On the flagstone streets of Diagon Alley.
Harry and Draco strolled ahead with their arms around each other's shoulders, occasionally ducking into shops to buy school supplies.
Sirius and Lupin followed behind, with Tonks tagging along.
They had spent ages arguing outside her aunt's house without getting anywhere. In the end, Lupin had happened to come visit Sirius and finally talked him around.
After this incident, Harry understood Aunt Petunia and her family's attitude toward him a little better.
With some people and situations, first impressions really did determine so much.
Harry also saw that Sirius's past experiences had left him indifferent toward his closest relatives.
It was not that he had anything against Shawn. Rather, he distrusted the name Black from the bottom of his heart.
More precisely, Sirius even loathed himself and harbored self-destructive tendencies.
If not for Harry, his godson, or the enemies still out there, Sirius might have wanted nothing more than to rot in Azkaban.
Harry had no solution for the moment and felt utterly helpless. There was no hoping that his stubborn godfather would change his attitude on his own.
He could only hope that the "all-powerful" Chief's actual deeds would gradually change Sirius's mind.
People bustled along the street.
Diagon Alley was truly lively now, with many novel new shops. In particular, a large "supermarket" modeled after those in the Muggle world had opened beside Gringotts and was packed with people.
This supermarket also offered a special service: customers could deposit money and get membership cards to enjoy discounts.
Ordinary wizards might not see the intricacies behind it, but the goblins, exceptionally sensitive to anything involving money, had already petitioned the Ministry of Magic dozens of times.
They wanted the Ministry of Magic to shut the supermarket down, but their requests had naturally