Tacit Understanding

The next morning, Regulus woke up refreshed.

He got up, washed up, and moved around as usual, showing no signs of fatigue.

Hermes woke up too. This guy started staying up all night when he enrolled last year, and this semester he's been practicing with Regulus until midnight Tiantian. He's really got it all.

I have enough energy; I can get up on my own without anyone telling me.

The other two weren't very good.

Alex got a shock yesterday and practiced until he collapsed. He's awake now, but he's in pain all over and can't get up.

Avery didn't sleep well last night either.

When Regulus brought the two of them back last night, Avery was still tossing and turning in bed.

When Regulus entered, he heard him making a strange laugh.

The laughter wasn't loud, just the kind of suppressed laughter that just escaped from the throat with a "hissing" sound.

When he saw Regulus come in, he wanted to get up and have a chat.

He did show his face last night, and everyone was watching and listening to him speak.

That kind of scene was a rare experience for the Pure-blood Young Master, and it represented the image of an adult in his mind.

Moreover, he discovered that he might be good at this: standing in front of a crowd, saying some nice things, and making everyone listen.

I was so excited I couldn't sleep, so naturally I couldn't get up this morning either.

Hermes finished washing up, he went to the two beds and kicked them one by one. "Get up."

Alex snorted, rolled over, and Avery immediately covered his head with a pillow.

Hermes kicked again. "Class begins."

The two finally moved, groaning as they got up.

Alex clutched his back, grimacing, while Avery's hair was a mess, his eyes were half-closed, and he was muttering something.

Regulus came out of the Washroom, glanced at them, said nothing, and went out.

As he stepped out of the Dormitory, he immediately spotted Snape.

By the fireplace in the Common Room, Snape sat in an armchair, his eyes dark with heavy circles, looking exhausted, his robes wrinkled, and his hair even greasier than yesterday.

But he seemed somewhat excited, the kind of excitement that comes from staying up all night and finally achieving something.

Regulus knew what was going on.

Snape must have gotten quite a bit out of spending the night alone with Professor Slughorn last night.

It could be recognition, appreciation, or the feeling of being needed by someone from a higher social class.

For Snape, these things were more important than anything else.

When Snape saw Regulus come out, he instinctively sprang up, but his movements were too fast and he seemed a little impatient.

He paused for a moment, then stood still and reached out to straighten his robes.

There's really nothing to fix. The robe was already wrinkled, and it looked too big on him. His hair was also greasy and messy, so there's no way to fix it.

Regulus walked over.

Snape tried his best not to show any emotion. He opened his mouth, wanting to call out to Black in his usual flat and deep tone.

But when he said it, the tone changed, and his voice sounded dry and even a little shrill, "Black."

Regulus nodded, his voice flat. "Snape."

Snape said directly, "The professor wants you to go to his office after breakfast."

After he finished speaking, he observed Regulus's expression.

But Regulus's face remained expressionless; he simply said, "Understood."

Then he turned around and left without saying a word.

Snape remained where he was, watching Regulus's figure disappear through the doorway, stunned for a moment.

He thought Regulus would make some kind of gesture.

After all, it was Regulus who sent him up last night, and it was Regulus who mentioned him to the professor.

He worked with the professor all night, earning his appreciation, recognition, and treatment he never dared to dream of before.

All of these originated from Regulus.

Therefore, he assumed that Regulus would make a gesture.

It could be a sense of reserve, an air of superiority, or it could be treating him like a follower or even a subordinate, patting him on the shoulder and saying a few words of encouragement.

But there was nothing there.

Regulus's expression was the same as in their previous meetings: calm, indifferent, as if he were looking at a complete stranger.

A strange feeling welled up in Snape's heart.

He was wary of Regulus; he knew this man was different from those Pure-blood Young Master —more dangerous and more unpredictable.

But deep down, he felt that was exactly what Pure-bloods should look like.

Distancing, indifferent, taken for granted.

Now that Regulus has really treated him that way, he actually—

On the contrary, what?

He couldn't explain it; he just stood there, watching Regulus's disappearing figure, and only turned and left after a long while.

After breakfast, Regulus went to Slughorn's office.

The door was open, and he knocked.

Slughorn's voice came from inside. "Come in!"

Regulus pushed open the door and went in.

The office was warm, the fireplace was burning, and the teapot floated in the air, pouring water by itself.

Slughorn, sitting behind his desk, greeted Regulus with a warm smile.

"Regulus! Come, sit down and talk."

Regulus sat down opposite him and greeted him politely, "Good morning, Professor."

Slughorn was the first to praise, "You played really well last night. I heard about it. The guidance, the attitude—you had the spirit of Slytherin."

Regulus bowed slightly. "Professor, you flatter me."

"No flattery," Slughorn waved his hand. "I heard about your Shield Charm later. Rosalie used it on the spot. (Following the book without getting lost, collect it, anytime <Hogwarts: Regulus, Lord of the Starry Sky>. Complete version, first-year students, that's no small feat.")

