Thestral and the Start of Term

Lily saw Regulus in the carriage, but just as Regulus was about to nod in greeting, Lily glared at him and walked away.

Regulus understood the look in his eyes; he was displeased. He paused for a second, then realized what was happening.

He had promised to write to Lily before the holiday.

Then he practiced Magic, received Voldemort's gifts, developed Magic, went to Germany, met Freya, entered the ruins, lit up Bellatrix, and completely forgot about it.

Avery and Alex watched this scene unfold, exchanging glances and winking at each other.

But when Regulus's gaze swept over them, the two immediately sat up straight, their expressions returning to seriousness.

Regulus didn't pay much attention. Little girls are easy to coax; admitting a mistake is enough, what else can be done?

At that moment Hermes walked in, Regulus glanced up at him.

This guy didn't stop even during his vacation; he has a very faint aura about him that most people probably wouldn't notice.

But the lingering scent of Dark Arts was exceptionally clear to Regulus, especially with Avery and Alex standing nearby for comparison; it was simply too obvious.

It wasn't just practice; it was more like he had gone through some kind of hands-on experience.

Hermes sat down opposite him, first looking at Regulus: "Have a good holiday?"

Regulus nodded. "Not bad."

Hermes then turned to Avery and Alex, responding to their small talk with a detached tone and a slightly unfocused gaze, as if he were thinking about something else.

Regulus noticed that Hermes had changed a bit; he seemed somewhat out of place among the ordinary young wizards.

After having witnessed or done something, hearing these holiday anecdotes feels somewhat distant.

Avery and Alex were still talking, oblivious.

Regulus suddenly spoke up, "Take it easy, it's too obvious."

Avery and Alex stopped, somewhat bewildered. Why couldn't they talk about the holiday anymore?

They stared at Regulus, trying to figure out who he was talking about, and then realized that Regulus was looking at Hermes.

They stared at Hermes again, but couldn't discern anything.

Hermes paused for a moment, then sat there motionless and silent.

Regulus sensed that the aura emanating from him was beginning to recede.

As before, most people wouldn't notice, but the professors at Hogwarts are not ordinary people.

At this level, if I were to wander around in front of a professor, I might get a glance at most, but I wouldn't attract any special attention.

Hermes' ability to do this demonstrates that his self-control was also increasing.

Regulus said nothing more. The train started moving, and outside the window, the platform slowly receded.

As dusk fell, the train stopped at Hogsmeade Station, and they disembarked, following the flow of people out.

Regulus sat in the carriage, his gaze falling on the Thestral pulling it—black, skeletal, with a dragon's head and a horse's body, its enormous wings folded at its sides.

He couldn't see before, but now he can.

Only those who have faced death can see them—this is a well-known saying in the Wizarding World, but Regulus didn't think that way.

Why?

Why death, of all things?

Thestral can traverse storms, break through Magical Barrier, and are even said to be able to briefly travel through space. They are creatures that can survive in the harshest environments and travel through the darkest nights.

What do they represent?

Does this mean that only those who have experienced death can possess this ability?

Or is death itself a threshold, and those who cross it can see things that others cannot?

Regulus thought about witnessing death, accepting death, and understanding death.

The characteristics of the Thestral may be a metaphor for this: death is the ultimate boundary, the limit that life cannot cross.

But if you really cross that boundary, it's not about dying yourself, but simply watching others die, watching life go from complete to disappearing, and that gives you a perspective.

A perspective that can see through appearances to the essence.

Therefore, only those who have witnessed death can see the Thestral; they see what others cannot.

What about going a step further?

Witness death, accept death, understand death, transcend death.

What would we see if one day even death ceases to be a boundary?

Regulus murmured the French phrase to himself, Vol de Mor, meaning "flying away from death."

Then recombine it, Voldemort.

He pulled himself out of his thoughts, shifting his gaze from Thestral. Perhaps Voldemort would have the answer, but he couldn't ask.

You can't exactly walk up to Voldemort and ask him, "You wanted to fly away from death, so did you succeed?"

Then he noticed that Hermes was also looking at Thestral. Their eyes met, and without saying a word, they both understood.

Hermes also witnessed death.

What Regulus experienced during this holiday, he didn't know, but that he also got to see the Thestral was no small matter.

Avery and Alex were still talking and didn't notice their interaction.

The Thestral trotted along, heading from Hogsmeade towards Hogwarts, the Castle's outline gradually becoming clear in the night.

Regulus noticed that many protective Magic had appeared around the Castle.

Multiple Anti-Dark Arts Curse and Dementor Repelling Charm Protego Totalum and Salvio Hexia, along with some high-level protective spells he didn't recognize, all enveloping the entire Castle.

The situation has become more tense.

Regulus knew what the Ministry of Magic was like: incompetent, compromising, retreating, and weak.

The already small number of Hardline Faction are constantly being worn down by endless wrangling and compromises. Those who want to fight can't fight, and those who want to defend can't defend. All that's left is empty talk.

Disappointed with the Ministry of Magic, Dumbledore began to devise his own ways to protect the school and deal with the situation.

The Order of the Order of the Phoenix was likely formed around this time.

But Regulus didn't think Dumbledore's measures would effectively curb Voldemort's expansion; war was inevitable, and it would be a difficult one.

