The changes in Hogsmeade made all the Little Wizards' eyes light up. Ever since the news reached Hogwarts, more and more students eagerly flocked to the magical city to experience the charm of this new town for themselves.
First- and second-year Little Wizards, who were not yet allowed to go to Hogsmeade, were also fascinated by this novel world.
To meet the needs of these Little Wizards who couldn't visit in person, Hogsmeade's merchants thoughtfully launched an owl delivery service.
As long as they put their order and the corresponding Galleons in an envelope for an owl to deliver, it wouldn't be long before the owl flew back with their ordered items.
For older Little Wizards, Hogsmeade's appeal extended far beyond entertainment and food.
In just one weekend, their discussions about Hogsmeade had shifted from where to play to buying property there after graduation.
Many students made mutual agreements to settle in Hogsmeade after graduation and become neighbors there.
The Little Wizards happily arrived at the end of September amidst such excitement.
However, this September was not so good for Sirius Black.
Since his escape from Azkaban, Sirius had been hiding in the Muggle world in his Animagus black dog form, living a life of hunger.
When Muggles saw him, they would only treat him as a stray dog. Occasionally, someone would throw him some food, and some kind Muggles even tried to adopt him.
Using this advantage, he ran in the shadows of the city, weaving through narrow alleys, abandoned factories, and Muggle streets.
Due to a lack of information, the Aurors clearly hadn't expected him to be so cunning, wandering around the Muggle world as a black dog.
Occasionally, Sirius would transform back into his human form, then deliberately let Muggles see him, only to quickly disappear, leaving the Aurors empty-handed.
One pursuit after another left the Aurors circling like headless chickens. Sirius always seemed to slip away one step ahead of them.
Every night, he would find a secluded corner to continue planning his next move.
At these times, he would always look towards Hogwarts, muttering to himself in a voice revealing madness.
"It's not time yet..."
"The Aurors are still pursuing closely, and Hogwarts is even more heavily guarded."
"I must endure, endure until they are completely relaxed."
"Peter, wait for me at Hogwarts. I will catch you with my own hands and avenge James."
As time went on, the Aurors' vigilance gradually relaxed, as if they had seen through Sirius's scheme. Their frequency of arrests greatly decreased, just waiting for Sirius to show a flaw.
Feeling this, Sirius secretly came to Knockturn Alley at the end of September.
He needed to find a way to get a wand. Without a wand, he was practically useless and couldn't get his revenge.
Knockturn Alley was his first choice for finding a wand. It always harbored some lawbreakers who made a living by buying and selling Dark Arts objects and contraband.
He didn't need to buy; he just needed to find an unlucky loner and snatch his wand.
These lawbreakers, even if their wands were stolen, would most likely not report it to the Aurors.
Night gradually enveloped Knockturn Alley, making the dark alley appear especially eerie and narrow.
The air was filled with a rotten smell and damp mustiness, mixed with occasional footsteps and whispered conversations.
In a hidden shadow, a large black dog quietly appeared. Its body was thin, its eyes glowed green, flickering with alert light in the gloom.
Since his escape from Azkaban, this vigilance had become his instinct. Even in his black dog form, he never let his guard down.
He moved through the corners of the alley, agilely avoiding any possible gaze, his black dog form almost merging with the night.
Whenever a Wizard passed by, he would immediately dart into the shadows, holding his breath, his eyes fixed on those passing by.
Suddenly, the conversation of two Wizards reached his ears, piquing his curiosity.
"Boss, you were in Azkaban for a month this time, and you don't seem to have suffered much from the Dementors. And, I don't know if it's my imagination, but why do I feel like your complexion is quite rosy?"
"You clearly haven't read the news. I signed up for the labor reform program, so I faced Dementors for less than eight hours a day."
"What did you do the rest of the time?"
"What else? Work, of course. My job was brewing Potions, but the work location wasn't in Azkaban."
"Ah! So, you worked nearly sixteen hours a day?!"
"Why are you yelling? I wished I could work longer, but the managing Auror said that would be too inhumane."
"You wanted to work longer?!"
"Absolutely! Work makes me happy. I wish I could work a little longer, that way I'd see Dementors less. Plus, where I worked, the food was good, the drinks were good, it was like a life of a deity."
"I don't quite understand, but I'm deeply shocked."
"After a month of this training, my Potion skills have improved a lot. The trainers there are very skilled. I even want to be locked up for another month to attend this unique training class."
"...Alright, as long as you're happy... Oh, by the way, Boss, Hogsmeade has changed a lot. I'll take you there tomorrow to welcome you back."
"Really, if you want to learn a skill, I recommend you go to Azkaban for a bit. Food and lodging included, plus you can learn a skill..."
The voices of the two grew fainter, and Sirius, hiding in the shadows, was full of questions.
Azkaban training class?
Was this the Azkaban he had been in?!
Why couldn't he understand what that person was saying at all?
Oh, right, that subordinate just said Hogsmeade had changed a lot. What exactly did it become?
It wouldn't affect his infiltration plan, would it?
Sirius's heart stirred. He went to a trash can and started rummaging for newspapers. He urgently needed to understand the recent changes in the Wizarding World through newspapers.
Damn it...
Do Wizards not read newspapers anymore? How come there isn't a single old newspaper in the trash can?
Strange!
He had only been on the run for less than two months, how could the Wizarding World have become so unfamiliar?
With great difficulty, Sirius found a Hogsmeade flyer from the trash can. The modern architecture made his heart sink.
So unfamiliar...
Was the scenery on this really Hogsmeade?
No!
He couldn't wait any longer.
He had to quickly get a wand and scout Hogsmeade.
He hoped those secret passages were still there...