Regulus of Hogwarts: Lord of the Stars

This class was taught together by Slytherin and Hufflepuff, and students from both houses gathered around to watch.

Avery sat next to Regulus, looking proud.

Alex was both surprised and impressed, his eyes wide open.

Hermes pursed his lips, but his eyes kept glancing this way.

The Hufflepuff students had mixed expressions, including envy, curiosity, and craving.

Professor McGonagall walked over, and with just one glance, she saw through the essence of the matter.

"This is not a magical creature," Professor McGonagall said sternly to all the young wizards.

"The transformation of magical creatures involves the deepest level of change, requiring a step beyond regular transformations. That's a very advanced field, and it's impossible for you to do it at your current level."

She carefully examined the winged rabbit, her eyes filled with admiration.

"Mr. Black simply altered the rabbit's original physiological structure," Professor McGonagall continued.

"Flight organs were added, and the relevant muscles and bones were adjusted. The transformation itself is not very sophisticated, but it requires a deep understanding of the target form."

Knowing what the normal structure of a rabbit is, knowing how to modify it without disrupting its overall balance, and knowing how to maintain its vital functions after modification.

She looked at Regulus: "Very good transformation, precise control, reasonable structure, full of imagination. Slytherin, 10/10 for a creative transformation."

"Thank you, Professor," Regulus said politely.

Professor McGonagall nodded and turned to instruct the other students.

But as she turned around, a subtle expression flashed across her face, almost one of confusion.

She had a vague feeling that this Blake seemed... a bit more lively?

It wasn't about personality, Professor McGonagall thought, but rather a lively mind.

Last semester, his questions were all serious questions about the transformation of matter. The two diamonds and graphite left a deep impression on Professor McGonagall, even though it was a direction she had never considered.

On the first day of the semester, he asked her that strange question about coelenterates, and she still vividly remembered the expression on Philius's face as he told her about it.

Now they've come up with this winged rabbit. While it's technically impeccable, it gives off a playful vibe.

Professor McGonagall wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

But she was certain of one thing: something must have changed about Blake during this holiday.

Perhaps it was some kind of experience, or perhaps it was some kind of magic.

She just hoped it was for the best.

Regulus was unaware of Professor McGonagall's deep thoughts; he was simply engaging in practical thinking, a blend of rational analysis and emotional creation.

Using rational analysis of a rabbit's physiological structure, and using intuition to create the intriguing idea of ​​a flying rabbit.

Then combine the two to create this transformation.

The effect is good.

He planned to ask an advanced question after he had fully digested Professor McGonagall's notes, so as to gain more advanced knowledge of Transfiguration.

He benefited greatly from the previous discussion on turning graphite into diamonds, and next time he should ask more in-depth questions.

For example, where are the limits of the transformation of living organisms? And where is the boundary between transformation and the creation of life?

These reflections deepened his understanding of Transfiguration.

This also allowed his strength to steadily improve.

When the bell rang, the students packed up their belongings and left the classroom.

Regulus turned the winged rabbit back into a handkerchief, folded it, and put it back on the table. Then he walked with Avery and the others to the Slytherin common room.

People came and went in the corridor. Freshmen hurriedly searched for their next classroom, while older students gathered in twos and threes to talk.

The portraits on the walls doze or chat in their respective frames, while the armored figures stand motionless in the niches.

As Regulus reached the corner of the stairs on the second floor, he suddenly sensed something.

A subtle perception is the change in space.

About ten meters behind me, a barely perceptible ripple appeared in the air.

Gentle and natural, like water droplets merging into the ripples of water's surface.

He instantly recognized it as a house-elf.

Hogwarts has hundreds of house-elves who work in the kitchen, clean the dormitories, and do various chores throughout the castle.

It's perfectly normal for them to move freely within the castle, using that unique spatial magic to teleport instantly.

But Regulus continued forward, and the spatial fluctuation followed him.

Maintaining a distance of about ten meters, he turns when he turns, he goes up the stairs when he goes up the stairs, and when he stops to pretend to tie his shoelaces, he stays still.

Regulus understood; it was surveillance.

But why are they monitoring him?

Several possibilities flashed through Regulus's mind.

The incident at Knockout Lane during the holiday has been exposed, is it a Cruciatus Curse?

