Regulus of Hogwarts: Lord of the Stars

Chapter 348 School finally started

January 7, 1974, the first Monday of the year, was the first day of school at Hogwarts.

At 10 a.m., the sky was overcast, and two people were standing in front of number 12 Grimmauld Place.

Regulus stood on the steps in front of the door, wearing a dark gray winter robe with a thick layer of cashmere lining, dark silver patterns on the collar and cuffs, and the Black family crest embroidered on the left breast.

He wore a thick black cloak with the hood up, his hands in his pockets, and Baruch was perched on his shoulder, curled up in a small, dark red ball, half of his body peeking out from the folds of the cloak's collar.

Sirius stood beside him, also wearing a new robe, dark in color, similar in style to Regulus's, except for slightly different patterns on the cuffs, and the Black family crest was embroidered on his left breast.

He didn't resist wearing the robe; he put it on and came out.

Maybe it's because I've figured things out, or maybe it's because I've made up my mind, but I probably won't come back to this place during the next holiday. This is the last time. My family gave me a new robe, so I'll wear it.

Regulus glanced at him but said nothing.

The two of them standing together did look alike; the curve of their noses, the angle of their jawlines, and the depth of their eye sockets were all modeled after the Black family.

But their temperaments are completely different.

Regulus stood quietly, his posture upright, his shoulders open, his face devoid of any superfluous features. The dim light of the overcast sky made his features appear clean, and he was composed and unhurried.

Xiao Guan Langxing stood with a relaxed posture, his chin slightly tucked in, and his hair was a little longer than when he returned from the holiday. It couldn't be tucked behind his ears, and a few strands fell on the side of his face.

He was all outward-facing, with bright eyes, but he had no posture, his weight was on one leg, and his other foot was tapping around on the edge of the step.

With a snap, Kreacher burst out of thin air and stood between the two.

Wrapped in an old tea towel, it twitched its ears twice, looked up at the young master, then at the eldest young master, and stretched out its finger, ready to pat the two men's trouser legs.

Sirius took a step to the side.

Kreacher's finger hovered in mid-air, then turned toward Regulus, his ears drooping.

Regulus glanced at Sirius, said nothing, and just stared.

Sirius raised an eyebrow at him, a smug grin spreading across his face, and said with barely concealed pride, "Want to give it a try?"

Regulus looked at his expression and knew what he wanted to do.

Having just learned Apparition, do you want to show off, or perhaps you want to take the opportunity to mess with him?

But after thinking about it, he realized that this guy probably didn't have the skill to deliberately adjust the spatial passage to make people uncomfortable.

Knowing his personality, once he learns something new, he gets itchy hands and wants to show it off.

Go ahead and show off.

Regulus's lips twitched slightly as he gently tucked Baruch, who was slung over his shoulder, into his inner pocket. "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Sirius grinned, ignored him, and placed his hand directly on Regulus's shoulder.

Regulus did not resist; in fact, he actively suppressed his magical fluctuations.

Apparition isn't some advanced magic; spatial travel is a basic application that Hogwarts teaches in the sixth year, so it's not difficult to learn.

However, its potential is very high, and Sirius is only at the beginner level. Regulus is not very confident in the stability of his operation.

His magic was too heavy for Sirius; if it wasn't suppressed, it would interfere with him.

He turned to Kreacher and said, "Kreacher, you can go back now."

Kreacher glanced at Sirius, looking displeased, but still bowed and disappeared with a snap.

Sirius grinned, and the next moment, space contracted, and with a snap, the two disappeared from the front of number 12 Grimmauld Place.

At King's Cross Station, on Platform 9¾, two people appear out of nowhere behind a pillar, their feet resting on the stone slabs of the platform.

Regulus regained his footing and felt no discomfort.

To be honest, it's alright.

It wasn't as shaky as I'd imagined. The tunnel was a bit rough, and the folds in the space weren't completely smoothed out, so there was a noticeable feeling of being squeezed. But the bumps were much lighter than when he took Sirius last time.

It's certainly far from his level, but at this stage, it's considered a mature Apparition.

Baruch moved something in his inner pocket, making a very soft click, but didn't get angry.

The platform was already quite lively.

Steam billowed from the red locomotive, spreading through the air and blurring the lights on the platform.

Platform 9¾ was packed with people.

