Bill and Charlie

For the next few days, Kyle stayed at his home in St. Catchbolt village and didn't go anywhere. He did his homework or spent time with Fred George in the attic making little gas-fueling gadgets.

Cedric would come occasionally.

Because not only Chris, but also Mr. Weasley and Mr. Diggory started getting busy.

Fred and George complained a lot about this, saying they had to get up two hours earlier every day to eat breakfast.

"Percy seems quite pleased," Fred remarked, sitting in the attic and fiddling with a newly made firework. "I feel like he'd love to live in the Ministry of Magic all day."

George nodded in agreement. "He's started working now, at the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Remember, whatever you do, don't mention anything related to 'foreign countries,' if you don't want him to drive you crazy."

"Does he discuss work-related matters with you at home?" Cedric asked curiously. "I think that would be quite interesting."

His father never talked to him about anything work-related... unless he had been drinking.

Therefore, Cedric could only usually ask questions he was interested in when he was half-drunk and half-awake.

"Work? Not at all." Fred curled his lip. "I don't think the Ministry of Magic would let someone who's just started handle the affairs of the International Confederation of Wizards."

"And they probably aren't interested in the bottom of the cauldron either," George couldn't help but laugh. "I never knew Percy was so interested in Potions."

"The bottom of the crucible?" Cedric asked, puzzled. "What does that mean?"

"Percy's recently become obsessed with this," George shrugged, explaining, "I think he's probably planning a thick-bottomed crucible exhibition and is picking out the right exhibits."

"Perhaps he intends to use this exhibition to directly become the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation..."

"Or the Minister for Magic..."

"Yes... the bottom of the crucible is too thin; Fudge wouldn't be able to discover something so terrible!"

When it comes to Percy, Fred and George always find endless topics and amusement.

"Fortunately, we only need to put up with him for another month."

Fred carefully placed a finished firework into the box next to him; these would all become Galleon in the future, and they were very concerned about them.

In this joyful atmosphere, time flew by. Sometimes Kyle couldn't help but glance in the direction of London, wondering how Sirius was doing.

More than half a month has passed since they returned from that cave. During this time, apart from a brief reply from Lupin on the day of their return, Kyle has received no further news from 12 Grimmauld Place.

"He should be alright..." Kyle thought to himself. "Lupin certainly won't kill him, and as for the rest, Sirius will get through it."

And just like that, half of the holiday was over, and the last day of July was Kyle's birthday.

Early that morning, a large flock of owls flew in from all directions, bringing gifts from their friends.

That day, Kyle finally received a reply from Sirius...

He delivered a large package filled with various herbs... almost everything you could buy in Diagon Alley was in there, mostly flowers and leaves, three of each kind, with the poisonous ones wrapped up extra. It was clearly Lupin's doing.

After all, Sirius isn't that meticulous. If it were him, he would probably just buy the herbs, pile them up, and pack them all up for delivery.

Besides, he's still wanted by the police, so he can't go to Diagon Alley.

Kyle casually picked up a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and started eating them while unwrapping the rest of the gifts.

When I was halfway through eating the beans, I suddenly heard a rustling sound coming from downstairs.

Kyle leaned out of the window and immediately spotted four striking redheads.

Fred, holding a huge cream cake, stood at the front, looked up, and smiled, "Happy birthday, Kyle!"

Behind him were George, and two other Weasley.

"Charlie, Bill?" Kyle asked, somewhat surprised. "When did you get back?"

"Last night," Charlie said, waving his hand, "We arranged a time in advance."

"Please wait a moment."

Kyle put down the unopened gifts and went downstairs to open the door for them.

"Happy birthday." A piece of cream cake was shoved right at him, almost hitting his face.

It's obvious that Fred did it on purpose, trying to scare him...

"You should be glad your mother isn't here, or she would definitely be furious." Charlie pulled him behind him and gave Kyle a hug.

"Happy birthday."

He looked darker than last year, and had a new scar on his arm.

Bill stepped forward, smiling, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Long time no see, little Kyle... oh no, I should call you the esteemed member of the Order of Merlin now."

My goodness, a second-class medal! When I first heard the news, I thought it belonged to some old wizard with the same name.

"Too bad, you guessed wrong," Kyle laughed.

Bill's change was the most significant.

After graduation, he seemed to have completely let loose.

Her original short hair had grown long and was tied into a ponytail at the back of her head. She also wore an earring with a small fan-like object hanging from it.

His attire didn't resemble that of a wizard; he looked more like a rock music enthusiast, the only difference being that he was wearing Dragon Hide.

"Is it strange?" Bill tossed his long hair.

A little, but not much.

That's just Bill's personality; they'd known that for a long time. Mrs. Weasley used to cut his hair every year... The habit of bringing his hair clippers to the platform at the start of the school year came from that time.

Kyle stepped aside to let them into the living room.

Fred placed the cake on the table, while Kyle grabbed some drinks.

"Would you like some drinks?" he asked Bill and Charlie, taking a bottle from the cabinet.

"No need, Mom won't let us..." Charlie's words of refusal were only halfway through when he noticed a large number on the bottle Kyle was holding.

"How many years has this whisky been aged?"

"It says so, 150 years." Kyle pointed to the number on the bottle. "A genuine aged Firewhisky, a gift from the Romanian Ministry of Magic."

"Oh... then have some." Charlie pursed his lips.

"But are you sure you won't get beaten up after giving us this?" Bill asked with a strange expression.

This is truly a rare find. At the Leaky Cauldron, the best stock they have is only a hundred years old, and even then, it's very hard to come by. Even if someone were to wave around a ton of Galleon, Old Tom wouldn't bring it out.

Not to mention 150 years.

"Of course not, don't worry," Kyle said. "My father rarely drinks alone, and besides, you haven't been back together in a long time. I reckon he'll invite you and Mr. Weasley for a drink at dinner tonight."

I simply moved the time forward a little.

"Then I'll have some too." Bill conjured up an elegant cup for himself.

Fred and George wanted to try it too, so they conjured up a cup for them, but Kyle ignored them and just tossed over two bottles of juice.