Chapter 197: Kreacher

After asking Professor Moody, his final suggestion was to find Headmaster Dumbledore.

But that would have to wait until school started.

For these two days, at most, he could ask Sirius.

However, to be honest, he didn't expect Sirius to provide any useful information.

"Hmm?"

"I remember, your name is Kreacher, right?"

Just after coming out of Professor Moody's room, John bumped into a sneaky house-elf.

His name was Kreacher, the house-elf of the Black family, who was currently hiding in the corner staring at him.

Unlike the house-elves he had seen at school, this house-elf didn't have that humble and fawning smile when facing wizards; instead, he kept a wrinkled old face.

As for facing Muggle-borns like him and Hermione, he was even more arrogant.

And he never did any work, only listening to Sirius.

Even so, it was because Sirius was the head of the Black family; otherwise, Sirius probably wouldn't have been able to order him around.

After all, no matter how rebellious this house-elf was, he couldn't resist the orders of the head of the family.

However, Sirius was too lazy to order him around anyway.

Seeing that he was called out directly by John, Kreacher also stepped out from the corner, hunched his back, looked at John with angry eyes, and spoke in a low voice.

"Filthy Mudblood, you are stealing the young master's relic..."

This tone made it seem as if John was some heinous sinner.

It was just that regarding his words, John was a bit confused.

Young master? Relic?

After John was stunned for a moment, he reacted and looked at the small sphere in his hand.

"Are you saying this locket is the young master's relic?"

"Do you know its origin?"

John immediately asked Kreacher curiously.

As far as he knew, the current Black family had no direct heirs, with only Sirius remaining.

And the "young master" he spoke of was obviously not Sirius, but someone else.

It was just that regarding John's question, Kreacher kept a cold face and refused to talk, only staring at him, seemingly wanting him to return the item.

John looked at his stinky face, his eyes rolled, and he squatted down to look at Kreacher at eye level and said.

"How about this, Kreacher, as long as you tell me the origin of this locket, I will return the locket to you."

Hearing this, Kreacher narrowed his eyes, seemingly evaluating how much credibility John's words had.

Seeing that there was a chance, John continued.

"You have to know, this mansion, including everything in this mansion, is now Sirius's."

"He is the master here."

"And given my friendship with Sirius, as long as I ask, Sirius will definitely agree to give the locket to me."

"So, instead of saying nothing, you might as well confess truthfully, and you can exchange it for this locket."

Kreacher frowned, obviously unable to refute John's words.

However, he didn't want to break the promise he made to the young master back then.

The atmosphere remained silent, and Kreacher still said nothing.

"Not talking? Fine, then when Sirius comes back, it won't be up to you."

Seeing that he still refused to speak after a long time, John didn't continue to press, and conveniently tapped Kreacher on the forehead, considering it a punishment for his loose tongue just now.

No way, who told Hermione to be beautiful and kind-hearted, unable to see house-elves being bullied.

Kreacher cried out in pain, covered his forehead, and took half a step back, his nostrils flaring like a withered, thin bat that had its tail stepped on.

Then he watched John turn and leave, and in the end, he didn't chase after him.

Dinner time.

The Order of the Phoenix had a few more new faces and familiar faces.

Like the Weasley family's eldest brother, Bill, who had found a desk job locally just to cooperate with the Order of the Phoenix's actions.

When they saw John, they chatted for a few sentences; Bill didn't treat John like a child at all.

After all, as an adult, he knew John's value too well.

To have the strength comparable to an Auror at only 13 years old—what will it be like in two years?

As for the Weasley family's second brother, Charlie, he was still working abroad, saying he was helping the Order of the Phoenix contact foreign wizards to join the Order.

Two Aurors from the Ministry of Magic also came; they were also members who had secretly joined the Order of the Phoenix.

The black giant Kingsley Shacklebolt and the pink-haired woman Nymphadora Tonks.

They were also not ordinary people; one was a senior veteran Auror, and the other possessed the very rare Metamorphmagus ability.

This thing was different from a regular Animagus; it could simply change facial appearance without having to transform.

And they had long wanted to get to know John; after all, they were also present as onlookers when John went to the Ministry of Magic to cause trouble a while ago.

However, because the Ministry of Magic strictly prohibited any staff from having any contact with Dumbledore, they could only come over sneakily.

And usually when they met, they had to pretend not to be familiar.

After all, one thing is one thing, saving the world is saving the world, but the iron rice bowl still had to be protected.

Otherwise, they were afraid that after saving the world, their rice bowl would be gone.

And like Mr. Weasley, almost everyone knew he was in cahoots with Dumbledore, so he was squeezed out very severely at the Ministry of Magic.

However, strangely, their third son, Percy, was rising steadily.

John speared a piece of roasted potato, chewed slowly, and his gaze swept over the table of people.

"By the way, where is Sirius? Hasn't he returned yet?"

After looking around and finding that Sirius wasn't there, John asked strangely.

"Sirius said he doesn't like staying in this house, and since Harry is very safe staying here now, he asked Dumbledore for an external assignment, and he probably won't be back before you start school."

Regarding John's question, Professor Lupin shrugged while drinking coffee and said.

Hearing this, John was a bit speechless.

What kind of classic situation is this?

When you need someone, they aren't there. According to the normal process, they would have to wait obediently for Sirius to return, and then miss out because of something.

But forget it, it's the same to ask Dumbledore when the time comes.

"Alright, then where am I sleeping tonight?"

John nodded and continued to ask.

Hermione naturally had to go sleep in a room with Ginny, Harry and Ron in one room, the twins in one room; it seemed there was no place for him among the juniors.

"You sleep in my room."

Moody on the other side said indifferently.

"I don't want to."

John refused very decisively and with a hint of disgust.

Moody:?

"There is an empty room on the top floor. Although it's a bit old, it's still livable. You go sleep there."

Seeing that the two were about to start scolding each other again, Professor Lupin hurriedly waved his hand and said.

"Fine."

This time John nodded.

It was better than sleeping in a room with Moody.

After dinner, John went to the empty room on the top floor.

There was a house number hanging on the door, which should be the name of the room's previous owner.

What was written on it was—Regulus Arcturus Black. ===== CHAPTER 198 =====