Deal with him

Regulus continued, "I'll use this opportunity to lure the Lestrange family in. At the dinner party, I'll respond with a plausible explanation." Orion stared at him. "Platformible?"

Regulus nodded.

Orion didn't press the matter further.

If Regulus says he can stand, then he can stand.

The Study was quiet for a while.

Regulus was silent for a moment, then continued, his tone unchanged. "At the banquet, I will use the power of Dark Enlightenment." Orion's breathing quickened, then returned to normal.

"It will look like it's eroding me," Regulus said, "But I can control it."

Orion remained silent longer than ever before.

Dark Enlightenment, something sent by Voldemort.

He knew how Regulus had handled it; they had discussed it before: Legilimency, mental techniques, Isolation Zone, controlled research. Regulus had said it was no problem, and he believed him.

Now Regulus says he'll release it, at the banquet, in front of everyone, to let that power leave its mark on him. "Is that alright?" Orion's voice lowered, his tone filled with obvious worry.

Regulus nodded.

Orion was silent for a moment, then simply said, "It's your decision."

Regulus hummed in agreement.

Regulus knew why his father had asked that question, and he also knew why his father had only asked that one question.

His relationship with Orion was not just that of father and son, but also that of allies.

Allies need to have equal access to information.

The situation in France, Dumbledore's involvement, and Flamel's guidance—these must be told to Father, so he knows the full picture. Dumbledore has already invested resources in his path, Flamel's guidance is the signpost on that path.

As the head of the Black family, Orion needs to know these things in order to make an accurate judgment on the overall situation.

The same applies to Dark Enlightenment; it can be kept from others, and it should be kept from them as well.

The news will get out and will inevitably reach Voldemort's side.

What he wanted was for word to spread that the Heir of the Black family was being influenced by Dark Enlightenment, was heading down that path, and was becoming what Voldemort wanted to see.

Bellatrix won't know he used it voluntarily; Voldemort might know, he might not—it doesn't matter, he'll see him use it. But the father should know.

What would Orion think if he hadn't told Orion beforehand, and Orion had witnessed his corrupted state firsthand at the dinner party?

Given Orion's personality, he wouldn't lose his composure on the spot, but he would form a judgment: was Regulus truly influenced by the Dark Enlightenment? Once this judgment is formed, a crack will appear in the trust between father and son.

Orion will certainly believe him, but Orion will also see the evidence.

What you see with your own eyes leaves an imprint on your mind, and every time you think about it, it will shake your resolve.

Therefore, this crack must be sealed in this Study beforehand.

But Regulus didn't intend to reveal all the details.

Orion didn't know Bellatrix, nor did he know the extent of his mental defenses.

But Orion knew he wouldn't do anything reckless.

So he didn't say exactly how to do it, how to perform it, or how to conclude it.

That happened at the dinner party. Everything that needed to be discussed was discussed, and everything that needed to be revealed was revealed. He'll handle the rest himself.

This is an unspoken understanding between father and son.

Orion's tone softened slightly. "All of this, is to feed it?"

Regulus looked at his father and nodded. "Yes."

Sheltering the Half-bloods, fighting Bellatrix, Lestrange into the fray, using the power of Dark Enlightenment at the banquet—these are indeed ways of nourishing the soul. But that's not all; there's also Saiph.

The conditions required to ignite it are highly similar to those for feeding the soul; both involve exerting influence outward, revealing one's brilliance, and allowing one's existence to be perceived by a larger world. The methods used for these two things overlap.

One needs to push outwards, and the other also needs to push outwards; one needs to exert influence, and the other also needs to exert influence.

Therefore, there's no need to separate them; the reasons are sufficient.

And then there's the Dark Enlightenment itself.

In France, Nicolas Flamel spoke of Patronus, of light, of the soul that feeds on things that are bright.

But Regulus had already considered that the standard answer wasn't necessarily the only answer.

If the soul can consume light, can it also consume darkness?

Those dark, destructive things that bring order to a standstill, those moments of rage, those surges of murderous intent, those cold-blooded commands of destruction—what would happen if these could also become nourishment?

What will happen to their souls if they eat together?

Creation and destruction can be cyclical; are light and darkness necessarily opposites?

He still doesn't have an answer to this question.

But what he was going to do at the dinner party was itself a test.

Release the power of Dark Enlightenment, opposite the Patronus, on the other side of the soul, and see how the soul reacts after those things enter.

He doesn't yet know what the Starry Sky Kite side holds, but he wants to know.

Orion didn't need to know these thoughts; knowing them wouldn't have made a difference. It was his own path.

But it was enough that Orion understood what he said.

The father will understand why he did this, setting up this scheme, targeting Bellatrix, ensnaring Lestrange, and staging a drama at the dinner party. Every step has its place.

