Tiberius' first reaction was to scoff at that statement. He hardly trusted Ellory to have the inside scoop on the feelings of everyone in the Lestrange family. She was only prevented from being the black sheep of her particular branch by the last minute poor decision-making of Rosalind. Tiberius and Antigone both knew that her own mother had seen fit to allow her to be subjected to the Cruciatus Curse for embarrassing behavior, which was hardly a glowing recommendation. Who would she even be talking to on the subject, Cassius? Tiberius hardly cared what Cassius thought of him; he was a wretch and an invert and most likely still blamed Tiberius at least in part for the death of his sordid male lover. Tiberius knew, on the other hand, that Valeria adored him and had born his children, that Seneca viewed him as something of a mentor and had written to ask him several questions regarding advanced magic, and that Lucius respected him enough to confide in him, at least where certain parts of family business were concerned.

Of course, it was possible that members of the family might hold Claudius higher than him — in fact, it would have been illogical to think they wouldn't, since he was a member of the direct family and Tiberius was a cousin who had been grafted in during his Hogwarts years. The only person for whom that implication bothered him at all was Lucius, because Tiberius had spent so long idolizing the man and was hesitant to think his uncle might in any way view him negatively. But, again, Ellory would hardly be the best source of some intelligence, if that was true.

"Ellory is an idiot," he confirmed stiffly. "And one who has demonstrated herself prone to getting into trouble in the past. You would do well to avoid her, to the extent practical," he continued. "So that you don't find yourself involved in the same sort of trouble."