Chapter 450: The Clever Fudge
Chapter 450: The Clever Fudge
As the group passed through the archway and emerged back into the outer cave, the dawn had broken. The morning sunlight dispelled the cold and darkness, shimmering on the waters and casting golden ripples. A flock of seagulls perched on the rocks nearby, curiously eyeing the fox on Kyle's shoulder, but they were startled away again as Kreacher resumed his wailing.
They waited outside for ten minutes until Dumbledore, who had been overseeing the aftermath, finally joined them. He didn't explain what he had been doing during that time, and no one asked.
"I need to take Regulus," he said. "Severus should be able to help restore him to his human form."
"I'm coming, too!" Sirius immediately piped up.
Despite his differences with Snape, he was determined to go for Regulus' sake. He could always bite his tongue and refrain from retaliating to Snape's barbs.
"I think it's best if you don't," Dumbledore said, hesitating as he looked at Sirius.
He felt that if Sirius went, Snape might not even open the door for them.
"Er..." Sirius understood his implication and muttered, "Can't someone else go instead, like Madam Pomfrey?"
"No," Dumbledore shook his head. "Her expertise lies primarily in treating the living."
"Then... alright." Sirius sighed and bowed deeply to Dumbledore. "Please take care of Regulus."
He then turned to the sobbing Kreacher and said, "You go with Professor Dumbledore to see that man. If there's anything you need, let me know immediately.
Also, no matter what hurtful or insulting things he says, even if he ridicules Regulus, you must pretend you didn't hear it. That's an order!"
This time, Dumbledore didn't object. He believed that Snape wouldn't mind Kreacher's presence as much.
Before leaving, he glanced at Kyle, who seemed unaffected by the events, as if to ask something. But in the end, he simply shook his head and said nothing.
"Bang!"
Fox transported them away in a burst of flames.
After they left, Sirius sat on a rock, gazing up at the sky with an unusually relaxed expression.
"I'm a bit reluctant to go back," he joked to Kyle. "I'm certain that as soon as I return, Lupin will give me a good thrashing.
As much as I hate to admit it, I really can't beat him anymore, with or without a wand."
"You insisted on coming, so it's only fair that you get a beating," Kyle said as he walked over to him. "And he's right. If it weren't for Professor Dumbledore, we might have had to search for two people instead.
And I'm sure Snape would be delighted to brew a potion for you."
"Yes, he'd be thrilled if that were the case," Sirius agreed, lying back on the rock. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For putting yourself in harm's way because of me. Is there anything I can do for you?" Sirius asked. "Fox has a penchant for herbal remedies."
Kyle whispered, "Fox likes to eat herbal remedies."
"Consider it done." Sirius grinned. "I'll take care of it."
He stood up from the rock. "It's getting late. I'll take you back."
"It's fine. I can make my own way back. You don't need to escort me," Kyle waved his hand.
"So, you're not planning to come with me to Number 12, Grimmauld Place?" Sirius asked, his expression stiff. He had been hoping that Kyle would help mediate the situation, thinking that Lupin might go easy on him for the sake of a former student.
Otherwise, he was sure he'd be beaten to a pulp.
"Of course, I've been out all night, so I should probably head home first... See you later.
Wait a minute... How did Kyle disapparate? He's not even in his fifth year yet...
Meanwhile, back in St. Kachibor Village, Kyle had just returned and found Chris and Diana enjoying breakfast.
They were surprised to see him back so early.
"Why are you back so soon? Weren't you comfortable staying at Sirius's place?" they asked.
They were already aware of the situation with Sirius and Peter, and Kyle had sent a letter the previous night mentioning that he would be staying at Grimmauld Place for the night.
"No, it's not that," Kyle shook his head as he sat down. "I just thought things might get a bit messy at his place, and I didn't want to get caught up in it, so I came back early."
After a busy night, Kyle was famished and couldn't resist grabbing a piece of toast and taking a bite.
Diana added some fried eggs and grilled sausages to his plate.
It wasn't until after he had eaten his fill that she asked, "What happened? Didn't you say Sirius was wrongly accused?"
"It's unrelated," Kyle explained. "Sirius did something that made Lupin very angry. He's definitely going to get a beating, and I felt it would be awkward to just stand by and watch."
The couple nodded, not asking further questions as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"They're always bickering like that," Diana said with a laugh. "Especially after Remus became a prefect, Sirius would often drive him crazy."
"I didn't have a very good impression of him back then either," Chris admitted. "But when I heard that Sirius had betrayed Potter, I still found it unbelievable... Everyone knew their relationship was as close as Fred and George, always inseparable.
But it turned out to be true."
"By the way, Dad," Kyle asked, "when will Sirius's hearing begin?"
"I don't know," Chris shook his head. "I was going to ask you the same thing. Is Fudge really aware of this matter?"
"Of course," Kyle replied. "I was in the headmaster's office, and I heard it clearly. He seemed very keen on helping Sirius clear his name."
"Then why hasn't there been any news from the Ministry?" Chris wondered.
"What's strange about that?" Diana interjected. "Don't forget what's coming up in August."
"The Quidditch World Cup!" Chris exclaimed.
The Quidditch World Cup had always been under Crouch's responsibility, and if this edition turned out to be spectacular, his reputation would soar to unprecedented heights.
Fudge was probably waiting until after the tournament to bring up Sirius's case.
To have imprisoned an innocent man for twelve years without a trial was a mistake that could ruin Crouch's long-accumulated reputation in an instant.
"Heh..." Chris couldn't help but chuckle.
Fudge's move was truly brilliant, almost permanently eliminating the possibility of Crouch replacing him.
The three chatted for a while longer before Chris and Diana prepared to leave for the Ministry.
"So early?" Kyle glanced at the time. "It's still two hours before the Ministry's normal working hours."
"We've been starting early lately," Chris replied. "There are two big events to prepare for, and the Ministry is swamped. Oh, and one more thing."
As he stepped out the door, Chris suddenly turned back and said mysteriously to Kyle, "You'd better study hard and practice your spells... It might be useful for you."
(End of Chapter)
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