0270 Tracking
"I think Draco needs a little more time, Professor Snape–" Bryan calmly said, breaking the silence. "After all, he may have never dealt with such a situation before."
Snape instinctively wanted to retort, but before the words came out, he saw Draco's shoulder tremble slightly, as if he was trying to break free from something. His heart softened, and he couldn't help but stop.
"Well, I hope you can try to reconcile with your friends, Draco. I hope to see a change in you before Easter–"
Snape said with a gloomy face. He looked at Bryan and hesitated for a moment before couldn't help but ask,
"When did you become acquainted with Lucius, Bryan?"
"It's not really an acquaintance, just a chance encounter–"
Bryan said lightly. He saw the doubt in Snape's mind and glanced discreetly at Draco, who was listening intently. Bryan's gaze was deep and penetrating, as if he could see through Draco's soul.
"He encountered a little trouble personally, and during our last meeting, he learned that I am good at solving problems for others, so he came to see me."
Bryan said vaguely, without revealing any details.
Snape wasn't a fool. He immediately realized that Lucius must have encountered something far more than a small trouble. Otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed into Hogwarts during the Christmas holidays and asked him to introduce Bryan. With this in mind, Snape's thoughts turned, and he suddenly remembered something.
Not long after the start of this school year, Draco took the initiative to find him and said that someone was threatening his parents. When he asked who did it and why, Draco remained silent.
Later, he specifically wrote a letter to Lucius to inquire about this matter, but all he got was Lucius's vague explanations. Because nothing unexpected happened afterwards, and then there was the incident of Sirius infiltrating Hogwarts on Halloween, so, Snape had completely forgotten about this matter.
'So, Lucius came to see Bryan this time, hoping that he could help solve this trouble?' In an instant, Snape guessed the approximate truth of the matter.
After a moment of silence, Snape squinted his eyes and said in a soft, melodious tone,
"Is there anything I can help with, Bryan?"
"Just a small problem, Professor."
Bryan smiled and emphasized again.
Since Bryan didn't want to get him involved in this matter, Snape didn't want to force it. He now understood that the student he is optimistic about no longer needed his protection. On the contrary, perhaps one day in the future, he would need his help.
"Hmph, I didn't expect–"
When Snape and Malfoy left, Sirius immediately asked Bryan to turn him back into a human form. He was tired of being a cat, and he wanted to talk to Bryan about what he had seen and heard.
"That Snivellus seems to care about his own house students. I bet he wouldn't treat students from the other three houses like this."
Sirius said with contempt, referring to Snape's concern for Draco.
Waving his hand to open the surveillance screen, Bryan calmly watched Snape and Draco walk through the third-floor corridor, down to the first floor, and enter the Great Hall. He followed them with his eyes, not wanting to lose sight of them.
After giving some simple instructions, Snape went to the staff table, where he joined the other professors for lunch. He looked serious and worried, as if he was thinking about something important. Draco walked towards Crabbe and Goyle, who were waiting for him with stiff steps. They looked nervous and uneasy, as if they were afraid of Draco. Draco ignored them, and sat down at the Slytherin table, where he picked up a plate and a fork.
"I have something to do outside for a while–"
Bryan said calmly, turning off the surveillance screen.
"Hey, Harry!"
The Gryffindor team captain pushed aside the chair behind him and hurriedly approached Harry.
"Did you have a good Christmas?"
"Except for being forced by Filch to clean every bathroom from the first to the eighth floor, everything else was fine," Harry complained.
"Oh, well–"
Harry's response made Wood a bit embarrassed,. However, after taking a deep breath, he steered the conversation towards Quidditch.
"During the holidays, I thought a lot, Harry. Since the last match, I've been thinking, if the Dementors come again in the next match. I mean, we can't afford to lose, um, of course, I believe Director Watson has effectively deterred them, but..."
Wood paused, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Oh, about that–"
Even if he had to clean all the bathrooms at Hogwarts again, Harry didn't want to lose his spot on the team. He quickly said, "After the last match, I've been in contact with Professor Lupin about how to deal with them. I think... I can handle it, I mean, if there aren't too many Dementors."
"Oh, that's great–" Wood's hesitant expression faded, and his face brightened. He clapped Harry on the shoulder and smiled. "If that's the case—I don't want to lose you as a Seeker, Harry. You're the best we've ever had. By the way, have you ordered a new broom?"
"He doesn't need to order one, Wood," Ron finally found an opportunity to throw in this explosive news. He grinned and winked at Harry. "Harry received a Firebolt for Christmas."
"But I can't use it for now."
Before Wood could express his surprise, Harry voluntarily explained the problem.
"Professor Lupin believes that the Firebolt was sent to me by Sirius Black. It is said that he is hunting me, and throwing me down from the sky is the easiest way to fulfill his wish. Professor Lupin thinks that I shouldn't use the broom until it has been checked by Professor Watson."
"Did you go to see him?" Wood asked eagerly.
Harry and Ron looked at the empty seat next to Snape at the staff table, and Harry said gloomily, "We've been waiting for him, but he hasn't come back yet. I wish he was as 'dedicated' as Filch."
Bryan, leaning against the door frame, rolled his eyes.
"But today, when I was discussing Quidditch tactics with Cedric, he told me that Professor Watson has already returned to the school. He apparently came back early in the morning and greeted Professor Sprout while she was having breakfast."
Harry immediately showed a surprised expression. He was about to say something, but Draco walking towards him made him close his mouth warily.
Bryan, not caring about how Harry and his friends were planning their own actions, followed Draco upstairs.
Draco's pockets were bulging, containing a large package of food. Seeing this, Bryan smiled slightly.
Along the way, the three Slytherin boys were very alert. They chose secluded routes and tried their best to avoid the occasional young wizards passing by. They finally arrived at the Owlery, and hurriedly entered the dark and crowded room.
Bryan stood on the windy corridor, bathed in the cold moonlight, with a calm and serene expression.
'Unexpected, but reasonable'
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