Chapter 254: The Truth about the Greengrass Family Curse
Even though he knew what this choice meant, Phoebus also understood clearly that he had no power to make any other choice.
In this case, instead of waiting for Phineas to bring it up, it would be better for him to say it himself—and he could also gain a good reputation for being grateful and repaying kindness.
Hearing this, Phineas also understood what Phoebus meant. However, this was not important at all. His purpose in coming here had already been accomplished. The Greengrass family's surrender was equivalent to the surrender of several Malfoy families.
Phineas smiled and stretched out his right hand to Phoebus.
"If it's really necessary, I won't be polite to you, Phoebus."
After getting the answer he wanted, Phineas changed how he addressed Phoebus—from Mr. Greengrass to just Phoebus.
This was not only a sign of closeness, but also a reflection of the status and relationship between Phineas and Phoebus.
After Phoebus said that, the Greengrass family was considered a subordinate of the Black family, and Phineas could no longer address Phoebus as Mr. Greengrass.
If Greengrass had not been recruited by Phineas, he could still call him that—or even call Phoebus "uncle"—because in that case, Phoebus would be a subordinate of Phineas's elder, and such a title would show the closeness of the relationship between the two families. However, the Greengrass family was recruited by Phineas, which meant that Phoebus was Phineas's subordinate, so naturally he could not call him that.
When Phoebus heard Phineas's change of address, he didn't mind, because he knew very well that this was bound to happen.
If they wanted to improve their relationship with the Black family in the future, they would need other means.
Thinking of this, Phoebus glanced at his younger daughter. Perhaps, this really was possible?
Between the friendly conversation between Phineas and Phoebus, the resentful look of Daphne, and the jokes between Sirius and Mrs. Greengrass, the dinner came to an end.
Phineas wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin and said to Phoebus,
"Okay, Phoebus, I think before using the potion, maybe you can let me check Astoria's physical condition. After all, I developed the potion based on research reports on the blood curse from others and the Elders' Council. Although it is effective, the effect may not be very obvious."
At this point, Phineas paused and said,
"That is only a temporary solution, after all. I think if I can get more information on the blood curse, I might be able to find a complete cure."
Phoebus also put the cutlery in his hand on the table, wiped the corner of his mouth, and nodded to Phineas.
"What you said makes sense. I'll have someone prepare a quiet room for you. Is there any special equipment or request? I'll have someone prepare that as well."
Phineas shook his head and said,
"A quiet room and a set of potion-making tools will be enough. Commonly used herbs should all be available. If it is convenient, please prepare some owls in the room. I may need to contact Professor Dumbledore or Mr. Nicolas Flamel, depending on the situation."
Phoebus's eyes lit up. He knew very well that if anyone in the magical world could truly solve the blood curse, it would most likely be one of the two people Phineas mentioned.
Dumbledore's phoenix could suppress the curse's effect, which was why Astoria had already stayed at Hogwarts a year in advance.
Nicolas Flamel had successfully refined the Philosopher's Stone and invented the Elixir of Life.
Of course, the most important thing was that neither of them were members of the Council of Elders and would not be restricted by it.
Yes, Phoebus guessed that the elders in the Council of Elders could probably find a way to resolve the blood curse—but at a cost they did not want to pay. After all, although they had protected the Greengrass family for centuries, under the influence of the blood curse, this family would disappear eventually. By then, the Council would no longer grant the Greengrass family special treatment for the favor shown a thousand years ago.
It was precisely because of this guessed attitude from the Council that the Greengrass family had remained neutral all these years. They wouldn't even attend the meetings of the Oath Families, as there was no need.
After a moment, Phoebus seemed to receive a message from a house-elf and stood up, saying to Phineas,
"The room is ready. We can go over."
This was also a kind of etiquette of the pure-blood families—house-elves must never appear in front of guests.
Phineas nodded, stood up, and looked at Astoria.
"Well, Miss Astoria, we may need your help."
Astoria naturally knew what they meant. After all, she was the descendant of the Greengrass family who carried the blood curse. Her father had been lucky enough not to have it; it had been her uncle who died from it.
Upon arriving at the prepared room, Phineas looked at Phoebus and asked,
"Well, Phoebus, I've always had a question."
"Go ahead."
"According to the records of the Council of Elders, the Greengrass family's blood curse should affect all members. It shouldn't appear randomly among descendants, worsening with each generation."
Phoebus sighed and said,
"This is actually a change made by our ancestors to ensure the family's survival. In fact, it should be regarded as a type of black magic in the bloodline."
