An exchange of trust

Looking at Slughorn's round, smiling face, Regulus was filled with admiration.

This old man is usually so shrewd, calculating so clearly, and he avoids Voldemort so much, never mentioning or getting involved with him if he can avoid it. But today, he took the initiative to bring out this kind of thing.

The professor was the one who knew Voldemort had made Horcruxes, and he was Voldemort's only old acquaintance whom Voldemort feared. By doing this, he was essentially helping Voldemort fight against Voldemort and deceiving Voldemort.

If Regulus were to leak these words to Voldemort, the Professor's situation would be ruined.

For this little old man, this was essentially putting all his trust on the line.

The timing was perfect; Lucius had just mentioned two days prior that Voldemort wanted to see him at Christmas, and then the professor brought out the medicine, and the brewing window was also around Christmas.

Perhaps it was a coincidence, or perhaps the professor had somehow learned some information.

Even if he knew, it wouldn't be surprising; Death Eaters are human, and humans have social interactions.

This little old man is probably the most socially adept person in all of UK, and even all of Europe.

His network of connections spanned decades, reaching from Hogwarts to the Ministry of Magic to the Europe continent; it was entirely plausible that he knew something about the Death Eaters ' activities.

This medicine itself is not simple. Putting aside the value of the ingredients, they would be extremely expensive on the market, but for the Black family and Slughorn families, money is just money.

What's even more valuable is the level of expertise he gained from teaching Europe's top Potions and the effort he poured into it over two years.

If you do all the things the professor told you not to do, this medicine will become something that puts a shell on your soul.

Potions involving the soul are on a level beyond Regulus's understanding of Potions.

It's hard to say how much of it is Potions and how much is Magic, but it certainly can't be solved purely by recipes and steps.

The fact that the professor could bring these things up and give them to him shows that he was confident he could deceive Voldemort and the Dark Mark.

Regulus wasn't exactly an amateur when it came to Potions, but he was unsure about this matter; things on the level of the soul were undeniably profound.

The professor may or may not have known what he was about to face. In any case, the professor chose to help him, in his own unique way, by speaking indirectly, giving advice in a sarcastic manner, and emphasizing things over and over again.

Such trust is so rare.

Regulus racked his brains trying to figure out how to give the professor an equal response.

The professor's greatest fear was Voldemort's reckoning. As someone who knew about the Horcruxes and was the holder of that secret, the professor lived in constant fear his entire life.

There's really no need to worry about that. As long as he doesn't cause any trouble, the professor will remain safe, though he might live in fear.

Needless to say, if he were to mention money at this point, the professor, even if he didn't immediately turn hostile, would never be able to set foot in this office again. They wouldn't become enemies, but they would definitely become strangers.

What does a professor need?

Regulus thought and thought, and thought and thought, until he had an idea.

He looked up.

Slughorn was putting Candied Fruit into his mouth when he saw Regulus look up. He paused for a moment, then put the Candied Fruit back in his mouth and chewed, smiling broadly with obvious enjoyment.

In his view, the child was touched by his craftsmanship and sincerity, and was deeply moved.

He didn't urge him, he just waited.

Regulus leaned back, relaxing his posture, and his voice became more lively than before.

"Professor, have you heard of a place beneath the North Sea?"

Slughorn raised an eyebrow, still chewing.

North Sea is so big, what's not there at the bottom?

But he also knew this kid wasn't one to chatter aimlessly, so he chuckled and asked, "There are plenty of things under the North Sea, which one are you talking about?"

"Abyssal Whisper," Regulus looked at him, his tone relaxed. "Do you know this organization?"

"Abyssal Whisper?" Slughorn thought for a moment. "I've heard of that name. It's an international Dark Wizard society, full of elites who operate mainly on the sea and rarely come to land."

I heard they've been searching for something, but nobody knows exactly what. They've been doing it for hundreds of years, keeping a low profile, and their Magic style is very unique. I don't know anything more specific than that.

Regulus nodded. "They're looking for a place, deep in the North Sea. I have a document with the coordinates."

Slughorn became interested.

Is something an organization that has been searching for for hundreds of years in Regulus's hands?

Have you been there?

Regulus didn't answer directly, but gave a vague smile, "The things there are completely different from regular Magic; only those who are permitted can enter."

Slughorn raised an eyebrow, wiped his fingers with a handkerchief, and took a sip of his tea.

So Regulus not only had the coordinates, but he had also been there.

Regulus continued, "There's a core there. It doesn't tell you exactly how to do it, it doesn't teach you specific spells, but it shows you a direction."

The direction of Magic, no matter which path you choose, it can point you to what lies at the end of that path, laying out the more fundamental power before you so you can see for yourself.

