322 0321 Favors

After pondering for a moment, Kakus made a decision.

For a wizard like Bryan Watson, who held significant sway in both the Underground world and the world above, the chance to owe him a favor was not easy to come by. If he could seize this opportunity to solidify their friendship, it might potentially save the entire Fawley family in the future.

Kakus was a man of action. Recognizing that, according to the established rules, Rita's provocative article was scheduled for publication in the next day's edition, he wasted no time in departing his ancestral home via the Floo Network in the dead of night to engage in delicate negotiations with the two largest and most influential directors presiding over the Daily Prophet's operations. In a remarkably brief span of time, merely half an hour, he had returned, with the signatures of the patriarchs of the two Sacred pure-blood families, effectively authorizing the suppression of the article.

Kakus also wrote his own suggestions on the note. He had originally planned to send the order from the board of directors to the newspaper through an owl, but considering that tomorrow's paper was already being printed, he made another arduous trip.

It was only when the moon began to wane that the matter was finally settled.

Bryan watched all this, knowing that Kakus wouldn't go to such lengths for a few galleons. The reason he did so was merely in the hope that Bryan would remember this favor, and if one day the Fawley family faced danger, he would lend a helping hand.

"Alright—" Bryan announced, rising to his feet as he gently massaged his whiskey-overloaded stomach, offering a grateful nod of acknowledgment towards the visibly exhausted Fawley.

"I will remember this, Kakus."

"It is an honor to be of service to you, Mr. Watson," Kakus responded, his expression one of sincere gratitude and humility.

Bryan knew that he wasn't a good guest because he had come to his house late at night, causing Kakus's wife and daughter to tremble in fear in their and unable to sleep in room upstairs. So, after everything was settled, he prepared to leave.

"Please wait—"

But as Bryan was about to step out of the door, Kakus suddenly called out and followed him from inside, holding the notebook he usually used to record commissions, and asked with a 'shy' smile,

"Well, Mr. Viper, do you have any plans to take on commissions lately?"

Upon hearing the unexpected request to take on a new commission, Bryan was struck by a wave of surprise that momentarily left him stunned and motionless, his mind racing as he tried to process the implications of this sudden proposition. However, after a few moments of stunned silence, the fog of bewilderment lifted, and he came to the stark realization of what was happening.

For the past half year, he had been living a comfortable 'retirement' life at Hogwarts, almost forgetting about his "actual job". However, after coming back to his senses, Bryan didn't immediately respond. Looking at the expectant face of Kakus, he pondered for a moment.

Kakus surely knew that he was currently entangled in various affairs. Even if Kakus desired to earn a brokerage fee from him, he wouldn't choose such an inconvenient time. It seemed likely that Kakus had encountered a particularly challenging commission.

Indeed, Kakus was not the sole active commission broker operating within the shadowy underground world of the British Wizarding Society. There existed a fierce competition within this industry, with brokers vying for the most lucrative contracts and the most skilled mercenaries to fulfill them.

For an exceptional broker such as Kakus, the most crucial aspect of success was the ability to wield influence and control over a vast network of resources.

Not only was it essential to have access to a diverse array of task resources, but the resources of the bounty hunters and mercenaries themselves were equally vital. Without a constant flow of highly skilled and accomplished mercenaries at one's disposal, even the most promising of commissions would be rendered futile, as there would be no one capable of completing the task, ultimately eroding the broker's credibility and reputation over time.

"What's the matter, encountered some trouble?" Bryan inquired.

"Indeed, Mr. Viper, it's a rather troublesome matter" Kakus sighed deeply, his tone and demeanor reflecting the gravity of the situation while maintaining a clear distinction between personal favors and the professional realm of business transactions. "I'm sure you haven't forgotten Thanatos Hord?"

At the mention of that name, Bryan's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening as a palpable sense of surprise and caution permeated his tone, "Thanatos? Has he posted a commission with you?"

