0577 Talks

Words : 1406 Updated : Feb 24th, 2026

The story starts in Chapter 576 of "Harry Potter: The Golden Viper": 0577 Talks The long-awaited first task of the Triwizard Tournament had finally come to a thrilling... Don’t miss it!

0577 Talks The long-awaited first task of the Triwizard Tournament had finally come to a thrilling conclusion. By any measure, this tournament could already be considered a classic, filled with many memorable moments that would likely leave their mark on the history of magic for years to come. But for the organizers who had spent months meticulously planning every detail, things were far from over. The excited spectators filling the stands included many important and influential figures from various circles of the European magical community. Some of them, eager to return home after the exhilarating show ended, directly left the scenic Hogwarts school grounds by apparating. Others boarded the Thestral-drawn carriages to travel to Hogsmeade station, planning to catch the last Hogwarts Express back to London. Of course, there were also many distinguished guests who chose to stay and continue the post-tournament festivities, and so a grand feast immediately began in the castle's Great Hall. Thousands of candles hovered and floated in midair over the spacious hall, their warm, flickering light making the lavish decor and architecture of the castle's dining hall appear even more breathtaking and enchanting. The four long wooden house tables were covered with rich velvet tablecloths and the hardworking house-elves in the kitchens below had gone all out, preparing a dazzling variety of dishes that that were both beautiful and delicious. To properly welcome and entertain these guests, nearly all of Hogwarts' faculty and staff had been called upon and mobilized. Even the usually stern, and reserved Madam Pince, school's librarian, stood grimly next to the hunched, grumbling Filch. However, curiously, not many of the school's young wizards and witches actually attended this sumptuous feast. They preferred instead to return to their respective house common rooms to energetically discuss and analyze the day's spectacular tournament task with their classmates. This was much better than having to smile politely and feast carefully under the scrutiny of a roomful of prideful adults with fake smiles plastered across their faces. Among the four Triwizard champions, three of them were currently staying under the watchful eye of Madam Pomfrey in the Hogwarts hospital wing. So, as the sole champion representative, Hermione had no choice but to politely remain in the Great Hall. This led to a loyal group of her fellow Gryffindors staying behind as well to keep her company. "What did you just say?!" Hermione's surprised shout suddenly rang out piercingly, disrupting the overall harmonious, jovial atmosphere permeating the Great Hall. Several nearby heads spun to stare at her. "How could Freodom... and Sirius--" Harry hurriedly gestured for Hermione to hush, while Ron beside him had a flabbergasted expression. "Sirius?" Madam Bones took a small sip of her tequila. She turned and said thoughtfully, "I heard your student shouting Sirius's name just now, Bryan. What, did he also come to watch the tournament? But I didn't see him anywhere... Oh, wait, I guess he must have used his Animagus form to sneak in?" Bryan smiled wryly and replied, "For my sake, let's agree not to deduct his already meager Ministry pay this time--" "A salary alone could never hope to coerce or motivate him," Amelia said, shaking her head. "Although the once great Black family has fallen on hard times, the wealth still remaining to them in their Gringotts vaults should be more than sufficient for Sirius to live out the rest of his days in comfort and prosperity. Honestly, he certainly doesn't need to keep doing this thankless Ministry job that he clearly dislikes, does he?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn Overwhelmed, Amelia couldn't speak anymore. Her overstressed mind was filled to the brim with flashbacks to the countless terrible atrocities and horrors that had occurred during Voldemort's last brutal reign of terror - riots, senseless assassinations, gruesome tortures, violent massacres, utter chaos, betrayals, everyone living in fear... In today's overall peaceful Magical Great Britain, very few people ever willingly recall or talk about those dark days that had brought such widespread suffering and sorrow to so many with Amelia included. She had no desire to ever relive those grim times when one's own life or death was often not even in one's hands. Bryan did not speak again immediately, just continued walking quietly by Amelia's side, lost in his own thoughts. He knew that Amelia likely needed some additional time alone with her whirling thoughts to fully process and digest this revelation. "Dumbledore has already reached some sort of consensus with you about all this, hasn't he?" After a long time, Amelia finally gritted out through clenched teeth. "You've indeed obtained substantive evidence that this is real? That this is actually going to happen?" "Surely you must know, Amelia, that no one, least of all me or Dumbledore, would ever joke or lie about something of this magnitude," Bryan replied seriously. "We've discovered certain evidences and signs that, taken together, confirm this will really happen. And the time won't be too long, maybe only a few months." "Well then, if that's truly the case--!" Amelia became increasingly agitated and distressed. "Surely it must be possible, I mean, if you and Dumbledore have already discovered the warning signs, surely you MUST be able to step in and prevent this from happening in the first place?! If the two of you join forces, then there's no logical reason... I mean, you should definitely be able to thwart You-Know-Who's plot to return, right?" Amelia looked eagerly at this young wizard who was about only half her age, hoping for an optimistic answer, even though she had already guessed that the reply would definitely not be good. "I'm so sorry, Amelia, but I'm afraid we can't--" Bryan responded in a regretful tone, confirming her worst fears. "Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that we mustn't interfere.... There are multiple complex factors and reasons that I cannot explain at this time. Let's not talk about this right now. I'm sure you definitely understand that this matter must be kept absolutely confidential. I only told this to you now because I hope that you can begin mentally and emotionally preparing yourself for the dark days to come. After all, having the Ministry of Magic remain a functional, stabilizing presence will be absolutely essential once open war eventually breaks out against a powerful, ruthless enemy force seeking to overturn our entire way of life--" After a long silence, Amelia turned to look at Bryan with a complex mix of emotions. She'd never imagined that she, who had originally come to Hogwarts just to support Bryan and maintain their mutually beneficial "political alliance", would hear such shocking, distressing news from him. "So, after the Greyback incident, you deliberately chose to support me for the sake of today, right... But why didn't you go to Cornelius... Okay, Cornelius is indeed not suitable to lead the Ministry during wartime. Then what about Barty? You didn't go to him because he's not a wizard willing to have his decisions interfered with or questioned?" Bryan had to privately admit that none of these prominent Ministry officials with substantial power in their hands were simple characters. Bryan's deep gaze that blended into the night flickered. He smiled as he faced Amelia, his tone gentle, "I'm not a schemer, Amelia. I have no desire to control you, or to control the Ministry through you. I simply hope that once war begins, the Ministry can truly play some positive role for once by being open to constructive outside opinions and willing to note wise advice as needed. Surely, you'd agree that's not an unreasonable request? And yet, as you pointed out, neither Cornelius Fudge nor Barty Crouch can clear even that low bar. As for those bureaucrats in the tier below them... they simply lack the necessary respect and authority to successfully lead the Ministry in such times." "I am very willing to accept well-intentioned and sensible advice Bryan, even in state of crisis--" Amelia took a deep breath, "I agree to keep this dreadful news strictly confidential, otherwise it will probably cause panic and interfere with your and Dumbledore's plans. But since you told me, you must hope that I'll do something, right?" ******************************* For More /FicFrenzy

0577 Talks

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