Chapter 291: Little Brother Says It's Good, So It's Good - Hogwarts' Regulus: Lord of the Starry Sky

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Sirius went home for the last holiday, but his father sent him a letter urging him to return, citing the Black family's reputation as the reason.

The eldest son's prolonged absence from public view during extended holidays would fuel speculation about internal family issues, and Orion would not allow him to appear.

Sirius outwardly obeyed, sitting at the table, taking the knife and fork, but not saying a word.

He ignored his mother's words, lowered his head when his father glanced at him, and didn't even look at the Portrait on the wall that was pointing at him.

He wrapped himself in a shell, using indifference as a weapon.

But in Regulus's view, that indifference was actually a sign of caring terribly.

Perhaps this was the most resolute stance Sirius could muster.

I will not have any relationship with this family, nor will I give them anything to criticize, but I will also not give them anything that I can take as proof of their approval.

Regulus felt tired just looking at his posture.

But Sirius was so immersed in that posture that he probably felt he had done a pretty good job, even a little tragically.

I resist in my own way; I refuse to cooperate, I refuse to compromise, and I shut you out with my silence.

This was the most heroic way of fighting that he could think of at his age.

Children do that.

He puts himself in a shell and thinks that shell is his weapon, but he doesn't know that the shell is actually a prison he built for himself.

Now that he wants to go back, there's a very subtle issue: he can't take his physical body back with him.

He used to act so indifferent, so desperately trying to prove he didn't need that home, but now he suddenly says he wants to go home. He can't get past his own conscience; he feels ashamed to say it out loud.

Regulus could imagine how Sirius had been struggling with him lately.

I've already promised myself I'd never go back, so why am I going back now?

What about the resolutions I made before?

Has the opponent given up?

What will people think of me when I go back?

Can't make it in the outside world anymore?

He may not have told anyone these thoughts, but he probably wouldn't hide his desire to go home from his best friend.

Regulus understood James Potter's mind all too well; it was simple and straightforward.

The Black family are bad, Sirius was right to leave Black family, and if Sirius wants to go back Black family, it's because he's been oppressed.

Sirius told James he wanted to go back and check on things, and James's first reaction was probably, "Are you possessed?"

Sirius couldn't explain it to James because he himself hadn't figured it out yet.

But that's not Regulus's business. Sirius wants to go home, which is a good thing, so let him go.

He nodded, his tone flat. "That's fine, go back."

He turned his head and added, "Father will be happy that you can go back."

Sirius grinned, his mouth already open, as if he wanted to say who needed his attention, but the words remained unspoken.

He glanced at Regulus.

Regulus's face was expressionless, neither cold nor indifferent, just a calm expression.

The wind blew a little hair up his forehead, then it fell back down. His eyes were fixed on the lake, not turning away.

Sirius suddenly felt the tension in his body ease a little.

He must have gone through countless thoughts along the way.

He spent half a day mentally preparing himself and thinking so much, but when he stood in front of Regulus, it didn't seem so complicated after all.

Regulus didn't ask him why he wanted to go back, whether he had come to a decision, or whether he planned to reconcile with his family.

With just a simple "It's fine, go home," it's as if going home is the most normal thing in the world.

Regulus didn't take this seriously, so it seems he can afford not to take it seriously either.

My brother said it's good, so it's good.

Sirius took a deep breath of cold air, slowly exhaled, and his shoulders relaxed slightly.

But once he relaxed, his sharp tongue returned. "Aren't you going to ask me why I went home?"

Regulus turned to look at him, his tone unchanged. "Oh, what are you doing home?"

Sirius looked at him with a complicated expression, his left eye saying "Don't do this," and his right eye saying "Just do it this way."

Then he clicked his tongue and didn't continue.

The two remained silent for a while. A gust of wind swept across the lake, ruffling a lock of Sirius's hair. He raised his hand to brush it aside, but failed, and it fell back down.

Regulus looked at the lake, his tone slightly more subdued than before, not noticeably, just less teasing.

Something might happen during the holidays.

Sirius turned his head and casually asked, "What is it?"

Regulus shook his head. "Let's talk about it when we get home."

Sirius's brow furrowed slowly as he began to think.

I haven't received any letters from home, nor have I heard anything significant.

But then he thought, even if something happened at home, he wouldn't tell him; after all, he wasn't far from defecting.

There are many things you can't talk to him about, and even if you do, he won't take them to heart. He might even find it amusing that something is going wrong at home.

Sirius nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

Regulus continued, "It's good that you're going back, but you have to promise me you'll be calm when you do."

Sirius's brow furrowed even more.

He looked at Regulus, his expression gradually changing.

At first, I was confused: what needed to be addressed with calm?

Then came alertness; something that could make Regulus deliberately calm him down was unusual.

Then, his face darkened.

He thought of the Dark Enlightenment, Regulus being forced to choose, being watched by Voldemort's men, and being weighed down by his family's expectations.

Regulus survived that time unscathed, so is he going to have to go through this again?

He still remembers the scene: Walburga's eyes were shining with excitement, his father silently gave his approval, and Bellatrix smiled as if she had accomplished something great.

If it's that kind of thing again, what can he do when he gets home?

"What is it?" Sirius's voice deepened. "Is it—"

Regulus knew what he was thinking, but he didn't intend to explain; a couple more days wouldn't make a difference.

He shook his head. "Let's talk about it when we get home."

Sirius looked at him.

He wanted to press for details, to find out if it really happened, and to ask if Regulus would be treated like that again.

But judging from Regulus's expression, he knew he wouldn't get an answer.

