When everyone passed through the archway and returned to the cave outside, dawn had already broken.
The early morning sunlight chased away the cold and darkness, shining on the surface of the sea and setting off ripples of gold.
A flock of seagulls landed on the rocks not far away, peering curiously at Fawkes perched on Kael's shoulder, but as Kreacher started wailing again at the top of his lungs, the seagulls got scared and all flew off.
Everyone waited outside for ten minutes, and finally Dumbledore, who was cleaning up the aftermath, emerged as well.
He didn't explain what he'd been doing for those ten minutes, nor did anyone ask.
"I need to take Regulus with me," he said. "Severus should have a way to get him back to being human, and not like... this."
"I want to go too!" Sirius spoke up immediately.
Even though he and Snape didn't get along, for Regulus's sake, he was willing to risk it.
At worst, he could just keep his mouth shut when Snape taunted him.
"I think you'd better not go," Dumbledore looked at him, hesitating for a moment.
He suspected that if Sirius went, there was a good chance Snape wouldn't even open the door for them.
"Er…" Sirius understood what he meant and muttered, "Can't we send someone else? Like Madam Pomfrey, for example."
"No." Dumbledore shook his head. "She's much better at treating the living."
"Then… fine." Sirius sighed, bent forward, and gave Dumbledore a deep bow. "I'll leave Regulus in your care, then."
Then he turned to Kreacher, who was still bawling beside them, and said,
"You're going to see that person with Professor Dumbledore. If you need any ingredients, tell me right away.
Also, no matter how nasty he gets, even if he slags off Regulus, you have to pretend you didn't hear a thing—that's an order!"
This time, Dumbledore didn't argue. If Kreacher was the only one going with him, Snape probably wouldn't mind.
Before leaving, he glanced at Kael, who looked as if nothing had happened, as if he wanted to ask something, but in the end just shook his head and said nothing.
"Bang!"
Fawkes took them all and, in a flash of fire, they vanished.
After they left, Sirius sat himself down on a rock, looked up at the sky, and for the first time in forever, his face was completely relaxed.
"I'm kind of scared to go back," he said.
Jokingly, he turned to Kael and said, "I'm pretty sure the moment I get back, Lupin is going to wallop me good.
As much as I hate to admit it, these days I really can't beat him—even with or without a wand."
"Well, you're the one who insisted on coming, so you deserve a good beating." Kael walked to his side. "And besides, he's right; if it weren't for Professor Dumbledore, there'd probably be two people we needed to rescue now.
And I'll bet anything Snape will be overjoyed to make up a magic potion for you."
"Yeah, if it comes to that, he'll be thrilled."
Sirius lay back on the rock and suddenly said, "Thanks."
"For what?"
"Because of me, you lost something that could've saved your life," Sirius said. "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
"Fawkes likes eating herbs," Kael said quietly.
"Got it." Sirius grinned, "Leave it to me."
He got up off the rock. "It's getting late, let me take you back."
"No worries," Kael waved a hand. "I'll head home myself—no need for you to escort me."
"So you're not coming back to 12 Grimmauld Place with me?"
Sirius's expression stiffened. He'd been hoping Kael would help smooth things over; maybe, out of respect for an old student, Lupin might go easy on him.
Otherwise, Lupin would probably finish him off.
"Of course not. I've been out all night—gotta go home first. See you next time then."
Kael ignored Sirius's growingly desperate expression, and with those words, Apparated away.
Sirius stared at the now-empty cave, on the verge of tears. In a daze, he could already see what fate had in store for him.
Damn, how could Kael just Apparate and leave—he… Wait…
Sirius suddenly froze.
Kael—a student not even in fifth year yet—Apparating?
...
Elsewhere, after Apparating back to Ottery St Catchpole, Kael had just walked in the door when he spotted Chris and Diana eating breakfast.
The two of them were both surprised to see Kael back so early.
"Back so soon? What, wasn't comfortable at Sirius's place?"
They'd already heard about Sirius and Peter, and last night, when Kael went to 12 Grimmauld Place, he'd written home saying he'd stay there overnight.
"Not really." Kael shook his head and sat down next to them. "It's just, things might get a little crazy at his place in a bit, and I didn't want to get caught up in it, so I came back early."
After being busy all night, Kael was starving. He couldn't help grabbing a slice of toast and stuffing it in his mouth.
Diana piled some scrambled eggs and sausages onto his plate.
Only after Kael had eaten his fill did she say, "So what happened? Didn't you say Sirius was wrongly accused?"
"It's not about that," Kael explained. "It's just that he did something that really got Lupin angry. He's definitely in for it, and I figured it'd be awkward watching him get hammered."
The two nodded and didn't ask any further, as if this wasn't an unusual occurrence at all.
"They were always roughhousing—even when they were at school," Diana said with a smile. "Especially after Remus was made prefect. Sirius would drive him mad."
"Honestly, I didn't have the best impression of him back then," Chris added. "But when I heard Sirius had betrayed Potter, I just couldn't believe it... Everyone knew it was impossible—the two of them were as close as Fred and George, always joined at the hip.
But it turns out, that's what happened."
"By the way, Dad," Kael asked, "when will Sirius's hearing start?"
"No idea," Chris shook his head. "Actually, I was going to ask you—has Fudge really heard about this?"
"Of course. I was in the Headmaster's Office at the time. I heard everything. He really seemed eager to help clear Sirius's name."
"Then how come there's been no word from the Ministry at all?" Chris said, puzzled.
"What's so strange about that?" Diana cut in. "Don't forget what's happening in August."
"The Quidditch World Cup!" Chris suddenly realized.
The Quidditch World Cup had always been Crouch's responsibility, and if this year's event went well, his reputation would reach new heights.
So Fudge must be planning to bring out Sirius's story then.
Locking up an innocent man for twelve years without trial—this mistake alone would be enough to destroy all the prestige it had taken Crouch years to build.
"Heh..." Chris couldn't help but laugh.
Fudge really played this well—he managed to kill off any chance Crouch had to take his place once and for all.
After talking a little more, Chris and Diana got ready to leave for the Ministry of Magic.
"So early?" Kael glanced at the time. "There's still two hours till the Ministry's normal working hours."
"That's just how busy things are lately. Two huge events coming up and the Ministry is swamped. Oh, right—"
Chris had just stepped out the door when he came back in, suddenly mysterious, and said to Kael, "You'd better study some more and practice your charms... It might come in handy for you."