Regulus adopted a more uncertain tone. "If it were Potions, it would probably be pointed in a certain direction. I haven't tried it there, but I'm guessing."

Slughorn's brow began to furrow.

The fundamental power of Potions, the direction of Potions.

His Potions haven't reached the top yet, but he can already see it. With his current level, he's almost there. To take another step forward, he either needs to change direction or stay where he is.

If what Regulus said is true, and he can see what lies at the end of the Potions path, then he has a way forward.

Regulus's voice rang out again. "But there's a price to pay. It reveals the true nature of the path, perhaps requiring the surrender of free will and independent thought, becoming part of something larger, the individual's noise disappearing, and everything returning to that cold system."

Slughorn's brow furrowed even deeper.

At his age, he's quite knowledgeable and experienced.

Magic contains many things that require you to give yourself up: Dark Arts is one, Horcruxes are another, and the Greater Good that Grindelwald Xu Nuo back then are yet another.

But Regulus's statement, "I'll give you a path, but I won't force you to take it. You can decide for yourself," was something he had never heard of before.

He pondered for a moment, then looked at Regulus, his voice low and deep. "You accept?"

Regulus was silent for a moment, then, without further concealment, shook his head. "I didn't accept."

Slughorn shifted his gaze from Regulus's face to the Black Lake outside the window.

Regulus only thirteen years old. He has a long road ahead and a distant the End. He has plenty of time to walk his own path. There is no need to hand over his free will and independent thought. If he were to change his mindset, he might be able to reach the End.

What about him?

If there were something that could point him in the right direction...

He thought about it and put the idea aside. Something thorny is one thing to look at, but touching it is another.

Regulus observed the professor's expression and waited a moment before saying, "Professor, the document is by Grindelwald."

Slughorn's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air.

The name Grindelwald held complex feelings for him.

He had no direct connection to the Wizarding War of Grindelwald in his youth, but that name was a shared shadow over his generation, burning across Europe for twenty years and finally ending in a duel.

He was silent for a moment, then his voice became deeper than before. "You've seen him?"

Regulus shook his head.

Slughorn breathed a sigh of relief and was about to say something when Regulus added, "He might have seen me."

Slughorn looked momentarily stunned.

Grindelwald had been imprisoned in Nurmengard for decades, cut off from all contact with the outside world. How could he possibly have met Regulus?

The next moment, he thought of Grindelwald's identity, the prophet, and how the entire Acolytes's strategy was based on Prophecy.

Those heterochromatic eyes are said to be able to see fragments of the future.

Grindelwald may have seen Regulus very early on, foreseen when the boy would appear, what he would do, where he would go, and what he would ultimately achieve.

So he left the documents and the coordinates out, waiting for Regulus to come up to him; the whole thing was set up by Grindelwald from beginning to end.

Why did Grindelwald do that?

Slughorn continued thinking.

If Grindelwald wanted to come out, he would have done so long ago; if he had already given up, he wouldn't be extending his tentacles any further.

His actions towards Regulus show that he hasn't given up; he's waiting for an opportunity, waiting for someone who can allow him to return to the outside world.

Regulus is that the Dark Lord.

Slughorn glanced up at Regulus; the boy seemed different to him now.

He used to think that Regulus was the Heir of the Black family, a child whose talent had already been realized, and the most worthwhile investment for him.

Now he knew that this child was also one of Grindelwald's chosen ones, and those chosen by Grindelwald were always the subject of a far-reaching plan.

Did Regulus know about this?

Of course he knew; he had the documents, he had been to that place, and he knew that the whole thing was arranged by Grindelwald.

So what was he thinking? Did he accept Grindelwald's offer or reject it? Which side was he on?

Slughorn looked at Regulus but didn't speak immediately.

Regulus looked at him, as if knowing what the professor was thinking, and said directly, "Professor, I don't intend to be controlled by anyone, whether it's Grindelwald, Voldemort, or Dumbledore. I will only walk the path I want to walk."

Slughorn visibly relaxed upon hearing this.

The child was telling the truth; he had watched the child grow up since first grade and knew who Regulus was.

Regulus did not lie, or rather, he disdained to lie. He would not answer if he did not want to, but whatever came out of his mouth was the truth.

He felt a little relieved.

As for that place, he still needs to think about it some more.

He didn't let the silence linger for long. He slapped the table and laughed, "Alright, that's enough for today. You can think about the medicine first. Come find me if you have any questions."

Regulus stood up, straightened his robes, and nodded slightly. "Professor, I won't tell anyone about the Potions."

Slughorn knew exactly what he was talking about as soon as he heard it, and waved his hand with a laugh, "I know, I know, lunchtime is coming, go ahead."

Regulus pushed open the door and went out, the door closing behind him.