Newt and the Serpent Woman's Little Matters

"What was wrong with Professor Snape?"

Kyle, who had nearly been knocked over, watched Snape hurry away and asked curiously, "Professor, you didn't dock his pay, did you?"

"Of course not."

Dumbledore composed himself and said with a smile, "In fact, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor earns ten Galleons more than the other professors... It can't be helped. Otherwise, we simply wouldn't be able to find a suitable professor."

Kyle believed that the higher salary was certainly true, but as for whether those professors had been suitable, he had no comment. Dumbledore ought to know that himself.

"Boy, I get the feeling you're thinking something very rude." Phineas Black suddenly said from his portrait. "Believe me, my instincts have always been accurate."

"Good afternoon, sir." Kyle glanced up at the portrait. "I admit, I was just wondering whether I should suggest that Sirius give his house a proper cleaning and get rid of some useless things.

"...For instance, the portrait beside the living room stairs."

"I guessed right—you really are an ill-mannered little brat." Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Phineas shrieked, "I warn you, you'd better not do that! And Sirius would never throw away his grandfather's portrait."

"Is that so?" Kyle said blandly. "That may not be certain..."

The portrait hanging beside the stairs at 12 Grimmauld Place was Phineas's. Through it, he could move freely between the Headmaster's Office and that place, relaying Dumbledore's requests or plans.

But under normal circumstances, Dumbledore preferred to deliver such messages himself rather than have Phineas do it, so that portrait was basically useless.

Sirius had thought about throwing that thing out more than once.

"I warn you..." Phineas said, putting on a fierce front despite his lack of confidence. "That is my house. You can't