By the time Kael returned to Hogwarts, it was already evening.
Sirius, that big spender, had bought a huge pile of stuff from Diagon Alley and asked him to bring it back—some for himself, some for Harry.
Maybe it was because he could finally appear openly in the sunshine, but Kael felt Sirius was doing some revenge shopping.
Who in their right mind buys over two thousand Galleons' worth of goods in Diagon Alley?
And that Pure Gold Cauldron… is that thing really for brewing Magic Potions? If you even scratch it, you'd feel sore for days, wouldn't you?
But what could you do, Sirius just wanted to buy it, wouldn't take no for an answer… What a spendthrift he is.
Just like when they left, they Apparated back in the same way, materializing directly in the Headmaster's Office.
"Hahahaha!"
Kael had barely stepped back before he heard a burst of excited laughter—except it sounded awful, like a goose getting its neck squeezed,
"Ahahaha… Dumbledore, I've heard everything from that old lady."
On the wall, the portrait of Phineas Black said with pride, "My great-grandson was acquitted, wasn't he... Haha... I just knew it, the Black Family would never produce a traitor.
The Ministry of Magic bunch are such fools they can't even spot an obvious frame-up, getting worse by the day… But this minister's not bad, at least he knows right from wrong."
There wasn't a single soul in any of the portraits nearby. Everyone stayed far away, giving him that "watching an idiot" look in their eyes.
"Oh, shut up, Phineas." a Bearded Wizard couldn't help saying, "Lie to others all you want but don't lie to yourself. Think of how you used to curse that Sirius Black—haven't you forgotten? Want us to refresh your memory?"
"Yeah, exactly…" a Witch sneered, "You were cursing him with so much enthusiasm back then, and now you act like nothing happened? You've got no shame."
"Impossible, you all must have misheard." Phineas stiffened his neck and said, "I've said it a hundred times, I would never suspect anyone from the Black Family!"
"Pfft…" Everyone let out a synchronized snort.
Just then, a tall, thin, dark-haired witch quietly approached Phineas from behind, carrying a round shield she must've swiped from somewhere.
As Phineas was talking, she swung her arm and smacked him right on the head with the shield.
"Who did you just call old lady!"
Phineas was stunned by the whack, landing on his butt, dazed for quite some time before he recovered.
Seeing this, the others immediately swarmed over and began kicking and punching him.
No particular reason, just pure muscle memory. Beating up Phineas was quickly becoming the most popular pastime among the portraits.
The Headmaster's Office was soon filled with the sounds of fists hitting flesh, and a certain someone wailing like a banshee.
"Professor, your daily life must be pretty colorful," Kael couldn't help but laugh.
"Ah, is that so? It really is colorful." Dumbledore pulled a piece of velvet from his desk and headed toward the noisiest portrait. "But sometimes they get a bit too loud.
Oh, weren't you going to see Harry? Off you go then, I think the password for the common room is gibberish."
"Alright." Kael nodded, opened the door beside him, "See you, Professor. And you, Fawkes…"
The Headmaster's Office wasn't far from the Gryffindor Common Room. You just kept walking down the corridor, turned a corner at the end, and you'd arrive.
"Password!" the Fat Lady asked dutifully.
"Gibberish," said Kael.
But the Fat Lady didn't open the door—instead, she eyed him suspiciously.
"You're not a Gryffindor student. I've never seen you before."
Looks like after that business with Sir Cadogan being kicked out last year, she'd gotten much more cautious.
"Let me guess—you found a scrap of paper with the password somewhere and thought you'd try your luck, right?"
"That's right. I'm a Hufflepuff," Kael said. "But the password was given to me by the Headmaster—I just came from the Headmaster's Office, and I need to see Harry Potter."
"The Headmaster?" The Fat Lady was still skeptical, but her tone softened a bit at last.
"Don't do anything against school rules," she warned, "Or you'll never get through this door again."
"Don't worry," Kael said, grinning. "I've never broken a school rule in my life."
"By the way, the other headmasters are playing games with Headmaster Black right now. If you hurry, you might still make it."
The Fat Lady's eyes lit up.
"Child, I take back what I just said. You must be an excellent young wizard."
With that, she vanished from the portrait, and the door swung open for Kael.
Kael followed the passage behind the door and stepped inside.
It was the weekend, so the common room was buzzing with people.
Kael looked around and quickly spotted the familiar trio at a table in the corner.
Hermione was busy with homework, while Ron and Harry were playing Wizard Chess and discussing ways to make themselves a year older.
"I think Age Enhancer is a good option." Ron captured one of Harry's pieces and said, "Fred told me he can brew that potion—one bottle makes you exactly one year older.
It's not cheap, though. Ten Galleons a bottle."
"Ten Galleons?" said Harry, "That's really not cheap."
"But hey, I'm their brother," Ron said proudly, "If I buy it, it's just five Galleons—a materials-only rate. Not a Knut of profit.
Honestly, that's how it should be… check!"
Ron's knight cornered Harry's king, then he went on:
"If only there was a way to make some money. I don't even have five Galleons right now."
"I can buy two." Harry moved his king a square, "Counter-check… but don't expect a Christmas present from me this year."
"Fair enough," Ron laughed. "Or maybe, if I win Champion, I'll pay you back—one thousand Galleons, that's what the prize is."
"Yeah," said Harry, "I really wish both of us could be Champions."
"That's impossible…" Hermione looked up from her work, "The book says each House can only have one Champion, it's always been that way… Oh, Kael, what are you doing here?"
"Enough, Hermione." Ron put down his chess piece. "I know Kael's a genius, always first in our year, but that doesn't mean he's guaranteed to be Champion. I've still got a chance."
"You've misunderstood," Harry quickly patted Ron, put down his chess piece as well, and stood up to greet Kael as he walked over:
"Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room, Kael. Are you here for Fred and George?
They've been hanging out in the entrance hall since lunch and haven't come back. You might catch them there."
...