Deep Cracks

In the late autumn of 1968, the beech tree in the courtyard of 12 Grimmauld Place shed its last leaf.

Regulus was seven years old.

The past year of Magic Guidance Cycle Practice had produced remarkable results. He had grown stronger, his physique had improved noticeably, his Magic Perception had become keener, and his control more refined.

Sirius was eight years old, and his rebellion had entered a new phase.

He was no longer satisfied with talking back. He had even begun resisting systematically.

Whenever Walburga made him recite the family tree, he deliberately got names wrong. Whenever she made him practice etiquette, he turned the teacup into a frog. Whenever she made him wear formal robes, he tore the collar.

During one dinner, Sirius openly questioned Pureblood Theory. Walburga flew into a rage, and Regulus eased the tension, but Sirius saw it as currying favor with their parents. The brothers spoke less and less.

Sometimes, Regulus ran into Sirius in the corridor, and the look Sirius gave him was complicated—anger at being betrayed, incomprehension, and a hint of disappointment.

He thinks that choosing the family means betraying him. In some sense, he is right.

On the first weekend of December, the Malfoys arrived as promised. Everyone knew their true purpose: Malfoy represented Voldemort and had come to probe the Black family's position.

Abraxas Malfoy was fifty-five years old, his features impeccably maintained, his silver gray hair neatly tied behind his head.

He wore dark green robes, their cuffs embroidered with intricate Serpentine Patterns in silver thread. In his hand was an Ebony staff capped with a dark green Black Opal.

"Walburga, you look well," he said in a smooth, polished tone. "Orion, it has been a long time. Is your work at the Wizengamot going well?"

Orion sat in the main seat, his tone calm. "As always. What has Mr. Malfoy been busy with lately?"

Abraxas lifted his teacup and gently blew across it. "Thinking about the future. The future of the Wizarding World, and our future."

Lucius had not come. Regulus guessed that he was preparing for a more important occasion—formally joining the Death Eaters, or representing the family in Voldemort's Core Affairs.

"The Dark Lord holds the Black family in high regard," Abraxas said, getting straight to the point. "Among the Sacred Twenty-Eight, the Black family has the oldest, purest, and most steadfast bloodline."

"Steadfast?" Orion asked.

"In preserving tradition." Abraxas set down his teacup. "Many families have wavered these days. The Potter family openly fraternizes with Muggle-borns. The Weasleys have practically become synonymous with Bloodline Traitors. The Longbottom family may be Pure-bloods, but they are far too weak.

"Only the Black family has remained unchanged. The Dark Lord believes that such a family deserves its proper place in the New Order."

Walburga leaned forward slightly. "Does the Dark Lord... have any specific plans?"

Abraxas's voice rose slightly. "Revival! Purging the Weak Elements from the Ministry of Magic, rebuilding the authority of the Wizengamot, regulating Magical Education.

"Most importantly, establishing the Dominant Position of Pureblood Wizards and returning the Wizarding World to its proper order."

"That sounds ambitious," Orion said.

"It is vision!" Abraxas corrected. "What the Dark Lord possesses is not merely ambition, but strength, knowledge, and the resolve to change reality.

"He has already gathered a group of like-minded people. The Lestrange family, the Nott family, the Carrow family... they have all declared their support."

"Support him in doing what?" Sirius suddenly cut in.

Walburga frowned. "Sirius, when adults are speaking—"

"I'm asking the truth." Sirius stared fixedly at Abraxas. "What are they supporting him to do? Kill people? Persecute Muggle-borns? Or turn everyone into his slaves?"

"Sirius!" Walburga's voice sharpened.

But Abraxas raised a hand to stop her. He looked at Sirius, and there was not the slightest anger in his eyes.

"Young people having questions is a good thing," he said. "What the Dark Lord wishes to establish is not tyranny, but order.

"Under the New Order, everyone will find their place. Pureblood Wizards are born to lead the Wizarding World. Half-bloods and Muggle-borns may serve, while Muggles must be managed."

