Chapter 487: Every Drink is an Euphoria Elixir
Chapter 487: Every Drink is an Euphoria Elixir
With Dumbledore's help, Sirius finally stood up and slowly walked towards the door.
As the retrial concluded, the events here seemed to spread like a strong wind, quickly sweeping through the entire Ministry of Magic.
Thus, when Sirius stepped out of the Third Chamber of Judgement, the corridor was already filled with people, who greeted him with enthusiastic applause.
Sirius didn't even know how he managed to walk down that long corridor, how he got on the elevator, or how he crossed the grand hall where the applause echoed.
It seemed like a few minutes, or perhaps a few hours, but when he came to his senses again, he was already on the bustling London street.
He faced the sky and spread his arms wide, standing there for a full ten minutes, much to the bewilderment of passersby.
Dumbledore and Kyle, standing behind him, did not urge him.
Kyle was thinking about whether to buy something in Diagon Alley later, but when he looked up, he noticed that Dumbledore was 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 smiling face, Kyle didn't think much of it, assuming he was just a bit dizzy from the dim lighting in the courtroom.
After all, Dumbledore had done a lot to ensure Sirius Black's acquittal, so there was no reason for him to feel apologetic.
Kyle looked at Sirius again, who was still standing in the same position, as if he could remain there all day if no one called him.
At this moment, a well-dressed man seemed to interpret his actions as some form of performance art. After hurrying past, he turned back and placed a coin on the step in front of Sirius.
A few minutes later, an owl flew over their heads.
Dumbledore suddenly had a copy of the Daily Prophet in his hand. He found a bench by the roadside, sat down, and began reading the newspaper as if he were an old man out for a stroll.
The front page had a prominent headline.
"Sirius Black: Traitor or Tragic Hero!"
There were two photos below it: one was his wanted poster, and the other showed everyone clapping for him in the courtroom.
In the article, Sirius was portrayed as a tragic figure who had endured twelve years of suffering in the shadows to avenge his friend...
"When did they take those photos?" Kyle asked in surprise. "I don't remember anyone having a camera in the courtroom..."
"Obviously, someone did, but we didn't notice."
Dumbledore chuckled. "These people are incredibly resourceful. Once, someone tried to prove I was an old fraud by releasing a photo of me fighting with someone when I was a child... If I could, I'd really like to buy that photo...
"But let's not talk about that. Let's go to Diagon Alley first. I'm in the mood for some hazelnut and peanut brittle ice cream."
Dumbledore got up and walked over.
Sirius also opened his eyes, lowered his slightly aching arms, and after taking a few deep breaths of London's street fumes, turned and walked with them towards the Cauldron Pub.
But after a few steps, he turned back, picked up the coin on the ground, and carefully wiped the dust off it.
"So, this is Muggle money, right?"
Kyle nodded and leaned in to take a closer look.
"Seven-sided... This is a fifty pence coin, which can be exchanged for about two sickles at Gringotts."
"I plan to keep this as a memento." Sirius smiled as he pocketed the coin.
The three made their way to the Cauldron Pub.
As Dumbledore pushed open the door, the bustling noise inside instantly ceased.
Every eye in the room fixed on Sirius, who was following closely behind Dumbledore.
Someone started clapping, and soon others joined in. A few people approached Sirius and embraced him warmly.
"Oh, Black..." Old Tom approached with a large mug of Butterbeer, "Forgive me for having your wanted poster up until now. This drink is on me."
"Thanks, Tom." Sirius took the mug and drank it in one go.
He had drunk plenty of Butterbeer before, including the ones Lupin had brought him a couple of months ago, but none of them tasted as sweet as this one.
"It's really good." He licked his lips, "Tom, I suspect you've added Euphoria Elixir to it..."
Old Tom chuckled, "Trust me, every drink you have from now on will turn into Euphoria Elixir."
Laughter filled the pub.
Sirius politely declined further invitations to drink and made his way to Diagon Alley through the back entrance.
"How do you feel?" Kyle asked.
"It couldn't be better." Sirius smiled, "Old Tom said he'd treat me to a month's worth of drinks. I plan to come back tomorrow and spend the whole day here. Old Tom's expression will be quite a sight then."
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Kyle smiled but remained silent.
Sirius was still young at heart, and he was currently the talk of the town. His presence at the Cauldron Pub would undoubtedly attract even more people, and Old Tom would be delighted.
But this was a win-win situation...
The three turned a corner and arrived at the main street of Diagon Alley.
Sirius was like a new student about to start school, wanting to browse almost every shop. Soon, his arms were filled with various items.
Everything was given to him for free, without spending a single Galleon.
Thanks to Sirius, Kyle and Dumbledore also received complimentary Hazelnut Peanut Butter Ice Cream.
They first went to Madam Malkin's Robes, where they ordered a brand new set of robes for Sirius. Then, they headed to Ollivander's, where Sirius purchased a wand for fifteen Galleons.
New students usually bought wands for seven Galleons, but this one was more than twice the price, or perhaps this was the original price of wands, and the ones sold to students were at cost.
When they passed by Quidditch Supplies, Sirius wanted to buy a Firebolt Arrow for Kyle as a thank-you gift.
However, Kyle declined.
"Don't be shy, it's just a few Galleons." Sirius patted his chest, "I bought one for Harry, and it was quite cheap."
Kyle still shook his head, "No need, I really won't use it."
There weren't any Quidditch matches at Hogwarts this year, so what would he do with a Firebolt Arrow? Besides, what if the shop released a new model next year...
So, it was better to wait until next year.
They spent the entire afternoon browsing almost every shop... Well, there was one exception.
Flourish and Blotts.
The entrance to this shop seemed to be enchanted with Sirius's Banishing Charm, as he didn't linger for even a second and quickly ran past.
The shop owner, who had intended to give Sirius a stack of books as a gift, was left standing at the entrance, only to see Sirius's hurried back as he ran by.
...
(End of Chapter)
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