Then he saw Kael standing in the foyer and paused for a moment.
"Kael, when did you get back?"
"Just me, I didn't take the train." Kael explained simply, then asked, "What about you guys, when did you come back?"
"Just about a week ago," said Bill. "Dad thinks the Death Eaters will make a move soon, so Charlie and I both took extended leave."
Just then, Mrs. Weasley hurried over and handed a bunch of keys to Bill.
"Darling, you know how to drive, right?"
"Of course, Mum," Bill said as he took the keys. "Back when I was a Curse Breaker, I almost bought a car myself—sometimes it's way more convenient than brooms and flying carpets.
"Kael, I'm heading to King's Cross Station right now, do you want to come?"
"No, thanks." Kael shook his head. "I'm planning to drop by St Mungo's."
"Perfect." Charlie also walked over. "I've got to take over Dad's shift at six—we can go together. You still can't use Apparition openly, can you?"
"Nope." Kael sighed. "So I was planning to take the subway. By the time I get to St Mungo's, the train should have arrived too."
"No need for all that hassle, I'll take you." Charlie said.
Sparing the time of taking the subway, Kael of course had no reason to refuse.
…
So at six o'clock, the two of them appeared punctually in a phone booth near St Mungo's.
"This place is specially provided for wizards to Apparate—just like the fireplace in the Floo Network," Charlie explained.
This was the first time Kael had heard there was such a spot at St Mungo's, and he couldn't help but look around curiously.
It looked just like an ordinary phone booth, and the space was rather cramped.
"It doesn't seem very big here. What if a lot of wizards come at once?"
"That's what the Undetectable Extension Charm is for," said Charlie. "The more people, the bigger it gets, so there's nothing to worry about—it never feels crowded no matter how many are inside."
He pushed the door open and stepped out. Not far ahead to the left was that department store with a "Closed for Refurbishment" sign hanging on it.
When Kael came out, he saw a tall woman eyeing the booth behind him curiously.
"Weird, when did they put a phone booth here?" she muttered, walking over to check it out.
But just as her hand was about to touch the booth, she suddenly stopped, then seemed to remember something important and hurried off ahead.
"Quick, come on, Kael." Charlie was already at the shop window, saying to the mannequin inside, "Hello, we're here to visit Sirius Black."
The mannequin gave a slight nod.
Charlie walked right through the glass and disappeared; Kael quickly followed after him.
The waiting room at St Mungo's was as crowded as ever—a row of witches and wizards sitting on creaky wooden chairs, some looking normal, others in all sorts of odd and strange conditions.
But Kael and Charlie didn't linger there and went straight up to the second floor, to the ward where Sirius was staying.
"I'm fine now, can't I go home?"
Just as they got to the door, Kael heard Sirius's voice from inside. "Arthur, Harry's on holiday, I want to spend Christmas at home with him, not in St Mungo's."
"I understand what you mean, but the Healer said the Rune Snake Poison in your system was only just cleared—you need to be under observation for a few more days."
Charlie opened the door, interrupting their conversation.
The hospital ward was small and dim, with only a tiny window in the wall opposite the door.
There were three people inside; Sirius's bed was on the outside, closest to the door.
As they entered, he looked up, and when he saw who it was, he broke into a happy grin.
"Long time no see, Kael! You guys are on holiday?" Then, slightly nervous, he glanced toward the door.
"No need to look, it's just us two," said Kael. "Harry probably won't be here for a while yet."
"Ah, no, that's not it," said Sirius. "I actually don't want Harry to visit me."
"I understand."
Mr. Weasley and Charlie stepped outside, while Kael took out the present he'd prepared—a big bag of chocolate, all sorts of flavors.
At the sight of the chocolate, Sirius's eyes lit up; he couldn't wait to tear open a Chocolate Frog and toss it in his mouth.
Ever since he was acquitted, he'd formed the habit of eating chocolate every day—or rather, every wizard who came out of Azkaban seemed to have this habit.
"Arthur won't let me eat these, says they're bad for my recovery," he mumbled, "but to be honest, I don't really care. Compared to Dementors, these little injuries are nothing."
"Still, you need to take care," Kael said with a smile. "The sooner you recover, the sooner you can go home."
"Alright, alright, you're not wrong." Sirius smacked his lips, but in the end restrained himself from grabbing another piece.
"I heard Hogwarts has got a new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor…" Sirius said loudly, not caring about the two other patients in the ward, "that Fudge lackey—nasty old toad—she hasn't been making trouble for you, has she?"
"No way she hasn't," Kael shrugged. "If Harry had to write a list of his most hated professors, I'm pretty sure Snape would come after her."
Surpassing Snape in just half a term. That says it all.
"That damned toad," Sirius growled, punching his bed, "If she dares hurt Harry, I'll never let her get away with it!"
"Calm down," Kael glanced at the other two people in the room. "I've got a way to deal with her."
"Don't do anything reckless." Sirius frowned. "As nasty as she is, she's still with the Ministry of Magic. If you do anything to her, you'll get in big trouble."
"Relax, I know." Kael grinned. "Actually, I should be the one saying that to you."
"Ha, you're right," Sirius chuckled too.
After chatting a little while longer, Mr. Weasley and Charlie came back in.
"Professor Cecily, what brings you here?" Mr. Weasley said, pushing open the door.
Kael and Sirius both looked over.
"Dumbledore mentioned to me you'd probably come to St Mungo's around this time," she said. "How about a cup of tea? There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Ah, of course, no problem," said Kael. He turned to Sirius. "I'll come back to see you in a bit."
After the two left, Sirius blinked in confusion. "Arthur, Kael knows the head of St Mungo's?"
"Mm… back in his first-year holidays, Kael defeated a werewolf here, and was awarded the Merlin Order Medal for it," said Mr. Weasley. "I guess that's when they got to know each other."
"But that's years ago," Sirius said. "Is that really enough for Dean Cecily to come all the way over and invite Kael to tea?
"I remember Healer Hippocrates saying the head of St Mungo's is super busy. And that woman…"
Sirius gestured at the middle bed. "That Flint woman—she donated five hundred Galleons before she was discharged, and I think she only met Dean Cecily once."
"Yeah, they only exchanged a few words," Mr. Weasley nodded.
Actually, he was a little surprised at Kael's connections too, but didn't pay it too much mind—he figured it was due to Dumbledore.
After all, last time they'd come here, it was the head herself who had led them in.
"By the way, Sirius," said Mr. Weasley, "I have to get back to work tomorrow. There's a mountain of things to deal with, so Charlie will be here to look after you instead."
"No need, just let him go home too—this is our busiest time," Sirius shook his head. "I don't need taking care of."
"Still, it's better to be cautious," said Mr. Weasley.
…