to remain in the wizarding world after graduating. My grandfather and mother also hope that after leaving Hogwarts, I can return to Gloucestershire to help manage the family farm."
A heavy atmosphere emanated from their location, the surrounding chatter seeming to quiet down. Now, not just Harry and his friends, but many other young wizards were eavesdropping on their conversation as well.
Matters of personal privacy were involved, so Bryan waved his hand to cast a silencing charm around their discussion. His gaze then fell upon Percy.
After hearing Penelope's situation, Percy's angry glare did not subside but intensified instead, distorting his handsome features.
"But until today, you never told me any of this!"
"I thought you would feel ashamed, Percy--" Bryan's gaze grew penetrating, and this intense, loaded stare finally caused Percy to regain some self-control, no longer appearing so overbearing.
"--As I understand it, Penelope is your girlfriend, is she not? And you two have been dating for quite some time. So why, pray tell, were you completely unaware of Penelope's family situation? Did Penelope hide the truth from you, or have you been so focused on planning your own future that you completely forgot to care about Penelope's thoughts?"
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