Chapter 66: The Black Family's Transaction
Sirius Black was so distracted because he was worried about something else.
A few hours earlier, just as Draco had entered Harry's room, a heated conversation had taken place in the narrow, dark hallway on the first floor.
"Sirius, this place is a doghouse—" Narcissa looked around like an arrogant queen, and she wanted to hold her breath for fear of inhaling some harmful gas.
She took a look at the skinny, black-haired man in front of her, a mocking smile on her face. "The noble Black family has fallen to this state! I wonder if Aunt Woburga's soul will ever rest in peace when she sees the mansion she carefully cared for become so dilapidated and miserable."
"If you had heard her filthy curses, you wouldn't have worried about her soul." Sirius glanced quickly at the velvet curtains across the corridor. A low snoring sound seemed to come from under the curtains.
"She is indeed quite strong-willed and stubborn, and you have hurt her feelings." Narcissa understood.
"Enough of the nonsense. What is the purpose of the self-proclaimed noble Narcissa condescending to come to my kennel? You are not coming here specifically to discuss my mother's character, are you?" Sirius said bluntly. "Get straight to the point. What do you want?"
"I want to know the secret of how you didn't go crazy in Azkaban." Narcissa raised her delicate face and said briefly.
"I don't understand what you're talking about." Sirius gave her an enigmatic look.
"Don't play dumb. How have you been able to stay lucid for the past ten years? How did Peter Pettigrew escape? Bella, whose magical powers are no less powerful than yours, was tortured to the point of being half-crazy and half-awake; yet you are safe and sound. I don't believe you didn't use some tricks." Narcissa crossed her arms over her chest and paced back and forth in the porch in an imposing manner.
Sirius was stunned for a moment.
He laughed out loud, "So that's it! Is this your purpose?" He thought of the platinum-haired boy upstairs, who, like Harry, was an enemy of Peter Pettigrew.
How interesting that the person in the world who most wanted to know how Peter Pettigrew escaped Azkaban was in this house right now.
"What are you laughing at?" She stopped and glanced at him arrogantly.
"Yes, I do have a little trick." Sirius stared at her with his gray eyes, a tired smile on his face. "However, this is a life-saving method to avoid Dementors. I can't tell you for free. If you want to know this trick, you have to repay me."
Narcissa lowered her chin cautiously, knowing that Sirius often had some unexpected ideas.
"What do you want?"
"As you can see, I have been taking over the Black family fortune since I was released from prison. Many years ago, Bellatrix took something from me. Return it to her, and I will tell you." Sirius looked at her with a cunning look on his face.
"Is it that simple? What is this?" Narcissa did not let down her guard.
She believed that this was not something that could be easily obtained.
"A small golden cup. I believe it's kept in the Lestrange vault." His tone was casual, as if he was inviting Narcissa to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink.
"You're dreaming!" Narcissa said angrily.
Opening the Lestrange vault and taking things without asking? Bella wouldn't be happy about that.
"Great! Then no one will ever know how Peter Pettigrew escaped the Dementors' guards and ran away." Sirius played with his wand carelessly.
"Only Bella can open that vault." Narcissa pursed her lips, determined to refuse the request.
"Come on, I know you're her key keeper," Sirius said impatiently. "How many things have you sent to Azkaban for her over the years? Do you think I haven't noticed? I live next door to her!"
A crack appeared on Narcissa's delicate and calm face.
"My uncle must be very sad, right? The eldest daughter he loved the most was sent to Azkaban, and the rebellious second daughter made a big splash by eloping with the most despicable Muggle-born wizard in the Black family. Only you, the youngest daughter who obeys him the most, are willing to take care of him. And you, the honorable Mrs. Malfoy, have to lower your status and visit Narcissa in Azkaban from time to time..." He spoke to himself, not caring about the changes in Narcissa's expression at all, as if he was not exposing anyone's scars, but just chatting about the weather.
"What does this have to do with you?" Narcissa glared at him fiercely.
"Don't you like the Black family's gold mine in Peru? I'll transfer it to you. As long as you take out that golden cup and hand it over to me." Sirius softened his tone. He wiped the dust off his wand and said expressionlessly, "I will capture Peter Pettigrew and protect your precious son from danger."
"My son and your godson are very good friends! He even saved you and got you out of Azkaban. But you are threatening his mother and want to make a deal..." An expression of disbelief appeared on her arrogant face, and she looked at him with contempt in her blue eyes.
"Stop your show. The Black family doesn't care about family affection. They only care about positions and interests." Sirius sneered.
He thought of the Blake tapestry in the upstairs living room, where his name had been burned into a dark circular spot many years ago.
"Perhaps the person Peter Pettigrew wants to deal with is not my son, but your godson." Narcissa was silent for a long time, still not giving in, but putting on an air of pretending to be relaxed.
Draco was talking to Harry Potter at the moment, so maybe he had already gotten the information out of him.
