A Clever Fudge

When everyone passed through the archway and returned to the cave outside, it was already dawn.

The morning sun dispelled the cold and darkness, shining on the sea and creating golden ripples.

A flock of seagulls landed on a rock not far away, curiously examining Fawkes on Kyle's shoulder, but they were all frightened away when Kreacher started wailing again.

After waiting outside for ten minutes, Dumbledore, who was in charge of cleaning up the mess, finally came out.

He didn't explain what he did during those ten minutes, and no one else asked.

"I need to take Regulus away," he said. "Severus should have a way to restore him to human form, instead of the way he is now."

"I'm going too!" Sirius immediately exclaimed.

Although he and Snape didn't get along, he was willing to risk everything for Regulus.

At worst, he can just not talk back when Snape makes sarcastic remarks.

"I think you'd better not go." Dumbledore looked at him, hesitant to speak.

He figured that if Sirius went, Snape probably wouldn't even open the door for them.

"Uh..." Sirius understood what he meant and couldn't help but mutter, "Couldn't we have chosen someone else, like Madam Pomfrey?"

"No," Dumbledore shook his head. "She's better at healing the living."

"Well... alright then." Sirius sighed, bowed deeply to Dumbledore. "I'll leave Regulus to you."

Then he turned to Kreacher, who was crying incessantly, and said:

"You go with Professor Dumbledore to see that person. If you are missing any materials, let me know immediately."

Furthermore, no matter how harsh his words are during this time, even if they are sarcastic or mocking Regulus, you must pretend you didn't hear them. That's an order!

This time Dumbledore didn't object. If it was just about following a House-elf, Snape probably wouldn't have cared either.

Before leaving, he looked at Kyle, who seemed completely unaffected, as if he wanted to ask something, but in the end he shook his head and said nothing.

"Bang!"

Fawkes led them away and disappeared in a burst of fire.

After they left, Sirius sat on a rock, looked up at the sky, and had an expression more relaxed than ever before.

"I'm a little afraid to go back."

He joked to Kyle, "I'm sure Lupin will give me a good beating as soon as I get back."

Although I hate to admit it, I really can't beat him right now, whether I use a wand or not.

"It's your fault for insisting on coming; it's normal to get beaten up." Kyle walked over to him. "Besides, he was right. If it weren't for Professor Dumbledore, we probably would have needed to find two people."

And I'm sure Snape would be more than happy to prepare Potions for you."

"Yes, if that's the case, he'll be very happy."

Sirius, lying on the rock, suddenly said, "Thank you."

"What."

"Because of me, you lost something that could have saved your life," Sirius said. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Fawkes likes to eat herbs," Kyle whispered.

"I understand," Sirius chuckled. "Leave it to me."

He stood up from the rock. "It's getting late, let me take you back."

"It's alright." Kyle waved his hand. "I can go back by myself. You don't need to take me."

"So, you're not planning to come back to 12 Grimmauld Place with me?"

Sirius's expression was stiff. He was still hoping Kyle would help mediate the fight, and perhaps Lupin would let him off the hook out of consideration for their past as students.

Otherwise, he would definitely have been beaten to death.

"Of course, I've been out all night, so I definitely need to go home first... See you next time."

Kyle ignored Sirius's increasingly grim expression, and then Apparition away.

Sirius looked at the empty cave and almost cried. In a daze, he had already foreseen his fate.

Seriously, how did Kyle just Apparition away? He... wait...

Sirius suddenly froze.

Kyle, a student not even in fifth grade, Apparition?

Meanwhile, upon returning to the Ottery St. Catchpole, Kyle saw Chris and Diana having breakfast as soon as he entered the house.

Both of them were surprised that Kyle had returned so early.

"Why are you back so early? Were you uncomfortable at Sirius's house?"

They already know about Sirius and Peter, and last night Kyle wrote back a letter on his way to 12 Grimmauld Place, saying he would be staying there for the night.

"No." Kyle shook his head and sat down beside him. "It's just that things might get a little unsettled at his house soon, and I was afraid of getting involved if I stayed there, so I came back early."

After a busy night, Kyle was starving and couldn't resist grabbing a piece of toast and stuffing it into his mouth.

Diana added some fried eggs and grilled sausages for him.

Only after Kyle had finished eating did she speak, "What happened? Didn't you say Sirius was framed?"

"It has nothing to do with that," Kyle explained. "He just did something that really angered Lupin, and he was definitely going to get a beating. I felt bad just standing there watching."

The two nodded and didn't ask any more questions, as if it were something perfectly normal.

"They were always bickering and fighting, just like they were in school," Diana said with a laugh. "Especially after Remus became Prefect, he often drove her crazy."

"Actually, I didn't have a very good impression of him at the time," Chris said. "But after hearing that Sirius betrayed Harry Potter, I still found it a bit unbelievable... Everyone knew that this was impossible; they were as close as Fred and George, always inseparable."

However, as it turns out, this was indeed the case.

"By the way, Dad," Kyle asked, "When does Sirius's hearing begin?"

"I don't know." Chris shook his head. "I was about to ask you the same thing. Does Fudge really know about this?"

"Of course, I was in the Headmaster's Office at the time and heard everything," Kyle said. "He seemed really keen to exonerate Sirius."

"Then why hasn't the department heard anything?" Chris asked, puzzled.

"What's so strange about that?" Diana said from the side. "Don't forget what's coming in August."

"The Quidditch World Cup!" Chris exclaimed in sudden realization.

Crouch has always been in charge of the Quidditch World Cup, and if this tournament is exciting enough, his reputation will reach unprecedented heights.

Fudge probably brought up the Sirius incident around that time.

Imprisoning an innocent man for twelve years without trial was a mistake that could destroy Crouch's long-established reputation.

"Heh..." Chris couldn't help but chuckle.

Fudge's move was brilliant; it almost permanently eliminated the possibility of Crouch replacing him.

The three talked for a while longer, then Chris and Diana prepared to go to the Ministry of Magic.

"So early?" Kyle glanced at the time. "There are still two hours until the Ministry of Magic's normal working hours."

"It's been like this lately. There are two big events to prepare for, the department is too busy. Oh, by the way..."

Chris had just stepped out the door, suddenly turned back and said mysteriously to Kyle, "You'd better read more books and practice some spells... it might help you."