The young wizards dragged their suitcases through the crowd, owls fluttered in their cages, parents held their children's hands and walked towards the carriages, some people were laughing, some were shouting.

A little girl carrying an owl cage ran past them, nearly bumping into a pillar. Her father called after her, telling her not to run so fast.

Steam billowing from the locomotive rolled past the two men, carrying the smells of coal smoke and engine oil.

Sirius stood next to Regulus, watching the lively scene before him, and remained silent for a moment.

He studied here for almost three years. Every time he came, he would teleport down, pass through the crowd, and board the train.

He used to think this place was where he started his escape from Grimoire Place, and every time he stood here, he wished the train would start moving immediately.

The train is still parked there today, just like before, and he's still standing here.

It wasn't long before Sirius came to his senses.

He turned to look at Regulus, grinned, raised an eyebrow, and his expression instantly brightened, his smugness returning: "How was it?"

Regulus looked at him and a slight smile played on his lips: "Not bad."

Sirius stared at him for a while, then called out and turned his face away.

A while later, a train whistle sounded on the platform, and people on the platform began to gather towards the train carriages.

Sirius looked at Regulus, his tone a mix of complex emotions and excitement: "Then I'm off."

Regulus hummed in agreement and nodded.

Sirius didn't move. He kept looking at Regulus, his lips moved slightly, and his expression was a little strange, as if he wanted to say something but didn't know where to start. His tongue swirled in his mouth.

Finally, he simply asked, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Regulus looked at his awkward face and couldn't help but want to laugh.

He could roughly guess what Sirius was thinking; the guy was adding his own drama again.

Perhaps this scene had been brewing since I woke up this morning. Leaving home, leaving Grimoire Place, never to return, and finally, it has come to this.

But having reached this point, he found it wasn't as enjoyable as he had imagined.

He thought that escaping meant slamming the door and leaving without looking back, leaving behind his family who didn't understand him and everything he never wanted to touch again.

But that's not actually the case.

His family didn't stop him, Walbuga didn't stop him, Orion didn't stop him, and Regulus certainly didn't stop him.

He tried his best to make things difficult, only to find that his family was just going along with it.

He had truly figured it out: his path lay not in Grimmauld Place, not in the pureblood circle, and not in the Black family tradition.

Of course he wouldn't feel reluctant.

It was probably because he finally realized that the door to his house had always been open and no one had ever locked it.

All his anger, resistance, and table-flipping ultimately hit nothing but cotton.

Leaving was my own choice; no one forced me, and no one tried to stop me.

It could also be because this way of walking wasn't tragic or intense enough, and didn't quite match the scene he imagined.

Regulus ignored all of that.

He took a step forward, raised his hand, and placed his palm lightly on Sirius's head to compare the height difference between the two.

Half an inch, less than a finger joint.

Regulus withdrew his hand, turned and walked towards the carriage, leaving only the words, "Eat well."

Sirius stood there, stunned, for a long while.

He watched Regulus's back disappear into the crowd, his dark gray robes appearing and disappearing in the steam, and a small, dark red spider on his shoulder peeking out at him.

He suddenly laughed, made a strange face, shook his head, tugged at the collar of his robe, and then turned and strode off in another direction.

In the distance, James Potter and his family of three stood at the carriage door. Fremont was taking something out of his suitcase, while Euphemia was adjusting James' scarf.

James struggled twice but couldn't break free, muttering something under his breath.

Remus Lupin stood beside them, looking rather unwell, carrying a small box. He waved to Sirius when he saw him.

James saw it too, shoved his mother's hand away, and waved and shouted at Sirius.

Sirius grinned and laughed as he walked over, his steps getting bigger and bigger until he was almost running for the last few steps.

That's where he belongs.

Regulus emerged from behind the pillar, and after a few steps, he raised his hand and cast an illusion spell. His figure faded briefly in the steam before disappearing completely.

He noticed several gazes falling on him as soon as he landed using Apparition.

From the platform benches, from the carriage doors, and from the pillars, there were mostly adult wizards, and a few dressed in respectable robes, accompanied by children, presumably their parents.

They saw him talking to Sirius, but didn't come closer.

Now that he's come out, people are starting to look this way, and two of them have already taken a step.

The news of the Christmas dinner spread.

Regulus had no interest in dealing with these people at the station, so he stayed close to the edge of the crowd and walked toward the back of the carriage.