"Precisely, Mr. Viper. A rather difficult task, I must admit," Kakus responded, rubbing his temples in a gesture of exasperation and weariness. "You surely remember the task of retrieving ancient artifacts from the depths of Egypt. When you landed back in England, you and the team led by Scrimgeour had a fierce battle. In that fight, Scrimgeour destroyed Thanatos's bone dragon. As you know, Mr. Viper, Thanatos is an ancient necromancer who commands undead creatures. Losing that bone dragon significantly weakened him."

Kakus paused briefly, allowing the weight of his words to sink in before continuing, "Not long after that mission, Thanatos posted a commission with me, expressing desire to acquire the skeletal remains of a Dragon. But as you can surely imagine, this is no easy task, as wild dragons are not only extremely dangerous and formidable, but they are also protected magical creatures, closely guarded and monitored by the magical departments of various countries across the globe. Even after their death, the disposal of their bodies is subject to stringent regulations and strict monitoring. And the skeletons of commercially bred dragons, while more readily available, are far too weak and fragile to meet Thanatos's requirements."

Kakus glanced discreetly at Bryan, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes as he continued, "Mr. Viper, I vaguely recall that a couple of years ago, you successfully obtained a Norwegian Ridgeback dragon egg from the Norwegian dragon natural reserve and even slew a fearsome Norwegian Red Scale dragon. Might you, possibly, still possess any of the valuable materials or remnants from that…?"

"Alas, I have already sold off the valuable materials acquired during that time," Bryan replied, pursing his lips in a slight grimace of regret. "As for the skeleton itself...I abandoned it in the reserve."

At the time, he indeed had not realized there was a market for such things; otherwise, he could have earned some extra bucks.

"What a pity," Kakus sighed once more, his expression mirroring the disappointment and regret that Bryan had just expressed. "Well then, Mr. Viper, I must inquire – are you interested in accepting this commission and undertaking the task of procuring a dragon skeleton for Thanatos?"

"How much is he willing to pay?" Bryan asked with interest.

"Six thousand Galleons!" Kakus swiftly responded, seizing upon the glimmer of interest that had flickered across Bryan's face. "If you can provide a recently deceased dragon skeleton, Thanatos is willing to offer this substantial sum as payment. Of course, we are all well aware that the base value of a wild dragon skeleton far exceeds this monetary figure, and as such, Thanatos has expressed a willingness to supplement the financial reward with valuable items from his personal collection, or perhaps even rare magical artifacts. However, if the skeleton you acquire has been deceased for a longer period, the reward may need to be significantly reduced to account for its diminished potency and quality."

Bryan nodded slightly, considering the price to be fair.

To be honest, Bryan didn't expect Kakus to present such a task. If it were any other task, he might not have been willing to help.

After all, times had changed, and Bryan had now "gone legit". Getting too involved with the underground world still carried risks, risks that he was no longer as willing to take as he had been in his younger and more reckless days. Moreover, his magical prowess had stabilized after several years of rapid growth and development, and engaging in duels with mediocre wizards no longer offered him the same thrill or opportunity for self-improvement that it once had.

With the successful completion of the dormitory building at the orphanage, the financial pressures that had once weighed so heavily upon him also had been alleviated, diminishing the need to exert himself and place himself in harm's way for the sake of monetary gain through the acceptance of dangerous commissions.

But This mission also involved Thanatos, which was quite a surprising coincidence, as Bryan happened to need his help with something.

"Very well, Kakus, I accept this commission," Bryan agreed in a calm and measured tone, his words sending a wave of elation and relief coursing through the seasoned broker, who now knew that his reputation and credibility would remain intact with the involvement of the Golden Viper.

"But what about Thanatos himself?" Kakus inquired, a hint of uncertainty lingering in his voice.

"Don't worry, Kakus," Bryan responded with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I will communicate directly with Thanatos and handle all arrangements personally."

Kakus remained motionless for a few moments, leaning against the weathered door frame as Bryan's final words echoed in his mind.

"Direct communication," he murmured under his breath, furrowing his brow in contemplation.

