Chapter 245: The Pin-Up Posters
What does war bring?
Just look at the two students in front of him, who, despite their young age, had already seen so much.
Lockhart had thought Lupin was quite jaded and world-weary, but when compared to Sirius, he unexpectedly seemed a bit more vigorous, calm, and composed.
They were only in their thirties, yet it was as if they had seen a thousand ships, only to return with shattered hearts.
Lockhart did not get involved in the two old friends' reunion, taking his apprentice Percy aside to continue their private lessons.
From the beginning of last year, with the theoretical teachings and practice of "Fairy Tale Adventure," he now needed to begin tailoring his instruction to the specific characteristics of each member of the Duelling Club.
It was in the course of these "advanced classes" and discussions that Lockhart felt a sense of destiny, realizing why Percy was destined to be one of his two great apprentices.
He was even surprised himself that Percy was quite possibly the apprentice most suited to the "Fairy Tale Adventure" theory.
"You'll be graduating in half a year. Since you have already chosen your future path and are determined to run the 'Quidditch Duelling Club,' I will take you to see more of the world from now on."
Lockhart very seriously talked to Percy about the magical and mundane realities of this.
From a magical perspective, greater social engagement would lead to a richer "wizarding life" and, in turn, bring about more challenges. This, without a doubt, was the "adventurous life."
You must accept it, welcome the challenges, and then expect magic to bloom naturally.
This was the biggest difference between "scrambling for a living in the world" and "walking into a Fairy Tale Adventure."
"You must never forget the importance of magic!"
Lockhart warned him. "I know you'll be under pressure, and you might choose to compromise to ease the most difficult situations, but remember, when a predicament arises, think about the magic first!"
Percy was a very smart person, he just sometimes couldn't see the full picture.
"I think I've already talked to you about the 'social side' of things when I taught you 'bloodline magic'—" Lockhart looked back at Lupin and Sirius in the distance, and whispered, "Never forget that you are a member of the Weasley family. Someone else forgot, and they paid a terrible price. Don't be like him!"
Percy's expression became strange.
He was clearly a bit troubled by this, and he lowered his voice, saying quietly, "My mother really hopes that I can get a job at the Ministry of Magic. I've worked so hard for it, but I haven't told her that even with good grades, it's still proving to be very difficult for me to get in."
This difficulty stemmed from his background—the Weasley family.
Hogwarts wasn't just a simple ivory tower; it was a microcosm of wizarding society. The way Percy was antagonized by the Slytherins at school was a reflection of the difficulties he would face at the Ministry.
"I've looked into the cases of past outstanding students. By all accounts, with my grades, I should have already been involved in many department activities before I even graduated, but I can feel that some kind of resistance is holding me back."
Percy was never modest in front of Professor Lockhart because the professor had asked him to accurately describe his own situation. He had to be factual, not talk nonsense.
"The Weasley family is excluded by all the other 'Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood families.' Minister Fudge and Undersecretary Umbridge are very wary of me, and even Scrimgeour from the Auror Office doesn't seem to like me."
He was clearly troubled.
"I know it's because the Weasley family betrayed the pure-blood cause, that we've embraced Muggles and are called 'blood traitors,' but it's strange. The pro-Muggle faction doesn't seem to accept me either."
Percy had thought Minister Fudge was on his side earlier.
Once, when he was at the Ministry with his father to take care of some paperwork, he saw Minister Fudge come over and greet them so warmly and affectionately.
But when he wrote to Minister Fudge, hoping to do some work at the Ministry while still a student, he was always met with countless excuses.
Lockhart chuckled. "Are you really 'blood traitors?' Percy, tell me, which one of your family members has Muggle blood?"
Percy thought about it, and then he suddenly gasped.
In fact… it seemed…
The Weasley family, who were constantly being called 'blood traitors,' had apparently maintained the most traditional strategy of intermarriage with other pure-blood wizards.
Percy's mother, Molly Weasley, came from the Prewett family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
Looking further back in the family tree, every single wizard seemed to be pure-blood.
In fact, it was even more so; Lockhart knew that of the seven Weasley children, it seemed only Ron married a Muggle-born witch.
"This world is so complex, Percy."
