Early the next morning, Harry followed Mrs. Weasley and her family to the hospital once again to visit Mr. Weasley.
Standing in the atrium before the information desk on the first floor of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, looking at St. Mungo's still shrouded in an atmosphere of gloom, Harry hesitated.
Sirius had ultimately forgiven his reckless actions, and they had not forgotten his birthday either.
Mrs. Weasley had taken the children back to Grimmauld Place from St. Mungo's specifically so they could celebrate his birthday over dinner.
Although the birthday cake Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, and Hermione had hurriedly made for him was not particularly impressive.
The thought behind it still deeply moved Harry.
In another sense, it was undoubtedly an unforgettable birthday.
Sirius, Hagrid, and the others tried not to spoil the mood, but they could not avoid discussing the immense losses they had suffered in the war that had just ended.
Almost every member of the Order of the Phoenix who had taken part in the war was injured.
Emiline Vance had died in her duel with the Caro Siblings, while Kingsley, who had avenged her, had lost a leg.
Mr. Weasley had nearly lost half his life as well.
And Dedalus Diggle had died at the hands of a Death Eater.
"It was Greengrass—"
In the flickering candlelight, Sirius's tone was calm, but profound hatred shone from his grey eyes.
"I went after Lucius Malfoy because Mad-Eye suspected Voldemort had given him some task. But Greengrass jumped out and stopped me halfway there. We exchanged a few moves, and I smashed his mask. Then..."
Sirius's voice was thick with moisture, and Harry was certain he saw tears in his godfather's eyes.
"Dedalus was nearby, fighting one of Voldemort's lackeys. He realized I was going