Chapter 487: Every Drink is a Cheerful Potion (Thank you to Alliance Master Shenyuan for the additio
Chapter 487: Every Drink is a Cheerful Potion (Thank you to Alliance Master Shenyuan for the additional chapter!)
With Dumbledore's support, Sirius Black finally stood up and slowly made his way towards the door.
As the retrial came to an end, the events that transpired here swept through the entire Ministry like a gale.
So, when Sirius walked out of the third courtroom, the corridor was already packed with people, all of whom applauded him without restraint.
Sirius didn't even know how he had walked down that long corridor, or how he had gotten into the elevator and through the equally thunderous applause in the lobby.
It seemed like minutes, or maybe hours, and when he came back to his senses, he found himself on the bustling streets of London.
He spread his arms to the sky and stood there for a full ten minutes, amid the bewildered stares of passersby.
Dumbledore and Kyle, who were with him, did not hurry him.
Kyle was just thinking about whether to buy something on their way to Diagon Alley when he looked up and found Dumbledore looking at him with a strange expression.
It was a look of apology mixed with pity, but it disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Seeing Dumbledore's smile, Kyle didn't think much of it and attributed it to having spent too much time in the dimly lit courtroom, causing his eyes to play tricks on him.
After all, Dumbledore had gone to great lengths to help exonerate Sirius Black, so it didn't make sense for him to feel apologetic.
Kyle looked at Sirius again, and he was still standing in the same posture as before, as if he would stand there all day if no one called out to him.
At that moment, a man in a suit hurried past, then turned back and placed a coin on the steps in front of Sirius, seemingly interpreting his actions as some form of performance art.
After a few more minutes, an owl flew over their heads.
Suddenly, Dumbledore had a copy of the Prophet in his hand, and he found a bench by the roadside and sat down to read the newspaper like an elderly gentleman out for a stroll.
The headline was a striking line.
"Sirius Black: Traitor or Tragic Hero?"
Below it were two photos: one of his wanted poster and another of the courtroom, where everyone was applauding him.
In this article, Sirius was portrayed as a tragic figure who endured twelve years in the shadows to avenge his best friend...
"When did they take those pictures?" Kyle asked in surprise. "I don't remember anyone in the courtroom holding a camera..."
"Obviously, there was, but we just didn't notice," Dumbledore said with a chuckle. "These people are truly resourceful. Back then, someone even released a photo of me as a child, fighting with another boy, to prove that I was a fraud... If possible, I'd really like to buy that photo...
"But let's not dwell on that now. We should head to Diagon Alley first. I'm rather craving some hazelnut peanut brittle ice cream."
Dumbledore got up and walked over.
Sirius opened his eyes at that moment, lowered his arms, which were starting to ache, and after taking in a few lungfuls of London's exhaust-filled air, he turned and joined them on their way to the Leaky Cauldron.
However, after taking just two steps, he turned back again, picked up the coin from the ground, and carefully wiped the dust off it.
"So, this is Muggle money, right?" he asked.
Kyle nodded and moved closer to take a look.
"Heptagonal... This is a fifty-pence coin, which should be worth about two Sickles at Gringotts.
As Dumbledore, who was walking ahead, pushed open the door, the raucous noise within abruptly ceased.
All eyes fixed intently on Sirius, who was following closely behind.
Someone started clapping, and soon, others joined in, some even approaching Sirius to embrace him.
"Oh, Black..." Old Tom approached with a large mug of butterbeer in hand, "Forgive me for having your wanted poster up all this time. This drink is on me."
"Thanks, Tom." Sirius took the mug and drained it in one go.
He had consumed plenty of butterbeer, including those Lupin had brought him a couple of months ago, but none tasted as sweet as this one.
"It's fantastic." He licked his lips, "Tom, I suspect you added Cheering Charms to it..."
Old Tom smiled, "Believe me, every drink you have from now on will feel like it's been charmed."
Laughter filled the bar.
After politely declining further invitations for drinks, Sirius made his way through the back entrance to Diagon Alley.
"How do you feel?" Kyle asked.
"I couldn't feel better." Sirius replied with a grin, "Old Tom offered to treat me to drinks for a whole month. I plan to come back tomorrow and stay here all day. Tom's expression then will surely be priceless."
Kyle smiled but remained silent.
Sirius was still too young and popular; his presence at the Leaky Cauldron would undoubtedly attract even more customers, leaving Old Tom delighted rather than annoyed.
Nonetheless, it was a win-win situation...
Turning a corner, the trio arrived at the main street of Diagon Alley.
Like an eager new student, Sirius wanted to browse almost every shop. Before long, he was laden with various items.
All of them were gifts from the shopkeepers, not costing him a single Knut.
Thanks to Sirius, Kyle and Dumbledore also received complimentary hazelnut peanut brittle ice cream.
They first visited Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where Sirius ordered a brand-new set of robes. Afterward, they went to Ollivanders, where he purchased a wand for fifteen Galleons.
While new students paid seven Galleons for their wands, his wand was more than twice that price. Perhaps this was the wand's original price, and the wands sold to students were offered at cost price.
Passing by the Quidditch shop, Sirius even wanted to buy Kyle a crossbow as a token of gratitude.
However, Kyle refused.
"Don't mention it, it's just a few Sickles." Sirius patted his chest, "I bought one for Harry, it was quite cheap."
Kyle shook his head, "No, I really won't need it."
There wouldn't be any Quidditch matches at Hogwarts this year, so what use did he have for a crossbow? Besides, what if the shop released a new model next year...
Thus, it was best to wait until next year.
The entire afternoon was spent visiting almost every shop... Well, except one.
Flourish and Blotts.
It seemed as though Sirius had cast a Repelling Charm on the bookstore's entrance, as he didn't linger for even a second, quickly rushing past.
The shop owner, who had been standing at the door with a stack of books intended as a gift for Sirius, could only watch as Sirius hurried past, leaving only his fleeting silhouette.
...
(End of Chapter)
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