Amos hadn't known that a silent conspiracy was being orchestrated by the Grave robber behind his back, of course, if he knew, he might have been pleased.
Due to his journey to the island of Avalon, his abilities had greatly improved. To make the newfound magic better align with himself, he found a tranquil hotel in the suburbs of London and took a few days to rest. After his body adjusted to everything, he packed his belongings and returned to the magical world.
The moment he stepped into the Burnt Offering tavern, his gaze swept over the slightly dimly lit hall, causing Amos's brow to furrow slightly as he changed into his wizard attire.
As the Burnt Offering tavern, which serves as a gateway between the muggle world and the wizard world, during the summer vacation period, it should be bustling with people's voices and filled with the aroma of food and beverages. However, it is not like that in reality.
A glance revealed the dirty, dimly lit bar was eerily empty, with very few silhouettes visible. Only a few individuals, hidden inconspicuously in seats along the wall, were busily puffing long pipes. Amos glanced at them indifferently with a casual sweep of his eyes, expressionless on the outside, but inwardly feeling puzzled.
As an 'elder' in the underworld, Amos easily detected the distinctive 'stench' of the group.
Amos didn't think there was anything out of the ordinary about this group appearing in the Burnt Offering tavern. What puzzled him was that as he seemed to casually glance at them with his peripheral vision, they were also watching him, and they were casting him naked and unguarded probing gazes.
And that certainly seemed a bit off.
All wizards who engage in activities in the underworld know a 'basic common sense' - do not have an overactive curiosity. If you are not determined to confront someone, it is best not to stare at them relentlessly, or you may inadvertently cause some unnecessary misunderstandings.
Since these people are from there, they cannot be ignorant of this common sense.
"Vitae Creonae--"
The first thought that occurred to Amos in his mind was that the woman who had escaped from his grasp, Vitae Creonae, had revealed her true identity to others. This led a group of people who had conflicts with 'Golden Snake' in the past to ambush her, but then he thought it was highly unlikely.
It's not that he thinks Vitae won't do that, but rather, if she really did so, he wouldn't have been so oblivious afterward.
Including Flit, the Golden Snake still had some well-informed friends in the underworld. If her identity was exposed, he wouldn't have gone without being warned.
While Amos was in doubt, the group of stealthy individuals by the wall turned their gaze away and looked at each other, secretly shaking their heads and then lowered their heads to continue puffing on their pipes and sipping on the rum they had placed on the table.
"These guys are looking for someone, but it's not me--"
Amos narrowed his eyes, realization dawning on him, and he resumed his normal stride.
At this moment, a large family rushed out from the other side of the bar, hurrying with their luggage, tightly protecting a little boy of about six or seven years old.
"Mom, why are we suddenly going to Paris?"
The little boy, almost being dragged and pulled forward, looked full of resistance as he asked with his mouth pouting.
"Oh, I've told you several times already, dear. That's because your grandmother isn't feeling well, and we need to go visit her--"
A middle-aged witch with disheveled hair, who appeared to have not tidied herself up before leaving home, responded in a hasty tone.
"You're lying, Mom. I know the reason..." The young boy's innocent face showed his displeasure with the lie, "It's all because of that little--"
"Shut up, Beck!"
When the boy passed by Amos, his father looked at him warily and reprimanded him in the most severe tone, "This is not a matter to be discussed openly. We don't know who is reliable!"
Amos turned his head to watch the family exit the Burnt Offering tavern, and their figures quickly disappeared from his view. Turning back, he just happened to see that the group by the wall had also turned away, and their eyes met briefly in mid-air before both glances shifted elsewhere.
Something has happened, and it seems to be more than a small matter.
Sensing the tense atmosphere in the air, Amos easily reached this conclusion.
"Wait a moment... Let me think about it. Oh, I've got it, Minister! Room 11 is still available. You can have him there!"
A voice came from the passage next to the bar, which Amos could tell was Tom, the stooped owner of the Burnt Offering tavern.
"Minister..." Amos's eyes flickered.
"It's dinnertime, and the busy Minister of Magic should be attending the wine parties hosted by the noble pure-blood families. Why would he come to the Burnt Offering tavern to arrange a room for someone?"
The question flashed through Amos's mind, and within less than a second, he made up his mind to delay meeting with Cornelius Fudge for the time being.
From the two encounters before and after solving the mystery room incident last semester, Amos could see that Cornelius Fudge was a typical politician.
The 'rules' of befriending for a qualified politician are whether this person has any use or whether they can bring enough benefits to themselves.
Amos didn't want to get too involved with a politician, especially a high-ranking one like the Minister of Magic. It's true that networking is an invaluable resource, but the cost you need to pay or the trouble that comes with it can be enormous.
"--Well, it doesn't matter, as long as he's comfortable... By the way, Harry's luggage..."
"I will take Mr. Potter's luggage to his room, so you don't have to worry about it, Minister!" The owner of the tavern, Tom, said in a very polite manner.
Potter?!
Amos, who was about to leave quickly, stopped in his tracks and looked surprised at the corridor.
How many wizards in the magical world can have a high-ranking Minister of Magic personally concerned about their luggage, and that person's name is Potter?
But... Harry Potter should be spending his summer vacation at his uncle and aunt's house. How could he suddenly appear at the Burnt Offering tavern?
Amos was very sure that he hadn't mixed up the days. It had only been a week since the two of them last met.
The footsteps drew nearer, and Amos's eyes narrowed. Soon, he plastered a friendly smile on his face and quickly crossed the counter, his gaze darting towards the stooped Tom outside and towards the short, stocky wizard wearing a striped robe inside. He waved his hand and called out,
"Please hold on, Minister Fudge!"
As Fudge prepared to climb the stairs, his movements came to a sudden stop. He turned to look at the young man who had greeted him by the bar, his eyes revealing a hint of confusion for a moment. However, this confusion quickly turned into an accidental mixture of surprise and delight, which softened the deep lines on his forehead that had been etched by fatigue.
"Oh, look who it is!"
Fudge chuckled as he came out, opening his arms towards Amos.
"Winner of the Second-Class Merlin Award, the outstanding young wizard who solved the Slytherin mystery room and donated an immeasurably valuable basilisk to the Ministry of Magic--Ammos Brayne!"
