By the time Kael returned to Hogwarts, it was already evening.
Sirius, that spendthrift, had bought a whole lot of things from Diagon Alley and entrusted them to him to bring back; one portion was for him, and another for Harry.
Maybe it's because he can finally appear in the sunlight openly, Kael always felt he was engaging in some sort of retaliatory consumption.
Who can buy more than two thousand Galleons worth of stuff in Diagon Alley?
And that Pure Gold Cauldron... Is it really meant for brewing Magic Potions? Scratch it a little and you'd probably feel heartache for half a day.
But there's no choice; Sirius insisted on buying, and not buying wasn't an option... Such a wasteful thing.
Just like when they left, they also returned using Disillusionment, in the Headmaster's Office.
"Hahahaha!"
As soon as Kael came back, he heard a burst of excited laughter, but the laughter was too unpleasant, like a goose being strangled.
"Ahaha... Dumbledore, I've heard it all from that old lady."
On the wall, Phineas Black's portrait said proudly, "My great-grandson was acquitted, right... hahaha... I knew it, the Black Family would never have a traitor.
The fools at the Ministry of Magic couldn't even see through such blatant framing tactics, they really are getting worse... But the minister is decent; at least he can distinguish right from wrong."
Not a single person was around him in the surrounding portraits, everyone stayed far away, looking at him with a dumbfounded expression.
"Oh, shut up, Phineas," a Bearded Wizard couldn't help but say, "You might fool others, but don't fool yourself. How you used to criticize that Sirius Black, don't tell me you've forgotten, or should we remind you."
"Indeed..." a Witch sneered, "Criticizing so fervently at the time, and now you're blaming others, you really have no shame."
"Impossible, you must've misheard," Phineas said stubbornly with his neck stretched, "I've said it many times, how could I suspect anyone from the Black Family!"
"Haha..." Everyone let out a snort of disdain.
At this moment, a tall, slender, black-haired Witch quietly came up behind Phineas, holding a Round Shield she had snatched from somewhere.
Taking advantage of Phineas' moment of speaking, she raised her hand and slammed the shield onto his head.
"Who did you just call old lady!"
Phineas was stunned by the hit, sitting on the ground in a daze for a long time.
Seeing this, the others also rushed over, hitting and kicking him.
No particular reason, just pure muscle memory, beating Phineas had almost become the most favored game among the portraits.
The Headmaster's Office was instantly filled with the sound of fists hitting flesh and someone's cries of pain.
"Professor, your life must be quite exciting," Kael couldn't help but laugh and said.
"Ah, is it? Certainly exciting." Dumbledore found a piece of velvet cloth from his desk and walked over to the most lively portrait, "But sometimes they really are too noisy.
By the way, didn't you want to find Harry? Go ahead then. I remember the password for the common room is 'nonsense.'
"Alright." Kael nodded, pulled open the door beside him, "Farewell then, Professor, and Fawkes..."
The Headmaster's Office was not far from Gryffindor's common room, just follow the corridor straight ahead, turn a corner when you reach the end.
"Password!" The Fat Lady asked dutifully.
"Nonsense." Kael said.
But the Fat Lady didn't open the door, instead looking at him with suspicion.
"You are not a Gryffindor student, I have never seen you."
It seemed like after Sir Cadogan's incident of being fired last school year, she had become quite alert.
"I guess you must have found a note with the password somewhere and thought it was interesting to come here."
"Indeed, I'm a Hufflepuff," Kael said, "But the password was told to me by the Headmaster, I've just come from the Headmaster's Office, need to see Harry Potter."
"The Headmaster?" The Fat Lady still held some doubts, but her tone finally softened a bit.
"Don't do anything against the school rules," she reminded: "Otherwise you will never be able to pass through this door again."
"Rest assured." Kael said with a smile, "I've never had a record of breaking school rules.
"By the way, the other Headmasters are currently playing games with Headmaster Black, if you go now, you should be in time."
The Fat Lady's eyes lighted up.
"Child, I take back what I said earlier, you must be an excellent Young Wizard."
After saying that, she disappeared from the portrait, simultaneously opening the door for Kael.
Kael followed the passage behind and walked in.
It was the weekend; there were many people in the common room.
Kael glanced around and quickly found the familiar trio at a table in the corner.
Hermione was working on her homework while Ron and Harry were playing Wizard Chess, discussing how they could make themselves a year older.
"I think the Age Enhancer is a good choice." Ron captured one of Harry's chess pieces and said, "Fred told me he can brew that potion, just enough for one year, but it's a bit pricey, ten Galleons."
"Ten Galleons?" said Harry, "That's not cheap indeed."
"But after all, I'm their brother," Ron said proudly: "If I want to buy, it would only be five Galleons, they said it's the cost of materials, not earning a single Knut."
"But as I say that's right... Checkmate!"
Ron directed the knight to move to the side of Harry's king and continued:
"If only there was a way to make some money, I don't even have five Galleons now."
"I can buy two portions," Harry moved his king one square, "Answer check... but no Christmas gift for you this year."
"Seems fair," Ron laughed, "Or once I win as a Champion, I'll have the money to pay you back; that's a thousand Galleons."
"Yeah," Harry said, "I really hope we both can become Champions."
"That's impossible..." Hermione raised her head, "The book says each House can only have one Champion, it's always been like this... Oh, Kael, what are you doing here."
"Enough, Hermione." Ron put down the chess piece, "I know Kael is brilliant, always top of the class, but that doesn't mean he has to be a Champion, I still have a chance."
"You misunderstood." Harry quickly patted him, also setting down his chess piece, stood up and said to Kael who walked over: "Welcome to Gryffindor's common room, are you here to find Fred and George?"
"But since lunchtime, they've been staying at the first-floor hall and haven't returned. You can look for them there."
...