Lockhart didn't want to talk too much about the Weasley family. After all, he wasn't a member himself, and he could only guess at many things from an outsider's perspective. He didn't know the whole truth. If Percy was truly interested, he could think it through himself or ask his father, Arthur. He would eventually find his own answer.
"This is what I mean by 'social side.' You have to find your place, and it will help you understand how to face the 'adventures' that life brings."
Saying this, Lockhart proudly clapped the student on the shoulder. "Of course, never forget one thing: besides being a member of the Weasley family, you are also a student of Gilderoy Lockhart!"
Percy's expression became serious. "I will not bring shame to your honor!"
Lockhart nodded, more than satisfied with the Percy in front of him. "Remember this: no matter whether the 'Quidditch Duelling' club you run is for gaining more social status or, as some people say, for building a so-called 'wizarding army' in this tense situation—"
His gaze was intense. "You must understand that all of this isn't for gaining status, it's for enriching your social experience, and for giving you more opportunities to touch a more powerful magic. The future of a wizard will always be magic!"
As long as the root isn't crooked, everything will be set straight.
Because of the magic of blood and love, Percy would not abandon his family. Because of his commitment to magic, Percy would not lose his way in the wizarding world for the sake of profit. In the end, all great power belongs to the one, and magic is the foundation.
If he forgot this, no matter how great his achievements, Percy would only become a second Fudge.
A Fudge that everyone looked down upon.
Just as the master and apprentice were having their heart-to-heart, a quarrel suddenly erupted in the distance, causing both of them to look towards Sirius and Lupin.
Then their expressions became incredibly strange.
Lockhart tried his best to keep a straight face, not to laugh.
What was he seeing!
Merlin's embroidered underpants, this was too good!
He saw Kreacher the house-elf pointing and scolding Sirius, as if scolding a grandson. And Sirius was just clenching his fists and panting, not fighting back.
This was rare.
This was truly rare!
"From now on you are no longer Master Sirius! You are now my master! You are the only male heir of the Black family, and you must take on the family's responsibilities. You must be responsible for the Black family, otherwise, you can get out of the Black family!"
Kreacher, who had found a perfectly fitting house-elf's butler suit from somewhere, had made himself look neat and tidy. He no longer resembled the "grieving widow" from before.
His expression was as serious as could be.
"Master! According to the Black family's rules, you must follow my arrangements and choose a suitable witch to continue the family bloodline!"
"This is the first step to restoring the family's glory. Without a mistress and without a successor, you are not worthy of my respect!"
"You cannot command me to stop this. This is the rule of the Black family, and it is a higher authority than your command, Master!"
Kreacher shook a long list that reached the floor. He looked at the names on it, and then looked at Sirius with a scrutinizing gaze.
"If you betray the family in this matter, it means the family's continuation will end with you. I have the right to disown you from the family again!"
"And then throw you out of this house!"
"Don't think Dumbledore can help you; I will have the Ministry of Magic carry out the eviction!"
Sirius looked at Lupin in despair for help, but Lupin was only curiously looking out the window as if something amazing was happening out there.
The scene in front of them was so surreal that Lockhart and Percy were stunned.
Percy asked quietly, "I used to think house-elves were just slaves. Do they really have this kind of right?"
Lockhart spread his hands. "I don't know everything."
But one thing was certain: Kreacher's loyalty was to the Black family, not to Sirius, the only male heir. There was a clear disconnect there.
It was too funny.
He never thought there would be such an interesting rule within an ancient pure-blood family.
Wow, a house-elf forcing Sirius to get married and go on blind dates. This spectacle was well worth the price of admission.
"Damn it, you bloody mutt! What right do you have to make me do such a thing!" Sirius looked like he was about to explode.
Kreacher completely ignored him, just looked down at the list in his hand, and read out, "Tessa Ollivander, five years older than you, from the Ollivander family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood families, divorced with no children…"
"Gwyneth Slughorn, four years younger than you, from the Slughorn family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood families, unmarried…"
Sirius finally couldn't take it anymore. He lunged forward, snatched the list from Kreacher's hands, and tore it to shreds, yelling at him, "To hell with the Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood families! There's no such thing as sacred blood in this world, you understand?!"
