Chapter 450: The Clever Fudge
By the time the group walked through the archway and back outside into the cavern, daylight had fully arrived. The morning sun had chased away the cold and darkness, casting a golden shimmer over the sea, creating ripples of light. Nearby, a flock of seagulls had perched on the rocks, eyeing Fawkes curiously on Kyle's shoulder, though they all scattered when Kreacher suddenly began howling at full volume again.
The group waited outside for ten minutes before Dumbledore, who had stayed behind to manage the aftermath, finally rejoined them. He offered no explanation for what he had been doing, and no one asked.
"I need to take Regulus with me," he said. "Severus should be able to find a way to restore him to his human form rather than... what he is now."
"I'll go too!" Sirius said immediately. Though he and Snape had never gotten along, he was willing to put up with it for Regulus. At worst, he figured he could just hold his tongue whenever Snape made his usual sharp remarks.
"I don't think you should go," Dumbledore replied, hesitating. He was certain that if Sirius went, Snape might not even open the door for them.
"Hm..." Sirius understood and muttered, "Can't someone else go, like Madam Pomfrey?"
"No," Dumbledore shook his head. "She's better suited to healing the living."
"Well... okay," Sirius sighed, then bent forward and gave Dumbledore a deep bow. "I'll leave Regulus in your hands."
He then turned to Kreacher, who was still sobbing beside him. "You go with Professor Dumbledore and see that man. If anything's missing, let me know at once. And no matter what harsh things he says, even if he mocks Regulus, you must act as though you didn't hear a word of it. That's an order!"
This time, Dumbledore didn't object. With only a House-elf accompanying him, Snape would likely not mind. Before leaving, he glanced at Kyle, who seemed on the verge of asking something. But in the end, Kyle simply shook his head and stayed silent.
"Bang!"