He tried

Cooper should have yelled at the prisoner and told him to retreat back into his cell like everyone else.

This is even for his own good.

It's important to understand that Azkaban has more than just wizards as jailers; if he gets too close to those hungry Dementors, even Merlin can't save him.

...But for some reason, after the prisoner repeated the "three wishes" three times, a longing suddenly arose in Cooper's heart.

It felt like something was scratching at his heart and lungs, making him feel itchy all over.

That was desire, that was longing! He had a story to tell, and he did have a wish to fulfill.

The thing started to burrow out.

Some old memories flooded his mind. The image of his beloved vaguely appeared in his mind:

Becca's beautiful face was adorned with a smile, and he could never forget the golden light that shone on her face when the sunlight fell upon it... sacred and beautiful.

Just like her kisses. Becca always loved to playfully peck him, brightening his every morning with childlike kisses.

He loved her to the core, which is perfectly normal, isn't it? They'd known each other since they were under six, playing together since childhood. When he realized he could even remember the location of every single freckle on her face, he knew he couldn't live without her.

What's delightful is that his girlfriend felt the same way.

But even now, they haven't gotten married. There are many reasons why they haven't, and he would awkwardly tell her:

I'm sorry, darling, but I'm still living with my parents... I can't afford a house of our own, I can't support our future. Please wait a little longer, just a little longer—

lie.

He said things that neither he nor his lover believed, and made a troubled expression.

To this day, Cooper still doesn't know how Becca really sees it. Does she even know that he's just making excuses and lying to her?

He didn't know the truth; he only knew that she stopped smiling, silently lowered her head, and from then on, a sadness lingered between her brows.

This broke his heart and caused him great pain. But the reasons behind it were far too complex; he had only graduated two years prior and had no idea how to explain it to his loved one.

Darling, I am a wizard.

Becca is a Muggle.

Becca…Becca is great in every way, but she’s a Muggle.

He was terrified that their children might lose their magic, but he overcame that fear and chose his girl.

However, this does not change the nature of the matter. The issue remains complex.

Did he not try? Was he not trying hard enough? No, no.

He also explained to his dear Becca:

Darling, I am a wizard.

Ah, no, no, I'm not a pervert, nor a witch, I'm a male wizard, alas, that's indeed hard to explain—look, I can turn your teacup into a puppy… Oh, Merlin!

……

You're awake, darling.

Don't be so discouraged. Listen, I have some good news for you!

Actually, I can afford our lives! When I told you I transferred schools, I meant a magic school, and my grades are pretty good! ...Oh, oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to lie to you, but please let me finish!

I have a respectable job; I'm an Auror. Let me think… I'm a wizard police officer! Yes, I'm a police officer!

...Hey, don't worry, my job is pretty, uh, pretty safe.

While most of my colleagues are after our souls… they’re monsters that feed on human joy… being a jailer in Azkaban means I don’t have to fight dark wizards! Overall, the risk is very, very low!

So, we can get married! But it seems that if an Auror in the department wants to marry a Muggle, they have to submit an extra report... What? You're asking what a "Muggle" is?

That's what people without magic are called—what? No, no! Don't say that, darling, it's just a word, it doesn't contain any contempt—wait, no! Don't go, I can't…

………………

He tried it.

Therefore, whenever those stinking "colleagues" floated slowly alongside him, Cooper would recall the state of mind he had when casting "forgetfulness" on his lover.

The pain gnawed at him, leaving him confused and filled with regret.

Like her morning kisses and every sincere, loving smile, they lashed at Cooper's heart.

He regrets it constantly.

Then, he couldn't help but think:

Why?

Why isn't Becca a wizard?

Why is Becca a Muggle?! If Becca weren't a Muggle, they would be such a loving couple!

They should have been a happy couple, and as they had agreed in every quiet midnight, they should have had a beautiful house and two or three healthy and happy children.

They even thought of a name for their firstborn son, who should have had it all.

It should have been.

"...What do you mean?" Cooper asked, his throat tightening.

"You...you're new here, right? Are you here on fraud charges?"

The prisoner—Gerald. He gave a stiff smile, his eyes almost pleading.

"My first wish."

What do you want?

Cooper trembled and couldn't help but take two steps back, feeling inexplicably weak in the legs.

"What...what do you mean—you!"

Gerald chuckled dryly at his appearance. He looked at Cooper with a kind expression, more like an omnipotent prophet than a prisoner.

Gerrard raised one finger:

"One wish, another wish."

Cooper wasn't stupid after all; he realized what was happening and shouted angrily:

"You...you just want to trick me into letting you out, that's why you're playing these tricks! Right!"

That's not wrong.

Gerald grinned, a lifeless malice radiating from his withered face.

Then, he turned away and stopped talking to Cooper.

This time, Cooper was in a panic. The wizard immediately wanted to step forward, grab the prisoner, and demand that he explain himself—but suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.

Cooper nimbly twisted his body and waved his wand.

His canine guardian spirit pounced on the Dementor that had suddenly moved toward him.

It carried that thing, which exuded an aura of death, straight backward.

"...What happened...?"

Cooper wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, feeling a chill run through his body.

But this chill wasn't from the Dementors. Cooper then realized that he was covered in sweat without even noticing.

"Damn it..."

"Kaku"

A strange sound came right up to Cooper's voice, making him immediately shut his mouth.

That wasn't a human voice.

The Dementor, having been knocked far away, did not give up as usual. Its "face" beneath its hood was constantly emitting a "crackling" sound, like a giant spider rubbing its claws.

Cooper was terrified.

Even more bizarrely, the strange prisoner in the cell suddenly turned his head and issued commands in a different, more vibrant voice.

他 说:

"Get out of here."