Regulus of Hogwarts: Lord of the Stars

Chapter 602 Exchanging Trust

Looking at Slughorn's round, smiling face, Regulus was filled with admiration.

This old man is usually so shrewd, calculating so clearly, avoiding Voldemort so much, and staying away from him whenever possible. Yet today he took the initiative to bring out this kind of thing.

The professor was the one who knew Voldemort had made Horcruxes, and he was Voldemort's only old friend whom Voldemort feared. By doing this, he was essentially helping Voldemort fight against Voldemort and deceiving Voldemort.

If Regulus were to leak these words to Voldemort, the Professor's situation would be ruined.

For this little old man, this was basically putting all his trust on the line.

The timing was perfect; Lucius had just mentioned two days ago that Voldemort wanted to see him at Christmas, and then the professor brought out the medicine, which was brewed around Christmas time.

Perhaps it was a coincidence, or perhaps the professor learned something from somewhere.

Even if he knew, it wouldn't be surprising; Death Eaters are human, and humans have social interactions.

The most socially adept person in all of Britain, and perhaps even all of Europe, is probably this little old man in front of you.

His network of connections spanned decades, reaching from Hogwarts to the Ministry of Magic to the European continent; it was entirely plausible that he knew something about the Death Eaters' activities.

This medicine itself is not simple; putting aside the value of the raw materials, they would be extremely expensive on the market, but for the Blake family and...

For the Slughorn family, money is just money.

What's even more valuable here is the level of expertise taught to Europe's top potion masters and the effort invested over two years.

If you do all the things the professor told you not to do, this medicine will become something that puts a shell on your soul.

Potions involving the soul are beyond Regulus's understanding of potions.

It's hard to say how much of it is potion-based and how much is magic-based, but it certainly can't be solved purely by recipes and steps.

The fact that the professor could bring these things up and give them to him shows that he was confident he could deceive Voldemort and the Dark Mark.

Regulus wasn't exactly an amateur when it came to potions, but he was unsure about this matter; things on the level of the soul were undeniably profound.

The professor may or may not have known what he was about to face. In any case, the professor chose to help him, using his unique way of speaking, going around in circles, giving advice in a roundabout way, and emphasizing things in a rambling manner.

Such trust is so rare.

Regulus racked his brains trying to figure out how to give the professor an equal response.

The professor's greatest fear was Voldemort's reckoning. As someone who knew about the Horcruxes and was the holder of that secret, the professor lived in constant fear.

There's really no need to worry about that. As long as he doesn't cause any trouble, the professor will remain safe. He might live in fear, but he'll be safe.

Needless to say, if he were to mention money at this point, even if the professor didn't immediately turn hostile, he would never be able to step into this office again. They wouldn't become enemies, but they would definitely become strangers.

What does a professor need?

Regulus thought and thought, and thought and thought, until he had an idea.

He raised his head.

Slughorn was putting a candied fruit into his mouth when he saw Regulus look up. He paused for a moment, then put the candied fruit back in his mouth and chewed, smiling broadly with obvious enjoyment.

In his view, the child was touched by his craftsmanship and sincerity, and was deeply moved.

He didn't urge him, he just waited.

Regulus leaned back, relaxing his posture, and his voice became more lively than before.

"Professor, have you heard of a place beneath the North Sea?"

Slughorn raised an eyebrow, still chewing.

Beihai is too big, what's not at the bottom?

But he also knew this kid wasn't one to ramble on, so he chuckled and asked, "There are plenty of things under the North Sea, which one are you talking about?"

"Whispers from the abyss," Regulus looked at him, his tone relaxed. "This organization, do you know it?"

"Whispers of the Abyss?" Slughorn thought for a moment. "I've heard of that name. It's an international dark wizarding society, full of elites who operate mainly on the sea and rarely come to land."

I heard they've been searching for something, but nobody knows exactly what it is. They've been doing this for centuries, keeping a low profile, and their magical style is very unique. Beyond that, I don't know anything more.

Regulus nodded. "They're looking for a place, deep in the North Sea. I have a document with the coordinates on it."

Slughorn became interested.

Is something that an organization that has been searching for for hundreds of years in Regulus's hands?

"Have you been there?"

Regulus didn't answer directly, but gave a vague smile: "The things there are completely different from regular magic; only those who are permitted can enter."

Slughorn raised an eyebrow, wiped his fingers with a handkerchief, and took a sip of his tea.

So Regulus not only had the coordinates, but he had also been there.

Regulus continued, "There's a core there. It doesn't tell you exactly how to do it, it doesn't teach you specific spells, but it shows you a direction."

The direction of magic, no matter which path you choose, it can point you to what the end of that path will lead to, laying out the more fundamental power before you so you can see for yourself.

