It took approximately ten minutes before the Hogwarts residents could move all of the barrels from the cart into the underground wine cellar. After receiving their pay, they didn't leave, but instead they gave Mrs. Rosmerta some refreshments and began to laugh and talk in the bar.
In such an environment, it was no longer appropriate to discuss Black and the crimes he had committed. Tonks and Amortencia resumed their conversation about the Basilisk that had been donated to the Ministry of Magic. According to Tonks, several young people at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures had tried to make the Basilisk more docile, only to nearly die by its fangs. Fudge was so frightened by this that he almost lost his wits, so he ordered the Death Eaters to keep it under a Stupefy spell until it could be handed over to Mr. Newt Scamander.
Listening to this, Amortencia revealed a comical expression.
The basilisk was originally content to stay in the chamber, but after being pulled out, it first had its two eyes blinded by Dumbledore's Phoenix, and then was scolded by Amortencia's Inferno. It thought that after being handed over to the Ministry of Magic, it could enjoy a few days of peace as a 'protected animal', but instead it was messed around by the Ministry.
Now, the sun has climbed to a noticeable height, and the temperature in the air is rapidly rising, already slightly making people feel hot and bothered.
Bang!
Just as Amortencia was about to inquire from Tonks when the Ministry of Magic planned to retrieve the basilisk from Scamander, a sharp sound of Apparition was heard outside the window of the shop.
As the dust cleared, a tall wizard with dark skin appeared before the two people's wary eyes.
"Oh, poor thing!"
Upon recognizing the visage of the newcomer, Tonks instantly appeared flustered, nearly knocking over the table as she rose from her seat,
"It's all over, I've got into trouble, Amortencia! I was so caught up in talking with you that I completely forgot about my shift... My bonus for next month is gone too!"
Amortencia's lips twitched slightly, but he said nothing. As Tonks, looking regretful, explained to the wizard with dark skin standing in front of her, he walked over to the bar and paid the owner's wife.
"Hello, Mr. Brian, it's an honor to meet you. Of course, you might not have heard of me, I'm Kingsley Shacklebolt, I work in the office of the Aurors--"
Ultimately, having a prestigious appearance always has its advantages. Although Amortencia is not an official of the Ministry of Magic, he can be considered a respectable figure in the wizarding world, given that he holds a Marauders' Grade 2 Award. In addition to high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Magic, most officials must acknowledge the rights that a Marauders' Grade 2 Award holder possesses. Moreover, Amortencia has served as a professor at Hogwarts for a period, which is also an esteemed position.
Not only has he heard of it, but he's also personally dealt with it—smiling and extending his hand in return, Amortencia thought to himself.
"Hello, Mr. Shacklebolt,"
For someone who is polite, Amortencia is not averse to communicating with them for a few more words. He shook Kingley's hand twice, nodded in greeting, and smiled.
"It's not 'never heard of you,' Mr. Shacklebolt, Tonks just told me some things about you. She said you were her mentor who taught her many Auror techniques, which she found very beneficial—"
"Yes, I thought she had indeed grown quite a bit--"
Kingley looked over at the innocent-looking Tonks standing by her side, speaking in a steady voice,
"But now it seems there's still a lot for her to learn... Do you know what I was thinking on my way here, Tonks?"
"Hmm... Maybe she overslept after staying up for a night patrol? Don't give me that look, Kingsley."
Tonks muttered, "Only half an hour late, you know, it's always a bit of catching up when old classmates meet!"
I was wondering if you might already have encountered Sirius Black, and the first bit of bad news I heard when I arrived in Hogsmeade was that you had.
Kingsley slightly lifted his chin, speaking in a deep and calm voice, while the golden earring dangling from his ear glittered in the sunlight.
Looking at the slightly embarrassed Tonks, Amortencia smiled.
"You needn't scold me too much, Mr. Shacklebolt. As Tonks said, I delayed her work, and if this troubles you in any way, I apologize."
Amortesta's gentle demeanor surprised Kingsley into raising an eyebrow, and he felt a bit more respect for the man. He had assumed that a young wizard of twenty, who was not only capable but also had earned the Marauders' Grade 2 Award—a prize many veteran Aurors who had fought evil all their lives couldn't obtain—would either be rebellious or proud. But now it seemed this person was more dignified than he had thought.
When both parties had some sense of understanding in their hearts, the atmosphere of the conversation became much more relaxed.
Just like the Muggles in London love to discuss the weather, the wizards of the magical world can always have an enjoyable conversation when talking about Hogwarts, even if they're not too familiar with each other.
Both Tonks and Kingsley had been away from Hogwarts for some time and knew it better than Amortesta, so, it was mostly him talking while they listened.
"When I was at Hogwarts, the head of Slytherin House was still Professor Horace Slughorn. He was a very interesting elderly man. Even years after his retirement, many employees from Slytherin who had graduated from the school still kept in touch with him..."
Kingsley was considered an elder brother to Amortesta, which undoubtedly made their conversation smoother. After Amortesta finished talking about the current professors at Hogwarts, Kingsley also spoke to Amortesta about the former head of Slytherin House, Professor Snape.
"Excuse me, Mr. Brian, we really have to be going now--"
As the end of the pleasant conversation approached, Kingsley glanced at the height of the sun, nodding to Amortesta with a serious expression. He chose not to dwell on Tonks' minor mistake.
"I'll probably be staying at Grimmauld Place for a while. If you decide to stay in Hogsmeade, wait for me to come back, and we can have a good drink at the Three Broomsticks. I prefer their firewhisky there!"
Before parting, Tonks smiled happily and waved goodbye to Amortesta.
"Grimmauld Place?"
Amortesta blinked and asked subconsciously, "Where is that?"
"A rundown area in the northwest of London, that's where Black... oh!"
Tonks looked at her supervisor with cleverness, and seeing that the silent Kingsley was not angry at her for revealing secrets, she patted her chest and continued,
"Black's old home, we think this despicable criminal might want to come back and take a look, so we've been keeping an eye on it... Of course, if Black really did return, we probably wouldn't even know."
Twelve years in prison at Hogwarts, and it's very reasonable to think that after finally 'getting out,' he might want to take a look at home. Amortesta wasn't surprised that the Aurors would do this, just that...
"But you have a group of people watching it, aren't you?"
"That house is no ordinary place, Amortesta,"
Tonks, who was about to Apparate with her wand, said in a solemn tone,
"That's the ancestral home of the Black family, protected by many powerful magical wards. We can only keep an eye on it from outside, and we can't even see the specific location of the house. So, even if Black is already hiding at home right now, we have no way to know..."
Library of Books
