When Kyle found Snape, the professor was bent over a peculiar, old stone basin on his desk.
The basin was surrounded by a ring of engraved runes, and within it swirled a shimmering light blue substance, flowing like tiny, darting fish.
A Pensieve? Kyle wondered, curious as to why it was in Snape's office.
Before he could ask, Snape noticed him and quickly covered the basin with a piece of flannel. Turning coldly toward Kyle, he demanded, "What are you doing here?"
"Professor Dumbledore sent me," Kyle replied. "He asked me to assist you in teaching Harry Occlumency."
Snape's expression darkened further. "Very proud of yourself, aren't you?" he said with a sneer. "A master Occlumens at the age of sixteen—what a remarkable achievement. Truly extraordinary."
"Let me guess," Snape continued with deliberate mockery. "You can't wait to parade your accomplishments, to show everyone how special you are? How utterly foolish."
Kyle nodded, unbothered by Snape's sarcasm. "You're absolutely right, Professor. I don't think this was a good idea either, but Headmaster Dumbledore insisted, and I wasn't about to argue with him."
He added with a smirk, "Still, I do admire your honesty, Professor. Don't worry—I'll make sure to pass your sentiments along to the Headmaster."
Snape blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Kyle's calm agreement. His voice turned sharper. "The Headmaster sent you?"
"Yes," Kyle confirmed simply.
Snape's eyes narrowed. "I'll go verify that myself." He stood abruptly. "And if I find you've lied, don't think I'll hesitate to give you two weeks of detention."
"I wish I were lying," Kyle replied with a shrug, his tone untroubled.
As Snape took a few steps toward the door, he noticed Kyle's eyes flicker toward the table, where the covered Pensieve still rested. Snape froze, his expression hardening.
"Out," Snape barked, pointing toward the door. "If Dumbledore denies your story, expect a detention notice before curfew."
"Sure thing," Kyle said lightly, leaving the office. He couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment—if he'd known Snape was so guarded, he would've restrained his curiosity about the Pensieve.
...
That night, Kyle received no detention notice—but neither did he hear anything about a scheduled lesson with Harry.
Far from being worried, Kyle was entirely unbothered. If Snape chose not to involve him, all the better. It gave him an excuse to slack off without guilt.
...
The holiday officially began the next day.
Early in the morning, students carrying suitcases filed into carriages bound for Hogsmeade Station. Kyle, however, had other plans. He intended to visit Sirius in London. Although his name was on the detention list and he couldn't take the train, that wasn't an obstacle.
He went to the Headmaster's Office and was fortunate enough to find Dumbledore still at Hogwarts.
A few minutes later, Kyle appeared in the living room of 12 Grimmauld Place.
"Who is it... Oh, Kyle, dear!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed in surprise as she emerged from another room. "Did the train arrive so quickly today?"
"Not exactly, Mrs. Weasley," Kyle replied, holding up a woolen glove. "I used a Portkey the Headmaster gave me. I was going to go straight to St. Mungo's, but he insisted I stop here first."
"And he was right," Mrs. Weasley said, pulling Kyle into a warm hug. "You should be on the train right now, not wandering around St. Mungo's. If Ministry people saw you, it'd cause trouble... Come in, come in! Have you had breakfast? I made beef pie."
"I already ate—" Kyle began, but Mrs. Weasley placed a heaping plate of steaming pasties in front of him anyway.
"You haven't had breakfast yet?" Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I have," Mrs. Weasley replied, setting down a jug of pumpkin juice.
"And the others?"
"There aren't any others. It's just me today," she said, leading Kyle into the kitchen. "Everyone's been busy. Arthur's been looking after Sirius at St. Mungo's, Lupin hasn't been back in weeks, and the rest are tied up with their own tasks. Chris and Alastor stopped by last night, but neither stayed long."
Kyle paused mid-sip of pumpkin juice. "Wait—who stopped by yesterday?"
"You heard me: your father," Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. "He officially joined the Order of the Phoenix about a month ago, at Dumbledore's invitation. He was also the one who first found Sirius and drove off the Death Eaters trying to break into the Ministry of Magic."
Kyle wasn't surprised that Chris had joined the Order—it was something he'd anticipated. But the mention of Death Eaters targeting the Ministry caught his attention.
