As for Amort's silence and hesitation, Lupin and Sirius didn't take it seriously. They believed that Amort was just confused about the origins of the golden locket at first, so he needed some time to think. When they heard Amort speak in a strange tone about the value of the locket, both Sirius and Lupin looked incredulous.
"You can't just blurt out things because you want to win over me, Amort."
Lupin spoke in a teasing tone, also focusing his gaze on the locket.
To be honest, it is indeed a very beautiful work of art.
The intricately designed locket, even after time has weathered it, still emits a mysterious golden luster under the dim candlelight. It is surrounded by many clear and pure gems, and the edge of the box is engraved with many ancient runic symbols. Of course, what is most striking is the snake-shaped design in the center of the box, adorned with shimmering green sapphires.
"If this thing is worth 8,000 gulden, Amort--"
Sirius also thought that Amort was just making things up. With a look of disbelief, he said,
"I'll go break Crookshanks' leg."
That's quite interesting, I never would have expected to see this here.
Amort's smile grew more and more sinister.
What does that mean, a special bond?
"I'll ask a question as a courtesy,"
Amort stood up, supporting himself with his hand on his knee. His hand tightly held the chain of the locket, showing it to the baffled Sirius.
"Do you know the origin of this thing?"
Amort's implication is that this thing is particularly dangerous?
Lupin moved closer, his expression becoming more serious. He stared at the 'S' for a long while before speaking uncertainly,
"I'm not entirely sure, Amort. This design... seems to be a sign of Slytherin?"
"Oh!"
Sirius blinked in disbelief, "Are you trying to scare me?"
From Sirius's reaction, it seems he indeed doesn't know the origin of this thing. No wonder, Sirius is not like Lucius Malfoy, a follower of Voldemort.
"I'll ask in a different way, Sirius."
Amort shook his head and said,
"Has anyone in this family ever worked for Voldemort?"
At the mention of Voldemort's name, the kitchen grew several degrees colder. Lupin and Sirius' expressions became solemn instantly, realizing that Amort might have accidentally stumbled upon something truly significant.
"What do you mean, Amort?"
Lupin said solemnly,
"You said this locket came from Voldemort's hands. Have you noticed anything, is there Voldemort's dark magic on it?"
Amort didn't say anything, but waited quietly for Sirius' answer.
And his question obviously triggered some bad memories for Sirius. His expression became unpredictable, and he emitted a gloomy aura.
"I once had a brother, named Regulus, who was once a Death Eater."
"That's not something to be proud of," Sirius said shortly before remaining silent.
Lupin was obviously aware of this, and he did not show any shock. Instead, he turned his gaze back to Amort, waiting for his explanation.
"Before?"
Amort squinted his eyes, continuing to ask,
"He was killed by Voldemort."
Lupin, who knew about the situation as well, answered the question since Sirius seemed unwilling to discuss his brother.
"This happened before Sirius' incident, and he told us some about it. After Regulus' death, he had investigated the reason for his brother's murder... I can say this, can I, Sirius?"
Lupin inquired.
"I don't know why you care about this, Amort,"
Sirius stared at the locket expressionlessly and said,
"But it looks like you're very interested, so I'll tell you about my naive and foolish brother."
The three of them sat down at the table that was still in disarray, and Sirius began to speak to Amort about some past experiences with his brother, as well as the information he had uncovered during his investigation.
"...From various clues, it seems that my foolish brother was probably afraid of what Voldemort was doing. He wanted to quit, but for a Death Eater, it's not that simple. You can't just quit with a resignation letter. It's either all in or all out."
While Sirius spoke, Amort held the locket's two corners between his two fingers and kept flipping it back and forth with a gaze of appreciation. It wasn't until Sirius had said everything he thought he should say and waited for his explanation that Amort spoke slowly and deliberately,
"I think, this matter is probably not as simple as--"
"What does that mean?"
Sirius asked impatiently,
"Just what do you know, Amort? Speak up and get to the point!"
"If what you said is true, your brother was killed because he wanted to leave Voldemort's service and join the Order of the Phoenix."
Amort loosened his grip, letting the locket fall into his palm. He smiled and said,
"You won't live to see today, Sirius, you don't know the significance of this thing to Voldemort. He would annihilate every Black descendant just to get it back."
The kitchen fell into a long silence, with both Sirius and Lupin staring at the locket, especially Lupin, who knew Amort better and knew that he wouldn't make a joke about something so crucial involving Voldemort.
"Is there anyone who knows your brother better than you do?"
Lupin directed his gaze towards Sirius.
"If anyone knows Regulus better than I do, including those who are no longer in this world..."
Sirius furrowed his brow deeply.
Of course, that was just a joke. They can't extract any secrets from the dead.
"Only Kitty may have known Regulus better, you know. In Kitty's eyes, I'm just a worthless rascal who brings nothing but trouble to the family, but Regulus was my parents' pride and joy, and Kitty is more willing to treat him like a young master."
"I'll go get it."
Anything related to Voldemort is worthy of the most serious attitude, and Lupin immediately got up, ready to go up to the attic.
"There's no need for such trouble."
Amort said indifferently, closing his eyes to sense for a few seconds in the bewildered gaze of the others. Then, he waved his wand a few times, and a grey mist shimmering with electricity gathered in front of the three of them. Amort's hand suddenly extended into the mist, feeling around for a moment before pulling out the constantly screaming Kitty, still struggling and screaming.
"How did you do that?"
Sirius looked shocked.
"It's just a little magical trick--"
Amort threw Kitty onto the ground.
"It only works at close range."
As soon as Kitty landed on the ground, she sprang up with the agility of a koi leaping out of water, her movements showing no sign that she was an elderly house-elf.
It first saw the thing on the ground, so its watery, grey eyes immediately locked onto Sirius, ready to say something. However, in the middle of its sentence, it saw the locket in Amort's hand--
In the quiet kitchen, a blood-chilling shriek suddenly erupted, causing everyone's blood to run cold. Kitty gasped for air, her sunken chest heaving rapidly as she leaped into the air and lunged towards Amort.
"---The locket, Master Regulus' locket, Kitty failed to complete the order, but Kitty won't let anyone take the locket!"
"Reading Hall"
