Chapter 555: Can You Go to Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop?

Harry decided to wait outside the Shrieking Shack for Lupin and Sirius while Kyle collected his suitcase and left. He soon found Kanna and the others at The Three Broomsticks, gathered around a table and drinking Butterbeer.

"Kyle, your classes finished early today?" Kanna asked as he approached.

"No, Professor Dumbledore's away from the castle today. I came here with Sirius," Kyle explained.

"Got it," Kanna replied with a nod. "Want a drink? How about a cold Butterbeer?"

Kyle glanced at the menu and sighed. "Butterbeer costs Sickles—it's too expensive."

The table fell silent for a beat. Kyle, the one who had just lent out 2,500 Galleons without hesitation, complaining about Butterbeer prices? Fred, halfway to taking a sip from his mug, froze and blinked at Kyle in disbelief.

"Ron, where did you get Polyjuice Potion and Kyle's hair?" Fred finally asked, his tone deadpan.

George chimed in without missing a beat. "If you're smart, you'll change back quickly—or find somewhere to hide for two hours. If Kyle finds out, you'll be dragon dung."

"Or Chomping Cabbage fertilizer," Fred added. "You know Kyle's temper."

Kyle gave them an unimpressed look. "Do I really seem like some kind of murderous Dark Lord to you?"

Fred shook his head, still playing along. "Ron, I have to give you credit. You're putting on a great act."

"But you messed up a key detail," George added, smirking. "Kyle doesn't just talk about Butterbeer. He drinks it like water. From one glass to the next. Do your research next time."

Kyle folded his arms, his tone dripping with mock indignation. "And you two need to work on your act. When have I ever poured Butterbeer like that?"

Fred raised an eyebrow. "Not giving up, huh? Fine, Kyle. Tell me—what's growing in the flowerpot in your suitcase?"

"Mandragora," Kyle replied without hesitation.

The twins froze. George leaned forward, squinting. "Wait a second… Are you actually Kyle?"

"Obviously," Kyle said, rolling his eyes.

Fred scratched his head, perplexed. "That doesn't make any sense. Kyle complaining about Butterbeer prices? That's like Ron walking into Quality Quidditch Supplies and buying a Firebolt off the shelf."

Kanna laughed at the back-and-forth. "Don't worry, Kyle. I'll buy you one," she said, standing up and heading to the bar. She returned a moment later with a frosty Butterbeer in hand.

"Thanks," Kyle said, shooting a glance at Fred and George. "Unlike some people, who lost a bet ages ago and were supposed to buy me Butterbeer for life. Funny how short memories can be."

"That's okay," Kanna said with a smile, resting her chin in her hand. "I'll buy you as many Butterbeers as you want."

Kyle grinned. "I'll hold you to that."

"Mm-hm," Kanna replied cheerfully.

Fred groaned and put his glass down with a thud. "I'm telling you two—don't push it. I feel like I bought fake Butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks. It's gone sour."

"I'll buy you twenty Butterbeers if it means you'll finally leave," George muttered. "Then you can head over to Madam Puddifoot's. That's more your scene."

Kyle wrinkled his nose. "Absolutely not. That place is tiny and cramped, and their coffee's as sweet as treacle. No thanks."

"Exactly," Kanna agreed with a nod.

George sighed dramatically and leaned back in his chair, muttering under his breath, "All I wanted was a Pumpkin Fizz. Why is this so hard?"

...

By the time they stepped out of The Three Broomsticks, the sun was high in the sky, signaling noon. Fred and George veered off toward Zonko's Joke Shop for another round of browsing, but Kyle and Kanna had little interest and decided to head straight back to the castle.

As they walked along the path, Kyle recounted the events that had transpired earlier at the Shrieking Shack.

"2,500 Galleons? No wonder you suddenly started acting so thrifty," Kanna remarked, shaking her head in mild disbelief.

"Well, I do still have some," Kyle admitted, grinning. "But they're stored somewhere… inconveniently safe. It's a bit of a hassle to retrieve them."

"Gringotts?" Kanna guessed.

"Nope, in the Niffler's pocket," Kyle said, laughing. "The little thief runs away from me now like I'm some kind of predator."

Kanna chuckled at the image. 'Can you blame it? After all that gold was emptied from its bag, I'd run too.'

"Want me to lend you some?" she offered.

Kyle shook his head. "No need. It's just a temporary thing. I'll be fine after the Triwizard Tournament—the winner gets 1,000 Galleons."

"You're that confident you'll win?" Kanna raised an eyebrow. "What if you lose to Fleur or Krum?"

"That's not happening," Kyle said firmly. "Even if it's just for the prize money, I'll win."

Kanna smirked. "Everyone else is in it for the glory, but you're here for the gold."

"It's all the same, isn't it?" Kyle waved her comment away nonchalantly.

As they passed through the gates and neared the castle, they spotted a familiar figure hurtling toward them with boundless energy.

"Well done, Kyle!" Sirius called out, practically bouncing with joy. "I couldn't convince Moony to stay here for months, and you managed it in half an hour. I should've brought you along sooner!"

"Have you two talked about it already?" Kyle asked.

"Do you even need to ask?" Sirius replied, grinning ear to ear. "Of course I said yes! I bought the place for Moony in the first place. He once told me the happiest day of his life was the first time we all transformed into Animagi and joined him at the Shrieking Shack."

"James and I talked after graduation about how, when we had enough money, we'd buy the Shack, open a shop, and give Moony a job there so he'd have a steady income and a place to live. But…" Sirius hesitated, his expression shifting to something more somber. "Well, you know what happened after that. None of it worked out. But it's not too late to make things right."

Sirius's mood quickly brightened again. "I'll head to Gringotts right now and withdraw the money to pay you back!" He started toward the gates, only to be stopped by Kyle's hand on his arm.

"If you want Lupin to stay, don't do that," Kyle said, letting go of Sirius's arm and shaking his head. "Lupin understands your intentions, but he'll never accept your money as a gift. That's his bottom line. Think of it as a way to maintain some dignity in front of his friends."

"But that's ridiculous!" Sirius protested. "Moony knows I don't care about money. It doesn't matter to me at all."

"But it matters to him," Kyle said firmly. "If he finds out you helped pay back the loan, he'll leave. No question about it."

Sirius frowned deeply. "That's so unnecessary."

"Maybe. But it's how he feels," Kyle shrugged. "Just trust him to handle it. Do you think he can't manage?"

"Of course he can," Sirius said, his tone brooking no doubt. "Moony's the smartest of all of us. He'll manage just fine."

"Then leave it at that," Kyle said with a satisfied smile. "Focus on helping him with what he actually needs. Renovating the Shrieking Shack after all these years is no small task."