Chapter Summaries

Regulus returned to 12 Grimmauld Place and shared a warm family dinner with Walburga and Orion, while Sirius’s absence remained unspoken. At dinner, Regulus announced that he planned to invoke declaratio sanguinis against the Rowle family and wipe them out.

• Regulus left the station with Kreacher and returned to 12 Grimmauld Place, where Walburga welcomed him home.
• Walburga noticed Sirius was absent, and Regulus confirmed he had not come home.
• Regulus changed, washed up, and joined Orion and Walburga for a lavish dinner.
• Regulus described Hogwarts’s spring fair and said he had earned all Os on his exams.
• Regulus told Walburga and Orion that he planned to invoke the Family Vengeance Contract against the Rowle family.

Regulus told Walburga and Orion that he intended to invoke the Family Vengeance Contract against the Rowle family, and Walburga immediately offered to help kill Isolde Rowle. In the Study, Regulus explained how Dolphin Rowle had twice plotted against him at Hogwarts, leaving Orion to hear the case for revenge.

• Regulus announced at dinner that he wanted to invoke the Family Vengeance Contract against the Rowle family.
• Walburga proposed several ways to kill Isolde Rowle at the Greengrass Summer Gala or elsewhere, and Regulus urged her to eat before taking action.
• Orion took Regulus to the Study and asked him to explain his reasons for invoking the ancient contract.
• Regulus described how Dolphin Rowle had used Arnold Belmont in his first year to pressure him into declaring the Black family's political position.
• Regulus recounted how Dolphin Rowle had arranged for Geoffrey Selwyn to take a Magic Agitation Potion and challenge him at the Welcome Party, risking Selwyn's health and Regulus's reputation.

Regulus proposed invoking the ancient Family Vengeance Contract against the Rowle family, and Orion agreed to support him. They planned preparations for the twenty-eight-day family war, which Regulus expected to advance his soul and his work on the ultimate Disintegration Charm.

• Regulus explained that the Family Vengeance Contract would let the Black family challenge the Rowle family without their consent and prevent third parties from intervening.
• Orion and Regulus discussed why Voldemort would likely stay out of the conflict, since either outcome could benefit him and interference would undermine Pureblood tradition.
• Orion planned to investigate the Rowle family's retainers, manor defenses, and movements, notify the Malfoy, Roxier, and Cuthbert families, and prepare for possible Ministry scrutiny.
• Orion assigned Regulus to lead the Black family's retainers while he and Regulus's mother guarded the house.
• Regulus said the conflict would nourish his soul and let him continue developing the ultimate form of the Disintegration Charm, and Orion gave him the family's support.

Regulus attended Lucius and Narcissa’s wedding at Malfoy Manor with Orion and Walburga, where the Malfoys welcomed the Black family. Lucius told Regulus that Narcissa was nervous and asked him to go upstairs to reassure her.

• Regulus dressed in formal robes bearing the Black family’s star names, and Walburga and Orion joined him before they Apparated to Malfoy Manor.
• Regulus surveyed the lavish wedding grounds and the international guests gathered for the Malfoy celebration.
• Abraxas greeted Orion, Walburga, and Regulus, praising Regulus’s progress at school and noting how much he had grown.
• Lucius welcomed the Black family, then told Regulus that Narcissa was nervous and asked him to find her on the second floor.

Regulus comforted Narcissa before her wedding and mingled with the guests gathering at the Black family’s main house. Bellatrix Lestrange arrived shortly before the ceremony, revealing that she remained a subordinate despite the destruction of Lestrange Manor.

• Regulus visited Narcissa in her wedding dress and reassured her that she was beautiful and would always belong to the Black family.
• Cygnus III and Druella approached Narcissa, and Regulus left them to escort her toward the ceremony.
• Regulus watched the wedding guests gather, including the Greengrass, Parkinson, Flint, Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, and Selwyn families, along with Slughorn.
• Bellatrix Lestrange arrived with Rodolphus, drawing the guests’ attention after news of Lestrange Manor’s destruction had spread.
• Regulus sensed that Bellatrix’s Magic Power had been restrained but remained volatile, then stepped away from the pillar.

At Narcissa and Lucius's wedding, Regulus encountered Bellatrix and the Rowles before Voldemort sent the Malfoys an antique magical mirror as a wedding gift. The ceremony united the Malfoy and Black families, and Regulus watched Lucius and Narcissa kiss.