"Why?" Sirius shot to his feet, arguing loudly. "Why do you get to decide who leads and who serves?"

Abraxas spoke as though it were only natural. "By strength, by a thousand years of inheritance, by Choice of Magic Itself. Pureblood Wizards possess stronger, more stable Magic Power. That is a fact."

"I don't think—" Sirius tried to continue.

Abraxas interrupted him, his tone gentle. "What you think is unimportant. The rules by which the world operates will not change because of an eight-year-old child.

"When you grow up, when you have seen the chaos of the Wizarding World with your own eyes, seen Muggles' fear and persecution of Magic, seen how Pureblood families are marginalized, perhaps you will understand."

"What if I never understand?" Sirius's eyes were filled with stubborn defiance.

"Then you will have two choices." Abraxas smiled. "Accept that you do not understand, but obey the rules—or be excluded by them."

It was practically a naked threat. Sirius went pale, but he clenched his teeth and did not back down.

At that moment, Regulus spoke.

"Mr. Malfoy is right," he said calmly. "Order requires strength to maintain it. If Pureblood Wizards truly possess greater Magical Talent, then having us lead the Wizarding World would bring about a more stable and powerful society."

Everyone looked at him.

Walburga's eyes lit up, while Orion's expression did not change.

As for Sirius, he stared at Regulus. His expression shifted from shock to disbelief, then finally into disappointment.

"You think that too?" Sirius's voice trembled slightly, as if he were making one last confirmation.

Regulus met his gaze. "I am stating facts. If Pureblood Wizards possess greater Magical Talent, then it is reasonable."

Sirius still wanted to argue, and he was even angrier now. Walburga rose to her feet and snapped, "Sirius, go to your room. Now!"

Sirius looked at his mother, then his father, then his younger brother, and finally Abraxas before turning and leaving.

After Sirius left, the atmosphere in the sitting room actually relaxed somewhat.

Abraxas picked up his teacup again. "The future of the Wizarding World does not lie only in the UK. Europe, the Americas, Asia... the Dark Lord's influence is expanding.

"The families that support him may one day participate in the Global magical order reconstruction. That means resources, knowledge, and power far beyond what the Ministry of Magic can provide now."

Regulus could not help mocking it in his heart. Voldemort certainly had grand ambitions, aiming for the whole world when he could not even take control of the UK.

After a moment of silence, Orion said, "We need time to consider."

Abraxas stood. "Of course. The Dark Lord never forces anyone. There will be a small gathering in Wiltshire next month. Several like-minded families will exchange ideas. If the Black family is interested, I can extend an invitation."

Walburga looked at her husband, expectation in her eyes.

Orion nodded. "We will consider it."

After Malfoy left, Walburga immediately turned to Orion. "We have to attend. Abraxas is right. This is an opportunity. The Black family should hold a leading position in the new era—"

Orion interrupted her, sounding tired. "Walburga, we need to be cautious. It all sounds wonderful, but what is the price?

"The Weak Elements he wants to purge may include our friends, perhaps even our family."

"Andromeda is no longer family," Walburga said coldly.

"And Sirius, if his rebellion continues..."

"Then let him go!" Walburga's voice suddenly rose. "The Black family does not lack one rebellious son. We have Regulus."

She looked at her second son, her gaze burning. "You spoke very well today. Rationality, logic, consideration for the larger picture—this is what an heir of the Black family should be."

Regulus lowered his head and did not answer.

In the Attic laboratory, Regulus did not light a lamp. He sat in the darkness, recalling everything that had happened that afternoon.

Abraxas's words had revealed several key pieces of information. Voldemort's influence had already extended beyond the UK and was expanding across the world.

Voldemort used the promise of a future order to tempt Pureblood families, offering them power and resources.

Voldemort's methods included the mild-sounding word "purge," but Regulus knew it would mean nothing but pure violence.

Other than himself, no one knew that Voldemort would ultimately fail, though that inevitable outcome would be driven by many coincidences.

He needed strength.