Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 444: Chapter 442: 12 Grimmauld Place

After obtaining what he wanted, Kael did not linger and immediately left.

However, he did not return to Ottery St Catchpole, but went to London at Sirius’s invitation.

In the deep of night, the two appeared at Grimmauld Place, not far from King’s Cross.

As Kael recalled Sirius’s recent words, just as he thought of 12 Grimmauld Place, a ramshackle door appeared out of nowhere between numbers 11 and 13.

The Blake family’s mansion, where Sirius now resides, a place protected by a Fidelius Charm.

Although Fudge had promised to withdraw all Dementors and Aurors in charge of capturing him, Sirius still felt relatively safer staying here.

He took out his wand and knocked on the door, and Kael heard a loud sound of metal clashing, accompanied by rattling chains.

The door creaked open.

”Come in quickly.” Sirius said.

Kael stepped across the threshold into a nearly pitch-black hallway, damp with a lingering smell of decay.

”No one’s lived here for a long time; I’m planning to tidy up before Harry arrives.”

The voice of Sirius came from behind.

Then, Kael heard a rustling, and a row of old-fashioned gas lamps on the wall lit up, casting an unsteady and unreal light, illuminating the hallway with its peeling wallpaper and frayed carpet.

Kael touched a nearby table, and a thick layer of dust immediately covered his fingers.

”It’s not easy to clean up around here, and many things need replacing.”

”Yes, let’s take our time.” Sirius said, ”I was planning to bring Harry over in a few days, but Dumbledore told me that the Rat needs a month’s worth of Resurrection Potion to recover continuously.

Plus, with the subsequent trial process, the holiday won’t be enough, it has to wait until Christmas, so we’ve got plenty of time.”

With a rush of footsteps, Lupin came out briskly from a door at the other end of the hallway to meet them.

”Oh, Kael, it’s so good to see you.” He said with a smile.

”Same here, Professor.” Kael said.

”I’m no longer a professor, call me Lupin, or Moonface if you like.”

Kael was about to speak but suddenly noticed a pair of eyes as large as tennis balls staring at them beside the cabinet not far behind Lupin.

It was a House-elf, looking quite old, with saggy skin folded together, a bald head, bat-like large ears with tufts of white hair growing from them, and a thick nose large like a pig’s.

Honestly, standing next to him, even Dobby could be considered a handsome elf.

”That’s Kreacher, a House-elf.” Sirius said, ”However, he’s gone mad now, completely useless; otherwise, the house wouldn’t be in this state.”

”Greetings, Master.” Kreacher said as he was discovered, bowing, and then muttered in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear:

”...It smells like sewer and crime, the prodigal has returned, bringing another brat into the mistress’s house along with the werewolf, oh, so shameful, poor Kreacher, what can he do...”

”Get out, Kreacher!” Sirius said impatiently.

”Yes, Master.” Kreacher bowed again, shuffled away, but didn’t stop muttering, ”Master is annoying, ungrateful scum, hurt his mother’s heart, but Kreacher will still obey him...”

”Sorry, Kael.” Sirius, trembling with rage, turned to apologize: ”He’s been alone too long and received some mad orders from my mother’s portrait, started talking to himself... He’s gone crazy.”

”Oh, it’s alright.” Kael glanced in the direction Kreacher left, then waved his hand indicating he didn’t mind.

”Come with me, I’ll take you to a quiet place.” Sirius said, ”But don’t make too much noise, otherwise...”

”Bang!”

Sirius hadn’t finished speaking when he kicked over an umbrella stand, almost falling over, saved by Kael who quickly pulled him from behind.

”Oh, dear...”

Lupin covered his face, looking somewhat helpless.

Next second, a terrifying and ear-splitting shriek engulfed the entire house.

The two decayed and shabby velvet curtains behind them suddenly opened for no reason, revealing a portrait of an elderly lady wearing a hat, screaming frantically.

”Beasts, ruffians, degenerates, disgrace to the family, get out of here, how dare you desecrate my ancestors’ home...”

The sharp curses seemed intent on deafening everyone’s ears.

”Shut up!” Sirius reacted fastest, covering his ears, ran forward in quick strides, and grabbed the curtains on each side.

Seeing him, the lady turned pale.

But before she could speak, Sirius shrewdly pulled the curtains shut.

The cursing vanished, leaving an echoing silence.

”Looks like you’ve met my mother.” Sirius said with a bitter smile: ”She doesn’t like me, was sorted into Gryffindor, and after I ran away from home at sixteen, her dislike turned into hate.

But as long as you pass quietly, she won’t notice someone outside.”

”Didn’t expect it to be so lively here.” Kael said with a smile.

”I wouldn’t say so.” Sirius replied, ”Let’s move, quickly, before she wakes up again.”

Sirius led them through the hallway into a relatively clean room.

It was large, with an imposing round table in the middle, appeared to be the reception room.

”If you wish to study the box, do it here.” Sirius said, ”This house is protected by a Fidelius Charm, you can freely use any magic here, the Ministry of Magic won’t know whose it is. At most, they can reach Grimmauld Place and find it’s empty.”

”Box? What box?” Lupin asked, puzzled.

”Don’t ask me, Moonface.” Sirius rubbed his forehead, ”Honestly, my confusion exceeds yours.

Can you believe it? Kael wandered around the Lestrange estate and found a deeply hidden box... As effortlessly as retrieving bread from his own kitchen.”

Lupin looked baffled.

Then Kael really took out a box and placed it on the table.

”This was the Lestrange Family’s?”

”It used to be.” Kael said.

He didn’t explain much, just said to the two, ”If you choose to stay, remember to keep it confidential, no matter what happens later here, can’t be spoken. Including to Professor Dumbledore.”

”Of course.” Sirius nodded immediately, a subtle smile on his lips.

Though he still had many doubts, it didn’t matter... Gazing at Kael, he suddenly felt like he was back in student days.

Just like when they secretly made the Marauder’s Map... That feeling was incredibly nostalgic.

Lupin hesitated for a moment, but also nodded.

”Very well then, remember, keep it secret.” Kael laughed: ”Otherwise, I’ll beat Harry, you know, he can’t beat me.”