Chapter 437: Fudge Is a Good Minister
Kyle paused, watching Dumbledore's calm expression as he waited for Harry, Ron, and Hermione to leave the room. Only then did Dumbledore speak.
"Don't worry, Black. There are no Dementors here. You don't need to keep up your Animagus form."
"Sorry, Headmaster." Sirius, having transformed back to his human form, looked like a schoolboy caught misbehaving, his voice low. "I just... haven't figured out how to face you yet."
Dumbledore took in Black's haggard figure—sunken eyes and worn appearance stirring a pang of pity. But he said nothing, merely waved a hand. A table appeared before Black, covered in bread, meatloaf, and roast potatoes.
"I think you'll need this right now... help yourself."
Black swallowed, grabbing a piece of bread. He seemed to be holding himself together, but hunger and perhaps the longing for a proper meal took over. In moments, he was wolfing down the food.
Dumbledore glanced at Black, not minding his ferocity, then added some more bread and pumpkin juice to the table. He moved over to Peter's cage, bending down to observe the shivering rat.
"Another Animagus disguised as a pet," Dumbledore mused. "Perhaps we need to conduct a thorough inspection of our students' pets." His eyes shifted to Kyle. "What do you think his purpose was?"
Kyle thought for a moment. "Probably to stay informed about the wizarding world. Hiding with a wizard family would give him easy access to any news about... Tom."