Recaps

Regulus visited Dumbledore to ask for a way to escape anywhere despite Anti-Apparition Charms. Dumbledore considered the request and suspected Regulus feared a threat connected to the Christmas holiday and his support for Half-blood students and Lily Evans.

• Regulus entered Dumbledore's Office and greeted Phineas Nigellus Black and Fawkes.
• Dumbledore offered Regulus tea and sweets, but Regulus listed cockroach relatives that Dumbledore's safety spell might miss, prompting him to move the Cockroach Cluster aside.
• Dumbledore asked how Regulus had been, and they discussed Regulus's talent for potions and lack of interest in the subject.
• Regulus told Dumbledore he needed a way to escape anywhere, even where Anti-Apparition Charms were active.
• Dumbledore considered Regulus's abilities and suspected the danger might involve a Pureblood family manor during the Christmas holiday, or resentment over Regulus's support for Half-blood students and Lily Evans.

Regulus asked Dumbledore for a rapid escape route across England in case he encountered Voldemort at the Lestrange Christmas Banquet, and Dumbledore recognized that Regulus was trusting him with his safety. Dumbledore introduced Fawkes as the only possible means of escape, and Regulus stood before the Phoenix to see whether it would choose to help him.

• Dumbledore considered Regulus's pragmatic approach to magic and his willingness to teach Lily Evans, a Muggle-born witch, to summon a Patronus.
• Regulus told Dumbledore he needed a fast way to escape anywhere in England, and Dumbledore inferred that Voldemort was the danger he feared.
• Regulus asked whether someone long absent might have changed, and Dumbledore admitted he did not know what Voldemort had become.
• Dumbledore reassured Regulus that having someone ready to catch him could help him move forward, then explained that Phoenixes could travel past magical protections.
• Dumbledore invited Regulus to speak with Fawkes, and Regulus approached the Phoenix while reflecting on his identity and soul.

Regulus introduced his Starry Sky Kite Patronus to Fawkes, and their encounter revealed a new principle of space magic. Fawkes gave Regulus a feather that would summon him when Regulus needed help, and Regulus left Dumbledore’s office for the holiday.

• Regulus considered Phoenixes’ abilities and wondered whether Dumbledore’s Phoenix Patronus reflected his repeated spiritual rebirth from regret.
• Regulus summoned his Starry Sky Kite Patronus so Fawkes could inspect his soul, and the two birds circled together in Dumbledore’s office.
• Regulus observed Fawkes vanish and reappear in flames, realizing that Phoenixes traveled by erasing the space between destinations.
• Fawkes allowed Regulus to touch his feathers, then plucked one and gave it to him as a way to summon the Phoenix in an emergency.
• Dumbledore explained that Regulus only needed to hold the feather and think of Fawkes to call for help, then wished him a merry Christmas.
• Regulus thanked Fawkes and Dumbledore, left the office, and walked toward the dormitory.

Regulus tested the Severing Charm on creatures Baruk had captured, but the spell instantly reduced a Gnome to ash. Baruk offered other spiders as test subjects before volunteering himself, and Regulus asked Aragog to lend him Baruk; Aragog demanded conditions.

• Baruk brought Regulus captured Gnomes, a rabbit, a bird, and a Centaur to use as test subjects.
• Regulus struck a Gnome with the Severing Charm at its middle setting, and it disintegrated into ash while Baruk panicked.
• Baruk urged Regulus to test the spell on other spiders before trying it on him, and Regulus agreed to take him home.
• Baruk led Regulus to Aragog, who objected to a wizard taking his cleverest offspring.
• Regulus said Baruk was the most suitable spider to borrow, and Aragog asked what conditions he would offer.

Regulus shrank Baruk and took him out of the Forbidden Forest, where the young Acromantula marveled at the world beyond the trees. As they flew toward Hogwarts, Regulus considered the colony’s fear of the castle and began thinking about studying the Basilisk and its venom.

