Harry Potter: The Golden Viper

0705 Bologna

Unfortunately, Bryan, Kingsley, and Louise didn't manage to have dinner in Bologna, the ancient capital of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy which was a city renowned for its rich culinary traditions, and medieval architecture.

This disappointing outcome was directly attributed to the fact that one of the three travelers, Louise, was a Muggle whose presence limited the efficiency and range of magical transportation options available to Bryan and Kingsley.

Originally, Bryan's plan had been to take Kingsley and himself to Italy using an illegal Portkey which he had carefully arranged through a smuggler with connections throughout the European magical underground.

Apparition would have been incredibly draining over such a large distance spanning multiple countries and geographical landscapes. If Bryan were to attempt the journey alone, it might have been manageable, although leaving him exhausted and magically depleted upon arrival.

However, bringing Kingsley along through Apparition would be extremely taxing, potentially dangerous, and might require multiple stops in unfamiliar territories, which would expose them to unnecessary risks and scrutiny from various European Ministries of Magic.

Without pre-arranged coordinates calculated and prepared in advance, they could only use official fireplaces connected to the international Floo Network; however, this network was constantly monitored by each country's Ministry of Magic. Being caught entering Italian magical jurisdiction illegally by the Italian Ministry of Magic would certainly cause even more troubles.

Therefore, with magical transportation methods becoming impractical or too risky, they had no practical choice but to travel by Muggle airplane.

As the Auror office worked with amazing efficiency, and although Kingsley's subordinates quickly managed to purchase three tickets for that day through flexible means (three Muggles had inexplicably and simultaneously canceled their tickets), they couldn't overcome London's notoriously terrible winter weather.

The dense fog that had fallen upon Heathrow Airport combined with sporadic freezing rain that coated the runways with ice, delayed their flight by nearly four hours. They spent this time in the crowded terminal, surrounded by irritable Muggles.

By the time they finally arrived at Guglielmo Marconi International Airport and successfully steered through the tortuous customs procedures, collected their minimal luggage, and checked into the Academia Hotel, which they had hastily reserved by telephone from London, the clock tower visible from their hotel windows was already striking eleven o'clock at night.

In this historically rich city, whose foundations dated back to the Etruscans and whose university was the oldest in the Western world, at this late hour, there were barely any open restaurants, not even the fast-food ones that catered to tourists and students.

The famous Bolognese cuisine, with its rich ragù alla bolognese, handmade tortellini, and delicate mortadella, would have to wait until morning.

Moreover, compared to the two energetic wizards who were accustomed to the harshness of magical travel and the demanding physical requirements of their profession, Louise who had recently experienced the grief of losing a family member and then immediately, with barely any time to process her loss, had went on this bumpy, uncomfortable journey across Europe was so thoroughly exhausted by the time they reached the hotel's lobby that she could barely walk without Bryan's support.

Late at night, when most of the hotel's guests were deep in sleep, Bryan's room was the only one in the entire hotel with its lights still lit.

Bologna's winter climate was even 'harsher' than London's. Although the snow that had blanketed the city earlier in the week had melted, leaving behind slippery cobblestones and puddles that reflected the golden glow of old-fashioned street lamps, the streets and zigzagging medieval alleyways immersed in an ancient, somewhat desolate atmosphere were shrouded in thick, cold fog.

Meanwhile, the howling, damp, chilling wind that swept above the city's iconic towers and countless church spires sounded eerily like a banshee's wail.

"—This is the list I just received, Mr. Watson—" Kingsley's deep voice broke the silence that had fallen between them.

Bryan sat in a single antique armchair near the window, took the parchment from Kingsley's hand, and began reading it carefully.

"We got this list from Freddy, Bruce, and Nia. It contains the names of all wizards who left England through smuggling channels from the time Fraser sent that package until today—" Kingsley explained calmly.

Under the dim light, Bryan's face revealed a hint of helplessness as he looked at the parchment.

The fully unfolded parchment was nearly twenty inches long, its surface was densely filled from top to bottom with the names of wizards and their corresponding destination countries.

If there were no unexpected complications or misdirection which Bryan couldn't rule out given the wit of their opponent, the mastermind behind this affair was almost certainly hidden among these names.

No, Bryan mentally corrected himself, that wasn't quite right—at least the person who had controlled Fraser, manipulating him into mailing the package and subsequently transforming him into an Inferius was hidden somewhere within this list.

Bryan studied the list intently. With his exceptional memory and mental prowess, he could basically memorize any document after reading it just once.

"Mr. Watson," Kingsley called out hesitantly after several minutes of silence, his deep voice was tinged with uncertainty.

Bryan didn't speak immediately but just responded with a soft nasal sound, indicating that he was listening while continuing to absorb the contents of the parchment.

"Do you genuinely believe this list will prove meaningful to our investigation?" Kingsley finally asked, voicing the doubt that had been bothering him since receiving the document.

When Bryan raised his head to look at him, his gaze meeting Kingsley's concerned expression, Kingsley continued in a hoarse voice,

"Forgive my frankness, Mr. Watson, but I've dealt with wizards who live in the shadows of magical society for many years, and I understand their psychology and methods quite closely. These people treat extreme caution not merely as a practice but as a sacred creed vital for their survival. Based on my understanding and experience, most of these smuggled individuals wouldn't use their real names."

Bryan smiled slightly and lowered his head to continue memorizing the list on the parchment.

"In your opinion, Kingsley," Bryan finally spoke, his voice sounding thoughtful, "what kind of person would orchestrate these events? I mean, considering all aspects of this case—knowing that Hogwarts has me and Dumbledore and that Hermione Granger is currently the most sought-after champion in the Triwizard Tournament throughout the entire European wizarding community, yet still audaciously daring to attack her.