"They were heading for the Ministry that night?" he asked, his curiosity sharpening.
Mrs. Weasley's expression faltered as she realized she'd said too much. Quickly, she changed the subject. "Eat up before the pie gets cold," she said, and hurriedly left the kitchen.
Kyle picked the smallest piece of pie and took a bite, his mind racing.
From Mrs. Weasley's slip, he pieced together the likely events of that night. The Death Eaters had apparently planned to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic. Sirius, following their movements, must have been discovered along with Sturgis Podmore. Acting on Voldemort's orders, the Death Eaters had tried to eliminate Sirius.
Wait... was Voldemort there too?
Kyle frowned, shaking his head. It didn't seem likely. Harry had said Voldemort had killed someone, but neither Mr. Weasley nor anyone else had mentioned such a thing.
"This means Voldemort was elsewhere at the time," Kyle murmured to himself. "He must have given the order through the Dark Mark."
But why the Ministry of Magic?
The answer seemed obvious: the Department of Mysteries.
It was likely the only place in the Ministry that would hold any interest for Voldemort.
Kyle's stomach twisted uneasily at the thought. Diana worked in the Department of Mysteries. If the Death Eaters had succeeded in breaking in, she could have been in danger.
Thankfully, they didn't get in this time, he thought, exhaling softly.
His appetite vanished. Pushing the pie aside, he took out parchment and a quill to write Diana a letter. By the time he finished, Mrs. Weasley had returned.
"Kyle, are you posting a letter?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she spotted the envelope in his hand. "But I don't recall seeing your owl."
"I didn't bring him with me this time," Kyle replied.
"Ah, that's a problem..." Mrs. Weasley said, setting down a basket of Christmas decorations. "Without an owl, you'll have to wait until the children return from their holidays. If you're in a hurry, though, I can take it to the post office in Diagon Alley for you."
"That's okay, Mrs. Weasley. I'm not in a hurry," Kyle assured her.
In truth, Kyle had no intention of sending the letter by owl. Since Voldemort's return, Diana had been constantly dispatched on urgent missions, making it nearly impossible for ordinary owls to locate her in the Department of Mysteries.
"That's good," Mrs. Weasley said with a nod, and she returned to organizing the Christmas decorations.
Once she was gone, Kyle opened his suitcase and jumped inside, shaking awake the slumbering Fawkes.
Although Kyle had "borrowed" Fawkes under the pretense of guarding the Basilisk, the phoenix spent most of his time napping. He hadn't even glanced at the Basilisk. Fawkes was the epitome of laziness—but then, Kyle wasn't too surprised. Every time he visited the Headmaster's Office in the past, Fawkes had been dozing on a branch, only the location had changed.
After being shaken awake, Fawkes peeked out from under his wings.
"Sorry, but could you help me deliver this letter to the Department of Mysteries?" Kyle asked, holding up the envelope.
As a bribe, he added, "Here's your reward: an extra serving of Lady's Mantle."
Fawkes tilted his head, his bright eyes locking on Kyle's for a moment. Then he nodded, accepting the deal.
But instead of eating the offered Lady's Mantle, Fawkes turned his head toward the forest and chirped softly.
"You want Mandrake instead?" Kyle asked, catching on quickly. "No problem. I'll pick you the biggest one when you return."
With that assurance, Fawkes became alert, hopped onto Kyle's shoulder, and plucked the envelope from his hand.
"Give it to my mum—Diana," Kyle said, patting Fawkes gently. "And if you find her, I'll throw in two Chomping Cabbages."
Fawkes rubbed his head against Kyle's neck affectionately before disappearing in a burst of golden light.
"That's so convenient," Kyle muttered enviously, watching the spot where Fawkes had vanished.
A phoenix was truly a remarkable magical creature. It could heal with its tears, travel instantly through its unique form of Apparition, deliver messages, and even protect its master from lethal spells in critical moments. It was versatile in a way that few magical creatures could match.
Kyle's gaze shifted to Norbert, the Dragon, who was busy terrifying a nearby Mooncalf.
No comparison, no harm...
Norbert, sensing Kyle's scrutiny, let go of the frightened Mooncalf and looked up at him, snorting happily.
Two small flames shot out of Norbert's nostrils, accidentally igniting the Mooncalf's tail. Panicking, Norbert grabbed the Mooncalf and swallowed it, only to spit it back out after extinguishing the flames.
