That Was Mr. Gu's Favorite Sausage

By the time they returned to Hogwarts, it was ten at night.

Most of the castle windows were dark. Only a few wall lamps still burned in the Entrance Hall, casting a dim yellow glow across the stone walls.

Filch stood by the doorway with a lamp in his hand. He swept a suspicious gaze over the three of them: an elderly headmaster, a first-year student, and a barefoot girl he had never seen before, dressed in a Hospital Gown with her hair tangled by the sea wind. A Phoenix followed behind them.

His mouth opened and closed. Whatever he wanted to say, he did not dare say it. In the end, he merely muttered something indistinct and stepped aside.

Dumbledore did not linger in the Entrance Hall. He led Cordelia to a quiet little terrace in the Castle Side Wing. A chilly breeze blew in from the lake and brushed against their skin.

Dibby was already waiting there.

The House-elf had looked utterly dejected, his oversized ears drooping. The instant he saw Cordelia, his eyes lit up.

"Miss, are you all right?!" Dibby practically threw himself at her. "Dibby thought he would never see Miss again."

A flicker of guilt crossed Cordelia's eyes as she looked at him. "I'm fine. It's all over now, Dibby," she said softly.

After a while, Dibby finally calmed down. He wiped his tears with his scarf and took Cordelia's hand, ready to bring her back to St. Mungo's.

She no longer needed a Flying Carpet. Her condition had stabilized; there was no need to fly across half of Great Britain on a carpet again.

"He'll take you back." Dumbledore crouched until he was eye to eye with Cordelia, his voice gentle. "Dr. Vittel will be waiting for you at the entrance to St.