[67] A Game of Trust

Harry and Ron played Quidditch all afternoon, completely having a blast. They even discussed Ron applying to join the Gryffindor Quidditch team after school.

"Hall, you don't need to let me. I'm very confident," Ron said, munching on a fried chicken leg in one hand and a pork knuckle in the other. He flexed his arm, showing off.

Hall smiled wryly and continued cutting his beef. Harry ate his spaghetti with gusto. The Black family's dinner was lavish, and Hall ate to his heart's content.

Dumbledore had said he had other things to do and didn't stay for the meal, but he did ask Hall for two more lollipops — for a friend. Hall raised an eyebrow. He understood Dumbledore's thinking: getting old, feeling sorry for someone, wanting to broaden that person's horizons. If asked whether to trade Dumbledore for the first Dark Lord's help dealing with Voldemort's fragments, Hall would agree immediately — and throw in a bow tie.

Compared to Grindelwald's followers, the Death Eaters were no match. Grindelwald's people were still secretly working, persuading their leader to return while simultaneously earning money and expanding their ranks. The Death Eaters — only a handful were truly loyal.

Before Dumbledore left, Hall told him the location of the remaining two Horcruxes. The Gaunt family ring was relatively easy — hidden in the Gaunt shack. But Hall advised Dumbledore not to act yet; he had a different idea.

The Hufflepuff Cup was more difficult — hidden inside the Gringotts vault of Bellatrix Lestrange, one of Voldemort's most trusted followers. No one but Bellatrix herself could open it. The vault was filled with glittering golden treasures and enchanted — most people wouldn't know which was the Cup.

The first problem was easy to solve: Bellatrix Lestrange's maiden name was Bellatrix Black. She had no children, and both she and her husband were imprisoned. The heir naturally fell to a relative — her younger sister, Narcissa.

The second problem was something Hall hadn't told Dumbledore. Harry could find the Cup through the attraction between fragments of souls. Telling Dumbledore that would be tantamount to telling him Harry was the seventh Horcrux.

No — Hall was loyal to his first major client. After-sales service was essential for long-term business.

"Hall, Hall!" Harry shouted.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"I can hear you..." Hall rubbed his ears.

"Sirius said he's going out with you tomorrow. Can I come along?" Harry looked at him expectantly. Living with Sirius was wonderful, but he was going crazy being stuck in one place.

"Sirius will take you to the Burrow tomorrow. You can play with Ron there." This was what Dumbledore and Hall had discussed that afternoon. Many things required Hall to go out soon, and he couldn't get Mum's permission to go alone, so he could only take Sirius — the least financially secure option.

Sirius wouldn't be home, and Harry couldn't stand being alone. The Burrow was a better option — it had a protective enchantment, and Mum was always home. Hall couldn't find a safer place.

"Really?!" Harry was incredibly excited.

"What?! When did Dumbledore say that? I didn't know!" Sirius stared blankly with a steak in his mouth.

"Just now, before leaving. You can ask Dumbledore if you don't believe me."

Sirius actually nodded. "I'll check." He still couldn't completely trust a Slytherin. He looked at Harry. "Harry, do you want to go?" His tone was pitiful.

Harry, who had been nodding eagerly, began to waver.

Hall shook his head. Sirius was utterly shameless. "It's not like I'm not coming back. Harry's just going to play for a few days while you're away. He'll come back when you return."

Harry nodded repeatedly. The Black house was enormous, but being alone was unsettling — the portraits didn't seem to like him and nagged constantly.

Hearing this, Sirius's pitiful expression vanished. He piled food onto Harry's plate and began an endless stream of advice: take care of yourself, don't wander off, Molly Weasley is incredibly kind.

Hall noticed the picture frames near the dining room were empty. Clearly, this wasn't the first time Sirius had been so annoying — the portraits had fled.

But Harry watched Sirius attentively, showing no sign of annoyance. Hall even saw enjoyment on Harry's face. Harry genuinely liked Sirius.

Before leaving, Harry handed Hall a small storage bag. "This contains two thousand Galleons. Half is the allowance Sirius gave me. The other half I retrieved from the vault."

Hall didn't take it, his face full of envy. A thousand Galleons allowance! Sirius was truly generous.

"Tell me what you want me to do first?" Hall crossed his arms.

"Sirius is in trouble, but he won't tell me. I'd like your help." Harry was sensitive to emotions — even while playing, he'd sensed Sirius was hiding something, unhappy, even sad.

"That's Sirius's business. What's it to you?" Hall was puzzled. "Besides, what if he's just worried about his haircut? You'd be wasting your money!" He feigned distress. This child was spending money like water.

"Headmaster Dumbledore was here. It can't be a small matter." Harry shrugged.

"Isn't the headmaster here to have fun?" Ron looked at them, genuinely confused.

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