Kreacher just looked at him with an indifferent expression. "I have already done my best to select families that haven't shown a tendency to side with the Dark Lord."
He had truly tried his best to consider Sirius's feelings. He had really tried his best to make this happen.
Was it easy for a dull-witted house-elf, an aging house-elf that could die at any moment?
"Get out!" Sirius roared.
Kreacher sniffled, thought for a moment, and then disappeared with a pop.
"Damn it, damn it! I'm going to tell Dumbledore to find a different place! We shouldn't have chosen this one! It's full of bad omens, and I don't want to stay here for a second longer!" Sirius grumbled.
Lupin sighed. "Brother, I suggest you don't do that. Even if you can't show your worth, at least don't cause Dumbledore more trouble."
"Worth?" Sirius's voice rose significantly.
Lupin was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Brother, please stop being so self-centered, alright? Of course, Dumbledore won't demand your worth, but what about the others in the Order? Everyone is watching!"
Sirius fell silent, looking at the shredded pieces on the floor with a complex expression.
Lupin's gaze was profound as he looked at Sirius. He sometimes had strange thoughts that maybe Sirius liked Lily, or perhaps even… James.
Some things were truly hard to say.
He only hoped his brother would grow up and mature after everything that had happened. "Think about your godson, James and Lily's son, Harry. He's waiting for you to take care of him. Are you willing to lose Harry?"
Sirius's face became anxious, and his enraged expression turned powerless.
"Harry is very unhappy at his relatives' house. Even though he has clothes, food, and they send him to school, he has never felt loved. The Dursleys are willing to take on the responsibility of raising him, but they don't love him at all—"
"Sirius, you can't let everyone down again."
Lupin's expression was incredibly serious.
Sirius finally gave in. His life had never had a moment of compromise, but now he had.
Once a person has a weakness, they are no longer invincible.
The rebellious Sirius, unable to abandon Harry, had finally turned from a wolf into a dog.
Pop!
With a small bang, Kreacher reappeared.
Sirius opened his mouth, wanting to say with a defeated tone, Just find me any woman, I don't care.
But he saw Kreacher holding up a few Muggle pin-up posters of women in swimsuits. The girls in the posters were all smoking hot, and one was even straddling a motorcycle, looking incredibly wild.
Sirius's eyes went wide.
His face turned red, and he completely lost it, roaring as he lunged forward, but Lupin, once again, anticipated him and grabbed him.
"You damn creature!" Sirius roared. "Who told you to go into my room!!!"
Translator's Note: The detail about Sirius's room having Muggle pin-up posters is from the original Harry Potter books.
Kreacher was completely unbothered. He just held up the posters and looked at Sirius. "For the continuation of the family, Kreacher is willing to make a compromise. If you like Muggles, I can contact other house-elves to inquire and find a suitable Muggle woman from a Muggle-born wizarding family. I know that Muggle women who have had contact with the wizarding world would be more eager—"
He hadn't even finished speaking when Sirius, having broken free from Lupin's hold, kicked him away.
The hot pin-up posters fluttered to the ground.
Sirius was so mortified he didn't dare look at anyone else.
Lupin, with a strange expression, helped Kreacher up, and he, Lockhart, and Percy all curiously looked at the posters.
"Whoa~~~" they said in unison.
Sirius wished he could find a hole to crawl into!
Damn it!
Damn Kreacher!
Damn his wild youth!
For a moment, the air was filled with a deathly, eerie silence.
Just as everyone was awkwardly wondering what to say next, there was a sudden knock at the door, and Professor McGonagall's voice came from outside, "Potter, this is Sirius's home now."
Sirius immediately ran over, grabbed the posters from the ground, and shoved them into his pocket. He glared fiercely at Kreacher. "Shut your mouth, understand?"
Kreacher just looked at him with an indifferent gaze. "Kreacher is only doing what he should be doing!"
"Damn it, damn it!!!" Sirius heard the knocking at the door become more urgent and finally gave in. "I promise, alright? Just don't mention this in front of anyone else, especially Dumbledore, understand!"
Kreacher finally smiled, bowing respectfully to Sirius. "Yes, my master."
Sirius grumbled angrily under his breath, "I'd rather you weren't my master! Hmph!"