• Regulus greeted Bellatrix and Rodolphus, politely asking about their new home and offering the Black family's help; Bellatrix left without reacting, while Rodolphus struggled to keep his temper.
• Regulus met Dag Rowle and Dolphin Rowle, learned that Dolphin had chosen to follow The Master, and privately recognized Dolphin's hostility toward him or the Black family.
• Bellatrix presented Abraxas with Voldemort's gift, an ancient silver mirror, and Abraxas thanked the Dark Lord on behalf of the Malfoy family.
• At the garden ceremony, Cygnus III escorted Narcissa to Lucius, and Abraxas and Orion used their families' ceremonial wands to mark the couple with the Malfoy and Black crests.
• The crests joined in a crown of magical light above Lucius and Narcissa's hands, after which the guests applauded and Lucius kissed Narcissa while Regulus watched approvingly.

At Lucius and Narcissa’s wedding, Regulus watched Minister Minchum signal the Ministry’s willingness to maintain ties with the Pure-blood families, then accompanied Slughorn as he introduced him to influential guests. The introductions showcased Regulus’s reputation and connections before Avery called him away.

• Minister Minchum congratulated Lucius and Narcissa, exchanged political pleasantries with Abraxas, and departed with his attendants.
• Regulus shared a piece of roast lamb with Baruk before Slughorn brought him to meet Pierre de Montmorency.
• Regulus answered Montmorency’s question about treating Basilisk venom and Dragon Blood poisoning with a Bezoar, impressing him with his knowledge.
• Slughorn introduced Regulus to Vladimir Petkov, Deirdre O’Brien, and Barnabas Cuff, while Regulus responded politely and played along with their conversations.
• Regulus told Slughorn that Avery was calling him and walked over to Avery.

At a wedding banquet, Regulus arranged visits to Grimmauld Place with the Cuthbert and Mulciber families, while considering how the Black family could warn and benefit the Mulcibers before the Rowles fell. He left the banquet with the visits planned for the next day or two, though Avery remained confused about the purpose.

• Avery dragged Regulus to the banquet table, chatted about the guests and food, then followed him to speak with Old Cuthbert.
• Regulus invited Old Cuthbert and Avery to Grimmauld Place at two the next afternoon, prompting Old Cuthbert to recognize that the invitation concerned serious business.
• Regulus watched Abros Mulciber and Dag Rowle and considered warning the Mulcibers about the Black family's plans against the Rowles so they could prepare to take over their role.
• Regulus told Hermes to bring his father to visit the Black family tomorrow or the day after, and Hermes agreed without asking why.
• Avery remained bewildered as Regulus, Avery, and Hermes stood in the corner eating while the wedding banquet continued.

After the wedding banquet, Regulus stayed behind to speak with Lucius and Narcissa about attacks on the Black family and hinted that the family would retaliate during the holidays. He left Malfoy Manor after receiving their support, while the newlyweds remained together.

• Regulus and Lucius shared bread after the guests left, then Narcissa joined them and arranged a light meal.
• Baruk emerged from Regulus's pocket, greeted Narcissa, and eagerly ate Dragon Meat provided by Lucius.
• Regulus reminded Narcissa and Lucius of Arnold Belmont's attack and described a new student's loss of control during the duel for Chief.
• Regulus recounted the destruction of the Greystone family and implied that the Malfoys could investigate who had directed the Belmont family.
• Regulus told Lucius and Narcissa that the Black family would make a move during the holidays, and they silently acknowledged his warning.
• Regulus said goodbye and Disapparated, while Narcissa and Lucius stayed together at the manor entrance.

Regulus summoned Daily Prophet editor Barnabas Cuff and intern Rita Skeeter to Diagon Alley, then led them toward Gringotts to reveal news about his plan to destroy the Rowle family. As curious shoppers followed, young Gilderoy Lockhart joined the crowd, eager to see what Regulus would do.

• Regulus met Barnabas Cuff and Rita Skeeter at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour and kept Cuff waiting for the news.
• Regulus explained through his thoughts that he wanted the Daily Prophet and Diagon Alley's crowds to witness the Black family's destruction of the Rowle family.
• Regulus told Cuff that the news was outside and led him and Rita toward Gringotts.
• Samuel Vance and Lina Costa spotted Regulus passing their shop but stayed back as the crowd began following him.
• Gilderoy Lockhart saw the crowd moving toward Gringotts and hurried outside to follow Regulus.

