When the moon finally struggled free of the dark clouds, its scattered fragments turning into soft snowflakes that settled on the Whomping Willow's bare, gleaming branches, a long conversation finally drew to a close over a glass of mellow gin.
Brian also began his first night shift at Hogwarts-with his workplace moved from the library to the sewers-and his duties roughly amounted to "how to fit an elephant into a refrigerator."
What he was about to do was-*turn a Basilisk that had killed a student from a creature with a danger rating of XXXXX?
Into harmless bait.*
Thanks to Ancient Erasure Magic, this seemingly inconceivable plan could be perfectly accomplished in Brian's hands in just three simple steps.
Step one, open the Chamber of Secrets; step two, erase all the Basilisk's desire to kill and make its eyes and fangs disappear while he was at it; step three, close the Chamber of Secrets.
Now, let us turn back time a little.
After Brian recounted everything that had happened to him, he felt much more relaxed. He realized that he did not need a specific answer, only a suitable listener-and Dumbledore was good at both listening to stories and telling them.
He clearly explained that there might be a magical connection between Harry and Voldemort-because of the Killing Curse that had failed to kill Harry-but when Brian asked what specific effects it might have, Dumbledore grew evasive again.
"I have a feeling that Voldemort will come looking for Harry again someday," Dumbledore said after a long silence. "Before that day comes, I hope Harry will have the courage to face Voldemort."
"I agree with your thinking, but not your methods."
Brian said uncomprehendingly,
"To put it bluntly, you're trying to control someone's life. That's a tremendous intrusion,
"and it's obvious that