Then he put on a slightly exaggerated expression of annoyance. "But you've gotten me into trouble too."

Regulus looked up, his face first showing an apologetic expression, then turning to confusion. He cooperated with the professor and responded properly.

Slughorn continued, "Several people came to me this morning asking if they could also get some guidance from Black, and if they could learn a spell on the spot like Rosalie did."

He spread his hands and shook his head. "I'm telling you, you should focus on building a solid foundation first. Not everyone can learn Black's method."

Regulus understood; the professor was reminding him that that kind of guidance wasn't actually beneficial for a young wizard.

If they see a shortcut, they will become distracted and neglect the basics.

Regulus said, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Professor."

Slughorn waved his hand. "I was just saying. You did a great job. It's about passing the torch, what a wonderful thing. Besides, you said yourself that it was a reward and encouragement from the previous Chief to the new Chief."

After he finished speaking, he blinked.

Regulus smiled, and that was the end of it.

Moreover, judging from the professor's tone, he wasn't called in for this reason, so there's only one thing left.

Geoffrey Selwyn.

Sure enough, Slughorn's expression turned serious.

"Regulus, the main reason I called you here is to ask you if you've noticed anything else amiss with Selwyn?"

Regulus lowered his gaze; he had, of course, noticed.

The person behind that Potions, the one lurking in the shadows, is Dolphin Rowle. Geoffrey was merely pushed to the forefront; the one behind it all is Rowle.

There might even be others behind Rowle.

But what's the point of saying it?

What could the professor do but question Rowle?

Where is the evidence?

Does Selwyn know who gave him the Potions?

Even if it's discovered, the Rowle family is a core member of Voldemort's faction; what can the professor do to them?

Regulus remained silent for a moment.

Slughorn didn't press further, he just looked at him.

Regulus raised his eyes, his tone somewhat inquiring, "Professor, do you think there's anything wrong with the Potions that Selwyn took?"

Slughorn's expression shifted; the question was clearly pointed.

Regulus's refusal to answer directly, and his subsequent question, suggests that Regulus had indeed discovered something but did not wish to disclose it.

Or rather, it's not convenient to say.

Slughorn looked at the second-year student in front of him. He already knew that Regulus was no ordinary student.

But having great talent is one thing, having a deep mind is another.

The fact that he chose to remain silent at this point suggests that something significant is behind it.

Slughorn thought for a moment, "That Potions is a bit strange."

Regulus looked at him.

"It's like a substandard product," Slughorn said. "The formula is crude, the ingredients are inferior, and it would be much less effective if used by an adult wizard."

But the timing of its effect was perfect; it was just enough for a newly enrolled wizard to finish several duels, only—"

He shook his head and continued.

"The damage is huge. That child won't be able to Spellcasting properly for the next few months. Before their Magic Power recovers, even a simple Levitation Charm could cause problems."

Slughorn stared into Regulus's eyes, as if trying to read something from them.

Regulus met that gaze and simply asked, "Professor, is it inferior or superior?"

Slughorn's expression changed; he understood Regulus's meaning.

It's a low-quality product, but the timing of its effectiveness is perfect; this is not a coincidence, but a deliberate design.

Using a substandard product to achieve a specific effect, allowing a young wizard eager to distinguish himself to unleash power beyond his normal level at a crucial moment.

Let him be seen, noticed, and promoted.

If you push it up, something bad will happen.

Slughorn mentally reviewed the Slytherin family tree.

The person who could do such a thing is definitely not an ordinary family. Selwyn was just a tool; the person behind it wasn't really targeting Selwyn.

Who was it that charged?

He thought of the duel that had been stopped last night, of Regulus suddenly stepping forward, of Selwyn's original goal being to become the Chief, to challenge the previous one—

Slughorn stared at Regulus for a long time without saying a word.

Regulus sat there, his expression calm.

He seemed to say nothing, yet he said everything.

Not long after, Slughorn shook his head, and a smile returned to his face.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Anyway, the child was rescued and nothing serious happened, that's good."

He chuckled and said, "Regulus, you did the right thing. You noticed in time, didn't act on your own, and knew to find the professor."

Regulus nodded. "I just did what I was supposed to do, Professor."

Slughorn slammed his hand on the table. "What I'm saying is, you saved a little wizard last night and averted an accident. Slytherin points, thirty points."

Slughorn blinked again. "Your Shield Charm tutorial, could you give some pointers to others when you have time?"

Of course, not the kind of teaching on the spot, but more like, you know, pointing out directions.

Regulus laughed, "If there's a chance."

The two exchanged a few more casual words, Regulus stood up. "Professor, I'm going to class."

Slughorn nodded. "Go ahead. Oh, and by the way, come over for tea sometime. I recently acquired some nice jars of Candied Fruit."

Regulus responded and went out the door.

The office door closed behind me.

The Corridor was quiet.