Kyle sighed. "A bit silly, but otherwise... not too bad. Pretty good."
About five minutes later, Fawkes returned, clutching a brooch in his beak.
The brooch was made of dragon scales, a memento from a trip to the Romanian Dragon Reserve and a gift Chris had given Diana.
"You actually found her?" Kyle asked in surprise, before realizing how silly the question was. If Fawkes hadn't found Diana, where would he have gotten the brooch?
True to his promise, Kyle picked the finest Mandrake plant, dug up two Chomping Cabbages, and added the Lady's Mantle to the feast.
"Go on, eat up. There's more if you want it," Kyle said, stroking the feathers on Fawkes' neck.
Reluctantly, he climbed out of the suitcase. It was tempting to stay longer, but the suitcase was still sitting on the kitchen stool. Mrs. Weasley could return at any moment, and it would be awkward if she discovered him inside. Better to leave before she had the chance.
...
Fortunately, when Kyle emerged from his suitcase, Mrs. Weasley was still busy outside decorating for Christmas.
He tucked the suitcase away and joined her, helping hang mistletoe and holly along the walls and ceiling.
By noon, the house was still quiet, with only Kyle and Mrs. Weasley around. It wasn't until 5:30 in the afternoon that someone finally arrived.
To Kyle's surprise, it was Bill and Charlie who came through the door.
"Mum, it's time to go to the station to pick them up. Do you know where the car keys are?" Bill called out as soon as he entered.
Then he noticed Kyle standing in the entrance hall and paused.
"Kyle? When did you get back?"
"I'm the only one who didn't take the train," Kyle explained briefly. "When did you get back?"
"Just a week ago," Bill replied. "Dad thinks the Death Eaters are likely to make a move soon, so Charlie and I have both taken long vacations."
At that moment, Mrs. Weasley appeared, handing Bill a set of keys.
"Darling, you can drive, can't you?"
"Of course I can, Mum," Bill said confidently, taking the keys. "I nearly bought a car when I was a Curse-Breaker. They're sometimes more convenient than broomsticks or flying carpets."
He turned to Kyle. "I'm heading to King's Cross now. Want to come along?"
"No," Kyle said, shaking his head. "I'm going to St. Mungo's."
"That works out well," Charlie chimed in, stepping over. "I'm covering for Dad at six, so we can go together. You can't Apparate yet, right?"
"No," Kyle sighed. "I was planning to take the Hogwarts Express. By the time I get to St. Mungo's, the train will have already arrived."
"No need for that," Charlie said with a grin. "I'll take you."
Kyle had no reason to refuse—it was certainly faster.
...
At six o'clock sharp, the two of them appeared in a telephone booth near St. Mungo's.
"This is a place specifically set up for wizards to Apparate, just like the fireplaces on the Floo Network," Charlie explained.
It was Kyle's first time hearing about such a facility at St. Mungo's, and he couldn't help but look around curiously. To him, it seemed like just an ordinary telephone booth, cramped and unremarkable.
"This place is so small. What happens if a lot of wizards come here at the same time?"
"There's an Undetectable Extension Charm," Charlie said. "The more people there are, the larger it gets, so there's no need to worry. No matter how many gather, it won't feel crowded."
He pushed open the door and stepped out. Not far to their left was the department store with a "Closed for Renovation" sign in its window.
As Kyle followed, he noticed a tall woman nearby, eyeing the telephone booth with curiosity.
"Strange," she muttered to herself. "When did this get here?" She walked closer, reaching out to touch the booth.
Just as her hand was about to make contact, she hesitated. Her expression shifted as if she had remembered something important, and she quickly turned and hurried off.
"Hurry up and follow me, Kyle," Charlie called, already standing in front of the department store's window. He addressed the mannequin inside. "Hello, we're here to see Sirius Black."
The mannequin gave a small nod.
Charlie stepped through the glass and disappeared. Kyle quickly followed.
The waiting room of St. Mungo's was as bustling as ever. Wizards and witches sat in rickety wooden chairs, some appearing perfectly normal, others sporting peculiar and outlandish features.
Charlie and Kyle didn't linger. They made their way directly to the second floor, heading straight for Sirius's ward.
"I'm fine now. Why can't I go home?"
