Harry was in a great mood the next day. It felt so good to once again be doing something against Tom. His friends noticed his excitement.
"What are you so cheerful about?" Hermione asked curiously.
"You weren't tortured last night," Harry said, smiling ruefully. "Besides, it's Easter break."
After breakfast, Harry ran to the head table.
"You seem excited," Remus said, pulling Harry into a hug.
"I thought we agreed not to show any relationship in public," Harry said.
"Didn't you tell me last night to trust my instincts as their often right?" Remus teased.
"Nope," Harry said, "You said that to me."
"I don't remember," Remus said.
"Are you waiting for me?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry nodded. Dumbledore stood up and walked with Harry to his office.
"It's going to be hard to find Bellatrix's key," Dumbledore said.
"Wouldn't she keep it in her house?" Harry asked. "Most people don't take their key with them to torture aurors."
"Where's her house?" Dumbledore asked.
"Somebody has to know that," Harry said. "Maybe Sirius would know. They're cousins. He might not know since his family disowned him. Narcissa should know since they're sisters. She may cooperate with us. After all, she helped destroy another horcrux. Kreacher may know. He's very loyal to the extended Black family. Phineas may even have a picture there. After all, Bellatrix is one of his great great grand children."
"You just suggested lots of ideas," Dumbledore said. "Which do you think we should try first?"
"Considering that Professor Black is watching us from his picture now, it may be a good idea to ask him first," Harry suggested.
"I don't have a portrait in the Lestrange estate," Phineas said.
"Do you know where it is?" Harry asked.
"No," Phineas said. "I'm also not so sure I want to help you rob my great great granddaughter."
"I thought you're the one who gave me the horcrux book," Harry said. "Wouldn't you want the last two horcruxes destroyed?"
"You don't know everything," Phineas said.
"That's true," Harry said, "but I know that Kreacher told me he's not allowed to tell me your involvement in it, which means you were somehow involved. Do you have a portrait in Bellatrix's parents' house?"
"What good would that do?" Phineas said. "I can't get out of my picture to search the house."
"You could ask the other portraits if they know where Bellatrix lived," Harry said. "If there are house elves, you could ask them too."
"Why should I do that for you?" Phineas asked.
"I don't know what made you decide to get me the book," Harry said, "but since you did, I know which side of the fight you're on. Therefore, it would seem logical that you would want to help."
"Or maybe a very persuasive person told me to get the book to you," Phineas said.
"Well then, maybe I could find that person so that you can be persuaded to help again," Harry said hopefully.
"She died many years ago," Phineas said. "You have no connection to the next world so you can't contact her."
"When did you meet her?" Harry asked.
"I can't tell you anything," Phineas said, "but you're as persuasive as she is. I'll go check for you."
Phineas left his picture.
"Was he talking about my mother?" Harry asked Dumbledore.
"You'll find everything out after the final battle," Dumbledore said.
"That's in May," Harry said. "It's not so long."
They waited in silence until Phineas returned.
"I hope you appreciate what I just did for you," Phineas said.
"I do," Harry said. "Thank you very much. What did you find out?"
"The house is deserted. The portraits there are mostly empty; their inhabitants are in portraits elsewhere, as am I. Bellatrix's mother is still in her portrait there as she doesn't have any others. She was suspicious as to why I would want to know where Bella lives and didn't tell me anything. There is only one house elf left, an old miserable thing, who only takes orders from his mistress."
"If you tell Mrs. Black that we're interested in having another portrait of her put in Bellatrix's house, wouldn't she tell you where it is?" Harry asked.
"Are you asking me to lie?" Phineas asked. "Don't you think she would want to see the portrait?"
"My friend Luna is an artist," Harry said, "although her paintings don't talk or move. Maybe she can paint a picture."
"I don't think a Black would fall for such a trick," Phineas said.
"Can't we find another artist?" Harry asked.
"I can't negotiate for you," Phineas said. "I'm stuck in a portrait."
"I guess we need Sirius," Harry told Dumbledore.
"Can you call him?" Dumbledore asked Phineas. "Tell him I'm opening my fireplace for him."
A minute later, Sirius came through the fireplace.
"We're destroying the second to last horcrux," Harry said excitingly. "Do you know where Bellatrix lived?"
"I know where she lived before she was married," Sirius said. "I was never invited to her house after, so I don't know. What do you need her address for?"
"We have to find her key to Gringotts," Harry said. "Would your mother know?"
"Even if she would, she wouldn't tell me," Sirius said.
