Hufflepuff Told Me
Upon discovering the Hufflepuff's Cup, Kyle suppressed his excitement, turned around calmly, and spoke to the Goblin behind him in a very composed tone.
"Excuse me, Mr. Griphook, could you please help me get that Hufflepuff's Cup down?"
The Griphook didn't move, and he said in a shrill voice, "Sir, only Mr. Black has the right to take anything from this vault."
"Are you sure that's what you... Bellatrix wanted?" Sirius warned, "Don't get the wrong thing, we can't come back a second time."
"Yes, that's it," Kyle said. "A small item that's not very valuable, but it's very meaningful to Ms. Bellatrix."
"Did you hear that?" Sirius looked at the Goblin Griphook. "Hurry up and take it down, then get out of here. This place is really unpleasant."
"As you wish, Mr. Black." Griphook bowed slightly.
He snapped his fingers, and the Hufflepuff's Cup, which had been on the high stone platform, floated steadily to Sirius's feet.
Sirius grabbed the Hufflepuff's Cup and handed it to Kyle.
The two then retreated to an open area outside and watched as the Griphook closed the vault door again.
"I need to remind you again, Mr. Black."
After confirming that the vault door was completely closed, the Griphook turned and said, "You will no longer be able to take anything from this vault."
"I know without you telling me," Sirius muttered. "If I could, I would never want to come to this place."
"That's good," said the Griphook.
He seemed quite pleased now, probably because he had only taken an inconspicuous Hufflepuff's Cup.
The three then got back into the car and ran wildly through the passageway.
Before Sirius vomited, they finally stood on the sun-drenched street outside Gringotts.
"I don't understand why you only took such a cheap little trinket."
Sirius looked back and, after confirming that no Goblin were following them, couldn't help but ask, "There are quite a few truly valuable things in that vault, like that crown. It's the work of a famous medieval alchemist and has always been treasured by the Lestrange family. It's worth tens of thousands of Galleon."
"Tens of thousands of Galleon? That's certainly valuable, but..." Kyle patted the leather bag containing the Hufflepuff's Cup, "It's nothing compared to this."
"Huh?" Sirius didn't take it seriously. "It's just a Hufflepuff's Cup. How much could it be worth?"
"Hufflepuff's Cup," Kyle said, "Is on par with Slytherin's Locket, don't you think?"
Sirius abruptly stopped, staring at Kyle in disbelief.
"Hufflepuff..." he blurted out instinctively, but quickly realized his mistake and shut his mouth.
"You mean, Helga Hufflepuff?" He walked up to Kyle and asked in a low voice.
"Who else could it be?" Kyle said matter-of-factly.
"But..."
Sirius lowered his voice again, "Why is Hufflepuff's Cup in the Lestrange family? And how did you know? It couldn't be that you were here before."
"Of course not. I was only one year old when Bellatrix was captured, so it's impossible for me to have been here," Kyle said. "Yes... well, Hufflepuff himself told me. You've probably heard about it from the other professors. I've met the Four Founders before."
"This..."
Sirius looked somewhat bewildered.
He had indeed heard of it; Lupin had told him.
But the problem is... the Four Founders, figures from over a thousand years ago, actually had a face-to-face conversation with Kyle?
This is a bit too far-fetched. He had always thought it was just a rumor and had ridiculed Lupin quite a bit.
"Have you really seen Helga Hufflepuff?" Sirius asked again.
"Absolutely true," Kyle said. "Professor Dumbledore can also testify."
Sirius's expression grew even more bewildered, and he muttered to himself, "Incredible..."
Seeing Sirius's expression, Kyle didn't offer any further explanation.
After all, he's the only one in the entire Wizarding World who has ever met the Four Founders, so whatever he says goes.
Anyway, the place where the Hufflepuff's Cup is hidden is the one Helga Hufflepuff mentioned. Don't believe me? Fine, go confront her then.
Kyle continued walking, intending to return to Hogwarts through the fireplace of the Leaky Cauldron.
However, just as he was about to reach the entrance, he was suddenly called back.
"Wait a minute."
Sirius caught up from behind.
Having probably seen Slytherin's Locket before, he quickly accepted the fact that Kyle had won the Hufflepuff's Cup again.
Besides, things have been happening one after another beyond his expectations lately, so one more thing won't make a difference.
"No need to rush back, we have five hours. Come with me."
He led Kyle back.
Kyle assumed that Kyle wanted to buy Harry something again, so he didn't refuse.
Today is a holiday, and there are no classes at school, so it doesn't matter if we stay outside for a while.
Soon, the two arrived at Gringotts again and stopped opposite it, at the entrance to Knockturn Alley.
"Are you going to buy something in here?" Kyle asked, puzzled.
Knockturn Alley is filled with Dark Magic items and all sorts of things of unknown origin. Sirius probably wants to give these to Harry.
If that's the case, then he's being incredibly ambitious.
"Oh, what are you thinking about?" Sirius shook his head. "Even if I were to go shopping here, I wouldn't take you with me. This isn't a place for students... I showed you over there, look at that shop!"
Sirius pointed forward.
Kyle looked over and saw that it was a shop without any sign, the door was tightly closed, and there was a layer of dust on the glass windows, indicating that it had been vacant for a long time.
"What's wrong with this shop?" Kyle whispered. "It's really strange, though. It's right across from Gringotts, such a good location, why is it always empty?"
"That's because I was locked up," Sirius said. "This was my uncle's shop, and he left it to me. A while ago, when I went to Gringotts Vault to get money, I found the magical deeds here."
"I see." Kyle nodded.
That makes sense. Sirius, as the shop owner, was imprisoned in Azkaban for twelve years, so the place had to be empty.
What do you think about me opening a shop here?
Sirius said wistfully, "I've dreamt countless times... that when Harry graduates, we'll run a shop together. We don't need to make a lot of money, but we can be together every day."
"Good idea." Kyle nodded. "So what are you planning to sell— Potions, herbs, or magical items...?"
"Um... I haven't thought of anything yet." Sirius's expression faltered. "Maybe I could open a dessert shop, selling ice cream, pudding, or something. I discovered yesterday that Harry really likes pudding."
"Are you sure?" Kyle glanced instinctively at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, which was only two shops away.
That's the most famous ice cream shop in Diagon Alley, it's been open for over a hundred years and has countless loyal customers; it's practically one of the most famous signature shops.
Goodness, selling ice cream here is probably not just about making less money. To be honest, it's cheaper to just sit at home and eat your savings away than to do this.
"It's just an idea; Harry can choose what to sell." Sirius, having also noticed Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.
"Or you could package up the little trinkets you made before and sell them to us... I remember your maps, badges, and the like are very popular at Hogwarts."
"So you mean you want to resell the products we make at Hogwarts?"
Kyle thought for a moment, "That works too. Although the sales of those things might not be as good after we leave school, at least we won't lose money."
"And I can make another copy of everything and send it over. You can try it first, and if there are no problems, we can expand the scale."
"No, no, no, it's part, not all," Sirius said. "After all, you have to keep something for your shop, right? We just want to find something fun to do, something to display, and earn a few Galleon a week."
"Why would I keep that thing?" Kyle said. "I don't own a shop, it's much easier for you guys."
"No, you do." Sirius shook his head, then pointed to a similarly vacant shop next door. "That's yours from now on... um, it's your Christmas present."