We Brought It All on Ourselves / What a Black Family~ ...

Ouch!

The dream replay after their return, the conversation between Harry and Rowena, and it seems that they parted on bad terms.

He didn't know which of his words had offended the witch; perhaps it was the irony of mentioning "a wise woman like her"?

In short, Rowena stabbed him hard before muting her microphone.

Even so, she still left an important message for Harry in her diary.

' The Deathly Hallows have appeared in the Limbo. I can't control them; it must be a power only you can wield.'

"The Deathly Hallows?" Harry frowned as he closed the diary.

Recalling the excruciating pain when he traveled back in time, could it be that Death had stuffed all three Deathly Hallows into his body back then?

What on earth is this thing trying to do?

Regarding Death's purpose, although it encouraged Harry to make bold guesses, even with the most daring speculations, Harry remained unwilling to accept that possibility.

Just kidding, being human is so colorful and interesting, why would he want to become a skeleton without flesh and blood?

Moreover, Harry always felt that these so-called opportunities that seemed to come to him so eagerly were definitely not for anything good.

Free things are always the most expensive; this rule basically applies throughout the entire universe.

In short, at this stage, Harry really doesn't have any fondness for Death.

However, if we're just talking about the Deathly Hallows remaining in the Limbo, then this could be considered a good thing.

At least when he finally faces Voldemort in the future, he won't have to worry about not having a suitable weapon.

And speaking of facing Voldemort...

Harry realized he had something else he needed to discuss with Sirius.

(P. S. I'm starting to write the main story today, but I've also decided to update the side stories along with it. I'm keeping both the main and side stories the same for now, because I'm afraid my train of thought will get scattered if I stop. So today it's 2+1: two chapters of the main story and one chapter of the side story. This is the first chapter~)

Chapter 818 We brought that on ourselves.

Upon returning to his own timeline, Harry, still reeling from the time difference of the consecutive travels, immediately went to Sirius and explained his concerns.

However, to Harry's surprise, Sirius, who was always short-tempered, did not fly into a rage as he expected and immediately go to cause trouble for Kreacher.

"Harry, I think your worries are a bit excessive," Sirius said nonchalantly. "Even if Narcissa Malfoy really did side with Voldemort and actually wanted to get close to me, Kreacher might not necessarily conspire with her. After all, this is our own timeline, different from what you've experienced before."

Sirius seemed somewhat skeptical that something like what happened in the original story would occur, because he had never said anything about kicking Kreacher out of the house, and the master and servant were actually getting along quite well now, at least they no longer had the kind of hatred they once felt for each other.

However, Harry still felt that Sirius might be being a bit too optimistic.

"Godfather, one should always be wary of others, and haven't I reminded you before... no matter how much your relationship with Kreacher improves, his belief in Pure-blood remains deeply ingrained. In this respect, he is a natural ally of Narcissa Malfoy and the other Death Eater! No matter how good you are to him, no matter how much harm Voldemort has caused him, he is very likely to rejoin the other side!"

Harry tried to persuade his godfather with great earnestness, thinking that at least a few more prohibitions should be imposed on this House-elf who might be colluding with outsiders, but Sirius just shook his head indifferently.

"Godfather, what are you thinking?" Harry frowned at the sight. "Or have you already figured it out?"

"Ha... Harry, you're too good at reading people's minds. If you keep doing this, no one will want to talk to you in the future."

Sirius shook his head and gave a bitter smile. The conflicted and dejected expression on his face was something he hadn't seen in a long time.

"I actually witnessed Kreacher's meeting with Narcissa Malfoy, but I just didn't plan to mention it before..."

After hearing Sirius's account, Harry realized that Kreacher and Narcissa Malfoy had indeed had private contact!

Now, thanks to Harry's involvement, Sirius's relationship with Kreacher is indeed not as treacherous as in the 'original story'. In addition to giving Kreacher enough respect, he also gives the House-elf a great deal of freedom, allowing him to do what he likes.

As mentioned before, in order to subtly reverse Kreacher's morbid pursuit of Pure-blood, Harry arranged for him to work in his retirement home, hoping to exert influence on Kreacher through the House-elf who were beginning to be liberated.

In addition, Sirius granted Kreacher the right to move around freely outside of work.

Kreacher's most frequent activity during his free time was visiting Regulus's grave.

He would always keep his young master's tombstone spotless, then kneel there and talk to Regulus's tombstone for a long time.

Sirius was secretly observing Kreacher's actions when he inadvertently discovered that Narcissa Malfoy had also visited the Black family cemetery and had a pleasant conversation with Kreacher there.

"They were bringing up things from the past, like when Narcissa Malfoy still lived in the old house, and the Black family's life back then... At first, I thought it was just simple reminiscence, but now it seems they were really after me..."

