0315 Plans

0315 Plans

Not to mention that Bryan would also be implicated.

Just think about it, the Director of the Hogwarts Student Safety Office, recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class, a Wizengamot member, a senior advisor to the Ministry of Magic, and the hero who wiped out Greyback and his werewolf pack, actually ignored a werewolf by his side-How would the wizarding public react to this?

Not to mention, the reality was that Remus couldn't leave St. Mungo's for the time being.

"Well, it's actually a good thing, Remus," Bryan said calmly, trying to dispel Remus's inevitable disappointment. "At least you're safe now. Think about Gilderoy Lockhart, his fate is much worse than yours."

Remus was taken aback for a moment, then he realized what Bryan meant.

"You mean, the curse Voldemort placed on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position? Isn't that just a rumor?"

Bryan nodded.

"It's a powerful curse, not easy to defend against." He saw Remus's confusion and added, "I used a little trick last year to redirect the curse's effects."

Remus nodded, and the gloom in his heart dissipated somewhat. However, he suddenly remembered that when Bryan persuaded him to apply for the position of professor last summer, it wasn't this explanation. Bryan must have still harbored resentment towards him for revealing his identity as 'Golden Viper' to Dumbledore, so he used this as an opportunity to get back at him.

Remus's mouth twitched. He seemed to have said to Bryan at the time, "You're a good person." Indeed, compared to this snake, he was too naive.

Bryan guessed what Remus was thinking from his strange gaze, but he had Occulumency and didn't show any discomfort after being exposed.

"By the way, what are your plans for life after recovery?" Bryan asked, a realistic and distressing question.

Sirius Black was about to be proven innocent, Peter would never escape the Dementors again, and Harry's safety would no longer be a problem. Everything seemed perfect, but his life had to go on.

During these days lying in bed, Remus had been thinking, but he couldn't come up with any ideas. The eradication of the Greyback gang wouldn't eliminate the prejudice against unfortunate werewolves who didn't choose to become one. The Wizarding world under the sun still wouldn't provide fertile ground for werewolf survival.

"I have indeed considered this question," Remus said calmly. After all, his living environment had been like this for over a decade. The past six months at Hogwarts felt like a vacation, and now the vacation was over, and he had to return to the cruel reality.

"After I'm discharged, I plan to move in with Sirius for a while. I'll try to find a job that is willing to accept a werewolf--"

Although he said this, Remus did not have any expectations. He sighed and continued.

"But if there's really no one willing to hire me, then I'll have to go back to my old life, back to the underground world, continue selling herbs and potion ingredients. At least, the Ministry's control there is weak, and I don't need to go through a bunch of permits and certifications."

To be honest, looking at the embarrassing predicaments Remus has experienced throughout his life, it becomes abundantly clear and comprehensible why a substantial number of werewolves were compelled and willing to embrace the nefarious path of criminality under the leadership of the notorious Fenrir Greyback.

Even in the entrance hall of the Ministry of Magic, there is a fountain filled with discriminatory symbolism, making it clear just how severe the wizarding community's discrimination and oppression against half-breeds and sentient magical creatures has been.

While many wizards who were inadvertently and tragically bitten, consequently transforming into werewolves, initially still adhered to uphold their moral principles and ethical standards. However, the bloody reality constantly impacts their hearts and tortures their nerves. Under the unremitting weight of such prolonged suffering, they would eventually reach an inescapable juncture where their resolve would falter, and they could no longer cling to their convictions.

Not every individual possesses the unwavering resilience and conviction that Remus has.

"What's the matter?" Bryan inquired, as an uneasy silence descended upon him and Remus.

In that precise moment, the door to the hospital ward creaked open, and a cheerful voice resonated from the entrance, "Am I interrupting a reunion between colleagues?"

Nymphadora Tonks, her vibrant pink tresses cascading and a radiant smile illuminating her features, pushed the door ajar. She appeared entirely unfazed by Bryan's presence, meticulously carrying a tray brimming with toasted bread slices, succulent sausages, and savory pies.

With a decisive click, the door closed, leaving Remus and Bryan as the sole occupants of the ward.

"Tsk tsk—" Bryan finally dared to show his presence, shaking his head and sighing profoundly.

"You're in trouble, Remus. I know Tonks. She may seem mischievous, but she's stubborn and won't easily give up on her decisions."

"I think you misunderstood something, Bryan—"

Remus finally withdrew his gaze. He tried to conceal his loneliness, but there was a hint of heaviness in his voice.

"These past few days, it's just been me and Tonks in this ward. To pass the time, I told her about the ridiculous things I did with Harry's father, Sirius, and that traitor when we were students at Hogwarts, as well as my way of life after that. Tonks is a very kind girl, and she has sympathy for me. That's all."

"Of course, that's how it is," Bryan conceded, a mischievous glint flickering in his translucent purple eyes.

"I didn't say anything, did I?"

Remus felt a lump form in his throat as he suddenly realized he had fallen into Bryan's carefully laid trap once again. He pretended to be calm and changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, what are the Ministry's plans regarding Sirius and Peter?"

Remus's subject change was rather abrupt, but Bryan was aware of the emotional burden weighing upon him, and he did indeed believe that Tonks needed to reconsider her actions, so he acquiesced to the shift in conversation.

"The Greyback incident has elevated the Ministry's reputation to new heights. In a couple of days, they'll first announce that they've captured the escaped Sirius Black and are currently interrogating him about how he escaped from Azkaban. Subsequently, they'll inform the public that they've learned some crucial information from Sirius's mouth, which the Ministry is verifying. Finally, they'll bring Pettigrew into the open and hold a trial. It will probably take about half a month."

Remus nodded, letting go of his worries about Sirius. And just as he was about to ask Bryan about Harry's situation, he saw Bryan's hand reaching into his pocket, groping for something. After a moment, a money bag appeared in Bryan's hand.

"If you want to help me pay for the medical expenses, there's no need, Bryan—" Remus smiled. "Tonks told me that the Ministry has already paid for my treatment."

Thud!

Bryan directly tossed the money bag onto Remus's lap. Feeling the heavy weight of it, Remus, who had been in pain, endured it and stared at Bryan in confusion.

"I trust you haven't forgotten the contract we signed, have you?" Bryan asked, his tone laced with subtle implications.

'Contract?'

Remus was momentarily stunned, but then, a memory suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

Last summer, he had indeed signed a magical contract with Bryan. At that juncture, they had agreed to collaborate in the pursuit and capture of Sirius Black. If they were to succeed, they would divide the Ministry's reward money between them. So, this is...

"Fudge is still trustworthy; he gave me this reward money along with Greyback's bounty. You know, I donated Greyback's portion to Hogwarts and St. Mungo's, and Sirius's reward rightfully belongs to both of us, so..."

Remus stared at the money bag resting upon his thigh in a daze, while Bryan said with a smile,

"The Golden Viper never goes back on his word, Remus, these ten thousand Galleons are yours now."

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