The Weasley Family Arrives

When Kreacher left the room, Sirius Black returned to his usual pleasant manner. Throughout it all, Moody had not even looked up once.

Hermione Granger glanced back again, seemingly still thinking about that old, strange House-elf.

Eli naturally noticed Hermione Granger's odd behavior, but he did not pay it much mind. He would never interfere with her personal ambitions. Even if freeing House-elves sounded rather difficult, after their previous conflict, Eli had long stopped caring about it.

It was worth mentioning that Hermione Granger seemed to have forgotten about that little S.P.E.W. organization, even though she had argued with Eli over it before.

She had neither announced its disbandment nor mentioned S.P.E.W. again, as though everything had passed.

That was because, after the two had reconciled, Eli had given her a serious and thorough lesson. She had come to recognize, at least somewhat, her own immaturity.

Still, her sympathy for House-elves remained in her heart.

"Don't mind Kreacher. He's lived in my house his whole life and never got rid of that nasty habit," Sirius Black said to the three young Wizards.

"It's fine," Hermione Granger said, nodding.

During the meal, Sirius Black kept looking up at the clock from time to time, as if something required him to keep close track of the time.

Just as they were nearly done eating, there was suddenly a commotion at the door. Everyone looked over. Moody merely kept his Magical Eye fixed in that direction, making no other move.

Sirius Black rose with a slight sigh of relief and walked to the door, opening it.

Soon, more sounds came from outside. It sounded as though either a large, extremely clumsy person was coming in, or there were several people.

"You're finally here," Sirius Black's voice rang out.

Everyone craned their necks toward