Regulus Black invoked an ancient bloodline contract in Diagon Alley, formally declaring war on the Rowle family over Dolphin Rowle’s offenses. The proclamation reached the Ministry and the Rowles, and Regulus left as the stunned crowd watched.

• Regulus stopped on Gringotts’ steps and gathered enough Magic Power to invoke the Family Vengeance Contract as a crowd assembled.
• Regulus proclaimed in the name of the Black family that Dolphin Rowle had twice violated its bloodline and honor, then declared war on the Rowle family.
• The contract severed relations between the families, set a three-day notice period, prohibited outside interference, and sent magical proclamations to the Rowles and the Wizengamot.
• Kaf photographed the ceremony, Rita recorded it, and Samuel, Lina, and Lockhart watched in shock.
• Regulus put away his wand, walked through the silent crowd, and disappeared around a corner.

Orion Black formally registered the Black family’s Family Vengeance Contract against the Rowle family in the Wizengamot, naming his thirteen-year-old son Regulus as its initiator. Barty Crouch challenged the contract’s legality and Regulus’s authority, but Orion answered both objections, leaving Crouch without an immediate procedural basis to stop it.

• A golden display of the Family Vengeance Contract appeared in the Wizengamot chamber, and Orion submitted its formal registration naming the Rowle family as its target and Regulus Black as its initiator.
• The Chief Clerk verified the contract’s magical marks and began recording the filing as Wizengamot members watched.
• Barty Crouch confronted Orion and argued that disputes should follow Ministry procedures and that armed action required Ministry authorization.
• Orion argued that the ancient contract remained valid alongside the Ministry’s jurisdiction and could only be repealed through legislative procedure.
• Crouch challenged Regulus’s eligibility as a thirteen-year-old, but Orion presented the Black Patriarch’s authorization and said the contract’s activation proved Regulus was qualified.

Orion secured the Wizengamot’s approval for the Black family’s ancient contract against the Rowles despite Crouch’s objections, and the contract officially took effect. As Orion left the Ministry, the Daily Prophet’s Barnabas Cuff and Rita Skeeter rushed to prepare an extra edition with their photographs of the magical events.

• Crouch challenged Orion’s authority to arrange an armed operation, but Orion argued that the Black family was acting under an unrepealed ancient law.
• Abraxas confirmed that the filing was legally compliant and publicly aligned the Malfoy family with the Black family.
• Orion cited historical cases of declaratio sanguinis to rebut Crouch’s claims about the Ministry’s jurisdiction and UK security.
• Crouch warned that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement would intervene if anyone outside the contract was affected, then left the Wizengamot.
• The Chief Clerk applied the Wizengamot’s official seal and archived the document, making the contract effective and setting the war to begin in three days.
• Barnabas Cuff and Rita Skeeter arrived at the Daily Prophet editorial office with magical film and demanded an extra edition.

The Black family invoked the Family Vengeance Contract against the Rowle family, prompting Dag Rowle to summon his vassals and prepare to defend the manor. The news reached the Flint family, where Marcia, Lily, and Susan learned that a war of extermination had begun.

• The Black family’s contract magic used the Rowle crest to announce a twenty-eight-day judgment, and Dag Rowle sent out a summons signal without hesitation.
• Dolphin Rowle confronted Dag, while Isolde Rowle broke a vase in shock and was ordered to go to her mother.
• Rowle family vassals gathered at the manor, and Dag ordered them to hold it until the fourth day before launching a counterattack.
• At the Flint family garden, old Flint received word that the Black family had invoked the Family Vengeance Contract against the Rowle family.
• Old Flint told Marcia, Lily, and Susan that it was a war of extermination, then hurried into the main house as the girls reacted in disbelief.

After learning that Regulus had invoked the Family Vengeance Contract against the Rowle family, Sirius wanted to join the fight, but Charlus convinced him to stay hidden with the Potters. The Order of the Phoenix discussed the news, and Fabian asked Dumbledore where Geralt had gone.

• Charlus read that Regulus had invoked the Family Vengeance Contract against the Rowle family, and Sirius learned that Dolphin Rowle had targeted his brother.
• Sirius tried to leave for the battlefield, but Charlus explained that his presence would endanger Regulus and the Black family, so Sirius stayed behind.
• Charlus concealed the Potter home with magic, hiding Sirius and the rest of the family from anyone who might seek leverage against Regulus.
• James stood with Sirius at the window and understood that Regulus had sent him to the Potters to keep him safe before going to war.
• At the Order of the Phoenix safe house, Gideon, Fabian, and Moody discussed the contract, while Dumbledore gave a hesitant response and Fabian asked where Geralt had gone.