Phineas was stunned and asked,
"Can you tell me more about this? You know everything about the blood curse could impact my research."
Phoebus began to speak in a low voice, revealing the bloody truth hidden in the Greengrass family's history.
It turned out that many years ago, the Greengrass family's blood curse was exactly as Phineas had said. All family members were cursed and none lived past the age of forty.
This was disastrous for a pure-blood family. Even with the promise of the Council of Elders—regardless of whether the Greengrass family produced a legendary wizard—they would not be deposed like other pledge families. Still, it was a dangerous situation.
The power of pure-blood families came from their foundations—and legendary wizards were part of that foundation.
To ensure the family's continuation and to produce more legendary wizards, the then-patriarch of the Greengrass family made a decision.
He added another curse into his blood.
The combination of the two curses resulted in something cruel yet effective: the transference of the blood curse.
Every generation of Greengrass children were born with a blood curse, but as long as they had siblings, the curse would transfer to the youngest child, accumulating in power.
That meant if a child had three older siblings, they would inherit not just their own curse but those of their brothers and sisters—four curses in total. This would shorten their lifespan drastically—from forty to ten years.
This was Astoria's fate. She had inherited both her own curse and Daphne's. That meant she could only live to around twenty, while Daphne could live a normal life.
Though effective, it was cruel and deeply unfair to the youngest child.
Phoebus also told Phineas that this wasn't what their ancestor had intended.
The hope was that the curse would accumulate and result in a child who would die at birth every few generations—thus sparing the rest of the family. But that logic, while effective, was also dark magic.
Unfortunately, the result was what they saw now. To ensure a normal heir, the ancestor had also decreed that each Greengrass family member must have at least two children.
So Astoria was born as a sacrifice. Yet, she was far too kind and understanding.
The more thoughtful she was, the more it broke the hearts of her parents. That's how they came to this point.
Phoebus did not avoid speaking about this in front of Astoria. Clearly, she had known for a long time.
Phineas looked at Astoria and opened his mouth, wanting to say something comforting—but he couldn't. You should never tell someone to "stay kind" when you've never suffered what they have.
Astoria smiled at Phineas.
Phineas then realized how bright her smile was. Her expressive eyes sparkled, and the corners of her mouth curled in a gentle way that made him feel even more helpless.
"It's okay, Senior Black. I feel good now. It's really good to be able to contribute to my sister and family."
She truly was a good girl. Even knowing she was a sacrifice, she accepted it—comforting others instead.
Phineas sighed and promised her,
"I'll do everything I can to break the curse."
Astoria smiled but said nothing. She just turned her head and looked out the window.
Perhaps, in her heart, she had already given up hope.
Maybe she'd seen too many try and fail, and had grown numb to the disappointment. Hope that ends in despair is more painful than no hope at all.
Phineas could see that in her eyes—longing. A deep desire for life and freedom.
Yes, if she hadn't been cursed, her future would be different.
She would have graduated from Hogwarts, met someone she loved, married, had children, and lived her own life. She might've traveled the world.
With a wizard's lifespan, she would have had time for all of it.
But not Astoria. She could only live until twenty. By the time she graduated Hogwarts, she'd be seventeen—just three years left.
Maybe, in the best-case scenario, she could still live that kind of life, but only briefly.
More likely, the curse would gradually eat away at her health, forcing her to return to this dark, cold castle—and wait for death.
Maybe she already knew all of this. That's why she longed for life but kept her heart closed.
Phineas didn't know what to say. He turned to Phoebus and said,
"Phoebus, can you leave Astoria and me alone for a while? I'm ready to start my research."
Phoebus nodded.
"Certainly."
As he turned to leave, he suddenly stopped at the door and looked back.
"Phineas, Mr. Phineas Black."
"Yes?"
"If... if you can really break this curse, then from now on, the Greengrass family will obey you at all costs—not just the Black family. If you can do it, I would sacrifice my life without hesitation."
Phineas nodded.
"I'll do my best," he said, glancing at Astoria.
"To let such a bright life fade before my eyes—while I remain indifferent and helpless—is not a life I want, nor something I can accept as a wizard."
Phoebus nodded, walked out, and solemnly closed the door. He did not leave, but stood outside—guarding this final hope.
He had actually tested the potion Phineas provided earlier. Otherwise, he would never have rushed out to find him.
After testing it on the family's cursed blood, he confirmed that the potion was indeed effective—but as Phineas had said, it was only a temporary measure.
And that was exactly why he understood what Phineas now meant to Astoria: hope.
Whether wizard or Muggle, hope is always our most precious thing.
As long as there is hope, everything is still possible.