"I know what you're thinking. I haven't told this secret to anyone, not even Harry. At least not now, and I can't guarantee the future. The only thing I can guarantee is that I will keep this secret until we reach a deal." Sirius seemed to see through Narcissa's thoughts and warned her.
"Aren't you afraid that your godson will die? Do you dare to take the risk?" She asked with a smile, thinking that his behavior was ridiculous.
"He's been lurking around Harry for two whole years, but he's never taken action." Sirius showed an indifferent look, hiding his worries in his heart. "I think Draco, who 'brought him to justice with just a casual remark', is more likely to arouse his hatred. Or, are you willing to take a risk?"
Narcissa glared at him hatefully, and he glared back at her fiercely.
"I remember that thing. The golden cup," Narcissa whispered finally. "It was enchanted with a fire charm and a duplication charm. It must have been something very important. Otherwise, you wouldn't have paid so much for it."
Sirius glanced at her, his expression suddenly becoming serious.
"What does this have to do with you? Your sister's crime is enough to send her to Azkaban for life. She has not been wrongly accused, and I believe you are well aware of this." He suddenly grinned at her and said maliciously, "I can swear to you that the thing does not belong to her, nor to the Lestrange family."
Narcissa's delicate brows furrowed deeply.
"I promise you. You tell me first what your trick is. I have to make sure that the value of this information is enough for me to take the risk." Narcissa's eyes wandered.
"It's a money-for-goods deal. I'll tell you when you bring the golden cup to me." Sirius rejected her mercilessly.
"Okay! I'll get it right away before I regret it. While I'm gone, clean up your doghouse! Also, tell Draco not to touch anything suspicious." Her nose wrinkled in annoyance, and she gave Sirius a cold look.
"As you wish." He said nonchalantly.
"You'd better keep your promise." She turned around angrily, and her black robe embroidered with exquisite dark patterns billowed in the deep corridor like a surging wave in the dusk.
When the door to the Black mansion finally closed, Sirius's calm expression instantly disappeared. He paced anxiously on the long, dark porch, trying to calm his breathing.
There must be something fishy about that golden cup.
The eleven years in Azkaban were eleven years of darkness.
But at the same time, many dark secrets were no longer secrets here. When he finally regained his life and breathed the air of freedom, during countless mentally numb nights, some impressive fragments suddenly woke up from his mind.
His cell was next to Bellatrix's, and he would sometimes hear her swearing and threatening wildly when the Dementors were in a state of ecstasy and torment.
"My master's golden cup, I keep it in my care... As long as it's here, he won't die, and he will definitely come back to find me..."
The Dementors were busy feeding on the prisoners' joy and paid no attention to their crazy words. When wizards occasionally came to inspect, Bella's mouth was tightly shut and she said nothing about the golden cup.
He had thought she was talking nonsense. How many prisoners in Azkaban were not mentally ill?
But a madman will occasionally tell the truth, and a firm confidence will occasionally flash in her crazy eyes, which is very worrying.
Wizards only know that the torture of Dementors will dig out the deepest darkness in people's hearts. Few people understand that many real and vague memories will be infinitely magnified in the process and become extremely clear.
Sirius knew, because he had experienced it firsthand.
Bellatrix's Occlumency was so strong that she could have taken the secret to her grave, but nothing could compare to the impact of the Dementors.
The only question is, is this her crazy imagination, or is it true?
——With this feeling, he tested Narcissa, but he didn't expect that the golden cup was a real object.
Even if there was a spark that could help Voldemort return, he would extinguish it. The cup must be obtained, no matter the cost. Sirius looked gloomily at the door, a look of determination on his haggard face.
"Sirius!" The voice of his godson Harry called out, bringing him back to his senses. Sirius came to realize that they were sitting in the spotless basement restaurant.
All the silver cutlery was polished to a gleaming shine, and the porcelain cups, plates and bowls were so clean that they could even be used as mirrors.
A pile of delicious dishes were neatly placed on the long wooden dining table: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, roast potatoes... At the end of the table were apple pie, chocolate sponge cake, fried jam donuts and rice pudding.
The house-elf Dobby had found a brand new snow-white chef's uniform from somewhere, and even wore a tall chef's hat on his head. He was standing by the dining table, watching them attentively with an expression on his face.
"Dobby, you're so capable!" Harry was very surprised and grinned. "Why don't you come and sit down and eat with us?"
Dobby looked surprised. He bowed and said with tears in his eyes, "Oh, great Harry Potter! Your praise is the greatest reward for Dobby! Dobby never thought that he could eat at the same table with Harry Potter! This is too heavy for Dobby, and Dobby cannot accept it yet..." He blew his nose, and with a loud "pop", he suddenly disappeared.
"You scared it away." Draco reluctantly put down the book - the one Sirius used to pat the silverware, "Born Noble: A Wizarding Genealogy". He took a last look at the Peverell symbol drawn on the book: a vertical line, a triangle and a circle.
Harry didn't pay attention to the book Draco was reading. He was just confused by Dobby's behavior. "I just asked him to come to dinner, and he acted like he was offended..."
