Bryan strode across the dew-soaked grass toward the castle with leisurely steps. The grass was cool and wet beneath his feet, soaking through his shoes. Then he stopped at the foot of the wide marble staircase, looking up at the gathered group.
On the steps above him, arranged like a tribunal, Dumbledore and Madame Maxime stood side by side. Their eyes were fixed intently upon him, studying his face, searching for signs of injury or suffering.
Fleur had rushed out wearing only a thin camisole nightgown clearly having thrown on the first thing she could grab. Her arms were crossed protectively over her chest against the chill as she gazed at Bryan with deep concern showing across her face.
After all the students had been sent back inside with their protests fading into the castle, Severus and Minerva hurried out from the entrance hall. They descended the steps partway, aligning themselves between Bryan and Dumbledore.
"Oh, sorry—it seems I've caused quite a commotion tonight. My apologies for disturbing everyone's rest."
Bryan said with a pleasant demeanor and an easy smile on his face, as if he'd simply been out for an evening stroll rather than unleashing devastating magic.
Dumbledore's silver-white beard, turned golden by the bright torches flickering in their brackets, fluttered slightly in the wind that carried the scent of burnt wood from the forest. His blue gaze fixed unwaveringly on Bryan's face without speaking, reading him like a book. Those eyes saw more than most.
Seeing this particular expression on Dumbledore's face, Professor McGonagall also remained silent, though her face was full of worry.
As for Madame Maxime and Fleur, neither being Hogwarts staff members, they would not presume to speak first in such circumstances. This was internal Hogwarts business. They stood as observers, though their curiosity was obvious.
"Who were you fighting out there, Bryan?"
Severus had no such reservations about speaking. He stepped forward, moving past McGonagall, his pale face displaying anger in his dark eyes that glittered in the torchlight.
"As you know, Professor, a large colony of Acromantulas dwells in the Forbidden Forest—hundreds of them, perhaps thousands by now."
Bryan said with an unmoved smile, his tone was conversational and calm.
"These evil dark creatures run rampant throughout the forest, encroaching constantly on other creatures' living space and breeding grounds. And they eat anything—including human flesh, as you well know. So, I took necessary measures to limit them somewhat, to establish clear boundaries."
"What made you suddenly decide to do this tonight, Bryan?"
Dumbledore asked softly.
"Oh, this is in preparation for the upcoming Triwizard Tournament's final task. I don't want these dark creatures interfering during the third task, potentially endangering the champions."
Bryan replied calmly, meeting Dumbledore's gaze directly without flinching or looking away.
A heavy silence descended over the group. Everyone present could feel tension dispersing slowly through the wandering breeze like smoke, though not entirely dissipating.
"That old spider—I mean Aragog, it's Hagrid's friend."
Dumbledore finally said after a long pause. He sighed deeply with complicated feelings.
"You've thought this through comprehensively, Bryan. For the students' safety, I understand it's necessary to impose appropriate restrictions on it and its descendants. The colony has grown too large, and became too bold. But Bryan, you know Hagrid is deeply attached to Aragog. They've been together since Hagrid was a boy. If you've harmed it, you'll have hurt Hagrid's feelings as well."
"Ah, precisely because of that concern, I made such a big commotion."
Bryan shrugged with a relaxed posture, spreading his hands.
"You know, that old spider is extremely stubborn in its ways. The defeat in the previous war with the centaurs made its temper even worse and more aggressive than before. It wouldn't listen to my persuasion at all, wouldn't accept reasonable terms. To avoid greater conflict and potential casualties—I had no choice but to make a big show of force to frighten it into compliance."
"Is that so?"
Dumbledore's expression shifted, his frown easing slightly. His demeanor became less tense.
"Were there no casualties then?"
"Perhaps a few small spiders lost their lives from sheer fright when the fire came."
Bryan stated straightforwardly, apparently honestly.
"But Aragog itself is fine, completely unharmed. And they've agreed to migrate deeper into the forest, away from the areas students might access. The negotiation was successful."
Dumbledore fell silent again, absorbing this information. Though his expression softened considerably, becoming almost relieved.
"My apologies, Madame Maxime."
Bryan turned to address the Beauxbatons headmistress with a slight, respectful bow.
"I've disturbed your rest and that of your students with this midnight display. It was unavoidable, but I regret the inconvenience."
"It's quite all right, Bryan. These things happen."
Madame Maxime said cautiously, her accent was more distinct with tiredness. Then, with growing interest tinging her voice,
"This was for the third task preparation? Are you planning to set the third task in the Forbidden Forest?"
Beside Madame Maxime, Fleur's sparkling eyes suddenly came active with intense interest. Viktor Krum, who had led the Durmstrang students across the grounds to investigate the commotion, perked up noticeably at these words. He immediately turned to look at the dark, primitive forest looming beyond the castle, his broad shoulders were trembling slightly—whether from cold, fear, or anticipation was unclear.
Meanwhile, several heads peeking out from the corridor windows, students who'd refused to go back to bed showed excited expressions, whispering to each other.
"I suspected this might happen, that the forest would be involved."
Harry said in a low voice to his friends, watching from their position with Sirius.
"That is indeed the plan, yes."
Bryan nodded with an easy smile. Revealing limited information about the task was no great matter at this point. The champions would know soon enough anyway.
Upon hearing this confirmation, Madame Maxime also gazed thoughtfully toward the Forbidden Forest, clearly already strategizing how to prepare Fleur. Her expression became calculating.
"Well then, we can conclude matters for tonight. It's quite late."
Bryan said pleasantly, turning to address the Durmstrang students who stood in a loose group, looking tired and confused.
"You may return to your ship and rest. I apologize for the disturbance."
