Bring Fewer Gifts, Come By More Often

Before Wizet and Luna could say anything, Aberforth stepped out from behind the bar, displaying agility beyond his years, and disappeared from their sight.

Luna blinked. "Just as energetic as Headmaster Dumbledore!"

"Yes!" Wizet agreed, "He'll be even more energetic when there are more customers at night..."

The two sat at the bar, and Wizet told Luna about the funny things that Hog's Head, like Aberforth's Soul Maze, or like the stories of Aberforth and his patrons...

They chatted for a while, and then Aberforth returned to the shop, with a round wooden barrel floating behind him, the Honeydukes logo still visible on it.

"Forget about the Butterbeer." He waved his wand, and the barrel floated lightly onto the table. "How about some pomegranate juice?"

As a bar, Hog's Head naturally stocked with Butterbeer;

However, the patrons here seem to prefer strong liquor, so Butterbeer is rarely ordered and has been sitting in a corner, covered in dust.

Aberforth held his wand and gently flicked the barrel, causing pomegranate juice to fly out and splash into the glasses in front of Wizet and Luna.

His control over magic was so strong that the pomegranate juice poured completely into the glass without spilling a single drop.

The bright red pomegranate juice rippled gently, its deep ruby-like luster making it look exceptionally tempting in the dim lighting of the bar.

"You little rascal!" Aberforth didn't hide his smile and pushed the two glasses of pomegranate juice forward again. "I thought you had a bad memory and had forgotten the way here."

"Thank you..." Wizet coughed twice, picked up the pomegranate juice and took a sip. "Aberforth, how about... the Giggle Liquor? Is it selling well?"

This liquor tastes similar to champagne, but its alcohol content is comparable to vodka. In addition, it produces a loud, unrestrained laugh after drinking it, hence the name "Giggle Liquor".

Luna covered her mouth and chuckled. She rarely saw Wizet looking so embarrassed, so this was quite a novel experience for her.

"Hmph! Every time it's just an owl that comes, bringing a little gift." Aberforth snorted viciously, but his smile became even wider.

"When my regular customers saw these owls, they thought I had a second spring in my life, which forced me to take action and teach them a lesson!"

Luna laughed so hard her body trembled, her laughter as melodious as wind chimes.

Wizet had just told her about these things; Aberforth, as the bar owner, often mingled with the patrons.

Aberforth changed the subject, "But that 'Giggle Liquor was indeed quite good; the wizards from North America are quite skilled!"

"But this kind of stuff should be the lifeblood of that bar over there... Wizet, how did you even get the recipe?"

"During my summer vacation, I encountered some unexpected events..." Wizet murmured, "And by chance, I got my hands on it. I think you should like it."

Aberforth nodded. "I didn't realize you were such a restless soul. The situation in North America was quite serious; I didn't expect you could handle it."

"It's all thanks to everyone..." Wizet said. "If the Magical Congress over there hadn't cooperated, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to do anything."

"Do you think I'll believe you?" Aberforth grinned. "You're practically a celebrity now, so I might as well post your name and picture..."

"Then hang it at the bar's entrance, and tell them that this ' Giggle Liquor ' is the secret brewing recipe you gave me. Maybe it'll be more popular here than Three Broomsticks!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Wizet immediately nodded and replied, "Sure!"

"I can help with the drawing!" Luna was also eager to try.

"Spare me!" Aberforth raised his hand dramatically. "I run a bar just to brag and joke around, it's like Three Broomsticks... I'm afraid I'll work myself to death."

"Also, don't think that just because you give me any gifts or agree to anything I ask for, you can repay the favor. Do you think I'd let you off so easily?"

"I have no such intention!" Wizet's smile vanished, replaced by utmost seriousness. "The Soul Maze will benefit me for life... I have no intention of repaying it..."

"Alright! Just kidding, don't take it so seriously!" Aberforth waved his hand, interrupting Wizet's next words.

His tone was slightly teasing as he tried to lighten the mood, saying, "Speaking of which, back when you learned the Soul Maze and then just packed your bags and left..."

"It seems like a few days later, a few old drunkards started thinking about you! They even asked me if I could talk to them properly like you did. Guess how I dealt with them?"

Wizet didn't say anything, but just smiled and took his wand out of his pocket, waving it in front of Aberforth.

"That's right!" Aberforth bent down slightly, took out a bottle from the bar, and then casually picked up a glass with a white coating, pouring some amber-colored Giggle Liquor into it.

He picked up his glass, casually clinked it against Wizet's glass, Giggle Liquor in one gulp, and let out a hearty laugh.

"This wine is really good! It's potent! But if you ask me... I'd like it even better if you came over for a couple of drinks with me during your vacation."

He patted the wooden bucket containing pomegranate juice again. "I bought a whole bucket, so I should at least finish it, right?"

Wizet nodded. "Of course! We'll come together next time."

"That's more like it!" Aberforth nodded in satisfaction, then took another swig of Giggle Liquor.

After a hearty laugh, he exaggeratedly gesticulated and shared the fun he had at the bar with Wizet and Luna.

Even after Wizet and Luna left, a smile remained on his face.

"Oh my, old goat, you actually have pomegranate juice?" An old, decrepit wizard walked into the bar, looked at the wooden barrel, and said, "It's Honeydukes..."

"It must taste amazing! Let's have something special today! Give me a cocktail, made with Giggle Liquor, pomegranate juice, and a squeeze of lemon juice... It sounds delicious!"

"Get lost!" Aberforth's smile vanished instantly, and he casually poured himself a glass of Giggle Liquor. "This pomegranate juice isn't for you. Giggle Liquor or leave it!"

"Alright! Alright!" The old, decrepit wizard waved his hand, picked up Giggle Liquor, drank it down in one gulp, and let out a sharp, eerie laugh.

He put down his cup, seemingly noticing the lingering smile in Aberforth's eyes. "What's wrong? Did an old flame come to see you today? You're all smiles..."

Aberforth grabbed his wand, pointed it at the old, decrepit wizard, and said in a menacing tone, "Do you believe I'll kick you out right now?"

The old, decrepit wizard quickly raised his hands and slammed a Galleon on the table. "Ahem... Before you let me go, you'll have to give me a few more Giggle Liquor!"