Whatever else could be said, it was a wonderful performance, and Brian thoroughly enjoyed listening from the audience.
As the show neared its end, the band's lead singer, Myron Wagtail, took his customary leap into the crowd. Fans reached up to catch him, and a wave of hands carried him farther away and back again.
Brian slipped into the crowd. When Myron Wagtail's head passed directly above him, he grabbed his clothes, stopped him, and said quietly, "Long time no see, Mike Charles."
"[Wizarding profanity]!" Hearing that familiar yet unfamiliar name, Myron Wagtail involuntarily shuddered. His legs kicked a few times, and the smile froze on his face.
"[Wizarding profanity]?"
He immediately tried to turn over and put an end to his stage dive so he could get a good look at whoever had spoken-but the fans were the ones controlling his movements now. Frantic, Mike Charles struggled in vain and was swept back onto the stage like a convulsing log on a current.
Once back onstage, he immediately rolled over and stared wide-eyed into the audience.
After a search that was neither tense nor thrilling, he soon spotted Brian's warm smile and his clearly readable lips-"Merry Christmas. I'll wait backstage."
Brian headed backstage as soon as he finished speaking. Myron Wagtail rubbed his eyes furiously and stared after him, opening his mouth to shout something but finding himself unable to get it out.
Only after Brian had vanished from view did he sidle up to the howling bassist, Donaghan Tremlett, muttering "[Wizarding profanity]" and asking incredulously:
"Donaghan, has this club's Confundus Charm stopped working?"
"Normally I'd give you hell for that, but today I'd say it really might have." Donaghan Tremlett stopped. "Do you know who I just saw?"
Myron Wagtail said nervously, "...Brian?"
The bass in Donaghan Tremlett's