However, as the current Clan Leader, Sirius directly removed most of the harmful magic spells. The ones he couldn't immediately solve were tossed with the books into the basement box.
Kreacher watched with great distress.
Recently, he had started recognizing Sirius as his master, working diligently and following orders.
But after this incident, Kreacher wiped his tears, tidied up the books thrown into the basement, sprinkled pest-repellent powder, and secretly cursed "wastrel" several times.
Yet Kreacher only blamed Sirius and did not transfer his anger to Vid, who was reading the books.
Kreacher, having heard from Lupin about the things Vid had done, showed him great respect. When Vid was reading, he frequently brought hot tea and pastries to the study.
Whether Mrs. Black was aware or not remained uncertain, but she had been very quiet recently, and the curtain blocking the portrait had never been drawn open.
While sorting out the fifth floor, people occasionally heard faint crying from Regulus's room.
On the third day, the Italian wizard painter hired by Sirius arrived. Based on a few old photos, he painted a heartfelt portrait of Regulus.
Not the pale and eerie look of Regulus turned into Inferi, but the proud and spirited youth from before sixteen.
From that day on, Mrs. Black became completely silent.
Occasionally, when the wind lightly lifts the curtain, people would see her peacefully closing her eyes, as if lost in a dream she would never awaken from.
Only Lupin frequently intervened in Vid's book-reading activities.
The Black Family's collection mostly involved Dark Magic, and Vid even found descriptions of Soul Artifacts in one of the books.
Sirius believed there was no harm in understanding the effects of Dark Magic, as long as it wasn't researched or indulged in; their primary focus was on learning defense and resistance against Dark Magic.
Growing up surrounded by Dark Magic himself, yet remaining unaffected, Sirius believed Vid could do the same.
Although Lupin held a different opinion, he didn't directly stop Vid from reading nor preach about right and wrong, but occasionally came to the study for a look.
Whenever Vid read certain books related to Dark Magic, shortly after, Lupin would share a similar story during dinner or while cleaning up—
A wizard made a mistake in his Dark Magic studies, had himself twisted by magic into a monster, wandering in dark forests, longing for death.
A Magical Creature researched by a wizard, unable to endure continued abuse, suddenly revolted, killing its master and fleeing.
A wizard, driven by a passion for Dark Magic, experienced a personality change, suddenly killing all his family one night, triggering a series of tragedies, finally eliminated by a passing White Magic wizard.
Stories like these.
The young wizards listened with great interest, but Michael would always look at Vid with a faint smile after hearing each.
"What book did you read again?"
After the story ended, he quietly asked Vid.
"Just a book of hand notes."
Vid replied, "Just to understand how wizards used to explore magic. In their era, such actions weren't considered outrageous."
"Yeah." Michael laughed teasingly, "In ancient times, cannibalism seemed pretty normal, right?"
Vid hesitated, "Even nowadays, in some countries cannibalism isn't illegal."
"Really?!"
Michael's eyes widened, but quickly adjusted his expression and snorted, "Ha-ha, when the Weasley Twins try to trick people, their acting is much better than yours."
Vid looked at his naive classmate sympathetically, "It's true."
Michael fell silent for a while.
"… Really?"
"Hmm."
"Muggle law?"
"To be precise, some Muggle countries haven't specified cannibalism as illegal. Our Ministry of Magic hasn't set similar regulations either, right?"
"Though you say so…" Michael tried hard to salvage his worldview, "The reason laws aren't set, is because cannibalism doesn't occur naturally… except during famine… except in extreme survival situations…"
He cautiously amended his words but saw Vid with a mysterious smile playing at his lips.
He said nothing but seemed to say everything.
Michael: "…"
Because of that smile, the boy fretted till late at night. The next morning, he got up with dark circles under his eyes, ran out of the old Black Manor, and spent a morning in a nearby Muggle library.
Returning, Michael remained silent for a long time.
"Crazy Muggles."
Before sleep, he couldn't help but confide in Vid.
However, Vid shook his head.
"You saw the book's bloody cannibalism and judged it as ruthless and insane. But in a society of survival of the fittest, 'cannibalism' is happening constantly, just unnoticed by you."
"Look, wasn't Regulus 'consumed'?"
Michael shuddered, scalp tingling, goosebumps rising all over.
…
The day before Christmas was Regulus's funeral.
Snow had been falling since morning, fine snowflakes landing on the ground and buildings, initially forming ice crystals, then gradually accumulating into sheets, covering old marks on the walls, as well as the young wizards' carefully decorated garden.
Yet such whiteness seemed fitting for the funeral.
Sirius wore a black wizard's robe; he was black and white all over, the first time everyone had seen him dressed so solemnly. Lupin accompanied him in welcoming the guests coming to the funeral.
Vid saw the Malfoys and Draco Malfoy. The family bore remarkable resemblance, all with pale blonde hair, ghostly pale skin, and proud dispositions.
But when talking with Sirius, both parties remained restrained, at least without any face-to-face conflicts.
Also seen was a light brown-haired witch walking in with a man dressed as a Muggle. The witch quickly came forward, hugging Sirius, softening his expression.
Vid thus knew the witch was Andromeda, the disowned member of the Black Family; Sirius once pointed her out on the family tapestry to curious young wizards.
On that grand tapestry, Andromeda's name had been charred.
In fact, the Black Clan priding itself on Pure-Blood, nearly every generation had members who were disowned, sometimes more than one.
Behind them was a beautiful young witch with striking turquoise-gray hair.
Even though adult wizards skilled in Transfiguration Technique could easily change their hair color, hers was particularly special and memorable.
Andromeda introduced her to Sirius—said she was her daughter, Nymphadora Tonks.
Sirius had seen Nymphadora as a child, but this grown-up girl was markedly unfamiliar now.
They politely shook hands.
While they conversed, Draco Malfoy stared intently at Tonks. Upon hearing her name, his face registered seeing something filthy.
Though he said nothing, he conveyed a lot.
Tonks blinked. When everyone turned to welcome new guests, she suddenly aimed her gaze at Draco Malfoy, her head morphing into the shape of a Hungarian Horntail.
"Ah!"
Draco Malfoy turned and was greeted by a massive dragon head, round lychee-sized yellow-brown eyes locked on him intensely. He jolted in fright and cried out.
Everyone turned their attention to him.
"She… she… just now…"
Staring at Tonks, Draco tried explaining incoherently only to see Tonks had reverted back, wearing an elegant, surprised expression, staring at him alongside everyone else.
"Mind your manners, Draco."
Narcissa remarked calmly, arrogantly sweeping her gaze over the Half-Blood Tonks before averting her eyes.
Andromeda glared fiercely at her daughter, silently instructing her not to be disruptive.
The Weasleys rushed back from abroad.
Mrs. Longbottom arrived too, and Neville hurried to her side.
Dumbledore had likewise arrived early in the morning.
Guests trickled in, by noon, there were about thirty people on benches, among them many prestigious surnames, mixed with some ordinary wizards, and even Muggles.
They gathered to attend Regulus's funeral.