Kael and Newt pushed the door open and walked in.
To be honest, he had never seen the Leaky Cauldron so desolate, there wasn't a single person inside.
The pub owner, Tom, was idly polishing glasses behind the counter. Seeing someone enter, he hurriedly stood up.
"Oh, Kael..." Tom didn't recognize Newt and said happily, "You should have graduated by now. Want a drink? How about some Butter Beer, or do you prefer Flame Whiskey?"
"Next time, Tom. We have other things to do," Kael said.
Visibly, Tom's expression changed from surprise to disappointment, and he dejectedly sat back down behind the counter.
"What happened here, how come there's no one around?" Kael asked curiously.
The news of Voldemort's resurgence wasn't new, even at its most tumultuous, people weren't afraid to come to the Leaky Cauldron.
"You don't know?" Tom raised his head, looking at Kael with confusion, then explained: "Yesterday, the Dark Mark appeared over Dagoneil Silk's shop in Diagon Alley, and including herself, three shopkeepers were murdered."
Dagoneil Silk?
Kael thought for a moment and realized he had no impression of this name. But it was normal; there are so many shops in Diagon Alley he couldn't possibly know every owner.
The most important thing now was the news Tom mentioned... the Death Eaters had targeted Diagon Alley and killed a shopkeeper.
"Is there anything special about Dagoneil Silk?" Kael continued to ask.
"Nothing special." Tom continued polishing glasses, not even lifting his head. "Just an ordinary wizard; if anything, her business converting Muggle items was decent, lots of young wizards from Muggle families often visited."
"Why did the Death Eaters want to kill her?"
"No idea, and they never need a reason." Tom raised his head again, "If there's nothing else, you'd better head back."
"I will," Kael said, and then he and Newt headed to the backyard.
The two entered Diagon Alley through the entrance.
The street was as deserted as the Leaky Cauldron, not a single person on the long road, shop doors were tightly closed, some even had thick curtains drawn, not a glimmer of light visible.
But amidst this, one shop stood out, not only was it open, but all its lights were blazing, colorful spheres spinning quickly at the entrance, looking like a grand party from afar.
Kael didn't even need to look at the sign to know which shop it was.
Besides Fred and George's Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, no other shop in Diagon Alley was this defiant.
There were no customers inside; when Kael pushed the door open, the bell hanging on the door jingled melodiously.
"Welcome?"
"Oh, Fred, look who's come!" George craned his head from upstairs, speaking in surprise.
A moment later, Fred came running over.
"Kael, and Mr. Scamander," he walked over excitedly, "Have you finished your business?"
"Almost," Kael said, "We're planning to go to Knockturn Alley, just passing by here."
"It's our honor," Fred said solemnly.
"What's the situation now?" Kael asked.
"Before that." Fred's expression turned more serious as he drew out a wand, "Please prove you're really you, not someone using Polyjuice Potion."
"Hmm..." Kael thought for a moment, "When you were seven, you tried to trick Ron into signing an Unbreakable Vow, and Mr. Weasley hung you up for three hours, and when you were nine, you poured half a bottle into Percy's lunch he was taking to the train..."
"Stop!"
"Shut up, don't say anymore."
"We know you're real!"
The two hurriedly stepped forward to stop Kael from continuing.
That was proof enough, after all, the Death Eaters wouldn't know what they did over ten years ago.
"Can you talk now? What's really happening?" Kael asked again.
"Just as you see," Fred said, "The Death Eaters want to relive their past glory, make everyone fear them, so they chose to attack Diagon Alley."
"They've succeeded." George handed Newt a cup of hot cocoa, "We haven't sold a single Nat since yesterday afternoon."
"Where's mine?" Kael asked, dissatisfied, seeing his actions.
"Your what?"
"Hot cocoa."
"What hot cocoa, oh, you mean this." George said calmly, "That's a treatment for first-time visitors, for you... That'll be ten Sickles per cup, thanks."
"Ten Sickles?" Kael raised an eyebrow, "Three Broomsticks sells it for eight Sickles."
"Then feel free to go there." Fred gestured invitingly.
"You're truly merciless here," Kael pouted but still handed over a Gold Coin, "Give me the change."
"Thanks." George cheerfully took the Galleon, "If you add nine more Sickles, you can get a beef pie too, how about it? It's quite a bargain."
"Alright then." Just about that time, Kael felt a bit hungry.
Soon, the pie was served, even Newt got a portion, no charge.
Kael took a bite; its taste was exactly like the sort Mrs. Weasley often made. Clearly, these two were running a risk-free business.
But Fred and George didn't care about any of that, nor were they concerned about Kael's thoughts, happily putting the Galleon into their money box.