Mikhail circled above the black surface of the lake, occasionally breathing fire downward or diving into the water before emerging again.
But after many repetitions, only shallow ripples echoed across the lake's surface before quickly subsiding.
"It seems that the Inferi have all been destroyed... or perhaps their rigid minds have finally learned to avoid danger."
Lupin said, turning his head to glance back.
Of Voldemort's Inferi guards, only Regulus remained, still struggling weakly and ineffectively.
"Sirius, Regulus he..."
"Burn it."
Sirius lowered his arm, not approaching his brother, and said coldly, "I'll bring the ashes to my insane mother."
Lupin looked at his face, almost as pale as an Inferius, and sighed helplessly.
"Sirius, don't be so childish."
"The war was over a decade ago. Regulus clearly realized his mistakes, even though he didn't have a chance to turn back..."
"If you dispose of his body so hastily, you'll surely regret it in the future."
"There's no shame in admitting you're sad about the death of your own brother, Sirius."
Sirius's lips quivered slightly. He cast a quick glance at the struggling Inferius on the ground and then looked away as though burned.
Though Sirius was considered a traitor and disgrace by the Black Family, and he himself sneered at them, he couldn't deny the closeness they once shared as brothers.
Before Sirius entered Gryffindor, Regulus idolized him, often sticking to him in a way that annoyed Sirius.
"Dumbledore—"
The coldness that Sirius had managed to muster softened on his face. He lowered his head, his fingers involuntarily tightening, and quietly pleaded:
"I remember there's a kind of Magic... capable of expelling the Necromancy from the Inferi, allowing the dead to rest in peace..."
It was an advanced and esoteric form of White Magic, requiring immense Magic Power, known only to Dumbledore among them.
In the past war, they only learned how to repel or even destroy these dangerous creatures, not considering them as their own kind, and they wouldn't expend their own power to provide dignity for the dead.
This was also because most of Voldemort's Inferi were made from murdered Muggles, and people barely considered that their own relatives might end up among the Inferi ranks.
However, now it had happened to Regulus.
Seeing his once obedient brother being used by the enemy even after death, despite barely speaking to each other later, Sirius still felt an extreme pain.
Faced with such a Sirius, Dumbledore would naturally not refuse his request.
"After everything is finished here, I'll expel the Necromancy for him."
Dumbledore said gently, "Sirius, accepting the loss of a loved one is a long and painful process. It's okay to be vulnerable, to cry, it's nothing to be ashamed of, and we're willing to provide any help you need."
"But I want to tell you, Regulus is surely in a better place now, free from pain and worries. One day, when you meet again in another world, I believe he'll welcome you with a smile."
...
Vid slowly walked along the narrow path by the lakeside, where nothing seemed amiss in the normal view. However, he saw green Magic Power slowly gliding, like a neatly queued line of small snakes.
Then Lupin saw Vid grasp something invisible in the air, pulling hard, and soon he heard the clinking sound of metal chains colliding.
Suddenly, a thick green bronze chain burst out from the water, striking at Vid like a venomous snake. Lupin raised his Magic Wand and waved it, forming an invisible barrier in front of Vid once more.
The chain thudded against it but didn't give up, standing erect before retreating slightly, then immediately attacking the two again.
"Clang!"
A Spell struck the chain from the side, and the chain seemed to lose its strength suddenly, falling to the ground, coiling around, pulling a small boat out of the lake.
The small boat emitted a green glow, quietly gliding toward the shore like a ghost in the night.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Lupin said.
Dumbledore nodded, saying, "I've made Regulus a bit calmer... Sirius is with him."
Vid turned back to look.
Sirius hadn't used a Lighting Charm, so Vid could only see a black silhouette, seemingly kneeling, or squatting, or appearing like a quietly crouching Black Dog.
Lupin had once mentioned that after returning from Azkaban, Sirius had become somewhat afraid of the dark. Though he always pretended to be unaffected, he couldn't fool the keen werewolf.
Vid turned his head.
Though unable to see that person's expression, he could empathize with the feeling of repeatedly losing loved ones.
With a "bang," the small boat bumped against the riverbank.
It was a very narrow boat, sharp at both ends, looking as though it could only carry one or two people.
"Vid, it seems you'll have to wait here for us."
Lupin turned to his student and said:
"I just discovered that we can't Apparate in here, perhaps taking this boat is the only way to reach the center of the lake."
"Professor Dumbledore and I will go first; you should stay with Sirius."
Before Vid could speak, Dumbledore spoke up first.