Orion took a sip of tea, the cup landing softly on the table with a very light clink.

He didn't ask any more questions.

Regulus's voice rang out again. "There's one more thing."

He took a feather from the inside pocket of his robe.

It was golden-red, deep red at the base, and became brighter towards the tip, with the very end a flowing orange-gold, like a small cluster of solidified flames. It lay in Regulus's palm, carrying a faint warmth.

When you hold it, you can feel an extremely slow undulation, like holding something that is breathing.

"Fawkes's tail feathers, Dumbledore's Phoenix."

Orion's gaze fell on the feather.

"The worst-case insurance policy can only take me with it."

Orion nodded.

This is only natural.

If things really come to a worst, it would be enough if Regulus could escape.

The father and son both fell silent, thinking about the same thing.

Phoenix Flame exploded at the Lestrange Manor, and the light would be seen by everyone.

That was Dumbledore's mark, the most prominent symbol he left in the world.

The Heir of the Black family's escape using Phoenix Flame signifies that the hidden relationship between the Black family and Dumbledore has been brought to the forefront. And there's only one worst-case scenario.

Regulus put the Phoenix Feather back into his inner pocket. "I won't use it until the very last moment."

Orion nodded again, without saying anything.

He knew it was just insurance, but he didn't think things would go that far.

That doesn't make sense.

It's just hitting Bellatrix. Even if you kill her, so what?

Bellatrix's death will displease Voldemort, and he'll need to explain himself, but he won't turn against the Black family for her sake.

Bellatrix alone is no match for the entire Black family, who are all on Voldemort's side; she is far inferior.

Moreover, Bellatrix's influence with Voldemort was largely due to her surname, Black.

loyalty?

How many Galleon is loyalty worth?

The Black family can also be loyal.

Moreover, Voldemort hasn't shown his face for a long time.

But insurance is insurance; its purpose is to protect you in case of unforeseen circumstances.

That's all I had to say.

Orion stood up, the chair leg making a soft thud on the floor, and walked to the window.

Outside the window is the night view of Grimmauld Place; the trees are bare in winter, their branches casting messy shadows in the light of the streetlights.

He stood by the window for a while, his back to the desk and his two sons.

A long time passed.

"Regulus."

Regulus stood up and walked to his father's side.

"Go do what you want," Orion said, his gaze still fixed on the window. "Don't worry about things at home."

The Black family's foundation in the Wizarding World cannot be shaken by a dinner party, a conflict, or a choice.

Even if the worst happens, the Black family will still be the Black family.

Wizengamot's seat remains, its industries remain, its political capital accumulated over centuries remains, and its network of connections built through generations of intermarriage remains. These things will be needed regardless of who wins.

The Black family has weathered countless upheavals in the Wizarding World over the centuries, and they haven't always chosen the right side.

Voldemort won, but he needed the Pure-bloods reputation and heritage of the Black family to uphold the facade of his New Order.

Dumbledore, but he needs the Black family's influence in the Pure-blood Circle to stabilize the post-war situation.

As long as the Black family doesn't collapse, they have options on both sides.

But Orion also knew that if this feather were exposed, the Black family's position on Voldemort's side would be shaken.

That's no big deal, we can just cut it up.

Regulus was expelled from the family and severed ties with the Black family. This was a tactic that Pureblood families had been using for hundreds of years and were very familiar with.

Sirius was simply letting Regulus walk the path that he would eventually have to walk.

And even if it comes to that, it's not the end.

Orion understood perfectly well that as long as Regulus was still alive, the Black family would never be finished.

This son's talent, his abilities, his understanding of Magic, the path he has chosen—these things will not disappear just because of a single expulsion. Even if the Black family mansion were to collapse one day, be purged by Voldemort, be isolated by the Pure-blood Circle, be targeted by the Ministry of Magic, and even have the Black surname removed.

But Black's power won't diminish.

Once the storm has passed, once the situation changes, once Regulus has truly grown into the man he is meant to be, the Black family will be stronger than it is now. This is not a tragic gamble, but simply a father's assessment of his son.

He had absolute faith.

Regulus stood beside his father, the two of them side by side by the window, both looking outside.

"Don't worry, Father," Regulus said.

Orion turned around to face him.

He looked at Regulus's face for a few seconds, then reached out and placed his hand on Regulus's shoulder.

His hand paused there for a moment, feeling the width and firmness of the shoulder, then the corner of his mouth turned up slightly.

You've grown taller.

Regulus smiled as well.

Orion withdrew his hand and walked back behind his desk to sit down.

He glanced at Sirius, who was still frozen in his chair, then at Regulus, and gestured with his chin towards Sirius. "Deal with him."