Regulus adopted a more uncertain tone: "If it were a potion, it would probably be pointed in a certain direction. I haven't tried it there, but I'm guessing."

Slughorn's brow began to furrow.

The fundamental power of potions, the direction of potions.

His potion-making skills haven't reached the top yet, but he can already see it. With his current level, he's almost there. If he wants to take another step forward, he either needs to change direction or stay where he is.

If what Regulus said is true, he can see what lies at the end of the potion path, and thus he has a way forward.

Regulus's voice rang out again: "But there is a price to pay. It reveals the true nature of the path, perhaps requiring the surrender of free will and independent thought, becoming part of something greater, the individual's noise disappearing, and everything returning to that cold system."

Slughorn's brow furrowed even deeper.

At his age, he is quite knowledgeable and experienced.

Magic is full of things that require you to give yourself up. Dark magic is one, Horcruxes are another, and the greater benefits that Grindelwald promised back then are yet another.

But Regulus's statement, "I'll give you a path, but I won't force you to take it. You can decide for yourself," was something he had never heard of before.

He pondered for a moment, then looked at Regulus, his voice low and deep: "You accept?"

Regulus was silent for a moment, then stopped hiding it and shook his head: "I didn't accept."

Slughorn shifted his gaze from Regulus's face to the black lake outside the window.

Regulus is only thirteen years old. He has a long road ahead and a distant destination. He has plenty of time to walk his own path. There is no need to hand over his free will and independent thought. If he were to change his mindset, he might be able to reach the destination.

What about himself?

If there were such a thing that could point him in a direction, he thought about it and put the idea aside. Something thorny is one thing to look at, but touching it is another.

Regulus observed the professor's expression and waited a moment before saying, "Professor, the document is by Grindelwald."

Slughorn's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air.

The name Grindelwald held complex meaning for him.

He had no direct connection to the wizarding war with Grindelwald when he was young, but that name was a shared shadow for his generation, burning across Europe for twenty years and finally ending with a duel.

He was silent for a moment, then his voice grew deeper than before: "You've seen him?"

Regulus shook his head.

Slughorn breathed a sigh of relief and was about to say something when Regulus added, "He may have seen me."

Slughorn looked momentarily stunned.

Grindelwald had been imprisoned in Newmontard for decades, cut off from all contact with the outside world. How could he have possibly met Regulus?

The next moment, he thought of Grindelwald's identity, the prophet, and how the entire line of the Sorcerer Party was based on prophecy.

Those heterochromatic eyes are said to be able to see fragments of the future.

Grindelwald may have seen Regulus very early on, foreseen when the boy would appear, what he would do, where he would go, and what he would ultimately achieve.

So he left the documents and coordinates out, waiting for Regulus to come up to him. The whole thing was set up by Grindelwald from beginning to end.

Why did Grindelwald do that?

Slughorn continued to think.

If Grindelwald wanted to come out, he would have done so long ago; if he had already given up, he wouldn't be extending his tentacles any further.

His actions towards Regulus indicate that he hasn't given up; he's waiting for an opportunity, waiting for someone who can allow him to return to the outside world.

Regulus is that person.

Slughorn glanced up at Regulus, and the boy seemed different to him now.

He used to think that Regulus was the heir to the Black family, a child whose talent had already been realized, and the most worthwhile investment for him.

Now he knew that this child was also one of Grindelwald's chosen ones, and that those chosen by Grindelwald were always part of a far-reaching plan.

Did Regulus know about this?

Of course he knew; he had the documents, he had been to that place, and he knew that the whole thing was arranged by Grindelwald.

So what was he thinking? Did he accept Grindelwald's arrangement or reject it? Which side was he on?

Slughorn looked at Regulus but didn't speak immediately.

Regulus looked at him, as if he knew what the professor was thinking, and said directly, "Professor, I don't intend to be controlled by anyone, whether it's Grindelwald, Voldemort, or Dumbledore. I will only walk the path I want to walk."

Slughorn visibly relaxed upon hearing this.

The child was telling the truth; he had watched the child grow up since first grade and knew who Regulus was.

Regulus did not lie, or rather, he disdained to lie. He would not answer if he did not want to, but whatever came out of his mouth was the truth.

He felt a little relieved.

As for that place, he still needs to think about it some more.

He didn't let the silence linger for long. He slapped the table and laughed, "Alright, that's enough for today. You can think about the medicine first. If you have any questions, come find me."

Regulus stood up, straightened the front of his robe, and nodded slightly: "Professor, I will not tell anyone about the potions."

Slughorn knew what he was talking about as soon as he heard it, and waved his hand with a laugh: "I know, I know, lunch is almost ready, go ahead."

Regulus pushed the door open and went out, the door closing behind him.