• Aragog allowed Regulus to make one request later, and Regulus told him he was taking Baruk with him.
• Regulus used Transfiguration to shrink Baruk to palm size, and Baruk climbed onto his shoulder.
• After Apparition made Baruk sick, Regulus healed him with Natural Magic Power and told him he was free outside the Forbidden Forest.
• Regulus levitated toward Hogwarts while Baruk admired the grounds, swung from a silk thread, and settled back on Regulus’s shoulder.
• Regulus considered why Aragog kept his colony away from Hogwarts, recalling Dumbledore’s conditions and the Basilisk beneath the castle.
• Regulus thought about entering the Chamber of Secrets next term to study the Basilisk, its venom, and the possibility of higher-quality magic reversing destruction.

Regulus considered how Basilisk venom and Phoenix Tears might affect the boundary between soul and matter, then brought Baruk back to the dormitory and planned to enhance the Acromantula with abilities from other Magical Creatures. He left Baruk hidden safely in his desk drawer and decided to begin the gradual modifications after the holidays.

• Regulus reasoned that Basilisk venom might sever connections between soul and matter, while Phoenix Tears might restore them, and considered investigating the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets next term.
• Regulus placed Baruk in a desk drawer and explained that the dormitory was a school where many wizards lived together; Baruk asked if Regulus was their leader.
• Hermes heard Regulus talking to Baruk, learned the creature could kill them, and obeyed Regulus's warning not to search the drawer.
• Regulus planned to strengthen Baruk by adding Salamander fire resistance, Occamy size-changing, Bowtruckle plant communication, and Demiguise invisibility and precognition, one ability at a time.
• Regulus decided to postpone using the Severing Charm until Baruk had grown stronger, then checked that Baruk was settled in the drawer before going to bed.

Regulus introduced his dormmates to Baruk, a palm-sized Acromantula kept small by a Transfiguration spell, and assured them it would behave. Avery became eager to get an Acromantula of his own, while Alex remained worried; the chapter ended at breakfast with Avery still plotting how to keep one.

• Regulus showed Avery, Alex, and Hermes the palm-sized Acromantula and explained that it was dangerous despite its small appearance.
• Alex recognized the spider as an Acromantula and backed away, while Avery grew excited about keeping one himself.
• Baruk wrapped Avery's wrist in spider silk, greeted the boys, and learned Regulus's name before Regulus put it back in a drawer.
• Regulus told Baruk to stay in the drawer and wait for food, then took the others to breakfast.
• Avery questioned Regulus about obtaining Baruk and argued with Alex about keeping a second Acromantula in the dormitory.

Regulus gathered Avery, Alex, Hermes, Lina, and Samuel by the Black Lake to explain that the conflict with Rababstan and the Lestrange family would continue, while promising the others would be protected from its fallout. As they agreed to stand with him, Sirius approached with James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew.

• Regulus asked Alex for an update on the plan to catch Rababstan, and Lina volunteered to take part while Samuel remained silent.
• Regulus told the group Rababstan had targeted Costa and Vance, making the dispute personal, and said any consequences would fall between Black and Lestrange rather than reach them.
• Avery, Hermes, Alex, Lina, and Samuel accepted Regulus's explanation and agreed to continue with the plan.
• Avery noticed Sirius approaching along the lakeshore with James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew.

Sirius met Regulus by the Black Lake and admitted that he wanted to return to Grimmauld Place. Regulus recognized that Sirius was questioning whether his lifelong rejection of his family had truly been his own choice.

• Regulus and Sirius's friends waited by the lake as Sirius approached with James, Lupin, and Peter.
• Sirius stood beside Regulus and called himself the older brother, but Regulus replied without acknowledging the role.
• After Regulus prompted him to speak, Sirius said he wanted to go home.
• Regulus realized Sirius wanted to examine his feelings about Grimmauld Place and find a path beyond simply obeying or opposing his family.

Regulus encouraged Sirius to return to the Black family and warned him to stay calm during the holidays, hinting that something important awaited them at home. Sirius agreed, and the two groups headed back to the Castle as Regulus considered the Christmas Banquet and his other plans.

• Regulus told Sirius it was good to go home, and Sirius relaxed enough to accept the idea.
• Regulus warned Sirius that something might happen over the holidays and secured his promise to keep calm.
• Regulus explained that Sirius would need to attend the Christmas Banquet at the Lestrange family home, where Voldemort's supporters would gather.
• Avery looked at James, and Lupin stopped James from confronting him.
• Sirius told James he was going home, then walked with James, Lupin, and Peter toward the Castle behind Regulus's group.