Kyle heard Sirius's voice as they approached the door. "Arthur, Harry's on holiday. I want to spend Christmas at home with him, not stuck here in St. Mungo's."
"I understand," came Mr. Weasley's reply, "but the Healer said the Runespoor venom in your system has only just been cleared. You need to be monitored for a few more days."
Charlie pushed the door open, interrupting the conversation.
The ward was small and dimly lit, with a single tiny window on the wall opposite the door. Inside were three people, with Sirius lying in the bed farthest from the entrance.
Sirius looked up as they entered and broke into a smile.
"Long time no see, Kyle. Are you on holiday?" He glanced nervously toward the door.
"Don't bother looking. It's just us," Kyle reassured him. "Harry might be a while yet."
"Ah, no," Sirius said, looking a little relieved. "I wasn't actually hoping Harry would visit me."
"I understand," Kyle said simply.
Mr. Weasley and Charlie stepped outside, leaving Kyle to take out the present he had prepared in advance—a large bag of assorted chocolates.
Sirius's eyes lit up when he saw the chocolates. Without hesitation, he tore open a Chocolate Frog and popped it into his mouth.
Since his acquittal, Sirius had taken to eating chocolate daily—a habit shared by many former Azkaban prisoners.
"Arthur doesn't let me eat these," Sirius mumbled, savoring the chocolate. "Says they're bad for my recovery. The truth is, I don't care at all. Compared to Dementors, these little wounds are nothing."
"Still, you should be careful," Kyle said with a smile. "If you recover sooner, you can leave the hospital sooner."
"You're right," Sirius conceded, reluctantly putting the bag aside and resisting the urge to grab another piece.
"I heard Hogwarts has a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," Sirius said loudly, clearly not bothered by the presence of the other two patients in the ward. "That sycophant for Fudge, that disgusting toad. She hasn't been giving you a hard time, has she?"
"It's impossible for her not to," Kyle replied with a shrug. "If Harry wrote a list of the most annoying professors, Snape would have to settle for second place."
In just half a term, the new professor had already outdone Snape in sheer unpleasantness—an impressive feat in its own right.
"That bloody toad!" Sirius growled, slamming his fist on the bed. "If she dares hurt Harry, I won't let her get away with it!"
"Calm down," Kyle said, casting a glance at the other patients in the room. "I have a way to deal with her."
"Don't you dare do anything rash," Sirius warned, frowning. "As horrible as she is, she represents the Ministry of Magic. If you act against her, it could cause a lot of trouble."
"Don't worry, I know," Kyle reassured him with a smile. "And honestly, I should probably be the one saying that to you."
"Ha, fair enough," Sirius said with a laugh, relaxing slightly.
The two continued chatting for a while longer until Mr. Weasley and Charlie returned.
"Director Sykes, what a surprise," Mr. Weasley said as he pushed the door open.
Kyle and Sirius looked over.
"I heard from Dumbledore that you might be at St. Mungo's around this time," said a woman stepping inside. "Would you care to join me for a cup of tea? There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Ah, sure," Kyle said, standing up. He turned to Sirius. "I'll come back to see you later."
As Kyle and Director Sykes left, Sirius blinked in confusion.
"Arthur, does Kyle actually know the Director of St. Mungo's?"
"Well..." Mr. Weasley began. "During his first-year holidays, Kyle defeated a werewolf here and was awarded the Order of Merlin. I think that's when they first met."
"But that was years ago," Sirius pointed out. "Was it really worth it for the Director to make a special trip to invite him for tea? I thought the Healers here said the Director was always busy. And that woman..." He gestured toward the patient in the middle bed. "The Flint family donated five hundred Galleons when she was discharged, and the Director only met with her once."
"Yes, just briefly," Mr. Weasley agreed.
He, too, was a little surprised by the Director's interest in Kyle. But he didn't dwell on it too much—after all, Dumbledore's influence often explained such things.
The last time they visited, it was the Director herself who had escorted them through the hospital.
"By the way, Sirius," Mr. Weasley said, changing the subject. "I have to return to work tomorrow. There's a mountain of tasks piling up. Charlie will stay here to look after you."
"No, let him go back too," Sirius said, shaking his head firmly. "This is the busiest time of the year for him. I don't need anyone to stay with me."
"It's better to be cautious," Mr. Weasley replied.