Once a portrait realized that it would not be burned no matter what, it became very difficult to pry its mouth open. The portrait might even cunningly turn the tables and find something to shut yours.
Brian sat in a chair in the room, looked at the weighty Golden Apple in his hand, then at the Compass Owl, the Book, and the Alchemical Snake eyeing it hungrily nearby. For a moment, he felt like Paris in Greek mythology, dividing a Golden Apple among three goddesses.
A Golden Apple taken out of a painting-that was the treasure the portrait Brian had used to silence his questions. It was very light, with a smooth surface, neither solid gold nor quite like an ordinary apple coated in gold. Nor did it have "To the fairest goddess" written on it.
Excellent. Although this Golden Apple would not bring him a beauty whose looks surpassed all others in the world, neither would it spark a second Trojan War.
Now, let us turn back time a little.
"You really don't intend to tell me anything?" Brian controlled the fiery phoenix circling the portrait, while the energetic little unicorn chased after it.
Thanks to Professor Quirrell, his control over fire magic was now good enough to earn him an "O" on his N.E.W.T. without any difficulty.
"Brian, one day you'll understand everything, but not now."
Certain that nothing would happen to him, the portrait Brian said earnestly,
"Don't open your umbrella before the first raindrop falls, and don't switch to a thick fleece quilt before the first leaf falls. Ah,
"Right, take this. It's nothing precious, but perhaps it can add a little fun to your life."
He grabbed a Golden Apple and suddenly tossed it forward. The Golden Apple flew straight out of the painting, and