"Then we should keep him in check!" Harry hurriedly advised Sirius. "Godfather, Kreacher is bound by the rules of House-elf and cannot reveal any of our secrets to Narcissa Malfoy. She must know this too. The only reason she's trying to get close to Kreacher is to scheme against you, to make you Voldemort's pawn in my scheme!"

"I know, but... he was really happy then," Sirius said in a hoarse voice.

"Godfather!"

"Harry, I'm not Regulus ... I hate Kreacher, I hate my mother, I hate my family, I still do." Sirius sighed softly. "Kreacher can sense that, so even if our relationship has improved now, he'll still see me as Pure-blood traitor and will never truly open up to me. It might be a good thing for him to talk to Narcissa Malfoy about trivial things; at least it makes him a little happier."

"Godfather, Kreacher is just a simple House-elf. He can only judge whether others are good to him or not; he has no sense of right or wrong at all! No matter how good you are to him, he will never know if you don't show it! Besides... even if you show it all, you will never be as important to him as Regulus or those two married Black family daughters!"

Harry stared at Sirius and warned him, enunciating each word clearly. "What if he not only doesn't appreciate it but also betrays you? Wouldn't that give Voldemort an opportunity?!"

"Yes, that could indeed happen." Sirius chuckled and nodded. "But Harry, you can't leave Voldemort no chance at all. Our defenses are too strong. If we don't deliberately create an opening, how can Voldemort and his men willingly fall into our trap? Didn't you use a similar method when you dealt with the Ministry of Magic?"

"I can't possibly use you as bait! Besides, this is completely different from dealing with the Ministry of Magic!" Harry objected urgently. "Albus Dumbledore only wants to deal with me, but Voldemort wants to kill us all! In short, I definitely won't let you take that risk! In my opinion, we should just take Kreacher into custody now, even if it leaks out!"

"That would really be stirring up trouble," Sirius shook his head. "Besides, Kreacher could very well be one of their decoys; they might still be planning to target Hermione, who's participating in the competition."

"This..."

"Harry, you really don't need to worry too much about this. Whether Voldemort is trying to scheme against me or Hermione, his ultimate target will definitely be you. So even if something unexpected happens, those of us who are being schemed against will at least be safe for the time being." Sirius patted Harry on the shoulder with a smile. "So what you need to do now is to quickly get some rest and stay calm. As long as you're alright, we'll all be alright! As for Kreacher, I'll handle that myself."

"But Godfather, have you considered... if you don't handle this properly, not only will you be in danger, but you might also harm Kreacher at the same time?"

Harry questioned in a low voice, as if he had already foreseen the outcome...

"But we brought that on ourselves, didn't we?"

Sirius gave a cold laugh, clearly having already made his decision.

Chapter 819 What a fine Black family!

12 Grimmauld Place, London, the Black family's old residence...

Sirius couldn't quite remember how long it had been since he'd been back here.

It seems that Harry has rarely come back to live here since his nursing home opened.

At the nursing home, he often saw his godson, as well as many like-minded friends like Moony and Corvus. In his spare time, he could also stroll around Hogsmeade Village and even the Hogwarts campus...

Although I recently have a very clingy girl by my side, my overall life is still comfortable and pleasant.

Compared to his old house, perhaps the Home Retirement Home he lives in now feels more like his home.

Sirius returned to the old house to wait for Kreacher.

After finishing their work at the nursing home each day, the House-elf would go to pay respects at Regulus's grave, then return to the old house to tidy up. They would sleep there at night and then rush to the nursing home to work the next morning.

Right now, Kreacher should be mourning at the Black family cemetery... I wonder if he's ever seen Narcissa Malfoy again.

"Perhaps it's not just in the cemetery, but even this old house has been visited by outsiders, haven't you? Don't you think so, my dear mother?"

At the end of the corridor on the first floor of the old house, Sirius pulled back the heavy velvet curtain and gave a cold smile to the figure on the wall that seemed to be asleep but was actually awake.

"Outsider? Damn it, aren't you the only outsider here? You traitor who betrayed your family, you wicked son who tarnished the glory of the Pure-blood, how dare you return here, let alone appear before me?!"

The moment the elderly witch in the painting opened her eyes, she began to lash out at Sirius, hurling insults and accusations. If it weren't for the frame, she would have smashed her hat directly into Sirius's face.

"If I could, I certainly wouldn't want to come back here... but I'm burdened with this stubborn surname." Sirius chuckled self-deprecatingly, then asked in a hoarse voice, "Mom, how have you been lately? When Kreacher isn't around, do you feel bored? Have you thought about talking to any other friends?"

