Harry hesitantly watched Aumora, lost in thought, the hand on his knees clenched tightly to his robe. The courage he had so painstakingly gathered to ask his question dissipated the moment he voiced it.
Mr. Brian would say...
Harry, deep down, believes that this contact, who feels unusual, would not trust the rumors in school so easily. However, if he cannot withstand the pressure of the school board and needs to present a culprit urgently...
"Porter, if you're asking for my personal opinion..."
Aumora began to speak, and Harry's tightly clenched fists whitened at the knuckles.
"I personally believe you are not the one responsible for opening the Chamber, Mr. Potter."
Harry's eyes widened, his chest thrumming with a light-hearted joy akin to the first ride on a broom through thin, icy clouds. Even the dim office seemed suddenly bright and spacious.
"But why, sir?"
However, Harry unconsciously asked, "My serpent-tongue... because of this, they... I mean, people know that Slytherin himself is the most famous serpent-tongue."
Aumora laughed, his gaze flickering to Harry's scar subtly, his face lighting up with ease,
"A serpent-tongue, what does it signify, Mr. Potter? Over a thousand years since the time of Salazar Slytherin, there have been at least several dozen wizards with that trait documented in the magical world. I can't possibly conclude that you have some clandestine connection to the great founder of Slytherin House just because of that."
Aumsta, looking at the brightening Harry, teasingly joked.
There are many other facts I cannot ignore, such as I can't understand why Salazar Slytherin would want to choose a successor from Gryffindor College if he wanted to establish his own house.
And then there is the fact that Harry Potter, who was saved from the evilest dark wizard ever and lifted the people of the British magical world from despair, fear, and death, and is considered a protege by the greatest and most wise wizard of our time, Albus Dumbledore, would attack his own classmates in school?
Harry grinned, realizing that he was starting to like Mr. Aumora Breanne.
Since entering the magical world, many people have used his victory over Voldemort as a topic, some worshiping him endlessly, others considering him a mere publicity-seeking boy wizard, some hating him, others indifferent. But no matter which attitude it is, Harry always feels a heavy pressure whenever the subject comes up.
Bryan was an exception. He could hear from his tone of voice that there was no malice and respect, as if he were simply discussing a fun little curse as if it were pure.
To be honest, before meeting Mr. Bryan, Harry had never imagined that he would one day converse so happily with a wizard from Slytherin House.
"--If you're worried because of the notice I posted, Mr. Potter, you really don't have to be."
Aumora got up and poured himself another cup of strong tea by the fireplace, noticing that Harry's tea was untouched, he didn't bother to make an effort again. It was dark outside the window now, and now only the light from Hagrid's cabin remained in the Forbidden Forest.
"All along, I never thought to get any useful information from people's denunciations."
Aumora leaned against the fireplace, and Harry had to twist his body to see him. Before he could ask, Mr. Bryan himself began to explain.
"To be honest, before, I thought that once the news that I, as an investigator, had entered Hogwarts to investigate the Chamber spread, those who were secretly active would definitely make some kind of reaction. Because anyone who dares to stir up trouble under Dumbledore's nose is unlikely to tolerate the unheard-of investigators sent by the school board, you understand my meaning, Mr. Potter?"
Harry furrowed his brow, carefully thinking for a moment, then nodded, easing his brow.
Mr. Bryan's implication is probably that if the inheritor of Slytherin does not make some kind of response to the existence of the investigator, people are very likely to think that he was scared off by the investor's title. As the one who dared to launch two more attacks on young wizards after Dumbledore headmaster had raised his guard, he would not be able to tolerate this 'insult'.
Aumora blinked satisfactorily and continued to say,
"I think he might be eager to act again, which will allow me to catch him in the act..."
How can he catch others' slip-ups if he spends all day in the office, without even patrolling? Harry rolled his eyes inwardly.
"--The ideal situation would be for the attacker to come to me directly to prove their abilities, so then I could kill them and get paid... oh, cough cough, I mean, conclude the terror incident."
Aumora slightly revealed a frustrated expression.
"But I didn't expect him to be much more cautious than I imagined. I have been monitoring the castle for a week, but I haven't noticed anything unusual. This makes me slightly anxious, so I have no choice but to take some action to stimulate the patient lurker..."
Harry understood. Mr. Bryan's act of posting the announcement was merely a test, hoping that the heir would see it as a provocation and continue with the grand endeavor of being a Slytherin heir.
After understanding this point, Harry felt incredibly relieved throughout his body!
Since Mr. Bryan believed in his innocence, the power of the rumors in the school should be at least halved, because his biggest worry was that Mr. Bryan would believe in those rumors.
"Since that's the case,"
Harry stood up excitedly, "Mr. Bryan, if you don't think all of this is me, then... perhaps you could help me... I mean, maybe you could issue another announcement to explain to everyone..."
"To prove your innocence?" Aumora smiled, "Is that why you came to me, Mr. Potter? Haha, I thought you were here to report someone like Filch."
Harry was extremely embarrassed, fully expecting his request to be refused, but he went ahead with it anyway.
"I'm sure you already know, because of my serpent-tongue, all the young witches and wizards have concluded that I attacked Colin and Finchley... and Mrs. Lovegood... well, in short..."
Harry couldn't go on because he had seen Mr. Bryan's smile fading away and him shaking his head.
"I understand your current predicament, Mr. Potter, but I cannot agree to your request."
Aumora's tone was calm, without leniency because of the person standing in front of him, or because of the unresolved mysterious memory associated with him.
"Just as I wouldn't judge you as the culprit based on rumors, I can't either make a statement to everyone that you are definitely innocent without concrete evidence, which is irresponsible behavior, Mr. Potter. I hope you understand me."
Aumora's profound eyes held an unspoken pressure that made Harry unable to continue making his request, and the next words from Mr. Bryan also caused Harry to tense up again.
"Moreover, there are some things you indeed need to give a reasonable explanation to everyone, such as... last Halloween night, I mean, the first attack incident occurred when you, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, appeared in the third-floor corridor after attending Nick's party... "
