Regulus of Hogwarts: Lord of the Stars

Chapter 291 Serves You Right for Being So rude

In Orion's judgment, Sirius was not someone Sirius should be listening to the following conversation.

It's not that I don't trust them, it's just that there's no need to.

He wanted to talk to Regulus about Bella's situation, why he had sheltered those two half-bloods, and why he had replied in such a provocative way.

Each of these events points to the same question: why did Regulus choose this time and place to initiate a conflict with Bella?

Regulus's actions at school seemed more blatant than before, openly protecting the half-bloods, placing them at the heart of the Slytherin table, and responding in that way to Bellatrix's warnings.

Each item seemed to deliberately provoke conflict, which was not Regulus's usual style.

But Orion knew his son; Regulus wouldn't do these things without a reason.

These actions would be troublesome for any second-year pure-blooded wizard, but Orion felt that Regulus must have his reasons for doing so.

Regulus's power had reached a level that many adult wizards could not attain, but the changes brought about by that power were the fewest.

Anyone else with Regulus's abilities would have gotten arrogant long ago.

He swaggered around Hogwarts, looked down on everyone in the pure-blood circle, and even started challenging wizards who were a cut above him.

The twelve-year-old wizard possesses spatial magic, can summon legendary guardian spirits, and has developed the Disintegration Charm, which is comparable to the Killing Charm. His Fiendfire has been tamed to such an extent that his combat skills are stronger than most Aurors.

If this talent were in someone with poor self-control, they would have ruined themselves long ago in the current state of the magical world.

But Regulus did not.

He remained calm and restrained, taking things one step at a time, never jumping ahead or acting recklessly.

Orion even thought that even if Regulus were to one day reach the level of Dumbledore or Voldemort, he would probably still be the same as he is now.

Because that's just how he is at heart; calmness and restraint are his inherent traits.

Therefore, there must have been reasons, purposes, and plans behind what he did.

Those reasons and purposes are what we'll really be discussing in the study tonight.

But Sirius shouldn't have been there.

Orion won't believe a word that Walbuga said at the dinner table. He'll talk to his cousin Bella and make things clear.

Let's have a proper talk?

If Regulus had intended to have a proper discussion, he wouldn't have done those things.

So he never intended for Sirius to be involved.

But Regulus sent him, why?

Is it related to the changes in Sirius?

What happened between the two brothers at school?

Orion looked at Regulus, waiting for his explanation.

Regulus met Orion's gaze, his tone flat: "He knows about the Dark Awakening."

Orion raised his eyebrows slightly, then lowered them, returning to his calm demeanor.

Regulus continued, "We talked at Hogwarts. He knew who Bella represented, the situation at the time, and why I accepted the offer."

He didn't say what they talked about specifically, but only told Orion that Sirius knew.

Orion shifted his gaze from Regulus to Sirius.

Sirius sat in the chair, leaning back with his hands on the armrests, his fingertips tracing the edges. His gaze fell on the spine of a book on the bookshelf next to him, his expression a little awkward.

He did think a lot at the time, throughout the entire vacation.

Bella's urn led to Regulus's choice, which in turn led to questions about what was wrong with the family, and what was wrong with him.

He tugged at his sleeve and muttered, "I came up with it myself."

His voice wasn't loud, but his tone carried a hint of defiance and smugness, as if to say, "You've hit the nail on the head, but I didn't learn this from you."

That's right, he came up with it himself.

Regulus only said there was no choice; the rest was up to him to figure out.

But being told to his face that he knew and understood made him feel very uncomfortable, as if a layer of skin had been peeled off.

Regulus did not respond.

Orion didn't answer either.

The study was quiet for a while, and the green flame in the fireplace flickered twice.

Orion looked at Sirius, at his awkward yet seemingly indifferent demeanor, and at his little gesture of tugging at his sleeve.

Regulus actually talked to him about that matter.

That day in the restaurant in Grimmauld Place, Bellatrix, on behalf of Voldemort, handed over the casket, leaving Regulus with only one option.

If they don't answer, it's a matter between the Black family and Voldemort.

By accepting the offer, Voldemort was essentially making a show of force, shifting his focus from the Black family's position to the potential of the Black family heir.

This son knew Regulus's situation at the time: under Voldemort's watchful gaze and trapped by the family's stance, with no room for refusal.

He learned about his brother's situation, that he had no choice at the time, and that some things cannot be judged by right or wrong.

He found out, and then he started to change.

I've grown up, at least in this respect.

But Orion also knew that this was the end of it.

Sirius learned of Regulus's predicament and understood his brother's helplessness. He even tried to get closer to Regulus in his own way.

He understood Regulus, not the Black family.

He still doesn't accept the pure-blood system, he doesn't accept Voldemort's system, and he doesn't accept the way this family operates.

He will not become a qualified pure-blood family heir, he will not hold a glass and chat with people at a banquet, and he will not put the family's interests before his personal wishes.