"House-elves are like that. They're used to serving wizarding families. They're ashamed of enjoying themselves." Sirius casually cut into a large steak, his posture somewhat elegant, reminding Draco of his mother. "Look at Kreacher. Even though my mother has been dead for many years, he's still loyal to her."
"Why not let him leave?" Harry asked. He had heard Dobby say that house-elves could leave wizarding families by giving them clothes.
"He knows too many secrets of the Black family. I can't just let him leave like this." Sirius took a sip of his wine gloomily and said sarcastically, "Besides, he doesn't want to leave. His greatest wish is to become a 'glorious' ornament on the Black family wall after his death, just like his ancestors."
Draco and Harry exchanged a glance, and both thought of the row of hideous house-elf heads lining the staircase wall.
"That's too bloody," Harry muttered as he took a bite of the sizzling sausage.
"You are as kind-hearted as your mother." Sirius smiled at him faintly.
"Harry's mother was very popular at Hogwarts when she was a student, right?" Draco asked casually.
"Of course. Lily Evans was the most popular girl at Hogwarts back then." Sirius shook the whiskey with ice cubes floating on it, still thinking about the origin of the golden cup.
"I heard that she and Professor Snape were childhood friends." Draco said casually.
Plop! A large piece of turkey fell from Harry's mouth onto his plate, and he looked at Draco in surprise.
"Snotlout? That greasy little bat? I'm curious how someone like him can still be a professor... He deserves to be dumped." Sirius stopped his knife and fork and said contemptuously, "Do you know what he called Lily, Mudblood?"
"I bet he regrets this deeply." Draco said as if no one was around, seemingly unaware of Harry's stunned expression, and just poured Sirius some more wine.
Sirius Black, whatever he was thinking, was undoubtedly in a rare trance. And he clearly knew Professor Snape, regardless of whether his words were biased or not. This was the perfect opportunity for Draco to study Professor Snape, perhaps even uncovering the motives and thoughts behind some of Snape's actions.
"Of course he came back crying and begging Lily to forgive him, begging for mercy. But Lily was heartbroken by him." Sirius said gloatingly, "If it were me, I wouldn't forgive him either."
Draco saw a look of astonishment come across Harry's face.
"I bet he really dislikes you, doesn't he?" Sirius suddenly tilted his head and asked his godson in an elegant manner. Even after spending so much time in Azkaban, his every move still had a sense of nobility.
Harry nodded silently at his godfather's startling words.
"He hates your father. And you look just like him. Only your eyes are like your mother's." Sirius said defiantly, patting his godson's shoulder. "Don't be afraid of him. Next time he annoys you, tell me. I'll support you."
Harry agreed hesitantly with a dazed look on his face.
Draco hadn't wanted to ask about this so openly, but the opportunity was rare, and if he didn't ask now, he didn't know when he would see Sirius Black again.
His words gave Draco further evidence - Professor Snape liked Harry's mother very much, or at least he had liked her very much in the past, and he had done something stupid and lost Lily Evans' favor.
When they finished their afternoon tea, Narcissa finally came back, looking pale and holding a package that seemed to contain something round.
Harry and Draco's voices could be heard faintly from the third floor. They were directing Dobby to clean up a bedroom full of clutter, while Sirius led Narcissa into the living room on the second floor.
"That's quite decent." Narcissa looked around at the clean windows and tables, and finally decided to sit down.
"Where's the stuff?" Sirius asked warily.
Narcissa waved her wand, and the living room door slammed shut.
There was still some dust flying behind the door.
It seems that the cleaning is not thorough enough, Narcissa thought.
"Here it is," she said, frowning and shaking the package in her hand seriously.
He pushed a signed parchment towards Narcissa, asking her to check its authenticity.
"No problem." She said after looking at it for a long time.
Sirius reached out to take the package, but Narcissa's hand moved it towards her.
"Tell me." She looked at him steadily.
"This is just my guess, but I think it's pretty close..." he said uneasily.
"Tell me," she said sternly.
"He's an Animagus." A complex smile appeared on Sirius's handsome and numb face.
"Of course I know he's an Animagus," Narcissa said impatiently. "Every wizard knows that he was captured by my son while in the form of a rat."
"Isn't it obvious? Use your fancy head to think about it!" Sirius said in an even more impatient tone, "Let me remind you that Dementors are only interested in human emotions and thoughts, not the thoughts of a mouse!"
Narcissa was stunned for a long moment. Her eyes changed from impatience to confusion, and then to understanding.
"I've been honest with you," Sirius said to her bluntly. "Give it to me!"
Narcissa's face was frozen as she silently opened the briefcase in her hand. A pure gold cup appeared before them. The cup had two finely processed pure gold handles and some exquisite carvings on the cup.
"Don't tell anyone what happened today." Narcissa gave him a warning look, put the transfer agreement into her bag, and went upstairs to find her beloved son Draco without looking back.