Phineas is not only the great-grandfather of Walburga's husband Orion, but also Walburga's own great-grandfather. The couple are cousins.
The Black Clan values blood purity greatly. Any Dud, pure-blood traitor, or those who marry Muggles are removed from the family tree. Therefore, all those whose names remain on the Black family tree are descendants of Phineas.
When Walburga was just born, Phineas held her in his arms.
Soon after, Phineas passed away. Initially, he was fond of roaming through portraits, conversing with his family. Walburga and her husband can be said to have grown up under his scrutiny.
However, Phineas was not a good-natured person. There's a reason he was deemed Hogwarts' most unpopular headmaster.
For Walburga, those times were not a happy memory.
Yet, the awe for her great-grandfather was deeply embedded in her heart.
As time went on, the boundaries between the living and the dead grew more distinct. Later, Phineas spent long periods in the Hogwarts portraits, rarely returning to the Black Clan.
After Regulus died, Walburga went mad, heartbroken and despairing to the point of death, leaving the Black family home as an empty residence.
Phineas could not endure the deathly silence, so he stopped coming back.
In the portrait, Walburga looked at Phineas and repeated: "What are you here for?"
Phineas sighed and said: "Walburga, if you would stop venting your resentment and listen quietly even for a minute, you would know—Regulus has returned."
"W-what?" Walburga paused, her lips twitching. Then suddenly, she erupted in fury: "You're lying! How dare you use Regulus to deceive me! My child died long ago!"
The old lady screamed as she clawed at Phineas with her long nails.
"It's true," Phineas said.
Though it was just a portrait, his gaze at his great-granddaughter was heavy, making it hard to breathe.
The yellowed nails stopped in front of Phineas' eyes.
"...True?"
Walburga asked softly, her expression a mix of fear and hope. Her eyes darted as she glanced at Phineas, seemingly searching for some evidence on his face.
This expression looked strange, but Phineas patiently said: "It's true. Regulus is in his room. Why don't you go see for yourself?"
Walburga stood dazed for a moment, then suddenly lifted her dress and dashed out of the portrait.
In Regulus' room, directly facing the door, hung a small portrait of Walburga.
Perhaps she hoped to witness the moment her son returned, though she knew, deep down, it was impossible. So most of the time, it was a blank canvas.
Upstairs, there seemed to be faint sounds of sorrowful sobs, or maybe it was just the wind passing through narrow windows.
Phineas held onto the frame, surveying the surroundings.
The portraits around usually slept or were awakened by Walburga only to start screaming.
Now, under Phineas' gaze, each one composed themselves, finally revealing the dignity becoming of the "noble Blacks."
One wizard in a portrait slightly bowed and said: "Father."
Phineas said: "Watching future generations wither like leaves without anyone to inherit is indeed heartbreaking. But Sirius..."
He paused, suddenly remembering his eldest son was also named Sirius Black, thus he emphasized:
"The current Sirius has returned... Though he's too reckless, impulsive, careless, overly emotional, too focused on emotions, and doesn't know how to adapt..."
Phineas grumbled endlessly about faults, only shifting his tone when the originally gloomy and dejected Sirius began to show frustration.
"But he's brave... intelligent... He will revive the Black family."
Phineas pondered for a moment before squeezing out the compliment "intelligent," his reluctance evident, causing Sirius to clench his fists.
The portraits in the foyer looked at this descendant who had caused them so much consternation.
According to Black family ideals, Sirius was undoubtedly unqualified—
He didn't support pure-blood ideology, wasn't proud of pure blood, befriended werewolves, Mudbloods, and Muggles, and even once defected from the family.
But he was the only "Black" now.
Although the Black family's bloodline continued in many pure-blood families, none of them were truly Black.
Numerous portraits looked at Sirius with hopeful eyes.
Phineas didn't give Sirius a chance to speak. He directly said: "Since he is the only living Black, his decisions are the family's decisions, his direction is the Black family's direction."
"You must support him, protect him. If Walburga goes mad again, stop her, don't join her madness! Understand?"
The many portraits nodded silently.
"Good."
Phineas nodded with satisfaction.
He prepared to leave but paused upon seeing Sirius and Vid standing beside him.
Sirius thought his great-great-grandfather still had some advice or encouragement, so he asked immediately: "Is there anything else?"
Though he felt grateful, his long-standing habits made his words sound like a provocation.
Phineas ignored him and instead looked at Vid, asking: "Last time I forgot to ask... Child, which family do you belong to?"
Vid answered succinctly: "My parents can't use magic."
He knew his grandparents were connected to the Magic World, but regardless of the family, Vid had no intention of recognizing any ties.
His only family were his parents.
Phineas said softly: "Such a pity..."
He stepped out of Walburga's portrait, presumably returning to Hogwarts.
The portraits in the foyer didn't say much, gradually sinking into slumber, leaving only Sirius' father—Orion Black—awake.
He looked at the son who had disappointed him greatly and asked: "Sirius, are you married now?"
"No!" Sirius replied in frustration: "I just got out of Azkaban, who would I marry, a Dementor?"
Orion showed no anger, continuing to ask: "Do you have a girlfriend?"
"No!"
Orion glanced at Harry, his expression indiscernible between disappointment and disdain as he stared at his son, saying: "James' son is already in school, yet you don't even have a girlfriend? Aren't you good friends?"
Sirius nearly jumped up, shouting: "What's this have to do with anything?"
Orion said in a low voice: "Sirius, marry early... continue the Black bloodline..."
He closed his eyes and said no more.
Sirius' resentful expression gradually turned sad as he sat back in his chair, bowing his head.
Lupin quietly pulled the velvet curtain.