Harry Potter and the Candy Factory

"That traitor who betrayed the family, Father's favorite child…"

She slowly extended her hands, already skin and bone, caressing the bars of the cage, while rasping out each word in a hoarse voice, staring at him like a ravenous wolf ready to devour its prey.

If looks could kill, Charlie would have been killed countless times by Bellatrix.

However, he was not provoked by this sharp and bitter mockery… His湛 blue eyes remained like a clear pool, devoid of any ripples except for calmness.

He didn't speak, only quietly watched her, seemingly wanting to discern some other emotion from her eyes, but alas, besides hatred, Charlie could see nothing else in Bella's eyes… The atmosphere became silent for a time, with only her rough breathing within the prison cell breaking the stillness…

"Christmas is coming, I brought you a little gift, and also wanted to see how you're doing."

After a moment, Charlie finally broke the silence.

As he spoke, he slowly reached out, opened his thick overcoat, and took out a bag of candy he had prepared earlier from an inside pocket.

Unlike the simple kraft paper bags commonly used in candy factories, the bag of candy in Charlie's hand had clearly undergone careful packaging. Whether it was the intricate patterns that accentuated the festive Christmas atmosphere, or the beautiful red and white ribbons, it was clear that much thought had been put into it… Even if it were displayed outside, it would be an excellent gift.

In Azkaban, a place that could strip away all joy, its appearance was like a unique ray of light, alleviating the despairing atmosphere around it.

However, facing this kindness from Charlie, Bella's attitude didn't change in the slightest.

A sneering laugh rang out, and then she released the bars she had been gripping. Her gaunt arm shot out with lightning speed, abruptly swinging towards the candy in Charlie's hand.

Immediately, with a "哗啦" sound, the candy in Charlie's hand was caught off guard and sent flying, heavily impacting the wall, causing the wrapping paper to tear open.

In an instant, the translucent candies scattered everywhere, transforming into glittering specks under the dim lamplight, spreading across the dirty stone floor like stars in the night sky, dazzling and captivating…

The mockery on Bella's face intensified, and seeing the slight bewilderment in Charlie's eyes, she felt as if she had received a better Christmas gift than candy. A twisted pleasure surged up her spine and straight into her brain, adding a bit of long-lost joy to her barren heart.

"Stop pretending to be kind here. Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about yourself. It won't be long before Lord Voldemort returns! When that time comes, I will definitely eliminate you, the traitor of the Black family!"

As she spoke, her expression became increasingly ferocious, and uncontrollable anger seeped out of every pore. Hysterical, even her voice turned into a terrifying, ghost-like scream, as if she wanted to release all the hatred she had accumulated over the past decade.

The sound echoed in the empty space of Azkaban, constantly transmitting to other areas in the distance, until, after a few seconds, it was completely swallowed by the unseeable darkness, finally returning to silence.

"Beyond saving."

Scrimgeour stood aside, watching this ethical drama from the Black family, his thick, tea-brown eyebrows furrowing slightly. His eyes narrowed slightly, and the wrinkles on his face became more pronounced with the movement of his cheek muscles.

Coupled with his loose, long hair draped behind him, he looked like a ferocious lion, expressing his anger towards Bella with sharp, blade-like eyes.

Scrimgeour had never felt the slightest pity for Death Eaters. Although little was known, he was actually more ruthless than Barty Crouch during the trials after the war!

In his opinion, since these damned scum so believed in their master, they should be sent to see Voldemort! Only in this way could the innocent people who were cruelly murdered and tortured to death in this war be comforted… And Scrimgeour once stated that he was willing to be the executioner, using his wand to execute all the Death Eaters one by one!

Although in the end, his suggestion was undoubtedly rejected, it did not make him lose his deep-rooted hatred for Death Eaters, a hatred that he wanted to get rid of quickly…

Therefore, in Scrimgeour's view, Bellatrix's clamoring and humiliation towards Charlie Black was simply stepping on the most tense nerve in his heart.

If it weren't for the constraints of his current position as the Head of the Auror Office, Scrimgeour was certain that he would have drawn his wand and let this damned Death Eater feel what true cruelty was.

His calloused hands clenched slightly, and if one listened closely, one could even hear the faint friction of his fingers rubbing against his palm.

"Hoo…"

But he held back… The task he had come here for this time suppressed his emotions, causing him to regain his composure. In the end, he just heavily exhaled a breath of turbid air.

"Charlie—"

He stepped forward, called out to Charlie, and then patted him on the shoulder.

"I'll wait for you over there, you hurry up…"

Having said that, he paused for two seconds, then couldn't help but bring his head closer to Charlie's ear and whispered in consolation:

"Although I understand what you're thinking, I still have to remind you… Those Death Eaters are all incurable mongrels and will never wake up. Even when locked up here, all they lament is the failure of that war, not repentance for the innocent people who died tragically at their hands…"

Charlie naturally understood Scrimgeour's words. Therefore, he didn't refute or say anything else, just nodded and said softly:

"I have two last words… I'll leave after I say them."

"Mm."

Considering it as agreeing to Charlie's words, Scrimgeour simply responded, and then strode towards the deeper part, stopping at a position about ten meters away and waiting quietly for Charlie.

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

In fact, Charlie wasn't too surprised by Bellatrix's reaction. On the contrary, if she really smiled at him with a gentle attitude, Charlie would really be taken aback, and at the same time, he would definitely marvel at how strong the Azkaban's ability to reform people was…

After all, in Charlie's impression, Bellatrix had long been crazy… Driven mad by the so-called glory and pure-blood ideology of the Black family, and their father Cygnus Black.

Otherwise, she would never have made the shocking statement of openly clamoring against Barty Crouch in the court trial of the Death Eaters, claiming that she was absolutely loyal to Voldemort… … …

Without much hesitation, Charlie's body slowly leaned forward slightly, bringing his head closer to Bellatrix behind the iron bars, and said something softly.

Scrimgeour stood not far away. Although he could see Charlie's mouth movements, he couldn't hear what he was saying at all.

However, Bella's expression was completely captured by him.

He saw that the originally twisted and crazy face suddenly froze. Then, a light flickered in her eyes, as if she had received some news that was enough to subvert her understanding.

She stiffly twisted her neck, looking at Charlie in disbelief, her lips trembling, seemingly wanting to ask something.

However, Charlie didn't give her a chance. His smile didn't diminish as he continued to speak, completing the second half of what he hadn't finished saying.

When a complete sentence fell, the emotions on that gaunt face underwent another dramatic change, and it was even more violent than just now.

"What did you say!!!?? Charlie Black! What are you saying!!!"

Bella moved frantically, wildly waving her hands outwards, trying to grab his collar, but Charlie deftly dodged it by retreating.

"Come back!!! Charlie Black! You damned mongrel! I don't believe it!!"

At this moment, the enormous shock had already made her forget everything else. Even the last bit of aristocratic etiquette was thrown aside. She opened her mouth, frantically shouting while looking at the other party's eyes not far away, her pupils also trembling… … … …

But Charlie didn't pay attention to these things anymore.

"Heh… … … …" He laughed, then turned his head, unhurriedly striding towards Scrimgeour, completely deaf to Bella's screams and roars behind him.

"Let's go. It seems that my sister doesn't want to talk to me… Now, let's go see if my brother is willing to say Merry Christmas to his brother… … … …"

Just like that, the two of them gradually disappeared into the darkness, leaving only Bella, still hoarsely and unwillingly roaring.

"Come back!!! Damned mongrel!!! My master will destroy you!!!"

"How dare you… … … … How dare you!!!"

"I will definitely kill you!!!"