After leaving Flourish and Blotts, Kael bought some other things before heading to Magical Menagerie to find Harry and the others.
Hermione had been saying she wanted to buy an owl, but ended up with a ginger fat cat named Crookshanks.
Honestly, this cat was really ugly. Its face looked like it had been stepped on during sleep—flat and squashed.
Plus, its fur was so long that when seen from the side, you could barely see any outline of its features; it was practically flat.
Perhaps wizards have different aesthetics. To others, it might look like a hairy cardboard box, but Hermione really liked it and thought it was prettier than any other cat.
Well, each to their own...
Respecting everyone's different tastes, Kael didn't object, just nodded in agreement.
Harry did the same.
As for Ron, he wasn't in the mood.
The shopkeeper didn't have any good solutions for his rat either, and after Ron decided not to change pets, they perfunctorily recommended a rat revitalizing tonic.
"Do you think this stuff works?"
On the way back, Ron held his rat in one hand and the bottle of potion in the other, wondering, "It seems much less effective than the tonic Kael gave me before."
"Forget about how it feels," Kael said. "This stuff is basically sugar water with a bit of red amaranth juice. I could whip up a big batch in minutes. By the way, how much did you pay for it?"
"Expensive..." Ron said with a grimace, "Two whole Sickles!"
"Your money is so easy to make," Kael shrugged, "This stuff could be sold for two Knuts and still make a profit."
Ron's face grew even gloomier.
Unfortunately, he had already fed Scabbers a bit of the potion in the shop, so returning it was out of the question.
Looking at the listless Scabbers, he asked, "Can I buy tonic from you in the future?"
"Of course, anytime, and for free."
Kael noticed that when Ron held Scabbers in his hands, Crookshanks the cat lazily glanced at the rat and then turned its squashed face away, continuing to flick its tail, showing no interest at all.
When they returned to the Leaky Cauldron, they found Mr. Weasley sitting at the bar reading the Daily Prophet.
"Harry, Kael!" He looked up and said with a smile, "You're all here. How have you been these days?"
"Very well, thank you." Harry replied.
"Fantastic." Kael sat next to him.
"Charlie told me you've been quite helpful." Mr. Weasley sized Kael up and down, "Luckily, you weren't hurt. Molly keeps complaining that they shouldn't involve a child in such dangerous situations."
"It wasn't as dangerous as imagined."
Kael laughed, "Besides, Mr. Scamander and my dad were there. When the Fire Dragons approached, I just had to stand behind them."
"True enough."
"Wait, dangerous? Fire Dragons?" Ron frowned, "What are you talking about, Kael encountered Fire Dragons in Romania?"
Hermione and Harry were curious too.
"More than one..." Mr. Weasley recounted the story.
Anyway, the matter over there was finished, and there was no need to keep it secret.
A chaotic battle of dozens of Fire Dragons... Magic masters from various countries... and finally the poachers...
Their experiences left them stunned.
Initially, Hermione thought her trip to France was exciting enough, but compared to Kael's adventure, it seemed pretty tame, even boring.
"Dozens of Fantastic Beasts Masters..." She exclaimed, "If only I could have gone to Romania too."
"Impossible." Mr. Weasley put down the Daily Prophet, shaking his head, "The protection zone was closed to tourists then. Even if you went, the most you'd manage is wandering around the nearby camps."
"Speaking of camps... I brought you gifts." Kael opened his sack and took out the pre-prepared items.
For Mr. Weasley, it was a Dragon Wood Wand.
Last year at Flourish and Blotts, Mr. Weasley nearly suffered for lacking close combat weapons, so Kael specially chose this.
This wood is sturdy and heavy; in a fight, it can be used to attack opponents head-on, with force nearly comparable to a Stunning Spell.
"This is wonderful."
Mr. Weasley wielded the wand, swinging it occasionally, clearly pleased.
For Harry, Ron, and Hermione, he gave Fire Dragon Badges.
The badges are made of dragon scales, depicting a Fire Dragon, and the image moves—one of the most iconic souvenirs.
After thanking him, they immediately pinned them onto their robes.
At this point, Harry suddenly noticed on the newspaper the photo of Sirius Black glaring at him.
"He hasn't been caught yet?"
"No." Mr. Weasley set down the wand, his face turning serious. "The Ministry has reassigned us from normal duties to focus fully on capturing him, but there's been no progress so far."
"Is there a reward if we catch him?" Ron asked.
"Don't talk nonsense, Ron." Mr. Weasley appeared tense, "Black can't be caught by a thirteen-year-old wizard—don't do anything foolish."
Just then, Mrs. Weasley entered the bar, loaded with bags, followed by Fred and George, newly appointed Head Boy Percy, and the youngest Weasley, Ginny.
"Hey, Kael!"
"Long time no see!"
Fred and George made a beeline for Kael, shaking his hand endlessly, "Old pal, it's so wonderful to see you."
"Marvellous indeed."
Percy frowned.
"Enough, you two." Mrs. Weasley said, "Stop mimicking Percy."
She stepped forward and gave Kael a cheerful hug.
"Dear, it's great to see you."
"You too, Mrs. Weasley." Kael replied.
"So, where are our gifts?" Grinning, two pairs of hands were stretched out.
"What gifts?" Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, come on." Fred looked confident, "I noticed Dad's wand the moment I walked in."
"And Ron's badge." George added, "They definitely didn't have those earlier."
Kael chuckled, taking out the gifts he prepared for them, as well as for Mrs. Weasley, Percy, and Ginny.
When giving Percy his gift, he seemed overly formal, even pretending to solemnly shake hands with Kael, "Thank you so much, I'm deeply honored."
The tone, demeanor, just like the Romanian Ministry official who handed them the Portkey.
Fred and George mimicked him, pulling funny faces.
Mrs. Weasley told them off irritably.
…
That night, the Weasley family didn't return to the Shabby Residence but decided to stay at the Leaky Cauldron.
Mr. Weasley initially wanted Kael to stay there too, but Kael thought for a moment and declined.
"I met Chris before coming." Mr. Weasley said, "He agrees you can stay a night here."
"But I haven't packed." Kael replied, "I didn't bring many things I need, like books and homework."
Kael wasn't lacking homework; since two years ago, his luggage has been packed away in a box.
He simply didn't want to be monitored.
Since earlier, Kael had noticed someone occasionally watching them from the corner.
At the bar, a person read the newspaper for half an hour, never turning the page.
That elderly witch drinking Honey Wine? Not long ago, at the same spot, same wine, but sitting there was a middle-aged witch.
If he guessed correctly, these people were likely Aurors sent to protect Harry.
Mr. Weasley included, who had another task... the task of taking Harry to King's Cross Station in a more discreet manner tomorrow.
Kael didn't fancy being watched by so many Aurors; it was downright uncomfortable.
As books and homework were mentioned, Mrs. Weasley didn't insist further, but she refused to let Kael leave alone, insisting on waiting for Chris to come.
And they waited all day.
Not until after dinner did Chris come back from the Ministry of Magic.
"What a shame, Arthur, wanted to have a drink with you." Chris, pulling Kael along, said, "Got too many reports to write, the Ministry's in a rush to get them…"
"I understand." Mr. Weasley winked discreetly, "Besides, I can't drink the wine now."
"Indeed, that's right..."
Chris sighed, "See you at the Ministry tomorrow then."
After speaking, he led Kael out of the Leaky Cauldron.