Chapter Summaries

Lucius warned Regulus that Voldemort might want to meet him, and Regulus subtly warned Lucius that Voldemort could eventually turn against the powerful Malfoy family. Lucius decided to discuss the warning with Abraxas as Regulus departed the manor.

• Lucius told Regulus that Voldemort had taken an interest in the Black family and might want to see him, and Regulus agreed to meet him at Christmas if it did not interfere with school.
• Regulus asked Narcissa again about Abraxas’s health, recalling that he had asked the same question during his first year, and Narcissa realized he did not want a direct answer.
• Lucius reasoned that Regulus’s repeated question was a warning that Voldemort might threaten Abraxas and the Malfoy family, and he resolved to tell his father and consider preparations.
• Regulus left the manor after saying goodbye to Narcissa and Lucius, while Lucius told Narcissa he would go speak with Abraxas.

Regulus discussed Arcturus I’s soul-distortion notes with Orion and reported that Death Eaters had pressed the Black family to take the Dark Mark. Orion then asked Regulus to tell Walburga that Sirius’s name would be removed from the family tree.

• Regulus explained that Arcturus I’s notes recorded body-strengthening methods before shifting into disordered writing and strange symbols that he believed came from a distorted soul.
• Regulus wondered whether Arcturus I might still be in his grave, but Orion refused to let him dig up the ancestral graves.
• Regulus told Orion that more than fifty people had attended Lucius’s gathering and that uninvited Death Eaters had asked when the Black family would take the Dark Mark; Regulus said decent people did not brand skulls on themselves.
• Regulus told Orion he had discussed Abraxas with Lucius and Narcissa, and Orion left the decision to him.
• Orion described the Resonance Disk’s expanding production and sales network, then asked Regulus whether he had seen Sirius; Regulus said Sirius was doing well with the Potters.
• Orion said Sirius’s name should be removed from the family tree, and Regulus left to tell Walburga.

Regulus persuaded Walburga to disown Sirius, explaining that it would protect the Black family as war approached and let Sirius live freely with the Potters. Walburga burned Sirius’s name from the family tapestry, leaving him outside the Black family.

• Regulus told Walburga that Death Eaters were probing the Black family’s position and Sirius could be used as an opening against them.
• Regulus asked Walburga to disown Sirius, saying he had already discussed it with Orion and Sirius did not intend to return.
• Walburga agreed and went with Regulus to join Orion before the Black family tapestry.
• Walburga burned Sirius’s portrait and name from the tapestry, leaving a charred gap beside those of Alphard and Andromeda.

Petunia watched Lily prepare to return to Hogwarts, longing for a magical world that had rejected her, while Lily waited anxiously to see Regulus after a summer without news. Regulus arrived at King's Cross and greeted the Evans family, leaving Lily still glaring at him over his silence.

• Petunia held Nox and watched the Hogwarts students, dwelling on her wish to receive a Hogwarts letter despite knowing one would never come.
• Mrs. Evans fussed over Lily's clothes, food, and studies while Lily searched the platform for Regulus.
• Lily recalled reading about Regulus Black and the war between Black and Rowle, and worried because he had not written to her all summer.
• Regulus appeared at the platform, and Lily's relief turned into a glare when she remembered his silence.
• Regulus cast a Disillusionment Charm, crossed the platform, and introduced himself to Mr. Evans as Lily's friend.

Regulus reunited with Lily and her family at the station, where his hidden status became unmistakable when the crowd fell silent as he revealed himself. Lily’s parents learned that she had kept news of him from them, while Petunia noticed Snape watching Lily.

• Regulus greeted Mr. and Mrs. Evans and told them he and Lily often practiced magic together.
• Regulus spoke kindly to Petunia, and she blurted out that he was better-looking than Snape.
• Lily reunited with Regulus and Baruk, while Nox startled the spider back into Regulus’s pocket.
• Regulus said goodbye to the Evans family, walked away, and lifted his Disillusionment Charm, prompting the platform to fall silent around him.
• Mr. Evans asked Lily who Regulus was, and Lily told him to read the newspapers hidden under her bed.
• Petunia spotted Snape watching Lily as Lily continued to follow Regulus’s retreating figure.