Regulus of Hogwarts: Lord of the Stars

Chapter 299 Cousin Narcissa, Don't Leave Tonight

After her speech, Bella stepped back from the center of the crowd, and the sounds in the banquet hall gradually returned to normal.

Some people were still gathered near where Bella had stood, discussing her words in twos and threes, their voices still tinged with lingering excitement.

Some people moved to the edge with their wine glasses, pulling themselves out of the frenzy, wearing polite but cold smiles.

Those who were standing on the periphery began to move in, gathering in groups of two or three towards the inner circle, trying to strike up a conversation.

People in the inner circle were quite relaxed; they would respond to a few words if someone struck up a conversation, and continue chatting about their own things if no one did.

The entire banquet hall was arranged in a centripetal pattern, with everyone slowly moving towards the center. However, the closer they got, the slower their steps became and the softer their voices grew.

"Regrus!"

Avery squeezed through the crowd, his face beaming with excitement.

He was dressed quite smartly today, in a dark gray tuxedo with the Cuthbert family crest pinned to the collar, featuring a soaring eagle perched on an oak branch.

Her hair was combed back, revealing her entire face, making her look older than she did in school.

Behind him followed a middle-aged wizard, who was rather thin with strong facial features and bore a striking resemblance to Avery in his eyes and eyebrows.

Regulus nodded to Avery, then looked at old Cuthbert and extended his hand: "Mr. Cuthbert."

Old Cuthbert grasped it briefly, then released it, his tone surprisingly warm: "I hope Avery hasn't caused you any trouble at school?"

"We're friends, there's no reason for us to cause trouble." Regulus smiled, his expression quite ordinary, like any child being asked by a classmate's parent.

He added, "Avery helped me a lot at school."

Old Cuthbert glanced at him a few times, then smiled and nodded: "That's good."

Avery stood to the side, and when he heard the word "friend," the corner of his mouth curled up slightly, but he quickly suppressed it and tried to maintain a proper posture.

Old Cuthbert picked up his glass and took a sip, then changed the subject: "The Cuthbert family still has a few proposals in Wizengamot that haven't been approved this year. I'll visit the Black family another day and have a chat with Orion."

"You're welcome anytime," Regulus said.

Old Cuthbert nodded, picked up his wine glass, and left.

Avery was left behind.

He watched his father's figure disappear into the crowd, paused for a moment, then turned to look at Regulus, his expression a mix of bewilderment and excitement.

"Mrs. Lestrange is absolutely right," Avery said, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement. "Did you hear that? The New Order, the Order of the Purebloods—that's what we've been waiting for."

Regulus, holding his sparkling water, didn't interrupt.

66

My father once said at home that those people in the Ministry of Magic would be eliminated sooner or later, and that the wizarding world should be led by true wizards.

Regulus took a sip of water.

Avery continued talking, his voice growing louder and faster, but he was still sensible enough not to utter the word "Mudblood" to his face.

But that fervor came from the heart.

He was indeed a proponent of bloodlines, and the ideas and education he received from childhood reflected this: purebloods are supreme, mixed-race people are inferior, and Muggles are filthy.

But do the Cuthberts really think that way?

Among the families that openly supported Voldemort, there weren't many who were truly fully committed.

People like Bella are the ones who truly dedicate themselves wholeheartedly.

He made Voldemort's cause his entire purpose, burning together pure-blood faith and dark magic worship, until in the end he burned himself up.

Most patriarchs in their studies aren't thinking about pure-blood glory, but rather whether the deal is worth it.

They don't shed tears for the decline of purebloods before going to sleep at night; they simply side with the interests.

Avery was talking, his voice booming, while Regulus looked at him without saying a word, just listening.

In such situations, even if no one is around, he will not utter a single word of dissent.

There's magic in the walls.

He doesn't need to teach or correct anything; the Cuthbert family will teach their heirs themselves what pureblood really means.

Avery paused mid-sentence, then waved his hand vigorously, his face beaming with excitement: "Hermes!"

Hermes and his father, Abrus Murseb, were walking over from the crowd.

Hermes wore a dark green robe, similar in style to the black robes worn at school, only made of better material and with a higher neckline.

