Chapter 150: Honeydukes
"Professor Dumbledore, is that it?" Russell turned the Second-Class Order of Merlin over in his fingers, still feeling oddly unreal about the whole thing.
They had already parted ways with the Addams family and returned to Hogsmeade. Russell planned to buy some sweets and host a small party with his friends that evening.
"Aren't you forgetting the two thousand Galleons that come with it?" said Albus Dumbledore pleasantly. "That is quite a substantial sum."
"I know, I know," Russell shrugged. "It's just that… I'm not exactly short on money anymore."
Still, the prize money could be reinvested into product development for the Dark Moon Circus. The business was now firmly on track and had built up a considerable base of loyal customers.
With the cost of producing the transformation potions reduced again and the brewing process further refined, prices had dropped by a third. Even though Halloween had long since passed, young witches and wizards were still lining up to buy them.
A few professors had even purchased bottles out of curiosity—though not Snape. He had simply confiscated several directly from the Weasley twins instead.
They headed first to Honeydukes, and it was Russell's first time inside. Faced with shelves crammed full of dazzling sweets in every imaginable color and shape, he found himself completely overwhelmed.
"Professor, pick whatever you like—my treat," Russell said cheerfully. If not for Dumbledore earlier, today's ceremony might have taken a far messier turn.
"Then I shan't be polite," said Albus Dumbledore, immediately beginning to browse with great seriousness.
"Welcome, Professor Dumbledore—and this young gentleman is…?"
The shopkeeper, Ambrosius Flume, a broad, balding man, looked astonished to see Dumbledore visiting again so soon—and with a student in tow. After all, the professor had only stocked up on sweets a few days ago. Had he really finished them already?
"Russell Fythorne, sir," Russell replied with a polite nod. "It's my first time here. Could you introduce some of your specialties?"
"Of course!" Flume's smile widened instantly.
"Fizzing Whizzbees—our best-seller. They look like ordinary fruit gum drops, but once you lick them, you'll start floating in midair."
"Drooble's Best Blowing Gum—fills the room with bellflower-colored bubbles that last for days."
"Our newest product, Pepper Imps—guaranteed to make your friends breathe fire."
"And these peppermint toads—they really hop in your stomach…"
"They all sound wonderful," Russell cut in decisively. "In that case, I'll take everything. I'm hosting a party tonight."
"A big customer!" Flume beamed, nearly squinting with delight, and hurried off to fetch his wife to help with the packing.
As they worked, he chatted casually, "For Professor Dumbledore to personally accompany you shopping for party sweets—it must be an important celebration."
"Something like that," Russell said lightly. "I'm celebrating receiving a Second-Class Order of Merlin."
"Second-Class Order of—" Flume froze mid-sentence. The box in his hands wobbled dangerously.
"Second-Class Order of Merlin?" he repeated, staring at Russell in disbelief.
To make sure he wasn't being pranked, Flume looked at Dumbledore for confirmation.
"Russell is quite correct," Dumbledore said pleasantly. "I accompanied him to the ceremony just now. Otherwise, I hardly think I would have the time to escort a student out for sweets, would I?"
He gave Flume a playful wink.
"Merlin's beard…" Flume swallowed. "At your age? That's extraordinary! In that case, everything today is half price. Just do me a favor and spread the word, will you?"
"Of course," Russell said with a grin. "Though a Second-Class Order isn't all that impressive. There happens to be a First-Class recipient standing right here."
He cast Dumbledore a teasing look.
Though Russell had already bought some pumpkin juice at Honeydukes, the most popular drink by far was butterbeer. Dumbledore had intended to head straight back to Hogwarts—but one casual remark from Russell made him pause.
"Ab—Mr. Dumbledore's brother helped me out before," Russell said innocently. "I'm going to pick up some butterbeer from the Hog's Head. Professor, if you'd rather not go, feel free to return first."
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "The Hog's Head can be… unsavory. For a student your age, it may not be entirely safe. I think I'd better accompany you."
---
The Hog's Head Inn was as dim and shabby as ever. The white-haired barman looked up as the door opened.
"Long time no see, sir," Russell greeted with a smile.
"What are you doing here at this hour?" Aberforth Dumbledore grumbled. "Don't tell me you've gotten into trouble again."
"Quite the opposite."
A voice Aberforth knew all too well followed from behind Russell.
Professor Dumbledore stepped into the pub.
Fortunately—or perhaps because of the hour—the Hog's Head was empty.
"I knew this wouldn't be good," Aberforth muttered, sealing the door with a flick of his wand. "Well? What do you two want?"
"I just came to buy some butterbeer," Russell said, sitting down casually. "And plenty of it."
"The Headmaster bringing a student here for butterbeer?" Aberforth snorted. "You expect me to believe that?"
Still, he didn't stop his brother from wandering toward the back room. Instead, he began filling large bottles for Russell.
"You did well, kid," Aberforth said suddenly.
"I remember what Sirius was like when he was at school—never an easy one. Most students preferred the Three Broomsticks. He and his lot always came here."
"When I heard he'd joined Voldemort, I didn't believe it. Turns out I wasn't wrong."
He sighed.
"As for why he never appealed his sentence… guilt, perhaps. After all, he was the one who suggested switching the Secret-Keeper."
It was rare for Aberforth to speak so much.
"Here you go." He pushed two large containers of butterbeer toward Russell.
"How much do I owe you?" Russell asked, reaching for his purse—only to have his hand swatted away.
"On the house," Aberforth said gruffly. "Call it thanks for clearing Sirius's name."
"Then thank you," Russell replied without further protest. "I'll make sure to tell Sirius to drop by and see you."
He glanced toward the back room. "And Professor Dumbledore is…?"
"Don't mind him," Aberforth said, his expression unreadable. "You head back."