"You... get out! You damned brat, get as far away as you can right now, and never set foot in this house again!! The noble and pure Blake is being disgraced because of you, get out of here, get out of this house!!!"

Well, Sirius thought his mother had completely gone mad.

But what could he do? If he hadn't run away from that house back then, he would probably be the one who went mad now.

Moreover, Sirius now truly grateful to his godson; the boy is adept at healing the wounds of those around him. At least compared to what Harry has experienced, Sirius feels that his own experiences seem insignificant.

He can now calmly deal with the insults from his mother.

"I understand, dear Mother." Sirius smiled and pulled the velvet curtains back up. "It's so good to see you so energetic."

"Get out! I don't want to see you, you unfilial son!! You'd better die anywhere, but definitely not in this house, lest you continue to tarnish the honor of the Black family!!!"

The loud insults behind him continued, but Sirius simply shrugged indifferently, turned around, and went upstairs.

Instead of returning to his own room, he went into the opposite room and sat quietly in Regulus's room, waiting.

A moment later, Regulus's door was suddenly pushed open, and a panting House-elf appeared in the doorway.

"Um... Young Master."

Although he was extremely flustered, Kreacher still reflexively bowed to Sirius.

"Your mother told you, didn't she?" Sirius asked with a half-smile. "She said that I, this unfilial son, suddenly came home and even ran upstairs, and she doesn't know what I'm up to, right?"

"Uh... yes." Kreacher could only answer Sirius's question truthfully.

He was extremely nervous because he had a guilty conscience and had been deliberately avoiding contact with Sirius.

But now that this young master has entered Regulus's room, Kreacher has no choice but to rush over and check.

In his mind, everything in Regulus's room was like a sacred object, something that no one was allowed to touch, not even Sirius!

Although Kreacher knew he had no way to stop Sirius's actions, that didn't stop him from thinking that way.

"I don't have anything important to do, I just suddenly wanted to come back and visit." Sirius smiled nonchalantly. "Kreacher, how do you feel about life now?"

"Kreacher thinks it's wonderful!" the House-elf immediately responded excitedly. "Being able to visit Master Regulus's grave every day, to see Master Regulus every day, Kreacher is truly happy! Uh... Kreacher also very grateful to you, young master, for giving Kreacher this opportunity."

"You should thank Harry more. Don't forget it was him who found Regulus's body, and he also helped you find that locket!" Sirius said, glancing at the locket around Kreacher's neck.

"Yes, Kreacher is also very grateful... Young Master Granger." Kreacher quickly nodded in response.

"Never mind, I didn't come here to ask for your thanks." Sirius shook his head. "Kreacher, don't you like working at the nursing home?"

"This..."

"Go ahead and ask. I was just asking."

"For Kreacher, work is work, there's no like or dislike about it. It's just..." Kreacher hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, "It's just that, apart from Mr. Crouch's Winky, Kreacher doesn't really like other House-elf."

"Oh, alright."

Sirius sighed softly; he wasn't surprised at all by this answer.

Harry had always said that he should be patient with Kreacher, and even thought that other House-elf could subtly influence his thinking... But now it seems that this was really wishful thinking.

Some ideas are deeply ingrained, and some people are simply unrepentant!

"Oh, right... I have something else." As he got up to leave, Sirius seemed to remember something. "Kreacher, have you encountered any strangers lately while visiting graves or on your way home?"

"Outsider... outsiders?" Kreacher's face showed obvious hesitation, but he ultimately shook his head. "No... Kreacher hasn't encountered any... outsiders recently."

"Okay, I understand. Go ahead and do your own thing." Sirius shook his head slightly, then ignored the anxious House-elf and left the Black family alone.

Yes, strictly speaking, Kreacher didn't deceive him; he just used his old tricks to find loopholes in his words.

Even though Narcissa Malfoy was married, in Kreacher's eyes, she was still the third daughter of the Black family, so of course she wasn't an outsider.

That's great...

She had to contend with a cunning old servant who kept secrets from her, a cousin who used her to help Voldemort plot against his godson, and a mother who wished she were dead outside...

What a fine Black family!

Chapter 820 So what exactly is she after?

Sirius ultimately did not confront Kreacher directly, nor did he take any action; instead, he chose to continue to let things slide.

He felt it didn't matter anymore. Harry had done so much, and he had tried to understand the House-elf, but all they got in return was simple gratitude.

Harry once said that Kreacher, as a House-elf, could only simply distinguish who was kind to him, and didn't have a clear sense of right and wrong...

But in Sirius's view, this is not a reason for Kreacher to be pitied.

When he tried to shirk Sirius's orders and cheat, he seemed quite clever, so why can't he have a proper sense of right and wrong like Dobby?!