It's unlikely. In a place like Fandao Alley, no one would care if a few people died, and besides, Father has already taken care of it all.

The conversation at the Malfoy family dinner party?

The conversations were all veiled and contained little substance, so they weren't likely to attract surveillance.

What else did I do?

Then he thought of another possibility: this surveillance might have started last semester.

His outstanding performance at Hogwarts last semester—his first-place ranking, his dominance over fifth-year students, and his discussions of advanced topics with professors—may have attracted the attention of some people.

And in Hogwarts, who is most likely, and has the best reason to, monitor talented students?

Without a doubt, it's Dumbledore.

Thinking about Dumbledore and Voldemort's past, and Dumbledore's early interest in Tom Riddle and his later confrontation with him.

The headmaster does indeed keep an eye on young wizards who show special talent.

It wasn't out of malice, but more of a precaution, a plan in advance.

Regulus didn't think much of it; in fact, he thought it was a good thing.

If you want to see it, then see it. He never intended to hide too much, at least not in public.

In class, he was an excellent student, diligent and eager to learn, and good at thinking.

He was polite and respectful in front of the professor, and humbly sought his guidance.

In front of his classmates, he restrained his companions, prevented conflicts, and maintained order within Slytherin.

These performances are all worthy of scrutiny.

Moreover, it's more accurate to describe it as observation rather than surveillance.

Dumbledore wanted to see what kind of person he was, what path he would take, and what choices he would make.

Then let him watch, watch him attend classes diligently, watch him study magic, watch him maintain basic interpersonal relationships.

Let's see how he grows up as a normal, talented young wizard who may influence the future of the magical world.

All of these are fine, but not the dorm room.

Regulus believed that Dumbledore wouldn't go to such lengths to monitor people.

The principal has a bottom line and will not infringe on students' most basic privacy.

Moreover, there are too many things in the dormitory that cannot be seen by others: the practice of star trail meditation, the digestion of inherited magic, the dangerous knowledge learned from the forbidden book area, and some of his own thoughts and notes.

Dumbledore can't see any of this, but it doesn't matter if his roommates see some of it, since they can't understand it.

Then he thought of a place: the House of Requirement.

He had known about the room for a long time, but had never gone there.

Firstly, there was no particular need, and secondly, I didn't want to get involved in those secrets too early, but now it seems the time is right.

On Halloween night, Barrow the Blood Man said that Hogwarts hides a place that only those who truly understand the nature of magic can find.

There are clues left by the Ravenclaw lady about wisdom, about the soul, and about the possibility of transcending life and death.

Since it's related to Ms. Ravenclaw, the Room of Requirement is very likely one of the entrances.

But Regulus wasn't in a hurry to find those clues. His understanding of soul magic wasn't deep enough yet, let alone transcending life and death.

Moreover, the Room of Requirement also hides other things: Voldemort's Horcruxes and Ravenclaw's tiara.

He doesn't want to get involved with those things for the time being.

Now, all you need to do when you go to the Room of Requirement is a simple request: a completely private practice space where you won't be disturbed by anyone.

Regulus didn't want to hide anything, nor did he want to look for anything; he just needed space.

That's enough. It won't disturb the Horcruxes; it's just an ordinary room used for practicing magic.

Regulus made up his mind to go tonight.

The spatial fluctuation disappeared as they reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room.

The house-elf had roughly completed this stage of observation and returned to report to Dumbledore.

Regulus walked into the lounge, where the fireplace was burning. Several seventh-grade students were whispering in the corner, and they nodded as a greeting when they saw them come in.

Narcissa is not here; she's probably in class or the prefect is on patrol.

He returned to his dormitory and put down his books.

Hermes has returned and is sitting on the bed reading an old book with no writing on the cover.

When he saw Regulus enter, he looked up at him briefly, then looked down again and continued reading.

Regulus noticed that the book in Hermes's hand was emanating a faint but peculiar magic.

Like a curse, and as for that book, its material might be human skin.

He didn't ask. Everyone has secrets, and he didn't care about Hermes' secrets as long as they didn't affect him.

After staying in the dormitory for about half an hour and confirming that the house-elves had not reappeared, Regulus got up and went to the Great Hall for dinner.

After dinner, I'll go to the library to read for a while, and before or after curfew, I'll visit the House of Requirement.