097 After The Meeting

Words : 869 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

097 After The Meeting After bidding farewell to Lupin, Bryan had no intention of leaving the Leaky Cauldron with him. He felt drained from the endless tasks he had completed in the past few days. He politely requested Tom, the friendly bar owner, to arrange a room for him upstairs. He decided to spend a peaceful night here before heading back to the Muggle world tomorrow. The sun in early July in London shone brightly but lazily on the streets. Bryan stayed in his cozy room all afternoon without stepping out. He only got up from his comfortable bed when the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon emerged from behind the clouds. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and stretched his limbs slowly. Once a person relaxes, his body will soon demand more rest and nourishment. Bryan felt his stomach growl and complain, so he put on his clothes and walked out of the room with a slight sway. Since Hogwarts had already started the summer vacation, the Leaky Cauldron was bustling with more wizards than usual, but most of them were just passing through this place to travel between the wizarding world and the Muggle world. Only a few wizards chose to stay here for a longer time. Bryan also spotted a few students in their school uniforms, but he picked a seat behind a pillar, which was hidden from their view. Those students who were thrilled about the start of the summer vacation did not pay attention to him. Bryan preferred to keep a low profile and did not initiate any conversation with them. He cut a piece of steak and savored it slowly, then took a sip of the smooth red wine. Bryan quietly enjoyed the leisure time that belonged only to him. The news that Rufus Scrimgeour, the head of Auror's office, led his elite subordinates to hunt down smugglers, but was ambushed and injured by a dark wizard did not appear in the Daily Prophet. Therefore, the main topic of discussion among the guests around was still Gilderoy Lockhart, who had just resigned from the position of Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in a scandalous way. It is a truth universally acknowledged that everyone pushes when the wall falls. After his past despicable crimes were exposed, Lockhart, whose works were popular throughout the European wizarding world, became a black sheep that everyone despised and ridiculed. Overnight, all his fans vanished. The wizards around who were talking about this topic all scoffed and claimed that they had seen through his true face a long time ago, as if they would be ashamed if they didn't say so. "–Fifteen years in prison, the Wizengamot is not merciful this time," Bryan shook his head and sighed slightly. He wondered what fate awaited this guy in the original book. He guessed it would not be better than it is now. As Bryan was 'praying' for Lockhart who was suffering in prison, he heard a familiar voice that made him frown. "How dare you disobey your mother's request, Draco?" Lucius came out of his frozen state. He glared at Malfoy and snapped at him. Watching Draco, who was reluctant to follow his mother out of the Leaky Cauldron, Bryan shifted his gaze away from him, took out his wand and muttered 'Muffliato'. Then he smiled at Lucius Malfoy, "Your wife is very beautiful, Lucius, and very smart." Lucius didn't say anything. He was studying the young wizard in front of him who was hard to read. Unconsciously, his breathing became slightly faster. "–I heard that since you lost the position of Hogwarts board member, you have been in trouble for a while. The father of several children in the Weasley family, Arthur Weasley of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, seemed to have visited your manor many times to seek justice for his little daughter, and discovered a lot of interesting gadgets?" Lucius's gray eyes burned with rage as he thought of that blood traitor who liked Muggles. Arthur Weasley had been a constant thorn in his side for a while, making him a joke among the pure-blood families. And what frustrated him even more was that Arthur, despite his lowly position, had a long-standing seniority in the Ministry of Magic and a good rapport with many people. The pressure he tried to exert on him through the higher-ups was ineffective. "This is also thanks to you, isn't it?" Lucius took a deep breath and looked at Bryan. Although there was a faint smile on his face, there was no warmth in his gray eyes. "There is something that has baffled me for a long time, Mr. Watson. You broke into the Chamber of Secrets of Slytherin and subdued that beast, saving several students. To reward you, Fudge even went through a special procedure to award you a worthless medal. But why didn't the Daily Prophet report this at all? It's as if everything was done by Harry Potter and his impulsive friends." "What do you think is the reason, Mr. Malfoy?" Bryan picked up the goblet and took a sip of red wine. He smiled slightly. /FicFrenzy

097 After The Meeting

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