In the world of underground commissions, it was an established and adhered-to agreement that the client and the contractor of a task never met directly; any issues or details regarding the nature of the task were conveyed through the intermediary of the broker, ensuring a layer of anonymity and deniability for all parties involved. And Bryan, despite being an 'old-timer' in the underground world, had just brazenly disregarded this fundamental rule with a nonchalant wave of his hand. This blatant disregard for the established protocols left Kakus unsettled and nervous, his mind packed with unanswered questions and lurking suspicions.

As the news of Sirius Black's capture by the Ministry of Magic spread like wildfire throughout the Wizarding world, it was akin to a massive stone being hurled into the depths of a lake, sending ripples of shock and uncertainty radiating outwards in every direction. The frenzy and upheaval caused by the eradication of the notorious Fenrir Greyback and his pack of ruthless followers had barely begun to subside and now another storm was brewing.

The reporters and journalists from various nations across the globe, who had only recently visited the United Kingdom to seek exclusive interviews with Bryan Watson, had barely returned to their respective homelands before receiving urgent summonses to rush back to England. The allure of covering this unfolding media frenzy proved too tantalizing to resist, and they feared missing even the slightest detail or piece of information that could potentially boost their careers to new heights.

For several consecutive days, the entrance to the Ministry of Magic was besieged by a veritable horde of these frenzied reporters, all jostling and clamoring for position as they attempted to confront any Ministry official they could locate, desperate to glean any valuable information or insight that might shed light on the circumstances surrounding Sirius Black's capture.

However, apart from the official statement published in the widely circulated Daily Prophet, the Ministry of Magic remained resolutely tight-lipped, unwilling to offer any formal response or additional statement on the matter. Furthermore, the Ministry also categorically refused to any requests from reporters seeking to interview Black directly, citing the ongoing and sensitive nature of the investigation.

Rampant speculation and speculation began to circulate, with some suggesting that the Ministry of Magic had fabricated a sensational lie in a desperate bid to put an end to the relentless pursuit of the elusive Sirius Black and the embarrassment his continued evasion had brought upon them. Yet, even in the face of such accusations, Cornelius Fudge, himself, remained unwaveringly resolute, refusing to loosen his lips or provide any additional information beyond his public statement that Black was undergoing rigorous interrogation by the Ministry, and that the exact truth would be revealed to the public once all the facts had been clarified and the investigation had run its due course.

Nevertheless, such vague and noncommittal statements did little to satisfy the voracious appetite of the journalists assembled, who remained utterly unsatisfied and determined to uncover every last sensational detail, no matter how tiny or seemingly insignificant.

With each passing day, the number of senior officials from the British Ministry of Magic who found themselves besieged by veritable hordes of reporters encamped outside their private residences continued to grow, as the predatory members of the media sought any path, no matter how tenuous, to unearth inside information or exclusive scoops.

As the upcoming events involved the internal conflicts and power struggles that had long festered beneath the surface of the Ministry, Bryan wisely chose to distance himself from the increasing turmoil and media circus.

He did not return to Hogwarts either, opting instead to secure accommodations at an inconspicuous hotel in the heart of London, where he could observe the unfolding drama from a safe place while awaiting the inevitable moment when Peter Pettigrew would be thrust into the public eye.

In the short-term, as he bided his time, Bryan occupied himself by diligently responding to the flood of fan mail that continued to pour in from admirers across the globe, each seeking a personal connection or expression of gratitude from the man who had become an international icon.

*Scenebreak*

On one particularly sunny morning, after partaking in a leisurely breakfast, Bryan returned to the sanctuary of his hotel room, his mind already turning towards the task of composing a thoughtful response to a letter from the American Magical Congress, which sought his expertise and guidance on the most efficient methods for hunting and eradicating the threats posed by werewolves and vampires.

Knock, knock—

As he settled into a comfortable chair, parchment and quill in hand, prepared to begin writing his insights and recommendations, an abrupt and insistent knock upon the door shattered the tranquil atmosphere, foreshadowing the arrival of an unexpected visitor.

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