Chapter 443: 12, Grimmauld Place
After retrieving what he needed, Kyle didn't linger and left immediately. But rather than returning to St. Catchpole Village, he accepted Sirius's invitation to London.
Late that night, the two arrived at Grimmauld Place, not far from King's Cross. Kyle recalled what Sirius had just told him about 12 Grimmauld Place when, suddenly, a battered door materialized out of nowhere between numbers 11 and 13. This was the Black family mansion, now Sirius's residence, protected by the Fidelius Charm.
Despite Fudge's assurances that all Dementors and Aurors pursuing him had been withdrawn, Sirius felt safer here, under the Fidelius Charm's protection.
He drew his wand and tapped it against the door. Kyle heard a loud, metallic clanging sound as if chains were being unlocked, followed by the creaking of the old door swinging open.
"Come on in," said Sirius.
Kyle stepped over the threshold and entered a pitch-black hallway. The air was thick with dampness and an overwhelming odor of decay.
"No one's lived here for ages," came Sirius's voice from behind him. "I'll clean it up before Harry arrives."
Kyle heard a rustling, and then the row of ancient gas lamps along the walls flickered to life, casting a shaky, dim glow over the hallway. The light revealed peeling wallpaper and a carpet with frayed threads. Kyle touched a nearby table and instantly felt a thick layer of dust clinging to his fingers.
"It's going to be quite the job to clean up. A lot of things will need replacing," he remarked.