After retrieving the book, Sirius carefully led the two girls back the way they had come.
Only after they had left the corridor leading to the library did the solemn look disappear from Sirius's face. He began chatting and laughing with Harley and Hermione as they discussed magic.
"Come to think of it, charms were my specialty, too. I was the one who did most of the work on the Marauder's Map," Sirius said wistfully.
"Your father was better at Transfiguration, Harley. He was a huge help when we learned to become Animagi."
"Remus was better at Defense Against the Dark Arts, especially when it came to dealing with Dark creatures. He was one of the best."
"As for that damned traitor..." Sirius paused, then gave a scornful snort.
"His specialty was Potions. He wasn't nearly as good as Snivellus, but he was still one of the best at Hogwarts back then."
"Forget it. Just talking about him turns my stomach..."
By then, they had reached the kitchen. Sirius glanced inside without thinking.
He suddenly let out an angry roar. "Kreacher! What are you doing?"
Sirius stormed into the kitchen and yanked open the cupboard that had just been shut.
He hauled out a very old House-elf with one hand, and a pile of junk spilled out of the cupboard along with it.
Clearly, the House-elf had hurriedly stuffed all those things into the cupboard, including an antique music box and an Order of Merlin, First Class medal.
The House-elf was ancient, its skin so wrinkled that it seemed to have several times more than its body needed.
Its head was completely bald, but a mass of white hair sprouted inside its two bat-like ears.
The creature reminded Harley of a few hapless pirates she had cursed, though those pirates