The usual quiet at No. 12 Grimmauld Place was replaced by a lively atmosphere as everyone gathered to celebrate a significant day, and the old barrels could finally justify having a small drink.
Normally, they never dared to drink due to potential situations arising unexpectedly, but with Dumbledore's presence today, a little indulgence was allowed.
When Sirius returned with the Flaming Whiskey that had been with the Black Family for who knows how many years, he found the people around the dining table already raising their glasses.
"Hey, why couldn't you wait for me?" Sirius said discontentedly, placing the bottle on the table, "You have no idea what you're missing out on. This year of Flaming Whiskey, I can't find another bottle like it."
"No worries, you can save it for Remus's wedding," Mr. Weasley said nonchalantly, "But for now, you'd better put that broken bottle down and try this."
"Broken bottle?" Sirius doubted his clarity, instinctively turning the bottle to reveal the date of 1859 on it.
"Take a good look, this is Ogden's classic Dragon Crystal Barrel Flaming Whiskey, a true vintage. And you're calling it a broken bottle?"
"Ha, just under a hundred and fifty years," Mr. Weasley mocked dismissively.
This left Sirius even more puzzled. Since when did a hundred and fifty-year-old Flaming Whiskey become so unattractive?
"Arthur's right, you should really put that broken bottle away today." Finally, Lupin couldn't stand it any longer. He picked up a plain glass bottle nearby, pouring the crystal amber Honey Wine into Sirius's glass.
"This is the real deal... a thousand-year-old Honey Wine."
"Honey wine and... wait, did you say a thousand years?" Sirius almost jumped out of his chair, looking at Lupin in disbelief. "You're kidding, right? I've never heard of a thousand-year-old Honey Wine."
"The process is somewhat complex," Dumbledore said with a chuckle, "But if we only consider time, then yes, why not taste it yourself."
Dumbledore's assurance clearly carried more weight than Lupin's, so Sirius took a tentative sip... and promptly put his whiskey aside.
It was not surprising. After all, it was produced by Helga Hufflepuff. Even disregarding its aging, the taste was undoubtedly excellent; that's the basic discernment of a gourmet.
After having a few sips of the Honey Wine, the atmosphere of the party grew even more vibrant.
Once Sirius arrived, it was time for the gift-giving segment.
Mainly for Harry, who could only stay here, unable to receive gifts early like Kael, and this year was his seventeenth birthday.
For a wizard, coming of age on the seventeenth birthday is a big deal and should certainly be celebrated. If not for the meeting Dumbledore called at the last minute, there might have been more people staying for dinner.
However, everyone brought gifts, and even Mundungus left a mailbox out of courtesy... a genuine mailbox, though no one knew which Muggle's doorstep he had taken it from.
Later, with Harry's consent, Mrs. Weasley discarded it.
Actually, Harry initially intended to pass it on to Mr. Weasley, who seemed very interested in it, but unfortunately, Mrs. Weasley disagreed and was resolute in her refusal.
So Harry had to let go of the idea.
At the dining table, several adults handed over their prepared gifts, including Dumbledore.
The gift he prepared for Harry was similar to Kael's, both being woolen products, but Harry's was a pair of shorts... perhaps shorts.
Even Kael couldn't comprehend what mental state inspired Dumbledore's choice, but upon seeing Harry's gift, his own woolen short-sleeved shirt suddenly seemed more acceptable... no, much more acceptable. At least wearing it out would only draw some attention, which was already quite good.
Fred and George also gifted him "Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches," thinking Harry could use it.
Kael curiously flipped through it; what can I say, it's quite ordinary, the reputation outweighs the substance.
Moreover, it consists of antiquated methods, ones that single Muggle gentlemen no longer used to approach ladies even a decade ago.
But Ron highly revered the book, treating it as a treasure, and both Bill and Charlie continuously praised its benefits to Harry, indicating that wizards were rather lacking in this area of knowledge.
The party proceeded smoothly. An hour later, Dumbledore was the first to stand up and leave the table. He had many other things to attend to and couldn't stay the entire time.
Sirius wanted to see him off, but Dumbledore shook his head, turning to Kael with a smile, "If you're full, I have a few words to say to you..."
"Oh, of course," Kael replied, understanding Dumbledore's intention, and stood to see him to the door.
The moonlight outside was bright, but after filtering through London's thick sky, it was just a blur as it reached the ground.