"Who should have inherited?"
"Either Orion's wife or Sirius or possibly even Cygnus Black," Dumbledore replied, "but they did not. Gringotts claimed that there were associated difficulties with settling the Black estate and naming a new head of the house. Since then, the goblins have proven reticent about the situation and have managed to shield themselves from inquiry despite the best efforts of those concerned."
"I see," Rose said.
"You do realize that I have examined all the details of this situation. I have spent years examining all of the facts." Dumbledore told Rose. "I simply want to know if your seer talent can give me any special insights in addition to what I know."
"Very well," said Rose, closing her eyes. She was slightly miffed at the headmaster. She made a token effort to summon a vision of Lord Black, but as she expected, nothing came. Rose needed more details, more investment to launch a vision. Still, logic suggested possible answers to Dumbledore's queries. Rose opened her eyes and looked at her headmaster. "Have you considered that the prophecy does not preclude people who were alive when it was given? It could have referred to someone who was on holiday or otherwise away from the situation or outside of the Order."
"Is that a vision, or are you being logical?" Dumbledore asked, internally exasperated.
"Is there anything wrong with logic?" Rose retorted almost rhetorically.
"No," Dumbledore admitted. "However, I have already considered that option. I could find no candidates that lived before the prophecy was given that are feasible or not otherwise disqualified by death or legitimate disinheritance."
Rose sighed. "Well, I'm afraid that this summer has proved that Draco Malfoy isn't the Black heir. I can further certify that Leo is not the Black heir. Logic dictates that you must again look at the possible Black heirs from before the prophecy was given. The wording of the prophecy itself suggests that the prophesied one had already been marked an equal of the dark lord as of the date the prophecy was delivered."
"My examination of potential Black heirs was very thorough," Professor Dumbledore informed Rose dismissively. "Further, my study of the language and meaning of prophecies outstrips your own study. I'm afraid that logic dictates that I must disregard your claim that Leo is not the subject of the prophecy and leave open that possibility."
Rose stood up stiffly. "In that case, I must conclude that there is no further use to this interview." She strode across the room, opened the study door, exited the room, and slammed the door shut behind her.
.....
Leo was lying on his bed and casually flipping through a Quidditch magazine when he heard his father shout the house elf's name.
"Kreacher!"
Assuming that the house elf had returned from one of his walkabouts, Leo set aside the magazine and made his way up to the ground floor of the Black residence in Godric's Hollow. He found his father, Sirius, confronting the house elf.
"What do you mean there is no reply?" Sirius demanded. "Did you even deliver the letter?"
"Kreacher delivered the letter directly," Kreacher declared, glaring at Sirius balefully.
"And was the letter read?" Sirius demanded.
"Kreacher does not know," Kreacher said. He raised his hand into the air.
"Stop!" Sirius said, pointing a warning finger at the elf. "I'm not asking questions about your mysterious master. I'm asking questions about the letter. Now, go and help Cassie in the kitchen."
Kreacher made his way toward the kitchen, muttering angrily to himself.
"What's up, Dad?" Leo asked.
Sirius threw up his hands and walked into the living room. Leo followed his father and sprawled onto the couch while Sirius grabbed the current issue of the Daily Prophet.
"The Order has been trying to communicate with the mysterious intruder through correspondence delivered by Kreacher," Sirius grouchily explained to his son. "We've sent several letters but have received no reply."
Leo scratched his chin and grinned mischievously as he watched Sirius slump into a rocking chair. "What do you say in the letters? 'Come play with us or else we won't come play with you?'"
"Very funny," Sirius replied.
"Well," said Leo, "what is the enticement for the mysterious intruder and master of Kreacher to contact you?"
"If the person is opposed to Voldemort, you would think that he or she would want to team up," Sirius explained.
"Maybe," said Leo. He sat there watching his father for several moments before deciding to find something more interesting. "I'm going to Rose's house," he announced.
Sirius glanced up from the newspaper and looked outside at the early evening sky. "Hurry straight there," he reminded Leo. "Take the floo to get home."
"No need," Leo declared, pulling out his wand. "I just got my apparition license. Remember?"
....
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