Those measures can protect Hogwarts and its students; <Hogwarts: Regulus, Lord of the Starry Sky> has received rave reviews and overwhelming praise! But what about outside the school gates? What about the entire Wizarding World?

Regulus shook his head slightly; this was Dumbledore's business.

Maybe he'll have a role to play here in the future, but at least for now, it's not his responsibility, and he has no say in it.

He only needs to take care of himself and the Black family; he's not capable of anything else.

The carriage passed through the gate and stopped in front of the Castle. Regulus got out first and followed the crowd into the Great Hall.

Candlelight floated in the air, the dome reflecting the night sky outside. Four long tables were filled with people, their noise blending together.

The younger wizards were carefree, whispering among themselves and sharing their holiday experiences.

The older students had different expressions: some were serious, some were excited, and some seemed indifferent.

Most Muggle-born are restless, Pure-bloods stick together, and Half-bloods look to both sides.

The Sorting Ceremony begins.

Professor McGonagall called out names, and the freshmen stepped forward one by one to put on their Sorting Hat.

After the Sorting Ceremony concluded, Dumbledore stood up, and the Great Hall fell silent.

"Welcome back," Dumbledore said in a clear and loud voice, "Another new school year has begun."

I know that for many people, the past year has not been peaceful, and the coming year may not be any more peaceful.

His gaze swept across the four long tables, lingering briefly on the Slytherin table, before he continued.

"But I still hope you have a great time here, learning, growing, and making friends—these are the things you should be doing right now."

Regulus listened, but his thoughts began to wander.

Dumbledore is the headmaster, the most powerful wizard in the world; he could certainly exert influence in a less gentle way.

While not all Wizarding World come from academia, those who graduated from Hogwarts are definitely the majority.

With Dumbledore's abilities, he could easily make all the wizards who leave here grow in the direction he desires.

Mental Magic, soul Magic, subtle guidance— Dumbledore couldn't possibly be unaware of these things, but he didn't use them.

Unwilling?

Still not possible?

Regulus thought it was probably because Dumbledore himself didn't want to do it.

More importantly, if he actually did that, those Pureblood families would be the first to object.

Sending my child to school, you think you can change that?

But even if we don't go to that level, there are still many things we can do.

Does Hogwarts offer moral education?

have.

Professors will mention things like justice, kindness, and making the right choices, but only briefly.

However, there is absolutely no systematic ideological education that guides students from a young age.

Therefore, there has never been any mention of Hogwarts in the UK Wizarding World.

Dumbledore's voice is only his own; he cannot represent the school, much less the wizards who have graduated from there.

The professors' voices are just personal voices; they represent nothing.

Pureblood families, on the other hand, have a complete system of interests, survival, power, and honor, which are instilled in them from childhood and never stopped.

Regulus snapped out of his thoughts; he wasn't the principal, and thinking about these things was pointless.

Dumbledore continued speaking.

"Also, there's something I need to tell you all." He looked towards the Staff Table.

"This year, the Defense Against the Dark Arts course will be adjusted. Students in the third year and above will be given additional instruction on practical defensive spells, such Shield Charm, Disarming Charm, and Slowing Charm."

These spells will require additional practice time on top of the existing lessons.

A low murmur arose in the Great Hall.

Regulus knew what that meant.

Dumbledore was cultivating students' self-defense abilities in advance; this was the first time Hogwarts had adjusted its curriculum due to war.

He looked toward the Staff Table, where the new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts stood up and nodded to the students.

The Gryffindor side reacted enthusiastically, with applause and cheers.

Hufflepuff responded more politely, while Ravenclaw sized up the new professor.

Slytherin's reaction was subtle.

Some people were expressionless, some had a faint, cold smile on their lips, and some had shifty eyes.

They certainly understood what Dumbledore meant; these new defensive spells were specifically designed to counter them.

At least most of them.

But this idea, on the contrary, made some Slytherin show a reserved expression, as if to say, "Look, you need to learn these things to deal with us."

After the dinner party, the Slytherin students got up and walked to the Common Room. Back in their Dormitory, Avery lay down on his bed and sighed with relief.

Alex sat on the edge of his bed, a little uneasy. "What the headmaster said..."

Avery glanced at him. "What are you saying?"

"It's the new curriculum," Alex said, "the Shield Charm and all that..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: he was asking, "Is war really going to break out?"

Regulus looked at him; after a long vacation and spending time with his family, Alex had softened a little.

The atmosphere of a Gentle Pureblood family doesn't raise a very strong-willed person. His parents are good to him, and his home is warm. He doesn't want to face the changes outside.

But Alex has improved compared to when he first enrolled; at least now he can sit here and think about these things instead of just shrinking away.

Avery didn't show any unusual behavior; he was somewhat concerned, but not much.

These Pure-blood Young Master, whose families haven't systematically taught them politics and current affairs, are even more naive than young wizards from marginal Pure-bloods or Half-bloods families.

Hermes, however, didn't care at all. He leaned against the headboard, closed his eyes, and seemed to be resting.

Regulus could sense that he genuinely didn't care about these things, and might even have hoped for more chaos.

Chaos is where opportunities arise; chaos is where power speaks; chaos is where we can showcase what we've learned.

Regulus didn't speak, and lay down as well.

The water of Black Lake outside the window glowed faintly, a greenish hue reflected on the ceiling.