Harry anxiously watched Amorth, who was lost in thought, with his hand on his robe on his knees clenched, and the courage he had prepared hard to raise to ask the question dissipated as soon as he raised it.
Mr. Bryan would say what?
Harry believed deep down that this investigation officer, who felt unusual to him, would not believe the rumors in the school so easily. However, if he couldn't bear the pressure from the school board and urgently needed to present a killer...
"If you're asking for my personal opinion, Potter--"
Amorth began to speak, and Harry's tightly clenched fists turned white with the pressure.
"I personally believe you are not the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets, Mr. Potter."
Harry's eyes widened instantly, and his heart beat like when he first rode on a broomstick through the thin, misty clouds, light and happy. Even the somewhat dim office suddenly became bright and spacious.
"But why, sir?"
However, Harry unconsciously asked, "My serpent voice... because of this, they... I mean, people know that Slytherin himself is the most famous serpent voice."
Amorth burst into laughter, secretly glancing at Harry's scar, relaxing his face with an easy expression.
"A serpent tongue can represent nothing, Mr. Potter. For a thousand years since the time of Salazar Slytherin, there have been at least dozens of serpent tongues documented in the magical world. I can't possibly think that you have some mysterious connection with the great founder of Slytherin House because of that..."
Looking at the brighter Harry, Amorth teasingly joked,
"There are many other facts that I cannot ignore, such as I can't understand why Salazar Slytherin would want to choose from Gryffindor College to find an heir."
For example, how could Harry Potter, the 'Boy Who Lived' who defeated the most evil dark wizard in history at one year old, saving the people of the British magical world from the shadows of despair, fear, and death, and who was regarded as a favorite student by the greatest and wisest wizard of his time -- Albus Dumbledore -- possibly be attacking his classmates at school?
Harry smiled, realizing that he was starting to like Mr. Amorth Brein a bit.
Since entering the magical world, many people have used his victory over Voldemort as a topic, some worshiping him immensely, others viewing him as a mere show-off wizard, some hating him, and some indifferent. But no matter which attitude it is, whenever he mentioned this, Harry would feel a heavy burden.
Only Mr. Brein is an exception, you can hear the tone of his voice without any malice or respect, as if he was simply discussing an interesting little spell.
Honestly, before meeting Mr. Brein, Harry had never expected to have such a pleasant conversation with a wizard from Slytherin House.
"--If it's because of that notice I posted, Mr. Potter, you needn't worry about it at all."
Amorth got up and went to the fireplace to refill his cup of tea, and seeing that Harry's teacup was still untouched, he didn't feel the need to pretend anymore. The sky outside had grown dark, and now, only the light of Hogsmeade Cottage could be seen in the Forbidden Forest.
"I never thought I could get any useful information from people's complaints."
Amorth leaned against the fireplace, and Harry had to twist his body to see him. Before Harry could ask, Mr. Brein explained himself.
"To be honest, before that, I thought that as soon as the news of me, as an investigator, entering Hogwarts to investigate the Chamber of Secrets was spread, those who were secretly causing trouble would definitely react. After all, people who dared to act in Dumbledore's sight would not likely tolerate a nameless investigator sent by the school board. Do you understand what I mean?"
Harry frowned, thinking carefully, and then relaxed his brows and nodded.
Mr. Brein's point was essentially that if the heir of Slytherin did not respond in some way to the investigator's presence, people would be very likely to think that he was frightened by the name, and someone who dared to launch two attacks against young wizards while Dumbledore was on high alert would not likely endure such 'insult.'
Amorth was satisfied and blinked his eyes, and continued.
"I think he might be eager to act again, and then I'll catch him off guard..."
Harry secretly rolled his eyes.
"--The most ideal situation is that the attacker will directly find me to prove his ability, then I can kill him and get paid... I mean, settle the terror incident."
Amorth showed a faint trace of annoyance.
"But I didn't expect him to act much more cautiously than I imagined. I have been watching the castle for a week, but I haven't found any strange phenomena. This makes me slightly anxious, so I had to take some action to stimulate the patient lurker..."
Harry realized that Mr. Brein's behavior of posting notices was just a test. He hoped the heir would see the notice as a provocation and continue his great cause as the heir of Slytherin.
With this point cleared up, Harry felt an incredible sense of relief all over.
Since Mr. Brein believes himself to be innocent, the harm caused by rumors in the school at least reduces by half because his biggest worry is that Mr. Brein would believe the rumors.
"Since that's the case,"
Excitedly standing up, Harry said, "Mr. Brein, if you don't think it was me, could you help... I mean, maybe you could issue another notice to everyone explaining..."
"Explain that you are innocent?" Amorth smiled and said, "That's why you came to see me, Mr. Potter? Haha, I thought you were like Filch, and you came to report on who it was."
Harry was embarrassed, he anticipated that his request would not be granted, but still said it bravely,
"You must know that because of the serpent tongue, all the little wizards think it was me who attacked Colin and Felicity... and Mrs. Longbottom. No matter where I go, everyone treats me with that... anyway..."
Harry couldn't continue, because he had seen that Mr. Brein had stopped smiling and was shaking his head.
"I understand your current predicament, Mr. Potter, but I cannot fulfill your request."
Amorth spoke in a calm tone, showing no leniency because the person standing before him was the protagonist, or because he was connected to the mysterious memory he had left behind.
"Just as I wouldn't assume you were the attacker because of rumors, I cannot make a statement that you have no suspicion without confirmed and irrefutable evidence. This is irresponsible behavior, Mr. Potter. I hope you can understand me."
Amorth's deep eyes carried an indescribable pressure, making Harry unable to continue his request, and what came next from Mr. Brein made Harry tense up again,
"And, there are indeed things that you need to give a reasonable explanation to everyone, such as... on the night of Halloween last year, when the first attack occurred, why you, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger appeared in the third-floor corridor after attending the Nicky Tent party is quite perplexing..."