Viktor began leading his classmates away, his movements were stiff and formal. After Madame Maxime bid polite farewell to Dumbledore with a slight curtsy, she took Fleur's hand firmly and descended the stairs.
But Fleur's gaze remained reluctantly fixed on Bryan, her eyes were following him with concern until Madame Maxime tugged her hand insistently and they were far away, disappearing toward their carriage.
"They were just discussing that spider colony, weren't they, Madame?"
came Fleur's fragmented voice on the breeze, carrying back as she consulted Madame Maxime in rapid French.
"This isn't something we can involve ourselves in, Fleur. It's internal Hogwarts affairs. It's best not to meddle too much in their affairs."
came Madame Maxime's warning in firm reply, also in French but loud enough to resound.
Now only the Hogwarts group remained gathered before the entrance hall—and aside from Bryan, all were members of the Order of the Phoenix.
"The Dark Lord will learn of tonight's events."
Severus said in a pale-faced, unemotional tone, though tension showed in his posture.
Dumbledore didn't respond to Severus directly but directed his thoughtful gaze toward Bryan, who met his eyes and nodded after brief contemplation. Then Dumbledore looked meaningfully toward the corridor on one side of the entrance hall, where shadows moved.
"Sirius, what are you doing lurking at Hogwarts at this hour?"
Bryan called out.
"Oh, I came to deliver a message to Dumbledore—cough, cough."
Sirius's voice emerged from the shadows, sounding somewhat strangled.
"Dumbledore already knows the situation. You can ask him about it later. I'm pressed for time—just need a few quick words with Harry before I leave. No time to catch up properly, Bryan! Sorry!"
With that rushed explanation, Sirius guiltily pulled his head back from view and dragged Harry and his friends to a more distant spot in the corridor, he was practically fleeing.
"What exactly did he come to say? What message?"
Bryan asked, raising an eyebrow with curiosity at Sirius's odd behavior.
"The Board of Governors held an internal meeting this evening."
Dumbledore said calmly.
"More than two-thirds of the board members agreed to allow the Malfoy family back onto the Board of Governors."
"Malfoy is returning to the Board?!"
Professor McGonagall's voice contained fury. She glared accusingly at Severus as if this were somehow his fault by association with other Slytherins then looked worriedly at Dumbledore.
"What will happen now, Albus? What can they do to us?"
"Some things we can anticipate will happen, Minerva."
Dumbledore said. "Oh, don't worry too much. We can handle those troubles when they come. We've dealt with worse."
Bryan also moved to reassure her, his voice was confident.
"Rest easy, Professor McGonagall. We'll certainly encounter some turbulence and political maneuvering, but it will subside quickly enough."
Meanwhile, Sirius had dragged the trio considerably farther away, almost to the other end of the corridor. Harry looked at Sirius, who seemed somewhat guilty and evasive, and asked in puzzlement,
"What's going on, Sirius? You seem a bit off tonight."
"Do I?"
Sirius wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead nervously, craning his neck back toward the entrance hall to check if anyone had followed them or was listening.
"You seem like you didn't want to see Professor Watson, don't you, Sirius?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes shrewdly, looking at him with suspicion and growing understanding.
"You were avoiding him. Why?"
"Oh, that's not it exactly. I'm just—ahem."
Sirius pulled his neck back in like a turtle retreating into its shell. Noticing the vigorous curiosity burning in the trio's eyes, all three of them were staring at him expectantly, he said somewhat defensively,
"Some things aren't appropriate for you to know about yet. You're still students. Ahem, it's like this—"
Sirius looked directly at Ron, focusing on him.
"Your brother, Ron—I mean Percy."
"Oh, Percy?!"
Ron immediately said indignantly, his face was flushing with anger at the mere mention.
"What foolish thing has he done now? Has he come back to harass Professor Watson again?"
"This time it's not too foolish, actually. Quite the opposite."
Sirius said dismissively, clearly having heard the full story about Percy coming to Hogwarts to beg Bryan to let Umbridge into the school.
"He's resigned from the Ministry. He's currently working at Remus's workshop with his girlfriend—that's Penelope Clearwater. You remember her?"
Percy had resigned from the Ministry and was dating Penelope again?
This sudden news, delivered so casually, left the trio staring at each other in complete shock. Both developments were too "magical," too unexpected for them to know where to begin their commentary. Their mouths opened and closed silently.
"There's also another matter, something more serious."
Sirius's expression grew solemn as he observed the now-serious trio.
"This is actually the real reason why I came to Hogwarts tonight. The Hogwarts Board of Governors held an emergency meeting. I attended representing the House of Black."
"Wait! Stop!" Hermione immediately exclaimed; her hand was shooting up as if in class.
"The House of Black is on the Board of Governors? Since when?"
"What, didn't I tell you about this before?" Sirius scratched his head sheepishly, looking genuinely confused.
"I thought I'd mentioned it. The old families all have seats."
"But—"
Harry said in shock, his mind racing back through memories.
"In second year, Lucius Malfoy supposedly gained the support of all the board members to drive Professor Dumbledore out of Hogwarts!!"
"Oh, you can't blame me for that, Harry. That wasn't my fault."
Sirius said innocently, spreading his hands.
"I was still rotting in Azkaban at the time, wasn't I? I couldn't exactly attend board meetings or vote against Lucius Malfoy's schemes from my cell. The Dementors don't allow board participation."
He paused after this small joke as his expression began darkening.
"Well, that's in the past. What I need to tell you now is more important. With the Ministry's full backing and political pressure, the Malfoy family has officially returned to the Hogwarts Board of Governors. Lucius has his seat back and all the power that comes with it. You understand what this means—Hogwarts is probably going to face some serious trouble in the coming weeks. Political trouble."
————————————
For More Chapters; patreon.com/FicFrenzy