Chapter 198: A Twelve-Year-Old Birthday Gift

Sirius felt like he'd won a major battle today. That dealer from the racing broom company was practically a Gringotts goblin—greedy, cunning, and shameless to the extreme—but still no match for Sirius Black.

The dealer had started negotiations at ten thousand Galleons. After intense bargaining—and without bringing shame to the Black family name—Sirius felt a chill down his spine and turned to glance at Regulus Black beside him, only to receive an encouraging smile in return.

In the end, without compromising the family's dignity, Sirius managed to bring the price down to 6,000 Galleons. Originally stuck at 6,500, it wasn't until he revealed that the broom was a gift for his godson, Harry Potter, that the price dropped further. He repeatedly emphasized Harry's outstanding performance in Quidditch and his status as the savior who defeated Voldemort. Only then did the price land in an acceptable range.

Spending 6,000 Galleons didn't make Sirius feel the least bit pained. On the contrary, it made him feel like he had fulfilled his duties as a godfather.

Regulus Black, watching Sirius repeatedly stroke the Firebolt beside him, couldn't help but sigh in relief that he had become the owner of the company. In the end, this was like water returning to its own field—the profit stayed in the family.

"I have to give this to Potter immediately—right away."

Sirius muttered while cradling the Firebolt. A birthday gift should naturally be given on the birthday!

Harry Potter's birthday was at the end of July, wasn't it?Regulus Black also remembered just then. It seemed Sirius would ignore the suggestion of waiting until the next term to give it.

Well, let him be! At least it made him happy.

After a month of intensive remedial classes, everyone had passed their exams. Except for the graduating students, those like Harry Potter who would be returning next year were enjoying their final days of leisure—no classes, just fun.

As everyone gathered in the hall with their packed bags, preparing to board the train and leave Hogwarts, an owl swooped in through the skylight with a long, narrow package clutched in its talons.

Under the watchful eyes of the students, the owl dropped the package into Harry Potter's hands.

"Harry! Quick, open it! Who's sending you something right before the holidays?"

The Weasley twins immediately pushed their way over excitedly.

"Wow!"

A collective gasp of awe rose from the onlookers.

"That's a Firebolt! The latest model of flying broomstick—and it's priced upon request."

Ron, who knew everything about Quidditch, was naturally familiar with the latest broomstick models. The wizarding world was never short on fashion news about Quidditch gear.

"Quick, see who sent it!"

As it was Harry's gift, he was naturally the one to confirm it. The surrounding young witches and wizards, though full of amazement, remained respectfully observant.

Harry found a note inside the package.

"To my dear godson,The Firebolt is a birthday gift twelve years overdue.I hope you achieve great results in Quidditch."

Although it was just one sentence and unsigned, everyone knew from the content that the sender was Harry Potter's godfather, Sirius Black—a birthday gift twelve years in the making.

The envious stares around him made Harry feel as though he were floating on air.

"Harry! Quick, get on and try it! This should be the fastest broomstick out there right now."

Seeing Harry standing there stroking the Firebolt, Ron, excited beyond measure, was practically shouting for him to hurry up and fly.

With everyone cheering him on, Harry couldn't hesitate any longer. He gripped the broom with both hands and—whoosh!—shot into the sky.

That speed, that sensation—it was absolutely exhilarating.

Harry's laughter echoed through the air, while those on the ground could only see a blur flying faster than usual.

"Now are you satisfied? Don't forget to settle down and have kids this year, or I'll have to resort to magic."

Inside the castle, Regulus Black stood beside Sirius, both having witnessed the gift reaching Harry and his joyful test flight. Sirius's long-held wish had finally been fulfilled. So—what now?

Sirius began to grow anxious. Regulus was practically casting a death sentence with that reminder!

Before the Firebolt was delivered, Regulus had easily overpowered Sirius and drawn a vial of his blood.

The purpose was obvious: if he wouldn't marry and have children, then they would find a surrogate witch for him—which also meant Sirius could only live until the child was born.

But Sirius, who had just reunited with his godson, didn't want to die!

What should he do? What should he do?

Sirius was anxiously pacing in his mind, though he dared not show it.

"I've already taken your blood. From now on, you can live wherever you like. Of course, the old house will always be open to you."

Regulus Black naturally knew what his foolish brother was thinking. Everything was written all over his face. He was so naive, almost stupid. Regulus had no expectations for his brother's marriage.

"Oh right! Your friend, Professor Lupin, has completed his teaching duties. Although his identity as a werewolf hasn't been exposed, he insists on leaving. The Hogwarts teaching salary should support him for a while. He's also leaving today—aren't you going to see him off?"

Casually, Regulus mentioned the young friend Sirius had completely overlooked.

When it came to friendship, Sirius Black was closest to James Potter, then Remus Lupin, and as for Peter Pettigrew, he practically ignored him.

This was also why Sirius valued Harry Potter so much—he even left all his wealth to Harry after death—yet completely disregarded Lupin's hardships and difficult life.

Regulus couldn't help but recall something Sirius once said. Harry's father had once mentioned that he preferred seeing Sirius appear in his Animagus form as a big black dog, which possibly meant he saw Sirius more as a pet than a friend.

And the pitiful and foolish Sirius—perhaps influenced by his Animagus form—exhibited many dog-like traits in his personality. He practically treated James Potter as his master.

With that in mind, Sirius's mindset made more sense: James was the master, Remus Lupin was the playmate, and Peter Pettigrew was nothing more than a smelly little toy rat.

Pitiful people often have detestable aspects—and vice versa; those who are detestable often have something pitiful about them.

"Oh, right! Lupin is leaving Hogwarts too. I should go see him off."

Sirius suddenly seemed to have a wicked idea and eagerly went to find Lupin.

Regulus had no interest in witnessing any emotional farewell between the two brothers. He preferred riding in the same carriage with the girls, to increase familiarity and affection.

Sirius was more or less free now. After all, no matter how many family banquets there were, they'd eventually end. Regulus had gone to great lengths to gather every suitable witch to choose from, not missing a single one.

And Sirius had done his part—earnestly replying in his own handwriting to each of the letters he received from those witches. For a time, the old Black house practically turned into a post office.

Whether this "wide casting, thin harvest" approach would yield results remained unknown. According to the original story, Sirius remained single until his death. Even his friend, Remus Lupin, found a wife—who, in terms of relations, was Regulus's own niece.

If memory serves, her name was Nymphadora Tonks, a Metamorphmagus who had already graduated by the time Harry Potter started school.

At this moment, Regulus Black was sitting aboard the Hogwarts Express. In his compartment were those same admiring girls. But too many women inevitably led to trouble. Regulus was now simultaneously playing three different games of wizard chess, while also fielding questions from the girls—it was chaotic, yet fulfilling.

Those admiring gazes and flirtatious smiles—Regulus felt both joy and exhaustion.

But as a man, handling these young girls was still within his capabilities. Amid their excited squeals, he won all three games and even helped the girls jot down plenty of notes with the answers. The effects of the love chocolates had long transformed into full-on worship. If Regulus Black were a celebrity, then they were his fangirls.

The long British summer holiday was just around the corner.

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