great-warnovel Chapter 386 Black Manor
Chapter 386 Black Manor
Chapter 386 Black Manor
The Black family, a prestigious lineage with a long history in the magical world, is now on the verge of extinction.
The rebellious Sirius Black was expelled from the team, and Regulus remains unmarried to this day; there are even rumors that he doesn't like women.
Hermione could roughly guess Grindelwald's intentions: he wanted to make contact with the high-ranking members of the Malay Party, but not in an official capacity.
Just like her quiet arrival here and moving into the towering iron tower, everything was done subtly and tacitly. As the top fighter in the new Hogsmeade, a formal member of the city council, and the new leader of the Order of the Phoenix, her exchanges with the Malay Party are usually given a lot of political significance, which in turn leads to more troublesome issues.
If she were to visit New Paris on an official visit, there would at least be a grand welcome dinner attended by Ms. Rozier, with her making a pretentious speech amidst the flashing lights and constant questioning from reporters.
There will be many strange speculations from the outside world, and it may even cause new turmoil in the current situation.
Now, she has no identity in this city, but those who are truly qualified to know her background dare not neglect her. The Blake family's funeral is a good entry point, giving the higher-ups a chance to get to know her without being too conspicuous.
Furthermore, Regulus's uncle died because of Muggles and goblins, and the funeral will be filled with hatred and sorrow, providing a good window to subtly change Hermione's mind.
Grindelwald knew Hermione wouldn't refuse, because Sirius Black came from that family. Even though they had severed ties, Regulus was his brother, and he had met Hermione once at Hogwarts. Even just for these reasons, the girl would definitely go.
When the Finger Witch looked up from her tedious linear algebra and calculus, a week had passed by so swiftly.
"I need to clear my head, even if it means outsmarting the dark wizards!"
Thinking this, she put on a golden-red phoenix feather cloak. Given the solemnity of the occasion, she temporarily changed the color of the feathers, making them as black and shiny as raven feathers. When she walked, she looked like a typical evil witch, even more so than a dark wizard.
The funeral was held at Black House, where the family has a separate burial ground, and the entire process did not even require leaving the estate.
When Hermione arrived in her specially provided Thestral carriage, quite a few wizards had already arrived.
Those qualified to attend the Blake family funeral were all prominent families and dignitaries within the UMNO party, but they were all required to disembark and walk in front of the Blake family's house as a sign of mourning and respect.
When Hermione stepped out of the carriage bearing the Dark Lord's insignia, she immediately attracted everyone's attention.
The girl, who will be 15 in six months, is already a graceful young woman. Even though she is only wearing the most ordinary Hogwarts-style plain robe, she still looks quite stunning with the black feather shawl on her shoulders.
In particular, the slender, silver-white staff in her hand, with its dark sphere of runes at the top emitting a hazy, dark light, looked mysterious and dangerous.
"Is this the one? She killed Voldemort and the mad old Malfoy. It's said Lucius devoured hundreds of nobles, and even Dumbledore couldn't control him—."
People whispered amongst themselves, but dared not meet Hermione's gaze, even though they were all seasoned and powerful dark wizards.
The stronger one is, the more one understands the strength of one's opponent. The Witchcraft Party values strength above all else. Even if they know that this person has a different stance from their own, as long as she is a witch and powerful, she can gain their approval. Moreover, she is a guest of the Dark Lord.
Before anyone else could make a move, Regulus hurriedly came out of the manor.
"The Blake family is deeply honored that you could attend my uncle's funeral." He looked somewhat haggard.
Perhaps he hadn't had much time to sleep these past few days, and suddenly he became the heir to the entire family, shouldering numerous internal and external affairs, and enduring the pain of losing loved ones. Hermione looked at his face, which bore a striking resemblance to Sirius Black's, and nodded gently: "Please accept my condolences. Today I am just an ordinary wizard, and you don't need to take extra care of me."
Regulus smiled; of course, he couldn't really just ignore Hermione like an ordinary wizard.
Being personally welcomed into the house by the current head of the Black family signifies a high regard for them.
"There's still some time before the funeral begins; you can take a stroll around the manor—Kreacher!"
With a snap, the old, frail elf appeared beside them.
"Young master, you wanted to see me?"
"Stop doing those manual labor tasks and let the young elves do them. You take good care of Miss Granger and try to meet all her needs."
After giving instructions to the elf, he turned to Hermione and said, "Please forgive me for not being able to accompany you on your tour of the manor the whole time. There are many things I have to handle myself."
1
Hermione nodded understandingly, knowing how busy Regulus must be today.
After saying goodbye to the overwhelmed middle-aged man, she strolled leisurely through the maze-like manor, accompanied by Kreche.
The old elf was so old that Hermione was afraid that walking too much would exhaust him, but Kreacher stubbornly carried out his master's mission and insisted on staying with Hermione to the very end.
The Black family's original home was at 12 Grimmauld Place, London, when the city was destroyed by nuclear bombs.
They escaped the disaster while traveling with their family, but because of this, Sirius's parents harbored malice towards Muggle technology, which indirectly led to their later joining the Malay Party.
This manor was built along with New Paris. Its large area, independent magical dome, and luxurious layout did not all come from the family's deep wealth accumulation, but were mostly earned by the members of the Black family through their battles and achievements.
"The old masters are all dead, but they died a worthy death!" Kreacher said, recounting the history of the manor while offering his opinion.
"But there are many other young masters who deserve a brighter future." He choked back tears.
"He had just graduated from Durmstrang when he died in his first battle against a Muggle."
"And those wretched fairies! They bear the blood debt of Blake!"
The old elf's mind wasn't quite right anymore, and he spoke incoherently, but Hermione still roughly understood that not only were Regulus's fathers all dead, but none of his younger nephews and nieces were alive either, and even those who studied at Durmstrang would die from potion explosions or uncontrolled curses.
From a conspiracy theory perspective, she even suspected that it was done by other families or forces within the UMNO party, otherwise it would be too much of a coincidence that someone from one family would die.
"I remember the Black family used to advocate pure-blood theory?" she asked Kreacher meaningfully, perhaps implying internal strife stemming from differing ideologies?
"You should have changed it already!" His wrinkled and unkempt face scrunched up.
"The family's former creed of 'eternal purity' has changed since we came to this city."
The old elf sized up Hermione: "Otherwise, I wouldn't have said a word to a Muggle witch like you."
"Oh?" Hermione asked with interest.
"So what is the creed now?"
Kreacher pointed to the Black family crest on the porch, surrounded by greyhounds and stars, and another motto inscribed in French: "Black speaks with blood."