A Tangled Web of Bloodlines

Harry's impression of his father had improved considerably recently because of the risks and sacrifices his father had made for Lupin, his friend.

He felt less guilty towards Snape, who might have been Dumbledore's mole during his student days and whose childhood sweetheart had been stolen away by his own father.

After all, his father was a good person when he was in school, and he only targeted Snape because of his mother.

At the same time, Harry also understood how much Snape hated his father, and even Sirius.

But now, he heard this news from Lupin: Professor Snape had helped rescue his own godfather?

"I remember that my release from prison was also related to that awful ancestor Phineas Nigellus Black Family," Sirius said.

He recalled the terrible time when he had just been released from prison, when his ancestor had arranged a crazy series of blind dates for him.

"After all, he only created a portrait. He probably didn't put as much effort into arranging your blind date as he did into getting Sirius released from prison."

"Actually, I can understand why Snape would do that."

"I have to admit one thing: Snape is probably the person who knows the best about your friendship with James, besides James, myself, and Peter," Lupin said.

"What does this have to do with my release from prison?" Sirius frowned.

"The moment Snape learned of your innocence, he understood that you were atoning for your sins, Azkaban was the place you most wanted to be."

"Upon his release from prison, he was hailed as a hero by others."

"Sirius, this must be worse than death for you." Lupin stared intently into Sirius's eyes.

"Haha," Sirius chuckled dryly, "But that Snape guy probably never expected that I'm so happy right now."

"Harry's with us, and Remus, not to mention my brother's coming back," Sirius suddenly laughed.

Sirius was indeed much happier, Harry thought.

Before we knew it, it was almost the 31st, which is Harry's birthday.

During these days, he, Ron, Draco, and the others lived a life that could be described as blissful at the Black Family House.

The kitchen was almost unrecognizable.

The Black House had already renovated their house before Harry and his friends moved in, but the kitchen, despite Sirius and Lupin's best efforts to maintain, still looked drab and grimy.

Now everything looks brand new: the copper pots and pans are polished to a rose luster, the wooden tabletops are polished to a shine, the dinner cups and saucers are set out and Winky in the firelight, and a large pot is simmering over the joyful flames.

But the changes in the House-elf Kreacher were even greater than those in the house. He was wrapped in a snow-white towel, the fur in his ears was as white and fluffy as cotton wool, and his gray teeth had become as white as snow, making one wonder if he had used the same toothpaste as Ron's mother, Gilderoy Lockhart.

However, the changes in other places are also quite significant.

At the entrance to Grimmauld Place (where the doorbell could easily wake Sirius's mother), the long-unused main gate was also put into use.

In this way, Harry and his friends could even occasionally go to the Muggle world to feed the pigeons.

On one occasion, when Harry and his friends entered the house, Sirius's mother's portrait even spoke to them, saying, "You must be Cissy's child. It seems my unfilial son hasn't fallen to such an absurd state yet."

Although, she didn't say anything after that.

But this is also a surprising and big deal, even going so far as to say that Dumbledore is Dark Wizard.

She didn't swear!

It's normal that she didn't speak to Harry and Ron.

The Potter were a Pure-blood wizard family that showed affinity for Muggle even earlier than the Weasley family.

Ron's grandmother was Cedrica Black Family, who was a generation older than Sirius's mother Black Family, Walburga Black, and was also excommunicated like Sirius.

She was expelled from the Weasley family.

It's normal that Ron isn't well-liked.

If we don't count Ron's mother's side of the family (she's Sirius's cousin by marriage), then Sirius is the grandson of Ron's grandmother's cousin.

They are considered to be of the same generation.

Harry's grandmother was also Ron's grandmother's cousin. So they were of the same generation.

At this moment, in the Black House, there was one person who was the youngest in terms of seniority, and that was Draco.

His maternal grandfather was Cygnus Black, the son of Pollux Black, Ron's grandmother's cousin.

Harry found it all very confusing, and he probably wouldn't have been able to understand it if it weren't for the family tree.

However, there was one thing that made Harry jealous: Neville, and even the Death Eaters Little Crouch., was more closely related to Ron by blood.

Ron's grandmother's younger sister Charis, has a grandson named Little Crouch.

Neville is the grandson of her older sister, Callidora.

By that logic, Neville, Harry, Ron, Little Crouch., Sirius are all of the same generation.

One morning, just as Harry was getting moldy from studying the Black House tree, a conversation caught his attention.

This is related to Regulus, who mostly likes to stay in dark rooms to replenish his energy.

"Sirius, if that Locket really is Horcrux, and now that it's destroyed, and if Voldemort doesn't have any other Horcrux, then it means—" Lupin said seriously.

"I understand. That means the remnant of Voldemort that appeared before Harry last year has gone to the afterlife."

"Voldemort is now completely dead."

"However, we cannot guarantee that, and I don't think it's necessary to tell Dumbledore." Sirius looked impatient.

It seems this debate has taken place more than once.

"Are you worried about Regulus?"

"You don't want Dumbledore to know about him?" Lupin's voice became a little hurried.

"Yes, I don't trust Dumbledore in that respect."

"Even Harry was raised in a lousy place like the Regulus Dursley family, so I think it's best to leave Regulus as he is," Sirius said.

Don't you think his condition is dangerous?

"What if he later becomes a real Inferi?"

"How long can Regulus maintain this condition? Can we investigate it thoroughly with our limited knowledge?" Lupin advised.

"That young Voldemort, known as Tom Riddle, if we're not mistaken, Voldemort achieved immortality through Horcrux, then he should also be one of Voldemort's Horcrux."

"I think we've already destroyed one Horcrux, and the matter of Regulus needs further consideration." Sirius's voice became somewhat hesitant.

"What if that place—the cave—holds the remains of other Horcrux?"

"As long as Voldemort is around, our lives, Regulus's and Harry's lives are in unavoidable danger."

"I suggest that we invite Dumbledore for Harry's birthday."

"And while you're at it, give Regulus a physical exam," Lupin said.

"Alright," Sirius sighed.

Ron's grandmother's name is Cedric Black Family.

Her cousin Dorea married Harry Potter, the grandson of the Potter family.

Her cousin Pollux Black's daughter, Walburga, and her cousin Arcturus Black Family III's son Orion Black, had Sirius and Regulus.

Her cousin Pollux Black's son Cygnus's daughter, who was also his granddaughter Narcissa, married Malfoy and had Draco.

Her sister Charis married into the Crouch family, and their grandson Little Crouch.

Her sister, Callidora, married into the Longbottom family; her grandson was Neville.

After sorting it out, I only have one feeling: this industry is truly chaotic.

P. S.: Thanks to Taishi Yumi Xu for the monthly pass, and to all the other students for their recommendations and subscriptions.