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Regulus was sitting in the Slytherin common room, thinking about recent summer events. He knew Sirius leaving the previous year would have effects, but he did not predict how… radicalized his parents would become as a result.
Since Sirius left in the dead of night, they became fanatics, showing signs of the Black Madness that was always whispered about during every social gathering. Jumping at the slightest of things, shredding portraits, and destroying beautiful jewels in fits of rage. Regulus wasn’t scared of his parents exactly, as he knew they would never treat him as they did Sirius, but they did worry him. The smallest thing could set them off. Just before he left for the Hogwarts Express, his mother read an offhand comment made in the Daily Prophet about the number of Mudbloods that attend Hogwarts each year. Regulus had to sit and listen to her rant for around an hour before he could reasonably claim he was headed for the express, although at that point he could’ve said anything. She was far too gone in her mind to even acknowledge his presence.
“Hey Black, Old Sluggy’s on his way.” Regulus turned, shaken out of his thoughts, to his roommate Evan Rosier.
“Thanks, Evan. Don’t want to get on his bad side do we,” Regulus replied with a smirk.
Evan chuckled and gestured over to his gathering of low chairs and couches.
As Regulus strode over, he observed the group his friend was with: Corban Yaxley, Cassandra Rowle, Rabastan Lestrange, and Delilah Fawley were lounging about looking bored as they watched the younger years scramble around, trying to find good seats. Corban, Cassandra, and Evan were in Regulus’ year, while Rabastan and Delilah were in their final year.
Corban looked at Regulus as he sat down. “Cutting it close, are you?”
“Let’s be honest, Sluggy wouldn’t even notice. He’ll be too wrapped up in thoughts about the new firsties and their connections.” Regulus glanced over to the dark corner where some other 7th Year students sat. “Or Snape, of course.”
“Are you ready for the new Quidditch year, Black? It’ll be your first as captain right?” Cassandra asked with a glance at Rabastan, who was also on the Quidditch team.
“It should be a good season. We need to find a new Chaser and Beater along with a reserve for Seeker now that Travers graduated.” Regulus shifted in his seat until he was lounging against the armrest.
“Ravenclaw lost half their team this year and Hufflepuff flies around like headless Hippogriffs. Gryffindor could be a challenge. Mckinnon and Potter are solid Chasers and your brother is a decent reserve.” Rabastan noted with a thoughtful expression on his face.
Regulus hid a wince at the mention of Sirius. The previous year at Hogwarts was fraught with tension. Of course, the Howler from Mother at the start of the term didn’t help matters. Her declaration that Sirius was as good as disowned in her eyes and that she wishes he was more like Regulus did nothing to endear Regulus to Sirius’ friends. Not that he wished to be friendly with them in the slightest, but perhaps there would have been fewer pranks and insults.
The wall nearby the Prefects began to grind open softly as conversations settled to a slight murmur and the occasional whisper.
“Here it comes,” Delilah said in a hushed voice. “Time to watch a master ply his craft.”
With a final rumble, the wall opened and Professor Slughorn ambled through.
As the wall slid shut behind him, Professor Slughorn flourished his wand and dimmed the torches around the common room, and positioned himself in front of the glass facing the lake. The eerie green glow added to the mystique and intrigue that was forming around him as he took his place.
In a booming, but jovial voice, he began, “Welcome to the great Slytherin House! To my returning students, it is a pleasure to see you all again. To all of you who unfortunately missed my little gathering on the train, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to become reacquainted as the year progresses.”
Professor Slughorn glanced at the first years who were already entranced by his charm. “You all have joined a house with an extensive legacy. I’m sure you will present yourselves with the decorum expected of you as members of this house.”
With a chuckle, he waved his wand and the torches reignited as the heavy molasses-like atmosphere faded. “I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to me ramble on. You’ll hear enough over the next many years.”
With that finale, he waved his wand to reopen the wall and walked out of the common room with the air of a cat that just caught a fat, juicy canary.
As chatter began to fill the room, Rabastan leaned over and said, “Every year he changes it up ever so slightly. It really is like watching a spider spin its web.”
“Are we the flies in this scenario?” Delilah asked with a small grin on her face.
Rabastan tossed his head back with a laugh. “Well, you are definitely a fly. His speech gets you every year.”
Delilah pulled out her wand and began spinning it around her fingers. “Oh, what does that make you then? Don’t tell me you think you’re a fly. That would be preposterous.”
She flicked her wrist as sparks leaped from her wand and onto Rabastan’s hand.
“Hey!” He exclaimed, jumping back from the sting, “Don’t you know how to use your words?”
He suddenly got a mischievous look in his eyes. “You’re acting like a Gryffindor.”
Corban and Cassandra laughed at the wounded expression on Delilah’s face.
“Really, calling her a Gryffindor Rab? That’s a bit harsh.” Cassandra choked out in between bouts of laughter.
Rabastan grinned at that comment. “Hey, if the wand fits…”
Delilah stood up with a furious expression on her face. “My wand will fit up your–”
“So!” Evan looked down at his pocket watch. “Look at the time, shall we head off to our dormitories?”
Rabastan looked at Evan like he was Merlin reborn. “Yes, yes. That is an excellent idea. Really, quite inspired.” He stood up with a small wince as he glanced at Delilah.
Now that the tension had left the area, she looked quite put out that she couldn’t curse Rabastan without drawing more attention to herself.
Regulus stood up as Delilah let out a sigh and waved her wand to put the chairs and couches back in their proper places.
He bade her and Cassandra goodnight as he trouped off with the rest of the group to the boys’ dormitory.
As he walked up the steps to his dormitory, Regulus couldn’t help but think about how Sirius fared this past summer. He knew Sirius was at the Potter’s (Potter was never very subtle with those jabs) and that he was alright, but still. It’s one thing to leave home in the dead of night and go to your best friend’s house, but the year after?
To Regulus, it seemed quite inconceivable, but who knows how the Potters thought. The Black family never associated with them; not directly, at least. Great Aunt Dorea thankfully chose the second son of the second son in the Potter family so there wasn’t much backlash in their union.
As the dormitory door closed behind Regulus, he allowed those thoughts to close with it. ‘Sirius made his choice, Regulus told himself. ‘He chose the Potters over you and the family. Whatever happens, is all on him.’
Regulus got ready to sleep and as he climbed into his bed, he thought only of the future.