His expression was similar to when he was preparing to sleep in his dormitory; his eyelids were half-closed, and the corners of his mouth were neither up nor down.

Abros stepped forward and clinked glasses with Regulus.

The two nodded to each other.

"Mr. Mursab," Regulus said.

"Black." Abros's voice was low and hoarse. He took a sip of his drink and said nothing more.

Avery quickly greeted him, giving Abros a slight bow, somewhat reservedly: "Mr. Murseb."

Abros nodded to him and took another sip of his drink.

Then Abros also left, carrying his wine glass towards the center of the banquet hall.

There are three little wizards left.

Avery, as if nothing had happened, continued the previous topic:

I believe those things will definitely come true in the future; pure-blood wizards will reclaim what is rightfully ours.

Hermes stood to the side, his expression as if he were looking at a wall.

Regulus held his cup, his expression blank.

As Avery spoke, his voice gradually faded. He looked to his left at Hermes and to his right at Regulus, but neither face gave him any reaction.

"...Don't you guys think so?" Avery asked hesitantly.

Regulus raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder: "Go home and ask your father."

Avery opened his mouth, but didn't say anything. He closed his mouth again, looked down at his cup, and his brows gradually furrowed.

Hermes turned to Regulus: "What are you doing on your holiday?"

"And you?"

"Practice magic," Hermes said matter-of-factly.

Regulus nodded: "Me too."

Avery opened his mouth again.

He originally wanted to say that he had a lot of things he wanted to do during the holiday, but he hadn't finished looking at the new Flying Broom catalog yet. He planned to buy it once he finished looking at it.

There's a magical circus performing Christmas shows in London, and Professor Flitwick's duel game set...

But he looked at Regulus, and then at Hermes.

"Me too," Avery said, "I practice magic."

Hermes' lips twitched.

Regulus looked at the two of them and took a sip of water.

Then he saw Narcissa.

She stood not far away, with Lucius Malfoy beside her.

Narcissa wore a silver-grey gown with a hem that reached her ankles and a very cinched waist, with a light blue tulle shawl draped over her shoulders.

Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders like flowing water in the candlelight, and she wore a thin chain around her neck with a small sapphire hanging from it.

Lucius stood beside her, his platinum blonde hair standing out in the setting, and he wore a well-tailored black gown.

He held a snake-headed cane in his hand; the cane was jet black, and the snake's eyes were two tiny emeralds.

The two of them standing together are both good-looking and look extremely well-matched.

"I'll go over there," Regulus said to Avery and Hermes.

Avery was still thinking about going home to ask his father what he meant, so he nodded. Hermes, without thinking, also nodded.

Regulus walked through the crowd and stood before Narcissa.

"Cousin."

Narcissa turned her head, saw him, and her expression softened: "Regulus."

"Lucius." Regulus nodded.

Lucius raised his cane in return, a slightly reserved smile playing on his lips: "Regulus, good evening."

The three of them walked to the side of the hall, away from the crowd.

There's no need to be so formal here.

Lucius and Narcissa were engaged, and Regulus and Narcissa were close, so Lucius didn't need to maintain that Malfoy-like distance in front of Regulus.

"How is it?" Regulus asked as usual.

Lucius leaned against the wall, his cane planted on the ground, the silver snake at the tip gleaming in the candlelight: "What else can you do in an occasion like this? Show your face, have a couple of drinks, listen to a bunch of correct but useless talk, and then go home."

He glanced at the crowd in the hall, his tone dismissive: "Those who were shouting the loudest just now, how many of you do you think will remember what they shouted tomorrow?"

Regulus did not respond.

"Rodolphus has been quiet tonight," Lucius remarked casually. "Since he came in, I've only seen him speak to three people, and each time it was just a sentence or two."

Regulus simply nodded, but didn't reply.

"I heard you and Bella have a falling out?" Lucius asked, looking at him directly.

Narcissa, standing nearby, frowned slightly, her gaze shifting from Lucius to Regulus: "Regulus, you know, Bella is different now."

"It's not a contradiction," Regulus said casually, "it's just a slight difference of opinion."

Lucius tapped his cane twice with his finger: "Because you sheltered those two half-bloods?"

