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Kreacher trembled like an aspen leaf in the wind. He trembled but tried his best to pretend that he was not at all scared. But I must admit - he was doing better than yesterday.

Sitting in the chair opposite Lady Walburga's portrait in Grimmauld House, I thought about a seemingly simple thing: the Slytherin locket. I wouldn't want to cause unnecessary questions from the portrait of this lady by blatantly and unreasonably ordering Kreacher to bring that trinket. And, frankly, I haven't quite figured out what to do with that locket yet. It would be a good idea to destroy it, and that's probably what I'll do. But now, or later? Well, that's thinking aside because Lady Walburga is already looking at me suspiciously. Even Kreacher disappeared on the sly. ​​

"Lady Walburga, I have some questions for you that we just absolutely must discuss."

"Well, Max, ask away," the lady lit her endless painted cigarette, sitting comfortably in an equally painted chair.

"As you might have guessed," I showed the ring of the Head, aka Lord. "I met Sirius and came to some sort of agreement about handing over the ring. He gave it up with incredible ease and even joy."

Walburga in the portrait only shook her head sadly.

"However, Sirius said that he didn't care about the ring. He had "already prepared some documents." What do you think it might be?"

Thoughtfully unaristocratic blowing rings of tobacco smoke, Lady Walburga pondered for a dozen seconds.

"A will or some other census of property. But there's nothing to worry about. The family's property cannot be transferred in this way. At least not without the consent of all its members, and the inheritance of a title within the family is not done that way at all. In this way, this traitor can only transfer his personal property. Similarly, Alphard transferred his house and savings to him."

"So, in fact, somebody could try to get consent out of me to transfer the family property to someone else?"

"Theoretically," Walburga nodded. "Then you should be doubly careful. The only thing that cannot be transferred in any way and that will remain inaccessible to anyone in the event of total extinction is this house and its contents. Of course, various small things can be taken out and sold, and things can be thrown away, donated. But that should be done by Black, not by anyone else, no matter how many rights he had. The last frontier, and it's not for sale."

"I see. What to do about Sirius?"

"What do you think?"

"In every possible way to distance myself."

"Right."

"Honestly, I was worried that you would disagree."

"I'm only a portrait, Max," Walburga smiled weakly. "I can certainly shout and express my opinion. Of course, I would like Sirius to improve, become wiser, and all that ... But you do realize that he can't be changed, don't you? Even if he got over himself and started to take over the family, it wouldn't be sincere, it would be without desire, and it would only make things worse. I would like to say that the hard times are over, but no. The crisis is over! Hard times are just coming, and the presence of such an unstable and unpredictable factor as Sirius can only make things worse."

"Is there any way to close off access to this house?

"Absolutely. Kreacher will do everything. You don't have to worry. But if you're interested, all the literature you need is in the library, and Kreacher will familiarize you with the mechanism for controlling the house's defenses. However, it's a complicated and time-consuming matter, and I'd recommend not wasting your time on it just yet."

"Good."

Kreacher appeared beside me with a clap, immediately materializing a table and arranging tea and cookies.

"Thank you," I nodded briefly. The house-elf, on the other hand, nestled unnoticed in a corner. He's trying to get used to my magic? I wonder, by the way, why was he afraid of me?

"Kreacher!" spoke Walburga sharply from the portrait. "Deny access to the house for everyone except Lord Black. And you, Max," already softer, in her usual tone, "get used to commanding this house-elf."

"All right, I understand. I still have questions. How can I prepare to meet Lady Greengrass?"

"Dress decently. By the way, you didn't tell me about the letter."

"Oh, nothing much. Lady Greengrass answered quickly and made an appointment at Avalon for tomorrow, for lunch."

"In Avalon?" pondered Walburga. "Take the money just in case, and be sure to pay attention to her left hand rings. If there is a ring of the Head, then the meeting is purely business, and she's paying. If not - you're like a young but gentleman."

"Is it even okay to wear such regalia but not show it?" I asked, sipping my hot tea, returning the cup to the table, and twirling the Blacks' ring on my finger.

"I've told you before that there happen to be times when the real Head of the family is not flaunted. There can be all sorts of reasons. I don't know the exact reasons for this in the Greengrass House, but judging from the papers Kreacher reads me, Delphine is still not flaunting the fact of her headship, everywhere pushing forward the tame husband-consort. Very few people know about it..."