If Regulus wanted to say something, he would have already done so; if he didn't, asking wouldn't make a difference.

Sirius opened his mouth several times, but no sound came out.

His expression changed again, from anxious, to unable to speak, to holding it in, to finally swallowing it down.

Finally, he exhaled and nodded. "Okay."

Then he added, his tone a little harsh. "I promise you."

Regulus nodded; all he wanted was for Sirius to agree.

Sirius is going home to attend the Christmas Banquet.

This year's dinner party is being held at the Lestrange family, and all the Pure-bloods cores from Voldemort's side will be there.

Malfoy, Nott, Carrow, Yaxley, Cuthbert, Roxier, Rowle —a whole string of names were laid out at the banquet.

The eldest son of the Black family didn't show up last year, and that was a thorn in everyone's side. No one said anything, but everyone remembered it.

The eldest son is back this year, and if you don't go, it won't just be a thorn, it will be a crack.

The Black family's support for Voldemort is an open secret.

A good image needs someone to support it, and the first thing to do to maintain that image is for the whole family to be together.

If the eldest son wasn't standing by that table, the people outside would immediately start wondering: what's going on with the eldest son of the Black family? Is the Black family still united?

Once this question arises, probing will follow, and unless Sirius completely leaves the Black family, he will never be able to get around that table.

He had to offer toasts, have Bellatrix link his arm with him, and get those Patriarch to glance at him and nod.

Only after going through the entire process was he able to fill the position of the eldest son for the Black family.

Regulus was to do his business at that table.

But this kid is too impulsive. There are a hundred things that could irritate him at a Christmas Banquet. If he jumps up, Regulus's plans will be disrupted.

He had to act with Bellatrix, confront the Lestrange family, and cooperate with his father; every step was meticulously planned. If Sirius acted impulsively, the whole table would be overturned.

Getting him to calm down was a prerequisite; Sirius agreed, and the matter was half settled.

The other half is uncertain; even if Sirius agrees, he might forget it on the spot.

But that was something I discussed with my father after I got home; now, let's lay the first layer first.

Regulus turned to face Sirius: "Is there anything else?"

Sirius opened his mouth.

He still had a series of questions on his mind.

What exactly happened?

Does Father know?

Is Bellatrix up to something again?

Should I do something for you?

He looked at Regulus's face; Regulus clearly wouldn't say anything more, and asking wouldn't help.

That feeling was stuck in my chest, I couldn't breathe.

He stood there, his lips moved twice, but he didn't say anything. Finally, he uttered, "It's nothing."

Regulus's lips twitched slightly.

"Then," he said, "See you at the station."

"... See you at the station."

Regulus turned and walked back.

Sirius stood there watching Regulus's retreating figure. The wind blew Regulus's robes up, but he ignored it and let them flutter in the wind.

Avery and the others had already automatically caught up with Regulus.

Hermes walked to his left, Avery to his right, Alex next to him, and Lina and Samuel trailing behind, joining the procession.

The six people walked together towards the Castle.

Sirius watched for a while, and then James came over to greet him.

His gaze swept over Sirius and back again, the anger still lingering. He was about to go over and pat Sirius on the shoulder when he caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye.

Avery glanced back at James.

It was just a glance; there was nothing inside, very peaceful. It was just a quick scan of James's face, like looking at a decoration on the wall.

Then, slowly and deliberately, he turned his head back.

With just that one movement, James ' face instantly turned red.

James clenched his fist and was about to charge forward when Lupin quickly grabbed his arm, holding on tightly.

"James." Lupin's voice was soft, but his tone was firm.

"You see--"

"I saw it."

"He--"

"I know."

James is about to move forward again.

Lupin pressed his advantage this time. "So what are you planning to do? Play against Cuthbert, and then what?"

James stood there, his chest heaving.

Sirius walked up to them.

James's attention was immediately diverted, and he grabbed Sirius's arm. "What did that Little Viper say to you?"

Sirius shook his head slightly. "It's nothing."

"Is there anything wrong that made you stand there for so long?"

"It's nothing."

James stared at him. "What did he say about you going home?"

He didn't say much.

So, are you going back or not?

Sirius looked at James, his face returning to that carefree, nonchalant smile, with a touch of nonchalance. "Back."

James's face flushed even more.

"James." Lupin tugged at him again.

"The Black family— " James gritted his teeth.

Sirius interrupted him, "Go back."

James glared at him, Sirius ignored him and started walking towards the Castle.

James hesitated for a moment, then followed, Lupin followed, Peter shrank back.

The Castle gates are still quite far away.

Two groups of people walked back along the Black Lake, one after the other, with a difference of more than ten meters between them.

Of the six in front, Regulus walked in the middle, surrounded by five others, their steps perfectly synchronized and steady.

The wind blowing from the lake came from their left, and the robes of all six of them fluttered to the right.

Of the four behind, Sirius walked in front, with James beside him, occasionally opening his mouth as if to say something, then closing it again.

Lupin was one step behind them, with Peter trailing at the very back.

Separated by a dozen meters, no one turned around or greeted anyone; the two groups simply walked their own paths, heading in the same direction.

The wind is still blowing, and the lake water is still breaking.

The clouds thickened, and the sunlight stopped filtering through.

The Castle drew ever closer, its towers emerging one by one from the mist.

Regulus walked along, lost in thought.

Christmas Banquet, Bellatrix, Lestrange, Voldemort.

And then there's Orion; we need to talk to him properly.

Whomping Willow was already waiting for him in Cornwall.

The holiday was very busy.

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