We arrived at the study and settled into a pair of chairs opposite Ted's desk.
The room itself was exactly what I expected from a lawyer. Shelves filled with books lined the walls, while neatly organized files occupied every available cabinet. Unlike the grand libraries of old pureblood families, everything here felt practical rather than decorative.
Ted immediately shifted into professional mode.
The emotional reunion downstairs remained important, but years of legal practice had clearly taught him how to separate work from personal matters when necessary.
I explained the situation from the beginning.
The restoration of House Salvius' properties.
The shops in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
The villas scattered across Britain.
The notices Gringotts had already sent.
The tenants willing to negotiate.
And those who had ignored the notices entirely.
Ted listened without interrupting, occasionally jotting down notes while reviewing the documents Griphorn had prepared.
Several minutes passed in silence.
Eventually he pulled a blank sheet of parchment toward himself and began writing.
When he finished, two separate lists sat before him.
He tapped the first one.
"Alastair, I'm going to be honest with you."
"I know the Salvius name still carries considerable influence throughout magical Britain. More than most people realize, in fact."
His finger moved down the first list.
"These properties are recoverable. I'm confident we can either have them vacated and secure appropriate compensation. The occupants are either legally weak, politically vulnerable, or operating in areas where Ministry authority remains strong."
He pushed the list slightly toward me.
I quickly recognized several locations.
Most were situated near major magical population centers.
Several smaller settlements under direct Ministry oversight.
"The Salvius name will help here," Ted continued. "Many people would rather settle than risk attracting attention. Once they realize the family has returned and intends to actively manage its assets again, they'll likely cooperate."
That was encouraging.
Then Ted tapped the second list.
His expression became noticeably more serious.
"These are different."
I glanced down.
The names were fewer.
But significantly more troublesome.
"How different?"
Ted leaned back slightly.
"Possibly impossible."
That caught my attention.
He continued before I could respond.
"The farther you move away from the Ministry's direct sphere of influence, the more complicated things become. Magical Britain is smaller than people realize, but it is also far less centralized than most believe."
He tapped one of the locations.
"These territories have effectively been divided among local noble families and regional power structures for years."
His tone remained calm.
Matter-of-fact.
"The Salvius family hasn't actively managed many of these properties in over a decade. In some cases, longer."
I frowned.
"Surely ownership records still exist."
"They do."
Ted nodded.
"Legally, you're almost certainly correct."
Then he gave a helpless shrug.
"The problem isn't legality."
It rarely was.
"The problem is enforcement."
That sounded far more troublesome.
"Even Dumbledore couldn't solve some of these disputes," Ted said. "And before you misunderstand, it isn't because he lacks influence."
"Then why?"
A faint smile appeared on Ted's face.
"Because influence has limits."
He folded his hands together.
"Everyone knows Albus Dumbledore will move heaven and earth if Death Eaters become involved. If dark magic threatens Britain. If innocent lives are at risk."
His expression became thoughtful.
"But land disputes?"
He shook his head.
"Most people know he won't involve himself."
The explanation made sense.
Dumbledore's political capital wasn't infinite.
He spent it carefully.
"And the Ministry?"
Ted laughed.
Not mockingly.
Knowingly.
"The Ministry is made up of families, alliances, favors, and competing interests."
His finger tapped the second list again.
"The families occupying these properties know exactly how the game works. If one department pushes too hard, another department slows the process. If a vote is required, someone delays it. If an investigation begins, paperwork mysteriously disappears."
A familiar system.
Bureaucracy.
Wizarding Britain apparently hadn't escaped it either.
"The other noble families won't support you?"
"Some might privately."
Ted's smile became wry.
"Very few will do so publicly. The moment they help reclaim your properties, they create a precedent that could be used against their own holdings someday."
I nodded slowly.
Now I understood.
This wasn't a legal problem.
It was a political one.
And politics was always more difficult than law.
Ted seemed pleased I had reached the conclusion myself.
"Exactly."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Which means you have two options."
That immediately caught my attention.
"Only two?"
"Two practical ones."
The lawyer's smile widened.
"The first is patience."
I already disliked that option.
"And the second?"
Ted's eyes twinkled slightly.
"The same thing every successful noble family has used for centuries."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Influence."
I sat in thought for a few moments after Ted finished speaking.
Influence.
Or what people in my previous life would have called soft power.
Did I possess any?
Probably.
The Study Club had given me visibility within Hogwarts. The Salvius and Peverell names carried weight among the nobility. My relationship with several professors was positive, and I had already begun building connections among students who would one day occupy important positions throughout magical Britain.
That was influence.
The problem was that influence alone was often not enough.
What I lacked was strength.
Hard power.
The ability to enforce my interests when persuasion failed.
Right now, House Salvius existed mostly on paper. Wealth was plentiful, but wealth alone did not guarantee obedience. Not in magical Britain.
Not among noble families.
Eventually I pushed those thoughts aside.
That was a problem for the future.
"Alright," I said, looking back at Ted. "Thank you for explaining everything, Mr. Tonks."
I tapped the first list.
"Please begin procedures for the properties on this list. Recover what can be recovered and negotiate compensation where appropriate."
Ted nodded.
"I can do that."
"As for your fees, I'll have Griphorn contact you. Any questions regarding the properties can be directed to him."
Ted waved the concern away.
"We can discuss fees later."
Then he gave me a slightly amused look.
"Besides, you've already done more for this family than you realize."
His gaze drifted briefly toward the door leading back to the living room.
Toward Blake.
Toward Andromeda.
When he looked back at me, his expression softened.
"You may call me Uncle Ted from now on. You're Dora's friend, and more importantly, you brought Blake here."
I returned the smile.
"Alright, Uncle Ted."
For a moment, silence settled between us.
Then Ted pushed his chair back slightly.
"Shall we go join them?"
I was about to agree.
Then I paused.
"There is one more matter."
Ted noticed the change in my expression immediately.
The lawyer returned.
His eyes sharpened.
"What kind of matter?"
"The kind that should remain between us."
That got his attention.
Ted leaned back into his chair.
"What is it that requires so much secrecy?"
I hesitated briefly.
because the question I was about to ask carried consequences.
"What do you know about Sirius Black?"