He said it outright, which didn't surprise Regulus.

This isn't a secret; anyone who wants to know can find out.

"Yes." He nodded.

Narcissa was about to say something when Regulus gave her a look, and Narcissa closed her mouth.

Lucius ignored their interaction and continued, "You are the heir to the Black family; it can't be as simple as just providing shelter. What are you using them for?"

"It just happened casually at first," Regulus said.

Lucius understood: it started out as a matter of convenience, but later it wasn't.

He didn't ask any more questions.

"Cousin," Regulus turned to Narcissa, "stay a while after dinner. You can talk to your cousin Bella if you need anything. It's better if you're with your own people."

A hint of worry flashed in Narcissa's eyes.

She knew what had happened; Bella had written to her, more than one letter.

Narcissa understood Regulus's meaning: he wanted to talk to Bella with her family present so that Bella wouldn't easily lash out.

“Talk to Bella properly,” Narcissa said, her tone clearly concerned. “You know who’s behind her.”

Regulus sensed this, his expression relaxed, and he smiled, but he didn't intend to say what he was going to do right away; a little while wouldn't make a difference.

"I know, cousin," he said. "Don't worry, I'll talk to Bella properly."

Lucius glanced at Narcissa, then at Regulus.

"Then I'll go first," Lucius said to Narcissa, his tone softening and becoming more casual.

"Go back and prepare dinner. Don't expect to get full at this kind of party. Those salmon slices look nice in the cold mist, but they taste like chewing on ice."

Narcissa looked at him, a slight smile playing on her lips. She tightened her grip on Lucius's arm and gave a soft "hmm."

"Lucius," Regulus called out to Lucius as he was about to turn around, "you stay here too."

Lucius stopped in his tracks and looked at Regulus.

His first reaction was not that this guy considered me family; that's something only a child would do.

Regulus was just young, but what he did and the reputation he gained had nothing to do with his age.

He and Narcissa exchanged a glance.

Narcissa frowned again, and Lucius gently placed his hand on the back of her hand.

"Alright," Lucius said, "I'll stay."

After he finished speaking, he continued to look at Regulus, a hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes.

For the Black family to have an outsider present in their internal affairs, it either means they trust each other to that extent, or they need a witness.

There was trust between them, but that trust came from Narcissa, and they both knew exactly how much.

That leaves only one person: a witness.

Regulus nodded: "See you later, cousin."

He then looked at Lucius and nodded: "Lucius."

Then he left Narcissa and Lucius, walked through the now much thinner crowd, and headed toward Avery and Hermes.

Narcissa was silent for a moment before saying, "When he said he wanted to talk things out, did you see his expression?"

Lucius looked at her.

“Too relaxed,” Narcissa said softly. “He’s always been like this since he was a child; the more relaxed he is, the more something seems off.”

Lucius patted her hand that was on his arm without saying anything.

The banquet hall gradually emptied out.

Most of the plates on the long table had been cleared away, and the servants were quietly tidying up. The silver candlesticks were still burning, but the flames had dimmed and the light had gone out a bit.

Regulus stood in the hall and looked around.

Orion stood by the fireplace, expressionless.

Sirius stood to Orion's left, arms crossed, looking at the floor.

Narcissa and Lucius stood on the other side of the banquet hall, Narcissa holding Lucius's arm, her expression unclear in the candlelight.

Rodolphus stood by the doorway between the foyer and the banquet hall, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, looking at the people inside with no expression on his face.

Bella stood in the center of the banquet hall, her gaze sweeping from one face to another.

Walbuga straightened her skirt and said to Orion, "That's enough, it's time to go back."

Orion didn't move.

Walbuga frowned slightly. "Orion?"

"Wait a little longer," Orion said.

Walbuga looked at Orion, then at Regulus standing not far away, then at Bella and Rodolphus opposite him, and Narcissa and Lucius a little further away.

The expression on his face changed from confusion to bewilderment.

She knew something was about to happen, but no one told her what it was.

There was another person in the distance.

Labastan Lestrange stood in the corner of the banquet hall closest to the back door, half of his body hidden behind a pillar.

The air became quiet.

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