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

Sirius, meanwhile, was eight, and his rebellion had entered a new stage.

He was no longer content merely to talk back; he had even begun resisting systematically.

When Walburga made him recite the Family Tree, he deliberately got the names wrong. When she had him practice etiquette, he turned the Teacup into a frog. When 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 defused the situation, but Sirius took it as him currying favor with their parents. The brothers spoke less and less.

Sometimes Regulus ran into Sirius in the Corridor, and the look in his eyes was complicated—anger at betrayal, incomprehension, and a trace of disappointment.

He thinks that choosing the family means betraying him. In a way, 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 sound out the Black family's position.

Abraxas Malfoy was fifty-five, his appearance carefully 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 one hand, he held an Ebony Staff topped with a dark green Black Opal.

"Walburga, you look well." His voice was smooth and polished. "Orion, it has been a long time. Is your work at the Wizengamot going smoothly?"

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

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

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

"The Dark Lord thinks highly of the Black family." Abraxas came straight to the point. "He says that 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 are wavering now. The Potter family openly associates with Muggle-borns. The Weasleys have practically become synonymous with Bloodline Traitors. The Lombaton family may be pure-blood, but they are far too weak.

"Only the Black family has remained unchanged. The Dark Lord believes that such a family should occupy its rightful 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, restoring the authority of the Wizengamot, standardizing 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 him. "What the Dark Lord possesses is not merely ambition. It is power, knowledge, and the determination to change reality.

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

"Support for what?" Sirius suddenly interjected.

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

"I'm asking for the truth." Sirius stared hard at Abraxas. "What are they supporting him to do? Murder 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 a trace of 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 can serve, while Muggles need to be managed."

"Why?" Sirius shot to his feet, his voice ringing with fury. "Why do you get to decide who leads and who serves?"

Abraxas replied as if it were self-evident. "By strength, by a thousand years of inheritance, by the 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 cut him off, 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 have been Marginalized, perhaps you will understand."

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

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

It was nothing less than a naked threat. Sirius's face went pale, but he gritted his teeth and did not back down.

At that moment, Regulus spoke.

"Mr. Malfoy is right." His voice was calm. "Order requires strength to maintain it. If Pureblood Wizards truly possess greater Magical Talent, then having us lead the Wizarding World would create 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 became disappointment.

"You think that too?" Sirius's voice trembled slightly, as though he were seeking 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, but Walburga rose to her feet and snapped, "Sirius, go back to your room. Now!"

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

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

Abraxas picked up his Teacup again. "The future of the Wizarding World is not limited to the UK. Europe, the Americas, Asia... the Dark Lord's influence is expanding.

"Families that support him will have the chance to participate in the Global magical order reconstruction. That means resources, knowledge, and power far beyond what the Ministry of Magic can provide now."

Voldemort really did have grand ambitions. He was aiming for the entire world, yet he could not even take control of the UK.

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

Abraxas rose. "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, anticipation in her eyes.

Orion nodded. "We will consider it."

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

Orion interrupted her, his voice weary. "Walburga, we need to be cautious about this. It all sounds wonderful, but what is the price?

"Among the Weak Elements he wants to purge may be our friends, 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 need a rebellious son. We have Regulus."

She looked at her Second son, her gaze burning. "You spoke very well today. Rational, logical, mindful of the bigger picture. That is what an heir of the Black family should be."

Regulus lowered his head and said nothing.

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 was using 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.

No one but him knew that Voldemort would ultimately fail, and that inevitable outcome would be driven by countless accidents.

He needed power.