Avery stood at the door of the third carriage, tiptoeing and peering into the center of the platform. He was wearing a new dark green robe with a silver brooch at the collar, and his hair was neatly combed.

Regulus walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder: "I'm going up first."

Avery turned around abruptly, not seeing anyone, but recognizing Regulus's voice.

Before he could react, Regulus had already stepped onto the running board and entered the carriage.

Avery paused for a moment, then realized what was happening. He grinned, clearly excited, but didn't rush to follow.

He looked around the crowd and found Hermes and Alex. He waved to them, and the three of them entered the carriage together.

At 11:00 a.m. sharp, the train started moving, heading north through the gray sky and through the English winter.

The view outside the window changed from the grey rooftops of London to the yellow pastures, and then to the brown hills and light snow of the Scottish Highlands.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station. It was already dark, and the lights on the platform were on.

Regulus got out of the carriage, followed by Avery and Alex, with Hermes bringing up the rear.

The carriages lined up outside the station, with the Thestrals bowing their heads in front of the carriage shafts. The students, unable to see them, walked past them, only feeling that the carriages were moving on their own.

The four boarded the carriage and walked up the long road, with the trees on both sides swaying in the night wind.

The outline of a castle appeared in the distance, its windows glowing with a warm yellow light, growing higher and denser.

The carriage stopped in front of the castle, and the students filed out, walked up the stone steps, passed through the oak gate, and poured into the brightly lit hall.

Four long tables from the entrance to the end of the hall were piled high with food: roast beef, pork chops, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and bread baskets overflowing.

Candles floated in mid-air, golden plates and goblets shimmered in the candlelight, the ceiling transformed into the night sky, stars moved slowly, and occasionally one would streak across the zenith.

It was noisy and lively, filled with greetings and laughter.

Regulus sat down near the center of the Slytherin table.

Avery sat to his right, Alex and Hermes sat opposite him, and Lena and Samuel sat next to Alex.

People around were talking in hushed tones, and the tableware clinked against the porcelain plates.

Dumbledore rose from the center of the teachers' table, wearing a deep purple robe embroidered with gold stars.

His long, silvery-white beard gleamed slightly in the candlelight, and his gaze, behind his crescent-shaped glasses, swept across the four long tables.

He opened his arms, and the sounds in the hall gradually subsided.

"Welcome back," his gentle voice echoed throughout the auditorium. "I hope everyone had a fulfilling holiday, and I hope you bring back more than just new robes and textbooks."

A few sporadic bursts of laughter rang out.

As Dumbledore's laughter subsided, a smile remained on his lips, but behind his half-moon spectacles, his blue eyes became more serious.

"Holidays are always enjoyable, and I've heard that some people had particularly wonderful holidays this year."

Several upperclassmen of Slytherin chuckled softly.

"But the new semester has already begun, and I think we're all ready to face whatever comes next."

"The outside world is changing, and some of you have already felt it. Your parents may have mentioned some things at the dinner table, or they may have deliberately avoided mentioning them."

The young wizards quieted down.

"In the days to come, you will hear more voices, some loud and some very persuasive."

Some will tell you what is right, what is necessary, and what is inevitable.

His gaze did not linger on any of the long tables.

"I won't tell you what to believe, but I hope that when you hear those voices, you'll ask yourself one question first."

He paused, then continued, "If no one tells me what to think, what will I think on my own?"

Dumbledore raised his glass: "Happy new school term."

A chorus of responses erupted in the hall, the clinking of glasses blending together, and the lively atmosphere returned.

Regulus raised the pumpkin juice and took a sip.

Dumbledore's words were not cryptic; the meaning was quite clear.

The situation outside is tightening. Voldemort's infiltration has not yet become public, but it is accelerating.

Dumbledore couldn't tell his students that someone was trying to win over their parents, but he was planting a seed beforehand: to find their own voice before being drowned out by others' voices.

Last year it was about reasoning, kindness, justice, and responsibility; this year it's about reminding people to use their own brains.

The situation was moving forward, and Dumbledore's words were moving forward as well.

The dinner ended amidst a great deal of noise.

The students left the hall one after another, and Regulus followed the Slytherin group down into the underground.

After passing through the cold corridor and descending the stone steps, I said the password, and the stone wall cracked open, revealing the entrance to the common room, from which green flames shone.

He had just stepped inside, and hadn't even taken two steps.

A group of people gathered around.