On the eve of the Christmas holidays, Regulus prepared for the plan against Rababstan and spoke with Lily in the Library about practicing magic while away from Hogwarts. They wished each other Merry Christmas and parted, with Regulus returning to the Slytherin Dormitory.

• Regulus returned to the Slytherin Common Room while Alex reviewed the group's plan to stop Rababstan's move before the holidays.
• Regulus renewed the Transfiguration spell on Baruk and promised to take the spider back to his nest the next day.
• Lily told Regulus she was frustrated about being unable to practice magic over the break, and he explained that wandless Magic Power control would not trigger the Trace.
• Regulus asked Lily about her wand and agreed that they should write letters during the holidays.
• Lily and Regulus left the Library, wished each other Merry Christmas, and went their separate ways.

Rababstan and Snape tried to interrogate Lena Costa with Veritaserum, but Hermes, Samuel, and Lina exposed the plan and stopped them. Snape took the blame and was left injured, while Regulus treated Rababstan’s attempt as enough to settle the matter.

• Rababstan waited in an abandoned storeroom as Snape brought the unconscious Lena Costa and prepared the Veritaserum.
• Hermes burst in, blasted Snape aside, and chased Rababstan, who fled after his spells missed.
• Lina revealed she had only been pretending to be unconscious, while Snape drank the potion and claimed his injuries came from an experiment.
• Hermes kicked Snape to the floor and left with Lina and Samuel, while Snape wondered whether Regulus had discarded him.
• Hermes told Regulus that Rababstan had run, and Regulus decided the attempted attack alone tied Rababstan to the matter.

Regulus and his friends parted ways at King's Cross before the holidays, while Sirius prepared to return to the Black family home. The chapter ended with Sirius leaving the Potters and his friends to join Regulus.

• Avery and Hermes said goodbye to Regulus and discussed attending the Christmas Banquet, while Alex prepared to return to his family.
• Regulus watched his friends depart, then waited with Kreacher at the end of the platform.
• James tried to persuade Sirius not to return to the Black family, but Charlus and Euphemia Potter offered him support and a welcome at their home.
• Sirius accepted Euphemia's hug and explained that he wanted to return home and see the Black family for himself.
• Sirius joked with James about practicing Transfiguration over the holiday, exchanged farewells with Lupin and Peter, and walked toward Regulus.

Regulus brought Sirius to 12 Grimmauld Place by Apparition, letting him experience the uncomfortable pressure of spatial transit. Walburga greeted Regulus with pointedly restrained warmth, while Sirius tried to guess what had upset her; Regulus ignored his teasing and decided to make a list later.

• Sirius asked Regulus to let him experience Apparition, and Regulus took him to 12 Grimmauld Place with a rough passage through space.
• Sirius recovered from the trip outside the house and wondered why Regulus had not Apparated directly inside.
• Walburga greeted Regulus with a restrained embrace and then announced that dinner was ready without acknowledging Sirius.
• Sirius privately speculated about why Walburga was acting cold toward Regulus, then teased Regulus about it.
• Regulus ignored Sirius and walked to the living room, deciding to make a list later.

Regulus navigated Walburga’s confrontation over Bellatrix’s complaint while Sirius observed the Black family’s dynamics with new detachment. When Regulus brought Sirius into a meeting with Orion, Sirius realized Regulus held authority beyond his position as heir.

• Sirius joined Regulus, Orion, and Walburga for dinner and noticed he no longer felt driven to flee the family table.
• Walburga questioned Regulus about sheltering two half-blood students and sending Bellatrix an arrogant letter, and Regulus promised to speak with Bellatrix.
• Orion decided to discuss family business with Regulus in the Study and planned to speak to Sirius afterward.
• Regulus told Sirius to join the Study meeting, and Orion accepted his decision.
• Walking upstairs, Sirius recognized that Regulus could alter the head of the family’s arrangements and was more than just the heir.

Sirius revisited his childhood room at 12 Grimmauld Place and found himself less troubled by its memories than before. Regulus settled Baruk in his room and checked on the Bone Box’s effects before Sirius asked him for a robe, annoyed that Regulus had grown taller and broader than him.

