With Dumbledore's help, Sirius finally stood up and slowly walked outside.
As the retrial concluded, everything that happened here swept through the entire Ministry of Magic like a whirlwind.
Therefore, when Sirius walked out of the third Trial Room, the corridor was already filled with people, all looking at him and generously giving him their applause.
Sirius didn't even know how he walked through that long corridor, or how he got into the elevator and crossed the thunderous applause in the hall.
It seemed like a few minutes had passed, or maybe several hours, but when he came to his senses again, he was already standing in the bustling London streets.
He opened his arms to the sky, standing for a full ten minutes in the astonished eyes of the passersby.
Neither Dumbledore nor Kael behind him hurried him.
Kael was thinking about buying something in Diagon Alley later, but when he looked up, he found Dumbledore 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, Kael didn't think much more of it, assuming he was just a bit dazed from spending too much time in the dim Trial Room.
After all, Dumbledore had done a lot to have Sirius Black released without charge; he shouldn't feel apologetic.
Kael looked at Sirius again; he was still standing as before, as if he could stand there all day unless someone called out to him.
At that moment, a man in a suit seemed to take his action as a form of performance art, hurriedly walked past and then returned to place a coin on the steps in front of him.
A few minutes later, an owl flew over their heads.
Dumbledore suddenly had a copy of the "Daily Prophet" in his hands, and he found a nearby long bench to sit down on, casually reading the newspaper like a leisurely old gentleman.
The front page had a striking headline.
"Sirius Black: Traitor or Tragic Hero!"
Below were two pictures: one of his wanted poster and another from the Trial Room where everyone was applauding for him.
In the article, Sirius was described as a tragic figure who had endured twelve years in the shadows to avenge a friend...
"When did they take the photos?" Kael said in surprise, "I remember there wasn't anyone with a camera in the Trial Room..."
"Apparently, there was, we just didn't notice."
Dumbledore chuckled and said, "These people are amazing; someone once released photos of me fighting as a child to prove I was a fraud... If possible, I really want to buy that photo..."
"Enough of that, we should head to Diagon Alley now; I fancy trying the hazelnut peanut ice cream there."
Dumbledore got up and walked over.
Sirius then opened his eyes, lowered his slightly aching arms, took a few deep breaths of London street exhaust, then turned and joined them as they headed to the Leaky Cauldron.
But after taking just a couple of steps, he turned back and picked up the coin on the ground, carefully wiping the dust off.
"So this is Muggle currency, right?"
Kael nodded, leaned over, and took a look.
"Heptagon... This is a fifty-pence coin, worth about two Sickles at Gringotts."
"I plan to keep it as a memento." Sirius said with a smile, pocketing the coin.
The three of them made their way to the Leaky Cauldron.
As Dumbledore pushed open the door, the lively noise inside suddenly stopped.
Everyone's gaze was tightly fixed on Sirius, following behind him.
Someone started it off, and soon there was another round of applause, with some people getting up to give Sirius a hug.
"Oh, Blake..." Tom Senior came over with a large mug of Butter Beer, "Forgive me for always having your wanted poster up; this one's on the house."
"Thanks, Tom." Sirius took the mug and drank it down in one go.
He's had plenty of Butter Beer before, including several months ago when Lupin brought him some, but none were ever as sweet as this one.
"Really nice." He licked his lips, "Tom, I suspect you've added Joyful Potion to it..."
Tom Senior laughed, "Trust me, every beer you have from now on will turn into Joyful Potion."
A wave of laughter filled the bar.
Afterward, he declined more drink invitations and accessed Diagon Alley through the back entrance.
"How do you feel?" Kael asked.
"Nothing could be better." Sirius replied with a smile, "Tom said he would treat me to a month of drinks. I plan to come back tomorrow and drink all day; Tom's expression will surely be interesting."
Kael smiled without saying anything.
It's just that Sirius is too young; he is now the hottest topic, and as soon as he appears at the Leaky Cauldron, he would attract more people; Tom Senior wouldn't be happier.
But this is a win-win situation...
The three of them turned a corner and reached the main street of Diagon Alley.
Sirius was like a new student about to start school, wanting to visit almost every store. Before long, his arms were filled with various items.
All were given by shop owners, without him spending a Knut.
Thanks to him, Kael and Dumbledore also got free hazelnut peanut ice cream.
First, they went to Madam Malkin's Robes for a newly tailored robe for Sirius, then visited Olivander's, where he spent fifteen Galleons on a wand.
New students buy wands for seven Galleons, his cost more than twice that, or perhaps that's the actual price of the wand; those sold to new students are just at cost.
Passing by the Quidditch Boutique, Sirius wanted to go in and buy a Firebolt for Kael as a gift.
But Kael declined.
"Don't worry about it, it's just a bit of money." Sirius patted his chest, "I bought one for Harry, it was quite cheap."
Kael shook his head again, "No need, I really don't need it."
Hogwarts isn't hosting Quidditch matches this year, so why would he need a Firebolt, and besides, what if a new model comes out next year...
So, it's better to wait till next year.
All afternoon, they visited almost every shop... oh, except one.
Flourish and Blotts.
The entrance seemed to have been placed with a Sirius Repelling Charm, not stopping for a second; he jogged right past it.
The shop owner, who had heard the news and was standing at the door with a stack of books ready to give as a gift, only saw the back of him quickly running past.
...