He only knew one thing: his brother, in that world he despised, was forced to make a choice he also despised, and that choice was the right one.

This is enough.

There is no need for him to accept anything more, nor is it possible for him to accept anything more.

Orion looked away, nodded, and said nothing.

Regulus waited a moment, then said, "So he can listen to some of it here."

Orion nodded again, as if to acknowledge it.

Regulus continued, his tone the same as before: "After the dinner, I'd like to keep a few people here, preferably all the Black family members, including my cousin Narcissa, so we can talk face-to-face."

He didn't say what he wanted to talk about, but Sirius understood that he wanted Ganbeira.

Sirius sprang to his feet, his eyes gleaming, and his voice rose in a sneer: "You're going to fight Bella?"

Regulus glanced at him: "I said talk."

"Talk?" Sirius Black curled his lip, his expression clearly disbelieving. "What do you and Bella have to talk about?"

Regulus didn't look at him again, and said calmly, "Just do your own thing."

Sirius Black, unconvinced, leaned forward slightly, a smirk playing on his lips, a look of eager excitement on his face: "I can!"

"You can't," Regulus interrupted him.

Sirius's mouth was still open, the rest of his sentence stuck in his throat, his brows furrowed, and he became even more unconvinced.

He raised his voice slightly: "You have no idea what I'm going to say!"

Regulus turned his head to look at him, his expression unchanged: "You can't even beat Kreacher."

Sirius's expression froze.

Then he laughed, making a snickering sound, exhaling through his nose, his mouth stretching to his ears, his face clearly saying, "Are you kidding me?"

"Kreacher?" He looked at Regulus, his tone full of disdain. "You mean that little elf who's always kneeling around scrubbing the floor?"

But Regulus didn't laugh.

Sirius's smile was still on his face.

He looked at Regulus's expression; there was nothing on his face, no joking, no mockery, nothing at all.

He glanced at Orion again, but Orion looked down at the table and didn't look at him.

Sirius's smile gradually faded.

He remained defiant, jutting his chin forward: "You mean Kreacher? That Kreacher?"

Regulus didn't answer, but turned his head and said, "Kreacher."

Kreacher emerged from the air in the corner of the study and stood with his hands at his sides beside the desk.

The tea towel was washed clean, the edges were ironed flat, and the large ears protruded from both sides.

It bent down toward Regulus, its nose almost touching his knee: "Young master's name is Kreacher."

Then he noticed Orion behind the desk and Sirius next to him, and bowed to them respectively: "Master, young master."

Regulus pointed at Sirius: "Take his wand."

Kreacher blinked twice, his body stiffening slightly.

Its gaze moved from Regulus's face to Sirius's face, and then to Orion's face.

The eldest son is also the master.

But the young master is giving orders.

Orion looked up, didn't speak, but simply nodded.

Kreacher turned back to look at Sirius, who raised his right hand and snapped his fingers in the air.

Snapped.

The sound was crisp and light, like breaking a dry twig.

Sirius's wand flew out of the inner pocket of his robe.

Before he could react, his hand was still on his knee when the wand slipped from his grasp, twirled halfway through the air, and floated lightly to Orion's desk.

Sirius then reached into his pocket, only to find it empty.

He had his hands in his inner pockets and was looking at the wand on the table.

His magic wand.

He usually carried it in his inner pocket, close to his ribs, but now that spot was empty.

He looked at Kreacher.

Kreacher stood with his hands at his sides, his posture respectful, his eyes lowered, and his fingertips still in the position of snapping his fingers.

Sirius Black's face had three words written on it: What the hell!

This thing, disarms his magic wand?

Sirius suddenly turned back and glared at Regulus: "You made it..."

He didn't finish speaking.

Regulus pointed with his right index finger.

A gray light shot out from his fingertips, striking Sirius squarely in the chest.

Everything was petrified.

Sirius's voice caught in his throat, and his body froze instantly.

Then came the second course.

Regulus tapped his finger again and plugged his ears.

The world is quiet.

Sirius remained frozen in his chair, half-sitting up.

His mouth was open, half a word still hanging on his tongue, his eyes were wide open, his finger was pointing in the direction of Regulus, and his posture was stiff, like a statue.

He can see.

Regulus sat down next to him, withdrew his fingers, and his expression remained unchanged.

Orion sat behind his desk, his gaze sweeping over him before returning to his seat.

The world has become a silent film; all sound has been stripped away.

Sirius Black wanted to move, but couldn't.

I want to blink, but I can't.

I want to turn my head, but I can't.

My arms were dangling in mid-air, the posture was incredibly awkward, but I was so frozen in place that I didn't feel any soreness even after a while.

Regulus looked at him, his lips moved, and he uttered three words.

Sirius Black couldn't understand it.

Serves you right.

He deserved it for being so foul-mouthed.