• Sirius looked over the divided belongings in his room, recalled an early memory of helping Regulus build a block tower, and watched Muggle children play outside.
• Sirius tried to wear one of his old Black family robes, found it too small, and left his room without changing.
• Regulus settled Baruk on his desk and took out the Rune Box containing the Bone Box.
• Regulus sensed that the Virtual Persona was eager for more Bone Box material and planned to import a larger amount after speaking with Orion.
• Sirius compared his height and shoulders with Regulus, realized his younger brother seemed taller and broader, and asked him to get a robe that fit.

Sirius accompanied Regulus to Orion’s study, where Orion told him he had to attend the Christmas Banquet at Lestrange Manor. Sirius agreed to go and decided to observe the pure-blood families, though Orion’s instructions and the prospect of Bellatrix taking his arm stirred his old distress.

• Regulus used Transfiguration to adjust Sirius’s robe, and Sirius followed him to the study.
• Sirius looked at Orion’s study without his old resentment, treating himself as a temporary guest rather than the Black family’s eldest son.
• Orion told Sirius to attend the Christmas Banquet at Lestrange Manor and explained that his presence would reassure the other families.
• Sirius agreed to go because he wanted to see what the pure-blood families supporting Voldemort were like.
• Orion outlined the banquet’s etiquette and said Bellatrix would take Sirius’s arm, making Sirius visibly uncomfortable.
• Sirius endured the instructions and nodded, while Orion turned to Regulus and silently questioned why he had let Sirius stay.

Orion learned that Sirius understood why Regulus had accepted the Bone Box, so he allowed him to hear the family’s plans. Regulus arranged to confront Bellatrix after the banquet, then silenced and immobilized Sirius after proving he could not even defeat Kreacher.

• Regulus told Orion that Sirius knew about Dark Enlightenment and understood why Regulus had accepted Bellatrix’s Bone Box.
• Orion realized Sirius understood Regulus’s predicament but still rejected the Black family’s values and ways of operating.
• Regulus said he wanted the Black family, including Cousin Narcissa, to remain after the banquet and speak with Bellatrix.
• Sirius eagerly offered to help, but Regulus said he could not even beat Kreacher.
• Regulus ordered Kreacher to take Sirius’s wand, and Kreacher summoned it from Sirius’s pocket.
• Regulus froze Sirius with Petrificus Totalus and cast Muffliato, leaving Sirius unable to move or hear.

Regulus told Orion that he had awakened his soul and was strengthening it by influencing the world around him, including provoking Bellatrix over the half-bloods he protected. Orion accepted his explanation and listened as Regulus began recounting how Snape reported Rababstan Lestrange’s investigation back to him.

• Orion watched Kreacher disarm Sirius with House-elf magic, then dismissed the elf without questioning him.
• Regulus told Orion that he had lit up his soul at school and could now see it.
• Regulus explained that Nicolas Flamel had taught him the soul needed to be fed through experiences, choices, and influence on others.
• Regulus said he had allowed Alex Rosier to help shelter two half-bloods, then answered Bellatrix’s warning with “S0?” written in ketchup.
• Regulus told Orion that Rababstan Lestrange had sent Snape to investigate the half-bloods, and Snape had passed the news straight to him.

Regulus told Orion that he planned to use Dark Enlightenment at the dinner to strengthen his position against Bellatrix, and revealed that he had Fawkes's tail feather as an escape option. Orion backed his son’s plans and urged him to act without worrying about the Black family, then told him to deal with Sirius.

• Regulus explained to Orion that he would make Dark Enlightenment appear to be corrupting him at the dinner while keeping it under control.
• Regulus said his plan also involved sheltering Half-bloods, opposing Bellatrix, and implicating the Lestranges; he intended to test how darkness affected his soul.
• Regulus showed Orion Fawkes's tail feather and said it could take him away if the worst happened, though using it would expose the Black family's connection to Dumbledore.
• Orion told Regulus to do what he wanted and not worry about home, affirming his confidence that the Black family would endure.
• Orion noticed that Regulus had grown taller, then returned to his desk and told him to deal with Sirius.

