Oak Barrel Bar.
Also the most popular place near the Romanian Fire Dragon Reserve, no matter what time, as long as it's open, it's always crowded.
Dragon tamers often come here during their holidays, order a glass of brandy or almond honey wine to relax.
Apart from them, there are also many other customers.
It's a bit like the Hog's Head Pub in Hogsmeade, where all sorts of people gather... tourists who come because of its reputation, hooded figures in black whose faces are obscured, and old witches who look like villains...
Of course, there are also non-human visitors.
For example, right now, at the far right of the bar sits a goblin with a worn backpack, who claims to be a wandering merchant but is actually a swindler.
Not far from it, there's a centaur who seems to have run away from some tribe, keen on divination for wizards.
"Bang!"
The door of the Oak Barrel Bar was suddenly pushed open from the outside, causing some people to subconsciously turn their heads for a glance.
In came a wizard who appeared frail, wearing glasses, the kind that often sits in the Ministry of Magic writing reports.
Probably another tourist drawn by its reputation...
After all, the Romanian Fire Dragon Reserve is quite famous, with many tourists visiting each year.
People didn't pay much attention, turning back to their drinks and chatting, though a few regulars occasionally whispered about Old Brown likely profiting again by selling fake drinks.
But no one bothers to remind others... tourists don't matter much, as long as they themselves drink the real thing.
The wizard didn't stop upon entering, nor did he go to the bar to order, instead heading straight to a corner table.
There sat two people, one a burly man with a thick beard, the other dressed in a black robe, hiding his entire face under a large hood.
"Roy failed."
The bespectacled wizard sat down, poured himself a glass of Fire Dragon Brandy, and then continued: "Twelve people, except for Roy who sold out his companions to escape, all others had their wands confiscated.
Just now, Romania's Ministry of Magic aurors took them all away."
"I said before, he couldn't possibly succeed..."
The hooded wizard shook the brandy in his glass, "But that fool just wouldn't believe it."
"But I heard their plan, it seemed fine."
The burly man across from him finished his drink in one go, frowning: "At the end of a melee, just when dragon tamers are the most exhausted, in that state, they're almost unable to use Disillusionment, the time when they're least mobile.
Twelve people, with one acting as bait to attract attention, the rest attacking from different directions... those dragon tamers couldn't possibly react quickly.
Even if they couldn't use Disillusionment with dragon eggs, they had the best brooms, there's no reason they should be caught completely."
"Dragon tamers can't use Disillusionment, but it doesn't mean others can't; have you forgotten those who've been invited."
"Or do you think they're all weak scholars?"
"Don't joke." The hooded wizard sneered: "Dealing with Fantastic Beasts isn't like visiting a Muggle zoo... those who aren't competent end up dead in some forest, the remaining ones, those famous, virtually none are easy to handle.
That old lady from North America, once had a record of killing giants.
And Newt Scamander, even more exaggerated, in his youth he faced Grindelwald multiple times, and still survived till now... in the Magic Realm, very few can manage this."
"But that was over sixty years ago." The bespectacled wizard casually said: "He's old now."
"Dumbledore is old too." The hooded wizard mocked: "Why don't you go challenge him? You might even become famous after one battle."
"Pfft!"
The bespectacled wizard was choked, spraying a mouthful of wine on the burly man's face opposite him.
"Philwin, you..."
"Sorry, Bletchley."
The bespectacled wizard... also known as Philwin quickly apologized, then turned to the other side, speaking helplessly:
"Please, don't say such scary things. Challenge Dumbledore? I'm not done living yet..."
"Since you know, you should understand that a wizard's power doesn't diminish with age."
The hooded wizard glanced at him, "And there are young ones too... that Chris.
Twelve years ago, not long after graduating from Hogwarts, he single-handedly drove away two transformed werewolves during a full moon night.
Five years ago, he even captured a rampant Peruvian Vipertooth Dragon influenced by Dark Magic, remember, captured alive, not killed.
Do you think Roy and his group are tougher than transformed werewolves or harder to deal with than a frenzied Peruvian Vipertooth Dragon?"
"..."
Philwin and the burly Kari remained silent.
If Roy had that kind of power, he wouldn't need to betray his companions to escape.
"So what do we do?"
Bletchley asked: "Wait until they leave before making a move... they can't stay here forever."
"Make a move? Do what?"
"Weren't you saying earlier..."
"Let me remind you once again, Bletchley." The hooded wizard raised his head, revealing a familiar face.
He said coldly: "We're just here to enjoy ourselves, if you accidentally let slip or make any novice mistake, I don't mind leaving you here permanently to keep those dragon eggs company."
"I, I understand..." The burly man immediately closed his mouth.
The atmosphere felt tense.
Philwin hurriedly mediated, comforting: "The reserve is clearly prepared, Roy and his people serve as the best cautionary tale, if you don't want to join them, just listen to Oren and watch the show."
Then he turned, changing the subject: "And you, Oren, I was about to say earlier, why do you wear a hood even in the bar, afraid of not being conspicuous enough?"
"Just in case."
Oren removed his hood, "There's a dragon tamer named Charlie who knows me, it'd be trouble if he saw me.
I still have things to do, no time to deal with aurors and beaters that are like hyenas."
"Haha... aren't you his professor, why scared of your student."
Philwin chuckled, teasing: "But every time this comes up, I find it unbelievable.
To avoid the Ministry's thorough search, you actually went to Hogwarts to be a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor for a year, and even managed to get away when discovered, pretty impressive."
"I'm always lucky."
Oren stood up, "Leaving now, time to go sleep, this wine is good, buy a couple of bottles later."
"Alright."
Philwin shrugged, holding the empty bottle, walked to the bar, and said to the old wizard cleaning cups: "This, two more bottles."
"Fire Dragon Brandy?" The old wizard looked up, "Thirty Galleons a bottle."
"So expensive?" Philwin paused as he readied the payment.
"I've sold Fire Dragon Brandy for fifty years, it's always been this price, you can ask around if you don't believe, same for everyone."
The old wizard said: "But if you buy two bottles, I'll give you a discount."
"How much?"
"Fifty-nine Galleons and ten Sickles."
What kind of discount is this, 99% off?
Philwin felt slightly speechless but still took out sixty Galleons.
"Two bottles, please."
It's not really about the nine Sickles saved; mainly because the wine tastes good and he likes it.
.....