Additionally, they exploited the time difference to have Tom send those dangerous packages, turning Fraser—who once served their organization into an Inferius, using his body as a magical trap. Oh, and as Louise revealed to us, they're experimenting on innocent Muggle babies and pregnant women to research the secrets of obtaining magical abilities. What kind of individual or organization would perpetrate all these atrocities?"

"Audacious, cautious, clever..." Kingsley began listing attributes, his deep voice growing darker with each word, "... evil, cruel—"

Kingsley furrowed his brow in thought his eyes momentarily flashing with sudden understanding. After thinking intensely for a few seconds, he gave his well-thought-out answer.

"And proud—that's perhaps the most important characteristic—" He concluded with certainty, his large hand unconsciously forming a fist at his side.

Bryan didn't look up from the parchment as a knowing smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, as if he wasn't at all angered or surprised that these mysterious people didn't appear to take him seriously.

"People who dare to do these activities, Kingsley, I believe fall into two psychological categories, The first possibility is that the true mastermind orchestrating this series of events genuinely fears nothing in this world—neither the modest reputation of Dumbledore and myself, nor the power and resources of the British Ministry of Magic, nor even the authority of the International Confederation of Wizards with its hundreds of member countries. They care about absolutely none of it—"

After pondering this disturbing suggestion for a moment, Kingsley nodded grimly.

"The second possibility--" Bryan continued, steepling his fingers beneath his chin, "is that they're extremely confident in their own intelligence and strategic abilities, absolutely convinced that our investigation can at most reach Fraser while believing with complete certainty that we could never trace the conspiracy back to them. Do you understand what I'm meaning to say, Kingsley?"

"You mean to suggest—" Kingsley narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, his deep voice revealing underlying anger that he, as a professional Auror, was struggling to contain.

"Because of their overwhelming pride and arrogance, these people likely don't even bother concealing their real names or using aliases? It's not a simple oversight or lack of caution, but rather disdain?"

Bryan nodded slightly in confirmation. He folded the lengthy parchment along its creases and placed it on the side table, then sank back into the plush sofa, gazing thoughtfully at the elegant electric lamp hanging from the ceiling.

"I do indeed believe these individuals don't concern themselves with hiding their names," Bryan confirmed. "But the practical problem we face is that there are simply too many people recorded on this list. We have neither sufficient time nor adequate manpower to thoroughly investigate each name—"

"We could reassign—!" Kingsley had just begun.

Knock, knock, knock—

Kingsley was about to explain on his suggestion when three sudden knocks at the door interrupted his train of thought. He looked toward the door in bewilderment, his Auror instincts immediately heightened, then instinctively glanced at the wall clock.

One-ten in the morning!

Kingsley's eyebrows rose higher in surprise and suspicion, and though he made no clear sound, his hand moved toward the concealed wand holster beneath his robes, ready to draw his weapon at the slightest indication of danger.

"Come in—" Bryan's calm voice cut through the tension as his gaze swept over the door. After a brief silence during which both men remained perfectly still, he spoke in a deep, controlled voice.

Click—

After the crisp, metallic sound of the spring mechanism releasing, the door opened slowly, revealing Louise standing hesitantly in the dimly lit corridor, her entire demeanor was filled with anxiety and unease.

She seemed to have just risen from her bed, still wearing a light blue silk nightgown with openwork patterns of tiny flowers and vines at the chest and cuffs. The elegant nightgown barely reached her knees, modestly exposing her calves to the cool night air. Despite clearly having dressed hastily, there was an unconscious grace to her appearance.

Louise's curly golden hair was scattered over her shoulders, and she had her coat hastily draped over her body, though it still couldn't completely shield her from the penetrating cold that permeated the hotel during the winter night.

Her legs were pressed together self-consciously, her knees unconsciously rubbing against each other. Under the gentle warm-toned light that spilled from Bryan's room, the pale blue veins were faintly visible through the fair, skin at her chest, revealing her rapid heartbeat.

Kingsley frowned deeply as he stared at Louise, his expression reflecting his confusion at her unexpected appearance. But as the awkward silence between the three of them persisted, stretching uncomfortably in the quiet room, his furrowed brow gradually relaxed, as if he had suddenly realized or perhaps misunderstood something about the situation.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry for the intrusion, I just... um, if you're discussing something important or confidential!" Louise stammered, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

Louise hadn't expected Kingsley to be present in Bryan's room at this late hour. She simply couldn't sleep and while standing alone at the window of her room, gazing out at the fog-shrouded medieval towers of Bologna, she had noticed that Bryan's room still had its lights on.

However, she now clearly realized that appearing in a man's room late at night could lead to misunderstandings. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she panicked and was about to hastily leave the room, mumbling apologies, however—

"Please don't go, Miss Williams!" Kingsley called out, his deep voice now sounding surprisingly gentle.

The usually serious and formal Auror shook his head. He quickly gathered the various materials he had brought, leaving only the crucial list of names on the side table.

Before leaving the room, he cast a knowing, almost playful glance at Bryan, his eyes twinkling with unspoken meaning. As far as Kingsley knew, this young Bryan Watson, who had achieved numerous incredible accomplishments at such a remarkably young age was still single despite no shortage of admiring witches.

"I've finished my report, Miss Williams, If you have any questions about the case that you need to consult with Mr. Watson—"

Passing by the startled, shrinking Louise, Kingsley showed his first smile in days.

"Please, feel free—" And he added with a courteous nod.

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