There is only one word difference between a sincere expression of sympathy and a feigned inquiry, yet the two are worlds apart.
The minister feigned concern, and the public feigned relief; the atmosphere appeared harmonious, but undercurrents were swirling beneath the surface.
Vincent didn't know what others would think, but he had already had enough of Fudge's ugly face.
But no matter how unwilling he was, he still had to put on an appearance of being flattered.
Life is like a play, and it all depends on acting skills.
After a satisfied Fudge left, his friends spontaneously gave him a thumbs up.
Fred and George even hilariously reenacted the scene from earlier.
"Mr. Wayne, I heard you went to track down Peter Pettigrew. Are you alright?"
"No, Mr. Minister, it's fortunate that Professor Dumbledore was there, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to deal with that terrible Fiendfyre."
George grabbed Fred's hands nervously. "It's a stroke of luck. If something had happened to you, it would have been an enormous loss for the British Wizarding World."
Fred tried to break free from George's grasp. "Mr. Minister, you flatter me. I owe my success to the Ministry of Magic for nurturing me."
"Mr. Wayne, there is only so much we can do to help you. It all depends on your own abilities."
"Mr. Minister, I know my own capabilities very well. If I don't—ouch... Mom, it hurts... it hurts..."
Molly, unable to bear it any longer, forcefully pulled Fred's ear.
George quickly covered his ears and backed away.
It's best not to embarrass yourself in front of so many people.
However, he ultimately couldn't escape.
Fortunately, Molly only pulled the twins by the ears and gave them a few words of advice.
Despite their efforts to liven things up, both adults and children were still somewhat shaken.
Sirius Black glanced at Aberforth and suggested, "Since everyone's here today, why don't we go sit at the Hog's Head Pub?"
His proposal was unanimously approved.
Hogsmeade was unusually quiet today; even the Three Broomsticks, which usually bustled with activity, was eerily quiet.
If a mere Dark Mark can frighten the British Wizarding World so much, it's hard to imagine what Voldemort will be like when he returns.
Although the Hog's Head Pub at the end of the village is small, it's still a place where people can manage to sit down.
Vincent had barely sat down when Sirius Black came over with two glasses and a bottle of whiskey.
"Want some drinks?"
"Good."
After downing a glass of wine, Sirius Black leaned closer and spoke in a very soft voice.
Do you believe that old liar's Prophecy?
Vincent nodded slightly. "Even Voldemort was wary of Prophecy, and you yourself chose to believe them, didn't you?"
Sirius Black's expression changed slightly. "You actually dared to say his name? Aren't you afraid he'll hold a grudge against you?"
Vincent took a small sip of whiskey. "I think he's been keeping an eye on me for a while now, and besides, I don't think there's anything scary about him at all."
If I had to say something, it would only be that it looks particularly frightening.
Sirius Black smiled. "Now I know why I always like to drink with you."
Vincent put down his glass. "Why?"
"Because you remind me Professor Dumbledore, you are both trustworthy people."
Vincent curled his lip. "I don't have the patience to listen to your complaints."
Sirius Black raised his glass. "I don't think I've ever complained to you about anything, have I?"
Vincent gently clinked his glass against his. "Weren't you just complaining to me about the Prophecy?"
"That doesn't count." Sirius Black downed his drink in one gulp. "You can probably guess what I'm really worried about, right?"
Vincent followed his gaze and saw Harry's not-so-thin back.
To completely eliminate Voldemort, all Horcrux must be destroyed, even if it is just a small fragment of his soul.
Sirius Black filled his glass to the brim, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
"I heard from Dumbledore that you had a near-death experience?"
"Yes." Vincent gazed at the golden whiskey in his glass. "The professor probably didn't tell you who that person was, did he?"
Sirius Black shook his head. "He's an old friend of his, and another of your teachers."
Vincent smiled and glanced at the crowd in the bar. "Don't worry, my teacher's magical skills are no worse than Professor Dumbledore's, and in some areas, he's even much better."
Sirius Black immediately thought of Dark Magic.
Not everyone who uses Dark Magic is a dark wizard, but someone who has studied it extensively is definitely not a good person.
Of course, Vincent he is unaffected.
What if something happens to Harry...
Sirius Black was about to pick up the bottle, Vincent reached out and grabbed his arm.
"I can take Harry to see my teacher anytime, as long as Harry is ready."
These words seemed to possess a special magic, unconsciously boosting Sirius Black's confidence.
He stared intently into those deep blue eyes. "You really do look Dumbledore."
Vincent released his grip, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. "I shouldn't have brought you back to Hogwarts. I should have left you in that cave to fend for yourself."
Sirius Black's face darkened, as if he had remembered something unpleasant.
Vincent thoroughly examined him inside and out in order to treat his wounds.
Although he was a big black dog at the time, he felt a strange sense of shame whenever he thought about it.
As he was thinking, he suddenly laughed.
Those weekends spent with the kids in the Forbidden Forest were truly wonderful.
This allows him to temporarily forget that he is wanted and forget his hatred for Peter Pettigrew.
"Thank you, Vincent."
Vincent thought he had misheard. "What?"
Sirius Black's face darkened again. "Fine, if you can't hear me, I'll only say it once."
"Tsk tsk—" Vincent clicked his tongue, "I never expected you to be such a sentimental person, Big Black."
"Little Black" was Sirius Black's name when he was still a black dog, and "Big Black" is the nickname the children use for him now.
Sirius Black poured himself a drink, looking sullen. "I'm not some snotty Snivellus person. Keeping things bottled up inside will only make you sick."
Vincent was somewhat surprised.
He actually knows Snape quite well.
The old saying is indeed true: those who understand you best are often your enemies.
"What? Is there something dirty on my face?"
Vincent shook his head, glanced around, and then started gossiping, "So, how exactly did you guys get into a fight with Snape?"
Sirius Black thought for a moment, "I just don't like him. James Potter and I hated him the moment we first met on the train."
Sirius Black might be, but LeBron James Potter might not.
Perhaps it was out of jealousy, or perhaps it was to attract attention; in any case, if it weren't for that one glance, Harry would very likely have ended up with Snape's name.
No wonder they both love and hate it.
However, given Old Bat's twisted personality and Lily's popularity at school, it would probably be quite difficult even without James Potter.