Kurad Brain -- the boss of the drilling company where Aunt Vernon works.
If it were just a few years ago, Harry might not have to think twice to pronounce that name, even if he had never met the person before. It wouldn't be strange, would it? If you also often hear your family members discussing this name and the stories related to it, then you would also have a vivid impression of this stranger you've never met before.
In fact, it's a bit harsh to describe the frequency of discussing Kurad Brain Mr. with the Dursleys using the word "often," because they have almost put this person on their lips.
Whenever talking about the commendable welfare benefits of Uncle Vernon's company and its growth over the years, Uncle Vernon would always speak of Kurad Brain Mr. with the utmost respect, highlighting his wise and heroic decisions.
That reverent and humble tone, for example... Harry suddenly remembered the house-elf from the Malfoy family named Dobby that he had met in the previous school year when talking to him.
But since Harry had started attending Hogwarts, over the two summers he spent there, it seemed to him that he hadn't heard much from the Dursleys about this man. It turned out that Kurad Brain had a terminal illness that would be considered incurable for Muggles.
"Oh, that's really unfortunate," Harry said in surprise, furrowing his brow. "When was that?"
"Two... or three or four years?"
Aunt Petunia said dryly, "Anyway, it's just come to light in Uncle Vernon's company recently. Before that, Vernon and his colleagues had been puzzled as to why Mr. Brain didn't show up much anymore. In the past, he was almost there every day on time, assigning work tasks to Vernon and the others and telling them what direction to strive for..."
Harry finally understood what the Dursleys were planning at this point. They hoped to use magic to cure the illness of the boss of the drilling company?
But is this allowed...?
Harry's lips were pressed tightly together. He knew that the magical world had strict laws against wizards revealing their powers to Muggles. At Hogwarts, he lived with his roommate and best friend, Ron, whose father worked in that field.
"We're not allowed to... I mean, non-magical people like you... You know, you've all seen it. Last summer, I received a warning letter..."
After a quick turn of thought, Harry gave his response.
If the situation was appropriate, Harry wouldn't necessarily object to using magic to save someone's life, but if the price was that he might be expelled from Hogwarts or even imprisoned in that terrible magical prison, then it would be a different matter.
"About that, Vernon and I have already discussed it..."
At this point in the conversation, they had reached the core of the issue, and Aunt Petunia gasped for breath.
"If anyone bothers you, we'll help you explain... Vernon's many colleagues are trying to find a doctor with extraordinary medical skills. Of course, the chances of complete treatment are slim, but as long as it can help Mr. Brain hold on for a few more days, or even recover some spirit... you understand what we mean, Vernon has been in charge for many years in his position and he is very capable. He should be able to demonstrate his talents at a higher position,"
Aunt Petunia emphasized again.
"We think you should lend a hand with this, and I imagine you feel the same way, after all, without us, you'd be out on the streets!"
Harry was emitting a message of resistance all over his body. To be honest, he didn't want to get involved in this mess, but Aunt Petunia seemed unwilling to let this opportunity go,
"Someone must have had this disease in your house, so how does St. Mungo's Hospital usually deal with it? We will handle the money issue, leaving it to Vernon and me to consider. As long as they can come up with a medication that works!"
Aunt Petunia had asked a good question. Harry wasn't sure how capable St. Mungo's Hospital was, but he was contemplating another question: had any wizards ever had cancer?
Harry was brainstorming, thinking about the information he had received about the magical world since he had been in the school. But no matter what, he couldn't find any connection to this topic in his daily conversations, the Wizarding Weekly or newspapers he had read, extracurricular comments from teachers, or even strange illnesses mentioned by Madam Pince when he lay in the infirmary.
"You should be grateful, boy!"
Harry's long silence madeUncle Vernon, who was worried about his future, lose patience. He stamped his feet on the wooden floor of the living room with a resounding sound and nearly shattered the frame of the kitchen door with a slap.
"We saved you from starvation!"
He shouted at Harry from the kitchen doorway,
"We gave you clothes to wear, sent you to school, and let you have Dobby's old bedroom! If you knew what 'gratitude' is spelled, you'd jump at the chance!"
"You adopted me because of Muggles' laws requiring you to do so, let me go to school because it doesn't cost anything, and gave me clothes and a bedroom because Dobby didn't want them!"
Angry Harry wanted to say this, but he feared that if he really said it, the Dursleys would lock him in the storage room under the stairs with chains and keep him there until he was an adult, never letting him return to Hogwarts.
"I have a condition..."
After a long silence, Harry raised his head and looked at the panting Aunt Petunia with a gloomy expression.
"You have to give me back my magic books, I need to finish my summer homework!"
"You actually dare to make conditions!"
Aunt Petunia angrily slammed on the door frame, which was on the verge of collapse.
"Look at your messy hair, and the ungrateful look in your eyes... You are such a... I knew who you were from the beginning, boy!"
"Vernon, the neighbors might hear us..."
Aunt Petunia warned quietly to Harry, who had a swollen abdomen. It looked like Harry's ungrateful attitude had really upset her.
But in the face of her icy glare, Harry did not back down. He had already had enough of writing his summer homework in the dark, hiding in his sleeping bag and using a flashlight. If he didn't take this opportunity to get all his magical books back, it could be imagined that his potion professor would not easily let him off the hook next semester.
"You must promise--"
In the end, Aunt Petunia relented. Her face turned blue, and she gritted her teeth and spat out the words one by one.
"You won't make any strange noises and won't mention anything about our side to the neighbors!"
"No problem!"
Harry's heart quickened, and he answered quickly, "If it's possible to get the Dursleys to back down, that's quite an achievement!" However, he immediately added,
"I need to check on Mr. Brain's condition first..."
Under Aunt Petunia's suddenly vigilant gaze, Harry shrugged and said,
"Only after I understand the situation can I ask my friends to look into it."
"Alright--"
This was a reasonable request, even Vernon couldn't find fault with it. He panted unwillingly and said,
"I and your aunt and Dobby are planning to pay a visit tomorrow, you can come along... but I must warn you, kid,"
Aunt Petunia bent down her massive frame with an oppressive look in her eyes, and a threatening light flashed in her eyes.
"Mr. Brain is a very proper gentleman, and if you dare to cause any trouble in his house, kid, I promise you'll regret being born!"
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Library Reading Corner
