Scabbers's Value

"Any news?"

Lee Jordan spread a generous amount of jam over his slice of bread, then turned to Albert, who was reading the Daily Prophet, and casually asked.

"Sirius Black has appeared."

Albert set the newspaper on the table and tapped the relevant report with his index finger. "A Muggle spotted him somewhere far from here and called the hotline. By the time the Ministry of Magic arrived, Sirius Black had already vanished."

"Somewhere far from here?" George leaned over to read the article and muttered, "That sounds strange."

"Sirius Black is trying to divert everyone's attention." Albert voiced his guess. "Don't forget, as long as they use Apparition, any wizard can reach anywhere in England in a short time."

"Can you use Divination to find where Sirius Black appeared?" Lee Jordan asked quietly.

"Probably, but catching Sirius Black that way would still be difficult." Of course Albert could catch Black, but now was not the time.

"I hate Divination."

Fred, who was copying his Divination homework, let out a miserable groan.

"Who told you not to spend some time finishing that stuff earlier?"

"Someone who doesn't have homework should shut up." Fred said to his twin brother, "Help me stuff his mouth with bread."

"What flavor do you want?" George asked with a grin.

"Orange. Don't put too much... jam." Albert paused as he noticed an owl flying toward him and dropping an envelope onto the table before him.

The others were used to it. Albert received a letter every couple of days on average.

"Who's it from?"

"Old Rogue." Albert glanced at the sender and traded the letter for George's slice of bread.

"He says he's got the seeds we wanted." George opened the letter and carefully read its contents, frowning. "But the price he wants... is rather