The day of Hogsmeade Weekend was the warmest day since the new year began. A faint, silvery sun shone over the grounds, though cloaks were still needed to keep out the cold wind.
Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop was doing better business than ever that day. The recent Yule Ball had brought together a great many couples, and with the addition of students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Su Er and Hermione could not find an empty seat.
So, after strolling around and accompanying Hermione as she bought a few quills, Su Er took her to The Three Broomsticks.
However, The Three Broomsticks clearly had far more customers than the tea shop. Young wizards crowded even the bar, but fortunately, there were still seats in a corner, where Harry and Sirius were sitting.
Su Er immediately understood why no one else was sitting there.
Hagrid and Madame Maxime, those two giants, were there too. Intimidated by their enormous size and Madame Maxime's standing as a headmistress, almost all the young wizards had steered clear.
Well, of course, Su Er and Hermione were not among that "almost all." They were on good terms with Hagrid and felt little awe toward Madame Maxime.
"What? Barty Crouch is dead?" As the two approached, they heard Hagrid's voice, lowered but still perfectly clear.
"Oh, Su Er, Hermione, you're here?"
"There weren't any seats at Madam Puddifoot's, so we decided to rest our feet here." Su Er waved to Hagrid. "Long time no see, Professor Black."
"Long time no see. Just call me Sirius. I'm not a professor anymore." Sirius was all smiles. His shoulder-length hair was tied back with a ribbon, his face was rosy, and his clothes were neat. He was much sturdier than when he had first left prison, though his