Regulus enlisted Sirius to handle Rababstan at the banquet while he dealt with Bellatrix, instructing Sirius to wait for a signal. Back in his room, Regulus checked the Rune Box and focused on the Bone Box, entering the Star Orbit.

• Regulus freed Sirius from the spells and asked him to help at the banquet.
• Regulus assigned Sirius to deal with Rababstan and told him to act normally until the signal appeared.
• Orion watched Regulus calm Sirius and agreed as the brothers left the study.
• Sirius returned to his room, grew excited about his role, then began to suspect something was wrong.
• Regulus fed Baruk, then opened the Rune Box and focused on the Bone Box until his view shifted to the turning Star Orbit.

Regulus lowered the Bone Box’s filtration to let Voldemort’s domination magic alter the outer texture of his Magic Power, then restored the filtration and planned to build up the effect again before the banquet. At 12 Grimmauld Place, the Black family prepared to attend the Lestranges’ Christmas banquet, and Regulus Disapparated with Sirius to Lestrange Manor.

• Regulus let gray matter from the Bone Box pass through the Star Orbit, where Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, and the Belt Stars prevented it from reaching his soul while it changed the texture of his Magic Power.
• Regulus restored full filtration, left the lingering gray layer on his Magic Power, and planned to build it up again before the banquet.
• Baruk rested on Regulus’s hand before returning to its corner of the desk, and Regulus went to bed.
• On December 25, Walburga instructed Orion, Regulus, and Sirius on etiquette for the Lestrange family’s Christmas banquet, while Sirius objected to pretending he had been sick the previous year.
• Orion and Walburga Disapparated from 12 Grimmauld Place, and Regulus grabbed Sirius and Disapparated with him to Lestrange Manor.

Regulus attended a gathering at Lestrange Manor with Orion, Walburga, and Sirius, where the Black family greeted other guests and met Bellatrix and Rodolphus at the entrance. Bellatrix warned Regulus that she wanted to speak with him after the banquet, and he said he looked forward to it.

• Regulus arrived at Lestrange Manor with Sirius and joined Orion and Walburga as guests gathered for the evening.
• Orion greeted several families, while Regulus and Sirius followed his lead in exchanging brief, formal pleasantries.
• Orion and Rodolphus greeted each other, and Walburga praised Bellatrix for the manor's decorations.
• Bellatrix gripped Regulus's hand and told him she wanted to talk with him after the banquet.
• Regulus met Bellatrix's gaze, said he looked forward to their conversation, and withdrew his hand.

At the Christmas banquet, Regulus spoke with Lucretius Burke and several family representatives, learning that Ministry pressure on Knockturn Alley had eased and that Alex Rosier’s connection to him had drawn the Rosier main branch’s attention. He ended the chapter observing the hall’s shifting circles of influence.

• Regulus entered the banquet hall while Orion and Sirius greeted family Patriarchs and Walburga joined the ladies.
• Lucretius Burke told Regulus that the Review Office’s investigation had weakened and invited him to visit Borgin and Burkes to see new trinkets.
• Philip Wendell introduced himself and said the Wendell family stood with the Black family.
• Cygnus Rosier thanked Regulus for looking after Alex and acknowledged that Regulus had brought Alex to the main branch’s attention.
• Regulus watched the guests and sorted them into core family leaders, their followers, and marginal figures seeking notice.

At a Lestrange Manor banquet, Bellatrix declared that Voldemort would establish a pure-blood order and warned the gathered families to choose a side. Regulus recognized the speech as a turning point before the Death Eaters’ first public move in 1975 and resolved to prepare for the coming upheaval.

• Sirius watched the gathered patriarchs and ladies discuss Wizengamot politics, sensing their smiles and solemnity were often insincere.
• Bellatrix addressed the banquet, condemned the Ministry’s compromises with Muggles and Half-bloods, and called on the crowd to reclaim power for Pureblood Wizards.
• The guests raised their glasses and shouted in support, while Regulus observed that some were committed, some opportunistic, and others merely going through the motions.
• Regulus contrasted Bellatrix’s ultimatum with Abraxas Malfoy’s appeal the previous Christmas and concluded that Bellatrix was clearing the way for Voldemort.
• Regulus recalled that the Death Eaters would make their first public move in 1975 and decided that less than two years remained for him to prepare.