As he opened the door, he turned back and said gently to those inside, "Rest well, Arthur, don't worry about work!"
"Thank you, Kingsley." Mr. Weasley's weak voice came from inside: "Thanks to you this time."
"Kingsley?" Sirius said in surprise.
"You're here too, Sirius."
Kingsley nodded to him, then turned to Mrs. Weasley and said in a comforting tone:
"Don't worry, Molly, the minister has made it clear that Arthur's injury this time is proof of his responsibility and courage, his position and work will not be affected."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Weasley instantly breathed a sigh of relief, she held Kingsley's hand and said with a choked voice:
"Oh, Kingsley, thank you, I know you must have spoken a lot of good words for us... This is truly a blessing amidst misfortune, Merlin bless, there are sensible people like you in the department..."
Ron's initially cautious and rejecting expression also disappeared.
He murmured to Harry in a low voice: "I didn't expect he's not here to cause trouble... This minister is much more approachable than the previous one."
Cornelius Fudge always had a seemingly cheerful demeanor, but Ron knew from seeing his father regularly working overtime that the job was definitely not as easy and fun as he claimed.
Kingsley again quietly comforted Mrs. Weasley with a few words, suggesting they go to the ward to look after Mr. Weasley, before striding over to Sirius, shaking hands firmly:
"Long time no see, Sirius, you look quite good recently."
"No kidding!"
Sirius rolled his shoulders and grinned:
"Peter Pettigrew finally got caught, too bad you weren't there during his trial, you should have seen that scoundrel going limp all over when he heard he was going to Azkaban."
A flash of hateful delight passed through his eyes.
"Well, I have even better news for you."
Kingsley revealed a slight smile at the corner of his mouth: "I heard the Dementors have been 'taking good care' of him; Peter Pettigrew became silly and dazed in less than a month in prison, seemingly a bit out of it."
Upon hearing this, Sirius didn't smile but frowned: "You should be careful not to be fooled by him, Kingsley."
He lowered his voice and said, cautiously: "I know that rat, playing dumb is his forte. He won't go mad that easily, let alone die."
Kingsley nodded slightly and said: "Of course. With the precedent set by Barty Crouch Jr., the department has formulated the strictest regulations for Azkaban's management."
He paused for a moment and said in a low voice: "No one - I mean anyone - can step into a prisoner's cell unless the minister personally approves."
"Peter Pettigrew's cell is even more secure, not even an ant can sneak in. Even if he were to die tomorrow, his remains must stay in prison until the sentence is fully served."
After hearing this, Sirius finally had a genuine look of relief on his face, dispelling the doubt and vigilance from earlier.
"That's how it should be, let him never think of getting out alive!"
He said viciously, then tried to completely wave away the unpleasant name from his mind, his shoulders relaxing again as he asked:
"What have you been busy with lately? I've been wanting to find you for a drink but never got the chance."
Kingsley sighed wearily and said: "You know what happened with the American Magic Congress, Minister Sinclaire learned from it. He thinks our past files might have gaps, especially concerned about the safety of young wizards."
"The department is now reviewing all recorded missing and deceased individuals of the past decades, also investigating those wizards living alone in remote areas, indeed there's hardly any time for rest."
Sirius touched his chin and found satisfaction: "Not bad. Although it sounds like needle in a haystack, at least it's a responsible attitude, much better than those who just pose for the press."
He's still bitter about Fudge wanting to label him as "Voldemort's staunch follower" and "an accomplice in Peter Pettigrew's escape", and spoke without politeness.
Kingsley, however, could not join in berating his boss, just smiled wryly, looking at the two teenagers quietly listening nearby.
"Nice to meet you here, Mr. Potter, Mr. Gray."
Kingsley reached out his hand, and Harry was surprised at his solemn attitude, while Vid met Kingsley's gaze, understanding that—
Dumbledore had already talked to him.
The adult wizard calmly conveyed his stance, everything was unsaid yet understood.
After a brief greeting, Kingsley left in a hurry due to his busy schedule, and only then did Sirius lead the two into the ward.
Inside the room, Arthur Weasley was leaning against a pile of fluffy pillows, his complexion still somewhat pale, but there was already a light in his eyes, and he had the energy to open Christmas gift packages with his slightly trembling hands.
Seeing the people entering, he said cheerfully:
"Ah, Sirius, Vid, Harry, thank you for visiting this patient."
"Arthur, how do you feel today?" Sirius asked.
Arthur Weasley managed a weak smile and said: "Great, I even want to go for a run, but unfortunately my healer won't allow it."
As he spoke, with a "rip," the paper bag in his hand was torn open, revealing the Scar Remover Magic Potion inside.
"Oh, yet another magic potion..."
Mr. Weasley said dejectedly, "Look, because of this injury, all the gifts I've received have turned into magic potions, even Bill and Charlie... I'd bet they originally didn't plan to give me this..."
"Enough, stop complaining, those two bottles of strong Bone Regeneration Potion are Bill's half month salary." Mrs. Weasley continued and then eagerly asked: "Right, have you seen Percy's gift?"
Mr. Weasley's smile quickly disappeared, but he managed to make his tone cheerful again:
"No, I guess it's still among those remaining gifts!"
Mrs. Weasley immediately looked towards the pile of packages, about to get up and check, but Mr. Weasley said:
"No no no, don't move, these are my Christmas presents, I want to slowly enjoy the surprise."
"Alright." Mrs. Weasley turned her gaze back, saying: "But with your current state, opening them all will take at least three days."
"Nonsense." Mr. Weasley retorted to her: "Two days at most is enough."
Just then, there was a fluttering sound, and everyone looked up.
A gray owl dexterously flew through the window, dropping a rectangular package on the floor, then perched at the foot of the bed, with a proud posture as if waiting for praise.
"Whose gift is this? It looks a bit familiar..."
Mrs. Weasley picked up the package with a hint of confusion and anticipation, glanced at the handwriting and strap on it, and her face quickly lost color, replaced by disbelief and hurt.
"Who sent it?"
Seeing her expression, Mr. Weasley struggled to prop himself to take a look, and Mrs. Weasley hurried to hide the package behind her, but she was too late.
The next moment, Mr. Weasley stared at the package, his chest heaving:
"Is this the Christmas gift you sent to Percy?"
The room instantly fell silent, with only the faint hum of the Crystal Bubble changing colors.
Mrs. Weasley's lips trembled, unable to speak.
Ginny stepped forward, glancing at the signature first, then angrily ripped open the package with a pale face.
A white and red striped knitted sweater was pulled out by her, with an obvious "W" and a reindeer pattern woven onto the chest.
Shocked, Ron couldn't help but feel a bit bitter—this sweater was clearly more thoughtfully made than the one he received, which only had a green Christmas tree.
"He returned it?"
Mr. Weasley roared lowly, the pallor on his face flushing red with rage:
"How dare he?! How dare he treat your kindness like this!"
Mrs. Weasley was currently more upset than anyone else, instinctively making excuses for her favorite son:
"Maybe... maybe he was too busy, lots of department work... or the owl made a mistake..."
As she spoke, she searched inside and outside the package, discovering there wasn't even a perfunctory note inside, her last shred of forced composure also crumbled.
With her husband's roar, Mrs. Weasley covered her face, letting out a whimper as her shoulders started to shake violently.