The Headmaster had said amiably, "Living," and when Severus did not accept this at face value, sighed and offered an alternative suggestion. He proceeded to explain the present dilemma he was attempting to handle - ("What," said Severus, "the Dark Lord trying to break into your school isn't enough problems for you?") - which was that Gringotts was being strangely reticent on the subject of the Potters. Jared Nott, a close associate of Lord Malfoy, had made an inquiry of the Wizengamot as to why there were presently only six Noble Houses, and indeed there had been for ten years as of Halloween. He had wanted to know why the deaths of the Potters were not being properly addressed.