Regulus shared a tense family dinner with Walburga and Orion before learning that the Potter family had hidden its home and blurred the memories of those sent to find it. Orion told Regulus that Silas Croft would accompany him against the Rowles, then led him away to give him something.

• Walburga served Regulus an elaborate dinner and quietly showed her worry about his war against the Rowle family.
• Orion explained that the Potter family's home had vanished and that his agents could no longer remember where it was.
• Regulus considered the Deathly Hallows, including the Resurrection Stone hidden in Voldemort's Horcrux ring.
• Orion told Regulus that Narcissa was safe at Malfoy Manor and that Silas Croft would go with him.
• Regulus reassured Walburga, called Baruk to his shoulder, and followed Orion out of the dining room.

Orion gave Regulus an ancient Black family wand containing a fragment of an ancestor’s soul, and Regulus discovered its unusual power to leave lingering Dark Arts wounds. After several days of preparation, Regulus said goodbye to his parents and departed into the night on July 4.

• Orion revealed the Black family’s nameless wand, made from black yew with a Thestral heart tendon and an ancestral soul fragment sealed inside.
• Regulus took the wand, felt it recognize his bloodline and affinity for darkness, and discovered that its Dark Arts left wounds that continued to rot and burn.
• The Daily Prophet’s report about Regulus spread across London, while Orion handled incoming letters and intelligence and Regulus studied advanced Alchemy materials.
• Regulus spent July 4 preparing as Saiph’s influence and feedback grew, bringing his soul closer to a critical point.
• Regulus dressed in combat clothes, embraced Walburga, received Orion’s reassurance, and left Grimmauld Place by Apparating into the night.

Regulus Black led the Black family’s vassals to Rowle Manor as nearly a thousand wizards watched from the surrounding hills. Floating above the manor, he unleashed a Disintegration Charm that shattered its defenses and obliterated the estate, leaving Regulus glowing alone over the ruins.

• The Death Eaters, Order of the Phoenix, Pureblood families, foreign Ministry observers, and other spectators gathered around Rowle Manor while its defenders maintained the manor’s defenses.
• Regulus arrived with the Black family’s vassals and used Magic Perception to survey the manor, its hidden sentries, and the assembled onlookers.
• As the attention of nearly a thousand wizards focused on him, Regulus’s Constant Shield Charm activated and shone Silver White in the darkness.
• Regulus levitated above Rowle Manor and gathered his magic, locking the manor and its occupants within his cognition.
• Regulus fired a Disintegration Charm from the sky, breaking the defensive dome and disintegrating Rowle Manor and the surrounding ground.
• The beam faded, leaving the manor in ruins as Regulus remained floating above it, still the only light on the moor.

Regulus destroyed the Rowle family estate with a Disintegration Charm, and Saiph’s collapse formed an invisible sword that transformed his Star Orbit and expanded his perceptions. As he began recovering his Magic Power, he discovered Dag Rowle was draining and consuming the survivors beneath the ruins.

• Regulus used a Disintegration Charm to flatten the Rowle family estate, leaving thirteen people dead and more than twenty injured survivors.
• Saiph reached its limit and sent a thread of sharpness to the Soul Avatar, which formed an invisible sword.
• Saiph stabilized, the six stars completed their orbit, and Regulus’s perception and mental processing greatly expanded.
• Regulus activated Star Orbit Meditation and began rapidly replenishing his Magic Power while scanning the ruins.
• Regulus sensed Dag Rowle beneath the central rubble draining the survivors’ Magic Power and life.

Silas Croft and the Black family retainers fought their way through the ruins against the Rowle family while Dag Rowle regenerated from his severe wounds. Regulus arrived to face Dag across a fissure, and both prepared to fight under the binding Contract War.

• Silas Croft led the Black family retainers in a brutal assault that killed several Rowle family wizards, though the Black side also suffered heavy casualties.
• Wizards watching from the distant hills used protective charms and devices to observe the battle and the strange, blood-filled wall at the ruins’ center.
• Dag Rowle emerged from the living wall carrying human skins, whose contents healed his injuries and restored his severed fingers and damaged face.
• Regulus sensed that Dag Rowle had recovered and Apparated into the ruins, landing across a fissure from him.
• Regulus and Dag Rowle faced each other in silence, recognizing that the Contract War left them no reason to talk before fighting.