The possibility that House Salvius might truly be a surviving branch of the Slytherin family sent my thoughts into complete disarray. Although I had never considered the question before today, the more I reflected upon it, the more pieces seemed to fall into place. If Aurelian Thorne's account was genuine, then the Salvius family had preserved not only the journals of Salazar Slytherin but perhaps a direct bloodline stretching back to one of Hogwarts' founders.
Such a revelation would change far more than my family tree.
If House Salvius truly descended from Salazar Slytherin, then I would no longer need to carefully navigate the philosophies others had attached to his name over the centuries. Every discussion regarding Slytherin House, every argument about the Founder's intentions, and every misconception repeated by students and professors alike had always been based upon second-hand accounts. If the journals still existed within the Salvius vault, then they would represent the closest thing to Salazar's own words that remained in the wizarding world. In that case, I would not be relying upon speculation or ancient legends. I would possess the authority to speak on the Founder's ideals with evidence that very few people even knew existed.
The implications extended well beyond politics and history. Several mysteries hidden within Hogwarts itself suddenly appeared in a different light. If the bloodline had truly survived through House Salvius, then obstacles that had once seemed dangerous or impossible might instead become straightforward. Secrets that had remained untouched for centuries could perhaps be approached without repeating the mistakes that others, Tom Riddle included, had made.
Even so, excitement alone was not proof.
I had spent enough time criticizing historians for drawing conclusions without sufficient evidence that I refused to make the same mistake myself. A cleverly hidden Occamy within a family crest was an intriguing clue, but it remained only that—a clue. Before allowing myself to believe any of it, I needed to examine the records preserved within the Salvius vault and search the old manor during the summer holidays. If the journals Aurelian Thorne described truly existed, then the answers would almost certainly be waiting there.
With that thought in mind, I carefully closed the book and placed it upon my bedside table. The mystery of House Salvius would have to wait a little longer, for there were more immediate concerns demanding my attention. Final examinations were only a few weeks away, the contracts for sourcing potion ingredients from the Calder family still required final approval, and Blake and I had barely begun designing the first collection of projector discs that would eventually accompany our invention. Summer would arrive soon enough, and when it did, I intended to uncover whether the greatest secret hidden within my family's history was nothing more than an old legend... or the truth that history itself had forgotten.
Time passed quickly after that, and before I realized it, the examination period had arrived. The library became unusually crowded as students desperately attempted to memorize an entire year's worth of lessons in only a few days, while the common rooms remained lit late into the night by countless wands illuminating stacks of notes and textbooks. Fortunately, I had kept up with my studies throughout the year, so the exams themselves passed without much difficulty.
One by one, each paper came and went until, at last, we finished the final examination.
By the time dinner began that evening, the atmosphere inside the Great Hall had changed completely. The tension that had weighed upon the castle for the past two weeks had disappeared almost overnight, replaced by cheerful conversations as students excitedly discussed their plans for the summer holidays.
Blake and I had barely begun eating when an owl swooped down over the Slytherin table and gently dropped a sealed envelope onto her plate.
She frowned slightly before recognizing the Black family seal.
After opening the letter, her eyes quietly scanned its contents before she let out a soft sigh.
For a brief moment, I felt my heart tighten.
"You alright?" I asked.
She folded the letter and gave a small nod. "Yes. I was worried it might be about Grandfather."
Arcturus Black had been growing older, and although he remained remarkably healthy for his age, receiving an unexpected letter from home was never reassuring.
"It isn't Grandfather," she continued quietly. "My great-grandfather, Pollux Black, passed away this morning."
I offered my condolences, and she accepted them with a small nod. There was sadness in her expression, but not shock. Pollux belonged to the same generation as Arcturus and had reached an age where the family had long known this day would eventually come.
"The funeral is tomorrow," she said after a moment. "I'm expected to return home first thing in the morning."
"Do you want me to come with you?" I asked.
She smiled appreciatively before shaking her head.
"It's only for Black family members."
"I understand."
Finishing her meal, Blake rose from the table and walked toward the High Table where Professor Flitwick was speaking with Professor Sprout. Waiting patiently until their conversation ended, she politely asked if she could speak with him in his office for a few minutes.
Professor Flitwick immediately noticed the seriousness in her voice and agreed.
When they returned several minutes later, Blake resumed her seat beside me.
"He approved my early departure," she said. "According to the letter, Kreacher will arrive tomorrow morning to pick me up before breakfast."
I nodded in understanding.
There was little else to say. Funerals were family affairs, and although I knew the Blacks well enough to be welcomed into their home, this was not an occasion for outsiders.
Tomorrow, Blake would be returning to Black Manor alone.
A/N: What are your thoughts on Alastair joining the quidditch team?
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