"If Remus removes the hex, maybe we can talk some sense into her," Harry said hopefully.
"Considering that we hexed her to only say nursery rhymes for the last few years, I can't imagine she would want to help," Sirius explained logically.
"It doesn't hurt to try," Harry said. "Do you know how to remove the hex or do we need Remus for it?"
"Considering that Remus did the hex, it's probably best for him to remove it," Sirius said.
Not long after, Sirius, Remus, and Harry walked into Sirius's house. Remus removed the hex from the picture and left the room quickly, before he could get yelled at. Harry slowly approached the picture, after making sure Sirius and Remus had extendable ears to listen in.
"I don't think we've officially been introduced," Harry said respectfully.
"You're one of those blood traitors who run wild in the ancient and noble house of Black," Mrs. Black yelled from her portrait.
"I'm actually Sirius's godson," Harry explained. "My parents died when I was a baby, and I lived with Sirius since I was eleven years old. Sirius just told me that he wrote his will, leaving all Black possessions to me. I wanted to know more about the Black family. I met Andromeda's family since her daughter is engaged to Sirius's best friend. I know the Malfoys and have been to their house multiple times, since I'm friends with Draco. Are there any other living Blacks I should know about?"
"HE CAN'T LEAVE BLACK HEIRLOOMS TO A BLOOD TRAITOR!" Mrs. Black yelled.
"What makes me a blood traitor?" Harry asked.
"Do you believe in the importance of keeping bloodlines pure?" Mrs. Black asked.
"Not really," Harry said, "but it could be because nobody explained it to me. I'm a half blood, not that it makes a difference."
"I CUT SIRIUS OFF!" Mrs. Black yelled. "HE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO INHERIT ANYTHING! HE HAS NO RIGHT TO INHERIT THE ANCIENT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK! HE HAS NO RIGHT TO PASS ON BLACK HEIRLOOMS TO A HALF BLOOD!"
"Who would you like to inherit?" Harry asked respectfully. "Sirius is your only surviving offspring. It would be a shame for this wonderful house to stay empty."
"Bellatrix or Narcissa should inherit," Mrs. Black said angrily. "They are true Blacks."
"Narcissa has a beautiful house," Harry said. "Malfoy manor is truly something else. I've never seen anything as magnificent."
"Bellatrix should inherit," Mrs. Black snapped.
"Where does she live?" Harry asked. "I never met her."
"I'M NOT SENDING A BLOOD TRAITOR TO AN HONORABLE PURE BLOOD BLACK!" Mrs. Black yelled. "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO GO TO HER HOUSE AT ALL!"
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I thought you wanted her to inherit Black heirlooms. If you do, I need a way to contact her."
"WHERE'S SIRIUS?" Mrs. Black yelled.
"I'll get him," Harry said. "Regardless of what happened when he was young, he is now an incredible person."
Mrs. Black snorted as Harry left the room. He came back with Sirius, who nervously approached his mother's portrait.
"Harry said you wanted Bellatrix to inherit everything," Sirius said blandly. "If you tell me where she lives, I can see what she wants. I would still keep what she doesn't want, since as you're aware, I've been raising a child here for the last six years."
"YOU SHOULD GET NOTHING!" Mrs. Black yelled. "YOU RAN AWAY AND ASSOCIATED WITH BLOOD TRAITORS. YOU LET THAT BOY AND HIS FRIENDS RUN WILD IN THE HOUSE. YOU LET YOUR OWN FRIEND HEX MY PORTRAIT SO I COULDN'T SPEAK FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. YOU GET NOTHING."
"I understand," Sirius said. "I apologize for offending you. If you tell me where Bellatrix lives, I'll contact her to let her know your wishes."
Mrs. Black muttered an address before continuing to hurl insults at Sirius.
"Thank you," Harry said.
Mrs. Black continued yelling. Sirius cast a silencing spell and left the room with Harry.
"Let's tell Professor Dumbledore we have an address," Sirius said. "He'll probably have me search the house for the key."
"Does she have house elves?" Harry asked.
"Probably," Sirius said. "Lestrange is a respectable pure blood family. That's why Bellatrix married him."
"Tell the house elves that Bellatrix asked you to get something from her vault before you left Azkaban," Harry suggested. "This way they won't stop you from looking for her key."
"I don't know if it will work," Sirius said, "but we need to get back to school."
They returned to school where Dumbledore agreed that Harry's plan may work. Sirius went off to start key hunting, while Harry enjoyed the rest of Easter break with his friends.