The kitchen, restored to its neat and orderly state, was enveloped in an eerie atmosphere. Under its influence, the Dursleys, the owners of the house, all remained silent. They sat at one end of the dining table, as still as wax figures, their eyes not resting on Harry who was in a hurry to narrate the reasons and consequences of what had happened, but rather observing Amos Tversky's leisurely approach to dealing with a fried egg.
When Harry mentioned that he was confused about whether a wizard had ever gotten cancer, Amos Tversky put down his knife and raised his head to say,
"Not at all, Potter, wizards don't get that kind of illness--"
"Why, Professor Bran? "
Although aware that Professor Bran was no longer a professor in the Department of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, Harry still habitually referred to him as such. In response to Professor Bran's explanation, Harry's expression turned confused, "This disease... I don't understand it, Professor, but I think it shouldn't be because we are wizards..."
"It's because of the magic."
Amos Tversky swallowed the food in his mouth and calmly said,
"It involves the fundamental difference between wizards and muggles, Potter. Indeed, we are the same as muggles in that cells in our bodies are constantly mutating, but our bodies contain a high concentration of magic that muggles lack."
"Magic is a very extraordinary force. It acts like a unique immune system only existing in wizard bodies. When it detects pathogens arising from natural evolution, it automatically eradicates them."
Watching Harry, who unconsciously sat up straight, as if in class, Amos Tversky smiled. To be honest, aside from the unpleasant 'teasing' from Dumbledore, he had a good time when he returned to Hogwarts for the few months last summer.
"--Most disease sources that do not involve abnormal magic are unable to cause wizards to fall ill. Moreover, magic also has a subtle effect of strengthening the physical body, so you will find that as long as they are free from illness and misfortune, most highly powerful wizards also tend to live very long lives."
"Just like the headmaster, Dumbledore!"
Harry, whose eyes were still slightly confused, immediately realized what Amos Tversky was saying.
You're almost in a competition for the position of Dumbledore's number one fan with Rubeus Hagrid, Potter... Amos Tversky secretly rolled his eyes but nodded with a smile.
The Ginny sitting opposite them heard this and her eyes, full of fear, faintly revealed a trace of jealousy. As the conversation developed, almost occupying half the table on the other side, Vernon Dursley unconsciously clenched his fist hidden under the table. Gradually, his suppressed breath became heavier, indicating that he had reached his limit of patience.
In fact, if it weren't for the fact that this young man exuded a very special kind of aura, almost exactly like that of Professor Bran, then he might have already 'politely' asked him to leave...
But since the topic was mentioned, Vernon Dursley's mind once again became troubled.
This man should be the son of Professor Bran - there's no need for great intelligence to realize this oneself, Vernon Dursley. His eyes might have inherited his mother, but his features, including the soft gray hair and the almost identical appearance to that of Professor Bran when he was young, are identical. If they're not father and son, then it is indeed confusing!
But Professor Bran did not have any children, a fact personally confirmed by Professor Bran's butler, Lawrence.
Vernon Dursley had worked at that drilling company for most of his life, and he knew the family backgrounds of every long-time employee there. Especially so for their top boss, Kurad Bran.
Is it that Professor Bran has a secret son that even his loyal butler, Lawrence, does not know about?
Vernon Dursley blinked his pig-like eyes, convinced that he had just discovered explosive truth.
If Professor Bran has no other offspring besides this secret son, then why, in his declining health, has he never thought of finding him? After all, he has such a vast inheritance that needs an heir...
Vernon Dursley, staring at the young man enjoying Peony's breakfast and chatting with Peony's unpleasant nephew, struggled to turn his head and secretly pondered this question.
Suddenly, Vernon Dursley opened his eyes wide and held his breath, thinking of a possibility!
From the conversation, it can be heard that this man once served as a professor in a school that specializes in teaching people to steal chickens and dogs, which means he must be the kind of oddball, show-off type that they all detest!
And Professor Bran must have known this, without a doubt. Professor Bran is a respectable person, so he wouldn't admit or publicize that he has such an embarrassing son, and he doesn't want to be associated with him!
Sensing something, Amos Tversky glanced casually at Vernon Dursley, who had shown confusion and fear towards him earlier. He was puzzled why the fat man suddenly exhibited a sense of superiority...
And that child, who is almost a miniature version of him, has been covering his buttocks ever since he saw him... What kind of illness is this... Could it be that he has been persecuted by someone and has developed some kind of misunderstanding towards me...
"--I saw a picture in the drawing room, it was... "
Harry paused his voice, as if he didn't quite want to openly declare his relationship with the Dursleys in front of Professor Bran, just as the Dursleys also believed it was a shame to have a relative like him. ŴŴŴ.
"--It was a group photo of all the employees of the company where Uncle Vernon worked many years ago. And there was also the boss of this company in it..."
"Then you found that the boss of the drilling company is almost exactly like me?"
Having eaten about 70% full, Amos Tversky elegantly wiped the greasy oil from his mouth corner with a napkin and nodded appreciatively to Peony auntie,
"Your cooking is very delicious, Mrs. Peony. I haven't had such a wonderful breakfast in a while."
The pleased Mrs. Peony did not show any signs of happiness. She pursed her lips and lowered her head to look at the dishes on the plates, although she was eager to kick this man out, even if he may have a close relationship with the boss of Vernon's company. But she just couldn't say a word out loud.
"So, how is he now? I mean, Kurad Bran.
Harry was not surprised that Professor Bran would be concerned about the health of Vernon Dursley's company boss. What he found strange was the tone in which Professor Bran mentioned the name; it was casual, not very concerned, as if he were discussing a stranger with whom he had no connection!
"Very poor, Professor. He might... at any time..."
Harry did not continue, but he believed that Professor Bran would understand what he meant.
Glancing at Professor Bran, whose eyes were hard to read, Harry hesitated for a moment before asking,
"You know... I mean, did you know that Kurad Bran was this man from the beginning, Professor... because, I don't see how you would be so calm about it."
Amos Tversky let out a breath and leaned back in his chair, tilting his head to look at the spotless ceiling. His fingers rhythmically tapped on the table, producing a dull and suppressed tapping sound.
"Yes, I do."
After a while, Amos Tversky nodded and answered this question, "I have known the existence of Kurad Bran for a long time."
"But... I heard from Hagrid that you... grew up in an orphanage?"
Harry opened his mouth and asked blankly.
"Yes, Potter."
Amos Tversky looked down at Harry, revealing a profound and mysterious smile that was difficult to interpret.
"I did grow up in an orphanage, and these two things are not at all contradictory, are they?"
"..."
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Library of Readings
