## Chapter 203: The Only Black
Phineas was not only the great-grandfather of Walburga's husband, Orion, but also Walburga's own great-grandfather; the couple were first cousins.
The Black Family placed immense importance on blood purity. Squibs, Pure-blood traitors, and those who married Muggles were all disowned and struck from the family tree. Consequently, every person currently named in the Black family tree was a descendant of Phineas.
When Walburga was just born, Phineas had held her in his arms.
Phineas passed away shortly after, and for a time, he was fond of moving between portraits and conversing with his family. Walburga and her husband essentially grew up under his watchful eye.
However, Phineas was not known for his good temper; there was a reason he was often described as the most unpopular Headmaster Hogwarts had ever had.
That period was not a pleasant memory for Walburga.
Nevertheless, a deep reverence for her great-grandfather was instilled in her heart.
As time went on, the distinction between the living and the dead became more apparent. Eventually, Phineas began to stay in the Hogwarts portraits for extended periods, rarely returning to the Black family home.
After Regulus's death, Walburga went mad, dying of a broken heart and despair, effectively leaving the Black family home an empty shell.
Phineas couldn't bear such stillness and stopped returning altogether.
In the portrait, Walburga looked at Phineas and repeated, "What are you doing here?"
Phineas sighed and said, "Walburga, if you would just stop your incessant wailing and listen quietly for just one minute, you would know—Regulus is back."
"Wh-what?" Walburga froze, her lips trembling, before she suddenly erupted in rage. "You're lying to me! How dare you lie to me about Regulus! My son died long ago!"
The old woman shrieked, clawing at Phineas with her long fingernails.
"It's true," Phineas said.
Though he was a portrait, his gaze upon his great-granddaughter was so heavy it felt suffocating.
Her yellowed, pointed fingernails stopped just before Phineas's eyes.
"...Really?"
Walburga asked softly, her expression a mix of fear and expectation. Her eyes darted about, cautiously studying Phineas, as if searching for some evidence on his face.
Her expression was unsettling, but Phineas patiently said, "Really. Regulus is in his room. Why don't you go see for yourself?"
Walburga was stunned for a moment, then suddenly lifted her skirt and ran quickly out of the portrait.
In Regulus's room, directly opposite the door, hung a small portrait of Walburga.
Perhaps she had hoped to witness her son's return firsthand, yet deep down, she knew it was impossible. Thus, for most of the time, it had been a blank canvas.
Upstairs, a faint sound of sorrowful crying seemed to drift down, or perhaps it was just the wind whistling through the narrow window.
Phineas leaned on the portrait frame, looking around.
The surrounding portraits usually either slept or were awakened by Walburga's noise and began to shriek.
Now, under Phineas's gaze, they all stood with dignified composure, finally displaying some of the "noble Black" demeanor they should possess.
A wizard in one of the portraits bowed slightly and said, "Father."
Phineas said, "It is indeed heartbreaking to watch one's descendants wither like dead leaves, leaving no one to carry on the line. But Sirius..."
He paused, suddenly remembering that his own eldest son was also named Sirius Black, so he emphasized:
"The current Sirius is back... Although he is too reckless, rash, overconfident, overly emotional, and inflexible..."
Phineas rambled on, listing a string of complaints, causing veins to pop out on Sirius's forehead, who had been feeling gloomy and downcast. Then, Phineas changed his tone.
"But he is brave...intelligent...he will surely revive the Black Family."
Phineas deliberated for a long time before he finally squeezed out the word "intelligent," and his strained expression made Sirius clench his fists.
The portraits in the Entrance Hall all looked at this descendant who had caused them to frown on many occasions.
By the Black Family's usual standards, Sirius was undoubtedly unqualified—
He did not support the Pure-blood ideology, nor did he take pride in being a Pure-blood. He regarded Werewolves, Mudbloods, and Muggles as friends, and even rebelled against the family at one point.
But he was now the only "Black."
Although the Black family's bloodline still flowed through many Pure-blood families, they were not Blacks.
Many portraits looked at Sirius with expectant eyes.
Phineas didn't give Sirius a chance to speak, saying directly, "Since he is the only living Black, his decision is the family's decision, and his direction is the Black family's direction."
"You must support him, protect him. If Walburga goes mad again, stop her, don't go mad with her! Do you understand?"
The many portraits nodded in silence.
"Good."
Phineas nodded, satisfied.
He was about to leave, but seeing Sirius and Wade standing beside him, he paused again.
Sirius thought his great-great-grandfather had some final instructions or words of encouragement, so he immediately asked, "Is there anything else?"
He was grateful in his heart, but his long-standing habits made his words sound like a challenge.
Phineas ignored him, looking at Wade instead. "I forgot to ask last time... Child, which family are you from?"
Wade said concisely, "Neither of my parents can do magic."
He knew his grandparents had ties to the Wizarding World, but no matter which family it was, Wade had no intention of claiming them.
His only family was his parents.
"What a shame..." Phineas murmured.
He stepped out of Walburga's portrait, presumably returning to Hogwarts.
The portraits in the Entrance Hall didn't say much more, one by one falling silent in sleep. Only Sirius's father, Orion Black, remained awake.
He looked at his eldest son, who had once disappointed him greatly, and asked, "Sirius, are you married now?"
"No!" Sirius snapped. "I just got out of Azkaban, who would I marry? A Dementor?"
Orion wasn't angry. He continued, "Do you have a girlfriend?"
"No!"
Orion glanced at Harry, then stared at his son with an expression that was hard to discern whether it was disappointment or contempt. He said, "James's son is already attending school, and you don't even have a girlfriend? Aren't you good friends?"
Sirius nearly jumped up, yelling, "What does that have to do with anything?"
Orion said in a low voice, "Sirius, get married soon... continue the Black Family bloodline..."
He closed his eyes and said nothing more.
Sirius's indignant expression gradually turned sorrowful. He sat back in his chair, lowering his head.
Lupin silently drew the velvet curtains.
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